Returning after 7+ years and utterly lost

[adrikthorsen.7014]

When last I played there wasn't an expansion, let alone two with a third on the way, mastery wasn't a thing, rifles and staves weren't thief usable, and fractals were something I was barely getting started in. So here I am with a lvl80 thief, 53% map completion, D/P+SB setup(at least the skills work the way I remember them!) and... no idea how to even go about starting to catch up or build through masteries or... well, it's 7+ years since I played. Before expansions if I took a break for a few months I'd play through on a fresh alt just to get a feel for things again, but that doesn't really seem to apply with the addition of mastery at 80. So, what do I do? - I mean this in terms of things like... gear farming(I'm far too far behind the curve to be useful in group fractals now), essential things I should get done to catch up to the group game, we have raids now so what kindof catchup am I looking at for those?

 

Aside from roaming around working daily challenges and map completion and trying to catch up on the storyline(currently up to The Dragon's Reach, Part 2(LW Season 2 Chapter 4))I'm pretty much at a loss for how to even progress my character with the overload of new information and changes to the game. For reference I've got... mostly exotic gear with a few(chest, dagger, 2x ring, amulet) ascended. Running flame legion set(which was meta when I last played) and for some reason, I assume having to do with meta(I recall changing from condition build shortly before quitting) I'm built with a ton of power stacking.

Edited May 26, 2021 by adrikthorsen.7014

[Zacchary.6183]

You'll want to get the expacs if you have not. The skill points around the new maps will allow you to progress through the elite specs. You'll also want to get a full set of ascended. For masteries, they work like normal levels but you'll need Mastery Points which you can find on maps and earn throughout the story and with some achievements. Once you get them, you can unlock whatever mastery you've maxed and progress through the next one.

[adrikthorsen.7014]

So I can max out all the masteries/elite specs? Or do I have to pick and choose like talents from some other certain mmo?

 

As to ascended, the only way to get it when I was playing before was fractals, I'm guessing this isn't the case anymore if you're saying I should go out and get myself a full suit?

Edited May 26, 2021 by adrikthorsen.7014

[Zacchary.6183]

Yeah, you can max out everything. There are more than enough skillpoints for you to do this though some will require help. As for ascended, yeah you can craft them now BUT you'll need 500 in armorer/leatherworker/tailor. You can also make ascended weapons too. Be warned though, there is a time sink on the ascended mats.

[adrikthorsen.7014]

Hmmm, dont think I'm near 500 on any tradeskills, assuming I can catch them up pretty fast tho, definitely have a bank overflowing with mats. Why armorer for thief to make ascended though? Also assume... jeweler for ascended ring/trink/amulet? and then weaponsmithing and woodworking for weapons?

[Zacchary.6183]

I'm just saying in general for armor. We don't have 500 jeweler yet so you'll have to get them from NPCs. The trinkets I recommend are Blood Ruby trinkets from Bloodstone Fen because there is a cheap item that can reset their stats, though you'll be spending a bit of time farming blood rubies for the trinkets themselves.

[Spiral.3724]

It's definitely overwhelming to return. I felt the same way after being gone for 3 years. 
It's smart to go back to a fresh character and play for a bit on your preferred class as a refresher course. The skills have changed a bit. (You can do a key farm while you're at it.)
I use MetaBattle for builds or ask in these forums. Honestly, just play what you like and what feels good to you. Later you can tweak your build (and gear) to be the best you can be. 
Get the expansion packs so you can unlock the new professions and maps. I think you can buy Path of Fire and get Heart of Thorns for free. I don't have the Icebrood Saga unlocked at all and some of the other story lines because I hadn't logged in to get them unlocked for free. But I have enough to do completing everything else that I'm not worrying about it right now.
Be aware that the HoT maps hero points are GROUP play. They are worth 10 hero points and you usually need a group to kill the bosses that spawn when you touch the hero point. There are some that are just communes though, so Google the easiest ones to get and do them first.
On the weekends, use Party Search (press Y) to find groups completing the maps and doing all the hero points. 
If you get back into fractals, make sure to find a group that is open to newbies. The other groups race thru them sooooo fast, you'll get lost and they'll get irritated rezzing your weak kitten. 😄
I've never done raids. Probably best to find a guild to go with.

Make a habit of crafting your time-gated mats every day in preparation for crafting weapons or gear. (The crafting category is Ectoplasm Refinements, there are four different types.)
Just work slowly through the new stuff and read the Wiki a LOT.
GW2Efficiency is another website to help with inventory, crafting, profits, etc.
Good luck and have fun!