Tanner Blackfeather.6509

> @"Forzani.2584" said:

> It has been years since I last played. I have 4 level 80s. Leveled a rev until level 40 and jumped him to 80 with a token. I had a level 40 Necro, and I took your advice and leveled him to 80 in Vanilla maps. I can see how the stories help by directing you to portals with the green markers.

>

> After saying all that, I'm still paralyzed with apprehension to enter the new zones to get my hero points. I logged in earlier today and just stood there for 10 minutes knowing that the death train would start anew if I started looking for the points. ( I do have Raptor, Rabbit and glider level 3)

>

> Likely I should just do the stories with the core classes and forget about the Elite specs

The PoF Hero challenges are generally a lot easier to solo, though there are less "spare" points there. I also find the maps less confusing as they're generally more open. If you can't get somewhere, you can usually still see how you're *supposed* to get there.

Also - while it is *a lot* more tedious you **can** still get HPs in Core maps - there's 200 HP spread over Core and Maguuma Wastes (Dry Top+Silverwastes) - almost an entire Elite Spec!

Once unlocked, don't *slot* the elite spec until it's mostly unlocked - you don't want to go with a partly filled in trait line!

I'm surprised no one's offered help (that I noticed, appologies if I missed it) - are you on NA or EU servers?

> @"Inculpatus cedo.9234" said:

> > @"Randulf.7614" said:

> > Something also to add is that you can switch between stories at will without loss of progress. If you wanted to go back and play through Core Tyria you can. If you want to do Core Tyrias story, you just select it from the Story Journal. And when you want to go back to HoT's story, you just select the chapter you were on.

> >

> > Same with any Living World stories. Although it is one continuous story (although the Core Tyria story is largely self contained) and you will have major spoilers jumping in/out, there is nothing stopping you from doing so otherwise. Many people do this to get their mounts from PoF for example.

> >

> > The game is well set up to go and do what you please for the most part, I personally just find it more natural to play it from the start and learning as you go. Things like HoT will feel less jarring that way.

> >

> > Just as an extra final FYI, the story and maps are listed in order below

> >

> > **Personal Story**

> > All Core Tyria maps

> >

> > **Living World Season 1** (no longer playable - deleted for good)

> > Southson Island (still accessible)

> >

> > **Living World Season 2** (should be able to access maps without needing to buy the story/DLC via the map Brisbane)

> > Dry Top

> > Silverwastes

> >

> > **Heart of Thorns** (First map links straight from Silverwastes)

> > Verdant Brink

> > Auric Basin

> > Tangled Depths

> > Dragonstand

> >

> > **Living World Season 3** (needs purchasing each episode or full arc)

> > Bloodstone Fen

> > Ember Bay

> > Bitterfrost Frontier (links from Frostgorge Sound)

> > Lake Doric (Links from Divinitys Reach)

> > Draconis Mons

> > Sirens Landing

> >

> > **Path of Fire** (No maps link to Core Tyria)

> > Crystal Oasis

> > Desert Highlands

> > Elon Riverlands

> > The Desolation

> > Domain of Vabbi

> >

> > **Living World Season 4** (needs purchasing each episode or full arc, 2 maps either link from PoF or each other. None link to Core Tyria)

> > Domain of Istan

> > Sandswept Isles

> > Domain of Kourna

> > Jahai Bluffs

> > Thunderhead Peaks

> > Dragonfall

> >

> > **Living World Season 5: The Icebrood Saga** (Currently free per episode as long as you log in once during their release window and no current links to other maps)

> > Grothmar Valley

> > Bjora Marches

> >

>

> I believe Hirathi Hinterlands links to Lake Doric, as well.

Only one way, iirc - I don't think you can go from Harathi to Lake Doric.

> @"Dawdler.8521" said:

> > @"Tanner Blackfeather.6509" said:

> > > @"Ipomoea Jalapa.6897" said:

> > > I wish they would separate the default selected mount between PvE and WvW, like they do for build templates now. It's annoying to have to change from Warclaw back to Griffon every time I leave WvW.

> >

> > That's a bug. My default selection (for PvE) only switches to Warclaw very occasionally - definitely no more than 10% of the time I go to WvW. Usually it stays on the Skyscale (or whatever mount that character uses as default).

> Pretty certain that the bug is that the game sometimes keep your PvE selection, not the other way around.

>

How do you mean "keep your PvE selection"? I've never had a non-Warclaw icon on the mount selector in WvW...

When entering WvW, only the Warclaw is available so the default mount (by default I mean "shown in the selector to right of the skillbar") switches to that.

When leaving WvW, *most* of the time the default mount switches back to whatever I had as default before entering WvW.

Sometimes however the Warclaw stays as default mount when returning to PvE. I haven't actually kept track, but I very roughly estimate that to be around 10% of the time. It seems from forum posts that for some players this happens much more often, up to practically every time.

DS locks at some point of the meta (I *think* it's when the trees are all killed, but it might be earlier) so you can't join a map instance that's progressed past that. This means you'll have a very narrow timeframe to join the map without "wasting" time. The specific map instance also need to have *space* for you - you're SOL if it's ful!

An effective 15 minutes per map to complete seems tight. I doubt that it can be done, but maybe. AB is fairly straightforward and can prob be done in less, but TD might more than make up for it... Mounts do help a lot!

> @"HnRkLnXqZ.1870" said:

> **Shadow in the Ice**: That is by far the shortest trailer I have seen in a while, mindblowing 10 seconds!

Well, it's a *teaser* trailer, not a full episode trailer. Dropped a full month in advance, at that!

They did something like that for S3E6 - remember the clip teasing Sharur? Basically just a few seconds of someone walking showing footfalls.

> @"Ipomoea Jalapa.6897" said:

> I wish they would separate the default selected mount between PvE and WvW, like they do for build templates now. It's annoying to have to change from Warclaw back to Griffon every time I leave WvW.

That's a bug. My default selection (for PvE) only switches to Warclaw very occasionally - definitely no more than 10% of the time I go to WvW. Usually it stays on the Skyscale (or whatever mount that character uses as default).

If looking at TP, Berserker isn't exactly expensive.

If looking to aquire through play, the Bladed set is stat selectable which nowadays mean you can pick any stat your account has access to.

Run around VB opening Airship Cargo, that gives a fair amount!

> @"ugrakarma.9416" said:

> about the OP question, the chapters will be free for 2~3 months, enough time to finish expansion contents.

Also, you don't have to *start* the episode during those months, only log in to the game.

> @"Drarnor Kunoram.5180" said:

> [...] or B: never actually went into the inventory in the first place (see all of the books collected for Sun's Refuge).

Those books *do* go into the inventory, you just don't have to save them as they are also automatically added to a bookshelf.

First: be aware that each category of masteries only gain xp when playing in the appropriate areas - HoT masteries in the jungle, Core masteries in core Tyria, PoF masteries in the desert.

Second: HoT and Core are meant to take time, so they are a lot slower than PoF masteries. Stack XP boosts from Boosters, Food, Utilities, Guild Tavern etc. They add up fast!

For HoT, focus on what the story requires, ~~and Gliding after/between that.~~ *see edit below*

Doing metas are generally a good way to gain XP, especially Dragon's Stand when you get there!

For Core, Fractals give core XP, so if you like those they are a good way. Silverwastes RIBA is otherwise both effective and lucrative.

Generally I recommend to focus on Pact Commander track because autoloot is an *absolute game-changer*, but if you enjoy Fractals, its mastery might be higher priority.

Edit: the order HoT masteries are required for story is Gliding 1, Itzel 1, Exalted 1, Gliding 2, Nuhoc 1.

Priority after that I recommend Gliding up to 3, Nuhoc 2, Itzel 3, then gliding again to 5 or 6

> @"SoulGuardian.6203" said:

> I know, but they could have a separate version of the maps.

> For those who completed it could get a new version.

> If that's possible.

That would even further split the playerbase, in a way that players can't even fully controll.

Example: I wanna help my buddy through Orr but I've finished the story on all three characters I actually feel like playing - now I have to choose between playing with my friend and playing the character I want. Acceptable choice for raiding or organised PvP/WvW - not really acceptable for just futzing around in open world!

Or even worse: imagine I have the base 5 character slots and have killed Zhaitan with all 5 - then I *can't* access Risen-infested Orr.

We've gotten Siren's Landing as a "progress report" of how Orr recuperates post-Zhaitan. I would gladly see another map, later, with more progress. Maybe in whatever LW story comes after Icebrood Saga (whether there's an expansion between or not).

> @"Dragonweaver.7951" said:

> Sorry the memorial is not showing up for me, darn.

Are you on a **character** that you're *certain* you've finished HoT on?

> @"Khisanth.2948" said:

> > @"Irensaga.6935" said:

> > I think the Mesmer's portal ability alone makes it the best choice for helping your friend out.

> >

> > Honestly, playing a necro, she won't need much combat help. Her minions will rofl-stomp everything in core Tyria, no sweat. But she might get stuck on jumping puzzles and stuff. Having her own Mesmer buddy who can portal her up to key spots will be really helpful.

>

> The portaling can be covered by https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Watchwork_Portal_Device which conveniently becomes purchasable on Tuesday for karma and snowflakes although it can be crafted as well.

Also, remember Thieves than portal too, now.

To give a vaguely serious answer: I don't do metas daily, and almost never plan what to play around when metas happen. Mostly I do any metas I run in to (like standing in the Lily of the Elon and see Blitz is on) and find more fun than I'm currently doing.

Somewhat of an exception when I'm actively working on a gen 2 legendary, but still far from multiple per day - I just get a bit better att checking which are actully up at what points.

Sharur is one if the "gen 2.1" legendaries - no collections, just straight crafting each of the precursor steps.

Get the recipe for **Vizier's Folly** and craft that. Then repeat with **Reclamation**, followed by finally Might of Arah.

You need the actual item, but if you deleted it you can get it back by talking to Miyani! Do that, then talk to the Warden again!

> @"Lexi.1398" said:

> > @"LucianDK.8615" said:

> > Sure the skyscale is slow at going down, but theres a trick for faster descent. Simply go out over a ledge without beating your wings and you plummet much faster than manually going down.

>

> mount ability 2 (default key is C, afaik only the griffon beetle and skyscale have a mount ability 2) makes you descend just as fast as falling

>

Nope, actually plummeting is *much* faster than flying descent. Try it at some place - Jaka Itzel WP to Flax farm could be good. Mount up and walk off the edge - make sure to not press Space **at all** - and time how long until you hit the ground. Then redo it but take off and hover before descending, timing how long it takes. It's going to take *a lot* longer!

> @"GW Noob.6038" said:

> > @"SidewayS.3789" said:

> > Because you didn't bind her as a skin on your account. So, right click on the axe and choose "Unlock Skin".This will made your weapon,account bound and unlocked on your collection

>

> Ahh...I see. It's a scheme to drain my resources. Got'cha!

Nothing lets you unlock a skin *and* sell it. One item will only ever unlock its skin for one account.

> @"Gryphon.2875" said:

> > @"Nepeta Cataria.1860" said:

> > I love my necros, and I've been saying this for ages. the pets need an appearance upgrade. I have to agree with the hard pass on the warm and fuzzy versions of necro "pets".. they should be gruesome and undead looking (gingerbread man? Seriously???) BUT..... I do agree they need a major appearance overhaul. The graphics look like something from the 90's. Give them more texture, and a more "fleshy" appearance. The ranger pets aren't much better. I'm all for even tossing gems into "skin packs" to update the current look if that's what needs to be.

> > Shut up and take my money... and give me pets that look as real in appearance as my character does.

>

> What do you think about Awakened and Risen skin packs?

Lore-wise incredibly problematic.

Awakened? This is special magic that is known only by Palawa Joko and select servants. Even imagining our characters somehow learning it, it is also clearly an involved ritual and not something done on the fly.

Risen? Straight up *dragon magic*, increadibly corrupting! (Yes, I *strongly* disagree with using the Risen Shark model for underwater Flesh Golem)

Also - both of these tend to make minions of *individuals* which is completely unacceptable to tyrian society at large (with the exception of those who have lived under Joko, of course). Player Character necromancers pull together the random ambient dead flesh, turning it into amalgamations. There are definitely both Risen and Awakened amalgamation constructs, using parts from multiple corpses (interestingly this fits mobs called Abominations in both groups, despite it being closer to "accepted" reanimation).

I can see alternate looks, like making the minions purely skeletal unstead of the fairly fleshy looks they currently get. I do however see less room for variation than in some other areas such as turrets.

Can you activate the Mentor tag in a dungeon/story instance?

> @"faruscapatinhas.9610" said:

> Hi guys

> I have questions about tag of commander.

> Is possible i turn on my commander tag in dungeons of 5 guys, or story instances? I see only options for create a squad of 10 guys or 50 guys but not any option for create a group of 5 guys for dungeons for example.

>

> If is possible turn on my tag commander in a group for a dungeon what can i turn tag?

>

> Another question about private squads: If i have create a private squad players not in my squad not can see my tag commander in map of game or minimap. A question is if they can see my commander tag in my head character or no?

>

>

> Thx all

I'm not cerain about squad in dungeon - I know that you can't enter the home instance as a squad (you'll just enter on your own), but maybe it's possible to convert when everyone's already in?

I *can* answer about Private Squad - other players can **not** see the tag until they join the squad.

> @"JUN YANG.4328" said:

> hi guys, tried it last night. its really not worth to salvage ecto to dust. try both Master and Crude not much difference. used 50 ecto only got 66 dust. which is really high chance to get only 1 dust per ecto. never seen 3 dust from 1 ecto. not sure how rare can get to 5 dust. in this case i would rather sell ecto and buy dust. thanks for the tips anyway

A bit small sample size, and how much did you do of each kit? 66 dust from 50 ecto is ~1.32 dust/ecto - pretty close to the expected 1.46 using Crude.

I'd recommend at least going 100 with Mystic, or even better a stack.

Mystic should result in ~1.85, so a full stack of ecto salvaged should be ~460 dust. (Plus an absolute boatload of Luck, if you're not already maxed on that!)

Ignoring the Luck, ecto salvaging isn't *drastically* better than just buying dust straight, just *slightly* better. The way the economy works in this game, the only way something is much cheaper to do yourself than buy it is if it's gated, usually by time.

> @"Daddicus.6128" said:

> I just want them to fix the bug that prevents most of them from being useable by other players. No need to make them invisible other than keeping them away from interactable objects (which is another bug).

Pretty sure it's by design that others can't interact, since they're permanent. It's even hinted in the names of the items - **Personal** Merchant/Trader Express.

(Edit: to be clear, I would absolutely also prefer if they were interactable by everyone! My point here is only that it's not a *bug*.)

As for placement - design oversight isn't a bug. I very much wish "placeables" (like summoned NPCs or thing like Box of Fun) couldn't be placed within a certain radius of static interactable objects (like chests and nodes), but they clearly never created such a block.

> @"UnDeadFun.5824" said:

> and don't forget about using the mystic forge to promote Incandescent dust to Crystalline dust

None of the recepies to promote dust are actually worth it, since they all use a full stack of the previous tier (other fine materials, like blood or totems, use 50). You'll get more from selling the lower tier dust and buying the one you need.