SubZero.4319

I started playing GW2 last year around Halloween, so I'm not exactly a *newb* anymore, but as a Guardian fanatic. The Pally/Guardian/Knight/etc.-type class/profession has consistently been my favorite class in almost any MMO I have played for as long as I can remember. When Diablo III came out I was pissed because in D2 the Paladin had been my favorite class, for example. (side note: I promptly forgave them once the expansion was announced xP).

I like everything about this class "archetype" out of all the major ones. Don't get me wrong, I'm a hardcore gamer, and have OCD, so I **love** pretty much any class, but if I could only play one, it would be this kind. And I *know* I'm not alone, too. Just looking at this post (or the several others with the same topic—I was originally going to make an original post myself before a simple search of the word `Reatreat` on the forums search box brought me to the conclusion that the situation is much, much worse than I had feared.

You see, I'm a hopeless optimist, and I had mistakenly held up hopes that we could use reason or even some simple scurr tactics to convince ArenaNet to change the name of this brutally awesome skill with something else. It shouldn't be *that* hard, right? I mean literally **ANYTHING** would be acceptable. Naturally, some of the above-mentioned names would be best, but I repeat, at this point, ***ANYTHING* would be acceptable**. I personallyh like the "Shields Up" or "Incoming" suggestions from @hatsamu.4327. So much so, ,in fact, that they inspired me to try my own hand and come up with a couple: (1) **"Fall Back!"** and (2) **"

**Fall Back!** is a little tricky to explain. Ask the meaning of the command will probably get you a different answer for every person you ask, but in my experience and what I was trained (*Disclaimer:* don't quote me—it's been about 18 years since I was in SOI so...) was that the phrase, like all military verbal commands, has a specific meaning that is clear has a distinct purpose. Perhaps if ArenaNet's profession designer for the Guardian researched or looked up what their skills' name's actually meant, this outstanding ability would not have such a sad, **tragic** name. Thus, it may differ a bit from one "army" to the next, "fall back!" basically means a unit is being ordered to stop what they are currently doing and, **while continuing to engage the enemy as much as is possible**, move backward or away from them, usually towards a specific, often nearby position that is somehow more advantageous or defensible, where they **will likely continue fighting and hopefully be able to once again advance**.

Now the problem with ArenaNet's name is obvious, but I've put two important parts of this definition in bold, because these parts are specifically at odds with the meaning of the command "Retreat!" Retreat literally mean just get away from the enemy. In some forces it's OK or required to continue fighting, but the ultimate objective is no longer to displace (move) yourself to a better fighting position or "rearrange" your forces. The purpose is just to run away so you can fight again, basically. And that's *not* what the "Retreat!" command seems to be for, imho. Besides, and probably more importantly, it just plain sounds stupid. I hardly ever use it just because it really **is** just too embarrassing to have your avatar basically shouting "Run away!" all the time like Monty Python lol. (No offense to Monty).

I totally agree with Rhyse.8179. Just make all damage floaters fully customizable. In particular, while I think it'd be nice to customize the size, I personally have a problem with how fast the numbers disappear. In many games it's possible to move where the floaters appear, how long they stay there, and their size. One of the VERY few things I dislike about GW2 is the lack of an add-on API that allows fullscreen add-ons. Add-ons, for instance, are one reason I kept playing WoW for years after most of my friends quit. Because you can at least make it "your" game (interface) instead of being stuck with one that may or may not be adequate for your playing style and preferences.

That said, I love GW2. Just had to vent, and agree. xP

> @"mes.4607" said:

> I find it weird how instead of 'build' templates we got separate gear + trait templates... Doesn't make sense to me. Is there a way to combine them? If not, I'd like to recommend that we get a panel that can do both at the same time...

It's actually a pretty cool feature, having the two types of set being capable of independently swapping. Actually, for many players (including myself), forcing **Equipment Set+Build** to be invariably linked would make adapting to certain environments/fights/etc. merely an exercise in frustration, and reduce character flexibility of fighting style an inescapable **clusterphuq** (pardon my _"Algonquian-French"_ xP).

The ability to switch weapon sets independently from the your currently equipped build ("trait templates") makes what has nearly always been a bad-ass MMORPG **epic**, and allows for some very flexible and—at times, even—life-saving gameplay and tactics, at least in my experience. Granted I have only _seriously_ (i.e., religiously x]) been playing GW2 for a year and a few months, but I don't think I'd be classed as a newbie. Actually, if memory serves, I believe it was just after I started playing every day (and about when this post was written, I think) that this feature was released. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Memory does NOT always serve me. xP

Having said all this, however, I completely understand your frustration and share parts of your point of view. I've been unable to find how to bind a single keybind to change both equipment set and build simultaneously, and _this **is**_ a problem, because often it'd be more convenient to change them at the same time. :anguished: Anyway, I just thought I should put my two cents in, too, even though my reply is a tad late hehe.

> @"ASP.8093" said:

> Staff is the support weapon. You don't really use it for the damage, you use it because it's got two group heals, Might stacking, light fields for condi cleanse, and a low-cooldown blast finisher that'll help you do even more of the above (combine with fire for Might, light for condi cleanse, or water for healing -- conveniently, you can self-generate any of these three fields if playing Firebrand; with an engineer or thief buddy, you can also blast smoke for stealth).

You kick dolyak as*. Thank you for also kicking some wisdom, OG. Seriously. It was perfectly explained: concise, accurate and easy to remember. B)

> @"Holy Vengeful.3615" said:

> I play a solo Berserker Dual Axe/GS build often and I am very happy with it. There are better builds out there for PvE currently but for me this one is fun and delivers tons of damage. [http://gw2skills.net/editor/?PKxAEdflNwuYNMKWJOyW/tOA-zxYYhwEBZsjaUeZEYKURFYyA-e](http://gw2skills.net/editor/?PKxAEdflNwuYNMKWJOyW/tOA-zxYYhwEBZsjaUeZEYKURFYyA-e)

> . . .

> Lastly, do some research of food items and boosters that can benefit your style of play.

> Good luck! Feel free to reach out if you want some tips.

Greetings and salutations, @"Holy Vengeful.3615"! B) I hope life finds you well To the matter at hand! But I thought before I gave you the "quick and easy" version of my reply to your build guide post up topside, I first would include one of those amazingly useful spoiler-text-section-folding-thingies (for reasons of brevity, I adopted the current practice of hereafter referring to the term by its canonical acronym, _STSFT_), and write a bit of text to put in it, because I thought it might look funny if it was empty.

Despite considerable training and experience in the field, life threw me a curveball. Even throwing my greatest efforts into the task, I was unable to figure out how to add a spoiler box! I knew I could just pretend it was one by using ASCII art, but it just wasn't the same. I resolved to try and make a _real_ one, no matter what, and it was that attitude that allowed me to prevail. It wasn't easy, of course. But after a bout with chronic diarrhea*, a quick jog around the block to clear my head, a cup of hot cocoa, and finally considerable searching, both deep within myself and on the support forums on the Ikea Website, I ended up discovering something that would change my life forever.

It was a handy little toolbar button on top of this edit box, with a paragraph symbol on it. This little button is what finally gave me the idea. You see, when I clicked on it, it said _"Spoiler"_ at the bottom. So, after clicking the word, it actually created a **REAL** spoiler box! (To my chagrin, after all that effort, it was SO easy!) As to the content of the spoiler, you'll have to read it to see.

There are a total of three (3) possibilities as to why, exactly, I chose to do so. See if you can guess which one is the real reason. **But be careful!** These have all been _thoroughly_ researched by a panel of seven (7) duly appointed, wizened old Justices of the Peace, each selected by another panel of two Greater Saddle-back Clownfishes. You'll have three (3) chances to answer correctly. Godspeed:

1. We all know what it's like to be dropped on your head as a toddler. It's one of those things we all go through growing up, like puberty or going on Easter egg hunts. But when I was a young'un, momma says she accidentally did it one too many times, so the wirin' in mah head don't work too good. 'Sides, sometimes I'd even bang m'head on a doorknob or wall or something whenever she was rull busy and had ta carry me by a leg instead of by the top of my head like usual.

2. I'm in a particularly giddy, mirthful holiday mood this evening, and have a lot of time on my hands.

3. I already finished my dinner and it's not bedtime yet, see? Also, I finally got my reply back from Santa! I sent it early so he'd be sure to get it on time. He said he'd bring me a new, authentic, USSR-made, Cold-War-era rocket propelled grenade launcher with two live grenades for Christmas, since I successfully survived the final decade of the Cold War, but due to a clerical error, didn't receive my complimentary RPG. So I was excited and felt like doing something random.

OK, here's the _TL;DR_ version of my "thank you" reply post. I hope you like it:

>! _*clears throat and begins dictating in a clear, crisp RP accent*_

>!

>! Dear Sir/Dame Vengeful,

>!

>! Thanks SO much for the awesome guide and build advice. I stumbled and fumbled my way through 80 levels of Warrior GW/Axes, but after reading and learning your build and following your advice, I can **DANCE** like Michael Jackson lol! I still need my tap shoes (weapons/gear) of course, but I am having so much more fun. Anyway, your post was _really_ easy to understand and follow, and left me with the somewhat rare yet euphoric and joyous feeling after reading a build guide of actually **not** having any questions I could think of. For this, you have my everlasting gratitude my enduring allegiance and fealty. May you be very successful in all your _Vengeful_ and _non-Vengeful_ enterprises.

>!

>! _Kindest regards, -T._

>!

And here's what I really wanted to say in my post—and I assure you would have, were I only a normal human being. ;):

THANK YOU. YOU ROCK.

OK. I'm sorry about the retarded long-ass reply post. I hope I didn't offend anyone or anything lol. Of course, if anyone's offended that easily, they probably don't use the Internet very often hehe! xP But seriously, I just wanted to say thanks. And happy holidays to everyone, wherever you are, whatever you believe, whether your white, black, brown, pink or polka-dotted or who you voted for! I wish everyone a happy Winter (or Summer if you're south of the equator)!

Besides, I was honest throughout, except for the list of reasonsYour guide is perfect, dude. And you _do_ rock. B)

Thanks for the advice, guys, and for asking the same question I have, @"Kolzar.9567"! Also, 2 thumbs up and +10 pts. (1 Up!) for casually inserting such a *bad-azz* word as **bruiser**. =D

P.S. It seems I, too, was at fault. I failed to read your entire reply VelvetJellly, and obviously you weren't eing nearly as rude as I thought. You _were_ mistaken a out your obsevation, but I was totally wrong to call you rude. I hope you can forgive me. :+1: =)

My apologies, but ethical behavior and conscience demand that I defend Teratus.2859, who was only trying to help the OP. I will try to help, too, after I defend him/her. x) It all started when I read this reply to Teratus' kind attempt to help VelvetJelly. (I like your name, by the way, VelvetJelly. Pretty cool/unique!):

> Ahh No... If they come out when they are stowed thats a bug. Logical reason the option exist. Not for cosmetic relevancy but for combat viability.

_You_ are actually the one who's mistaken, @VelvetJelly.2896. There is _no_ bug with the pet stowing system. If you still believe there to be a bug, you clearly don't understand Guild Wars 2, or at least the Ranger profession. Don't try and equate the GW2 Ranger with another type of class from another game. It functions exactly as designed, and the vast majority of other players understand this, or else you'd see a _lot_ more ranting about it in the forums and in-game. The actual way things are is exactly as Teratus.2859 so kindly stated before your rudely started arguing with him/her. If you bothered reading the wiki or anything else online instead of assuming people who are trying to help are just wrong, you'd most likely come to realize this. But I am not saying any of this to offend you. I just want to help, and felt the need to defend my fellow GW2 player. We're a tight, friendly community, but being uncivil in behavior or speech is sure to result in you receiving the same uncivil behavior from others, as in any portion of the world's human population.

Now, if you are still reading, perhaps I can shed some light on your ignorance and you will be able to finish the achievement, or at least figure out how. To start with, [pets](https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Pet) are _supposed_ to "come out" in several different situations. The _Ranger_ was never designed to fight or do anything major without the support of his/her pet. They are one spirit in two bodies, basically. In any of the following cases, if your pet **doesn't** appear, there is something wrong (i.e., a bug):

* After entering combat

* Whenever you receive damage of any kind (including [fall damage](http://https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Fall_damage))

* After swapping pets (i.e., the other equipped pet will appear the _Swap Pets_ command is activated)

* When you enter a new zone

* Whenever switching skill sets from Terrestrial to Aquatic

To elaborate, perhaps some information from the official [Guild Wars 2 Wiki _Pets_](https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Pet) entry will elucidate better:

> The ranger and their pet fight as one. The profession is designed taking into account the damage and defense capabilities of both partners working together. A ranger with a defeated pet will do less damage and will likely receive more damage due to the absence of their pet. Rangers and pets enter and exit combat mode together.

Basically, as I stated above, Rangers are _designed_ to be operate this way. It's not a profession that was ever meant to allow the practitioner to play solo (that is, without a pet) very often. This is also actually a very good thing. Rangers are capable of "reviving themselves", or at least being able to revive without the need for another player. A ranger's pet can be commanded to revive the ranger when he/she is downed. However, I can understand how this might be annoying or a bit of an inconvenience in cases such as yours, where you are trying to finish an achievement, and can empathize with you.

But to say someone who obviously has more experience and knowledge in the area is just "wrong" is wrong in and of itself. Teratus.2859 was merely trying to help. Your frustration is understandable--your response to his helpful comment, however, is not--at least to me. If you disagreed with him, a simple "I disagree" would have sufficed instead of a direct contradiction of his statement, which is correct. I will elaborate to clear up any further confusion. On second thought, it may be better to simply insert the relevant parts from the _Pets_ wiki article, this one specifically about stowing pets (I have highlighted the important part):

> **Stowing Pets**

> A pet can be "stowed" (put away) by clicking on the down-arrow button in the pet bar while not in combat (or pressing the _Profession Skill #4_ key--by default, this is assigned to _F4_).

>

> Stowing can be used to avoid having the pet attract enemies. It is also useful in tight areas where a large pet can obscure players' vision.

> **_Pets automatically reappear after entering a new zone, when entering combat mode or switching between terrestrial and underwater skill bars._**

I hope this helps. If you want to know how to get the achievement you're working on, it may be more helpful for all parties involved if you simply tell us what achievement it is and ask how to get it using a Ranger. I'm not telling you what to do. But there is only so much help the community can offer if we don't have the right information, or if you merely want to argue with us. I mean no offense, either, by the way. I am trying to state things as politely and respectfully as possible, as I've been in your shoes and I know the frustration. When I was trying to finish several jumping puzzles, for example, my pet would keep appearing every time I fell even what seemed like a short distance. It was _really_ annoying. But after receiving a few pointers and reading more about pets and rangers, I was successful.

Anyway, good luck in your efforts and I hope you're able to finish the achievement. If you want more official help, type "/wiki _X_", where _X_ is what you want to search for. As we say in Japan,　がんばってください！ ("Good luck and do your best!") =) Peace.

> @"Loosmaster.8263" said:

> Well done Oji. Anet failed to allow me to give more than 1 thumbs up...

We are of one mind when it comes to my anger at not being able to give more than one thumbs up! xD

> @"Automaton.2751" said:

> Honestly mate, it's all about your play style. While the rev is limited in the fact that he can only use the utility skills that are linked to that legend if you spec your armour and weapons to what you want to be you can do almost any "job" in the game. And whilst other classes do have their good and bad parts it's entirely down to personal play style. You want to be an elementalist who smashes people in the face with a lightning hammer? Go for it, spec for toughness and vitality and you won't be as squishy. You want to be a necro minion master? Go for it, just know that it's useless in high level dungeons and you'll need a backup build. You do what you want with your class mate. There are no "standards" or "jobs" for any of the classes, just build to boost your strengths or to cover your weaknesses. And most of all, Have Fun!

I'm **SO** glad someone said this. It's frustrating when I hear people say things like "You need to play `meta' to be effective" or "Well, you _could_ do that but it's not `standard'"! It's like they forgot why people play games in the **FIRST** place: F-U-N. I played WoW from early Wrath of the Lich King to past Pandaria before I quit, partially because of the continual "dumbing down" of the mechanics—making it so overly simplified that it's unrealistic and makes it impossible to suspend one's beliefs long enough to enjoy playing and partially because as a consequence of that simplification the class system and everything began feeling more like paper cut-outs than individual, bad-ass heroes, and there was no room for play-style or customization. If you even _tried_ to do anything novel or experiment, you'd be kicked from any PUG (or even guild party) because you weren't doing "enough" DPS since you weren't specced and geared the "right" way. I've also been playing GW2 since October of last year, so I'm not necessarily a "newb" any more, but am still far from a "pro" or even having a level 80 character except for the free one you get when you buy the PoF/HoT combo pack. And there are literally dozens of other MMO(±RPGs) and have been playing online games since the days of MUDs and BBS "text adventures" before anyone even knew what the Internet was.

I don't mean to belabor the point, and I'm certainly not bragging (in fact, claiming this knowledge and experience is an easy way to age me lol >.<); I'm just trying to give a little background. See, to me, games are not about flashy graphics and 4K cut-scenes (the whole 4K thing always puzzled me because the human eye is incapable of telling the difference between even DVD and BluRay, usually, so people who are obsessed with having the "best" graphics are actually experiencing the placebo effect), nor about quickly finding the optimal way to do damage and then do the same thing over and over again, running the same instances repeatedly with no new experiences or excitement. To me, games have always been about _fun_ and _individuality_. **Especially** MMORPGs.

The point is while it's good to be knowledgeable about the "standard" or "meta" (although I prefer not using prefixes as complete, separate words, so I don't say "meta" much, unless I'm saying "metaphysical" or something xP), to merely tie yourself down to that without ever experimenting, customizing or making the class work for you (instead of the class making _you_ work—a good analogy for using only "meta" builds) is a fool's errand. If you want easy-to-predict results from a fight, watch Pay-per-View or watch a movie! To me, video games are supposed to be _interactive_ and not just doing the same thing as everyone else to the point of being able to do it while you're sleeping. =)

So in summary, thanks for showing me I'm not the only one who appreciates that philosophy. =D And before I hit the Post Comment button please let me apologize to anyone who took offense to my comments. I meant **NO** offense whatsoever, and I absolutely humbly respect your opinions as well as mine, whether I share them or not. I just don't see my opinion (in this case) voiced very often, so I'm excited when I do—I feel more validated? Who knows. I'm not a shrink. I'm just a guy who's been up too long and is sick of choosing being stuck at home or going outside dressed like a burglar with a ninja mask on. xP And I also apologize for the long post. I love you all and wish everyone success with their toons!

*bows humbly*

-Szubxero

> @"mrauls.6519" said:

> Currently we have to trait for it to stunbreak... But the same way they FINALLY made F2 innately remove condis, I think F3 should be a stunbreak. Or maybe I'm crazy

Oooh. Methinks t'would be a fine alteration! I love the idea!

> @"Jimbru.6014" said:

> Sylvari, with their general racial optimism, strong ideals from the Ventari tablet, their close faith-like relationship with the Pale Tree, and many favorable options in their character creation, also are well suited to be Guardians.

Wow, I never would have even thought of Sylvari, not because I don't agree with you, but just because I'm very self-limiting sometimes creatively. You are _SO_ right, jimbru! I love what you said about Sylvari. I have a Sylvari Ranger and I **love** that race. They're so awesome, and although they are strong and worthy allies or opponents, except for the Nightmare Court they seem to be peaceful, friendly and caring, and that can stand as a good example for all "races", real and in-game in my humble opinion hehe. =) But I totally agree with you, and I'm grateful for the idea. I'm thinking of making a Sylvari Guardian if not Human. Maybe I'll even make both, one for healing/support/"tanking" and one for mainly dps. Like I said, it's always been my favorite "archetype" of class lol. Thanks again, jimbru! You rock. :)

Oh, _cool_! I can't **wait** for this! I started my _Guild Wars 2_ career relatively late. My first visit to the beautiful, yet savage world of Tyria was at the beginning of last November. After two weeks I decided I **HAD** to have the HoT and PoF expansions, and got the two-for-one deal for Christmas, thus making my life complete. xP Anyway, the first event I had the honor of attending was Wintersday, so I am _seriously_ looking forward to seeing all the cool "holidays" this awesome place has to offer. Whatever the year brings (and hopefully it will bring a viable vaccine, like, yesterday), I have come to learn that the community of Guild Wars 2 (and, I assume, Guild Wars?) is among the finest of any online game I've ever played, and I've been gaming online since the days of BBS'es and MUD's lol! Anyway, thanks for the post! I'm excited!

Happy (and safe) travels out there in the wilds. May _the Six_ go with ye.

Thanks guys, for all the helpful information. Like I always say, the community of Guild Wars 2 is top notch. Appreciate all your input and pointers. You guys are awesome! Be careful out there with all the crazy corona virus stuff going on. =)

I have to have my hands free to fist bump my buddies after ganking da baddies. x) Sorry, I know it's borderline archaeo-posting hehe but I can't believe I "missed" this thread when it was originally posted. I thought I was the only one who sheathed my weapon after each encounter, either for RP reasons (have always been into RP) or because I have OCD, I can't decide which. =)

Greetings, Guild Wars 2 Community!

I'm sorry for the overly, ahem, zealous salutation lol! It's just a sign of my respect and affection for the GW2 Community. I've come to understand in the three or four months of playing this marvelous and beautiful work of art called Guild Wars 2 that its near _perfect_ existence is matched only by the awesomeness of the GW2 Community (with a capital 'C'), and exceeded only by God. Anyhoo, I was just wondering if anyone could tell me whether the _Guardian_ profession is compatible with the _Human_ race, as far as lore is concerned. The Guardian seems to be closest to my favorite class archetype from WoW and similar fantasy/steampunk/bad-ass MMORPGs with which I am very familiar, namely the Paladin/Crusader/Knight or, in this case, Guardian. B)

I know it's a lot to ask, but I was also hoping to get a pointer or two on where to find Guild Wars 2 lore in general. I mean like the really deep stuff. I've read all the basic stuff, I believe. If either of these questions have been answered previously, and I doubt not that they have been, I offer my humblest apologies. I tried to find the info without success. I'm still a newbie. I took a break from Defiance/2050 and Trion in general and decided to try GW2. Two weeks after I started, I upgraded to both expansions—right before Christmas—and never looked back, nor wanted to. I am officially and hopelessly hooked. But I am still newbish to a very large degree. My achievement rating is only ~400, to give an idea of just _how_ very newbish. =(

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer in terms of tips or places of knowledge on the subject. It's greatly appreciated. In fact, thanks just for reading this, since it means you're probably a kind and helpful person in general. Of course, the fact you GW2 is a good indicator of that as well. :P

-Yours most sincerely,

S

> @"phs.6089" said:

> yes minstrel could/should be used on guardian if you want to tank

> but you are trying to break stereotypes of raiding in this game, be careful lol

>

You make a very good point, in that there are reasons for the "stereotypes" that exist in this game (because they work), but just as a footnote, I'd like to put my two cents in and remind you also not to fall into the trap of believing that **only** those stereotypes are viable. Some of the best players in any MMORPG have become the best precisely _by_ breaking the stereotypes and experimenting—doing something "crazy" that nobody would consider trying, and thinking outside of the box are what enable a player to rise above and beyond.

Now, by all means, I am **NOT** saying that those builds currently accepted as standard or "stereotypes" are useless, nor should they be ignored. But along with the helpful warning phs.6089 gives, which I _would_ take to heart, that each player is different and has his/her own strengths, and that if you put your mind to it and experiment a little, you may be able to even come up with a build that's _better_ than the stereotypical ones.

I'm not disagreeing with phs.6089, though. The current models used as standard builds are standard for a reason: because they work. I'm merely cautioning against seeing these standards as **RULES** written in stone and more as _guidelines_ to be adapted to one's own play-style and strengths. Just a thought, anyway. Happy tanking!

-Szubxero

> @"Multicolorhipster.9751" said:

> . . . I'll go with a "there's a what?" option every time if you give us one, because I think people overstate how unbalanced this game is all the time . . . I'd rather see all the energy that goes into the heated balance debates that nobody can ever seem to agree with, go into something that benefits everyone on a larger and more permanent level.

>

>

I hear you, **MCH.9751**! Now, I'm pretty much still a newb to _GuildWars 2_—well, my official rank is Newb Corporal (NCpl.) Szubxero, Golf Co. 3rd Newbish Battalion, 7th Newbs Regiment (Rating N-6); my NOS (Newbish Occupational Specialty) is 37337 (Newbish Kluge Berserker). I started playing in late November and ponied up the paltry sum of $29.99 for the basic paid package. Hey! Don't look at me like that—Times are tough and I'm a starving student. xP I can say with complete confidence and utter faith that this was a wise decision, as I realized about an hour after I first started playing I was already exhibiting signs of clinical GW2 addictive disorder, and realized life was going to be painful without the game and especially it's kind-hearted, friendly, more than helpful community of the world's greatest and most talented MMORPG gamers. And it's a glorious world, this Tyria. For over a decade I was a fanatical WoW fundamentalist zealot, and I will always have a special place in my gamer's Hylian heart container for WoW, and still play from time to time. Anyway, forgive the digression.

As much of a masterpiece as GuildWars 2 is, like _all_ MMORPGs, there are some bugs, some "bad apple" players (well in my albeit limited but intense experience so far, at least, I haven't met a **single**, non-friendly-as-hell _PC_ (or _NPC_ for that matter xP)., and other things that aren't perfect. One of these uber-ubiquitous outrages is that every time a change in the mechanics, gameplay, UI/UX or even lore department occurs, whether it benefits the masses, enfeebles us or can be seen either way, there will always be a boat packed to the gunnels with whining and complaining about it, threatening to stop playing, believing it will absolutely **RUIN** the game's future and generally give the melodrama required to win an Academy Award or Oscar their best shot to convince the developers/project team to not affect the change. This almost always fails, of course, and I'm not a hypocrite, so I will mirthfully admit I've been guilty of such obscene, un-gamer-like acts of vulgarity and child-like tantrums on many occasions, but I hardly ever get that upset over changes to MMORPGs I play any more, because I realized (a) there is, statistically speaking a very low chance of success to change it, (b) it is only allowing them to control my emotions and I don't like other people controlling me, © as dope-ass and gorgeous this game is, or any other for that matter (and since I'm an aspiring game developer start-up entrepreneur and life-long game programming/development fanatic, that's saying a lot), it's _still_ just a **game**, and finally (d) nothing is **ever** quite as bad as we fear it will be. It might be bad, but things are never as bad as they feel or appear to be, and in general have a way of working themselves out, with patience and reason. Besides, a lot of the times after the changes happened I decided (grudgingly, at first xP) that many of them I actually liked, even if I still missed the non-changed pre-updated version and wish they could leave an option for both.

Sorry for the long-winded reply. I'm just so glad someone else is sick of that cynical or pessimistic attitude and juvenile, passive-aggressive behavior and speech. Sometimes they really _do_ make disgusting, retarded, numb-nutz-like changes, but not **that* often, and it's rarely worth leaving the game. Improvise, adapt, overcome, like Clint Eastwood said, and it'll all be good. Thanks for sharing your opinion! :+1:

> @"One Kiss Away.9180" said:

>. . . reworked again where they no longer follow the target and only have one trait. After the first rework the targeted opponent could not just step away from the weapon as it followed its target. Now when they are targeted at an opponent and the moves, the weapon was wasted.

Wow, the weapons followed the target even?! Aww, that sucks. Sounds like that would've been cooler! =/