firedragon.8953

I also hope the fire dragon does not meet his end during Icebrood Saga.

I am guessing the writers have went with us choosing the "lesser of two evils" to destroy a greater threat.

However, we still really do not know how that will play out. We already could pretty much predict that a character such as Jormag would work to persuade us not to kill it, so I hardly think the trailer was too "revealing" as some of the community is claiming. I haven't even begun playing the Icebrood Saga and it wasn't very shocking to me based on previous trailers, etc. I hope the writers will not go for such a straight arrow approach to the narrative.

All we know is the fire dragon is coming. We fear the fire dragon and the ice dragon is tempting us and manipulating us with that fear. Even if we join Jormag, we may fail, and even with all our efforts the fire dragon wins. A final fight (or other end) is as equally probable between fire and water if we are still running along the lines of thinking regarding opposite elements cancel each other out. As far as I know, both the fire and the water dragon are the two actual element based dragons (no other "human-like" characteristics, fury, persuasion, death, etc.).

As others have mentioned, the norn are unlikely to be okay with "forgiving" Jormag as well. Maybe Braham and other norn just go ahead and kills him anyway. It's not like norn are not known for their strong will and "independence". The last chapter is titled "Judgement" and I have a feeling that this involves someone making a last minute choice and "calamity". It is even more interesting when it comes after the chapter called "Balance" and...well...obviously "balance" didn't work since there is "judgement".

I'm excited to see how this unfolds. I really liked the LWS4 story, and was amazed by a lot of it. I have seen what potential Anet is capable of. Like most stories, not everyone will like them, but I am ready! I just want some legendary level norn action going. For the spirits! Is this not the Tyrian/norn version of Ragnarok? The great trickster (Jormag), a monstrous beast the sets the world aflame (Primordus), a great sea serpent rising from the depths (Bubbles), etc. etc.

> @"lokh.2695" said:

> That being said, "aficionados of japanese culture" usually don't care about the reality of said culture and have a rather superficial aproach to it, reducing it to anime, westernizations and memes.

True.

Buuutt...maybe Canthan Tengu evolved into more human (long nosed) Tengu to conceal themselves from the Ministry of Purity? And the expac will give players Canthan Tengu as a new playable race. lol

(Sorry, I'm just trying to have some fun with an over-discussed topic. Anet please do not do this. haha.)

> @"lokh.2695" said:

> Because they're honorable samurai birbs and that tickles the "aficionados of japanese culture".

Just remember that in Japanese culture, although all birds may be tengu (not really), all tengu are not birds. Be careful what you wish for people....unless you want some pinocchio cosplay.


![](https://i.imgur.com/9aQK1u6.jpg"")

I have yet to play any Icebrood Saga (still in S4). But as a norn player, I was hoping for some norn stuff, lore, etc. From what I've seen in trailers and what people have been saying, the Saga looks to favor the Charr. The new trailer seems to be roping in a bunch of other races as well, which of course I don't mind....but...I doubt Cantha will have many norn. lol

> @"Tekoneiric.6817" said:

> I think the Bloodstone Fen gliding attack skills is one of the most underused skills in the game.

I was going to mention this in my post as well, actually I did, then edited it out since I saw the OP seemed to be specifically talking about movement and the Mastery system.

But yeah, I only purchased one skill when i realized the skills just disappeared out of Bloodstone Fen. Not worth the unbound magic tbh. Even if they made the skills weaker outside the Bloodstone area, it would be better than nothing.

> @"Tekoneiric.6817" said:

> use ley-line gliding skills and to charge up the gliding attack skills balanced for use outside of Bloodstone Fen.

I really like this idea as it would create deliberate design, with ley-lines, gliding routs, and enemy clusters, putting to rest fears of constantly spammable glider attacks and their overpowered affects in certain areas of the game. Of course it would make the devs job harder, but I’d argue it’d make the mastery system much richer and worth the effort for creating it in the first place.

Having played through personal story to LWS4 in 6 months, there was never a point where I was like, “Man, I really want that Nuhoch Stealth Detection, so better go play some repeatable metas or grind up some Chak.”? No. Never. Not that I wanted this skill to be required, but that I would have liked to believe there would have been some nice QoL improvements from getting it. It seemed near useless in the jungle, and has no application outside of it. Obviously I don’t expect EVERY mastery to have universal applications in the world, but a few low level ones as well as high level ones, beyond just movement, would make the system feel more “worth it”. Including new temporary powers to just help complete a single map just seems lazy, and well...pretty boring. Why were they even needed? May as well have designed the map without the mastery in my opinion. It would be cool to start seeing some masteries synergism game with each other, like the idea of ley-lines charging up Bloodstone Fen glider attacks, mastering BOTh adrenal and speed boost mushroom masteries giving a permanent 5-10% gathering speed boost when harvesting, etc. etc.

Yes. I think the mastery system should be worth more than just the utility in the respective expansion or living world content. The mounts did a good job with this, and I actually feel some value in unlocking these masteries. I want them for the QoL, and so make sure I grind out enough experience points and grab enough mastery points to get what I want to use in the open world.

I've played through Personal Story until LWS4 within the past 6 months. I haven't even unlocked half of the HoT masteries because well, I wasn't in HoT long enough to "grind out" mastery experience since I wanted to continue on with the story. Everything except for maybe gliding masteries is pretty worthless outside of the jungle.

> @"aspirine.6852" said:

> Updrafts are fine, the rest are too gimicky for me.

I agree. But I think the reason they are gimicky is because they serve no real purpose for long-term play. Of course they shouldn't lock actual progression in later expansions, etc., based on previous masteries, but making it possible to access a nice treasure chest or two in new maps. Or taking a shortcut through a map by catching some updrafts or a leyline; walking through some poison clouds instead of walking around them, etc.

But I also agree with other posters here, that they shouldn't be forced. I don't want mushrooms littering Lake Doric for example being in an unnatural ecosystem and serving little or no purpose. But we have so many different masteries now, that it would be kind of nice to have a little "bonus" for those that completed them.

I am also pretty tired of so many throw-away novelty masteries.

It should just pop up once when a character hits lvl 80 and also send a mail regarding the mastery system. That's it.

This notification is super annoying tbh.

> @"mercury ranique.2170" said:

>There once was a God called Abadon.

Yep. Basically this too.

I don't think we need a new playable race. Will it actually change the gameplay much with how professions work in GW2? No.

But I will love them opening up the lore and us "getting to know" the Tengu. Combat tonic, too.

> @"JUN YANG.4328" said:

> well.. the commander shouldn't killed Zhaitan in the first place. lol. it wont break the balance of the world "Butterfly Effect"

Well, the Risen have always tried to tell us, "DEATH GOOD!" lol

You're technically not wrong. Balthazar was a boss. But all gods, including Balthazar, essentially abandoned Tyria. Balthazar was just going to suck up some magic before Tyria went bye-bye. Or well, that was the thought processes of the commander and his allies. Joko may have hinted at an alternate reality. But that is the point. I think the writers are attempting to make us feel somewhat conflicted with our actions. Afterall, we really don't fully understand the "eternal alchemy", etc. etc.

Primordus is just engulfed in flames all the time. He really wants to be your friend. He tried with the Dwarves and the Asura, but he was just a bit too hot to handle. It's a real hedgehog's dilemma. But he was just getting too lonely in his empty underground caverns.

Do you really think Primordus is like the other dragons? Does he possess other life forms? No. Wanna bet that the water dragon is similar?

And when you waver in your decision on who to side with, remember that although the world may be covered in ice, it is filled with fire.

Help Primordus help you by putting out some of the heat and let him absorb some ice magic. But probably only a parent will be able to settle such a family feud.

Primordus is a good boy! Jormag is an ice cold liar. You judge too much with your eyes alone.

Oh is the fire dragon awake?! Guess it’s about time.

Overall I enjoyed the personal story when I played through the whole thing 6 months ago for the first time.

I really wish it was easier to complete the dungeon story missions to make a slightly better connection with Destiny's Edge at the right times during the personal story. Maybe increase rewards (there is other Dungeon threads discussing it) to draw veteran players to play dungeons, including story modes (without skipping).

The last battle needs to be a bit less anti-climatic. Destiny's Edge characters should be more "proactive" and actually be fighting with the player character on the airship instead of basically just chilling in the cockpit. Like wtf? Is this the legendary Desitiny's Edge? A little airline cruise vacation are we having or something? Also an upgraded Zhaitan fight would be most welcome.

> @"Vancho.8750" said:

> They can add a story step after Zhaitan falls, which involves fighting it on the ground...

I really like this idea. The build up is a pretty long instance, so actually it would be nice to have an added story step, so as not to be part of the same play-in-one-go instance. Actually I would love for them to end it like it is now, and everyone is like, yay! We did it! But then noooo....surprise! Zhaitan fells the airship and the commander needs to make one last push to defeat Zhaitan on the ground with Destiny's edge and the Pact. Then make that last story step a strike mission. Actually I'd kinda like all story-mode elder dragon fights to eventually be made into strike missions.

Not sure about server transfers.

I also came back recently and had to buy all the Living World Episodes. Although honestly I wish there was an option to just have it bundled with the expansion, I happily paid and think they were worth it. I'm also okay with the free if log-in model since this is basically a "loyalty program" for players that stick around a bit. I think it's actually nice of Anet to do that, since I think most companies would make people pay for DLC content.

Yeah, I guess it was always there. Just like the artwork for the 3 headed dragon or triple dragons (can be seen as the background on the [client downloader page](https://account.arena.net/welcome)). I bet the Tengu are really gonna be pissed when this thing goes rolling up on the Dominion of the Winds and whatever the Tengu place next to Lion's Arch is. Dragon(s) is probably taller than their wall. lol

Both their head designs (concept art and in-game statue) are similar. Both also resemble the heads of saltspray dragons. Also the wingless and more serpent like form definitely seems Canthanesque. Weird how things have stared at us in the face for the past years, but only now we begin to notice them.

> @"Mortifera.6138" said:

> What's the deal with "Steve"? Why do they call him that, and how is it funny?

Because he is Steve, the Labyrinthine Horror.

Haven't you met his long lost brothers [Kevin](https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Kevin) and [Adam](https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Adam)?

> @"Fueki.4753" said:

> This could also be an opportunity for them to finally open up the Dominion of Winds.

> The Tengu could be one of the reputations that visit the Eye of the North.

My thoughts exactly.

> @"ArenaNet Release Notes" said:

>During global faction mobilization events, players can pitch in to train, rally, and build trust with factions both familiar and unlikely.

> @"Loboling.5293" said:

> Okay, I spoke with Rox & Braham, and nothing... I think you guys are right, mesmer clones....

>

> Man, Mesmers can be obnoxious sometimes.

You should probably just move to the countryside and farm cabbages. Getting involved with Mesmers is the worst. So vain sometimes with a splash of narcissistic tendencies. No wonder they have more clones than friends.

Well since Braham and Rox are standing right there, you could just ask them if they are in the Grove already. If they are, well then so are you, and there ya go. If not, definitely won't go to the Grove, probably a trap.

I think dungeons are still fun. I think they just upgrade the rewards. Make it possible to buy core-Tyria stat-selectable ascended trinkets with dungeon tokens. Create a system where the Arah trinkets can have resettable stats (similar to blood ruby trinkets) and also allow for PoF and HoT prefixes. Also make all the exotic dungeon weapons 20% more expensive and stat-selectable with all prefixes (including HoT and PoF prefixes). Armor is basically fine as is for skin collectors (plus stat-selectable armor is farmable in HoT).

Adding a "Dungeon Mentor" daily type achievement for running the story instance that offers like 1 gold and 100 tokens for running any story mode that was already completed would also be better incentive for veteran players to run story modes which could help lower level players trying to complete the content during their personal story mission. If you complete the achievement 100 times or something award a Tyria Mastery Point, a title like "Dungeon Mentor", "Dirty Dungeoneer" or something. Also the ability to "skip" cutscenes in the story mode should be disabled since it is the "story" mode after all, and would put less pressure on new players feeling they are keeping a group of story-farmers behind.

I don't think dungeons need to be harder because players can choose fractals for harder content, and some people actually enjoy trying to solo the current dungeons.

Don't worry. Steve may just be right around the corner or skipping right behind you. He will fill your heart with chainsaw when you least expect it. Is Steve ever really gone if he is in our hearts?