Loboling.5293

I'm not finding the meta as rigid, although I do remember thinking that power warrior was unfairly nerfed. It's a shame it's not bringing enough to the table, they really need to bring back damage on cc skills for warrior only. (Maybe a few exceptions in other classes, like the holosmith elite skill should deal damage too)

I actually, having been preferring the games lately over what it was last year. Although, I will agree the meta is not the best.

It's just that this thread is only comparing to 2020, and 2020 is when I quit pvp it was so bad.

At least so far, I'm not seeing as rigid of a meta. I've taken about 4 different elementalist builds into pvp so far, and all of them, though completely different, were able to contribute and do well. Although, I've been playing this game for a long time, and most 'skill' in pvp comes down to rotations, so that works whatever class you play. But even still, I didn't find there to be many oppressive gank classes in this meta. I'll say, I do enjoy that aspect. I've yet to be killed suddenly and without any chance to respond so far this meta.

I'm for changes, just had to say, I'm enjoying pvp in 2021 more than 2020.

> @"felix.2386" said:

> > @"Kuma.1503" said:

> > Did that really happen? If so I don't know whether I should be disgusted or laugh

> >

> > Feb 2020 was a mistake :^)

>

> u mean HoT was a mistake, core gw2 with low damage was completely fine and meta like these would never happen.

>

> mechanically wise, every single espec are busted with exception of berserker after removing core burst skill, mechanically wise, berserker is lesser then core war.

>

I actually think they eventually balanced HoT. Although at first it was crazy, but in the end, I was enjoying the meta before PoF came out.

In HoT Major Things: (Once the dust had settled)

Elementalist: AOE spam (Not good, but ele was already an aoe spam class, so it wasn't that much of a mixup, although support ele was fun and viable)

Mesmer: Extra Shatter (Burst class, got extra burst, mesmers continue to 1 shot.)

Necromancer: More Tanky and Melee burst (Necro was always focused first, so they gave them extra pressure to justify their vulnerability)

Thief: Extra dodge & dodge skill (Made elusive thief more elusive)

Ranger: Healer Form (Allowed Ranger to support)

Engineer: Ranged Rez/stomp (Almost no change)

Warrior: Additional burst (for a class that could already burst)

Guardian: More Blocks & traps (Slow guardian, can now camp a spot)

Rev: Created with Herald (Can't compare)

As you can see, for the most part, they took what the classes already did and cemented their niches. So while balance took a while to sort out, the fundamentals still existed.

Of course I won't defend season 1 with Chrono tank meta.

Now let's look at PoF:

Elementalist: Combo skills (more healing & evades for a class with tons of sustain - but this can be balanced)

Mesmer: Dodge anytime (Can attack by dodging - terrible mechanic, cannot be balanced)

Necromancer: AOE Spam (Now Necros aoe spam better than ele)

Thief: Easy permanent invisibility + ranged burst (Who thought of this?!?! Either way, it's been mostly balanced by making it bad)

Ranger: Extra Burst (Can be balanced, not so bad)

Engineer: Super kit to replace all kits. (Could be balanced if the form was for utility instead of damage, time will tell)

Warrior: Extra blocks & Interupts & boon rip (Can be balanced)

Guardian: ALL THE THINGS (Firebrand is so bloated, it tore itself apart, cannot easily be balanced)

Revanant: AOE Spam

They were a lot more random with PoF elite specs, but the biggest issues were with Mesmer, Necro, Thief, Engineer, Guardian & Revenant. The mechanics and design of their elite specs would forever make balance a nightmare.

I certainly miss pre-HoT too, but I don't think they let things slip out of control in the same way in that expansion. They shook it up, and managed to reorganize the meta into something fun, until PoF came out.

I really hope they think about balance a bit when they make the next elite specs.

My opinion:

Good design:

Tempest

Weaver

Chrono

Reaper

Daredevil

Soulbeast

Scrapper

Berserker

Spellbreaker

Dragon-Hunter

Okay:

Druid

Herald

Holosmith

Bad:

Mirage

Scourge

Deadeye

Firebrand

Renegade

I'd like to see cleansing sigil remove 3 condies instead of 1, so it works like pve and wvw. Then, I'd remove a few stacks from guardian's burn rotation in pvp. Not too much though, maybe change spirit weapons to inflict burning on every second hit in pvp. One or two changes like that and Guardian burn issue is resolved. It's not actually that strong, just above average. If the burst was toned down and cleansing sigil was made more reliable, I think it'd be in a great place still, without being hit with the mesmer dodge hammer.

I must say, as someone who quit around October, partially because the PvP was so lame. Coming back, things are better imo. I think I prefer this Meta to the previous one over the summer months. So I'll give some credit there. From what I've seen so far, guardian is a little overturned, but less so than people say. Was laughing when I tried to res a down mid and a single guards condi bomb killed our whole team. It was a facepalm moment, but not a moment I thought, damn that's OP. It's burst DPs is a but too high, but otherwise, I didn't find it bad. I'd remove a few stacks of burning from the initial rotation and call it a day.

Tldr: Meta is pretty decent place, maybe remove a few burn stacks from guardian opener.

This new 'necro skill' is absurd. Can ANet finally nerf necro mobility?!?!!

I'm even seeing new secret cross specs that the other classes are using. Allowing them to use this powerful skill on other classes...

[https://imgur.com/a/ywWvR8I](https://imgur.com/a/ywWvR8I)//imgur.com/a/ywWvR8I

So much, my best games are always close. :)

Prob blocks and blinds next.

¯\\_(ツ)_/¯

Prologue for me. Although, the first few episodes were all good for the most part.

After a few months of wow, I'm also coming back. So that's one more. I was pleasantly surprised by some things in the patch. (Haven't played the story) Things like infusion drop rates and the like. Makes me feel like they are polishing some things out, which is always appreciated in a long running game. Honestly, my biggest reason for coming back is this game is just much more financially viable than many of it's competitors. I spent 10$ to change a character name and I prob won't spend another dollar until the expansion. So, for me right now, this game is still the best buy to play mmo on the market. If I wasn't trying to cut my spending, I'd probably still be playing wow. But, I do have hopes, since there was a time gw2 was ten times the game of wow. Maybe the recent shakeups at A-Net will be good for it long term and even if the releases have been weak, it's only because their main team is working on the expansion. And since that may be the team that made so much good things, I'm optimistic!

So welcome back, hope we both find enjoyment enough to stick around! =)

> @"Dawdler.8521" said:

> > @"Noah Salazar.5430" said:

> > Scrapper is Brusher role

> Why do I see before me a scrapper prancing around on the battlefield with a brush trying to brush everyones hair while they run terrifed into corners, trying to hide from him. After a while they see a Charr come hobbling out from a capture point, with positively shining hair in elaborate braids inlined with gold and silver just bawling his eyes out "I HAD A MOHAWK...".

I just got dead by daylight, and now I want to play it... haha

Got to give it a 5 sadly. It started not too bad, was enjoying it, although issues in pvp and wvw were slowly isolating my enjoyment to just living world. Finally, it was bad enough for me to quit playing, for about 3 months now. Although, I called this game home for 8+ years, so I'm still keeping up with it. I'm honestly feeling a bit more optimistic for some reason, but from a narration perspective, the story has gone off the rails. Hopefully they can get off 'the 100' binge they seem to be on lately.

Still, given the cost of the game, it's not terrible, I really just miss the quality of releases we saw for most of the games life. They used to catch a lot of the little details that made the world feel alive, but these days, even the big things seem to make no sense and pull you out of immersion.

I'll be honest, the writing issues have been getting worse and worse (although it's only part of what is making these releases feel mediocre). Going all the way back to Kralk, the story started veering off. I feel the writers have put themselves into a corner, with this rapid dragon execution business, that makes your character feel like a God incarnate, only to take that away whenever the writers need it.

The story these days feels inconsistent, that's probably the best way to put it. It really reminds me of watching the show 'the 100'.

Still, I won't be only negative here, I haven't tried the latest chapter yet, and from a system's perspective, they did some good this release it seems. And if they can get pvp or wvw into a fun state again (not sure myself, but will try today), I don't mind odd narration in the living world, since I've got other things to do in the game.

> @"Astralporing.1957" said:

> > @"Loboling.5293" said:

> > I remember those... the development style of working from the shadows is a big reason I quit. With the layoffs, and big delays, I just felt like my game time would be better spent playing something else. Never know what's coming, at least for a long time now. I miss the old Devs that weren't scared to come out and get owned by Svanir on stream while showing off new skills and concepts they were working on.

> That's funny, because in those old times we, for the most part, were also kept in the dark. The non-communication communication policy is not a new thing, it goes back to 2013.

>

> I don't know why, year after year, people still keep reacting as if it was something recent. It has _always_ been a big problem.

>

>

For Heart of Thorns, the announcement trailer came out on January 23rd 2015, with it, came confirmation of a new concept called elite specializations. They also laid out what to expect from it.

Video here:

Then, on May 7th of that same year, the first demo video came out for an elite spec, giving some insight into what it would bring to the game.

The expansion launched on October 23rd 2015, meaning players were told what was coming in the expansion through a cool demo video, 9 months before the launch of the expansion. They then gradually released videos demonstrating the new content over those 9 months. I feel like that's quite a bit of interaction and feedback, since players can comment on the videos themselves or in the forums.

Today, we have an estimated timeline for the next 4 months, with confirmation the expansion will come out within 11 months at the latest. I am just excited to see them put out some release of information on it.

I personally feel HoT offered a stronger experience and as a whole was a far better expansion, so I hope they emulate some of the excitement and sense of exploration that came with HoT launch.

> @"kharmin.7683" said:

> Layoffs had nothing to do with GW2

Hmm, I did hear them say that, but it really sounded like something you say to just calm the masses. But if Gw2 is still in full development mode, and hasn't suffered any layoffs (besides all the original lead devs and the heads of the game twice that I remember), then we should be getting some more news soon.

I do hope we don't have to wait until Icebrood Saga is done until we get some solid ideas on what to expect with the next expansion. I found this Saga mostly boring (I liked some of it) and I barely recognize pvp anymore, PoF elite specs never got tuned properly or integrated well like they did eventually with HoT.

Anyway, it seems the regulars haven't heard anything new sadly. I'll prob check back in a few months again and see if anything has changed, maybe I'll play the next episode when it comes out too.

Thanks again!

> @"Inculpatus cedo.9234" said:

> The official word on End of Dragons is release in 2021.

> The Icebrood Saga is to finish up in late April.

That's helpful, although if that's true, it'll likely be December 2021. At least to my expectations. If they manage a Summer launch, I'd be super impressed, but if would be even stranger that we haven't gotten much details. At least not officially.

I was hoping some leaks or streams had occurred I missed since I left gw2 and stopped checking the news so much.

I remember those... the development style of working from the shadows is a big reason I quit. With the layoffs, and big delays, I just felt like my game time would be better spent playing something else. Never know what's coming, at least for a long time now. I miss the old Devs that weren't scared to come out and get owned by Svanir on stream while showing off new skills and concepts they were working on.

I just want to know what the major features will be for the next expansion, and when we will start to get information on them?

I'm fine with some vagueness, like for HoT you could say, new elite specs, a mastery system for horizontal progression, and a challenging open world for group play.

PoF came with new masteries (mounts), new maps that are more similar to Orr in challenge, and new elite specs.

What's coming next?

I'm checking back in on gw2, and was wondering if there is any new info on the upcoming expansion?

Wondering if anyone knows when we might start to get some information? I'd love to see some details on the upcoming elite specs, or if there will be any at all.

What is coming in this expansion? Besides going to Cantha sometime in 2022, do we know more?

Thanks for your help if you know anything. ?

> @"Anomaly.7612" said:

> > @"Loboling.5293" said:

> > Pros:

> > 1) **The right classes got targeted in the right areas.**

> > 2) Some overpreforming specs are nerfed

> >

> > Cons:

> > 1) Badly conceived changes leave nerfs that hit other specs for that class

> > 2) More stuff removed because.

> >

> > Personally, I'd give this patch a 7/10, mostly points because they at least did something, even if it's just nerfs. At least they hit the right specs (even if others were dragged in)

> >

> >

> _laughs in necro_

>

To be honest, I don't really do much WvW. But in PvP, Necro seems fine, very strong, but not oppressive.

Pros:

1) The right classes got targeted in the right areas.

2) Some overpreforming specs are nerfed

Cons:

1) Badly conceived changes leave nerfs that hit other specs for that class

2) More stuff removed because.

Personally, I'd give this patch a 7/10, mostly points because they at least did something, even if it's just nerfs. At least they hit the right specs (even if others were dragged in)

Cele Ele, and Cele Engi were some of my favorite metas (especially the engi omg that was fun!).

Celestial amulet, first they stripped you and made you powerless, and then burred you deep. You will be missed.

Ya, that's what I was told. (downleveling works) Of course, I've ran about 5 characters through the beginning levels too, but some of them were done on downleveled characters. RNG is RNG, but I've given up and moved on.

Been trying to get the new adventurer achievements for a few years now, deleted the novice gloves before equipping them. I've done over 50 heart missions in low level zones. (<10) No luck, support wouldn't help. But good luck with your issue, it sounds more likely to get help than mine, cause the gloves are supposed to still drop... supposed to...

How's everyone adjusting to today's big balance patch?

Profession Skills

1. Guardian

Bow of Truth: Fixed a bug in which this skill would not function properly underwater.

2. Necromancer

Minions: Fixed a bug that could cause minions to fail to be resummoned when mounting and unmounting too quickly.

3. Ranger

Counterattack Kick: Fixed a bug that allowed this skill to be activated multiple times in quick succession.

4. Thief

Fixed a bug in which stolen skills would not consume ammunition when interrupted.

I'm still debating which FOTM to reroll to, but it's hard with the changes happening so fast. I can't keep up.

I'm thinking Guardian is a good pick, for when they add new underwater pvp maps. You know the expression: "Adapting to things that aren't present is a reward in itself..."

I have switched mains many times over the years, but I tend to do pros and cons list of the classes and see what I really want. Right now, for the first time ever, I'm trying to stick with mesmer. Although my longest mains (in order) were: Engineer -> Elementalist -> Thief -> Warrior -> Revenant -> Mes (only a few days so far, so we'll see. haha)

I mostly hop around between Ele, Rev, Thief these days. But I've been looking for something fun in open world, flexible with good support options, good mobility, and enjoyable in PvP/WvW roaming too. I narrowed it down to Ele or Mes, and since I never really got into Mes, and with so many story chapters to do now, I was hoping to try it out and see if it would stick. Otherwise, I'll be back on the Ele, Rev or Thief.

I just find Thief gets boring in PvE (open world), and Rev gets repetitive after a while with limited build customization. Which is why ele pulled ahead with mesmer, since they are more flexible and less repetitive in open world.

These days I play:

60% Open World/Story

30% PvP

10% WvW Roaming

> @"Icemanfrost.5428" said:

> > @"Ardenwolfe.8590" said:

> > A charr, or norn for that matter, is too tall when he or she blocks players from seeing the next step in a jumping puzzle.

>

> I haven't seen any of the jumping puzzles yet.

Your character is TOO KITTEN BIG!