Guild Wars 2
 

Because I didn't see a thread on this already. Just a mention in the 2012 MMO thread.

Beta weekend 2 just finished up last weekend and I have to say that I'm seriously impressed. I had a blast. The changes in character classes, the way skills work, the entirely different type of questing, the dynamic world...it's a pretty different take on the whole MMO genre. And it all seems to work well together. Never mind the WvWvW matches on those HUGE maps. The fact that it doesn't charge you $15 a month is also a serious plus.

Anyone else in this or planning on getting it?

Also, if you're going to play, I want to throw a big shout-out to my guild - The Hammerfist Clan. It's an adult-only casual guild that's certainly large enough to tackle the content, but relaxed enough to cater to any play-style. The people have been great to play with. If you're looking for a guild, I'd suggest checking out these folks.

The Hammerfist Gaming Community - Forum

I have my pre-order in. I didn't go ahead with the pre-purchase to get early access (and beta).

I haven't paid yet, but I fully intend to jump on this when it is finally released.

I'm not trying to be hyperbolic about this, but I'd urge ya'll to just go ahead and pre-purchase before the next beta weekend. It's really that good.

Waiting on reviews, but it's looking like I'll be picking this up. I didn't love the first as much as most, but I still had a lot of fun playing it.

One of my friends has been filling me in on the GW2 happenings. It sounds like they are doing a lot of good things.

One of the cool things I like is that I can be guilded with him and play with him on his server and if I want to hop over and play with FOFC on another server, I can do it without any issues. So, I get to play with the same toon with anyone I want to. I can go back and forth between guilds as long as the guilds don't revoke my membership.

It sounds very cool, but I am going to wait until the game is released before I play it. I don't want my first experience to be a beta.

I have thought about it. But I just feel like it would drag me in, then the weekend would end, and I'd sit salivating like a hungry dog.

I've read other players say, that while they loved it, it probably isn't close to showtime yet. Like, not close enough to get the July-August release like many are hoping. Agree, disagree?

*THIS IS A RUMOR*

My friend is on the Guild War (original version, mind) test crew. They keep bugging one of the developers about when will Guild Wars 2 be released. He would never say, but then gave them this: "I look forward to giving this to my kids around the holidays." It might be a good long while yet (say November/December).

Some Korean financial docs were discovered a couple of days ago that suggested the release was "before Thanksgiving". I'm betting late September.

And yes, I'm salivating like a hungry dog after the last beta weekend.

The beauty of Guild Wars 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpBzL...ature=youtu.be

I really tried to get into the original Guild Wars, but was frustrated by a couple things. One was when you walked out of the starter town into an instance things almost immediately burrowed out of the ground and attacked, no matter what level you were (I think they always stayed level one). You couldn't just ignore them either. The instance would reset when you went back in the starter village. And the whole instance was like that, and while it sounds good on paper it really began to annoy me. Is GW2 any different?

Yes. The game isn't instanced like that.

Question for Blackadar

I watched the video on combat and it seems a bit like Diablo, would you classify the combat that way or is it closer to Rift or Wow style?

I'm not sure if this is going to answer your question or not because I'm not sure what differences you're wanting to highlight. Combat in Diablo va RIFT is very, very different. At first it feels like WoW/RIFT, but then you begin to realize it's not like that at all. It's more dynamic than typical MMO combat because you can fire and move at the same time. Unlike WoW or RIFT, where you have to stay in place for anything beyond an insta-cast talent, you move and fire in GW2. So you're going to kite a lot of enemies...and if you're squishy, you're going to have to learn how to do so because 3 mobs of the same level will stomp someone into the ground if you just stand there. Projectiles/spells can be dodged as well. Just because someone lets loose with an arrow doesn't mean you can't get out of the way. It's tricky and only possible at longer distances, but it does add flavor to the combat.

Unlike RIFT or WoW, you don't have a bunch of talents at once. For most classes, there's a maximum of 9 (I think) - but 5 of those depend on the weapons you have equipped. You get 3 skills from the main weapon and 2 from the offhand weapon. If you have a two handed weapon, it gives you 5 skills. They're very different depending on the weapon. Let's take a Guardian, a melee class, for example:

I'll start out with a Staff (2h weapon). So my weapon skills are:

- Wave of Wrath - A shockwave AOE
- Orb of Light - Single target damage, blindness and burning skill
- Symbol of Swiftness - Grants a speed boost to nearby allies (including me) and damages foes (AOE)
- Line of Warding - Creates a line that foes cannot cross
- Martyr - Takes debuffs from allies, puts them on me and gives me a major boost to damage, regen, swiftness and other talents.

That's it? Nah. See, I can switch between two sets of weapons in a fight. So I can throw down my AOEs and buffs with that and then switch to a Sword and Board. Suddenly, I can do the following:

- Sword of Wrath - Basic sword attack
- Flashing Blade - Teleport to an enemy and blind nearby foes
- Zealot's Defense - Block projectiles, minor AOE damage
- Shield of Judgement - Major damage to nearby foes and protects nearby allies
- Shield of Absorption - Knockback and blocks projectiles

That doesn't count my other 4 skills, which stay consistent (or at least until I want to change them). So I can start off as support/AOE damage, then leap to the defense of someone getting overwhelmed, shield them to get them out of danger and kill their target(s).

Now consider I can equip:

Sword (1 handed, 3 skills)
Mace (1 handed)
Scepter (1 handed)
Great Sword (2 handed, has 5 skills)
Hammer (2 handed)
Staff (2 handed)

The offhands are a torch, focus (trinket) or a shield. Each of these gives two skills. That's a lot of combinations, even before we get to the 4 skills we can pick from various lists (around 15-20 total, unlocked as someone levels).

FYI, I'd probably start with a scepter/torch and swap to a 2h sword in many fights.

So combat is pretty dynamic and probably falls more in line with Diablo than WoW/RIFT, but it's really different than both. I hope that helps.

Great answer, thank you. I was hoping there was some strategy to it and not just mash buttons as fast as you can and it sounds like you have a lot to think about, while having a fast paced combat experience that requires strategic thinking.

Starting to draw me in and I am glad GW 2 is charging more for the game up front and not doing the monthly subscription, more likely to keep me playing since I have months during the year when I get a lot less free time than others.

Well that makes me more hopeful for it then. :) thanks.

For what it's worth, I couldn't get into GW1 either.

8/28/12

I see one more Beta before release, really like what I am reading and the positive reviews here as well. Will definitely be buying before the next Beta to get used to it before launch.

This and NCAA 13 will take my gaming free time for the forseeable future. Looks like Skyrim might not get finished.

The more I read about this game and check the videos, it is really looking like a breath of fresh air MMO wise, kind of surprised it is not getting more buzz here.

Combat was my big apprehesion and I have watched enough video now that I am actually looking forward to the new style.

Events and a more open quest section are also quite appealing.

Just wondering how many would be interested in starting a FOFC guild and of maybe the guild you are in would take us in Blackadar?

As long as you're over 18, have a good sense of humor and you don't take things too seriously, my guild should take you in.

The application process is a bit longer than most, but often quite funny and a good time. Please do apply and drop my name when you do (same there as it is here).

Works for me, thanks Blackadar. I a pretty casual in terms of playing, usually in spurts and I play strictly as a mindless diversion to relax, so definitely don't take things too serious.

You can preorder here and use the coupon 25OFF-ALLTH-EGAME for a price of $44.97 (Digital Deluxe Edition 59.97). Deal is good until July 9th.

The store is legitimate, though I've had trouble having my payments accepted with them before.

Done thanks, was waiting for a deal on it. I got a receipt back, but there's no activation/serial code given in the slot on the receipt for that-anybody get a code from them?

They took the store page down so they have probably run out of keys temporarily. You should file support ticket with them.

https://greenmangaming.zendesk.com/home

Thanks McKerney I filed a ticket. I see they even took it off their top sellers list where it was #1 before.

From a mod on the GMG forums.

Green Man Gaming Forums / Technical Support / Guild Wars 2 Confirmation was sent without the activation key!

Yes - just to repeat what has already been posted - everyone having the same issue please file a Support ticket (via the "Submit a Request" option on the Support Page [greenmangaming.zendesk.com]) - they will be able to sort this out for You.

Just as a heads up - while the Support usually responds within the same working day they don't always work on weekends, so don't worry if it takes them a bit longer to get back to You (as it's Friday night over there now) - I'm sure You'll all receive your keys either way.
-----
The 404 error means that the store page has been taken down. If they have run out of keys (while I haven't seen any official confirmation for this yet, it's quite probable that this is the reason they have taken down the store page), then yes - You will be provided with them as soon as they acquire the next batch from ArenaNet. As always - once You've made the purchase You are guaranteed to receive the game. As for when they will be able to restock - that information will have to come from a GMG staff member - if I see that info anywhere I'll make sure to post it in this thread.

Oops on their part. :) Not a surprise to see so many people buying it. $60 was kinda crazy for it and people were probably hoping for a deal like this. Thanks for watching out for me McKerney. :)

Got my key from Green Man Gaming today and the game is back on the site. I'm downloading the game now and in looking at the website, they have one more Beta Weekend July 20-22. The asuri and sylvari races will be available to be played for the first time so that should be fun.

http://www.arena.net/blog/play-asura...-weekend-event

thanks for the reminder, just picked up my key at http://www.curse.com/betas/guild-wars-2

A largish update on the GW patcher, might want to pick it up now so you don't have to wait when the beta opens on Friday :)

Thanks for the heads up!

Another small update today-and anyone playing in the previous betas-they will be wiping your characters-to encourage people to play with the two new races.

Anyone know what day and time this weekend beta will be? This will be my first time playing GW2 - can't wait to try it out!

Starts at noon Pacific on Friday, I believe.

Well that's just perfect because I get home from work @ 3:00 EST ;)

Guild Wars 2 Beta Status - Stay up to date on latest events and server status!

Another small update-can you tell I'm itching to give this game a try? :)

Me and my friends are playing on Yak's Bend this weekend if anyone is looking for folks to play with.

God I am trying to fight getting this with Football practice starting. Think I am losing the battle.

What is your name in game Spleen in case I lose the battle.

How many people are getting this? We would all try and get at least one character on a server in common so we can get some FOFC playtime.

I am hoping I can go with Spleen. If not, I will be Ish or Ishmiel.

Downloading now......Bastards!!! :)

This and NCAA 13 are now my game allotments for the rest of the year, but I think I will get plenty of play time out of both.

Well the good news is that the launch is more than a month away so you will have plenty of time for football practice after this weekend. The bad news is...that the launch is more than a month away. :( The good news is that because you preordered it, game launch is 3 days earlier. The bad news is that the launch will still be more than a month away. :(

servers MIGHT be up. Checking now...if you don't hear from me they are up :)

They are up

I got a beta key and will be on some time tonight if I get the time.

I'm playing. Tried a Charr Warrior for a bit-hate the Charr, but figured not a lot would be playing there so I could get my bearings. Trying to avoid the Asura and plant people starting zones cause not sure my computer can handle that many people at once. Going to try a human Guardian now as that likely will be my main once the game goes live. Will be named Kallor (or Thomkal) if you want to hang out. There is a portal (Lion's Gate?) that lets you move to the starting zones of the other races so you can meet up with your buddies.

Edit: Kallor Brightblade, cause just Kallor was taken.

Played for an hour during lunch with a Human Ranger, have to say first impressions are good.

I had to play around with different key combinations to get my movement skils fluid in combat, though that is still a work in progress.

I really like the dynamic events and the quest system. Basically just fight, help, collect until the the job is done and the cooperative part is great. Much better than the standard collect 10 Troll toes or kill x amount of bandits. In an event you just fight until your side wins and the event succeeds or you lose and fail. Makes for a fast paced, fun experience and you can be as active as you like, but there is always something happening.

Just hit level 4 and found a precise short bow on a bandit, rapid shot is awesome. Still have 2 skills to unlock with that weapon, but I am thinking I am going to focus on ranged combat. The Axe is nice and Hunters call is pretty cool with the off hand warhorn, but I really like moving around and sniping.

Also had no lag at all and the game world is very well done. This could be a keeper.....especially with no monthly fee!

Just hit lvl 5, so far so good. Not sure if im sold yet, sorta just feels like all the other mmo's ive played. Im on Yak's Bend if anyone wants to group up, characters name is Dang.