In this week's Guild Wars 2 Column, David North muses on a topic many of us probably think about... what would the next race added to the playable races be in Tyria? Read on for David's thoughts and see if you agree.

I could start things off with the most obvious choice, but let’s start things off weird.  This request from players really caught me off guard, but the Quagan has captured the hearts of players everywhere.  A special plush Quaggan backpack has even been thrown into the gem store!  These cuties have become a big hit, but why play as one?  The Quaggan don’t look like fierce warriors such as the Charr.  Maybe it’s the way they speak.  I could see players now typing in chat, “ Quaggan plays as Quaggan.”   Players sure are weird.

Read the rest of David North's Guild Wars 2: A New Warrior Approaches.

Quaggans foooorrr new race!

Fooooo

I think you nailed it. Tengu and Kodan are both very real possibilities. It almost feels like a choice between which comes first, not which would we eventually get. I could see the Living Story taking place up north driving more Kodan south, and personally that would be my first choice. Although the Tengu offer probably more customization options. I would like to see a bigger story develop around them before they are introduced.

One I think you missed is the assassin race of Largos. I know many people including myself would love to see them as playable. Could be a ton of customization with thier wings, but again, armoring them could be an issue for Anet. I have no love for centaurs and personally wouldnt like to see them playable, but I have no doubts others feel differently. I dont see them being playable either way, because as you said, they offer unique challenges in armoring them, and they are antagonists in the story, wouldnt make sense for them to all of a sudden turn friendly. And the quaggan although cute and adorable, would not make a good playable race. Rather a fun child-like companion if anything, but certainly not a "hero".

Originally posted by Czanrei
I choose none of the above. Because the game needs more RP-support, housing, and mounts way before it needs another hollow playable race. 

Doesn't need housing - waste of resouces - MOUNTS ARE NOT PART OF THE LORE - jeez - read the lore and that is why we have TP - don't need mounts as another waste of resources.

They are a small company and as such - doing the best they can. Yes, they messed but a bit, who hasn't (Trion did some beauts just after the release of Rift). They are also still supporting GW1.

I think it should be Tengu. If you did the add in to GW1, if you had the Bonus Mission Pack, you could play as Master Togo and help the Tengu in Cantha. I think Cantha would also be a nice add on then.

I really thought I was going to love playing charr.  I'm glad it's in there as it's nice to have the option, but I just keep ignoring mine because I don't enjoy playing it.  Some people don't mind it or like it, but the bulk and running animation make it feel to "heavy."  I guess I just prefer playing more humanoid races. 

Along with that thinking I don't believe centaur as a race would work very well.  It may be fun for a bit but the game doesn't seem designed well for that particular kind of playable race.  I'm specifically thinking about traversing vertical areas, jumping puzzles and whatnot.  A lot of times you're jumping on posts, sticks and other small platforms that would just be odd with a horselike body. /shrug

I'm not all that eager to play one, but from the list of existing races I think tengu is most likely.  Not only because of the customization possibilities and the 'ease' of making them playable, but also the fact that they already have a presence within Lion's Arch and have verbage about needing to trust the other races before letting us through to their territory. 

Originally posted by botrytis

Originally posted by Czanrei
I choose none of the above. Because the game needs more RP-support, housing, and mounts way before it needs another hollow playable race. 

Doesn't need housing - waste of resouces - MOUNTS ARE NOT PART OF THE LORE - jeez - read the lore and that is why we have TP - don't need mounts as another waste of resources.

 

They are a small company and as such - doing the best they can. Yes, they messed but a bit, who hasn't (Trion did some beauts just after the release of Rift). They are also still supporting GW1.

 

I think it should be Tengu. If you did the add in to GW1, if you had the Bonus Mission Pack, you could play as Master Togo and help the Tengu in Cantha. I think Cantha would also be a nice add on then.

Wrong!!!!!!!!

Mounts and housing are an important feature for any game to get right and to exclude them is to take away from your playerbase.  We already have enough silly races in GW2 there needs to be other forms of content before we talk of new races.

Originally posted by azzamasin
I also feel new classes are needed more then new races.

^

new races are fine and all.  but new classes would interest me more.

Originally posted by adam_nox
instead of new anything, how about overhauling the current classes so you can really make custom builds and play in interesting ways.

you already can do that on pretty much every single class.. only one i felt somewhat limited was warrior.. even though they have a ton of weapons  i didn't feel enough of the builds worked well compared to a select few.. Right now on my mesmer i run a staff + sword/pistol condition build, I have a GS + Staff shatter build, A GS + sword/focus DPS build with focus on keeping phantasms out, a mantra healing support build, a bunker build and every single one plays nothing like the other one. Traits + your equipment loadout + utility skills can completely change how you play pretty much any class

Originally posted by Aerowyn
i'd much rather have several new weapon sets per class then waste time on another race:) although the entire trait tree would need a revamp to accommodate new weapon sets...

We aren't so different.