I've been playing for about a week and a half now because I decided I needed to at least get some first-hand experience before I continue trolling the fanbois.

But here's the thing: I decided before starting (just like in every other game), how I want to play the game. I was educated on the systems well enough to know what I could and couldn't do, as well as what I would and wouldn't do.

I made up my mind that I would be an explorer: travelling the world, seeing the sights, and doing the "dynamic" events. That's it. No hearts, no mob grinds, no dungeons and no crafting (until later, I do enjoy crafting, in general).  Now, I understand that I'm cutting off half or more of the game, but those are the things I want to do. The hearts just annoy the crap out of me. Call me a purist or backwards thinker, but I want to know WHY you want me to do stuff. I've mentioned before that the auto-quest hearts bug me.

Now then, I started out and it took me a bit to find a character that I could get into (third time's the charm). Once I got out of the starting instance with this guy, I set out into the world and explored and looked for DEs. First thing to get out of the way: I like the DEs. I loved the PQs in WAR, and these are just as fun (I prefer how these de-spawn rather than auto-reset ot first phase). However, I'm not leveling up the way I think I should. I'm not asking to have levels given to me, but I've done a crap-ton of DEs (several more than once) and I can't progress as an explorer because the mobs are one-shotting me when I head to vistas and PoIs. I've gotten a few equipment upgrades from mob drops while doing DEs, but at this rate, I'll have the same level 5 drops when I hit level 20.

Should I be grinding the DEs to progress? I've heard that you get penallized for doing so, but most of them are neat enough that I wouldn't mind doing so. I guess I was under the impression that there would be enough DEs to make that a viable leveling option.

Also, what is the point of exploring if everything I can see is already on my map. There is no reason to go to a far-off corner fo the map when I already know there is nothing there. I would much rather not have the icons or at least not have them show up until a scout points them out to me. I know, I know: "turn off your map and don't use it, blah, blah, blah". I like having a map, I just don't like it to be pre-marked.

So, (mods forgive me) TL;DR: as an explorer, am I playing this game the right way?

Originally posted by WhiteLantern

I've been playing for about a week and a half now because I decided I needed to at least get some first-hand experience before I continue trolling the fanbois.

But here's the thing: I decided before starting (just like in every other game), how I want to play the game. I was educated on the systems well enough to know what I could and couldn't do, as well as what I would and wouldn't do.

 

I made up my mind that I would be an explorer: travelling the world, seeing the sights, and doing the "dynamic" events. That's it. No hearts, no mob grinds, no dungeons and no crafting (until later, I do enjoy crafting, in general).  Now, I understand that I'm cutting off half or more of the game, but those are the things I want to do. The hearts just annoy the crap out of me. Call me a purist or backwards thinker, but I want to know WHY you want me to do stuff. I've mentioned before that the auto-quest hearts bug me.

 

Now then, I started out and it took me a bit to find a character that I could get into (third time's the charm). Once I got out of the starting instance with this guy, I set out into the world and explored and looked for DEs. First thing to get out of the way: I like the DEs. I loved the PQs in WAR, and these are just as fun (I prefer how these de-spawn rather than auto-reset ot first phase). However, I'm not leveling up the way I think I should. I'm not asking to have levels given to me, but I've done a crap-ton of DEs (several more than once) and I can't progress as an explorer because the mobs are one-shotting me when I head to vistas and PoIs. I've gotten a few equipment upgrades from mob drops while doing DEs, but at this rate, I'll have the same level 5 drops when I hit level 20.

Should I be grinding the DEs to progress? I've heard that you get penallized for doing so, but most of them are neat enough that I wouldn't mind doing so. I guess I was under the impression that there would be enough DEs to make that a viable leveling option.

 

Also, what is the point of exploring if everything I can see is already on my map. There is no reason to go to a far-off corner fo the map when I already know there is nothing there. I would much rather not have the icons or at least not have them show up until a scout points them out to me. I know, I know: "turn off your map and don't use it, blah, blah, blah". I like having a map, I just don't like it to be pre-marked.

 

 

So, (mods forgive me) TL;DR: as an explorer, am I playing this game the right way?

Go to the main town. Find the asura portals. Teleport to lion's arch. Explore a new starter area.

Or press H. Last button. Enter the mists. Run north to the pink portal.Then in lion's arch get to a new area.

Not all the crap is marked in the map. There are caves, secret passages, jumping puzzles, that have loot chests at the endof it.

In addition press M. In the lower left corner of the map there is a little eye icon. Click on it. Unmark whatever you want to unmark.

Have fun

Ok umm...First off there are a ton of hidden caves that arent marked on the map such as the house with an underground link to the bandit cave or the bandit hideout behind the grave yard (bot hin queensdale)

Also I never really had a problem getting levels.  I went to levle 10 and moved to a different starting area though.  By the time I was satisfied with exploring the starter areas, I was already 40ish o.O   Also you can turn off the map icons if you open the map!

Other than that, the events like Shadow Behemoth or Fire Elemental gives level appropriate gear from the treasure chest.  I typically dont go to maps unless Im like...2-3 levels below the high number in the levelling range and it seems to work fine for me o.o That way, I can just go around exploring without fear of fighting enemies 5+levels higher.

Originally posted by Gaia_Hunter

In addition press M. In the lower left corner of the map there is a little eye icon. Click on it. Unmark whatever you want to unmark.

Have fun

 

Nice tip, I'll check that out.

Originally posted by Gaia_Hunter

Go to the main town. Find the asura portals. Teleport to lion's arch. Explore a new starter area.

Or press H. Last button. Enter the mists. Run north to the pink portal.Then in lion's arch get to a new area.

Not all the crap is marked in the map. There are caves, secret passages, jumping puzzles, that have loot chests at the endof it.

In addition press M. In the lower left corner of the map there is a little eye icon. Click on it. Unmark whatever you want to unmark.

Have fun

I'll second that advice.

Also, look at what the vistas are showing you. They will often give you a glimpse of a hidden area or place that's located off the beaten path.

Aside from that, Badaboom said it best -

Anyway you choose to play the game is the "right way."  The reward then is in the "doing."

If you're having fun, you're doing it right. :)

well doing the occasional event is actually doing the DE's

You are playing this game exactly like I'm playing it accept one thing, no crafting. I've reached at least 175 with my huntsman and 156 with cooking.

I'm level 42, I've done 20% of the map and the only thing I've focused on getting absolutely are the skill points.

Everything else has been on a meh basis. Not in a rush, no real reason to run to the end instantly, it's a nice relaxing feeling to play.

Personally, I never thought that the DE's would be enough by themselves.

I also want to point out that the DE's are indeed dynamic and affect the world. For example, i've defended two towns now (was by myself) and those events failed and low and behold the towns were taken over and changed entirely to fit the needs of the mobs that took them over. Small buildings were taken down, mobs replaced the postions of defense in these places. One was a human settlement and the other was a Charr fort.

Anyway the point is, play how you want. The more choices the better off every game is. However you are leaving yourself a little short on the gear if you care about such things. I'm presently farming to increase crafting by making an entire set of greens with +Conditions and +healing as I'm a support engineer.

Originally posted by Loktofeit

Originally posted by Gaia_Hunter

Go to the main town. Find the asura portals. Teleport to lion's arch. Explore a new starter area.

Or press H. Last button. Enter the mists. Run north to the pink portal.Then in lion's arch get to a new area.

Not all the crap is marked in the map. There are caves, secret passages, jumping puzzles, that have loot chests at the endof it.

In addition press M. In the lower left corner of the map there is a little eye icon. Click on it. Unmark whatever you want to unmark.

Have fun

I'll second that advice.

Also, look at what the vistas are showing you. They will often give you a glimpse of a hidden area or place that's located off the beaten path.

Another good tip. I've wondered what their point was. I'll have to look at my screenshots of them to see what I'm missing.

Originally posted by Castillle

Ok umm...First off there are a ton of hidden caves that arent marked on the map such as the house with an underground link to the bandit cave or the bandit hideout behind the grave yard (bot hin queensdale)

Also I never really had a problem getting levels.  I went to levle 10 and moved to a different starting area though.  By the time I was satisfied with exploring the starter areas, I was already 40ish o.O   Also you can turn off the map icons if you open the map!

Other than that, the events like Shadow Behemoth or Fire Elemental gives level appropriate gear from the treasure chest.  I typically dont go to maps unless Im like...2-3 levels below the high number in the levelling range and it seems to work fine for me o.o That way, I can just go around exploring without fear of fighting enemies 5+levels higher.

 

Yep I personally loved the troll under the bridge reference in the Norn 15-25 zone LOL

In my opinion there are to many mobs and they spawn to fast. Plus it takes to long to kill a mob as well.

This is a bit annoying if you are an explorer and want to check out every nook and cranny on the map. It is also responsibly for the fact I often outlevel an area before I explored it all (And I do not craft and PVP)

- There are other things to discover besides DE's by the way. Hidden caves, hidden chests, hidden puzzles, hidden mini story, hidden enemy. A lot of these hidden things come without bonus loot, a design choice apparently, perhaps to stop people farming them. -

That being said: Are you the same level as your mobs?

If you are lower then the mobs,  this issue will be much worse. You could try the opposite and explore lower level areas's. If you want to get more XP (I wouldn't if I were you) this is also a good method to gain XP because you will kill many more mobs in the same time.

Plus, you could do the personal story to get XP if you would need so. It is REALLY bad at the begining but once you join an order it get's a lot better. (at least priory does, haven't played others)

I don't get it.

Even playing the way you are, large parts of the map are hidden until you reach certain points or speak to a scout.

Getting one-shotted sounds like you're exploring areas that are too high for your level.

I'm still only level 62 but DE's are giving me most of my loot and upgrades, and a pretty penny to go along with it.

If you join in any of the world events, you'll get even better loot.

So, not sure where you're coming from I'm afraid. I'm not a fanboy, in fact I'm pretty much a noob with GW2, but the things you mentioned don't tally with my own experience.

Originally posted by WhiteLantern

Also, what is the point of exploring if everything I can see is already on my map. There is no reason to go to a far-off corner fo the map when I already know there is nothing there. I would much rather not have the icons or at least not have them show up until a scout points them out to me. I know, I know: "turn off your map and don't use it, blah, blah, blah". I like having a map, I just don't like it to be pre-marked.

 

 

So, (mods forgive me) TL;DR: as an explorer, am I playing this game the right way?

I play the game pretty similar to how you described, only difference is I do add in the hearts.

When you said "There is no reason to go to a far-off corner of the map when I already know there is nothing there."

As an explorer, I've gone to those far off places thinking nothing would be there and ended up finding something not marked on the map. A cave, or a bush hiding a path behind a house, or an underwater entrance from accidentally falling off a vista.   Hidden Puzzle dungeons are not marked at all on the maps though some, not all, but some PoI's can some times point them out, same with vistas.  Most are well hidden and hard to find, also some are incredibly difficult to figure out.

When I found my first one without the use of the interwebs, just stumbling upon it myself, and Then figuring it out on my own, I fell butt crazy in love with this game.   Also I ran one a few different times only to find after the 4th time that it continued when I thought it had finished at the first treasure chest, it continued to an additional treasure.

Aside from that I too wish to play GW2 the way ANET intended originally without hearts or scouts just pure exploration!!!

I found though even though I do renown hearts while exploring, if I don't craft I am behind on levels.

[mod edit]

[mod edit]

[mod edit]

Originally posted by Badaboom

Originally posted by jacklo

Originally posted by Sylvarii

Let me sum up what the die hards are really saying "you're playing it wrong" Now, the funny thing is that the die hards promote this game as playing it how you like but when you do they crawl out of the wood work telling you how to play lol.

I don't think they know how to play the game themselves,it's jjust a mess match of jumble.

Huh???

I don't get this either!

Show me a post with a die-hard telling him how to play.

Everyone else seems to have made productive, helpful post, except you.

On top of that, I specifically told him he was playing it right.  Oh well, haters gonna hate.

Well I'm certainly not playing in any structured way because I'm clueless with the whole thing at the moment. I'm just wandering around doing a bit of this and a bit of that. It's all been good fun to now and I seem to be levelling ok.