Guild Wars 2’s new weapon proficiencies are almost here, and ANet is breaking down impressions and feedback received in beta, and setting up a special stream this week to dive into the details.
Combat designer Taylor Brooks details the beta, which began in November, and how each profession’s new weapon proficiencies developed on the road to their arrival in a Secrets of the Obscure update.
For the Ranger, the mace proved popular and a strong kit, but one core missing element was an interaction with a pet. Enter a new heal over time effect for pets. They also added some extra support elements, and they improved the Force of Nature mechanic.
Axe for the Thief saw build diversity, but inconsistency. ANet will offer updated mechanics to make axe projectiles behave similarly to regular projectiles, with increased velocity. The shadowstepping and pulling axes to yourself also fell short, being repetitive and not flowing.
Warriors with a staff are coming, opening up new support opportunities. Much of this went well, with some tweaks. The team promises they’ll continue building more trait support to encourage development of the support Warrior.
Revenant with a scepter needed improvements right off. Charging skills with an auto attack chain proved to be too easy in PVE and not working in PvP so they removed it. They've also added the ability to target allies and sacrifice damage for guaranteed support.
Mesmer with a rifle also broadened build opportunities but usability needed some help. They’re enhancing several skills and adding a flash effect when you open a portal so that other players easily notice it and can take it.
Elementalist with a pistol went well, but one improvement is now an icon on your active effects bar will let you know what elemental bullets you have equipped..
Guardian’s dual pistols seem to have been one of the more successful combos, with a few tweaks, but nothing major.
Engineer with short bow proved to be slow, and for its clunkiness, proved to be very unpopular. In addition to speeding things up on all fronts and making them easier to use, they've overhauled how they use marks and added additional new toys.
Finally, swords for Necromancer were also deemed slow, thematically interesting but clunky and also unpopular. These are getting major improvements to enhance consistency and offering more damage and flashy elements.
The Guild Wars 2 team is holding a special stream to discuss all of these classes and weapons in depth on February 16th at 12:00 p.m. Pacific time/ 3:00 p.m. Eastern.
