GuildMag have come up with a wonderful idea by inviting the Guild Wars 2 community to write blog entries on how long they've waited for the game and what they've done during the enormous development cycle. If you want to participate in the initiative, hit the link and submit your entry!
I've never encountered this site before but Raging Monkeys has a great article discussing the holy trinity. It's quite a blunt piece and for all intents and purposes, Syl is clearly sick of hearing people still complaining at the lack of the holy trinity. It's definitely worth a read as he makes some excellent points.
Hunters Insight have a great article covering their Beta experience. One of the things I wish I had done is actually take part in the Keg Brawl as me and my brother actually visited the norn zones. Although thinking about it now, it's one extra thing for me to do when the game actually launches. I really do agree with his assessment of the ranger pets as well as it's the main reason Guild Wars 2 will be the first MMOG I play that I don't have a Ranger as a main. I'm hoping there is still time to boost their survivability.
I like Under the Pale Tree a great deal and their latest article is no exception. Generally it covers Verenes impressions of the Sylvari starting area but it also has a couple of lovely screenshots. I didn't venture into the Sylvari for not wanting to spoil it but I've heard several reports that it was beautiful but at times confusing. How did you find it?
Ravious over at Kill Ten Rats has a lovely round-up from his tales with Beta weekend 3. Covering various parts of his adventures he also lets us know his launch server and hints at a future project. I was fortunate enough to be told what that project is several weeks ago and I can tell you know it is one to watch!
Definitely deserving of attention is Dragon Seasons "Dragon Arena". As an avid PvPer and someone who is ridiculously competitive, my Guild and I will definitely be taking part in it, if for nothing more than to support Dragon Season and the huge amount of effort they've gone to in order to bring this all together. Well done you guys!
Although the Engineer is still a quandary to me and still has huge flaws, Flame Throwing has a detailed analysis of its healing skills and what provides the most bang for your buck. If you are into indepth analysis of professions (and although we'll be providing the first of many Engineer guides next week) it's well worth a read.
I've two pieces of fan art for you this week as I don't think I've linked any before and yet there is so much around the community. Both are from Reddit and the first from Iek who has lovingly created a tribute to the Sylvari (wow!) the second is an Asuran Elementalist (wow!!) from XKostolony
If you're like me and still hold a candle for the Ranger (please fix the pets!) you'll enjoy this showcase of the ranger pets although the narrator attempting to sound sexy (I think?) is very worrying!
Lastly, Guild Wars Online have put together a "What to expect in Guild Wars 2". I'm still suprised at how many people I hear from that simply cannot get used to such minor changes to the genre that have evidently had such huge repercussions. I think this pieces does a great job of dealing with some of the most obvious issues individuals might encounter.
Comments
Was there supposed to be a link to "Flame Throwing"?
In my opinion, based on other articles and forum post I have read, pets do not need an increase in survivability, they need an increase in AI. Pets aren't suppose to be tanks anymore than players in this game. Ugh, I hate to do the rl thing but it's more realistic for an animal to make an attack then get out, reassess the opponent and attack again. The exception might be the bear. I have seen complaints that the mob AI is too smart sometimes and knows to get out of the "fire", why doesn't the pet AI have this?
I think it was here, I may be wrong, were you did a write up suggesting that pets not be pets but rather just special animal call attacks. I sort of like the idea but at the same time, I would hate to see the permanence removed that so many love. (Though, personal, I'm not a fan of pet management, so a pet-less build would be cool.) To me, it should be like playing two characters at once. Having to manage the timing of their attacks forcing the opponent to defend against one while the other seizes the opening.
On a side note, seriously, a shark? lol. I know people called for shark pets in WoW, especially during Cata, but I didn't think someone would do it. I'm surprised, though, that we can't tame crustaceans along with that, or am I mistaken about that one?
(I should state I have yet to play the ranger so I'm mostly just spitting ideas.) ;)
I think its a little bit of both. The AI is vastly improved from where it was and I'm confident it will only get better. The reason why I drifted away from the ranger is because it's AI was so poor. I do feel that they still die to quickly but that is a mix of poor health on most pets (as well as toughness) and an inability to avoid damage.
I don't think they can tame crustaceans (yet!)
Great write up i love getting to see all the links. TY
When life gives you lemons, shoot them back at life at high velocity.