[Kick Frenzy]

Originally Posted by Siyu Suen

I'm on Janthir, but I believe that Ame was on another one but when I invited her to party, it brought her over so we could play. I could be wrong, but I think she picked a different one than I did (but we still played together).

Yeah, that's the "guest" feature where you can play with friends on different servers, you just can't join WvW stuff.
I'm not sure if you can have cross-server guilds though.

Also, YAY for adding more pics to the thread!

[Ayumi]

I recommend people coordinate on official release, so everyone ends up on the same server. I mean, if people are just arbitrarily choosing servers.. you might as well all arbitrarily choose the same one xD

[Ame]

Originally Posted by Ayumi

I recommend people coordinate on official release, so everyone ends up on the same server. I mean, if people are just arbitrarily choosing servers.. you might as well all arbitrarily choose the same one xD

Which server are you on Ayumi?

[Kick Frenzy]

Originally Posted by Ame

Which server are you on Ayumi?

For that matter, which server is everyone on?
So far, this is what I could dig up from the two threads here.

Kick Frenzy: Moledune (US)
Mad Mouse, Bullet Bear, Stora, Hana(?): Gandara (EU)
Lianne: Fort Aspenwood(?) (US)
Siyu, Ame(?): Isle of Janthir (US)

[Kalel]

Originally Posted by Siyu Suen

Also, my first character, a human Mesmer who has the most amazing hat:

Why do i have a feeling that this game will inspire you to make more hats in sl?

[Siyu Suen]

Originally Posted by Kick Frenzy

Yeah, that's the "guest" feature where you can play with friends on different servers, you just can't join WvW stuff.
I'm not sure if you can have cross-server guilds though.

Also, YAY for adding more pics to the thread!

Exactly, though unfortunately it seems that if you get moved to an overflow server it breaks up your party and removes that ability. I really hope that changes, because right now it seems everyone is on an overflow server.

[Hana]

Originally Posted by Kick Frenzy

For that matter, which server is everyone on?
So far, this is what I could dig up from the two threads here.

Kick Frenzy: Moledune (US)
Mad Mouse, Bullet Bear, Stora, Hana(?): Gandara (EU)
Lianne: Fort Aspenwood(?) (US)
Siyu, Ame(?): Isle of Janthir (US)

i'm on Tainted Coast now, and plan to stay there, unless another server becomes the official RP server.

And since we're showing off our characters! Here's my level 8 norn engineer named Paea, i've been playing today. Likin her more than my human ranger. although i love pet classes, so might make a norn ranger later.


although now that i've taken that picture i see 'clipping' on her forehead/brow where the monocle strap is.... i guess it didn't follow the heavier brow slider i did on her.. oh well.

[Mad Mouse]

Originally Posted by Kick Frenzy

For that matter, which server is everyone on?
So far, this is what I could dig up from the two threads here.

Kick Frenzy: Moledune (US)
Mad Mouse, Bullet Bear, Stora, Hana(?): Gandara (EU)
Lianne: Fort Aspenwood(?) (US)
Siyu, Ame(?): Isle of Janthir (US)

Bear and I were on Gandara, but late yesterday we took advantage of the free transfer and changed to Petrified Forest (EU).

[Ariane]

So far I am loving this game. I managed to get a human ranger to level 10, a Norn warrior to level 8, and a Charr thief to level 7. I found how to get to Lions Arch, and move characters to other sections, where to find cheap weapons. so you can build up your weapon skills.

Weapons are everything, and it is just a matter of finding the profession/weapon combo that fits your play style. I have always loved range weapons, but at level 7 you can have two sets and swap back and forth mid battle (but only once per battle).

My ranger is primary Long Bow, secondary Sword/Dagger
Warrior is primary Long Bow, secondary dual swords (Like a rogue in Dragon Age)
Thief is dual pistols primary (Lara Croft!), but switches to pistol/dagger (love the stab and shoot move!)

All 3 are a blast to play with my play style.

[Mad Mouse]

I agree and I especially love the camaraderie among the players. It's really refreshing to see that and all the spontaneous teamwork that's involved in the dynamic events. No worries about parties or specific team builds. The one thing I have a complaint about is what's been mentioned before about overflow districts and not being able to find your party member if you get separated.

[Hana]

Originally Posted by Mad Mouse

I agree and I especially love the camaraderie among the players. It's really refreshing to see that and all the spontaneous teamwork that's involved in the dynamic events. No worries about parties or specific team builds

i am, surprisingly, loving this too now.

at first i found the events "confusing", but that might have been just because i was new to the game, two days into the beta, i am now finding them very fun.. /sometimes/ still a little chaotic, but i think in a fun way.

i normally, actually, am not a big fan of grouping, especially with strangers, but this game makes it really fun and easy. i think. i'm also really liking some of the non-standard 'heart' quests. i dunno what else to call'em.. but at least on the Norn side, there are some that you can complete without actually doing combat at all, which for me is nice, just because i don't always like to fight

Although i'm suspecting, now, that the game isn't going to come out for a long time yet. Especially with them apparently not even being fully done with the Sylvari and Asura bits.

i have a question though, for those who've done the 'guest' thing on another server. i read about some limitations (like you can't participate in WvW thingies) but are there any other restrictions you've noticed? Loot issues? Areas you aren't allowed to go in, or vendors you can't use or whatnot? And can you access your bank stuff on the 'guest' world?

[ElphieBroome]

Can anyone tell me how I get to Lion's Arch? Does it have anything to do with your character's story? I'm feeling like a noob now. Granted, I haven't had as much time to play this weekend as I've liked... (just a few hours here and there, so far).

[Bullet Bear]

Originally Posted by ElphieBroome

Can anyone tell me how I get to Lion's Arch? Does it have anything to do with your character's story? I'm feeling like a noob now. Granted, I haven't had as much time to play this weekend as I've liked... (just a few hours here and there, so far).

press H and click on the PvP tab; then click "be in the mists" which moves you to the pvp lobby area. there should be an asura gate across from you which takes you to lion's arch

[Hana]

As a new player to guild wars, i now am frantically googling "Lion's Arch" to even understand what it is and why we wanna get there!

[Seyla Warden]

Originally Posted by Hana

As a new player to guild wars, i now am frantically googling "Lion's Arch" to even understand what it is and why we wanna get there!

Here you go:

Guild Wars 2 Origins | Guild Wars - Prophecies [Just The Storyline] - YouTube

Guild Wars 2 Origins | Guild Wars - Prophecies [Just The Storyline] - YouTube

[Hana]

Originally Posted by Seyla Warden

Here you go:

Guild Wars 2 Origins | Guild Wars - Prophecies [Just The Storyline] - YouTube

i haven't watched it all yet, obviously (just watched the first minute where the guy explained what it i).. although i'm gonna watch it right now while i eat. i wanted to say thanks straight off though

[Ame]

Lion's Arch is probably one of my favourite city's from the original Prophesies game, I think Arenanet have done a great job with the GW2 version, and I love that you can jump into the water and explore the ocean depths. I love this game so much, I'm just sad that it won't be launched like immediately after this beta weekend, I've just started to get comfortable and will probably feel a little homesick

[Bullet Bear]

as much as I love Guild Wars 2, and it really has squashed any and all expectations I had (and those expectations were high as an avid Guild Wars 1 player) I really hate durability. It's irritating to have all of your gear damaged out in the middle of the field, and just having to stop by the repair merchant every now and then isn't fun.

Personally I'd rather they reversed the mechanic; instead of forcing us to repair damaged or broken gear, maybe we could visit a repair merchant to "sharpen" our gear instead? Sharpened gear could be 10% stronger, slowly dropping to 0% as it becomes dulled. Then you can revisit the sharpness vendor, or buy a sharpening kit from the gem store, to get that 10% back; would feel a lot nicer than repairing broken gear imo.

[Seyla Warden]

Originally Posted by Bullet Bear

Personally I'd rather they reversed the mechanic; instead of forcing us to repair damaged or broken gear, maybe we could visit a repair merchant to "sharpen" our gear instead? Sharpened gear could be 10% stronger, slowly dropping to 0% as it becomes dulled. Then you can revisit the sharpness vendor, or buy a sharpening kit from the gem store, to get that 10% back; would feel a lot nicer than repairing broken gear imo.

But that mechanic is almost functionally identical to durability loss? Except for the fact that instead of starting off with pristine gear that gives you the best bonus (only have to pay if/when it gets damaged to bring it back up) you instead of to pay up-front to avoid having the worst-bare-bones bonus?

Anyway, I thought I read somewhere that durability in GW2 only drops if you get killed? So theoretically cautious play can result in you NEVER needing to repair things?

[Hana]

Originally Posted by Seyla Warden

Anyway, I thought I read somewhere that durability in GW2 only drops if you get killed? So theoretically cautious play can result in you NEVER needing to repair things?

That's what i read too. which makes it better than most mmos. in most i've played gear degrades just from fighting. even if you win. there are heavier penalties for death damage. but basically gear degrades all the time. only taking gear damage on death is much nicer!!

however! i think the game needs /more/ places to repair. in wow and swtor, anyway, loads of merchants can repair gear. so far it seems in gw2 only a special "broken heart" symbol merchant can. and it seems like those are only in the major cities. which means a loooong trip to repair gear.... sometimes.

[Seyla Warden]

Originally Posted by Hana

however! i think the game needs /more/ places to repair. in wow and swtor, anyway, loads of merchants can repair gear. so far it seems in gw2 only a special "broken heart" symbol merchant can. and it seems like those are only in the major cities. which means a loooong trip to repair gear.... sometimes.

What I remember reading:

- Every time you 'die' (get downed) one of your (6?) equipped items gets 'damaged'. This doesn't actually change anything (armor rating/damage/whatever). Each time you go down after this another item becomes 'damaged'.

- The 7th time you go down one of your items outright breaks (and you lose the armor/can't use it as a weapon/etc) and subsequent downs break more things.

So as long as you can repair before 'dying' 7 times you never face any consequences other than a money sink. I think?

[Bullet Bear]

Originally Posted by Seyla Warden

But that mechanic is almost functionally identical to durability loss? Except for the fact that instead of starting off with pristine gear that gives you the best bonus (only have to pay if/when it gets damaged to bring it back up) you instead of to pay up-front to avoid having the worst-bare-bones bonus?

Anyway, I thought I read somewhere that durability in GW2 only drops if you get killed? So theoretically cautious play can result in you NEVER needing to repair things?

the mechanic is the exact opposite. durability to repair broken = punishing the player, durability to sharpen weapons = rewarding the player. both are maintaining the repair of items, but the fundamental difference is punishment. vs. reward.

[Cindy Claveau]

Those of you who played this weekend: What's your estimate on soloability? I'm hearing reports from others who said that once the bulk of player population moves away from the starter towns, it's going to be extremely tough to do anything at all at low levels.

I'm skeptical of that - it would be the absolute worst idea in the history of game design.

[Seyla Warden]

Originally Posted by Bullet Bear

the mechanic is the exact opposite. durability to repair broken = punishing the player, durability to sharpen weapons = rewarding the player. both are maintaining the repair of items, but the fundamental difference is punishment. vs. reward.

The only difference is the starting point. Either your punished by having to repair gear or your punished by having to pay to sharpen gear.

Or if you prefer I can reword it to 'you're punished unless you sharpen gear'.

In practical terms there's pretty much no difference.

eta: But then again I've never been a fan of durability in games, it always seems like an unnecessary money sink.

Also to Cindy above, I think mob spawn rate is supposed to be linked to the number of people in an area, as player 'levels' spread out areas should be less cluttered/easier to solo in. Theoretically.

[Bullet Bear]

Originally Posted by Cindy Claveau

Those of you who played this weekend: What's your estimate on soloability? I'm hearing reports from others who said that once the bulk of player population moves away from the starter towns, it's going to be extremely tough to do anything at all at low levels.

I'm skeptical of that - it would be the absolute worst idea in the history of game design.

I read that the dynamic events and such are programmed to scale to the number of players in the area, so if you happen to be in an event area as one of the only people it's supposed to scale down

Dynamic Events Overview | Guild Wars 2