Getting it today. - Guild Wars Guru archive powered by Guild Wars Legacy

King Flevance

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Oct 2006

19 Oct 2006 at 12:57 - 1

Hi

I haven't tried this game yet but it has always intrigued me at the stores. I am going to go ahead and buy it today but I have a few questions I hope some of you could answer for me? I know there is an expansion out and I have heard it doesn't require the original. From looking into it, it seems like there is a completely different world to 'Factions' than the original but I may be off in my perspective too. Which leads me to, what should I buy? If it is true they are independant, which should I buy in your opinion and why?

Also, is it true this game has no monthly service charge?

Thanks. Maybe I will see you today.

M1h4iL

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Apr 2005

Perth, Australia

19 Oct 2006 at 13:02 - 2

There are no monthly fees, and I would buy the newest release, in this case Nightfall because thats where most of the action and people will be. Many say prophecies is the best but there will be fewer people there imo as new chapters come out.

King Flevance

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Oct 2006

19 Oct 2006 at 13:02 - 3

Is nightfall out already or soon to come out? I haven't seen anything but factions and prophecies until I found this site today.

Blackhawk

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jun 2006

N/

19 Oct 2006 at 13:05 - 4

27th October is the release date but doesnt mean your local retailer or online supplier will have it with you by then.

King Flevance

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Oct 2006

19 Oct 2006 at 13:09 - 5

Ah, cool thanks for the info. How long do you think people will stay on factions? Also, how often do they patch prophecy nowdays?

I may just hold off until Nightfall, but it sucks I won't be able to play for a while though.

I would be willing to buy either of the two out now though if I knew they would continue to get supported. Then get Nightfall later. I don't know though, lol leave it to me to pick a date like this to want to go get it.

How does the PvP system in the game work? As in limitation wise?

EDIT: Oh yeah, how many charactors do you get for each account?

Hehe sorry, I know I haven't done my homework but I never met anyone that has played it. :/

Arkantos

The Greatest

Join Date: Feb 2006

W/

19 Oct 2006 at 13:13 - 6

You get 4 character slots for the base account, then another 2 for every expansion you put on. As for PvP, you need to have all campaigns if you wanna be up to date.

King Flevance

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Oct 2006

19 Oct 2006 at 13:20 - 7

Does factions work like city of villains then sort of? Different world and classes for each expansion? That's pretty cool. I may grab Factions today then and pick up Nightfall here pretty soon though. Then grab prophecies at a good discount rate.

1 last thing. Can your charactor jump on this game?

EDIT: Seems it would be wiser for me to get prophecies to learn the game with.

Cracko

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Apr 2006

19 Oct 2006 at 13:29 - 8

Nope, your character can not jump while moving, typing the /jump command can let your character jump, but it cannot jump over walls and that kinda stuff.

Stemnin

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Nov 2005

Mo/Me

19 Oct 2006 at 13:30 - 9

No jumping sorry, and no flying this isn't city of heroes/villains lol, same publisher, different developper.

They don't really "patch", there's regularlishly updating the game for balance and tweaks, and fixing bugs that are brought in on occasion by an update.

Once the team goes on to make a new chapter, the previous chapter is "done". They'll add minor things, like some weapons/armor.

King Flevance

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Oct 2006

19 Oct 2006 at 13:30 - 10

Cool thanks. I hate when you can't jump but this game looks like it is worth more than a glimpse.

EDIT: That is a cool pre-order reward.

thejerk

Academy Page

Join Date: Aug 2006

19 Oct 2006 at 14:13 - 11

I dont know what these guys are sayiing. But u should definately get the original over factions it blows it away, and people will be playing that for a while, as for nightfall I am not sure since it hasnt come out but it will have to be great to beat prophecies. Just like a movie series you wanna see the original before you move on to the sequels right? And in this series the original is so far the better one so why not grab it. One thing I did regret is not getting the special edition of Guild Wars so if you can afford Id say go that route as well.

Cunning

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jun 2005

Vabbi, Elona

Ex Talionis [Law]

Me/

19 Oct 2006 at 14:36 - 12

If you want to be capable in all areas of PvP you will need to get all three chapters, however there's no point getting them all until you're ready for PvP, which will take a while.

If I were you I would skip Factions and grab Prophecies (original) first, then get Nightfall (upcoming) if you intend to stay around. You probably won't want to get into PvP at the beginning because of the highly competitive challenge, and the only reason you would get Factions is if you need some of the exclusive skills.

I highly discourage getting Factions for newcomers, I found the missions excruciatingly dull, unrewarding and as a result I've never bothered trying to finish it. I didn't even bother unlocking any of the skills for the Ritualist profession because it's a useless profession and is not fun to play.

The sneak preview of Nightfall that we all tried a few weeks ago was in my opinion more fun than the last two chapters of GW, but in the end I play this game for PvP.

As for Prophecies, it's still just as playable as it ever was and many people still enjoy taking their characters through that Chapter, so you won't be completely alone.

Kook~NBK~

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Mar 2005

A little chalet outside Drok's

Natural Born Killaz

19 Oct 2006 at 14:50 - 13

If you don't want to wait, get Prophecies. factions is not a good place or beginners to learn and it's far inferior in many, many ways to Prophecies in general. Each chapter has its own continent and story-line. They can be played independent of each other or can be linked on the same account. Linking them gives you the ability to take characters from one continent to the others.

There are still lots of people playing Prophecies, so getting into groups of real players won't be a problem. When Nightfall comes out, there won't be a lot of people around in Prophecies of factions for a while, but everything will still be do-able with Henchmen.

Clord

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2006

Finland

Victory Via Valour

19 Oct 2006 at 15:12 - 14

Factions PvE is much more easier and reward gold and exp faster. I started from Factions and then goed to Prophecies. Alliance Battles is fast way to make plenty gold currently.

Arkantos

The Greatest

Join Date: Feb 2006

W/

19 Oct 2006 at 16:59 - 15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clord

Factions PvE is much more easier and reward gold and exp faster. I started from Factions and then goed to Prophecies. Alliance Battles is fast way to make plenty gold currently.

I think you got it mixed up. Prophecies PvE is much easier then Factions.

Lavindathar

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Aug 2005

Manchester, England

The Monstrous Fangs (fang)

N/Mo

19 Oct 2006 at 17:07 - 16

You have to buy prophecies, even ahead of factions and nightfall in my opinion.

And I own both Proph and Factions, and Nightfall is on preorder.

Proph all the way...

Factions may get empty, but Proph will always be busy and have lots of people playing.

Mr_eX

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Dec 2005

Ice Tooth Cave

Opt and Niho Private Chat [lulz]

N/Me

19 Oct 2006 at 17:11 - 17

If you want a lot of people to play with, I recommend you hold off and buy Nightfall next week.

Steehl

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2005

The Legion of Knights Errant

19 Oct 2006 at 17:30 - 18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cunning

I didn't even bother unlocking any of the skills for the Ritualist profession because it's a useless profession and is not fun to play.

There's no such thing as a useless profession in this game. While I can't comment on you personally not having fun playing a Rit, I love my Rit and he's become my most used character. That's most used out of 3 Prophecies and 2 Factions PvE characters.

Something people need to understand is that this game weighs heavily on HOW you play your character, not WHAT your character is.

Age

Hall Hero

Join Date: Jul 2005

California Canada/BC

STG Administrator

Mo/

19 Oct 2006 at 22:27 - 19

I would suggest getting the latest version for now Nightfall and then Prophecies and Factions later it is like haveing series of books.

Count to Potato

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Feb 2006

Imagination Land

I Swear She Was Eighteen [Gwen]

W/

19 Oct 2006 at 22:32 - 20

Factions rushes the basics quickly with big exp gains per quest, nightfall and tyria go slower which alows you to learn the game and get used to it

GloryFox

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2006

Good ol' USA, where everyone else wants to be

Now Plays World of Warcraft on Whisperwind

19 Oct 2006 at 23:50 - 21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cunning
I didn't even bother unlocking any of the skills for the Ritualist profession because it's a useless profession and is not fun to play.

How very brave of you to state. However you should add the letters IMO.

Fact is the Ritualist is the Jack-of-all-trades class. Part nuker, summoner, healer, and tank all rolled up into one. Out of 8 fully UAS (unlocked all skills) characters the Ritualist is my favorite because of its versatility and can adapt to any situation in any PvE environment. However the Ritualist has one major drawback. It’s a Factions only character class meaning you must purchase Factions to play it.

Overall I would recommend to you that you get Nightfall and begin playing with us next Friday. Once you get the feel of the game world then pick up Factions and prophecies if the skills in those areas interest you.

saphir

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jun 2005

doa

Mo/

20 Oct 2006 at 00:12 - 22

don't know why no one has mentioned it yet..

you should get a copy of the nightfall prerelease/bonus/preorder/whatever they call it pack for $5-$10 US. It may not only get you a credit discount when you purchase the full NF game on the 27th, but you get 2 trial keys total - for both factions and prophecies. I think it's something like 10 hours or 2wks, I forget. So not only do you get to try out prophecies, and factions, you'll be all set for nightfall as well =)

or to save a bit of money, maybe see if someone can hook you up w/ a free trial phrophecies key

Cacheelma

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jun 2005

The Ascalon Union

Me/Mo

20 Oct 2006 at 00:24 - 23

If you ask me. From PvE skill standpoint, Prophecies would be a much better choice to buy. Why? Because there're so many Prophecies-only skills that you will need in order to play in some areas of both Tyria and Cantha.

For example, as a necro, you will need Spiteful Spirit in order to go dual UW with 55-monk. Certain places like The Deep in Factions will also be a lot easier with SS. And you will also need Blood is Power as well.

As an elementalist, Meteor Shower is very useful when you play as a Pyromancer. Well, maybe Rodgort Invocation too but you don't "need" it.

Oink The Pig

Academy Page

Join Date: Jun 2005

Kryta

Untimely Demise [Err了]

20 Oct 2006 at 00:33 - 24

Quote:

Originally Posted by saphir

you should get a copy of the nightfall prerelease/bonus/preorder/whatever they call it pack for $5-$10 US. It may not only get you a credit discount when you purchase the full NF game on the 27th, but you get 2 trial keys total - for both factions and prophecies. I think it's something like 10 hours or 2wks, I forget. So not only do you get to try out prophecies, and factions, you'll be all set for nightfall as well =)

Good call. I agree 100%. Besides which, the prerelease pack also unlocks an extra character slot when you add Nightfall (i.e. buy the new chapter) to your account and provides 2 bonus weapons for use with the 2 new professions.

If you go this route, you may want to download the client, load it up, and leave it on the login screen for a few hours or even overnight to download the content (it automatically streams the content whenever it's on--there's no specific download button). This will save you some time on your trial when you actually sit down to play the game, as the game client will otherwise stream and decompress content while you're loading new areas (which all of them will be for you).

With respect to which of the first two chapters to buy, Prophecies and Factions really do play differently, particularly in skill progression. In Prophecies, a lot of early quests provided skills as rewards. In Factions, the quests tended to reward skill points and some gold so that you could buy whatever skill you wanted. Each chapter also provides different chapter-specific areas with different PvE rewards. If you find yourself enjoying the game, they're both worthwhile, and both provide skills found in high-level PvP.

As for whether they still update previous chapters, the answer is rarely outside of skill balances. However, ArenaNet surprised everyone with a whole new explorable area (Sorrow's Furnace) a few months after the Prophecies release, and later turned a PvP Area into a very tough PvE dungeon (moving the old PvP area to a location accessible by both chapters). More recently, they've redone some monster encounters in Prophecies and added some more unique items. So while each chapter may seem set in stone, they can always go back and change things up a bit.

King Flevance

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Oct 2006

20 Oct 2006 at 05:18 - 25

Gah! you guys are hyping me up. ><

I did not buy it today and talked myself down to try and make a good decision. You all have been awesome to me thus far and I appreciate you answering these dinky questions about the game. So thank you for all this info.

I did do more research on it and I also realized that it is alot smarter to get the orignal. I went looking to see what I could find and found a copy of prophecies for 30-40 bucks(I forget which) but most places was 50. But in the end I decided to hold off before I bought anything with Nightfall so close. And there it was everywhere I went, with a pre-order right beside prophecies and factions. I think it was that that made me not buy today. lol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cunning

If you want to be capable in all areas of PvP you will need to get all three chapters, however there's no point getting them all until you're ready for PvP, which will take a while.

That makes sense and I know what you mean. I am hoping to find a good PvP org. I am waiting for Warhammer Online to come out next year and want something to play while I wait. From the looks of it, I will be playing both.

Quote:

but in the end I play this game for PvP.

To know its system is good enough to keep someone soley in the game for it makes me want to try it out even more. That is what I am looking for myself.

Quote:

If I were you I would skip Factions and grab Prophecies (original) first, then get Nightfall (upcoming) if you intend to stay around. You probably won't want to get into PvP at the beginning because of the highly competitive challenge, and the only reason you would get Factions is if you need some of the exclusive skills.

I highly discourage getting Factions for newcomers, I found the missions excruciatingly dull, unrewarding and as a result I've never bothered trying to finish it. I didn't even bother unlocking any of the skills for the Ritualist profession because it's a useless profession and is not fun to play.

Sums up alot of what I learned about it today. You weren't the only one to see things this way as well. I may make a PvE charactor to blast off with and try doing everything but while I am power leveling 1 guy be starting out a PvP guy as I begin to understand it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kook~NBK~

If you don't want to wait, get Prophecies. factions is not a good place or beginners to learn and it's far inferior in many, many ways to Prophecies in general. Each chapter has its own continent and story-line. They can be played independent of each other or can be linked on the same account. Linking them gives you the ability to take characters from one continent to the others.

That is something I didn't know/understand how it worked. That is a pretty cool system though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steehl

Something people need to understand is that this game weighs heavily on HOW you play your character, not WHAT your character is.

Is this true for PvP as well? SOme games are like this for PvE and not so in PvP.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Age

I would suggest getting the latest version for now Nightfall and then Prophecies and Factions later it is like haveing series of books.

lol. This game is crazy. Crazy cool that is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by saphire

you should get a copy of the nightfall prerelease/bonus/preorder/whatever they call it pack for $5-$10 US. It may not only get you a credit discount when you purchase the full NF game on the 27th, but you get 2 trial keys total - for both factions and prophecies. I think it's something like 10 hours or 2wks, I forget. So not only do you get to try out prophecies, and factions, you'll be all set for nightfall as well =)

Excellent. Thanks for the information.

This will probably be the the route I take and will most likely pick up prophecies sometime in the near future.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oink The Pig

Good call. I agree 100%. Besides which, the prerelease pack also unlocks an extra character slot when you add Nightfall (i.e. buy the new chapter) to your account and provides 2 bonus weapons for use with the 2 new professions.

Will I get 3 charactors if I get Nightfall or 5 as my first issue? Is Prophecies 4 slots or the first one you buy gets 4 slots? (Instead of 2)

Quote:

As for whether they still update previous chapters, the answer is rarely outside of skill balances. However, ArenaNet surprised everyone with a whole new explorable area (Sorrow's Furnace) a few months after the Prophecies release, and later turned a PvP Area into a very tough PvE dungeon (moving the old PvP area to a location accessible by both chapters). More recently, they've redone some monster encounters in Prophecies and added some more unique items. So while each chapter may seem set in stone, they can always go back and change things up a bit.

This is very good news to hear. How often is there server downtime for bug fixes and such, out of curiosity?

EDIT: Also, would anyone have a spare key for me to play on prophecies this week while I wait for Nightfall? That would be gnarly. XD

Kook~NBK~

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Mar 2005

A little chalet outside Drok's

Natural Born Killaz

20 Oct 2006 at 05:49 - 26

[QUOTE=King Flevance]Will I get 3 charactors if I get Nightfall or 5 as my first issue? Is Prophecies 4 slots or the first one you buy gets 4 slots? (Instead of 2)[quote]
The first chapter you get (doesn't matter which) will give you 4 character slots, each additional chapter you add to your account will give you 2 new slots. With Nightfall pre-order, you'll get an extra slot, regardless of whether it's the first on the account or an add-on.

Quote:

This is very good news to hear. How often is there server downtime for bug fixes and such, out of curiosity?

I can think of a total of 2 times in the 1-1/2 years I've been playing. Once for a game reset that lasted about 3 hours, and another one they did for an emergency situation - but it was done in the wee hours of the morning, here in the US, anyway.

Tobias Funke

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Mar 2006

The Following of Xanthar

Me/N

20 Oct 2006 at 06:12 - 27

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Flevance

This is very good news to hear. How often is there server downtime for bug fixes and such, out of curiosity?

EDIT: Also, would anyone have a spare key for me to play on prophecies this week while I wait for Nightfall? That would be gnarly. XD

To question 1, almost never. The server was down only twice. Once because they got new equipment (which was a good thing) and the other time to save the game economy due to a glitch. So all in all they've never had a bona fide hardware problem.

Second I'll send you my Nightfall pre-order key for the Prophesies/factions trial. It's good for 10 hours or 2 weeks, which ever comes first.

prism2525

Forge Runner

Join Date: Nov 2005

Among dead bodies.

The Republic of Sky Pirates

E/

20 Oct 2006 at 06:19 - 28

I won't mind much if factions goes empty, if i need to do a mission (like unwaking waters) i'll just grab a guildie and do 2+heroes and some other guildies on the other side.

although we managed to do that mission with just 1 group as well.

King Flevance

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Oct 2006

20 Oct 2006 at 06:21 - 29

Wow. A game that servers stay up. lol. I didn't think they existed. I played Silkroad Online for a bit before looking deeper into Guild Wars. They had pretty low downtime but it was once a night for like 5-15 mins. I can't wait to get this game.

As to your key Tobias, if it is the one you will recieve when you get Nightfall - don't worry about it. I am going to pre-order if it is still available. So I will receive a key as well I think. I do appreciate the offer though for sure.

Tark Alkerk

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Dec 2005

In a Black Hole

less

E/

20 Oct 2006 at 06:34 - 30

oh the servers do go down some times but that only happens about once or twice every 6 months, and usually it isn't A-nets fault, server downtime is mainly due to the people who provide the servers for A-net doing emergancy work, and we have only ever had a roll back once.

so on the whole guild wars is pretty stable.

Tobias Funke

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Mar 2006

The Following of Xanthar

Me/N

20 Oct 2006 at 06:36 - 31

Use it. I have no use for it and no one else to give it to.

King Flevance

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Oct 2006

20 Oct 2006 at 06:45 - 32

Okie dokie. Thanks again Tobias.

Now that I have a key to play... what does this mean exactly?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oink The Pig

If you go this route, you may want to download the client, load it up, and leave it on the login screen for a few hours or even overnight to download the content (it automatically streams the content whenever it's on--there's no specific download button). This will save you some time on your trial when you actually sit down to play the game, as the game client will otherwise stream and decompress content while you're loading new areas (which all of them will be for you).

I should download the client now (which is free?) and use this key to make an account. Then load up the client to the login screen, and just leave it there for a few hours? This way my gametime is sped up some right?

I won't be able to play until Monday I think. I may get to play Sunday though, not sure. SHould I let the log-in hang for a bit and start playing or would it be cool to restart before I actually log-in? I will probably do all of this over the weekend sometime. Just want to make sure that is all right and I dont end up losing time, it is a valuable 10 hours. ;P

EDIT: Oh yeah, is it possible to loot PKs at all?

Jodie O

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Dec 2005

Mo/Me

20 Oct 2006 at 07:31 - 33

You might want to take a look at this thread re: Downloading game files etc.
http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...ghlight=-image

Buzzer

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Nov 2005

Australia

20 Oct 2006 at 07:35 - 34

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Flevance

Now that I have a key to play... what does this mean exactly?
I should download the client now (which is free?) and use this key to make an account. Then load up the client to the login screen, and just leave it there for a few hours? This way my gametime is sped up some right?

EDIT: Oh yeah, is it possible to loot PKs at all?

Yeah I'd do exactly as you described. Waiting at the login screen should help your loading times later on.

PK's? As in loot from other players? No, loot is not dropped in PvP. In PvE, loot is randomly assigned to a party member upon dropping. After a certain amount of time unclaimed (15 mins or something) it becomes available to all.

King Flevance

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Oct 2006

20 Oct 2006 at 07:47 - 35

Cool cool. Thanks again.

Hehe I noticed I kinda flubbed my words. But its all good, we all knew what we were talking about. XD

You have all been a huge help.

Tark Alkerk

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Dec 2005

In a Black Hole

less

E/

20 Oct 2006 at 07:52 - 36

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Flevance

Cool cool. Thanks again.

Hehe I noticed I kinda flubbed my words. But its all good, we all knew what we were talking about. XD

You have all been a huge help.

well have fun playing

Divinus Stella

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Nov 2005

Wales

Steel Phoenix

20 Oct 2006 at 09:31 - 37

Well, if i were you i'd buy an account off ebay, just a cheap one for £10 or less with factions and prophecies, chances are ittl have some unlocks already but if you wanna start fresh delete all the characters off it and start playing. i know its against the EULA but im not saying buy any uber r9 account with millions of cash on it, its the cheapest way of getting both chapters as they will both be empty soon anyway.

Zakarr

Jungle Guide

Join Date: May 2005

Finland

20 Oct 2006 at 09:42 - 38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Divinus Stella

Well, if i were you i'd buy an account off ebay, just a cheap one for £10 or less with factions and prophecies, chances are ittl have some unlocks already but if you wanna start fresh delete all the characters off it and start playing. i know its against the EULA but im not saying buy any uber r9 account with millions of cash on it, its the cheapest way of getting both chapters as they will both be empty soon anyway.

NO! Don't buy accounts from eBay. They can scam you and there is no way to be sure. If Anet ever finds out that you have bought an account from someone else, THEY WILL BAN YOU! That would be a reckless risk.

Darcy

Never Too Old

Join Date: Jul 2006

Rhode Island where there are no GW contests

Order of First

W/R

20 Oct 2006 at 10:20 - 39

1. Check out guildwiki.org for all info on game play. Our wiki is amazing.

2. To link chapters, you must add the new account key on the log-in page of your existing account. If you activate new chapter separately you cannot change your mind afterwards.

3. You can purchase extra character slots in on-line store for $10 each. Also you can purchase new chapters (Nightfall will be available there on Oct. 27th.) Store link is on log-in page.

4. At this time, if you own Prophecies, for PvP only you can purchase a skill pack containing all of the skills for all of the professions.

5. Once in game, don't start your own guild. If you want to do PvP, you will need to shop for a guild that does it. Once past the basic PvP, you need to be part of a team and they are mostly guild teams.

Bowman Artemis

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jan 2006

Gold Coast, Australia.

Overclockers Australia [OCAU]

20 Oct 2006 at 11:28 - 40

The character slot system works like this:

For the first "chapter" that you buy, you get 4 character slots.
For each subsequent "chapter" that you add to that account, you get an additional 2 character slots.
You can buy additional character slots for your account from the store for $10 each.
Occasionally there will be promotions that will give bonus slots, the prerelease bonus pack for nightfall is a good example.

The chapter system works like this:

For each chapter, there is a new "continent". No chapter requires another chapter to function, however you can "merge" chapters, in which case your character(s) can "sail" between continents to experience the full content.