Dev Update: Ranks & Elite Mission

Hey, there,

Here's another update from the Dev Team on two questions that have been asked a bit over the last few days.

First of all, some of you have asked about Sunspear ranks. Specifically, you have asked if it is yet possible to attain the highest Sunspear and Lightbringer ranks. In fact, there is a way to attain such ranks – creative gamers will often find even the circuitous paths – but the means being used by a few isn’t the primary way that players will achieve those ranks. Let’s just say, the path to those ranks will be much more direct and open in the future.

Others have inquired about a Nightfall Elite Mission. At this time, there is no such mission. You see, now that we have released Nightfall, the team is right back into “design mode” with the objective of creating cool new expanded content that will be provided through our first major update to the game. (Yes, you doubters – a free update. ) Now, I’m not taking a “Sorrow’s Furnace” size update – with the development schedule we’ve on, that wouldn’t be realistic. But we know that players love new content, and that you relish the way that it refreshes and reinvigorates the game and furnishes new challenges. And the dev team is on board to offer it!

Some Guild Wars updates are things you are already familiar with. For instance, large-scale holiday events? Well, I saw you there last weekend and I know you loved it. And yes, you might cleverly predict future events of that type because you can pause to consider the very name of our current competitive season.

Some Guild Wars updates are of things you can predict, such as the ability to attain higher ranks and get elite mission access, both of which were, I believe, foreshadowed in The Manuscripts for Nightfall. What cooler way to build long-distance goals than to see the addition of new options and new tests and trials for your characters?

And, I’m happy to tell you, some planned Guild Wars updates include content and features that, frankly, you really don’t have a clue about yet, ‘cause we’re not talkin’. Some things the dev team has on the books for the not-too-distant future will present significant expansions of Nightfall content in the form of new missions, new gameplay options, and popular features, as well.

Timeline? Well, maybe there will be something under your Christmas tree wrapped in ones and zeros: Codified Christmas gift, anyone? Seriously, it would be more accurate to say we’ll have the update ready “in the next few months,” to allow the team flexibility to take a bit more time if that means adding even more cool new content and features.

So, I hope this information is helpful, and we'll have more to share soon.

Thanks for clearing this up. Was highly needed.

So, you are saying that the bug when you cannot take Sunspear bounties at Sunspear Rank 8 is intentional?

If so, GG ArenaNet.

Is there any update on what will happen for the Factions elite missions?

Greetings,

So, we can attain max title ranks without relying on enemy monks ressing the other enemies for farming, while at the same time praying to the 5 gods that we don't get err7'ed? I can get on board with that.

I like that we finally have an answer about the elite mission. Now, just as long as they (ANet) tell us when the mission has been put in, I'd be a happy camper (to use a phrase).

Hopefully, this update will include access to the Sunspear Arena as well, since no one has found a way into there either.

Mery meet, merry met, merry meet again,
Wyldchild777

Thanks a lot for clearing that up, Gaile.

I'm pretty sure someone mentioned reading the manual and it said something like, it'd be much easier to start parties for missions/questing, because you could search better among districts? Not really sure exactly what the wording was, but any word on that?

Thanks first of all to Gaile for replying and answering our questions! Just a quick follow up, you mention that an update on the scale of Sorrow's Furnace is impractical (which I'm sure we can appreciate, if feel frustrated at - I mean no offence, everyone has the 'We want more!' bug, myself included), but both The Deep and Urgoz's Warren from Factions have a sense of similar scale, and greater difficulty than Sorrow's Furnace, so will the Nightfall Elite Mission be significantly smaller than either of those in Factions? I appreciate that some people find the Factions Elites unwieldly (not everyone has between and three hours to devote to a single mission), but quite a few of us enjoy the Elites simply because they take so long - they actually give us something to do for a couple of hours!

Not intended as a complaint or any sort of chastisement - I'm really loving Nightfall. The first time I entered the Mirror of Lyss, my Jaw dropped! Anyway, I suppose I'm trying to thank you for replying, clarify how the NF elite will compare to those from Factions, and forestall any criticism of the 'ZOMG I can't believe it isn't in the game yet!!' - I for one, and most of those I know, can find any number of ways to keep ourselves occupied in Elona until Christmas, or whenever the Elite and other content goes live!

Thanks again!

If so, many many people will not be able to obtain the rank. It would've helped saying this before people got to rank 8 sunspear. Now what, it's hopeless for them?

Thanks for telling us at least... Now to spend my time on a few long nights of FF12 instead of worrying about if someone found the elite mission yet..

So, what does this mean for Chapter 5?

A somewhat bitter truth - but behold i'm not complaining.
After all we now know for certain and are no longer in search of the holy grail :P
And that is much appreciated.

Thanks again for the honest reply on this community issue.

/edit:
I must admit that i personally was in a kind of "find that mission" frenzy. On the other hand i've pretty much seen Elona now and can relax. It's a lot more content than Factions ever had and for now, farming Lightbringer in the Realm of Torment is enough of a high level content for me besides me being able to actually enjoy the scenery instead of maxing that §§"$%!&!!!!!! title :P

And Rhaza...?

lol wow.. a free update of content for something that should have been in there in the first place.

I am on my knees worshipping you guys

edit: thanks for the week it took to clear it up as well. we'll see how it all goes down when the update finally gets here (I'm guessing at least a month)

I have to wait a few months for the elite mission.... What am I supposed to do until then

Well thanks for the answers though they really were much needed as I now won't be searching every corner trying to locate that mission that doesn't exist. Suppose I'll go back to deep/fow/uw... Good work on NF too personally think its the best of the 3

Edit: grammer....

razah?

I don't know anything new about that just now, but will ask about it tomorrow if I can nab a few minutes of James' or Mike's time.

Actually, although I know it's almost joking to say it, "That's not a bug, it's a feature." It really is functioning as intended. And some are finding a way to rise in ranking. A more direct route will be open with the update.

With the update still in development, it's a little premature to discuss the size of the area or the time expected for completion, but you offer good points and thanks sincerely for that insight.

Regarding Razah, Gaile posted on GWO:

Great. Why must announcements both please and dissappoint at the same time?

While it's nice to know, this is also very frustrating that us rank 8's won't be able to do anything until this mysterious update, and it'll probably be harder and longer for us to get rank 9 than those who just killed ressurected enemies over and over.

The only way currently known to rise past Rank 8 is to enter an area just before you reach Rank 8, take the blessing, and clear mobs while leaving their monks. And move on to the next mob. By the time you get back to the first place, the monks would have ressed the entire team, and you can rinse and repeat.

Unless there's another way not commonly known, you have to be joking that this was 'intended'

Because they need good news to cover up the bad?