[Dev Poll] Guild Wars Titles

Gaile Gray

Gaile Gray

ArenaNet

Join Date: Feb 2005

As you may know, the Skill Hunter title in Guild Wars was designed to offer new tiers with the release of each campaign, so it doesn't ever max out. Some players have shared the opinion that they'd prefer to see campaign-specific Skill Hunter titles, similar to the campaign-specific Explorer and Protector titles. These new campaign-specific Skill Hunter title tracks would allow players to make progress with each campaign on the Kind of a Big Deal title track.

We're considering making that change, and we'd love to hear feedback from players, particularly those who are working hard to achieve the Skill Hunter or Kind of a Big Deal titles. Here's how a change might work:
  • We would phase out the existing Skill Hunter title, but replace it with three campaign-specific titles: Tyrian Skill Hunter, Canthan Skill Hunter, and Elonian Skill Hunter. Some people who had captured 90 elite skills or more but have not captured those 90 elite skills within any single campaign would lose their title. But everyone who enjoys working on this title track would gain access to three max-level titles, whereas currently the Skill Hunter title track has no max-level title.
  • For those who choose to pursue multiple regional titles--across all existing campaigns--we could add a snazzy "international" title, as well. For example, someone who had earned the titles Tyrian Skill Hunter, Canthan Skill Hunter, and Elonian Skill Hunter might also get the title International Skill Hunter. (As we introduce more campaigns, we'd introduce higher levels of the cross-campaign Skill Hunter title.)
  • At the same time, we could add cross-campaign titles for Cartographer and Protector, such as International Cartographer and International Protector. These would be awarded to players who had completed all three of the campaign-specific titles from those title tracks. We would of course be able to expand these title offerings with higher-level titles as new campaigns are released.
  • Adding three new max-level Skill Hunter titles would allow people to make additional progress towards the Kind of a Big Deal title track, and we may start seeing some players with the People Know Me title. Naturally, as the number of available max-level titles increases, we'll add more tiers on the combined-title track, beyond People Know Me.
So, the poll is above and we'd really like to hear from you. Please share your thoughts on the proposed changes.

makosi

makosi

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Mar 2006

"Pre-nerf" is incorrect. It's pre-buff.

Requirement Begins With R [notQ]

Me/

This strongly suggests a CH4 is definite.

Voted in favour of campaign specific titles.

Jamski

Academy Page

Join Date: Sep 2005

This cheapens "Kind of a big deal", I vote against.

The Hand Of Death

The Hand Of Death

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Oct 2005

Cavalon

The Last Pirates (SaVY)

N/

I don't think it is fair to have a title that spans all three campaigns because not everyone has all three campaigns. It should be for a specific chapter so that people who only have Nightfall, don't need to buy Factions and Prophecies in order to get a title they have been trying to get. Then they finally think they get it and are really disappointed because they see that it isn't just the chapters elites.

Havre Fras

Havre Fras

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jun 2006

N/Me

Yup, definatly campaign specific titles.

lightblade

lightblade

Forge Runner

Join Date: May 2005

The Etereal Guard

Me/Mo

All I want is some kind of benefit from these PvE titles.

Skill Hunter Title suggestion:
- Signet of Capture have a fixed price between 500g to 1k
- For each rank of Skill Hunter Title, the price of acquiring new skills from skill trainer is decreased by a percentage, excluding Signet of Capture.

lightblade

lightblade

Forge Runner

Join Date: May 2005

The Etereal Guard

Me/Mo

Oh yea, like what Jamki said.

It cheapens the KoaBD title

Sli Ander

Sli Ander

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2006

Deep in Maguuma, by the Falls

Liberators of Agony

Mo/R

I've been wanting a way to display multiple Cartography titles, and I think the ability to display that you have achieved the same title on multiple continents is a good thing.
The only thing I ask is that if we do split the skill hunter title, is there any way to 'unclutter' the hero menu? That's adding an extra two titles to a very long list of started tracks.

But that's just my two cents.

Silas Verdeii

Silas Verdeii

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Mar 2006

Vancouver, Canada

Warrior Druids of Silvari

I have a few concerns and comment regarding this

1. overall i think it's a good idea. it allows for people to get maxed titles no matter how many games they have but also gives a little extra bonus to those who have multiple campaigns(which I think is good since it doesn't effect gameplay and they did pay for the extra games)

2. would elite skills already captured count towards the new titles. i ask this because i know people who have spent countless hrs and plat gaining the current titles would be really pissed, and rightly so, if they had to start over again and that loss would overweigh the added benefits.

3.with regard to one of the earlier posters concern about devaluating the "kind of a big deal" titles with this. I think that's really ok. the first rank does does say "kind of" a big deal therefore it can be reduced a bit. for this rank to still hold any weight with all the new titles then they will have to add a few more tiers to it and therefore kind of will be as prestegious as explorer(ie, not much) but then the higher tiers would be more like the cartographer titles which are more impressive

4. i also like the idea of adding cross chapter variations of some other titles like cartographer because it makes it worth it to get Grand Cartographer in more than one place and gives you a way to show it off rather than having to alternate from one to the other.

CyberMesh0

CyberMesh0

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jul 2005

Charter Vanguard [CV]

N/Me

/voted in favor of revamping

I really like those title ideas, and towards Jamski's comment, it does devalue it a little, however there are constantly going to be easier ways to obtain KoaBD in the future. This would merely be making that possible sooner.

Saphatorael

Saphatorael

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Dec 2005

Belgium

Quote:
Originally Posted by The Hand Of Death
I don't think it is fair to have a title that spans all three campaigns because not everyone has all three campaigns. It should be for a specific chapter so that people who only have Nightfall, don't need to buy Factions and Prophecies in order to get a title they have been trying to get. Then they finally think they get it and are really disappointed because they see that it isn't just the chapters elites.
On the other side, even if you'd only have one campaign, you'd be able to get a maxed out skill hunter title.

/signed.


Yes, it'll cheapen the KoaBD title... but you'll actually want to go for the PKM title then, right?

PS: and what about core skills then? Having capped, say, Cleave in Tyria will also count for the Canthan and Elonian title?

Clawdius_Talonious

Clawdius_Talonious

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Aug 2006

Screwston, Tejas

KOS

N/Me

I have the first rank of Skill Hunter and will get Adept before long, with my monk character Santa Claws. I would be one of the people who would be deprived or their Skill Hunter title, but nevertheless I'm all for the proposed changes to the Skill Hunter Title Track.

International Skill Hunter, here I come!

Rera

Rera

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2006

I strongly support chapter-specific, maxable skill hunter titles.

@those of you saying it will cheapen KoaBD: please read Gaile's final point:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gaile Gray
Adding three new max-level Skill Hunter titles would allow people to make additional progress towards the Kind of a Big Deal title track, and we may start seeing some players with the People Know Me title. Naturally, as the number of available max-level titles increases, we'll add more tiers on the combined-title track, beyond People Know Me.
So while obtaining "Kind of a Big Deal (1)" and "People Know Me (2)" will become significantly easier, there will be additional ranks that will not be obtainable.

However it is done, I believe skill hunter needs to be maxable.

KoalaMeatPie

KoalaMeatPie

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Apr 2006

Cute And Fluffy in My Tummy

Cult Classic [CC]

R/

So the Ones we already captured, we would have to recapture them for them to count?

Racthoh

Racthoh

Did I hear 7 heroes?

Join Date: May 2005

Scars Meadows [SMS], Guild Leader (Not Recruiting)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jamski
This cheapens "Kind of a big deal", I vote against.
As some of the early KOABDs maxed their drunkard title through the zoning trick (which from what I hear made those 10,000 minutes possible in about 7 hours and is still possible), I don't see how this could cheapen the title. Let's also not forget that you can buy rares to ID, pay people to clear zones for you to map, etc. If you have the money, you can get KOABD without trying. As the Skill Hunter track is concerned now, it's the only PvE title that you can't max and to some extent the Sunspear/Lightbringer titles. The change would be nice; impossible goals are never fun.

Quote:
At the same time, we could add cross-campaign titles for Cartographer and Protector, such as International Cartographer and International Protector. These would be awarded to players who had completed all three of the campaign-specific titles from those title tracks. We would of course be able to expand these title offerings with higher-level titles as new campaigns are released
I think it would be more interesting, and more challenging, if the "International" title track would increase when you've completed everything within that campaign. The track would increase when Cartographer, Protector, and Skill Hunter have been completed from that chapter as a final way of saying "Yes, I have beaten this campaign to the fullest".

Sephir Demange

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Oct 2005

Paper Airplane Pilotz

I say we should change it. Oh and I'd like to cast a vote in advance for the next tier of KoaBD after People Know Me. It should be My Apartment Smells of Rich Mahogany and should be the lengthiest title in the game :P. But seriously folks, voting is important.

Athena99

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Jun 2006

NPR

A/

"My Apartment Smells of Rich Mahogany"

gogo anchorman!

Carinae

Carinae

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jun 2005

Inside

Fifteen Over Fifty [Rare]

/signed wholehearttedly!

Skill hunter is definately harder than Cartographer or Protector, and as such it should be maxable.

I would also very much like to suggest campaign specific Questing Titles. There should be a reward for completing every quest in a campaign.

Hockster

Hockster

Banned

Join Date: Jul 2005

Remove titles completely. They mean nothing at all, and are completely grind related. I realize that Anet is bound and determined, for whatever reason, to try and remove all the gold from characters by continually creating titles that are nothing but gold sinks (putting in a Drunkard title in a game aimed at 13 year olds? good idea there).

Instead of coming out with more silly titles, maybe release a finished game instead, and not do like EA does and release a poorly tested and implemented game, actually fix the stuck character issues, or fix the numerous Z axis issues that still crop up on nearly every bridge.

There are so many other items that should be resolved first, but I guess adding ridiculous titles is much more important.

Thanks for nothing.

Dashface

Dashface

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Jun 2006

Melbourne, Australia

iMud

Mo/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gaile Gray
For those who choose to pursue multiple regional titles--across all existing campaigns--we could add a snazzy "international" title, as well. For example, someone who had earned the titles Tyrian Skill Hunter, Canthan Skill Hunter, and Elonian Skill Hunter might also get the title International Skill Hunter.
I have 191 elite skills, and decentralising the title would be colossally disappointing to me. (Well, maybe not colossally, but people on forums are obligated to over-dramatise.) I would prefer seeing the current Skill Hunter title renamed to International Skill Hunter, perhaps making the first level higher than the total number of elites on any one continent.

Additional titles do not concern me, but decentralising Skill Hunter would seem to me to be a step in the wrong direction. If people are so desperate to max out titles, why not allow temporary maxing out? As long as someone had the maximum available at that time, give them one point towards Kind Of A Big Deal.

unienaule

unienaule

I dunt even get "Retired"

Join Date: Aug 2005

Fifteen Over Fifty [Rare]

I vote in favor of more titles.

explodemyheart

explodemyheart

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Sep 2005

Indiana

Gui1d War스 P01ic트 [Pr으]

Mo/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hockster
Remove titles completely. They mean nothing at all, and are completely grind related.
Neither does pretty armor, or pretty weapons, or rank for that matter. People do it because it's something to do it, and might actually enjoy working toward it.

Sounds like somebody needs a hug.

Neo Nugget

Neo Nugget

Site Contributor

Join Date: Jan 2006

R/

So if you have skill hunter and have 45 each from 2 capaigns you dont have the title anymore?I would perfer the 3 titles and an international one.Not that this affects me but ive thought about it.

Kakumei

Kakumei

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jul 2005

Grind is subjective

learn this please

I'm ambivalent, slightly leaning in favor of changing.

ThunderStruck

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Feb 2006

The Arctic Marauders [TAM]

I like the changing idea, but I'd really rather see the treasure and wisdom titles become account based...

mr_groovy

mr_groovy

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jun 2006

Netherlands

No Inherent Effect [NiE]

/signed

And while your at it maybe introduce something nice to go with new revamped koabd title track. Like say for instance "emotes/ visual ingame distinction".
Also see my Petition: Emote "kind of a big deal" title track.
This gives people even more a boost to get them titles/ replay value. And ofcourse like rank the more koabd you have, the better the visual . Maybe has something to do with the gods, like burning as Balthazar. Oozing as grenth. Dwayana Wings

Malice Black

Site Legend

Join Date: Oct 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hockster
Remove titles completely. They mean nothing at all, and are completely grind related. I realize that Anet is bound and determined, for whatever reason, to try and remove all the gold from characters by continually creating titles that are nothing but gold sinks (putting in a Drunkard title in a game aimed at 13 year olds? good idea there).

Instead of coming out with more silly titles, maybe release a finished game instead, and not do like EA does and release a poorly tested and implemented game, actually fix the stuck character issues, or fix the numerous Z axis issues that still crop up on nearly every bridge.

There are so many other items that should be resolved first, but I guess adding ridiculous titles is much more important.

Thanks for nothing.
Agreed 100%

There is more pressing things that need attention before more lame titles. The only thing KoaBD proves is you have a less then active life...who wants to advertise that?

Sorry for the slightly off-topic but it is an issue that needs to be addressed.

Gun Pierson

Gun Pierson

Forge Runner

Join Date: Feb 2006

Belgium

PIMP

Mo/

Ok I like this idea, but I have a question:

As I have KOBD deal now and working on PKM, I would also like to display the international titles I will automatically have by this change. Is it possible to show them too? Let's say a regional title in light blue, above that an international title in purple and finally on top under your character KOBD and PKM titles in Gold? Or something like that. Just an idea and I don't know if it's workable as I don't have the time now to think this through. But it would show what you've been doing. Yeah vanity is one of my sins, but nobody is perfect.

BTW Bane, I do have a life, job, woman etc. Also I play with my monk only, but I do understand what you're saying, there are also other issues that need to be adressed.

aspectacle

Academy Page

Join Date: Mar 2006

I'm liking the idea.

However, how do the core Elites, you know, Word of Healing and such, get counted in this title? You can only cap a skill once, will it contribute to all of the titles or just for the continent you capped it for? Or would the campaign specific title only apply to campaign specific skills?

Thanks.

mr_groovy

mr_groovy

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jun 2006

Netherlands

No Inherent Effect [NiE]

Quote:
Originally Posted by The Admins Bane
Agreed 100%

There is more pressing things that need attention before more lame titles. The only thing KoaBD proves is you have a less then active life...who wants to advertise that?

Sorry for the slightly off-topic but it is an issue that needs to be addressed.
Doesn't a big company as ANET have different teams working on different things in the game? Let the debuggers handle the bugs, and the "creative devs" work on some new things that can add replay value.

Btw It took me a long time getting KOABD. You can spend time on different chars, or working for titles on one. It's just about choice, not having a less active life

Jodie O

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Dec 2005

Mo/Me

Sign me up gaile, Elite's should go towards the "koabd" title.

Kha

Kha

Sins FTW!

Join Date: Mar 2005

USA

Angel Sharks [AS]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gun Pierson
But I do understand what you're saying, there are also other issues that need to be adressed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Admins Bane
There is more pressing things that need attention before more lame titles.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hockerster
There are so many other items that should be resolved first, but I guess adding ridiculous titles is much more important.
Just because one issue is being addressed in the forums, doesn't mean they're not working on the others. Besides Gun Pierson cause he didn't do this, it's sad when people get over-dramatic with stuff by making assumptions and self-centered opinions that anything they don't like shouldn't be worked on in a game.

Quote:
Originally Posted by aspectacle
However, how do the core Elites, you know, Word of Healing and such, get counted in this title? You can only cap a skill once, will it contribute to all of the titles or... would the campaign specific title only apply to campaign specific skills?
Probably one of those two ways.

Jesse

Jesse

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Feb 2006

New York

Vanquishing Memories [VM]

Mo/Me

i vote for because then i would have KoaBD and only need 3 more for People Know Me

Kook~NBK~

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Mar 2005

A little chalet outside Drok's

Natural Born Killaz

Anything is better than the way it is. Does dividing it up by campaign cheapen the KoaBD title? Yeah, a bit. BUT, with the release of every campaign it's cheapened a bit with more titles to go for. (4 maxable titles with Nightfall PvE alone!), so I don't think that that's much of an issue.

There should be a max level for each individual title track. Since the Protector and Cartographer titles have inherent maximums, they should be balanced, as far as difficulty goes, with the title tracks that have artifically (for lack of a better word) set maximums, such as the Drunkard title.

Capping the elites in Prophecies was somewhat tougher than in factions - it's that random spawn vs. set spawn thing that makes the difference. And I think that capping all the elites in Prophecies (almost the same difficulty in factions) was as much of a challenge as getting the Cartographer and Protector titles, so why shouldn't skill capping be given equal billing as those titles?

I'm all for adding higher level titles to the KoaBD / PKM, since with additional chapters, additional individual title tracks will come along naturally.

EDIT: I would have been happy if y'all left the max at 225 elites capped and not added on to it.

P.S. Thank's for listening, Gaile Gray!!!

kanaxais_scythe

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Nov 2006

I think it should be left as it is. There is really no need to make the difficult to achive titles easier even if more ranks can be added. Plus, the title screen is already all chaotic with the new Nightfall ones. It needs organization before something like this could be added I think.

Count to Potato

Count to Potato

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Feb 2006

Imagination Land

I Swear She Was Eighteen [Gwen]

W/

Its much better for people who don't have the other campaigns if you switch to the spiecifics

Phoenix Arrows

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Mar 2006

With many other ugly people

We Are All Pretty [ugly]

R/

/signed!

Easier to get titles now ^^. I don't have enough time for them if it weren't that way.

Phantom Gun

Phantom Gun

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Aug 2006

Minion Bombing in Elona

The Drunken Dragons [DRNK]

Rt/N

I vote in favor of the title change.

Terra Xin

Terra Xin

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Mar 2006

New Zealand

Me/R

Asking directly what the players think now and then. Very commendable^^.

Quote:
I will vote opposite of the PvE community since I have no clue what this title means nor do I care.
That could have easily been summed up to say... nothing...

Yeah sure, I'm all for change. Maybe I might actually take interest in it. And the more titles wont hurt^^.

Bo Azum

Bo Azum

Academy Page

Join Date: May 2006

Mongoose United

Rt/

Yes, I like this idea.

It's nice for people who don't have all the chapters, and an additional title for all that do, even nicer.

But,

Quote:
Originally Posted by aspectacle
However, how do the core Elites, you know, Word of Healing and such, get counted in this title? You can only cap a skill once, will it contribute to all of the titles or just for the continent you capped it for? Or would the campaign specific title only apply to campaign specific skills?

Thanks.
Yes, this was the first thing to come in my mind, also, reading the OP. Will the elite count to where you captured it, or count to where it was first introduced? Not really a big issue though, just a matter of choice for the devs, I think.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bread Fan
I will vote opposite of the PvE community since I have no clue what this title means nor do I care. Since PvE players like to express their opinion in PvP related topics I thought I would do the same here. Ignorance is bliss.
............. GG.