im new here and going to buy GW

NoSSS

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Dec 2006

Hi all im new and im going to buy GW in the next 2 weeks
i have a question ... i was thinking of buying:Prophecies+Factions
Prophecies+Nightfall
or
Nightfall+Factions

should i buy all 3 ?? i think it would cost too much and also i dont think ill have time to play all 3
thx

Hand of Ruin

Banned

Join Date: Jul 2006

If you're going to buy two, get prophecies and nightfall. If only one, I reccomend prophecies.

Kaane

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: May 2005

Seattle, WA

I Righteous Indignation I [RI]

W/A

Prophecies and Nightfall.

If you only get one, get Nightfall.

Bankai

Bankai

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Sep 2006

Bubblegum Dragons

Mo/E

Prophecies and Nightfall again, if you're getting only one, get Nightfall.

Loviatar

Underworld Spelunker

Join Date: Feb 2005

Prophecies+Nightfall if you like PVE

Prophecies for the easy start and the free skills from quests and it has some great scenery.

Nightfall for the heroes that you can take back to Prophecies if you link your accounts plus its nice scenery as well

you can play both as they are standalone games as you feel like at the moment.

i thought Factions was a wart on the game but some people like it.

most are playing in Nightfall now as it is new

majeh456

majeh456

Academy Page

Join Date: Jan 2006

A/

geez....I bought Nightfall, and I really wish I hadn't...I personally prefer Prophecies and Factions...

Rera

Rera

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2006

In a game like GW, I would recommend always buying the newest installment unless you don't mind playing alone.

If you take PvP seriously, you will pretty much have to buy all 3.

Between Prophecies and Factions, keep in mind that while Prophecies gives you access to more PvE content (in the form of a much larger and richer world), it does not give you access to any additional classes. Buying Factions + Nightfall gives you access to every profession. Learning curve in Factions and Nightfall are both steeper than in Prophecies, which some players enjoy. Factions also features the fastest character progression by far, which is actually a rather compelling reason to buy it.

Justis Guy

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Mar 2006

W/E

if you are getting two then get Prophecies and Nightfall.
Prophecies is not deserted, but does have fewer players in it now due to Nightfall. I do recomend starting in prophecies like another said, and when you get to post searing just give me a whisper and I will pop over from nightfall and give you some help and tips.
I hope you enjoy the game as much as I do.

Justis Guy aka Justthis Girl

generik

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jun 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hand of Ruin
If you're going to buy two, get prophecies and nightfall. If only one, I reccomend prophecies.
And play it with henchmen? Sans the benefits of the wonderful heroes? The same price for a 2 year old obsolete game as the new release all thanks to "copyright"? Hahaha. That is so funny on so many levels.

Ninna

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2005

Northeast USA

Guilded Rose

Me/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rera
In a game like GW, I would recommend always buying the newest installment unless you don't mind playing alone.

If you take PvP seriously, you will pretty much have to buy all 3.
good advice

Buy Nightfall because thats where most players are


if you buy a 2nd chapter,
I recommend Factions - because you will get 2 more classes to play

if you enjoy GW -- buy all 3


the Guildwars online store gives you a discount if you buy more than 1 chapter
($10.00 off each if you buy more than 1)

Hell Marauder

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2005

Some people like to advise others to buy Prophecy, but bear in mind that only 1/3~1/2 of Prophecy's content is for lvl 20, rest is for lvls below. And bear in mind that Factions have better elite skills in many classes (Broadhead Arrow, Flesh Golem to name just a few), most of good elite skills in Prophecy also show up in Factions. Most of Prophecy's armors can be purchased in Factions, but not the other way around. You'll have access to Alliance Battle/Aspenwood/JadeQuarry only if you own Factions. So if you're skill conscious and like some pvp actions, more and better armor choices, pick Factions and Nightfall. Pick Prophecy only if you want a slower progression of leveling/learning curve and better storyline.

NoSSS

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Dec 2006

i was thinking of buying this http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde... &catid=21140

u guys think its a good price??

teenchi

teenchi

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: May 2005

PST

Heros of Titans Realm [HotR]

W/Mo

Prophecies+Nightfall, though I do like all 3 and I'm a PvE'r. Prophecies+Nightfall give you the most game play for your money. Factions is over quickly.

wilebill

wilebill

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Dec 2005

Mt Vernon, Ohio

Band of the Hawk

W/Mo

Prophecies plus Nightfall, my suggestion too.

chefung

Academy Page

Join Date: Jul 2005

LA,CA,USA

Sinister Swarm

Mo/

Prophecies plus Nightfall 2 weeks later and then buy Faction for your new year gift or Xmas gift 3 - 4 weeks later =)

Lyphen

Lyphen

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: May 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by NoSSS
i was thinking of buying this http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde... &catid=21140

u guys think its a good price??
That's a great deal. I bought Nightfall for 39 alone when it came out at FutureShop.

Darcy

Darcy

Never Too Old

Join Date: Jul 2006

Rhode Island where there are no GW contests

Order of First

W/R

Before you buy - read new player guides on this site (towards bottom of menu bar on home page) and on guildwiki.org, that will add to your information on the start of each chapter.

If you buy two chapters - do not load 2nd; just add the key on the existing chapter's login page - this will link the chapters so your characters can travel from one to the other. If you register them seperately, you cannot change it afterwards.

Prophecies has a slower progression with a lot of free skill quests; difficulty goes up slowly, allowing you to learn your profession. Yes, there are less players as the player base is spread over 3 chapters now, but the same can be said of any chapter. This chapter has the six "core" professions.

Factions has a faster leveling to level 20 (the max), but after training you have to purchase all sklls and the difficulty rises sharply. The missions are a mixture of PvE and PvP styles. This chapter adds two new professions to the core ones.

Nightfall has leveling shorter than Prophcies but longer than Factions. Again you have to buy your skills. This does present a problem with your heroes. As you obtain them, they are equipped with a few skills and can use any skills unlocked on your account, but if you have never had a character of that profession, you would be unable to add to the skill base for quite a while. The lack of players for groups in this chapter is due to players using their heroes (especially with the need to level them also) instead of real people. This chapter adds a different two new professions to the core ones.

If you start with any chapter except Prophecies and then take your character to Prophecies it will be a waste. Especially if you start with one of the "non-core" professions, as there are no elite skills for them in Prophecies, except for their secondary profession.

NoSSS

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Dec 2006

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...27&catid=21140
why does this cost so much ?? i heard u get a special pet in colectors edition is that true ? and is it worth it ?

Ninna

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2005

Northeast USA

Guilded Rose

Me/

collector editions cost more because you get "extras"
http://www.guildwars.com/support/gamecontents/


Prophecies collectors (wont find in retail stores)

Factions Collectors gives a dragon minipet and other stuff

NF Collectors gives a minipet of evil npc, Varesh, and other stuff

The Ernada

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Nov 2006

I'd say to get Nightfall first if you dont care about following the story progression. The link in each Chapter's stories is pretty flimsy anyway.

With heroes, you can go back to the older Chapters without wasting time looking for Pugs.

Tookis Elite

Tookis Elite

Banned

Join Date: Jan 2006

Chuck Norris Is The Only True [God]

W/

to be honest. id say save yourself the money n dont buy any of em. GW is garbage now. no people to play with. everyone has their heroes and henchies. and the game was ruined in the long run. so once you beat the game one time youll never want to do it again.

lacasner

lacasner

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jun 2006

Let me see if I can give you some insight about this game:

Pros:
It is a nice pick up game
Easy to lvl to maximum level (for people who don't have time to reach high levels)
Things are balanced(it is easy to acquire the max weapons and armor
You have the choice of playing with henchman, if you have no friends or guildies to do a mission with
Instanced maps provide no camping, and no interaction with noobs or arseholes.
Cons:
After the story is done, many players get the feeling "what now?"
Not much endgame content at all, again after story is done all there is left to do is pvp.
With everything being so limited it gives a "Harrison Bergeron" feeling.
Instanced maps make it feel more like an rpg then an online game
There isn't much roleplaying, all you can do is fight.

So basically, this is a brief overview of this game. I don't regret getting it, it provided me with a great gaming experience, but it is not a longterm game. Basically if you only play casually this game is for you.

NoSSS

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Dec 2006

oo so after ur lvl 20 all u do is fight ??
this is all very confusing until now i have played silkroad , if any1 who has played silkroad can tell me whats different id apreciate it
also what about events... ive looked around the forums and ive seen theres some christmas event
what about bots, hackers, scammers,... ive seen ppl talking about exploits...

birdfoot

birdfoot

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jun 2006

Singapore

Ordo Chaotika

W/Mo

Quote:
Originally Posted by NoSSS
oo so after ur lvl 20 all u do is fight ??
this is all very confusing until now i have played silkroad , if any1 who has played silkroad can tell me whats different id apreciate it
also what about events... ive looked around the forums and ive seen theres some christmas event
what about bots, hackers, scammers,... ive seen ppl talking about exploits...
Yes, at least currently, GW's gameplay is centered around mob-killing. Basically, any long term goals in this game is associated with mob-killing. However, that's not to say that GW isn't a good game, compared to other MMOs, I feel that GW is great in terms of action. It really depends on what interests you more.

Just abit more on GW:
- Max level is capped at 20
- GW's environment is instanced throughout (dungeon-style)
- GW is not focused on items (unlike games like Diablo II or WoW where uber items exist)
- GW's explorable areas can be vast but you won't find anything close to moving in a shop or walking along the corridor of a castle, for example
- Most activity you have in GW consists of going to an NPC and then selecting an option from the NPC menu (even crafting)
- GW was originally intended more at the PvP end, so it's PvE element isn't as strong as competing titles
- each GW chapter has a storyline which has a beginning and an end, you're basically a hero who saves the world
- GW is quite extensive in the amount of quests/missions to do
- GW is particularly strong in the area of character performance tweaking (i.e. stat adjustments are not in the fashion of adding and not being able to remove; you are free to readjust your character stats)

Ultimately, GW is a game that focuses more on action than RPG variety. Bot, hackers, scammers, etc exists in almost any online games. To be fair to GW, scammers are not very rampant. I've not played Silkroad Online before so I can't give you a comparison. I'm downloading Silkroad Online now to give it a try, perhaps I might be able to give you some comparisons after that.

NoSSS

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Dec 2006

well...what i like in any game is storyline... i like blending in with the story
silkroad road is nothing like that... theres 3 things u do in silkroad : 1. Grind
2. Grind
3. Grind some more ... :P

lacasner

lacasner

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jun 2006

This game is a lot of grind too, but with now numbers representing that it is hard for the average player to comprehend.

birdfoot

birdfoot

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jun 2006

Singapore

Ordo Chaotika

W/Mo

I'd say grind is to the minimum in GW, can be a good or bad thing depending on individual. Once you hit level 20 in GW, experience gained from killing mobs don't serve much of a purpose except for gaining skill points to buy skills. ANet's intended purpose of this was so that a player didn't really need to spend too much time on leveling but can just get on with the game.

@ NoSSS:
Good for you, in GW, you kinda take part from the beginning of the story till the end. The storyline is not bad. Btw, I wasn't able to register SRO, I think there's some IP thingy preventing me from doing so.

Darcy

Darcy

Never Too Old

Join Date: Jul 2006

Rhode Island where there are no GW contests

Order of First

W/R

Grind in Prophecies is at a minimum - just leveling up to 20

Factions, besides the leveling there is faction farming - the "Befriend" quests require amassing 10,000 faction points for each side (Luxon and Kurzick)

Nightfall - first you have to get Sunspear Points, then Lightbringer points

Anything considered grind though is assisted by game-supplied shortcuts and quest rewards.

Throttle

Academy Page

Join Date: Nov 2006

GW doesn't have a whole lot of longevity in the sense that most goals can be achieved relatively fast and easily. It doesn't take months to reach the highest level, there are no raids or extreme grinds (such as WoW PvP ranks which can literally take 6+ months and often more). There's little end-game content unless you enjoy farming, and the game is generally centered around the base storyline and then PvP. Unless there's a specific aspect of the game that you enjoy (such as farming, playing the market or playing all professions through the game) then you're unlikely to find gaming satisfaction in GW for many months or years like you can with certain other games. It's a very lenient game though, allowing even casual players to compete with fully commited players, and the distance from moderate to elite is small enough that it doesn't become the deciding factor in PvP. In the third chapter (Nightfall) the entire game can be beaten with only NPC heroes and henchmen, removing the need to group with other players that most other games have. This is good because you won't spend lengths of time sitting on your rear searching for party members, and bad because people using this method to complete the game will generally have less knowledge about grouping and teamwork. PvP is fast-paced and fun, something you can jump right into and can participate in at many different "layers", from the player who just reached level 20 (or even before) playing in random arenas, to competitive team play, to the elites playing ladder tournaments and such.

GuildWars is for you if:
You're looking for a game that doesn't require an unhealthy degree of commitment.
You don't enjoy massive grinding and vast differences between casual and elite.
You want the option of not grouping with people when you don't feel like it.
You don't want to pay 10-15$ every month to play.
You enjoy easily accessible, fast-paced and action-filled gaming and PvP.

GuildWars is not for you if:
You're looking for a game that you can commit to and spend many hours every day without quickly reaching a "wall" where you can't improve anymore.
You enjoy raiding and large amounts of high-end content.
You like spending months to level one character up.
You don't like PvP (GW can be played without PvP, but it's a big part of the game and something that a lot of ANet's resources are spent on).
You want an interactive world where you meet people in your travels (the entire GW game, except for the towns, is "instanced", meaning that when you enter an area, a version of that area is created for just you and your party where you won't meet other players).

True roleplaying cannot be found in any graphical games. You'll have to look into RPI-muds to find worthwile online roleplaying.

Thallandor

Thallandor

Desert Nomad

Join Date: May 2005

Singapore

Seers of Serpents [SoS]

R/

lol dont buy.

The Ernada

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Nov 2006

Haha, and here are the angry trolls telling the new player how much they hate the game and how he shouldnt buy the game. I'd recommend reading Throttle's post though, it's fairly unbiased and a pretty accurate description of the game.

Throttle

Academy Page

Join Date: Nov 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by Thallandor
lol dont buy.
Elaborate or stop trolling. Worthless posts are unappreciated.

Priest Of Sin

Priest Of Sin

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Dec 2005

Sitting upon Kerrigan's Throne.

Live For The Swarm [ZERG]

Me/N

Buy NF First, get a hang on the game, then go buy Prophecies, then factions. The last missions in Nightfall won't make any sense to you though

Thallandor

Thallandor

Desert Nomad

Join Date: May 2005

Singapore

Seers of Serpents [SoS]

R/

Well if i was a new player and came on to these forums and saw all the flaming/fighting/closed topics/mudslingling between each other and the game, i probably wont buy it.

Truth be told i enjoy the game immersely, but the community leaves much to be desired of, just look at some of the posters and it leaves me disgusted about the game. Perhaps this was more appropriate? But of course i needed some of them to show up on this thread as well before my points will make sense

birdfoot

birdfoot

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jun 2006

Singapore

Ordo Chaotika

W/Mo

NoSSS, I think Throttle's post is a good read to help decide if GW's for you, it's been nicely laid out with points.

Quote:
True roleplaying cannot be found in any graphical games. You'll have to look into RPI-muds to find worthwile online roleplaying.
I wouldn't go as far as to say graphical games don't provide 'true roleplaying' though; I think that depends more on the players and the definition of 'true roleplaying'.

Malice Black

Site Legend

Join Date: Oct 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tookis Elite
to be honest. id say save yourself the money n dont buy any of em. GW is garbage now. no people to play with. everyone has their heroes and henchies. and the game was ruined in the long run. so once you beat the game one time youll never want to do it again.
I pretty much think this is spot on. GW use to be something I liked to do and NF rekindled my interest a little but as the weeks pass I find myself on here more and more.

I'm sure GW will keep you interested for a good few months but I for one found going through the game more then twice very daunting and boring.

Throttle

Academy Page

Join Date: Nov 2006

Derail alert.

Quote:
I wouldn't go as far as to say graphical games don't provide 'true roleplaying' though; I think that depends more on the players and the definition of 'true roleplaying'.
I suppose that's true in a way. What I meant to point out is that no graphical game has the potential to offer the best online roleplaying experience. RPI-muds (although rare and only a few of the remaining have large playerbases) are without any doubt the best online roleplaying. There's a lot of misconception about what 'roleplaying' really means, especially among online gamers. Every graphical game I've ever seen is basically a hack and slash game with a storyline, and any real roleplaying going on consists of futile attempts made by tiny groups of players and their roleplaying generally doesn't amount to anything more than speaking in proper english and pretending to actually be your character. Roleplaying in a world that you can never change or affect in any way outside of what is already intended by the creators of the game is not worth the effort.

Sorry for going way off topic :P

Matsumi

Matsumi

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Mar 2006

Why not buy all 3? I mean, all 3 chapters are fairly different from eachother, 2 of which have 2 new classes and more skills. Different types of game play in the way the story is set up, you may or may not find fun. Why go half way, when you can experience it all? Who knows, you might be one of the people that really enjoy a campaign like Factions, or one more like Prophecies or Nightfall. They're all very similar, but also very different in their own way.

Quid Pro Quo

Quid Pro Quo

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2005

My opinion is that everyone should start with prophecies. Its a natural learning curve and it won't make you feel rushed. Unless you have no patience in which case I'd say go with factions because you can finish it in no time and you'll be rushed to the max level.

Nightfall is amazing but I'd say play it after you go through prophecies or atleast start prophecies.

birdfoot

birdfoot

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jun 2006

Singapore

Ordo Chaotika

W/Mo

Quote:
Originally Posted by Throttle
Every graphical game I've ever seen is basically a hack and slash game with a storyline, and any real roleplaying going on consists of futile attempts made by tiny groups of players and their roleplaying generally doesn't amount to anything more than speaking in proper english and pretending to actually be your character.
Yea, I think I see your point. I guess it's pretty much because the hack and slash is more of where the excitement is. Puzzle solving (as part of the adventure) is one element that seems to be missing from most online RPGs nowadays.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Quid Pro Quo
My opinion is that everyone should start with prophecies. Its a natural learning curve and it won't make you feel rushed. Unless you have no patience in which case I'd say go with factions because you can finish it in no time and you'll be rushed to the max level.

Nightfall is amazing but I'd say play it after you go through prophecies or atleast start prophecies.
I agree, Prophecies seems to be the best chapter to start off GW, there's a pretty well laid out tutorial area. The only issue with Prophecies is there are fewer players playing Prophecies now so trying to do later missions may result in some frustration.

I find that Nightfall isn't a very good starting chapter for new and more casual players; managing a single character at the start could take up some time to learn and heroes tend to make the task more difficult, usually requiring to learn more about other professions. For a more resourceful and zealous player, it shouldn't pose too much of a problem though.