[Dev update] Games Changes & Design Team Update - Guild Wars Guru archive powered by Guild Wars Legacy

Gaile Gray

ArenaNet

Join Date: Feb 2005

13 Feb 2007 at 18:04 - 1

Hello, everyone,

I wanted to give you another of our Dev Team updates about all sorts of matters, both big and small.

First, I'd like to share some upcoming changes to the game:

A new Challenge Missions Ladder is opening today (Tuesday). There will be a news post about this in a few hours, but we think you'll enjoy the special recognition and the means to see who's the best of the best on these missions.
Up to 20 players per town will be able to show off their miniatures in town. I frankly didn't see this one coming, and I know it'll be really fun to be able to take your miniature for a walk through Ascalon City or Droknar's Forge. And can you say "Miniature Racing," anyone?
You can now log out to the character selection screen, instead of the log-in screen. No need to enter a password every time you change characters. (I know a few people are going to cheer for the added convenience of this change. )
Several changes have been made to the Skills and Attributes panel to offer you more customization options. Even little things like being able to swap the order of the skills in your skill bar will make things a bit easier, and there are several other functionality improvements beyond that.
Two hero quests have been updated, Gain Olias and Gain Zenmai. Now, if you've done these quests, you'll not be able to redo them, but all character who have not completed these quests will find them new and improved.
* Cantha New Year's Event – Details have already been posted, of course, but there has been a change that doubled the reward in the Roller Beetle Arena. Now, rather than the top 50 players getting a special prize in the rollerbeetle racing events, the top 100 will receive prizes

.
Now, secondly, I have a message from the Design Team about changes to the team. Here's what they have to say:

After reviewing the play balance changes last week and looking over how players responded both in game and in forums, we made a few adjustments last week:
We reduced the effectiveness of some Paragon defensive skills. In conjunction with the Paragon’s high armor, these skills were encouraging degenerate team builds.

We reduced the effectiveness of Paragon skills that inflict Deep Wound. Outside of these skills, we have not decreased the Paragon’s damage output.

We reduced the effectiveness of the Dervish form Avatar of Grenth. Even with our previous changes, this skill was overpowered compared to other Dervish elite skills and other Enchantment removal options.

We know that not everyone will agree with every change that we make, and more importantly, we know that every change we make risks hurting character builds that players enjoy using. Even so, it has become clear that the Guild Wars community as a whole has voiced support for us making changes more often than we have in the past and for having a game that supports diversity and encourages creative, active and intelligent play. With that in mind, we are beginning our next round of internal testing. Some of the things we’ll be looking at include:
Paragon diversity and balance. Once we’ve had more time to see the most recent changes in effect, we’ll see if further changes are needed.

Good PvE options for Mesmers.

Bow skills for rangers.

Ranger pet adjustments. We're pleased to say we have a rudimentary version of pet controls up-and-running on our test servers. We’re looking forward getting those into the live game as soon as we’ve examined all of the play balance issues this might introduce.

Depending on how things go, some or all of these might receive changes in the next play balance update. Let us know if there are other issues you’d like us to focus on in the next few months. We won’t always be able to make all the changes you ask for, but we always look into the suggestions and complaints we see on fan forums.

So, there's some news and... some more news! Hope you find this of interest, and naturally your comments and questions are more than welcome!

Buttermilk

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Dec 2006

Zealots of Shiverpeak [ZoS]

Mo/

13 Feb 2007 at 18:07 - 2

Nice! Miniature Race FTW!

Can't wait for the pet update either

EDIT: Could you specify the changes/additions for "Bow skills for rangers"? Thanks

CagedinSanity

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2006

Away from you.

W/

13 Feb 2007 at 18:08 - 3

Another paragon nerf? LOL! Seriously, I really did laugh.
My only deep wound skill is an elite, but i use it for the damage output so my spear paragon still remains somewhat unaffected.

Paragons aren't really that great, why do you people continue to nerf the bajesus out of them?

Still, That log out feature is very neat indeed.

Ray

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2005

Denmark

13 Feb 2007 at 18:09 - 4

Okay, cool I guess.

Tiyuri

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jun 2005

13 Feb 2007 at 18:10 - 5

Hi, thank you for the update, any information is always appreciated.

Do you have any news you could share in regards to how the dev team is feeling about the player count in Heroes' Ascent and the concerns over the kill count objectives limiting viable player builds?

Any information you're able to share regarding this topic would be very much appreciated, thank you.

Esprit

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jun 2005

Dvd Forums [DVDF]

E/

13 Feb 2007 at 18:10 - 6

Awesome! Thanks for posting the info and for giving us information about some of the reasoning behind certain profession balances.

It'll be nice to be able switch characters without having to log out, it will make inventory shuffle less tedious now.

I can't wait to see what the PvE Mesmer changes will be, as well as the Ranger skills and pet controls. There's definately a bunch of stuff to look forward to in the future. I hope we don't have to wait too long.

Chewbacca Defense

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Aug 2006

667 Neighbour of the Beast

Ttgr

13 Feb 2007 at 18:12 - 7

Thanks for the update. I have to clean my drool after hearing about potetial pet controls.

dayam!

Redfeather1975

Forge Runner

Join Date: Sep 2006

Apartment#306

Rhedd Asylum

Me/

13 Feb 2007 at 18:12 - 8

Oh Gaile this is wonderful!
Thanks for coming here and posting this. There is lots of fun things to look forward to in the months to come.

Oh, a quick idea to toss around the office about the mesmer elite Signet of Illusions. The community has made some suggestions to make this skill more useful. Right now it's very hard to make builds using this elite. A suggestion was to increase the recharge and make it work on the next x number of spells used. Currently you almost always need to have symbolic celerity in your build to cast spells stolen with arcane larceny. It's very easy to shutdown a Signet of Illusion mesmer with all that signet using required. Very easy!
It might be as simple as doubling the recharge and making it work on the next 2 spells.
Or perhaps changing it so that it doesn't get used up if you use an illusion spell. This way a mesmer can prime the Signet and use it's effect after using their illusion spells up.

Charqus

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Nov 2005

Mo/

13 Feb 2007 at 18:14 - 9

Yeah cool....
Pet update sounds good

Franco Power

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Dec 2006

UK

W/

13 Feb 2007 at 18:14 - 10

HA?

(12 characters)

TheRaven

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Sep 2006

Virginia

Spirit of Elisha

W/

13 Feb 2007 at 18:14 - 11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

[*]You can now log out to the character selection screen, instead of the log-in screen. No need to enter a password every time you change characters. (I know a few people are going to cheer for the added convenience of this change.

)

Let the cheering begin!!!

WooHoo!!!!!

(Yeah, it's the little things that make me happy)

VitisVinifera

Banned

Join Date: Nov 2005

Northern California

HoTR

N/Me

13 Feb 2007 at 18:24 - 12

it all sounds good but really I can't get past what I *think* I saw, which is yet more paragon nerfs? If there are more coming, why not just delete the class? I mean seriously

and how about throwing us a bone about the status of CH 4?

Stormlord Alex

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Dec 2005

Beyond the Forest of Doom, past the Cavern of Agony... on Kitten & Puppy Island

Soul of Melandru [sOm]

W/E

13 Feb 2007 at 18:34 - 13

R.I.P. Paragon, we knew thee well. Well, not really all too well.

Tiyuri

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jun 2005

13 Feb 2007 at 18:35 - 14

I believe the notes on the paragon and dervish are referring to the last changes and why they were implemented, they're not going to be changed again. I mean look at the mention of grenth, it's already been lowered to 40 seconds, I very much doubt it'll be touched again after that. So it seems these are just explanations of the previous paragon changes. Which incidentally I agree with.

Zinger314

Debbie Downer

Join Date: May 2006

N/Me

13 Feb 2007 at 18:36 - 15

Don't like the minature change at all. No point, really. In instances, it's showing your friends. In outposts, it's showing youe e-peen.

And I'm confused about the Challenge Missions ladder. Isn't there one already? (And will the rewards from those missions actually become worthwhile?!)

lyra_song

Hell's Protector

Join Date: Oct 2005

R/Mo

13 Feb 2007 at 18:39 - 16

Degenerate team builds = having a full team of AL 80 with shields, good DPS, constant chain healing buffs?

Poor paragons. They are doing their jobs all too well.

Hey Anet, psst~~ *gestures devs over*

Dazed - Condition. While Dazed, you take twice as long to cast Spells and to use Shouts, Echos, and Chants, all your Spells, Shouts, Echos and Chants are easily interrupted and your Shouts, Echos and Chants end 33% sooner.

boxterduke

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2005

Walking the ruins of Ascalon

DVDF

Me/

13 Feb 2007 at 18:39 - 17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

[*]You can now log out to the character selection screen, instead of the log-in screen. No need to enter a password every time you change characters. (I know a few people are going to cheer for the added convenience of this change.

)
[*]Good PvE options for Mesmers.
[*]Ranger pet adjustments. We're pleased to say we have a rudimentary version of pet controls up-and-running on our test servers.

Triple wootage.
TY ANET

dargon

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: May 2005

The Seraphim Knights [TSK]

R/

13 Feb 2007 at 18:39 - 18

Quote:

Originally Posted by CagedinSanity

Another paragon nerf? LOL! Seriously, I really did laugh.
My only deep wound skill is an elite, but i use it for the damage output so my spear paragon still remains somewhat unaffected.

Paragons aren't really that great, why do you people continue to nerf the bajesus out of them?

Still, That log out feature is very neat indeed.

Changes != Nerf

They could just as easily decide that some of the previous changes went a little too far and buff them and/or other skills.

Redfeather1975

Forge Runner

Join Date: Sep 2006

Apartment#306

Rhedd Asylum

Me/

13 Feb 2007 at 18:40 - 19

I am going to start some threads in the mesmer forums of both gwguru and gwonline for ideas to tweak mesmer skills to be more useful in PvE, yet hopefully not have an impact on PvP use. It's going to be tricky, but there are lots of creative people whom I am sure are eager to get the ideas out there.

Zinger314

Debbie Downer

Join Date: May 2006

N/Me

13 Feb 2007 at 18:42 - 20

Quote:

Originally Posted by lyra_song

Degenerate team builds = having a full team of AL 80 with shields, good DPS, constant chain healing buffs?

Poor paragons. They are doing their jobs all too well.

Hey Anet, psst~~ *gestures devs over*

Dazed - Condition. While Dazed, you take twice as long to cast Spells and to use Shouts and Chants, all your Spells, Shouts and Chants are easily interrupted and your Shouts and Chants end 33% sooner.

You missed the problem of Paragons by a mile.

Paragons are (or should I say "were") balanced when there were only 1-2 in a group. The problem with Paragons is that they are only degenerate when there are 5-6 in a group.

Limiting to 3 per class per group in PvP would fix that easily without completely breaking a class for all other types of gameplay.

Lets Get to Healing

Banned

Join Date: Dec 2005

You want see?

True Gods of War [True]

Mo/W

13 Feb 2007 at 18:44 - 21

QUIT COMPLAINING.

Now, with that said, I think this is wonderful. And to whoever said it above, Cruel spear is NOT the only paragon skill that causes deep wound.

CagedinSanity

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2006

Away from you.

W/

13 Feb 2007 at 18:48 - 22

Quote:

Originally Posted by dargon

Changes != Nerf

They could just as easily decide that some of the previous changes went a little too far and buff them and/or other skills.

Ahem;

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

we’ve made a few adjustments:

We’ve reduced the effectiveness of some Paragon defensive skills. In conjunction with the Paragon’s high armor, these skills were encouraging degenerate team builds.
We’ve reduced the effectiveness of Paragon skills that inflict Deep Wound. Outside of these skills, we have not decreased the Paragon’s damage output.

that's mainly what I was referring to.

In reply to healing: By investing into Anet (IE: buying the games) we have the right to complain.

sindex

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2006

California

Swords of Night & Day [SWRD]

13 Feb 2007 at 18:50 - 23

Yeah it's kind of sad about the Pargon. We can’t do anything about it anyway, so might as well accept their fate.

On a lighter note alright, we are getting that log back to character selection (without logging out). <------ You have no idea how happy I am about this one. The only question I have is the whole hero quest thing, what exactly is it they are going to change?

Kos Luftar

Academy Page

Join Date: Dec 2006

Canada

Scars Meadows

W/Mo

13 Feb 2007 at 18:51 - 24

I do not understand why people do not take the time to read! They are talking aboout the Paragon changes that happend last week, and everyone started complaning. They are just giving an explenation for why they made these changes.

Anyway the only thing that sounds cool is the LOG-In thing and this Skill and Attribute Panel changes. I only wish there was some info on CH4 but I guess more waitting.

lyra_song

Hell's Protector

Join Date: Oct 2005

R/Mo

13 Feb 2007 at 18:52 - 25

Darn zinger, you quote me while i was editing ^^;

A limit of 3 per team of any class would be very neat, but how would the happy spikers in HA react to such a suggestion? Not well i would imagine. Rainbow spike not withstanding of course.

I proposed something similar but more on the lines of limiting the amounts of certain skill copies in a teamset (only 3 copies of Searing flames per team including an echo). I played many TCG games and some cards are limited to a certain amount per deck in some TCGs and i think GW would benefit to something of that effect.

As per my daze suggestion, i feel that there should be some way to hamper the usage of shouts as well as strip it outside of Well of Silence, and i think buffing Daze to work outside of the caster class would be interesting.

The Ernada

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Nov 2006

13 Feb 2007 at 18:53 - 26

To those complaining about more paragon nerfs, Gaile isnt talking about FUTURE paragon nerfs, she was explaining the reason for the latest Paragon changes.

Shanaeri Rynale

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Aug 2005

DVDF(Forums)

Me/N

13 Feb 2007 at 18:54 - 27

Yay

thanks for the heads up Gaile, looking forward to see what the PvE options for mesmers and paragon changes are.

It all sounds good. Now if you could kidnap someone from Vidal Sassoon and slip em into a stall at LA (hides)..

Commander Ryker

Site Contributor

Join Date: Jun 2005

R/

13 Feb 2007 at 18:58 - 28

I am more then thrilled about the log out to character selection screen (I've been wishing for this for a long time) and pet controls. Way to go devs! You totally rock! Thanks to Gaile for sharing this with us.

Antheus

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jan 2006

13 Feb 2007 at 19:10 - 29

Quote:

Originally Posted by CagedinSanity

In reply to healing: By investing into Anet (IE: buying the games) we have the right to complain.

You're not investor ffs. You're a customer.

In order to be an investor, you'd need to invest into the company (stocks) not the products.

Here:

Quote:

nvestment or investing[1] is a term with several closely-related meanings in business management, finance and economics, related to saving or deferring consumption. An asset is usually purchased, or equivalently a deposit is made in a bank, in hopes of getting a future return or interest from it.

Are you hoping to make money off your copy of GW? If so, you just violated EULA.

The only right you have as a customer is the right to choose whether to buy a product or not.
The only place where you have the *right* to complain is the complaints department. Everywhere else in this world, that's considered imature.

Feminist Terrorist

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Nov 2005

Oh Noes! The 'burbs!

13 Feb 2007 at 19:15 - 30

The log out to char selection screen is awesome, and I'm certainly looking forward to pet controls. But...WTH was Anet thinking about the mini pets? Now, I'm not one to get really hard core on Anet, but IMO that was completely pointless, and it would have been nice for that time to be used on something far more important. (And yes, I know that what's important is different for everyone, but you can't seriously think that mini pets in towns is important?)

Zedd Kun

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Aug 2006

The Bretheren Of Chaos [Dark]

Rt/

13 Feb 2007 at 19:18 - 31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

Up to 20 players per town will be able to show off their miniatures in town. I frankly didn't see this one coming, and I know it'll be really fun to be able to take your miniature for a walk through Ascalon City or Droknar's Forge. And can you say "Miniature Racing," anyone?

You can now log out to the character selection screen, instead of the log-in screen. No need to enter a password every time you change characters. (I know a few people are going to cheer for the added convenience of this change.

)

Several changes have been made to the Skills and Attributes panel to offer you more customization options. Even little things like being able to swap the order of the skills in your skill bar will make things a bit easier, and there are several other functionality improvements beyond that.

Cantha New Year's Event – Details have already been posted, of course, but there has been a change that doubled the reward in the Roller Beetle Arena. Now, rather than the top 50 players getting a special prize in the rollerbeetle racing events, the top 100 will receive prizes.

Good PvE options for Mesmers.

Bow skills for rangers.

Ranger pet adjustments. We're pleased to say we have a rudimentary version of pet controls up-and-running on our test servers. We’re looking forward getting those into the live game as soon as we’ve examined all of the play balance issues this might introduce.

What the hell are you complaining about?! Seriously, look at this ^
it's just awesome, but instead, you just keep on whining about the Paragons.. Again.. Freakin crybabies.. Thanks Anet

<3

Bastian

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Mar 2006

Mo/A

13 Feb 2007 at 19:20 - 32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zinger314

Limiting to 3 per class per group in PvP would fix that easily without completely breaking a class for all other types of gameplay.

Worst Idea Ever.

Spike teams still deserve the ability to exist. I like to play both spike and balanced teams. Reducing the amount of classes per group in PvP would lead to a lot of rage quitting.

Omega X

Ninja Unveiler

Join Date: Jun 2005

Louisiana, USA

Boston Guild[BG]

W/Me

13 Feb 2007 at 19:21 - 33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antheus

The only right you have as a customer is the right to choose whether to buy a product or not.
The only place where you have the *right* to complain is the complaints department. Everywhere else in this world, that's considered imature.

Gotta be the crack talking.

Lets Get to Healing

Banned

Join Date: Dec 2005

You want see?

True Gods of War [True]

Mo/W

13 Feb 2007 at 19:26 - 34

Quote:

Originally Posted by CagedinSanity

Ahem;

that's mainly what I was referring to.

In reply to healing: By investing into Anet (IE: buying the games) we have the right to complain.

Quote:

You're not investor ffs. You're a customer.

Couldnt have put it better myself. Dont like the changes? Dont let the door hit you on the way out.

lennymon

Forge Runner

Join Date: Nov 2005

Seattle

Odin's Hammer [OH] - Servant's of Fortuna [SoF]

R/

13 Feb 2007 at 19:26 - 35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feminist Terrorist

The log out to char selection screen is awesome, and I'm certainly looking forward to pet controls. But...WTH was Anet thinking about the mini pets? Now, I'm not one to get really hard core on Anet, but IMO that was completely pointless, and it would have been nice for that time to be used on something far more important. (And yes, I know that what's important is different for everyone, but you can't seriously think that mini pets in towns is important?)

Um... minipets in general are pointless... why should you care what people do with their minipets in the 'privacy' of their own guild hall?

YAY ANET! lets get some Ranger and Mesmer love going on! But as previous posters have pointed out the last three Paragon 'skill updates' have turned Paragon into the Mesmer's red headed stepchild in PVE... consider some updates to make them more viable in PVE?

Gaile Gray

ArenaNet

Join Date: Feb 2005

13 Feb 2007 at 19:28 - 36

A small clarification, and I edited my initial post to avoid misunderstanding:

The Paragon skill changes to which the design team note refers are already in place. They were put into the game last week based on the testing on the weekend of February 2nd. The note from the design team referred to why the changes were made ("we've made") and not to "we intend to make more changes."

I apologize if that was not clear.

Zehnchu

Popcorn Fetish

Join Date: Dec 2005

[GODS]

Mo/Me

13 Feb 2007 at 19:28 - 37

I’ll keep it simple, Ritualist Hero

How I wish I could have had an option to pick Zenmai or a Ritualist hero. Or at least trade her in to get one.

King Kong

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jan 2006

W/R

13 Feb 2007 at 19:29 - 38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

[*]Two hero quests have been updated, Gain Olias and Gain Zenmai. Now, if you've done these quests, you'll not be able to redo them, but all character who have not completed these quests will find them new and improved.

Cant you make Razah easier to get?

Jetdoc

Hell's Protector

Join Date: Jul 2005

The Eyes of Texas [BEVO]

D/A

13 Feb 2007 at 19:30 - 39

Love the log out screen change, and even the minipet change will be fun (especially in the guild hall). I personally goof around more when I'm in a town versus outside, so it'll be nice to have the novelty item in town as well.

Mesmers are definitely in need of a major PvE buff, so I really like the fact that they are looking at it. The pet controls are excellent as well...I can see more beastmasters coming out of the woodwork when that change gets implemented.

Redfeather1975

Forge Runner

Join Date: Sep 2006

Apartment#306

Rhedd Asylum

Me/

13 Feb 2007 at 19:30 - 40

Minipet races would be an interesting diversion!
Little things like that will help to create whole seperate communities as there are people, many people who like different types of gameplay and would spend a great deal of time enjoying them.

And rangers may have the option to control pets! I have a ranger, that I made specifically to be a beast master. I'd love the idea of a beast master build being more complex and less gimicky. Ranger pet fights would be pretty crazy to watch!

The PvE mesmer options is something that has gotten me excited. PvE mesmers are lacking greatly in popularity. I'm hoping the devs would like to see more players playing the whole gamut of professions in PvE, rather than sticking to the tank, nuker, healer groups that are played the majority of the time.
I know if any changes are done to promote greater mesmer popularity in PvE, that it will not happen overnight. It may take several months before the next skill update.