GWEN: Hero's

Never happen. All of the campaigns would be ridiculously easy and player interactivity would cease to exist, moreso than it has already.

Heroes are better than other human players, unless you have played with them many times and know for sure that they know what they're doing.

For people who put a lot of time into their heroes, yeah the game would get easier. But with hard mode coming, it'd be nice IMO

I wonder if Gaile Gray could post some pics of these heroes or maybe some of the new armor sets.

Yes i know i dream too much.

7 heroes FTW! I'm already using only 4 of all my heroes in any regular fashion, the others never saw any use beyond their specific quests. A monk, a necro, a ranger and an ele hero are all you need to pwn through all areas of the game.

That said, rather than more glorified hench-heroes, I would rather be able to use my *other* characters as heroes. Don't give them loot, don't give them XP when used as heroes, it's not important, but being able to get a party of 8 of your own characters would rock

Yeah with hard mode coming up, I dont see why we shouldnt have the option to use 7 heroes, even if it's just limited to hard mode. Having this many heroes and only being able to use 3 at a time seems like a waste.

Why not! I dont see how 7 heros would ruin the game! I finished all the campaignes, i got all heros that i can so why cant i enjoy easy life? I deserve to have it easy FFS! Interactivety? Cmon! I dont want to even see other ppl in this game! I like to play alone with my heros.All i see in town is WTB or WTS shit,like i need it.... if i want to play with ppl i ask someone i know if i dont then i got the right to use all 7 heros.

yeah, but not everyone thinks that.

I'm sure they wil throw in a Dwarf for good measure. Especially since thats who it sounds like we will be starting off with.

Another thing I think would be interesting is if we actually got to pick the hero's gender (except character very important to the story i.e. Gwen, King Adelbern, Charr leader, whatev). Having the minor charcters with names that could be used for male and female and us picking would add for some cool diversity.

Of course not. But with Hard Mode coming up and scattering people even more, Heroes are going to help a lot more for filling up those empty slots and I'm pretty sure with even 7 Heroes, Hard Mode wont be easy. People who blame heroes for lack of PUGs are looking at the wrong place to place their blame.

Me, Zhed, Sousuke, and Dunkoro are getting kinda close

Searing Flames FTW!

Hope not too close! >_>..... lol

The reason why we can't go and roll out seven heroes is because it would be impossible to control all seven as heroes. When you bring henchmen, or heroes outside your radar expands to carry four flags. One for ALL henchmen and three for your chosen three heroes. I think this was answered by Gaile or some other dev long ago. There isn't enough room to fit seven heroes. The hero concept was designed to work with three. The other reason is because yes, Guild Wars is trying to foster atleast some player interaction. If you could roll through the whole game and self-fulfill every roll all on your own, this would cease to be a multi-player game. Is communicating with people so hard? I fully understand some people are for lack of a better term, terminally retarded, but come on. That doesn't represent the majority.

Another ritualist hero would be nice for diversity, something human and female seeing as Razah is some kind of awesome demon spawn thing. But getting Razah is pretty easy, probably one of the easier/easiest quests that the DoA (if you can even consider it that) has to offer. I can understand some people getting worked up over aquiring the gems (which you can buy a full set of now, for about 100K which is chump change IMO), but the quest itself is about 30-40 minuetes long. Not even an hour. Do you have any idea how much longer the other quests are?

This is gold. Dunno about abandoning Rurik, or a silent Talon.. but that's just me. Very cool stuff here. I wouldn't mind rolling with the King.

Gaile, can you Please ask the developers if its possible for us to have all hero groups? I mean those who dont want to play with other players are just going to use henchies anyway. I have spent a lot of time and resources getting my heros up to par, and feel that a lot of that is wasted when I have to choose 3 and let the others sit while I use henchmen. It will be even worse when the new 10 come out. Ill have like 20 heroes leveled, equiped, and ready to go and Ill have to choose 3 and then fill it in with henchmen. Thanks. BTW I still play with other players in missions, but rarely doing side quests and such.

great, =) more heroes for HB .. more builds that can be run.

If it takes you 100 hours of play time to get razah, then you're doing something wrong.

In 500+ hours of play, you EASILY pick up much more than that through just misc loot. Whether you choose to spend it on another hero, or on other things is your call. Don't blame the game for that. Also, if you play the game through, and actually do quests/areas in DoA with your character, then you can just get the gems needed as drops and not have to spend a dime.

I think it would be cool if there would be areas that could have a larger amount of players. Kind of like the couple factions missions, except that you could see everyones names/health etc.. in kind of a "raid" group. Possibly even more than what is allowed in those missions.. even difficult areas that require 3-4 parties. More areas like the deep/urgoz would be awesome, especially with even more players.

What I do is give my heroes a specific equipment combination, then once they have it, I never change their equipment again. With more heroes, I get more equipment combinations to have them set to. For instance I have Zhed with a fire staff+runes and Souske with air staff+runes. If I wanted an earth hero I'd either have to change their runes, or put up with low stats. But if I get a 3rd ele, he can get the earth staff+runes.

The only way I'll actually have a complaint about the new heroes is if we are forced to use them for a primary quest or mission (sidequests are acceptable places to force use of a hero if the quest is about that hero). This is for 2 reasons:

1 - If we are forced to take a hero, it means we are being forced to take only 7 human players even when we can find an 8th willing and able to help.

2 - We may already have a hero of the same class setup with runes. But if we are forced to take one, we have to chose between taking a weaker hero than the one left behind, buying the equipment for the hero you are forced to take, or going through the hassle of moving the runes over from one hero to another. Depending on what skills you have unlocked, the henchmen might even outperform the hero you are forced to take, especially if the hero is at a lower level than the henchmen for whatever reason.

If the storyline requires the hero to be in the mission, then tag him along as an NPC that triggers the alternative name if he is brought along by players as well.

I want a hot sexy female ritualist hero. Not a hot sexy female charr ritualist hero :P

Wait wait wait... Were charr ever were that attractive? Hmm... Female charrs... *drools*

Paragon, Dervish, Mesmer, Assassin, and Ritualist henchmen are almost given.

I would really like to see 5 GW2 esque heroes... A charr, Sylvari, Norn, Azura, and a special human.

The new races should have 3 monster skills each that have fixed specs based on level, and then have 5 secondary profession skills based on our current GW mechanics. Of course, new runes/insignias might have to be made for their race specific professions. I'm including the human, too. He or she should be a GW2 profession.

For instance, the Norn might have three monster skills that are based off of his or her race's abilities... 1) Turn into big ol' bear with +200hp and double adrenaline gain, 2) a shout that makes all melee attacks cause bleeding and deepwound for 4 seconds, 3) a maintained enchantment that gives +40 armor vs elemental and physical damage, but reduces energy by 10 and energy regeneration is lowered to to 1 or 2 (which wouldn't be too bad with a warrior/paragon secondary). I'm just guessing the norn would be a 60ar/30en/4pip class. Norns are probably closer to Rangers, though.

I'd like to see dwarf warrior as hero And Gwen would rock too

Make Kilroooooy Stoooonekin!!!!!! a hero! With his shout too wile you are at it!

Yeah, I just want they add the possibility of put armors in heroes, that way heroes could be armor storage too!!! That way you could temporary put FoW armor to Dunkoro and test the new Monk armors (I don't have Monk Fow armor, It's just a example)

Or better: Add one independent storage per Hero!!! (similar to any character has, with bags, etc)

That would be pretty good. Though I don't think it'll happen. Too bad, cause it'd be pretty funny.

You: Zhed old buddy, old pal. You won't believe what amazing gear I just got you

Zhed: Is it Rago's flame staff, Two Legs?

You: No, even better. They're called "Saddle Bags of Holding". Best things ever

Zhed: ...

Zhed: Searing Flames.

/Signed

I would put money on Gwen being a hero.

Cool 10 new heros. I can only use 3... another 10 heros is just what I need.
/sarcasm

I can see the use of ten more heros for the people who do not have nightfall, but if they probably aren't going to buy new chapters/expansions or whatever, what's the point?

Yeah, there really isnt much point in adding 10 more heroes (especially repeat classes) when you can only use 3 at a time. Yes, it means more storage space and easier to change hero builds without having to redo their armor but it's a shame to have so many heroes go unused.

For those people who say the heroes will discourage human interaction, well that's bull. I play with people (Guildies and friends) when I actually have the time. But when I'm strapped for time or when I just want to just mess around then I take heroes. And wouldnt it be nice to actually be able to build a whole team in PVE? That would actually get me to play through the campaigns once again.

Actually,there is big point in adding more heroes even if they are repeat professions.

Possibility of having 3 of a class heroes in team can always be usefull if you are in for very specific teambuild. Of course, having 4 of same class would be pointless.

Then take a page from your own book. Just take henchies. A well thought out and well equipped set of heroes and henchies will accomplish the same means in most scenarios anyway. If you could just take a full set of heroes, what would be the need to take any henchies at all? What would be the need to seek out other people to do things in the game with? There are other people playing the game, other then yourself and your close clique of friends/guild mates.

I'm not directing all of this at you specifically, but to everyone with this reasoning. You're on the BS express if you think allowing full hero teams wouldn't encourage anti-social gaming.

Just a guess I think the Other Race Heroes will be using differ skills maybe but I am just 12% or less sure about it^^.
Cause if were gonna have another 10 heroes, umm.....
I'll get 2 of each, other male ele and other female ele = P.
What difference does it make both are eles so they have both same skills.
Hey you bring SF build and I also SF build would that be great.
So you'r party have now 4 or more SFs (including you.) Yay^^! = P (Sarcastic)

Nah, we already have Zhed. He's a centaur, and he doesn't use anything racially specific. I'm pretty sure they won't give the heroes of a different race monster skills or any race specific skills. But maybe a few will get a PVE only skill or two that they can use just for show like a transformation skill for the one that becomes a beast, ect. It won't be anything game breaking though. Speculation on my part.

Sorry for the flame here but Give me a FRACKING BREAK!!!

Heroes sheesh. enough already. Yea they are good but common... 9 characters with 15 heroes... That 144 different inventories to keep track of. And not only that because everyone wants to have a top level hero right away 90% the time people prefer to go with Their heroes instead of PUGs or hell even guildies just to lev up their heroes for the single player game that GW is quickly becoming... Hell I'm all for a single player game thats disconnected from the internet if thats what you want. after all, your only playing with yourselves. SO might as well have some privacy while doing it. But thats not what GW was ever to be. Single player.. no... Its a community game that is suppose to reward and encourage FULL Player Parties, and punish those parties that are NOT full or only filled with henchies or heroes. Penalties like No gold or green drops possible while in single player mode, Or Masters not possible in single player mode. Personally I hope this is what HARD mode will be. And not a henchmen or hero anywhere to be found... THIS and ONLY THIS will encourage full player parties again in GW.

I'm sorry but I think part of the reason companions are now going to be limited to 1 and not be affiliated with the party size at all in GW 2 is because Heroes was a frack up on anets part and they know it. They should have eliminated henchmen entirely or forced people to make a choice to go with henchies or heroes, but not allow both... because all it did was make it that no one wanted to play with anyone else until they had all their heores maxed out. And remember most of us started with LOW LEVEL heroes. Anet corrected this error by making heroes lev 15 right away in the game, and allow them to level very fast now. So the need to grind them up all the time is limited.

Sorry for the rant. I liked the hero system. But it was abused and over used... And quite frankly its a grinders dream... cause there was no reason not to just have the 15 heroes for the account instead of 15 separate ones for each character... All it did was allow people to have a ton more storage... and force more single player easy mode throughout the game. they could have easily kept the access to the heroes limited per character until a required quest were finished for each to gain access to them at appropriate times. But there is no reason at all to have 135 separate heroes per account to keep track of... Anet realized this far too late and the damage was already done...

Its like pulling teeth to get even the guildies to work together to do a mission anymore... And that is 100% the hero factor... Cause who needs players when you can use heroes??? And that here in lay the problem. MMO becomes SPO Single Player Online. What a waste... No wonder they needed a clean slate with GW2. Prey they don't make the same mistake with it.

It would be very out of the box if Shiro, Lich and Varesh suddenly became heroes and when you take them to their home campaigns, you get some very awkard dialogue. LOL.

Wow. So much rage for the Heroes. If you don't like them then you don't have to use them. Why do you care how others play with them? Why force people to ALWAYS team up in PUGs?

And stop assuming that people who use heroes never play with real people. Heroes are a good option. Options are there for you to take them or not take them. Suggesting that they should have taken out heroes/henchies is just retarded. Ever try finding a group in those empty outposts?

Basically you're getting all pissy at how people are playing because they arent playing the way YOU want them. And you wonder why people prefer henchies/heroes...it's so we don't have to deal with people like you who want to dictate what others do....even if it doesnt affect you.

EDIT: And the reason why GW2 apparently limits you to one companion is because of the design of the game. The world is persistant and geared even more to solo play (It's even described as more solo in the article) When the world is persistant, with people around you, the need for henchies and heroes is dramatically reduced. Also the mob sizes are probably smaller as well.

But in a completely instanced game such as GW1, you NEED to have heroes and henchies. The missions and instances were all designed around an entire team. But instances fracture the amount of people that you can recruit. GW was already inclined to be a single player because of this design. Whining about Heroes screwing up interaction is barking up the wrong tree. It's GW's design that screwed up interaction. Your solution is just to force people to play with each other or not play at all. Very lame.

No I am agreeing they have their place. but so many of them make them be a 100% replacement for players of any kind... More and more because of heroes players will not even talk to another player in game. This kinda defeats the purpose of a MMO style game does it not? thats all I'm saying.

I agree Heroes are good and have their purpose, but when they become the SOLE companion throughout the game. that needs to be discouraged, not encouraged.. I think thats part of the reason in GW2 a companion will not count as a party member, and your limited to 1 such companion for each player at a time... SO party of 8 becomes a party of 16 with companions. but that means a good 8 players are playing with you at least...
And if there are more missions like harvest temple (EXPECTED) there could be missions that pair you with other parties(16vs16 or 32vsInstance) to either work with or fight against for the resource or Mission Goal. Thats a good thing... It promotes real community participation and true MMO style gameplay.

this concept also nerfs the solo farmers.. because if a mission allows you to work as a team or decide to fight against the others, and all the sudden a solo guy comes in, the other party can easily shut them out of the area and tell them to get a team to play with, Join with them, or die... Thus solos will be DISCOURAGED from going it alone... Its actually rather logical to go this route. it preserves the community as a whole.

I have a feeling Jatoro Musagi will be a hero. He always seems to pop up. He's a ranger isn't he?

Silly, silly people.

Gwen can't be a hero - she's the endgame boss!

Sorry, but I work, a lot. And not regular hours, either, so when I get the chance to play there really aren't many other players on. I can either spam all night that I'm looking for a group, or I can grab some heroes and henchmen and actually play the game.

There are people who play MMOs that actually have lives. We can't wait around all day to form a group for a silly little quest or mission.

Thank you ANet for adding heroes, so that on the nights I am stuck with henchmen, I'm not stuck with completely stupid AI, I can at least have 3 half-way decent helpers.

Heroes didn't hurt the community, the players did. By acting stupid in missions, bringing the lamest skillbars, ignoring the advice of the rest of the team. I'm not saying everyone does this, but there are quite a few bad players out there ruining it for everyone else. I've had my fair share of run-ins with these people and some days I'd rather spend that extra half-hour struggling through the mission with henchmen, then not being able to complete it at all because of a moron.

Actually, the biggest gain for the new heroes are folks who do NOT own Nightfall. They'll have access to 10 heroes for a 'reduced' price.

Edit: Oh yeah, you all with the Gwen stuff... sheesh ;P Its almost as if you had a grudge over the fiery conflagration thing.

Dont get me wrong. I'd like to play with other people as well (okay maybe just friends and guildies) but as I said before, it's not Heroes that killed off multiplaying it was GW's instance design and the fact that it's missions are revolved around an entire team of either people or NPCS or both.

In most persistant MMOs, there is no need for henchman because most areas can be run through by a single person. The mob sizes are small enough and far apart enough that you can go solo. Not to mention the fact that there's usually other people who arent even in your party fighting the same mobs as well, so it's almost like theyre in your group.

In persistant world MMOs, you can also pick up people on the way. And they can leave whenever they want. No need to build up a team before you go into the wilderness and no need to be stuck with that same team.

As for the missions, usually they are scaled for how many people are in the party (ala City of Heroes) If you are solo, the mission spawns a small number of mobs. If you are in a full team, the mission spawns an entire army. In GW, the instances and missions are always the same, made for an entire team.

So GW was doomed from the very start to be less multiplayer friendly. But guess what? In GW2, people STILL can play by themselves. The difference is, that you can play alone but still have people around you.

But forcing people to team up before you can advance in the game is very bad game design. You can encourage human interaction in far better ways and that's why GW2 has been remade into a persistant world. Heroes did NOT kill off human interaction. The crappy community and GW's instance design did.

Not all of us have a buddy list full of people we can just hit up, or belong to a guild of people who revolve around our individual schedules. Must be nice maybe some of us are working on it. But before you call bull, you have to think about the developing player. Coming into the game thinking they can get a nice human party started, maybe get to know some people and get a good game going. Or maybe the enigmatic person who wants to get to know people in town, get a good discussion going and maybe get something started outside. Might even be people trying to interact with other people. These people aren't in too many friendlists at the moment, or even guilds, and they grow everyday in number for every new gamer that joins the game. These guys don't have every skill unlocked, or level 20 heroes across the board.

This is the in-game community. Yes, it's really there. They have it rough enough as it is. The scenario you're suggesting would just about completely destroy this sect of player and force them to either jump on the friend clique train (easier for some harder for most) or solo the game with heroes. What do you say to the person who doesn't play but one or two characters? How are they supposed to remain competitive with multiple heroes (15 now, 25 soon enough) of different classes? Play more characters? Farm hero points up to a maximum of 31-32 points (this only possible by maxing both sunspear and lightbringer titles ATM, one or both of which you can't do yet reasonably) to unlock 32ish of the games available skills (including the fact that you can't unlock elite skills with said points)? Go PVP some stuff open? Take henchies with inferior bars, while the other guy tromps the campaigns with his superior 7 hero team? Wait in town for another shmoe like themselves?

The game can't even operate properly without the community you are suggesting (indirectly or otherwise) we eradicate. This is Guild Wars not AI Wars.