Anet often uses the terms "Casual" and "Advanced" players when providing a reasoning behind game changes. However, I've never seen a good description of what differeniates the Casual from the Advanced player. Nor have I seen any information that provides an indication of what percentage of players fall into each of these player classes.
So, are you a Casual or an Advanced PvE Player and why do you feel you are one or the other?
I feel that I am a Casual Player. Even though I have played Guild Wars for a little over 4000 hrs over the past 21 months, I don't farm incessantly, don't have builds that allow me to solo for greens, or do speciality things like chest runs. I typically don't buy the "highly" desired items, perferring to get them on my own through normal game play.
Are you a "Casual" or "Advanced" PvE Guild Wars player?
Pro-Monk
Bryant Again
I'm definantly strewn in the middle. I used to be a pretty hardcore GW PvE player, but now I like to play it in a much more relaxed setting.
Orbberius
4000 hours over 21 months and you're a casual player? That is completely delusional. I think it's safe to say casual players dont play 6 hours a day.
I've played about 1400 hours (split about half-half between PvE and PvP) and I am most definitely not a casual player.
I've played about 1400 hours (split about half-half between PvE and PvP) and I am most definitely not a casual player.
FoxBat
Well, there's "casual" in the sense of not playing guild wars much, and there's "casual" in the sense of not trying to pwn the game, whether it be intense farming, power trading, and title hunting, or making a run for the ladder.
Generally I'd use the term "casual" to apply to the former, but it can almost as easily apply to the latter group in the context of the farming discussion.
P.S. no-one posting on this forum is "casual" in the first sense, or even in the middle.
Generally I'd use the term "casual" to apply to the former, but it can almost as easily apply to the latter group in the context of the farming discussion.
P.S. no-one posting on this forum is "casual" in the first sense, or even in the middle.
Liberations
I've played a little bit over 1,000 hours over 22 months. I rarely ever farm in the traditional sense, and make more than enough money just by doing missions and quests, and selling whatever I get to a merchant. I do however go into PvP often, and I know what builds work well in HA and GvG atm.
ValaOfTheFens
In the middle. I'm not a pro player by any means but I do try to improve my abilities. Recently I decided to play the 8 other characters I have b/c I played my Necro so much and wasn't really making any progress that I realized that I needed to play the game from a different perspective. For a while anyway. I'm working on getting all my characters to level 20(3 down and 6 to go!) so when I get Hard Mode all will be able to enter AND so I can be whatever my guild needs in GvG or AB. I farm when I need items for collectors and sometimes for the gold(Arjok Ward is my cash cow) but I never farm any greens. I might farm Totem Axes with my Ranger but I need to hammer out a build that's fast AND will keep me alive. I'm thinking changing her secondary to Dervish and experimenting with the Avatars.
The Herbalizer
I am Casual if you mean hours you play it.
I am Hardcore if you refer to wanting to be 1337 and stuff.
I am Hardcore if you refer to wanting to be 1337 and stuff.
Gear853
I'm in the middle. although i do want to be 1337 and stuff xD
Kay84
I think I'm a casual player now 
Deleet
Definitely an advanced, and, yes I love hard mode. Guardian titles here I come.
mr_groovy
6 profs who all can, and do uw. nuff said =D
ChyldeOfTheLotus
I don't know. I spent a lot of time maxing out pve titles. Then again I keep getting murdered in Domain of Anguish. So I really don't know. 
cosyfiep
hm, casual I believe. however, I do have 12 active toons-----and 9 of them are level 20, more than half have finished 2 of 3 chapters .....BUT I have only gotten 3 of them thru nf so far....I am not rushing to finish the chapters; I play at my own pace.
garethporlest18
I'm advanced, although I'm not the best, I play a lot and if it's a good day, then I'm leet.
Commander Ryker
I'm a casually advanced player. I've got the hours in, but am by no means a pwner. I'm not good at coming up with ubber leet builds and would rather get a good one from someone who understands how all the skills work togther.
lyra_song
im casual in my time (i really only play on weekends)
but i think im pretty advance in terms of skill/tactics/builds
but i think im pretty advance in terms of skill/tactics/builds
mazey vorstagg
I'm a casual player. I'm good at the game but I've only played 786 hours. I'd say anything less than 1000 hours since GW came out is a casual player.
Redfeather1975
Wait!
Casual is more the opposite of Hardcore.
And Advanced is more the opposite of beginner.
I think Anet feels casual means you just play the game, but don't know all the ins and outs of the skills and skill synergy. And advanced would be a player familiar with the intricacies of the combat system.
I think the devs are using the term casual in a different way than what we think.
Casual is more the opposite of Hardcore.
And Advanced is more the opposite of beginner.
I think Anet feels casual means you just play the game, but don't know all the ins and outs of the skills and skill synergy. And advanced would be a player familiar with the intricacies of the combat system.
I think the devs are using the term casual in a different way than what we think.
Dubby
I guess I'd be an advanced player... I do come up with my own builds, cater to my heroes and henchmen to make the most out of my team, and adore hard mode. Plus, I guess having Legendary Survivor and one GMC title kind of makes me crazy.
kumarshah
The definition of a Casual player does not depend on the number of hours played, but what the player is ready to do in the game. A Casual player can still have different characters in, use some different builds.
But a Casual player for example, might not keep in touch with all the latest skill changes or worry too much about them. He/she would care most about finishing the campaign, do the quests, maybe farm here or there to get some items and not really worry about getting FoW Armor or doing DoA or going to the Deep.
But a Casual player for example, might not keep in touch with all the latest skill changes or worry too much about them. He/she would care most about finishing the campaign, do the quests, maybe farm here or there to get some items and not really worry about getting FoW Armor or doing DoA or going to the Deep.
Redfeather1975
I think Kumarshah is close there. I think Anet views a casual player as not noticing how skill changes ultimately affect the game overall, because they don't worry about group tactics and skill synergy to a higher degree.
Darcy
I've got over 2k hours in 14 months with 8 characters. But I still feel that I am a casual player as I don't research builds or concentrate on titles (except for my warrior who has used up half of those hours).
Went to clear Sunqua Vale with my mesmer and discovered her level 20 Koss still had his starter weapon. So, yes, I am far from an Advanced player.
Went to clear Sunqua Vale with my mesmer and discovered her level 20 Koss still had his starter weapon. So, yes, I am far from an Advanced player.
EroChrono
About 1000 hours in 10/11 months..
I'd say somewhat casual with advanced tendencies...
I'd say somewhat casual with advanced tendencies...
red13xx
Casual gamers dont really go for titles and they just use the game as a social connection more than anything. They may play for an hour but they usually just come on to chat with friends and maybe get a mission done or pvp. They dont take all titles and stuff the game offers too extremely. Advance gamers try to get everything done and actually have a greater joy in experimenting with every aspect of the game wether it be to get an edge over economy or to prove they can solo farm or cooperative farm and pvp etc. But in the end it is all about greater reward or fame in game for advance gamers. An advance gamer doesnt have to play 5 hours straight a day. They just know how to get things done and get what they need in a less timely fashion. Most advance gamers will have parts of wiki memorized and have some what all around knowledge of every class and somehwhat know if a build is vital in a mission.
Seef II
I'd say advanced, but I don't buy into the farm for greeeeeeeeenz or uber leet gear thing at all.
assassin_of_ni
casual i belive is someone who kinda pops in even for a few hours every day just to kinda do some quests here...kill some baddies there....do a lil pvp....farm for whatever reason...nothing too extreme. a hardcore player is one that devotes many hours a day 5-6+ every day or at least every day possible. Strives to do something to reach some ultimate goal (titles, wealth, armors, skills, etc), is usually the type who will constantly push forward and seldomly wait for friends or anything to catch up. So basically a lotta the solo farmers who have like 1000k in storage and 100k on every character and a couple stacks of ectos would possible be considered a hardcore player.....or an ebayer XD i myself am the casual hardcore player....i dont grind on one thing repeatedly for results (although if i did ide prolly complete stuff faster, PROCRASTINATORS UNITE!.....tomorrow) but i will put in 6+ hours of gameplay in a day....if its a day im off work im lookin closer to 10+ hours. the lil thing that tells you how long youve been playing doesnt like me much anymore. "You have been playing for 14 hours. Get a freaking lie already, jesus chist." but anyrate thats kinda my interpretation of the definitions.
Pro-Monk
Thanks to all whom replied to this thread. Apparently there is a bit of confusion regarding how Anet uses the terms Casual and Advanced, yet there is somewhat of a concensus on what the community thinks the about difference.
Most don't think the number of hours played really has as much to do in determining the type of a player one is as the style in which they play. The main difference has to do with the degree which ones goes to tackle the extremely difficult areas of the game or soloing the very difficult areas. There also seems to be agreement that whether Casual or Advanced, most players want access to the highly desired items in the game.
Most don't think the number of hours played really has as much to do in determining the type of a player one is as the style in which they play. The main difference has to do with the degree which ones goes to tackle the extremely difficult areas of the game or soloing the very difficult areas. There also seems to be agreement that whether Casual or Advanced, most players want access to the highly desired items in the game.
Vnewbie
PvE: VERY casual
PvP: Casually Advanced
I really don't spend that much time PvEing. However, if you have me as your monk in HA, expect to live till I die.
PvP: Casually Advanced
I really don't spend that much time PvEing. However, if you have me as your monk in HA, expect to live till I die.
-.-
Casually Advanced. Used to be Actively Advanced but school and friends have been pulling me away from the game.
TGgold
I think I'm....casual in my time and advanced in my knowledge. I know most things in theory, but I don't necissarily run them. I keep track of skill changes and like to read up on the forums pretty much every day.
I also know when to be relaxed and when to be uptight in gameplay. I dont' take much of PvE questing seriously, I like to try new builds out, etc. I understand that during missions, people like me to be all hardcore, so I am.
I've been playing 22 months, but only have maybe 600 hours logged. I took a break for a while to play FlyFF, now I'm back and more seriously playing GW. I got more serious after I took my break.
I also know when to be relaxed and when to be uptight in gameplay. I dont' take much of PvE questing seriously, I like to try new builds out, etc. I understand that during missions, people like me to be all hardcore, so I am.
I've been playing 22 months, but only have maybe 600 hours logged. I took a break for a while to play FlyFF, now I'm back and more seriously playing GW. I got more serious after I took my break.
LONGA
PvE >> advance
PvP>> Casual
I do collect a lot of Elite skill but I dont go farming just boring.Trying to do the hardmode but dont have the enrgy to get frustrated with some unbalaned gameplay.
PvP>> Casual
I do collect a lot of Elite skill but I dont go farming just boring.Trying to do the hardmode but dont have the enrgy to get frustrated with some unbalaned gameplay.
Halmyr
I'm probably in the middle, I usaly play 1-3 hours on week nights and 5-8 hours on weekends. I'm casual in term of taking my time, and enjoying the game, but I'm adavance in the term that, I want to be the best I can be at what ever out there.
Wilhelm
PVE - Advanced
PVP - Dead to me.
Have 2 characters, one which has accomplished everything I've set out to.
PVP - Dead to me.
Have 2 characters, one which has accomplished everything I've set out to.
Malice Black
I went from
Casual>Advanced>Quit>Casual>Extremely Casual (log on once a week/2 weeks)>Uninstalled
Towards the end I spent more time here on Guru then in-game, this is why I quit modding and the game. I still come back though lol addiction to a forum..strange.
I'll get perma banned, solve everything
Casual>Advanced>Quit>Casual>Extremely Casual (log on once a week/2 weeks)>Uninstalled
Towards the end I spent more time here on Guru then in-game, this is why I quit modding and the game. I still come back though lol addiction to a forum..strange.
I'll get perma banned, solve everything
Hyper.nl
PvE: Entry level advanced
PvP: Casual / beginner
I'm only be playing for 6 months but doing it quite intensively. (1260 hours). Began with the basic stuff and learned fast but the game keeps me challenged. I now finished all chapters, finally finished the Titan quests a month ago. I got Tyrian Grandmaster Cartographer and now working towards Tormented weapon (ouch). I still have to do much of the high level stuff like UW/FoW and Realm of Torment. While I did some (solo) farming in lower level area's I get most of my income with trading at the bigger towns.
PvP: Casual / beginner
I'm only be playing for 6 months but doing it quite intensively. (1260 hours). Began with the basic stuff and learned fast but the game keeps me challenged. I now finished all chapters, finally finished the Titan quests a month ago. I got Tyrian Grandmaster Cartographer and now working towards Tormented weapon (ouch). I still have to do much of the high level stuff like UW/FoW and Realm of Torment. While I did some (solo) farming in lower level area's I get most of my income with trading at the bigger towns.
DarkGanni
Advanced PvE to me, All slots full with pve characters and full of 15k sets
Steps Ascending
PvP : RIP
PvE : top-tier casual
Don't care about the title, enjoyed hard mode (only in lower lvl for now, haven't found a way to 4-man lv24-30 for now), no PvP,2 chars have parts of prestige armor(3x 15k, 1x 5k, 2x 10k), still haven't done faction, nightfall and still at the titan quests in proph with 1 char, But i play whenever I can and keep updated with the changes and know quite a lot about the game thanks to an awful lot of free time spent on the forums/GuildWiki (compared to the people I can compare at least).
PvE : top-tier casual
Don't care about the title, enjoyed hard mode (only in lower lvl for now, haven't found a way to 4-man lv24-30 for now), no PvP,2 chars have parts of prestige armor(3x 15k, 1x 5k, 2x 10k), still haven't done faction, nightfall and still at the titan quests in proph with 1 char, But i play whenever I can and keep updated with the changes and know quite a lot about the game thanks to an awful lot of free time spent on the forums/GuildWiki (compared to the people I can compare at least).
Lafayette
In PvE I guess I'm fairly advanced. I check through skills, analyse which professions and skills are best in what areas, make appropriate character and team builds, and use pretty sound tactics and strategy while playing - at least in Hard Mode; most of normal mode requires little strategy. I think a lot of it is just common sense, thinking things through before rushing into areas. I wouldn't say I'm a great player, just average, but I do think about the above things a lot. I enjoy build creation, finding counters to enemies.
In PvP I'm casual. It's just some fun and I don't go hard at it to counter things or spend hours searching for strengths and weaknesses in build or map choices.
I wouldn't say that the number of hours or the number of ascended sets of armor one has means you're casual or advanced though. Others defined them well enough.
I check through skills, analyse which professions and skills are best in what areas, make appropriate character and team builds, and use pretty sound tactics and strategy while playing - at least in Hard Mode; most of normal mode requires little strategy. I think a lot of it is just common sense, thinking things through before rushing into areas. I wouldn't say I'm a great player, just average, but I do think about the above things a lot. I enjoy build creation, finding counters to enemies.In PvP I'm casual. It's just some fun and I don't go hard at it to counter things or spend hours searching for strengths and weaknesses in build or map choices.
I wouldn't say that the number of hours or the number of ascended sets of armor one has means you're casual or advanced though. Others defined them well enough.
Wolf2581
I consider myself a casual player in the sense that I play just for fun, but my level of competence relative to others' might lead some to view me as an advanced player. I am not a warmonger who needs to "pwn" everyone and everything. I do not spend hours on end farming faction or items. I do not need black-dyed Obsidian armor to feel better about myself. I just play the game, and I happen to be good at it.
Issac
I don't think im casual anymore lol, i can barley squeeze an hour and a half on the weekdays now 
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