Ursanway ... vanquish PUG annoyance?

Bryant Again

Bryant Again

Hall Hero

Join Date: Feb 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sha Noran
It is very easy to point the finger at Ursan Blessing and declare that it is the sole destructor of your beloved PvE, however if you were to do that, you would be wrong. If this is your claim, I have bad news for you: a combination of consumables, other PvE skills and heroes are the source of your PvE woes, you just don't understand it.
I'm not saying it's the downward spiral, but more the last, huge, glaring, iron nail in the coffin. It's ANet's way of saying "#%@* it," and that never leaves a good impression on the game.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lagg
I've given up on Guild Wars, but not yet on ArenaNet.
"Giving up" is part of the reason why UB came to existence in the first place, and since Guild Wars is still going to be around when GW2 hits I'd rather they leave it a quality game.

I've made an example many times before about why it's not always a "good" thing that players play together: You could, and probably will get players to PUG if you made it so 10000k would drop each time you scored a kill in an all-human party. People playing together? Sure, but for what reasons and at what cost to the game?

Quote:
Originally Posted by the_jos
A way of solving this would be to enable the PvE skills only in elite areas and Hard Mode.
I feel like that would add more to the problem, since the elite areas and hard mode are what're supposed to test your skill in the game, not provide the same if not easier level of difficulty of normal mode.

But do you know what I'm not in total disagreement with? A difficulty slider. This way players can come to better conclusions and knowledge of their builds and what works/doesn't work in an areas. Of course there would have to be a few limitations on it (maybe decreased drop rates?) but it'd be a faaar much better learning tool than Ursan.

And sorry to take a snip there, Jos. I liked your post, but just took that little portion to bring out a comment.

Creeping Carl

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: May 2007

Posted from a different forum:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Erasmus
Ahhh, Guild Wars. A game with a complex skill system where you pick and choose and create a build from hundreds of skills from a primary and secondary profession.

The possibilities of builds are almost endless! The creative and ingenious builds that people have come up with! The fun and challen...

But....what's this?!?!

A skill that makes a build for me with a click of a button? And it gives me armor AND health?!? And I can do massive damage as well? What's that you say? ANY profession can use it and play like a uber damage dealing tank?!?

Well, screw the whole skill system then! I'll just take UB! Who cares about PVE balance! I didnt like thinking anyway. And I say F-- you to everyone who doesnt like it. Who cares that it defeats the whole purpose of the game design, I'm having fun!!!

pOmrAkkUn

pOmrAkkUn

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Oct 2005

Bangkok

Me/Mo

I read first 4-5 pages and my idea is like this

UB = car or gun
Non-UB = walk or sword

I saw many ppl crying about other ppl always want to go to some places by a car not by walking like before (which is require strenght, preparation etc.. )

And same idea ppl crying about other ppl using guns to kill things. Wow that is easy and fast and they hate that bcos they want to use swords to kill things slowly but need more skills.

IMHO many ppl don't have much time to spend on " a game " they just want to relax from thier day job etc.. so what's wrong if they want to play something simple and easy?

Yes, I agree that is hard to find Non-UB pugs in Eilte area now, but from this tread I saw many ppl who don't want to use UB and prefer to play in normal way.

Why don't u guys group up together?
same as real life u have a club for ppl who interrested in many different things.

If u want to play with a sword not a gun just do it with ppl who has same idea with u.

wraithe

Academy Page

Join Date: Feb 2008

N/Me

Quote:
Originally Posted by Creeping Carl
Posted from a different forum:
"I'm Having Fun" last three words of your quote..isnt that what the game is all about?
how ever you do it as long as you live by those words...

enter_the_zone

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Nov 2007

R/

Quote:
Originally Posted by wraithe
"I'm Having Fun" last three words of your quote..isnt that what the game is all about?
how ever you do it as long as you live by those words...
QFT

@ Creeping Carl. As if the Obsi Tank/Nuker ele/Heal monks trinity was any better? Tell you what, get a DoA or UW clearance pug as a mesmer or ranger.

Oh, wait.

Yes, Ursan effectively reduces everyone to a high dmg warrior. But the community brought that on themselves by the widespread adoption of cookie cutter builds which excluded all but 3 classes. But Ursan isn't even massively imbalanced without consumables. DoA NM, Ursan, no consumables, got totally owned.

the_jos

the_jos

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jun 2006

Hard Mode Legion [HML]

N/

Quote:
I'm not saying it's the downward spiral, but more the last, huge, glaring, iron nail in the coffin.
Understand what you say but don't agree.

UB is the result of various broken things in the game:

1. Lack of teaming possibilities: Players are spread on 3 continents and 1 expansion without possibility to easily team up outside the active outpost.
2. Titles: Players are not only spread on those continents, they are also doing different things. Making it even harder to team up.
3. Heroes: Solves teaming problem introduced by titles but creates new one.
It's way faster and easier to build a team of 2 humans and 6 heroes than to build a team with 8 humans. Specially random players (PUG).
4a. Mobs/AI: Making things more difficult = adding more foes. Hence putting certain professions out of the playing field.
4b. Tank/Nuker/Healer mindset: Applies to certain areas, specially the elite ones. People want proven builds. Linked to 4a.
5. A lot of players play for cash/prestige and not for fun. Also tightly linked to the titles problem mentioned in 2.

When looking at those things I'd say UB is more likely a normal nail in the coffin.
It's just because people look at it with a microscope that it looks enormous.

Angelic Upstart

Angelic Upstart

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Mar 2006

South Coast UK

[SBS] [RETIRED]

W/E

Quote:
Originally Posted by the_jos
Understand what you say but don't agree.

UB is the result of various broken things in the game:

1. Lack of teaming possibilities: Players are spread on 3 continents and 1 expansion without possibility to easily team up outside the active outpost.
2. Titles: Players are not only spread on those continents, they are also doing different things. Making it even harder to team up.
3. Heroes: Solves teaming problem introduced by titles but creates new one.
It's way faster and easier to build a team of 2 humans and 6 heroes than to build a team with 8 humans. Specially random players (PUG).
4a. Mobs/AI: Making things more difficult = adding more foes. Hence putting certain professions out of the playing field.
4b. Tank/Nuker/Healer mindset: Applies to certain areas, specially the elite ones. People want proven builds. Linked to 4a.
5. A lot of players play for cash/prestige and not for fun. Also tightly linked to the titles problem mentioned in 2.

When looking at those things I'd say UB is more likely a normal nail in the coffin.
It's just because people look at it with a microscope that it looks enormous.
That is about right on the money, i still think though that UB is an overpowered piece of shit skill.

Avarre

Avarre

Bubblegum Patrol

Join Date: Dec 2005

Singapore Armed Forces

Quote:
Originally Posted by enter_the_zone
QFT

@ Creeping Carl. As if the Obsi Tank/Nuker ele/Heal monks trinity was any better? Tell you what, get a DoA or UW clearance pug as a mesmer or ranger.

Oh, wait.

Yes, Ursan effectively reduces everyone to a high dmg warrior. But the community brought that on themselves by the widespread adoption of cookie cutter builds which excluded all but 3 classes. But Ursan isn't even massively imbalanced without consumables. DoA NM, Ursan, no consumables, got totally owned.
Nobody serious at the game ran trinity builds unless they were somewhat novice. The fact that much stronger builds were in existence, much of which could be boiled down to cookie-cutter and could fit any profession, shows that there was no need to add UB to aid pugging.

Not that these builds don't have their problematic points.

Perkunas

Perkunas

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Aug 2006

In my own little world, looking at yours

Only Us[NotU]

E/

Let me see if I am understanding some of what is said up and down through this thread.

"An overpowered skill that takes no brains ruling the game. Making all vanquishing titles like "Yeah Right""

Sounds like "Legendary Survivor" Yeah right, you HFFF and Killroy it.

People are afraid that their titles with be cheapened. So what, only you know how you played it anyway. Don't worry about how other people play the game.

angmar_nite

angmar_nite

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Feb 2007

[SNOW] of [YUM]

E/

People are also afraid in in game economy dies...

Bryant Again

Bryant Again

Hall Hero

Join Date: Feb 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by enter_the_zone
But Ursan isn't even massively imbalanced without consumables. DoA NM, Ursan, no consumables, got totally owned.
That's definantly not the case. Consumables are a buffer in case you make a mistake. If you don't suck, you don't need them. If you do suck, they want save you.

Quote:
Originally Posted by the_jos
When looking at those things I'd say UB is more likely a normal nail in the coffin.
It's just because people look at it with a microscope that it looks enormous.
Likewise: I understand, but don't agree. All professions have a spot in any area of PvE, it's just that PUGs think otherwise. Heroes, while they do have an impact on people pugging, were ultimately a great and almost necessary addition to the game.

One of my biggest gripes about UB is that it essentially changes entirely the way the game has been played for the past two years and rewards you for it. When you used the "trinity" build you were bringing a lot of risks, and to avoid those risks you had to take it slow and careful - effective, but not efficient. UB is both: It's still powerful in itself and is remarkably easy to use and implement.

Ursan Blessing may make people PUG again, but at the cost of cheapening the entire game.

payne

payne

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2007

england (currently located on the south coast)

R/

Quote:
Originally Posted by enter_the_zone
QFT

Tell you what, get a DoA or UW clearance pug as a ranger.

i am going to PML at that comment - you realise its easy as hell to get into a team as a ranger in UW? go do some research at UW clearance (non UB) teams and you'll notice rangers are in alot of teams - seeming as I can always get into a team as a ranger :

fanatic 's faith

fanatic 's faith

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Dec 2006

Guild Wars

Currently retired from [Cape]

E/

im for ursan, it lets the weaker professions paticipate in things like urgoz,deep,doa,..

angmar_nite

angmar_nite

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Feb 2007

[SNOW] of [YUM]

E/

Quote:
Originally Posted by fanatic 's faith
im for ursan, it lets the weaker professions paticipate in things like urgoz,deep,doa,..
Weaker? If people who rolled mesmers and sins wanted to play high armor good health high damage melee classes why didn't they make a warrior. Ursan basically changes your profession. In ursan you are no more a mesmer than an ele in a worm is an ele.

Not to mention i've seen sins tear through Urgoz. And DoA.

zwei2stein

zwei2stein

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Jun 2006

Europe

The German Order [GER]

N/

Quote:
Originally Posted by fanatic 's faith
im for ursan, it lets the weaker professions paticipate in things like urgoz,deep,doa,..
Most of those "Weak" professions are quite insane powerhouses if you l2p.

And those that are not powerhouses have sweet uses. Anyone can tell you that, for example, well played Sin >> Obsi tank.

Creeping Carl

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: May 2007

Quote:
Originally Posted by wraithe
"I'm Having Fun" last three words of your quote..isnt that what the game is all about?
how ever you do it as long as you live by those words...
Fun is a part of the game yes. But having fun and game balance/game design arent mutually exclusive.

Tyla

Emo Goth Italics

Join Date: Sep 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by pOmrAkkUn
UB = car or gun
Non-UB = walk or sword
With a car you polute the enviroment (however you spell it) and get no excersise.
With walking you are excersising and not polluting the enviorement.

With a gun you are using up metal and on a limited stock of ammo, even sometimes only wound your target.
With a sword you have infinite swings and can gain a guaranteed kill.

God my spelling fails today!

Lagg

Lagg

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jun 2005

W/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bryant Again
"Giving up" is part of the reason why UB came to existence in the first place, and since Guild Wars is still going to be around when GW2 hits I'd rather they leave it a quality game.
Restoring this game to its original quality would mean getting rid of Factions, Nightfall and Eye of the North and somehow magically erasing our memories to make it feel new again.

I'd be more than happy if they simply applied some damage control to rectify some of the poor design decisions that were made.

See, I don't blame ArenaNet for making poor decisions. Poor decisions are always better than no decisions. But that doesn't mean that you can't hold true to the original idea.



Even though I and many others think that everything released past Sorrow's Furnace is less-than-Prophecies quality, no one can disagree that Factions, Nightfall and Eye of the North considerably lengthened the game's lifespan. It's just a shame that it happened at the cost of quality and, eventually, at the cost of the very design concepts that made this game great in the first place. Throwing the skillbar overboard with Ursan was just the proverbial drop.

Balthazar, I hate that "proverbial drop" expression.



In hindsight, yes, efforts could probably have been better invested in providing us with more high-level content that doesn't require overpowered PvE skills to be accessible to all (*cough* Realms of the Gods *cough*), but we can't keep complaining about that. What's done is done.

I'm still a believer in ArenaNet's ability to make a great game and I'm sure they'll get back to the roots of Guild Wars with its sequel.

They're welcome to prove me wrong next year.

=DNC=Trucker

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Apr 2006

TLA

Me/

I look at it this way, before you couldn't find a PUG at all, now its all ursan. Not much better, but what can you do.

Risus

Risus

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jun 2007

56min UW HM post-2/25 I win

FDR

A/

I find Ursan Blessing to be a great skill. It has made Hard Mode much easier, and I can finally get a HM UW statue in my HoM

Creeping Carl

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: May 2007

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lagg
Restoring this game to its original quality would mean getting rid of Factions, Nightfall and Eye of the North and somehow magically erasing our memories to make it feel new again.
Ok that's just stupid. Way to take someone's argument to the ridiculous extremes. It's called strawman.

Coverticus

Coverticus

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jan 2006

The Zodiac Elites [TZE]

Mo/

Sounds like the same discussions all over again, just with different skills.

Yes, I agree that Ursan is a powerful skill, especially in a 6/8 team. What did we have before Ursan came along? SF teams with similar ideas. It's just the turn of UWAY at present.
Yep, I've used it but it helps me, and only me, to do things reasonably quickly. Yeah ok, this could border on laziness but life has to take priority I suppose I just don't have the time to play the game as I used to and, eek, Ursan helps me do things in slightly less time.

But I refuse to go anywhere near PUGS, due to the sheer stupidity of the players in general. If they want to use it, so be it. Limiting a group to 2U's would be a good idea imo though. Or possibly reductions in damage output based on the number of U's in the team.

If I still want a challenge (which admittedly is now few and far between in game), I'll still do things the old fashioned way with my guildies.

Mr Pink57

Mr Pink57

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Apr 2007

a van down by the river

iBench

P/W

I just achieved Leg Vanquisher today actually and got one PM and congrat me on it but they did not ask if I UB it. Which I did not as I H/H everything and it would not make much sense to have one ursan when my para shouts are much more useful to the team.

pink

Nittle Grasper

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Apr 2007

E/

This is pretty much why I'm quitting Guild wars, too many peps are bitching and not just playing, you care for titles for what to show off? To whom? For your HoM so GW2 is better experience? Other peps who will think "Oh wow that dude has LV lets worship him!!!!!!!!!" seriously if some peps see LV it goes like this "dude you have no live lolzzz go get a live !!!!" seriously GW is dead and the only good thing that makes me play this game anymore is HoM so when I buy GW2 I get good sh*t. Nothing requires skill anymore you guys should realize this by now >.>. For noobs who can't get into HA groups, HA is more based on luck than a end chest Duncan on HM. The only thing that remotely require skill is GvG but everyone who gvgs is super fricking bitchy from my XP. Anyway /QQ less pl0x kthxbai

P.S stop saying ursan it's like a jinx now

bel unbreakable

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jun 2006

scotland

shadow hunters of light

W/Mo

most ppl dont get titles to show off the ones i know dont any way

Lensor

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Jan 2008

Who the heck PUG to vanquish? In my experience vanquishing is a H/H thing, with the occasional Guild/Alliance/Friend group for when several people need the same area. I have leg vanq, and never PuGed a single area (Same with HM Missions). And when I got it, I got three gratz PMs, and not one asked if I UB'ed it.

Koning

Koning

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jan 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lensor
and not one asked if I UB'ed it.
Well, everyone seems to ub'ing that title so why asking it when you already know the answer ?

Yes, I'm still hoping Anet removes UB from the game one day...

Kemal X

Academy Page

Join Date: Feb 2007

Me/

I have nearly vanquished Elona, and some parts of Cantha on my mesmer with H/H. So far, haven't been using Ursan, and higly doubt I ever use it. Guild Wars used to be game where skill matters, just now it's gtame where high title matters (BTW I DO have maxed norn...)

Cuilan

Cuilan

Forge Runner

Join Date: Mar 2008

Me/

Before I bought the new game, I thought and heard that it would be much harder than the other games. To have a skill like this ruins my fun of tough battles where we nearly die often.

t00115577

t00115577

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Sep 2007

Mo/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nittle Grasper
This is pretty much why I'm quitting Guild wars, too many peps are bitching and not just playing, you care for titles for what to show off? To whom? For your HoM so GW2 is better experience? Other peps who will think "Oh wow that dude has LV lets worship him!!!!!!!!!" seriously if some peps see LV it goes like this "dude you have no live lolzzz go get a live !!!!" seriously GW is dead and the only good thing that makes me play this game anymore is HoM so when I buy GW2 I get good sh*t. Nothing requires skill anymore you guys should realize this by now >.>. For noobs who can't get into HA groups, HA is more based on luck than a end chest Duncan on HM. The only thing that remotely require skill is GvG but everyone who gvgs is super fricking bitchy from my XP. Anyway /QQ less pl0x kthxbai

P.S stop saying ursan it's like a jinx now
Im working on my leg vanq atm, and im not doing it to show off to people, im just doing it because its something to do.
If you play this game with no goals or aims, it gets really boring, really fast. And i assume 90% of people are the same as me

Solas

Solas

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Oct 2006

Ireland

Currently LF Active HA Guild, Glad 2, Comm.3, R2

E/

Quote:
Originally Posted by t00115577
Im working on my leg vanq atm, and im not doing it to show off to people, im just doing it because its something to do.
If you play this game with no goals or aims, it gets really boring, really fast. And i assume 90% of people are the same as me
QFT
Titles are jsut extra content for me, somthing to do and works towards.

JONO51

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Oct 2006

P/

Quote:
Originally Posted by t00115577
Im working on my leg vanq atm, and im not doing it to show off to people, im just doing it because its something to do.
If you play this game with no goals or aims, it gets really boring, really fast. And i assume 90% of people are the same as me
I completly agree with this. I stopped playing numerous times, but when I came back i decided to give myself goals and now I'm playing again. Without titles, i would have stopped paying permanently ages ago, except for maybe a few bored weekends.

Master Knightfall

Banned

Join Date: Dec 2007

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dev121
Yeah its lame, titles will never have the same credibility:

Person 1: Wow Legendary Vanquisher Nice
Person 2: Thanks
Person 1: Did you UB it?
Person 2: No I used my own team set ups.
Person 1: YEAH RIGHT..........
Who cares, titles are as meaningless as 15k armors. Merely cosmetic they prove nothing or show you really have any skills. As far as I'm concerned nobody has any skills or anything worth a title until they can step into the arena and defeat me with their build and skills. <grin> The rest is just childs play romper room material like all of the pve game.

Crom The Pale

Crom The Pale

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Nov 2006

Ageis Ascending

W/

A great part of this is Vanity.

People that have been playing GW for a long time, or those who think they have a higher level of skill than others wish a means to seperate themselves from the pack.

That means used to be by either wealth or Elite Zones. Now one of those 2 has been removed and the other has been drastically decreased.

UB created a fully level playing feild in PvE, and that is just not allowable for those that wish to be concidered Elite.

Isileth

Isileth

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Apr 2006

R/W

Quote:
Originally Posted by Crom The Pale
A great part of this is Vanity.

People that have been playing GW for a long time, or those who think they have a higher level of skill than others wish a means to seperate themselves from the pack.

That means used to be by either wealth or Elite Zones. Now one of those 2 has been removed and the other has been drastically decreased.

UB created a fully level playing feild in PvE, and that is just not allowable for those that wish to be concidered Elite.
I really think this is an incorrect view, very few people are out deffending their elite vanity filled ways.

Yes there are some who are saying such things, but the majority have a problem with whats its doing to the game not some ingame achievement which means nothing.


While its nice and easy to think thats the main argument against Ursan its really not and as such arguing against it doesnt really do anything to counter the main points being made.

Tyla

Emo Goth Italics

Join Date: Sep 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nittle Grasper
This is pretty much why I'm quitting Guild wars, too many peps are bitching and not just playing, you care for titles for what to show off? To whom? For your HoM so GW2 is better experience? Other peps who will think "Oh wow that dude has LV lets worship him!!!!!!!!!" seriously if some peps see LV it goes like this "dude you have no live lolzzz go get a live !!!!" seriously GW is dead and the only good thing that makes me play this game anymore is HoM so when I buy GW2 I get good sh*t. Nothing requires skill anymore you guys should realize this by now >.>. For noobs who can't get into HA groups, HA is more based on luck than a end chest Duncan on HM. The only thing that remotely require skill is GvG but everyone who gvgs is super fricking bitchy from my XP. Anyway /QQ less pl0x kthxbai

P.S stop saying ursan it's like a jinx now
I know many GvG'ers, and they aren't bitchy.
HA is more like based on stupid groups made, I mean the balanced builds there are becoming more like the gimmicks, and besides -- HA is becoming more shitty by the second.
And why are you QQing now, if you're telling others to stop?

P.S -- Titles don't take skill, but they're something to do.

C2K

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by tyla salanari
P.S -- Titles don't take skill, but they're something to do.
Titles = the Grind that was non-existant when the game was released.

Tyla

Emo Goth Italics

Join Date: Sep 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by C2K
Titles = the Grind that was non-existant when the game was released.
I'm not talking about the grind titles which implies "Been there done that" about 100 times.

Guardian, Vanquisher are both titles you can do once and think "yay, done it" instead of "too much of the same thing...".
Champion is the only title that has my respect, now.

If it weren't for Guardian and Vanquisher I wouldn't be playing PvE.

Mr. Undisclosed

Mr. Undisclosed

I phail

Join Date: Mar 2007

Phailville

D/

Quote:
Originally Posted by angmar_nite
Weaker? If people who rolled mesmers and sins wanted to play high armor good health high damage melee classes why didn't they make a warrior.
So you're saying they can't like their play style and getting into DoA whatever etc. groups too?

Tyla

Emo Goth Italics

Join Date: Sep 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sergeant Miyagi
So you're saying they can't like their play style and getting into DoA whatever etc. groups too?
You're not following your playstyle there.
Infact -- Ursan is a proffession of it's own.
You don't play Mesmer to deal shitloads of damage, you make it to screw the minds of the enemy.
You don't make 'Sins to stand and fight, you make them to let out alot of damage, and escape after the kill.

That, in no way is the same playstyle as Ursan.