What Makes a Guild Wars Player Good? - Guild Wars Guru archive powered by Guild Wars Legacy

Trub

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Mar 2006

Sitting in the guildhall, watching the wallows frolic.

Trinity of the ascended [SMS]+[Koss]+[TAM]=[ToA]

29 Aug 2009 at 16:51 - 41

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkGanni

Knowledge and wisdom imo.

However If I have to describe a good player that has to be: a good player is mature, has knowledge on skills and how they work, create builds himself, and able to play in a team.

All of what Ganni stated, + actually enjoy the game instead of making the game feel like a job..

FengShuiDove

Forge Runner

Join Date: Sep 2007

Trinity of the Ascended [ToA]

A/

29 Aug 2009 at 17:40 - 42

-Knowledge of basic and advanced tactics
-Familiarity with maps/areas/foes/skills
-Ability to counter-build using both skills and tactics in both PvE and PvP

I had an interesting revelation the other day when playing on my secondary account, going through Factions for the first time. I have 2 elite skills unlocked on the whole account, both of which are mostly worthless, and very few skills for my heroes to use. I got to the primary quest "To Tahnnakai Temple" after finishing the Nahpui Quarter mission and figured I'd breeze through it like all of the other quests so far. Suffice to say, I now know why this is the single quest in the game that people ask for PUG help on. Conversely, I now know just how much better I've become.

The first thing I do is move into the corner to avoid Orosen, Tranquil Acolyte, knowing that he's a beast no matter how you take him. I then go around, but there's the room where 3 groups are bundled up. I'm running a melee hero (hey, it's the best option I've got), who of course, despite my careful pulling, aggros all 3 groups. Luckily, due to my ability to kite and flag, we take minimal losses and isolate the groups one at a time. An inexperienced player would have wiped at least twice by this time, causing even more trouble down the line.

Powerful skills and builds are nice to have, especially since they let you tackle more advanced areas. But I definitely realized that skill makes the game doable with minimal resources necessary to complete areas. Sure, I usually use better skill bars because I have the option to on my main account. Nonetheless, through playing the game and learning, I've got more tricks in my bag than just PvX wiki builds.

ValaOfTheFens

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Sep 2006

Warrior Nation[WN]

29 Aug 2009 at 18:48 - 43

Hmmmm...

Firstly, a good player is honest with themselves and the people around them. I'd rather do Slaver's with a leader who isn't that experienced but was man enough to admit than with someone with more balls than sense and likes to lie about his skill level. Honesty saves time, energy, and money and I don't think some people realize that their lies blacken what little time many players have to play this game.

Second, a willingness to try something new. I hate it when people are so rigid with builds and thinking that they can't even consider that something can be accomplished with a different build or in a different way. How do people like that ever beat the PvE content?!?

Third, realized that everyone makes a mistakes and doesn't immediately condemn them for it. Everyone has been yelled at for stupidity but you gotta give people a chance to redeem themselves. >.<

Accursed

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Sep 2007

29 Aug 2009 at 19:35 - 44

Prediction, general knowledge of the game, and knows and prepares for every challenge that comes their way. A good player doesn't whine, a good player accepts it was the truth and prepares for it for when it comes again.

refer

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jan 2009

US

29 Aug 2009 at 20:07 - 45

A good player
- tries their best
- does not leeroy
- does not use ridiculous low HP sets as an assassin
- uses builds that they are good at
- if you are a monk you must run Protective Spirit.

Lihinel

Academy Page

Join Date: Dec 2007

E/

29 Aug 2009 at 20:32 - 46

Over 98% success rate in HM PvE.
Over 75% wins in PvP.

rkubik

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jul 2006

29 Aug 2009 at 20:51 - 47

In my mind it would be versatility. A good player can play many different professions with many different builds and still contribute to a group. Oh and they don't trash builds or rage quit. They help out and play for fun and enjoyment.

Olim Chill

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Oct 2007

USA

DMI

N/

29 Aug 2009 at 21:04 - 48

A good player:

Grasps all the aspects of his build, his teammates' builds, and the builds of his opposition.

Has the ability to employ uncommon sense.

Knows when to shut up and play.

Saphrium

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Oct 2006

Granite Citadel

Post Searing Ascalonian Merchants

N/Me

29 Aug 2009 at 23:52 - 49

Be able to effectively deduce profession/build/bar based on 1-3 skills opponents have used, and be able to contruct an effective counter build yet remains functional as more than a counter specialist.

Jensy

Site Contributor

Join Date: Apr 2007

Phoenix, Arizona

Blinkie Ponie Armie [bpa]

N/Mo

30 Aug 2009 at 00:16 - 50

Titles do not make you good. I know, it's a shock, isn't it?

What, with the ability to pay for your ass to be hauled through every mission/dungeon/vanquish, all you need is the right amount of money for your GWAMM!

As for actually 'good', I'm thinking more in line with what Olim Chill posted :P

Still Number One

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jun 2008

W/

30 Aug 2009 at 00:45 - 51

A good player is someone who is Korean and played either for WM or EviL.

Everyone else is terrible.

Shadowspawn X

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jun 2005

Fellowship of Champions

R/E

30 Aug 2009 at 01:49 - 52

Good players understand the skills in the game. They are great team players and its very likely they do have a GWAMM and a tiger on their account although its not mandatory to be a good player.

Zahr Dalsk

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Aug 2007

Canada

30 Aug 2009 at 02:46 - 53

Pretty much just... a player who's good at playing the game when you play with them.

Aera Lure

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Aug 2005

In Baltar's head

Bring Out Your Dead [BOYD], former officer [LBS]

Mo/

30 Aug 2009 at 02:51 - 54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Island Guardian

What Makes a Guild Wars Player Good?

Co-operation is not a foreign concept.

capashen

Academy Page

Join Date: Jun 2009

The Kaos Order [TKO]

E/

30 Aug 2009 at 07:37 - 55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zodiac Meteor

Predicting the enemies next move.

Catch every spike, know what attacks/movement the foe will likely use, if this happens I'll do this, etc.

I've only seen a handful of GW players that can pull this off extremely well. I'm NOT one of them.

yes i agree ! talking about high-end PvP a good beckliner should be able to watch for the 90% the game and 10% red bar , a midliner should have the ability to see the enemy's ball and a frontline the one to choose an un-protted target

for PvE it is important the knowledge of all the zone and generally how to flag heroes, how to pull, which enemy is the main target and all the little tricks to make easier a mission . (I apologize for my grammar)

payne

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2007

england (currently located on the south coast)

R/

30 Aug 2009 at 10:58 - 56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Still Number One

A good player is someone who is Korean and played either for WM or EviL.

seems fairly accurate haha

some of vD members before they disbanded maybe - GvG wise anyway

r15 hero = skill....o wait

no it doesn't - just the same as all the money and pointless grind titles we have (mainly allegiance titles - prior to speed clears)

alternatively - good player knows how to use frenzy EFFECTIVELY
and other skills that people use badly

BlackSephir

Forge Runner

Join Date: Nov 2006

A/N

30 Aug 2009 at 11:24 - 57

Quote:

Originally Posted by pansy malfoy

Titles do not make you good. I know, it's a shock, isn't it?

What, with the ability to pay for your ass to be hauled through every mission/dungeon/vanquish, all you need is the right amount of money for your GWAMM!

Someone is asspainted that he doesn't have his own GWAMM B)
If you have enough TALENT and SKILL you'll get it, don't worry. And then you'll join us GWAMM players on the golden pedestal of GW community, junior.

Unreal Havoc

Guest

Join Date: Dec 2007

30 Aug 2009 at 13:03 - 58

A good player knows how to communicate, that is pretty much the most important thing in this game, you can be the most skilled player in the game but if you can't communicate with the rest of your party properly then it means nothing.

Titles, high end items, /age etc show experience but experience and knowledge doesn't neccessarily make someone good if they can't apply it properly.

Deimos Zargarda

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Aug 2008

30 Aug 2009 at 13:11 - 59

Well if someone is wealthy or has a high title it means that he plays alot, if he plays alot he knows the game well, so most of the time you can say that they are experienced.

Bloodgrave

Guest

Join Date: May 2009

30 Aug 2009 at 13:42 - 60

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackSephir

Someone is asspainted that he doesn't have his own GWAMM B)
If you have enough TALENT and SKILL you'll get it, don't worry. And then you'll join us GWAMM players on the golden pedestal of GW community, junior.

GWAMM takes talent and skill to get? Lol!

More like time and patience.

payne

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2007

england (currently located on the south coast)

R/

30 Aug 2009 at 13:45 - 61

or an Ebay account lol...just buy the gold and get a runner for all the vanqs / guardian stuff as many noobs seem to be doing at the moment....

PLAY THE GAME - dont pay to AFK and get someone to run EVERY mission and vanquish for you - why buy a game if thats all your gonna do?

Malice Black

Site Legend

Join Date: Oct 2005

30 Aug 2009 at 14:27 - 62

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackSephir

Someone is asspainted that he doesn't have his own GWAMM B)
If you have enough TALENT and SKILL you'll get it, don't worry. And then you'll join us GWAMM players on the golden pedestal of GW community, junior.

Don't be silly. GWAMM just announces you don't leave the house much.

dunky_g

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Dec 2005

[SNOW]

30 Aug 2009 at 14:46 - 63

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malice Black

Don't be silly. GWAMM just announces you don't leave the house much.

True that.

A good GW player is someone who doesnt take the game too srs, and can have a laugh while playing and doesnt rage over every little thing.

They should also be able to laugh at them selves when they do something wrong and not dwell on it, because when you dwell on something your mind wont be at rest so you wont be playing at your full potential.

BlackSephir

Forge Runner

Join Date: Nov 2006

A/N

30 Aug 2009 at 14:50 - 64

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malice Black

Don't be silly. GWAMM just announces you don't leave the house much.

God damn, is internet irony really that dead?!
You people suck.

Zahr Dalsk

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Aug 2007

Canada

30 Aug 2009 at 15:06 - 65

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackSephir

God damn, is internet irony really that dead?!
You people suck.

No, the problem is that a lot of people really believe that titles and items indicate skill at Guild Wars (despite constant evidence that there is no real link) so it's impossible to tell if someone's being sarcastic.

And that's not what irony is, by the way.

Sword Hammer Axe

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jun 2008

Look up.

Kurzick Conflagration Unit [KCU].

W/

30 Aug 2009 at 15:21 - 66

A good player is trustworthy, friendly, helpful and skilled.

And when I say skilled I mean as in other people will go to him for help because they have seen what he can do.

Rocky Raccoon

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2007

Massachusetts, USA

Guardians of the Cosmos

R/Mo

30 Aug 2009 at 15:28 - 67

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunky_g

True that.

A good GW player is someone who doesnt take the game too srs, and can have a laugh while playing and doesnt rage over every little thing.

They should also be able to laugh at them selves when they do something wrong and not dwell on it, because when you dwell on something your mind wont be at rest so you wont be playing at your full potential.

I think you have stated how I feel very nicely.

A11Eur0

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Apr 2005

W/

30 Aug 2009 at 21:38 - 68

You can be good and arrogant about it...it won't win you any brownie points and will prevent people from consulting you for assistance though, so it's a moot point.

Know what you're doing, have an ability to adapt to situations, running different skill bars than you're used to and make them work. These compose the "skill" part of the equation. To put it to good use you should be thoughtful, helpful, and modest while letting your actions speak for themselves. That will allow you to show others your skill rather than have them rely on you saying so while enduring your arrogance when they mess something up and await your berating.

Burst Cancel

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Dec 2006

Domain of Broken Game Mechanics

30 Aug 2009 at 23:09 - 69

Some of you guys are using definitions of "good" that seem quite twisted in this context. Being a nice or helpful person is commendable, but it has absolutely nothing to do with being good at Guild Wars.

glacialphoenix

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jul 2008

Singapore

Royal Order of Flying Lemmings [ROFL]

Mo/

31 Aug 2009 at 03:19 - 70

Quote:

Some of you guys are using definitions of "good" that seem quite twisted in this context. Being a nice or helpful person is commendable, but it has absolutely nothing to do with being good at Guild Wars.

Actually, I beg to differ.

A good player =/= a skilled player.

A good player learns from mistakes, knows when to laugh at himself/herself, etc. You can be a newbie and still be a good player. You can have the crappiest bar on GW and still be a good player. It just makes you really, really unskilled. I basically see a good player as someone who has a (generally) willing-to-learn attitude.

Skilled, on the other hand, has probably been cited several times by other posters in the thread. You can have a guy who trashtalks everyone and is justified in doing so, because he has the skills to back his claims up. It doesn't, however, give people the impression that he's a very nice person.

When you get both at the same time in one player, that's when you call that player awesome.

Burst Cancel

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Dec 2006

Domain of Broken Game Mechanics

31 Aug 2009 at 05:43 - 71

Quote:

Originally Posted by glacialphoenix

A good player =/= a skilled player.

This is what seems twisted to me; as far as I understand, the normal usage of the term "good player" is synonymous with "skilled player".

When you hear things like, "oh, he's a good basketball player", how do you understand it? Do you think "good" refers to the player's personality and "ability to laugh at himself", or do you think it refers to the player's skill in basketball? Does "good cook" imply something other than the ability to prepare great-tasting food?

Furthermore, addressing personality in the context of a game seems to me like a pointless exercise. We already know that most people don't like the players that (god forbid) take the game "too seriously", and we already know how most people feel about "arrogant elitists" (whatever that means). Filling a thread with platitudes like "a good player is someone who is nice" just seems like a shameless carebear circlejerk.

From the thread title and the OP, I had thought this thread to be a discussion of what constitutes skilled play in GW, but maybe that's just me.

GWfan#1

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2009

My Character Liked Gwen [First]

R/

31 Aug 2009 at 06:09 - 72

A good player is simply not a bad player.

Wild Rituals

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Apr 2008

NZ

Frenzy More [Plz]

Mo/W

31 Aug 2009 at 06:22 - 73

A good player who can learn from mistakes will always be better than a great player who makes mistakes and then blames other people or makes excuses for them

Snow Bunny

Alcoholic From Yale

Join Date: Jul 2007

Strong Foreign Policy [sFp]

31 Aug 2009 at 06:23 - 74

If they're good at Guild Wars they're skilled at the game - these stupid interpretations are just a way for you people to feel "good" about yourselves.

The OP's question was clearly requesting what makes them good at the game - while his/her parameters were themselves stupid, it doesn't change the fact that they were looking for something that defines a player as being good at the game.

Now Nelson Mandela could've been the nicest Guild Wars player in the universe but I bet he would be terrible in terms of skill.

TaggSilar

Academy Page

Join Date: Jul 2009

Shattered Legends

D/

31 Aug 2009 at 06:24 - 75

a good player is not a person who has good skills/armor/items/all that shit. a good player is a person who knows how to use what they have to their own or the team's advantage. knowing how to most effectively use your skills is more important than having the perfect build or amazingly expensive armor and items. a good player is also open suggestions, and can adapt to adverse conditions

glacialphoenix

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jul 2008

Singapore

Royal Order of Flying Lemmings [ROFL]

Mo/

31 Aug 2009 at 06:35 - 76

Quote:

Filling a thread with platitudes like "a good player is someone who is nice" just seems like a shameless carebear circlejerk.

I honestly think it's a matter of personal opinion: you say that, and you instantly assign that to 'carebear'. I don't think it is. I mean to say that certain qualities are not necessarily synonymous with good skill, but can and WILL help you along the way to becoming a skilled player.

A newbie, if s/he is open to learning, tries to think for himself or herself and work out why things work the way they do, etc. - the skillbar may be bad, s/he may not play as well as an experienced player, but you've got a good player there with the potential to become a skilled player. I say good =/= skilled because 'good' for me implies a mindset, 'skilled' implies actual ability at a game. Frequently they do come hand in hand, and no, it's not just a matter of 'nice'.

trialist

Core Guru

Join Date: Feb 2005

31 Aug 2009 at 06:45 - 77

I'm actually surprised how so few of you actually mentioned awareness. Knowing what is happening around you allows you to know why you failed, who is the weak link in your team or your opponent's team and who is the threat to your team.

It allows you to learn from your mistakes and to see counters to opposing builds/teams. It also allows for greater teamwork since you actually do know what is going on.

It is far more likely for an aware player to also possess some if not most of the qualities that make up a good player. Being aware, even if he doesn't possess those qualities, it wouldn't be as hard to teach and train such a player to gain those qualities compared to someone who is unaware. An unaware player will never really be a good player.

Burst Cancel

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Dec 2006

Domain of Broken Game Mechanics

31 Aug 2009 at 07:20 - 78

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild Rituals

A good player who can learn from mistakes will always be better than a great player who makes mistakes and then blames other people or makes excuses for them

Quote:

Originally Posted by glacialphoenix

A newbie, if s/he is open to learning, tries to think for himself or herself and work out why things work the way they do, etc. - the skillbar may be bad, s/he may not play as well as an experienced player, but you've got a good player there with the potential to become a skilled player. I say good =/= skilled because 'good' for me implies a mindset, 'skilled' implies actual ability at a game. Frequently they do come hand in hand, and no, it's not just a matter of 'nice'.

You guys act as though "great" (i.e., skilled) players just are, springing from their mother's womb blessed with ability in Guild Wars, and never had to learn it like everyone else. The shocking reality is that all of the great players already do the things you talk about - that's how they became great players. Do you honestly believe great players got to where they did by not learning from their mistakes? By not evaluating how they and their opponents play? Get real.

And frankly, while you, glacial, might not think it's "just a matter of 'nice'", it's clear that others in this thread do. They spout traits like "friendly", "helpful", etc. as though they were at all relevant to how well someone is able to actually play GW. This is not, to my knowledge, the conventional meaning of the term, "good player".

StormX

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Nov 2005

E/Mo

31 Aug 2009 at 07:58 - 79

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gift3d

and about OPs post, i've taken a monk once (a friend) with all fow chaos gloves, flashing his zrank he spent millions of gold on, rank 5 koabd, and he was one of the worst monks i've ever had the disgrace of playing with. it's a lot like putting racing stripes on a rusted up 89 honda accord, doesn't make the player the smallest bit better at the game. but everyone loves racing stripes.

Dude, I completely agree. I've seen people decked out in full FoW, torment weapons and the whole shebang but they were horrible players. Makes me wonder if they ebayed gold or someone gave them the account. O.o Then on the other hand, I've teamed with lots of good team players in costumebrawl/wintersday etc, some of them casual gamers with no pvp titles or expensive gear.

glacialphoenix

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jul 2008

Singapore

Royal Order of Flying Lemmings [ROFL]

Mo/

31 Aug 2009 at 08:18 - 80

Quote:

Do you honestly believe great players got to where they did by not learning from their mistakes? By not evaluating how they and their opponents play? Get real.

Um, yes. I get your point. But at the same time, everyone starts out somewhere. You said it yourself. They don't just spring out of nowhere. You may not be a skilled player, but being willing to learn helps you become a good player in every sense of the word. That's why I make that distinction, and why I said they tend to come hand in hand. I kind of got the feeling that everyone's pointing out things that, well, yeah, DO make a skilled player. Awareness, etc. Great. I'm not disputing that, but many of them are learned traits.

I suppose a better way of phrasing my viewpoint is that a good player is the person with the traits that help pave the way to being a skilled player, like willingness to learn. Part of it is playing nice, because cocky and arrogant people who demand answers are less likely to get answers that help compared to the humble newbie who appears that s/he genuinely wants to learn. It's not the whole of it, though. So, yes. There's a difference for me there.

(To be absolutely frank, I get most frustrated with the really nice players who have a terrible skillbar. You're really nice, it would be a joy playing with you IF ONLY YOU WEREN'T USELESS... frustrating.)