Anyone who has played Dungeons and Dragons, especially from years ago (2nd Edition and 1st edition AD&D players) can tell you that the core classes from that game were: Fighter, Thief, Magic User, and Cleric. Eventually, the "thief" class became to be known as "Rogue" and the "Magic User" class became the "Wizard" for the third edition of the game (the current iteration is version 3.5, I believe).
Why do I bring this up? A friend of mine noticed this banner in Fort Ranik (see pic). It seems to show four symbols representing four classes found in GW (from top to bottom): Warrior, Ranger, Elementalist, and Monk. I thought to myself, "I wonder if these can be considered the core classes for Guild Wars?" Warrior is like a Fighter from D&D. Ranger is a rogue-like class (though GW's coming Assassin class is more akin to the classic "thief" class from the way it sounds). Elementalist is the closest thing to a Magic-User/Wizard. And Monk is similar to D&D's Cleric class.
The four main NPCs found throughout the game are Devona (a Warrior), Aidan (a Ranger), Cynn (an Elementalist), and Mhenlo (a Monk). This is mostly just an observation, but I thought it was interesting to note. Was just wondering what you guys thought.
The Four Core Classes?
Bastard Son
MMSDome
yea i seen that and wondered why my mesmer symbol wasnt on there 
Blessed Winds
They didn't have enough room. lol =P
Racthoh
Bah, I dislike 3.5... interesting observations none the less. A tribute to the classic pen and paper RPG. Although... does Chainmail qualify as the first (for those who know what that is 
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Grimm
I wonder if this means that necromancers and mesmers are the exclusive classes to Chapter 1, like the Assassin and Ritualist are exclusive to Chapter 2? Perhaps in Chapter 2, you will only have the "core" four, plus the new two (unless you own both Chaps. 1 & 2, of course).
I'm thinking probably not, but I guess it would make things consistant (two exclusive classes in each chapter and 4 core classes in all of them). All six will probably be considered the core classes for each chapter, especially since there are new necromancer and mesmer skills in Chapter 2.
This also makes me wonder: will new Ritualist and Assassin skills be added in Chapter 3 for those who own Chapter 2? If not, and the original six get new skills, the new classes will quickly fall behind in skill selection. Maybe the core classes will get new skills in each chapter but not the chapter-exlusive ones? Maybe each chapter will have new skills for anyone who has access to that class (having purchased the matching chapter).
I'm interested to see how all this works. We know that each chapter will be stand-alone in the sense that they will not require any other GW product, but that they will connect if you do own more than one.
I'm thinking probably not, but I guess it would make things consistant (two exclusive classes in each chapter and 4 core classes in all of them). All six will probably be considered the core classes for each chapter, especially since there are new necromancer and mesmer skills in Chapter 2.
This also makes me wonder: will new Ritualist and Assassin skills be added in Chapter 3 for those who own Chapter 2? If not, and the original six get new skills, the new classes will quickly fall behind in skill selection. Maybe the core classes will get new skills in each chapter but not the chapter-exlusive ones? Maybe each chapter will have new skills for anyone who has access to that class (having purchased the matching chapter).
I'm interested to see how all this works. We know that each chapter will be stand-alone in the sense that they will not require any other GW product, but that they will connect if you do own more than one.
Stayfrosty
Grimm, I like your theory on the necro/mesmer being the exclusive classes and about skills I would hope/assume that they would continute to create new skills for all classes with each new chapter release.
Banebow
http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/guild-wars-.../680914p2.html
An interview on gamespy. Specifically, this part:
Interisting point about the similarity to D&D though, I wonder if that was intentional. . .
I am curious about that as well, if they don't add new skills for the non-core classes then the "specialty" classes will need to be able to do things unique to them (such as the assassin's teleportation ability) or risk getting obseleted by new skills in the core six.
An interview on gamespy. Specifically, this part:
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Originally Posted by Gamespy
The original 6 classes will now be referred to as "core" classes and will be present in Factions and all future retail releases.
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Originally Posted by Grimm
This also makes me wonder: will new Ritualist and Assassin skills be added in Chapter 3 for those who own Chapter 2? If not, and the original six get new skills, the new classes will quickly fall behind in skill selection.
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Morangen
From the way Arena Net has done this game I would imagine that they would continue to provide skills for all the classes. That way no class gets left behind or becomes any better than another. They try very hard to make sure everything is balanced.
saphir
what annoys me about anet's setup of the low level cities like ascalon is that the henchies consist of only these ""traditional" classes. you can only choose from a fighter, ranger, mage and healer hench.
So of course it's no surprise that before the AOE nerf, necros and mesmers were shafted in party invites. Any new player would never learn what these classes are good for.
Just think of how much knowledgeable new players would be if low level cities offered a necromancer and mesmer henches. If the henches could raise minions, provide energy, cast a blood well, slow down a mob, degen left and right, or interrupt, etc. By the time the game finally offers necro / mes henches (under the suitably descriptive names of "cultist" and "illusionist" of course), players are used to the healer/fighter/etc hench combo. They have no clue what the necro and mesmer henches can add to the team. I had no clue on my first character thru the game.
It's sad.. but maybe it's because necro and mes henches would be overpowered in those areas =)
So of course it's no surprise that before the AOE nerf, necros and mesmers were shafted in party invites. Any new player would never learn what these classes are good for.
Just think of how much knowledgeable new players would be if low level cities offered a necromancer and mesmer henches. If the henches could raise minions, provide energy, cast a blood well, slow down a mob, degen left and right, or interrupt, etc. By the time the game finally offers necro / mes henches (under the suitably descriptive names of "cultist" and "illusionist" of course), players are used to the healer/fighter/etc hench combo. They have no clue what the necro and mesmer henches can add to the team. I had no clue on my first character thru the game.
It's sad.. but maybe it's because necro and mes henches would be overpowered in those areas =)
NatalieD
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Originally Posted by saphir
Just think of how much knowledgeable new players would be if low level cities offered a necromancer and mesmer henches...
It's sad.. but maybe it's because necro and mes henches would be overpowered in those areas =) |
Barinthus
Those banners are pretty much all over the place near henchies.
SaintGreg
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| Just think of how much knowledgeable new players would be if low level cities offered a necromancer and mesmer henches... |
Dahnel
perhaps the art for these banners where made before they decided to add a mesmer and necro ??? meh i dunno lol
Leddy
The mesmer henchie does jackall in parties.
Hockster
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Originally Posted by Leddy
The mesmer henchie does jackall in parties.
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Shusky
What's wrong with Orion? I like pretty fireworks every time my henchman team wins a battle.
Though I prefer Claude to Reyna. Because Claude at least gives you energy regen, while Reyna spends 80% of her time activating Troll Unguent.
Also, there are two W and Mo henches, and only one for the rest of classes. Gods of Tyria obviously favor Paladin builds
Though I prefer Claude to Reyna. Because Claude at least gives you energy regen, while Reyna spends 80% of her time activating Troll Unguent.
Also, there are two W and Mo henches, and only one for the rest of classes. Gods of Tyria obviously favor Paladin builds
Sledge
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Originally Posted by Racthoh
Bah, I dislike 3.5... interesting observations none the less. A tribute to the classic pen and paper RPG. Although... does Chainmail qualify as the first (for those who know what that is
)? |
Though it was more minitures rules than actual roleplaying, been awhile I may be wrong. Gary took it a bit further with 1st edition.
DeanBB
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| If the henches could raise minions, provide energy, cast a blood well, slow down a mob, degen left and right, or interrupt, etc. |
They use mostly direct-affect/damage spells so as to be able to provide benefit to the team without conflicting too much.
I'm not sure that anyone would learn the benefits of playing any particular profession by bringing henchies along. People tend to focus on what they need to do, not watch what the henchies are doing. Some things are obvious, like Orion's victory fireworks or the necro's energy boosts, but most of their skill go unnoticed.
Yanman.be
i like dunham..he tanks for me, and he isn't aggressive as stefan or lil' thom
distortion ftw
distortion ftw
Carla Witchblade
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Originally Posted by NatalieD
Man, have you ever watched the mesmer henchie in action? It's a good thing he's not available early on, or mesmers would never get into groups!
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Originally Posted by Yanman.be
i like dunham..he tanks for me, and he isn't aggressive as stefan or lil' thom
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forever
Yeah, Grimm has a good point. It would be nice for Anet to make Mesmer and Necro to be Chapter 1 exclusive professions, and the other 4 to be core professions available for all later chapters. But based on the information released, Anet already decided to make all 6 professions available to all later chapters.
Mavrik
Well oddly enough and I have just been noticing this... mesmers are on the rise. Last time I was in pre searing, nothing but a sea of warriors. But I started a new character (mesmer heh) and thats all I see is mesmer. Even in the Baradin Estate which is a warrior fest location overflows with mesmer. At least it did the other day. Even post searing I'm seeing a lot of Me/ and /Me characters.
But it is true... favour goes to the Ele, the Warrior, the Ranger and the Monk.
But it is true... favour goes to the Ele, the Warrior, the Ranger and the Monk.
saphir
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Originally Posted by DeanBB
In case you haven't noticed, Anet picked skills for the henchies that would minimize the clashing with player skills. Would you want a level 10 henchie raising minions at level 8 when you are raising them at level 15-18? Would you want them to "overwrite" your hexes or curses with their low level versions?
They use mostly direct-affect/damage spells so as to be able to provide benefit to the team without conflicting too much. |
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Originally Posted by NatalieD
Man, have you ever watched the mesmer henchie in action? It's a good thing he's not available early on, or mesmers would never get into groups!
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Manic Smile
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Originally Posted by Hockster
Ranks right up there with Orions after battle firestorm salute.
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theclam
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Originally Posted by saphir
I don't know about you, but when i add henchies to the group, I'm not going to pick up a necro hench if i'm a necro or have a necro in the party. similarly, you don't grab orion if you have an ele in your party. the only henches people usually double up on w/ players are the wars or monks.
honestly, i don't usually get the mesmer lol. i'm usually a caster class so i need sturdy henchies who can tank.. although w/ distortion he's starting to sound pretty good |
Anet should have given him Backfire or Cry of Frustration or Arcane Conundrum or something else that would be useful in PvE.
generik
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Originally Posted by saphir
So of course it's no surprise that before the AOE nerf, necros and mesmers were shafted in party invites. Any new player would never learn what these classes are good for.
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