WOW fan...Buy faction or the first guild wars?

hi guys,im considering crossing over to guild wars..but im pondering which guild wars version i should buy..the latest expansion or the first guild wars..i cant made up my mind because i've heard lots of negative comments about factions.. but is there still alot of people playing the original guild wars? how is the gameplya as compared to WoW?

If you're going to buy a version of guild wars, I'd definitely choose the original over factions-there's more to see and to do, as well as a much wider variety of core skills. Having never played WoW, I couldn't tell you which I feel is the superior game-though by all accounts, GW has far superior PvP, but will leave you cold if character progression is your thing.

If you're looking for a similar game to WoW, then buy the original Guild Wars.

If you're looking for something different (primarily competing against/killing other players), then Factions is the way to start. If you buy Factions and enjoy it, you'll likely buy the original one shortly thereafter.

thanks for your feedback.. i think i will buy the original guild wars..but im worried most people will already have moved on to factions..by the way,is there a ranking system in guild wars? my rank in WOW is sergeant major..im sure Wow players understand what im talking about..

Get the original Guild Wars. With the original Factions, it took several months for people to start complaining, but since the Factions release, people complained about it. Just buy Factions when you like the original Guild Wars enough, it should be cheaper in the first place, so it's a great way to try it out (if you haven't already).

There is, indeed, a ranking system in Guild Wars. I believe the Titles are added to the original as well correct? (Someone please correct me if I'm wrong)

In PvP, there is a special place called the Hall of Heroes, found by going through battles in Heroe's Ascent. By winning battles you collect fame, which increases as you win consecutive fights. As soon as you hit rank 3 in fame (which is 180 fame) you get a title as well as a /emote which shows off that title via an animal (deer for rank 3)

This rank can't go up or down unlike WoW and you will keep it on all characters.

There are still a lot of people playing the Original Prophecies campaign. I would definitely start there. I think its a bigger place to explore and "learn" how to play the game, all the ins and outs and so forth. I think the first game has a bit more "hand holding" and is great at guiding you and teaching you the mechanics of Guild Wars. Althought they say Factions is a stand alone game, I really believe its to your own benefit to play Prophecies first.

I'd go with the original first.. the pre searing is much better- but if you want more of a pve challenge without the eye candy that gets you sucked in or your aim is pvp get factions like jetdoc said- I think you really need both games though if your hardcore pvp

thanks for enlightening me..hope guild wars will be better than wow..the monthly fee is killing me!!

I'm sure you'll enjoy Guild Wars... I played the original first, then I went to WoW, and after 6 months I believe, I just stopped for Factions. The PvP in Guild Wars is WAY more strategic than that of WoW, and WoW's PvE grinding system is pretty annoying sometimes...

Welcome to the family

Why not both, than venture though the whole game.

It depends on how seriously you take your gaming!

From listening to the WoW players in my guild they much prefer Factions because there is alot more variety in Factions, and alot more grinding potential.

But I agree with Fiery, if its PvE your after get both!.. (when you can)

otherwise you might be like these other players who say they have "beat the game twice " think that they have done everything, got bored..and move on.

Even if you do get bored, for the price its well worth playing either for a month or so if you dont find it as addictive as WoW

There is non-existant Prophecies (Guild Wars 1) exclusive PvP. It is all on the Battle Isles which is open to everyone. Factions is the only one of the two to have exclusive PvP content. Unless you are talking about skill differences.

I have to agree with most everyone above. I'd advise starting off with Prophecies. It's bigger and more beautiful than Factions. Factions is fun and I recommend it to anyone, but it's hard to beat the original.

On what I heard (never played), WoW is mostly based on equipment than skills and strategic. Off course, balanced profession in GW too.

I just buy both i played world of warcraft for a long time and i can say pvp is just more balanced in guildwars.
Questing also better that wow,it isnt like kill 10 of this and colect 100 of that,so guild wars have a good pve story for a pvp game
only -1 point is when you doing a mission and your system crash you need to start over and walk the same route again.

oh btw i dont know what is better for you i also have factions but not played yet i whas starting whit the first edition of guildwars.

Sergeant Major ehh. Im only a Scout.
If i find out your were the one camping my ass I will hunt your down.

Buy the original and enjoy GW. It is a great game.
I am going the other way. Gradual switching from GW to WOW.

What were both looking for is entertainment not boredom.
Bored with GW even with factions.
WOW provides new entertainment and excitment.
I am on a PVP server with WOW and it is mind blowing, hunting down ali and being hunted. It wakes you up.

You should know this ahead of time to enjoy GW.
You will focus on PVE for 3-6 months before you get into PVP (the same with WOW). Then you will transition over to PVP.

Enjoy the Ride!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WoW's a better (in my opinion), more lasting game, but that's to be expected, as you have to pay monthly.

Nothing stays interesting forever though, been playing since beta and recently got bored and quit, and picked up GW. Also a great game. As everyone else is saying, be sure to grab prophecies before factions. There's still plenty of people playing in it (although not as many as before, of course).

WoW::
great level progression
very immersive
very open-ended
not that great pvp

GW::
not very immersive
very linear
amazing pvp games and arenas
not very character oriented

In all reality, if you want PvE, stay with WoW. If you want to go more PvP, play GW. End of story.

GWP, not GWF.