New to Guild Wars. Looking for a class...

Hi all,

How's it going? I am considering getting into Guild Wars but have one or two questions. The first is whether I need the expansion to play, or can I just use the original copy and play only in Tyria (spelling?)? I ask only because my friend has a copy of the game and code (I hope) I can use, but that wont mean much if I need the expansion. So, do I? And if I don't get it will that mean I'm alone in the old continent?

Ok now as for my class I'm not sure what to be. I always have troubles in these games and am glad they let you change it around. I quite like the idea of Rangers in this game, specifically bow based rangers? I think they all are that but more an emphasis on archery over beast control, for example. Assuming I do take a Ranger as my primary class what is my best bet as a supporting profession. I like the sound of elementalist, not for the damage but for the potential CC? Is that more a Mesmer skill set? I read that there is water magic that helps control the flow of the battle so how true is that? These are all general questions so if your kind enough to answer.

Outside of the Ranger is there any particularly fun class to play? I'm not looking for flavor of the month because those have a tendency to get schooled by dev's, but I don't need to go out of my way to be different, just a good solid build.

Thanks alot all!

Ok, to answer your questions in the order you asked them:

You don't need prophecies to play factions.

You don't need factions to play prophecies.

Your friend's CD will work. The code will only work if it hasn't been used before.

I believe getting Prophecies would be a good idea so you don't get called a complete noob in Factions. I would suggest playing Prophecies first to get familiar with your proffesion, then buy Factions if you feel you need it. Don't waste your money on something you don't want.

Right, I really can't help you with proffession as everyone you ask will be biased. You're going to have to discover this for yourself. Although if you're looking for fun, get an assasin, get to level 20, go to thunderhead keep and aggro everything.

Thanks alot man. I have the Guild Wars program n it says I can play fractions... but I'm a bit confused. Can I use my friends account if he has one already created? And lastly I will need to buy some sort of expansions from Guild Wars regardless?? Cheers mate

The original Guild Wars is referred to as Prophecies now. Factions is the next chapter and is optional, you don't have to own it to play Prophecies but of course then you do not get anything that comes with Factions - additional continent (Cantha), skills, etc.

If your friend is letting you use his account you will see any characters he already has created. If there are 4 character slots then it is one chapter (either one), if 6 slots then it is both chapters combined.

Everything is stored on the Anet servers as far as characters go so whether you log in or he does you will both be in the same account and see the same characters, and only one of you can play at a time.

As far as which profession, rangers are good. I don't know what you mean by "CC" but I recommend monk as 2nd for the multi-use rez and then just focus on ranger attributes and skills.

Early in the game go with a monk secondary, that will help you in survivability, and is not a bad choice for a n00b It will start failing you somewhat when you get to the jungle and all the shatter enchants, but once you get to the desert you can always switch your secondary.

You may want to consider a W/R, also a fun build to play and probably easier for your first toon.

There are still tons of people in Tyria, no worries about that.

Im not sure what you mean about the game and the code and such. You can download the client from guildwars.com. Each account needs to have a unique user name (your email addy) and a password. So you could get the client on a CD from your buddy but you and your buddy can not play at the same time on his account.

If you want a cheap copy of chapter one check ebay. I have purchased brand new CD keys for less than 35 bucks within the last 6 months. Some used games can sell for even less or a lot more

Good luck and I hope you decide to take the plunge.
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Welp, I sorted it out and I've started playing. It is down to Warrior or Ranger so I am not sure which to choose yet.

By the way, CC meant Crowd Control. I'm not sure but I *heard* the water line has good spells for slowing things down, snaring them etc... but Mesmers might cover that.

Any tips?!

Why not make a warrior AND a ranger?

As for water and slow-down hexes that's just about all water magic has going for it, imho. Those hexes can be useful sometimes.

I would reccomend getting both games due to the fact that u will be tauted by skills from the other if u dont. As to the build question i would reccomend a Mo/W a fewe reasons one monks are always needed therfore groups are easier to find an people will prob be nicer to you. You can also change over to a 55 monk for farming latter.

Maelstrom.

Be a monk warrior. Being a monk warrior means you get all kinds of groovy stances that rape PvE and you get all kinds of groovy groups saying "U PLZ HEAL FOR US?!!!!11!" making the game much easier than trying to go through it with a mesmer which is basically a guarenteed henchmen best friend.

The only problem with being a monk is the stupid warrior trying to call targets refuses to call correct targets or let you call and so you have to say "attack my target or I won't heal you" then he leaves and you're like wtf thats lame so you whisper him and you're all like "we beat the mission anyway" then he threatens your family and you add him to your ignore list and he gets on his other account because he has like 9 and starts whispering you again.

Wow I should stop talking.

huh..? ur recommending him to buy prophecies.. n using assassin class?

Warrior, in my opinion, is the easiest class(and gratifying) to play.

As for secondary, I would recommend monk.

I am not suggesting that other classes are inferior, but playing as a war/mo is fairly forgiving on first-time players.

if ur gonna me a warrior, ur secondary wood b monk cuz like everyones that and it owns

by the time you max out your ranger you won;t use many of your secondary proffession's skills.....we have alot of great skills of our own.

yes you can make some VERY potent non bow based ranger builds...such as trappers and beast masters (who usualy use staffs for energy gain).

The great thing about guild wars is that ANY combo can be pretty good if you set it up right.