Sound in Guild Wars

This stems from a GUI config thread in the screenshot forum, and obviously by the subject matter you can see that the direction of the thread lost its focus. Anyway, I figured I'd make a post in here to see if anyone feels the same way I do about the importance of sound in combat.

Basically, my argument was that despite how pleasant having game music or mp3's may be while playing GW, I feel that sound is an important edge you should have in battle.

The counter-argument, of course, was that sound was made obsolete by the skill monitor and a field of view. Here's what I said in reply:

Skill monitors will only display the skills being used by your target, and visually identifying the VFX of a skill only works for those in your field of view. Additionally, I've found that the monitor is actually somewhat sluggish and buggy at times.

Given, important skills will probably be used by your group's main target, and generally most key happenings are going on in your field of view, but sometimes, in those rare occasions, opponents will communicate their next actions through sound.

Let me give you a few examples: Backfire, Diversion, Frenzy, Incendiary Arrows, Bonds, Blessed Signet (Actually, all signets sound the same :P), Winter, EoE, Ether Renewal, Healing Seed, Heal Party, Rend Enchantments, Shatter/Drain/Strip Enchantments, Protective Spirit, the list goes on and on, and I'm sure as I list them many of you may recall the various sounds, and may recall an instance or two where it's given you an advantage in initiative, no?

Actually, I don't recall ever hearing any spell sounds coming from enemies. The only ones I can ever hear are usually the ones I cast myself. It isn't totally practical to key in on the sound when you are fighting a large mob (too many sounds at once). If you play enough you should have a good understanding of what kinds of spells/skills each enemy type will use and can then react from a visual standpoint. So to sum up, while I agree that sound can be important, I don't think it is as reliable as the visual ques.

I really hate how you can only hear your own footsteps. If I'm marching in a small army I want to be able to hear the marching, not just a little pitter-pater.

It would also be very helpful to hear the enemy marching. Please improve the sound!!

I know I've heard others using signet of devotion. It sounds sort of like "playing" a crystal glass by filling it with water and running your finger around the lip until you produce a loud hum (there's a very scientific term for this that I have totally forgotten). I don't recall if that was a friend or an enemy however, but they were right on top of me in order for me to hear it.

Really? Didn't know that. I thought they were different (I'll have to check that myself tonight).

-Diomedes

You can hear mobs cast spells and indeed your own footsteps, unfortunately the sound quality in GW is not the best so the volume does need to be cranked up.

At least i can hear my hammers bounce off enemies' skull

I like to hear the sound of Rammstein blasting in the background while I pwn some n00b in the Yak's Arena, and telling him his Forge armor sucks. Other than that... I agree with the OP.

I saw Rammstein in concert once. Best... live... performance... EVAR. It was so cool to hear like 10,000 people all singing in German, and almost all of them are Americans!

On-topic: I don't think the sound provides any kind of measurable edge or advantage. Usually the sound effects of your own team will "drown out" anything your opponents are doing. The visual skill effects are a much better indicator.

the term for the crystal glass is resonance ( i think)
also hearing shouts would just suck
dumbwarrior1: Victory Is Mine!
dumbwarrior2: I Will Survive!
dumbwarrior3: Watch Yourself!
dumbwarrior1: I will Survive!
dumbwarrior2: Victory Is Mine!
dumbwarrior3: Shields Up!
everyoneelse: Shut Up!!!!!

Yeah, resonances are wonderful. They cause mechanical things to fly apart at odd moments. Ah, blessed mayhem, how we have pined for thee.

The UI Config in GW sucks majorly. Not very many options at all. I'd like to see a highly customizable, skinnable interface.

Well it's higly customizable in my opinion, though the whole skinning thing I don't agree with, because allowing it may open the game up for exploits.