kcomeby · Oct 08, 2009, 11:34 AM // 11:34

I freshly bought GW and started to playing, then i read couple of reviews. Common part is "you cannot play this game without guild or 4-5 friends (well you can play but its not too entertaining )". My time is qualified so i dont wanna enter guild or make friends. Im gonna enter the game and make some pvp thats it. I know that there is random arena but in reviews its labeled "useless". Is it true? Can i play this game alone? if i can how?

*Darcy* · Oct 08, 2009, 11:36 AM // 11:36

You can play the game solo, using henchmen to fill out your party, or, if you have Nightfall or Eye of the North, you can also use heroes. Many players are in guilds but spend a good part of their playing time working alone.

For PvP areas, teams are formed at the arenas for the low end areas. Higher end, GvG & HA, usually requires a guild so the teams can practice.

kcomeby · Oct 08, 2009, 11:39 AM // 11:39

i didnt mean that (my english isnt good) , i know i can use henchmans but what i mean is: "is it entertaining to play random arena only?".

*Darcy* · Oct 08, 2009, 11:43 AM // 11:43

Random Arena can be frustrating as the team setups are random, but if you enjoy the unexpected then it's great fun. The problem with a new account and PvP, is that you have few skills or armor buffs available. You unlock these with Balthazar Faction if you don't play PvE.

Akaraxle · Oct 08, 2009, 12:22 PM // 12:22

Reviews need to be updated: you DO play most of this game solo.

subarucar · Oct 08, 2009, 12:53 PM // 12:53

Joining a guild doesnt mean a huge commitment towards playing 10 hours a day or anything. You can happily join a guild and play for half an hour a day with them, most guilds won't mind.

Random Arenas is nice for filling in a few minutes while you wait for something (In or out of the game). It can become frustrating as Darcy said.

Jumping stright into PvP, although possible, is not the best idea. You wont have many skills or upgrades to choose from. Playing through some PvE first also gives you an idea of the way the game works, and will help you to find good skill combinations.

bsoltan · Oct 08, 2009, 01:23 PM // 13:23

If you want to do PvP then there are a few different types:

Random Arenas (RA): You enter on your own and are put with 4 random players and you have to fight against others. This can be unpredictable but if you know what your team knows what they're doing then you can play ok.

Guild Battles (GvG): An 8v8 battle in a Guild Hall where you fight against another Guild to try and kill their Guild Lord. You will need to be in a Guild to do this (this is where ther 4-5 friends come in) as you can use henchmen to fill a few slots but I believe it needs to be a majority of human players. You most likely won't be able to do this unless you make some in-game friends.

Heroes' Ascent (HA): A team of 8 vs another team of 8 to get to the Hall of Heroes. If you are a competent player you may be able to find a group to do this. This will be your best chance of team related PvP but you need a good build and knowledge of team builds and what is required or it can be hard to find a team.

Unless you have Guild Wars: Factions you won't be able to do Alliance Battles, this you can join a team with strangers you meet in an outpost and then you fight with 2 other teams against 3 teams from the alternative Faction. This is not solo but it is possible to find groups without knowing anyone.

Hero Battles requires Nightfall (or Eye of the North?) but this is being removed soon, as is Team Arenas so there is no point going into details on these.

The best thing for you to do is to try out the Random Arena, the problem is at the moment your builds and equipment will very be limited until you at least complete a campaign or keep playing RA to unlock skills and equipment with the Balthazar Faction that you gain.
You can also practise in the Zaishen Challenge here you can try a build or just farm some faction to help you unlock skills and equipment for use in other PvP.

This is all written from memory and I don't PvP myself so apologies in advance if anything is innacurate.

shillo · Oct 08, 2009, 01:25 PM // 13:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcomeby

I know that there is random arena but in reviews its labeled "useless". Is it true? Can i play this game alone? if i can how?

Without the guild, I'd recommend Random Arena (with caveat: often your team will suck, but at 2-3 minutes per fight, it's not a big deal), Jade Quarry, Fort Aspenwood and Alliance Battles.

In AB, you need to setup a team before entering, but many teams will accept anyone joining.

Also, as said earlier, it's not that hard to find a casual PvP guild, which then won't have any special time requirements.

Finally, if you're not sure, why not just make a PvP character, go to RA, hit Enter and see what it's like?

couto_607 · Oct 08, 2009, 03:12 PM // 15:12

You can play this game solo without a problem. I've beaten all campaigns, and am not part of a guild. If you're not in a guild, it basically means that you will be with more PuGs than you might want. That's why I'm trying to farm solo or with heroes.

Lux Aeterna · Oct 08, 2009, 07:55 PM // 19:55

You'll need to do pve first to unlock skills for a usable build, I would NOT recommend buying the game first and then trying to pvp without a guild.

Like any RPG, there's a steep learning curve for pvp and you're going to get owned badly and quit if you try to start without help.

majikmajikmajik · Oct 08, 2009, 08:21 PM // 20:21

join a big alliance(like 1000+players) and get on whenever you feel, most dont care as long as you get on like once every 2 weeks lol.
plus they sometimes host groups or events that you could plan on.

Bob Slydell · Oct 09, 2009, 12:08 AM // 00:08

You can't play the entire game solo, but you do not need real people, you can use henchmen to help if there is no one else around.

snaek · Oct 09, 2009, 04:14 AM // 04:14

yes you can...pve you have henchies/heroes and pvp there are numerous amount of low-lvl arenas--the majority of which can be found in factions (it sounds like that review is outdated or just plain out bad)

ra is fun if u run around wit lolbuilds; it's only frustrating if u take it seriously or are one of those ppl that screams "omg no monk" every 2mins

Jojo59 · Oct 09, 2009, 08:53 AM // 08:53

ah good old random arena

Oct 08, 2009, 11:34 AM // 11:34	#1
kcomeby Pre-Searing Cadet Join Date: Oct 2009	Not guild only wars I freshly bought GW and started to playing, then i read couple of reviews. Common part is "you cannot play this game without guild or 4-5 friends (well you can play but its not too entertaining )". My time is qualified so i dont wanna enter guild or make friends. Im gonna enter the game and make some pvp thats it. I know that there is random arena but in reviews its labeled "useless". Is it true? Can i play this game alone? if i can how?

Oct 08, 2009, 11:36 AM // 11:36	#2
Darcy Never Too Old Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rhode Island where there are no GW contests Guild: Order of First Profession: W/R	You can play the game solo, using henchmen to fill out your party, or, if you have Nightfall or Eye of the North, you can also use heroes. Many players are in guilds but spend a good part of their playing time working alone. For PvP areas, teams are formed at the arenas for the low end areas. Higher end, GvG & HA, usually requires a guild so the teams can practice. __________________ That's me, the old stick-in-the-mud non-fun moderator. (and non-understanding, also) Last edited by Darcy; Oct 08, 2009 at 11:39 AM // 11:39..

Oct 08, 2009, 11:43 AM // 11:43	#4
Darcy Never Too Old Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rhode Island where there are no GW contests Guild: Order of First Profession: W/R	Random Arena can be frustrating as the team setups are random, but if you enjoy the unexpected then it's great fun. The problem with a new account and PvP, is that you have few skills or armor buffs available. You unlock these with Balthazar Faction if you don't play PvE. __________________ That's me, the old stick-in-the-mud non-fun moderator. (and non-understanding, also)

Oct 08, 2009, 11:39 AM // 11:39	#3
kcomeby Pre-Searing Cadet Join Date: Oct 2009	i didnt mean that (my english isnt good) , i know i can use henchmans but what i mean is: "is it entertaining to play random arena only?".

Oct 08, 2009, 12:22 PM // 12:22	#5
Akaraxle Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Italy Profession: E/	Reviews need to be updated: you DO play most of this game solo.

Oct 08, 2009, 12:53 PM // 12:53	#6
subarucar Desert Nomad Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New Zealand Guild: None	Joining a guild doesnt mean a huge commitment towards playing 10 hours a day or anything. You can happily join a guild and play for half an hour a day with them, most guilds won't mind. Random Arenas is nice for filling in a few minutes while you wait for something (In or out of the game). It can become frustrating as Darcy said. Jumping stright into PvP, although possible, is not the best idea. You wont have many skills or upgrades to choose from. Playing through some PvE first also gives you an idea of the way the game works, and will help you to find good skill combinations.

Oct 08, 2009, 01:23 PM // 13:23	#7
bsoltan Site Contributor Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: UK Guild: [SoF]	If you want to do PvP then there are a few different types: Random Arenas (RA): You enter on your own and are put with 4 random players and you have to fight against others. This can be unpredictable but if you know what your team knows what they're doing then you can play ok. Guild Battles (GvG): An 8v8 battle in a Guild Hall where you fight against another Guild to try and kill their Guild Lord. You will need to be in a Guild to do this (this is where ther 4-5 friends come in) as you can use henchmen to fill a few slots but I believe it needs to be a majority of human players. You most likely won't be able to do this unless you make some in-game friends. Heroes' Ascent (HA): A team of 8 vs another team of 8 to get to the Hall of Heroes. If you are a competent player you may be able to find a group to do this. This will be your best chance of team related PvP but you need a good build and knowledge of team builds and what is required or it can be hard to find a team. Unless you have Guild Wars: Factions you won't be able to do Alliance Battles, this you can join a team with strangers you meet in an outpost and then you fight with 2 other teams against 3 teams from the alternative Faction. This is not solo but it is possible to find groups without knowing anyone. Hero Battles requires Nightfall (or Eye of the North?) but this is being removed soon, as is Team Arenas so there is no point going into details on these. The best thing for you to do is to try out the Random Arena, the problem is at the moment your builds and equipment will very be limited until you at least complete a campaign or keep playing RA to unlock skills and equipment with the Balthazar Faction that you gain. You can also practise in the Zaishen Challenge here you can try a build or just farm some faction to help you unlock skills and equipment for use in other PvP. This is all written from memory and I don't PvP myself so apologies in advance if anything is innacurate.

Oct 08, 2009, 03:12 PM // 15:12	#9
couto_607 Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Feb 2006 Profession: W/	You can play this game solo without a problem. I've beaten all campaigns, and am not part of a guild. If you're not in a guild, it basically means that you will be with more PuGs than you might want. That's why I'm trying to farm solo or with heroes.

Oct 08, 2009, 07:55 PM // 19:55	#10
Lux Aeterna Jungle Guide Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: RAH Guild: Close Enough [XVII] Profession: W/A	You'll need to do pve first to unlock skills for a usable build, I would NOT recommend buying the game first and then trying to pvp without a guild. Like any RPG, there's a steep learning curve for pvp and you're going to get owned badly and quit if you try to start without help.

Oct 08, 2009, 08:21 PM // 20:21	#11
majikmajikmajik Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: SATown~Tx Guild: Guild Hopper! Profession: R/	join a big alliance(like 1000+players) and get on whenever you feel, most dont care as long as you get on like once every 2 weeks lol. plus they sometimes host groups or events that you could plan on.

Oct 09, 2009, 12:08 AM // 00:08	#12
Bob Slydell Forge Runner Join Date: Jan 2007	You can't play the entire game solo, but you do not need real people, you can use henchmen to help if there is no one else around.

Oct 09, 2009, 04:14 AM // 04:14	#13
snaek Forge Runner Join Date: Mar 2006 Profession: N/	yes you can...pve you have henchies/heroes and pvp there are numerous amount of low-lvl arenas--the majority of which can be found in factions (it sounds like that review is outdated or just plain out bad) ra is fun if u run around wit lolbuilds; it's only frustrating if u take it seriously or are one of those ppl that screams "omg no monk" every 2mins

Oct 09, 2009, 08:53 AM // 08:53	#14
Jojo59 Pre-Searing Cadet Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Brisbane Profession: N/Me	ah good old random arena