Elementalist, class and equipment questions. - Guild Wars Forums

ialex · Aug 13, 2007, 09:12 AM // 09:12

Hihi all,

I just have a few questions I would like to ask. I am currently a level 15 Elementalist/Ranger, playing Guild Wars Prophecies, PVE, easy mode. (If any of that helps). =P

1. Firstly, I looked around here, and read that it was possible to change your secondary class at Crystal Desert, I'm just confirming that this is correct? I am curious as to where abouts (approximately) the crystal desert is, is there a level requirement to change class (or will I be level 20 anyway), how long it takes to get to crystal desert (approx gameplay time), can I change as many times as I want, can I go back and do quests again relevant to my new secondary class to receive new skills or do I just have to purchase them and is it true that I keep all skills that I've earned on that class (just only able to use it when I am that secondary class)?

2. It seems that when I'm in a safe area (e.g. town), that I am able to change the allocation of my attribute points. So I would be able to take off points from my fire attribute and the re-allocate them to the water attribute. I'm just wondering if there is any cost, downfall or otherwise negative side affects to doing this? Am I loosing attribute points when I do this?

3. I am wondering what is the best armor achievable for an Elementalist. As far as I can see, the maximum armor per piece is 60? So, just curious as to what the best possible armor is.

4. Also, when it comes to lockpicks or keys, what should I choose? I am currently considering investing in a lockpick, but I am unsure if it is worth it. As far as I can tell, a lockpick can open any chest, but has a chance of breaking. So I'm wondering what chance is there that the lockpick breaks?

5. Also, I have experienced something that I am not too sure how to explain. When identifying some items, a few times a pop up has come up saying something is unlocked. I am curious as to what has been unlocked, and what it means that it is now unlocked? (I'm sorry, but I don't really know how to explain this, so If you need more info on what I'm talking about, just ask, and I will post some screenshots of the items that it occurred on)

Well, thanks alot.

^^

Arkantos · Aug 13, 2007, 10:56 AM // 10:56

1. Yes, it is true. The only requirement to change your second profession is to be ascended (beat the 3 crystal desert missions,defeat the Doppleganger, and complete the required quest for the second profession). The Crystal Desert is the third last area of Prophecies. Yes, you can change as many times as you want. You only have to do the quest once to have that secondary profession unlocked. All the skills you unlock on your character will remain unlocked. So if you have arcane echo from /mesmer and you go /monk, the next time you go /mesmer you will have arcane echo. There is a quest for every core profession.

2. Attribute skills can always be changed around for no cost.

3. Yes, the maximum armor for an elementalist and all other casters is 60. The best armor AL wise would be the 1.5k armor from Droknar's Forge. As for insignas, there is no best.

4. It doesn't matter. Lockpicks cost 1.5k and there is a possibility of getting it back. Keys range from 50g-1.5k.

5. While identifying armor pieces from enemies, you can possibly unlock a rune or insigna. When it is unlocked, it can be used by any PvP created character. You can also salvage the identified armor piece to get the rune/insigna.

ialex · Aug 13, 2007, 12:57 PM // 12:57

Okies, thank you very much, greatly appreciated. =3

Though, I am wondering what AL refers to, Armor L...? (Is it armor rating) And Insignias are the extra bonuses such as Energy, health and extra armor?

And when using a salvage kit to get the rune/insignia from the item, does it matter what salvage kit I use (basic or advanced)?

Once again, thanks alot. ^^

fujin · Aug 13, 2007, 01:02 PM // 13:02

Yes, insignias and runes add the extra bonuses aside from the original armor rating.

When you want to salvage Runes or Insignias from Armor pieces, you need to use an Expert Salvage Kit. If your thinking about salvaging your armor, don't. Just double-click the Rune or Insignia you want to add, and it will replace the original Insignia/Rune you have added. The only case where you would salvage your armor is when you buy new armor and you need to add new runes to it.

free_fall · Aug 13, 2007, 03:18 PM // 15:18

You'll arrive in the Crystal Desert after completing the Sanctum Cay mission. Since you didn't tell us how far along in the game you are, it's hard to say when you'll get there. The Desert is approx. 3/5 of the way into the game: there's 5 Desert missions, then 3 southern Shiverpeaks missions and 3 Ring of Fire missions after that - Proph has 25 missions all together.

As for the armor, as Arkantos said, all caster armor is base AL60. As an elementalist, the various -mancer insignias give you +10AL vs all elemental damage + another 10AL vs a specific type of elemental, For example, Pyromancer would give you AL60 vs physical, AL70 vs air, earth and water and AL80 vs fire.

Since you'd usually be running 2 or more enchantments on yourself (an attunement and Aura of Rejuvenation, say), you might consider Blessed insignias - these give you + 10AL vs all damage (elemental *and* physical) while you're enchanted; you'd lose that extra +10AL on a specific elemental but you'd gain an extra +10 vs physical.

T RAND · Aug 13, 2007, 07:48 PM // 19:48

When you have a lockpick in your inventory and click on a chest, there will be a message that shows the percentage chance of the lockpick not breaking. The message also asks if you want to use a lockpick to open the chest, so you can see the chances of retaining a lockpick before committing to using one.
I started using lockpicks a couple weeks ago. I was told that the chance of keeping a lockpick varies, depending on what kind of chest is being opened. My percentage on hard mode locked chests is 13% that the lockpick won't break. I'm convinced that lockpicks are a waste of gold. I quit using lockpicks.

ialex · Aug 13, 2007, 11:31 PM // 23:31

Thank you all very much. You've been a great help.

=3

Coloneh · Aug 14, 2007, 07:49 PM // 19:49

1. its not to far in and as an ele you really dont need a secondary so it shouldnt be a problem getting there. in prophecies you have to do a quest for each secondary you want to change to, but one you have changed it you can select professions you have already changed it to in a dropdown list in the skills window.
2.no penalty, go ahead and experiment.
3.60 is max and try to go with prismatic insignias once you have the money to buy them. thatll give you at least 65 all the time and save you money on switching armor for different builds.
4.lockpicks really arent worth it unless your in hard mode or have a high chance of keeping them, stick with keys, and try not to buy to many.
5.that means that an item upgrade is unlocked for your account. unlocked items can be used by any PvP character, and unlocked skills can be bought from any skill trainer.

Aug 13, 2007, 09:12 AM // 09:12	#1
ialex Pre-Searing Cadet Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sydney Profession: E/R	Elementalist, class and equipment questions Filled Hihi all, I just have a few questions I would like to ask. I am currently a level 15 Elementalist/Ranger, playing Guild Wars Prophecies, PVE, easy mode. (If any of that helps). =P 1. Firstly, I looked around here, and read that it was possible to change your secondary class at Crystal Desert, I'm just confirming that this is correct? I am curious as to where abouts (approximately) the crystal desert is, is there a level requirement to change class (or will I be level 20 anyway), how long it takes to get to crystal desert (approx gameplay time), can I change as many times as I want, can I go back and do quests again relevant to my new secondary class to receive new skills or do I just have to purchase them and is it true that I keep all skills that I've earned on that class (just only able to use it when I am that secondary class)? 2. It seems that when I'm in a safe area (e.g. town), that I am able to change the allocation of my attribute points. So I would be able to take off points from my fire attribute and the re-allocate them to the water attribute. I'm just wondering if there is any cost, downfall or otherwise negative side affects to doing this? Am I loosing attribute points when I do this? 3. I am wondering what is the best armor achievable for an Elementalist. As far as I can see, the maximum armor per piece is 60? So, just curious as to what the best possible armor is. 4. Also, when it comes to lockpicks or keys, what should I choose? I am currently considering investing in a lockpick, but I am unsure if it is worth it. As far as I can tell, a lockpick can open any chest, but has a chance of breaking. So I'm wondering what chance is there that the lockpick breaks? 5. Also, I have experienced something that I am not too sure how to explain. When identifying some items, a few times a pop up has come up saying something is unlocked. I am curious as to what has been unlocked, and what it means that it is now unlocked? (I'm sorry, but I don't really know how to explain this, so If you need more info on what I'm talking about, just ask, and I will post some screenshots of the items that it occurred on) Well, thanks alot. ^^ Last edited by ialex; Aug 15, 2007 at 08:46 AM // 08:46..

Aug 14, 2007, 07:49 PM // 19:49	#8
Coloneh Furnace Stoker Join Date: Nov 2006 Profession: D/W	1. its not to far in and as an ele you really dont need a secondary so it shouldnt be a problem getting there. in prophecies you have to do a quest for each secondary you want to change to, but one you have changed it you can select professions you have already changed it to in a dropdown list in the skills window. 2.no penalty, go ahead and experiment. 3.60 is max and try to go with prismatic insignias once you have the money to buy them. thatll give you at least 65 all the time and save you money on switching armor for different builds. 4.lockpicks really arent worth it unless your in hard mode or have a high chance of keeping them, stick with keys, and try not to buy to many. 5.that means that an item upgrade is unlocked for your account. unlocked items can be used by any PvP character, and unlocked skills can be bought from any skill trainer. Last edited by Coloneh; Aug 14, 2007 at 07:53 PM // 19:53..

Aug 13, 2007, 10:56 AM // 10:56	#2
Arkantos The Greatest Join Date: Feb 2006 Profession: W/	1. Yes, it is true. The only requirement to change your second profession is to be ascended (beat the 3 crystal desert missions,defeat the Doppleganger, and complete the required quest for the second profession). The Crystal Desert is the third last area of Prophecies. Yes, you can change as many times as you want. You only have to do the quest once to have that secondary profession unlocked. All the skills you unlock on your character will remain unlocked. So if you have arcane echo from /mesmer and you go /monk, the next time you go /mesmer you will have arcane echo. There is a quest for every core profession. 2. Attribute skills can always be changed around for no cost. 3. Yes, the maximum armor for an elementalist and all other casters is 60. The best armor AL wise would be the 1.5k armor from Droknar's Forge. As for insignas, there is no best. 4. It doesn't matter. Lockpicks cost 1.5k and there is a possibility of getting it back. Keys range from 50g-1.5k. 5. While identifying armor pieces from enemies, you can possibly unlock a rune or insigna. When it is unlocked, it can be used by any PvP created character. You can also salvage the identified armor piece to get the rune/insigna.

Aug 13, 2007, 12:57 PM // 12:57	#3
ialex Pre-Searing Cadet Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sydney Profession: E/R	Okies, thank you very much, greatly appreciated. =3 Though, I am wondering what AL refers to, Armor L...? (Is it armor rating) And Insignias are the extra bonuses such as Energy, health and extra armor? And when using a salvage kit to get the rune/insignia from the item, does it matter what salvage kit I use (basic or advanced)? Once again, thanks alot. ^^

Aug 13, 2007, 01:02 PM // 13:02	#4
fujin Krytan Explorer Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hong Kong, all the way in Asia :O Guild: Officer of United Jedi [UJ] Profession: E/	Yes, insignias and runes add the extra bonuses aside from the original armor rating. When you want to salvage Runes or Insignias from Armor pieces, you need to use an Expert Salvage Kit. If your thinking about salvaging your armor, don't. Just double-click the Rune or Insignia you want to add, and it will replace the original Insignia/Rune you have added. The only case where you would salvage your armor is when you buy new armor and you need to add new runes to it.

Aug 13, 2007, 03:18 PM // 15:18	#5
free_fall Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Oct 2005	You'll arrive in the Crystal Desert after completing the Sanctum Cay mission. Since you didn't tell us how far along in the game you are, it's hard to say when you'll get there. The Desert is approx. 3/5 of the way into the game: there's 5 Desert missions, then 3 southern Shiverpeaks missions and 3 Ring of Fire missions after that - Proph has 25 missions all together. As for the armor, as Arkantos said, all caster armor is base AL60. As an elementalist, the various -mancer insignias give you +10AL vs all elemental damage + another 10AL vs a specific type of elemental, For example, Pyromancer would give you AL60 vs physical, AL70 vs air, earth and water and AL80 vs fire. Since you'd usually be running 2 or more enchantments on yourself (an attunement and Aura of Rejuvenation, say), you might consider Blessed insignias - these give you + 10AL vs all damage (elemental and physical) while you're enchanted; you'd lose that extra +10AL on a specific elemental but you'd gain an extra +10 vs physical.

Aug 13, 2007, 07:48 PM // 19:48	#6
T RAND Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: May 2005 Guild: The Axe Gang Profession: E/	When you have a lockpick in your inventory and click on a chest, there will be a message that shows the percentage chance of the lockpick not breaking. The message also asks if you want to use a lockpick to open the chest, so you can see the chances of retaining a lockpick before committing to using one. I started using lockpicks a couple weeks ago. I was told that the chance of keeping a lockpick varies, depending on what kind of chest is being opened. My percentage on hard mode locked chests is 13% that the lockpick won't break. I'm convinced that lockpicks are a waste of gold. I quit using lockpicks.

Aug 13, 2007, 11:31 PM // 23:31	#7
ialex Pre-Searing Cadet Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sydney Profession: E/R	Thank you all very much. You've been a great help. =3