New to GW... too late? - Guild Wars Forums

Zatria · Mar 27, 2011, 05:39 PM // 17:39

I started the trial version today. Although I haven't made up my mind on whether or not I like it, I do have some questions to help decide.

1. Am I too late? I read today about GW2 coming out. Is it pointless for me to start with the first chapter of GW1 at this stage?

2. Is there a way to customize the GUI at all?

3. I am not impressed at all with the graphics. I have everything on max...and tbh, it is pretty bad. Do the newer chapters take advantage of newer techonology?

4. I had no clue you can actually learn two professions on one character. I find this pretty intriguing to say the least. I imagine every possible combination has been tried. In the past, I have played necro, healer, rangers, sins. I was thinking of a Necro/Monk or Necro/Mesmer (still not sure what exactly this is). Do any of these professions "synergize" any others?

5. How's the world population? This free trial there seems to be a few people around, but not many. This still going strong?

Thanks for any and all answers.

-Z

Chthon · Mar 27, 2011, 05:59 PM // 17:59

1. In my opinion, no, but you must decide that for yourself.
2. Yes. Hit F11. If you want more customization, texmod is permitted (but not supported).
3. Yes.
4. Playing GW well is entirely about synergy.
5. End-game and "elite" areas still have a decent population. Starter areas and even most of the main plotline areas are mostly empty because most people have already completed them a dozen times (then gone back and completed them in Hard Mode). Fortunately, the AI heroes and henchmen are always at hand. And you could join a guild and beg help from more experienced players.

Silent Sh0tt · Mar 27, 2011, 05:59 PM // 17:59

these links should help answer most questions

http://www.guildwars.com/

http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Main_Page

_Aphotic_ · Mar 27, 2011, 06:07 PM // 18:07

1. It's never too late to start the game! There is only an official announcement for closed tests this year for GW2 (source-http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/game-faq/#two), so it more than likely means that GW2 will probably be released sometime next year. You might as well start now, and work solely on Hall of Monument points, provided you want GW2.

2. Yes. You can move around, turn on/off, enlarge/decrease all of the things on your UI screen. In addition, Texmod allows you to maximize the customization of the UI by adding new skins altogether.

3. No. Not impressed? Well the graphics are 4-5 years outdated. Not to mention, it makes it much more compatible with low-end graphics cards. If you want better graphics, i suggest you buy yourself a better graphics card

4. All professions synergize with each other in someway or another.

5. Rough estimate of at least 1mil. players, capping at most 2 mil.. A lot of incoming/leaving people all the time. The game is going very well as of now, especially with all the new updates.

Chasing Squirrels · Mar 27, 2011, 06:22 PM // 18:22

Most grouping with other players have been killed except for speedclears and other things but other than that you will mostly be playing with heroes now

*Darcy* · Mar 27, 2011, 06:23 PM // 18:23

1. As said, never too late. The game is fun; I've been playing for over five years now.

2. already said by others

3. I find the graphics in the beginning Prophecies area good but not great. They do improve as you move through the campaigns. ArenaNet upgraded them somewhat to accommodate newer graphics cards and the, hopefully, phasing out of older pcs.

4. check out the Campfire section's subforums for each profession. Each subforum has a stickied basics thread that will give you an overview of the profession and most of them discuss the secondaries pros and cons.

5. The largest population in the beginner area is actually older accounts starting new characters to gain titles that were made slightly easier with this month's update. How crowded any town becomes also depends on the time of day and which area is the start point for the daily quest given to level 10+ by Lieutenant Langmar in Ascalon City.

RenegadeSAS · Mar 27, 2011, 06:36 PM // 18:36

Dont beg for help that will not make you alot of friends

Zatria · Mar 27, 2011, 06:45 PM // 18:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by RenegadeSAS

Dont beg for help that will not make you alot of friends

That wasn't one of my questions. Thanks for the advice though.

Thanks evreyone else for their responses too. I will most likely just get the first chapter and go from there. I'll check out the sites and forums suggested.

By synergies, I meant if having one skill of one profession will give skills of the other more damage/healing type of things.

_Aphotic_: My graphics card far exceeds the requirements of this game, and most new games to date. I think the other user answered it for me. The later chapters take advantage of newer technology vs. the first one.

Thanks again all.

-Z

aelesia · Mar 27, 2011, 07:28 PM // 19:28

How I personally feel:

Trial: Boring and it'll probably make you hate the game. Nobody likes post-searing Ascalon. It's so boring, ugly and depressing that it gives me a headache playing through it.

First chapter: Long, boring, painful story to play through
Second chapter: Quickest story to play through
Third chapter: Average length story to play through, boring landscape
Expansion: Fun

1) Nah, it's not too late. However GW1 and GW2 are rather different games and there's no real need to play GW1 unless a) you want to play through the story, or b) you're looking for HoM rewards.

a) If you're looking to play through the story, well that's fine and up to you. I finished all 3 stories + the expansion in about 3 weeks of casual playing. I didn't particularly enjoy it though, but that's just me and many people would disagree.

b) If you're looking for HoM points, it's definitely not too late. I hit 30/50 HoM points in 35 days, and 45/50 HoM points in 75 days of casual playing. So yup, definitely not too late.

3) Pre-searing Ascalon graphics are beautiful. They're not cutting-edge, especially since it's from 2005, but it still is very beautiful for an MMO even today. Areas from Eye of the North are also extremely breathtaking.

Pre-searing Ascalon (2005)
Eye of the North (2007)

5) Most major towns are still very populated as long as you're in the American district. Smaller towns and mission outposts are usually quite deserted though, sadly. It's hard to find a group for most missions these days.

Rites · Mar 27, 2011, 09:47 PM // 21:47

the game is hitting 6 years, and there is actually quite a bit of replayability

graphics are a little dated, but that is of minor consequence really

yeah there are more people doing the end game stuff, but if you happen to fall into a good guild, they are usually very good at helping newer players through

you don't seem like the type that really cares for story, so i suggest you play factions or nightfall instead of prophecies, the storylines in those two are faster paced

Skyy High · Mar 27, 2011, 11:08 PM // 23:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zatria

1. Am I too late? I read today about GW2 coming out. Is it pointless for me to start with the first chapter of GW1 at this stage?

No. GW is a deal-and-a-half when it comes to the amount of content you get for the price of entry, all on its own. The fact that GW2 is coming out (sometime next year, probably) doesn't change that.

Quote:

2. Is there a way to customize the GUI at all?

Look under your options tab. You can customize every UI element's position and size.

Quote:

3. I am not impressed at all with the graphics. I have everything on max...and tbh, it is pretty bad. Do the newer chapters take advantage of newer techonology?

What MMO are you comparing it to, exactly? Aion? The game's six years old...anyway, yes, newer chapters look distinctly better, but if you really think Prophecies' graphics are "bad"....

Quote:

4. I had no clue you can actually learn two professions on one character. I find this pretty intriguing to say the least. I imagine every possible combination has been tried. In the past, I have played necro, healer, rangers, sins. I was thinking of a Necro/Monk or Necro/Mesmer (still not sure what exactly this is). Do any of these professions "synergize" any others?

There's lots of synergies, but note that (save for some gimmicky builds), your secondary will most likely be used for a few utility-style skills, nothing more. Don't get your hopes up for a ranger/ele that shoots arrows and slings fireballs, it doesn't work that well. You can do it, it'll just get a few funny looks (or worse) from your teammates.

Quote:

5. How's the world population? This free trial there seems to be a few people around, but not many. This still going strong?

Strong enough. Plenty of people doing daily quests and dungeons, not so many people doing leveling content. The game is called Guild Wars; your experience will be improved 100-fold if you find a decent, large guild that does things together.

Zatria · Mar 28, 2011, 02:04 AM // 02:04

K. Well my 10 hours of trial are up...already. I am planning on purchasing the game. However, I noticed the trilogy has 3 of the games for only 10 dollars more than I was planning on spending.

Looking through these forums, basically on the advantages of playing all of the games titles, I came up with this:

1. Hall of monument points....does something for when GW2 comes out. But you only need Eye of the North to earn the points.

2. Trying to make sense out of the best way to approach this "path" is quite confusing.

3. It almost seems the game has reached a point to where new people are so far behind, it may be better to wait for GW2, since the only relation is these Hall of monument points. However, that isn't a deterrent more than an observation.

So, if I am reading the store correctly, 29.99 gives you all of the titles except Eye of the North, which is the only one to obtain the Hall of monument points.

Arieon Ito · Mar 28, 2011, 02:18 AM // 02:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zatria

K. Well my 10 hours of trial are up...already. I am planning on purchasing the game. However, I noticed the trilogy has 3 of the games for only 10 dollars more than I was planning on spending.

Looking through these forums, basically on the advantages of playing all of the games titles, I came up with this:

1. Hall of monument points....does something for when GW2 comes out. But you only need Eye of the North to earn the points.

2. Trying to make sense out of the best way to approach this "path" is quite confusing.

3. It almost seems the game has reached a point to where new people are so far behind, it may be better to wait for GW2, since the only relation is these Hall of monument points. However, that isn't a deterrent more than an observation.

So, if I am reading the store correctly, 29.99 gives you all of the titles except Eye of the North, which is the only one to obtain the Hall of monument points.

Eye of the North (EotN) gives you access to the Hall of Monuments, but you'll still need the other campaigns if you want to get a number of the achievements required to get all the bonus items for use in GW2. Most of the items obtainable from the HoM for GW2 are cosmetic but still, there's a bit of bragging rights there.

Mostly just an incentive for old players and bonus for new players to play GW before diving into GW2. I'd call it, flavour text almost. Haha.

BTW, for graphics, sometimes it seems that everyone else's armour looks terrible in outposts. That's to reduce the amount of rendering the system needs for the game apparently. There's a mod around here somewhere that lets you force the game to display the armour of everyone else in full render which might let you feel the game's prettier if you've got a power gaming rig.

*Darcy* · Mar 28, 2011, 02:19 AM // 02:19

1. You need EotN to have a Hall of Monuments, but you need the three campaigns to gain the titles, armor, weapons, and heroes to record in your HoM. EotN is not a campaign and does not allow character creation. It is an expansion which requires owning at least one of the three campaigns.

Zatria · Mar 28, 2011, 02:23 AM // 02:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darcy

1. You need EotN to have a Hall of Monuments, but you need the three campaigns to gain the titles, armor, weapons, and heroes to record in your HoM. EotN is not a campaign and does not allow character creation. It is an expansion which requires owning at least one of the three campaigns.

OK. Sounds good. All I need for now is the trilogy I guess. When I complete that go for the expansion, if I understand you correctly.

Thanks.

/edit: Do you recommend purchasing from NcSoft or Steam? Same price, just not sure of the d/l speeds of both. I figure three will take quite some time. I wonder if they will download and let me play the first one from the trial I have.

Arieon Ito · Mar 28, 2011, 02:57 AM // 02:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zatria

OK. Sounds good. All I need for now is the trilogy I guess. When I complete that go for the expansion, if I understand you correctly.

Thanks.

/edit: Do you recommend purchasing from NcSoft or Steam? Same price, just not sure of the d/l speeds of both. I figure three will take quite some time. I wonder if they will download and let me play the first one from the trial I have.

Guild Wars does a lot of background downloading, meaning that every new bit you come to will only be downloaded then, so you don't need to wait for a huge file to be downloaded to get into the game. But if you can let your computer download stuff overnight, you can update the game to its full size with a shortcut option.

Zatria · Mar 28, 2011, 04:56 AM // 04:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arieon Ito

Guild Wars does a lot of background downloading, meaning that every new bit you come to will only be downloaded then, so you don't need to wait for a huge file to be downloaded to get into the game. But if you can let your computer download stuff overnight, you can update the game to its full size with a shortcut option.

I'm fine with that. I was hoping to download all 3 over night. The install from the trial did not only fail to move an icon on the desktop, it didn't even put it in the program list. Although, it allowed me to continue on my expired trial.

I'll worry about it tomorrow.

Kojima · Mar 28, 2011, 05:18 AM // 05:18

Adding this:

The trail is definitely not the best choice made by Anet. I find the graphics good actually compared to many of the MMOs I have tried. But what makes it worth my time is the storyline and the no grind. The missions and quests are better then the ones in other MMOs.

It all depends on you if you think it is too late to try a game you think has low graphics. If you think it is worth it, try it. If not, wait for the new one to come out and get that. I doubt you will have to worry about missing out on the history before GW2. It will be easy to catch up.

Rites · Mar 28, 2011, 05:58 AM // 05:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zatria

I'm fine with that. I was hoping to download all 3 over night. The install from the trial did not only fail to move an icon on the desktop, it didn't even put it in the program list. Although, it allowed me to continue on my expired trial.

I'll worry about it tomorrow.

actually since you already have the trial, there is nothing to download. just insert the keys you get and you will have access to all 3 campaigns (if that is still your goal)

after playing, i would do the -image thing to finish downloadins all areas though so that your playing experience won't be filled with the load screen

*Darcy* · Mar 28, 2011, 10:42 AM // 10:42

The -image thing mentioned by Rites is this
http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/-image#-image on the Command Lines wiki page
http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Command_Line

That allows you to download the whole game overnight (3-4GB) instead of waiting at loading screens when you enter a new area.

Mar 27, 2011, 05:39 PM // 17:39	#1
Zatria Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Mar 2011	New to GW... too late? I started the trial version today. Although I haven't made up my mind on whether or not I like it, I do have some questions to help decide. 1. Am I too late? I read today about GW2 coming out. Is it pointless for me to start with the first chapter of GW1 at this stage? 2. Is there a way to customize the GUI at all? 3. I am not impressed at all with the graphics. I have everything on max...and tbh, it is pretty bad. Do the newer chapters take advantage of newer techonology? 4. I had no clue you can actually learn two professions on one character. I find this pretty intriguing to say the least. I imagine every possible combination has been tried. In the past, I have played necro, healer, rangers, sins. I was thinking of a Necro/Monk or Necro/Mesmer (still not sure what exactly this is). Do any of these professions "synergize" any others? 5. How's the world population? This free trial there seems to be a few people around, but not many. This still going strong? Thanks for any and all answers. -Z

Mar 28, 2011, 10:42 AM // 10:42	#20
Darcy Never Too Old Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rhode Island where there are no GW contests Guild: Order of First Profession: W/R	The -image thing mentioned by Rites is this http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/-image#-image on the Command Lines wiki page http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Command_Line That allows you to download the whole game overnight (3-4GB) instead of waiting at loading screens when you enter a new area. Last edited by Darcy; Mar 28, 2011 at 06:41 PM // 18:41.. Reason: OOPS - too many GBs

Mar 27, 2011, 05:59 PM // 17:59	#2
Chthon Grotto Attendant Join Date: Apr 2007	1. In my opinion, no, but you must decide that for yourself. 2. Yes. Hit F11. If you want more customization, texmod is permitted (but not supported). 3. Yes. 4. Playing GW well is entirely about synergy. 5. End-game and "elite" areas still have a decent population. Starter areas and even most of the main plotline areas are mostly empty because most people have already completed them a dozen times (then gone back and completed them in Hard Mode). Fortunately, the AI heroes and henchmen are always at hand. And you could join a guild and beg help from more experienced players.

Mar 27, 2011, 05:59 PM // 17:59	#3
Silent Sh0tt Krytan Explorer Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nellis AFB, Nevada Profession: W/E	these links should help answer most questions http://www.guildwars.com/ http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Main_Page

Mar 27, 2011, 06:07 PM // 18:07	#4
_Aphotic_ Krytan Explorer Join Date: Mar 2010 Guild: Muppets Versus Muppets [MvM] Profession: P/A	1. It's never too late to start the game! There is only an official announcement for closed tests this year for GW2 (source-http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/game-faq/#two), so it more than likely means that GW2 will probably be released sometime next year. You might as well start now, and work solely on Hall of Monument points, provided you want GW2. 2. Yes. You can move around, turn on/off, enlarge/decrease all of the things on your UI screen. In addition, Texmod allows you to maximize the customization of the UI by adding new skins altogether. 3. No. Not impressed? Well the graphics are 4-5 years outdated. Not to mention, it makes it much more compatible with low-end graphics cards. If you want better graphics, i suggest you buy yourself a better graphics card 4. All professions synergize with each other in someway or another. 5. Rough estimate of at least 1mil. players, capping at most 2 mil.. A lot of incoming/leaving people all the time. The game is going very well as of now, especially with all the new updates.

Mar 27, 2011, 06:22 PM // 18:22	#5
Chasing Squirrels Krytan Explorer Join Date: Jan 2008	Most grouping with other players have been killed except for speedclears and other things but other than that you will mostly be playing with heroes now

Mar 27, 2011, 06:23 PM // 18:23	#6
Darcy Never Too Old Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rhode Island where there are no GW contests Guild: Order of First Profession: W/R	1. As said, never too late. The game is fun; I've been playing for over five years now. 2. already said by others 3. I find the graphics in the beginning Prophecies area good but not great. They do improve as you move through the campaigns. ArenaNet upgraded them somewhat to accommodate newer graphics cards and the, hopefully, phasing out of older pcs. 4. check out the Campfire section's subforums for each profession. Each subforum has a stickied basics thread that will give you an overview of the profession and most of them discuss the secondaries pros and cons. 5. The largest population in the beginner area is actually older accounts starting new characters to gain titles that were made slightly easier with this month's update. How crowded any town becomes also depends on the time of day and which area is the start point for the daily quest given to level 10+ by Lieutenant Langmar in Ascalon City.

Mar 27, 2011, 06:36 PM // 18:36	#7
RenegadeSAS Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Jun 2009 Guild: The Ancient Exiles [Old] Profession: W/	Dont beg for help that will not make you alot of friends

Mar 27, 2011, 07:28 PM // 19:28	#9
aelesia Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Nov 2010	How I personally feel: Trial: Boring and it'll probably make you hate the game. Nobody likes post-searing Ascalon. It's so boring, ugly and depressing that it gives me a headache playing through it. First chapter: Long, boring, painful story to play through Second chapter: Quickest story to play through Third chapter: Average length story to play through, boring landscape Expansion: Fun 1) Nah, it's not too late. However GW1 and GW2 are rather different games and there's no real need to play GW1 unless a) you want to play through the story, or b) you're looking for HoM rewards. a) If you're looking to play through the story, well that's fine and up to you. I finished all 3 stories + the expansion in about 3 weeks of casual playing. I didn't particularly enjoy it though, but that's just me and many people would disagree. b) If you're looking for HoM points, it's definitely not too late. I hit 30/50 HoM points in 35 days, and 45/50 HoM points in 75 days of casual playing. So yup, definitely not too late. 3) Pre-searing Ascalon graphics are beautiful. They're not cutting-edge, especially since it's from 2005, but it still is very beautiful for an MMO even today. Areas from Eye of the North are also extremely breathtaking. Pre-searing Ascalon (2005) Eye of the North (2007) 5) Most major towns are still very populated as long as you're in the American district. Smaller towns and mission outposts are usually quite deserted though, sadly. It's hard to find a group for most missions these days.

Mar 27, 2011, 09:47 PM // 21:47	#10
Rites Krytan Explorer Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Deep in the belly of Texas Profession: R/	the game is hitting 6 years, and there is actually quite a bit of replayability graphics are a little dated, but that is of minor consequence really yeah there are more people doing the end game stuff, but if you happen to fall into a good guild, they are usually very good at helping newer players through you don't seem like the type that really cares for story, so i suggest you play factions or nightfall instead of prophecies, the storylines in those two are faster paced

Mar 28, 2011, 02:04 AM // 02:04	#12
Zatria Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Mar 2011	K. Well my 10 hours of trial are up...already. I am planning on purchasing the game. However, I noticed the trilogy has 3 of the games for only 10 dollars more than I was planning on spending. Looking through these forums, basically on the advantages of playing all of the games titles, I came up with this: 1. Hall of monument points....does something for when GW2 comes out. But you only need Eye of the North to earn the points. 2. Trying to make sense out of the best way to approach this "path" is quite confusing. 3. It almost seems the game has reached a point to where new people are so far behind, it may be better to wait for GW2, since the only relation is these Hall of monument points. However, that isn't a deterrent more than an observation. So, if I am reading the store correctly, 29.99 gives you all of the titles except Eye of the North, which is the only one to obtain the Hall of monument points.

Mar 28, 2011, 02:19 AM // 02:19	#14
Darcy Never Too Old Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rhode Island where there are no GW contests Guild: Order of First Profession: W/R	1. You need EotN to have a Hall of Monuments, but you need the three campaigns to gain the titles, armor, weapons, and heroes to record in your HoM. EotN is not a campaign and does not allow character creation. It is an expansion which requires owning at least one of the three campaigns.

Mar 28, 2011, 05:18 AM // 05:18	#18
Kojima Krytan Explorer Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Home Guild: En Caligne Veritas [DARK] Profession: R/Rt	Adding this: The trail is definitely not the best choice made by Anet. I find the graphics good actually compared to many of the MMOs I have tried. But what makes it worth my time is the storyline and the no grind. The missions and quests are better then the ones in other MMOs. It all depends on you if you think it is too late to try a game you think has low graphics. If you think it is worth it, try it. If not, wait for the new one to come out and get that. I doubt you will have to worry about missing out on the history before GW2. It will be easy to catch up.