Originally Posted by tmr819

I completely agree with you. I have sometimes wondered whether the Companion NPC referred to for GW2 might be something you could bring along if you wanted in the persistent areas of GW2 -- akin to the Hunter's pet in a game such as WoW, but that GW2 might retain the Heroes system for its instanced areas. I would certainly like an arrangement like that, I think.

Originally Posted by Vinraith

Lack of an AI party and persistent zones are the two big things keeping me away from GW2. Well, those and the "context sensitive skill system" where you have to jump and cast, or sidestep and cast, or stand on your head and cast to get the effect you want. Some small part of me still hopes they just change their minds on these bafflingly stupid ideas, but the realistic side of me is just looking for a new game to play.

Originally Posted by Master Knightfall

It will be hard for me to change over to just solo play alone or some silly companion only. My heroes are like family to me and also an extention of me. I have such a synergy built between the four of us we can take on areas and missions only other groups of 8 MIGHT be able to complete. I mean I'm doing hard modes with just my 3 heroes. Mainly monks, necros and fire eles is all I use. You have to be amazed that your builds are so good that you can just stand back and watch your three heroes kill all the mobs in hard mode by themselves. I will just hate losing that kind of ability in GW2 if I buy it.

Originally Posted by Master Knightfall

The only thing I want to see GW2 get away from is level caps and item caps or at least increase the number of upgrades allowed in items and increase the maximum allowable damage to something beyond 15^50. I want to see some "haste" mods. I can't believe GW doesn't have a single haste mod for weapons. Cmon a simple 10% haste mod please in place of 15^50 or at least something that would be equivalent to 15^50 in speed of attack. I also want to see "rare" items remain rare, if anything they are just ruining this GW by making everything droppable out of that Zashien chest except very rare green items. Rare items are good for the game, it gives people goals and drives along with setting up a few people as elite.

I'd also like to see more armor slots instead of the paultry few we have now. Rings and Earrings and necklaces and belts would be nice just to add more vanity items we can get and equip our characters with. I'd like some Jordan rings please that add +2 to certain attributes.

Originally Posted by tmr819

Vinraith, your posts always make me laugh. You're always so ... optimistic.

I do think you need to give ArenaNet more credit, though. I mean, after all they have done to develop the Hero mechanic, it's hard to imagine they'd just ... abandon them in favor of one Uber Hero. Although, they might....

[Secret Hope: That they retain the Hero mechanic but allow you to play your alts as your NPC Heroes. ]

Originally Posted by Mordakai

I don't think higher levels = grind.

I define grind as doing something unpleasant in order to advance the storyline, ie, farming faction points could be considered "grind."

If GW2 is fun, then gaining levels will be fun, and there will be no grind. I never understood the concept that games only "begin" when you've capped out your equipment and levels. To me, that's when the game "ends" and it's time to re-roll. (could help explain why I have 13 Guild Wars characters...)

Originally Posted by Nevin

Forcing us to pug?

Originally Posted by Vinraith

I don't play MMOG's. How anyone can turn on local chat in LA 1 and say to themselves "gee, wouldn't it be great if these people were out playing in explorable areas with me too?" is completely beyond me.

Originally Posted by Yawgmoth

This article is just bad. It's based only on info known for over a half year, sounds just as it was a pile of rewritten rumors based on another rewritten article that was based on the original PCGamer article +the Jeff Strain interview.
Now just imagine another website wanting to draw readers by posting a 'new' GW2 article, and basing it on *this* one. The rewritter can further bias the info, concentrate on something unimportant, emphasize something that doesn't matter, or even make up something new ... like in this sentence:
No other sources mentioned AI parties (except a single Companion per player), none mentioned simple grinding, nor any XP penalties. I call pure BS on this, pulled by author from thin air.

Originally Posted by tmr819

I do find it odd how "quiet" ArenaNet has been regarding GW2. I mean there's been barely anything official from them for many months now. Most other games in development have active websites, screenshots, and the like far in advance of game release.