Curse

Mordakai · Aug 15, 2007, 08:59 PM // 20:59

OK, there have been several threads worrying about the Grind of these Title Tracks, and I just wanted to put my opinions here, so I didn't have to respond to each thread.

First off, we have no idea how these skills will be rewarded. Some of these PvE only skills could be as simple as Quest Rewards (Anet has confirmed Skill Quest Rewards are back, although we don't know how many of those will be PvE only. I assume skills like Light of Deldrimor will be a Quest Reward, because it sounds like it will have a major impact on the dungeon crawl).

Second, even if these are like the Sunspear Ranking skills, that doesn't worry me. Sunspear Ranks were easy to gain, and you could be level 7 in no time. Level 8 by beating the game. Level 9 and 10 pretty much requires Hard Mode, but I have no problem with that, as the difference in effect from Level 8 to 9 is minimal.

My only problem with the GWEN PvE only skills is if they are modeled after the Luxon/Kurzick factions, which I just don't think Anet will do. I don't think these skills will be account wide, and since we are building up "faction" with 4 different groups, it just wouldn't work like it does in Factions.

I was curious what others thought, or if anyone had confirmed information of how these skills will be rewarded.

dr_ishmael · Aug 15, 2007, 09:34 PM // 21:34

I read somewhere recently - think it was the MMOGNation blogpost - that there was a quest to help some NPC find some ale, and as a reward you got a skill that had improved effects if you used it while drunk (pretty sure this skill is Feel No Pain.) I'm willing to bet there will be skill quests like this for maybe half of the PvE skills, while the rest will be rewarded for attaining certain faction ranks (like Lightbringer's Gaze/Signet) or possibly bought directly from a Faction Skill Trainer or something.

As for the faction titles themselves, I really don't think they're going to be like Luxon/Kurzick faction, especially since there are 4 of them. I'm thinking they'll have a "grind-factor" somewhere between the Sunspear and Lightbringer titles, with plenty of options for gaining points - quests, bounties, and minigames.

Rizwan · Aug 16, 2007, 12:15 PM // 12:15

Nice one on the skills

Free Runner · Aug 16, 2007, 01:23 PM // 13:23

Luxon and Kurzick titles had a few repeatable quests for 400,a few primarys for 1000+ and then it pretty much went to AB/FA/JQ (And then blessings were introduced). IMO the Reputation titles will be easy to max out through quests and general fighting through areas much like Sunspear. And with the mini games i think it will be fun

darkknightkain · Aug 16, 2007, 01:46 PM // 13:46

I seriously hope it's NOT Sunspear/Lightbringer like character-based.
Grinding the same thing just to be able to get anywhere, and then times N? It is such a boring chore.

DarkNecrid · Aug 16, 2007, 02:01 PM // 14:01

dunno if its mentioned yet, but they have the form descriptions for 2/3 of the Norn Form skills up, and each of the summons only use one skill.

Cloudpiercer · Aug 16, 2007, 03:31 PM // 15:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by GloryFox

Both skills sound fantastic, I wonder if the Elementalist will benefit more than other classes. My best guess is that primary stats will be removed if you have the forms. If not then the Elementalist will fully benefit from these forms much better than other class options. It also appears they are adding descriptions daily because that description was not there yesterday.

http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Volfen_Blessing

http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Raven_Blessing

Not to mention how much fun my Necro would have if Soulreaping stayed, I'd be in a Wolf/Raven/Bear form for the entire game.

Keifru · Aug 16, 2007, 04:03 PM // 16:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkNecrid

dunno if its mentioned yet, but they have the form descriptions for 2/3 of the Norn Form skills up, and each of the summons only use one skill.

In the descriptions, they list no skills; yet they say "..<animal> attacks replace your skills..." which could mean for raven, you could have like claw, peck, gouge eyes, bomb (O.o) and bunches of other things. Im sure I could think up an 8 bar skill set easily from what attacks an animal could do

Mordakai · Aug 16, 2007, 06:08 PM // 18:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkknightkain

I seriously hope it's NOT Sunspear/Lightbringer like character-based.
Grinding the same thing just to be able to get anywhere, and then times N? It is such a boring chore.

I don't think these "faction" points will forbid you to go further in the game. Designers have said repeatedly that Norn, Asura, Deldrimor and Ebon Guard Tracks are NOT mandatory.

But I do expect your standing with each particular group to influence the amount of skills you have access to, and the relative power of those skills. So for those who just need Deldrimor Light, you can use it. Those who want to max out its potential will probably end up playing some boxing games.

That's what I figure anyway.

dr_ishmael · Aug 16, 2007, 06:30 PM // 18:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keifru

In the descriptions, they list no skills; yet they say "..<animal> attacks replace your skills..." which could mean for raven, you could have like claw, peck, gouge eyes, bomb (O.o) and bunches of other things. Im sure I could think up an 8 bar skill set easily from what attacks an animal could do

The names of those skills were found from the "placeholder" icons in gw.dat a few weeks ago.

Raven ("eulen" is German for "owl", not raven, so these may not be the final names)
Eulen Aura
Eulen Flight
Eulen Shriek
Eulen Spirit
Eulen Swoop
Eulen Talons

Wolf
Volfen Aura
Volfen Agility
Volfen Claw
Volfen Pounce
Volfen Snarl
Volfen Spirit

Bear
Ursan Aura
Urza's Force
Urza's Rage
Urza's Roar
Urza's Spirit
Urza's Strike

Revert Aura

The "<animal> Aura" is probably the effect that says "You are in the form of <animal>", similar to the Desert Wurm effect when riding in Junundu. Also, "Revert Aura" is probably the equivalent of Leave Junundu for transforming back to your human form.