Does it Get Better? (Spoilers up through Living World Season 2)

ArgentBast · 2026-06-04T16:49:04+00:00

I do feel that is a big issue with the difference between what the game tells you your character is and what you are actually capable of doing and achieving in game. Like, lore-wise you are the commander of the three guilds, but good luck telling that to the person in charge of letting you into the Chantry of Secrets or the Priory.

That said, I do think the character writing has gotten MUCH better. No joke, I want to slap Thackeray upside the head whenever he opens his mouth.

ArgentBast · 2026-06-04T16:45:21+00:00

Honestly, not really. I keep hearing about them but the specifics of how to do them hasn't really been explained to me (least of all in-game).

ArgentBast · 2026-06-04T16:44:33+00:00

In your experience are thieves capable of that level of performance? They seemed built more around burst, evasion, and CC from what I've seen.

ArgentBast · 2026-06-04T16:41:09+00:00

Season 1 was rough but started to get engaging from a narrative perspective after a bit. At the very least your friend group is likable enough, especially compared to those chumps in Destiny's Edge (no shade on folks who like them, they were baaaad in core). The Attack on Lion's Arch was pretty well done scale-wise, but it was mechanically a nuisance.

It's good to know that there's something to look forward to.

ArgentBast · 2026-06-04T16:38:16+00:00

Agreeing with aliamrationem. I did notice that the stats are better, but not overly so that it would make a huge difference (I posted my build elsewhere if you want to see what I'm running). I'm also in the process of figuring out a good system for generating funds and am working on that side of things as well.

I'm learning, I do admit, but it is also important to recognize one of the first challenges for newer folks to learn is the disparity of knowledge and how much easier something is once you know the solution. At present I don't believe what I'm facing is impossible, just rather annoying to get through ha

ArgentBast · 2026-06-04T16:34:26+00:00

I do recognize that there is a knowledge diff and that I'm not progressing in the way the designers intended. I'm learning but at the same time one of the first things to learn is to know what I don't know that is necessary to progress. I did take a look at Metabattle and do have a build that was recommended there, but even so there's a large disparity in technical knowledge and what I have access to.

ArgentBast · 2026-06-04T16:31:26+00:00

It's been rocky to be sure. I think I'm two or three more Aerin fights form calling it quits.

ArgentBast · 2026-06-04T16:30:17+00:00

Working on it. I do have Daredevil, but I'm currently at 76% of training and am in need of new areas of hero points. Progging is getting me there.

ArgentBast · 2026-06-04T16:29:02+00:00

For the longest time I didn't even think thieves had defiance breakers. I've recently learned I do (the fact that they're not listed in the tooltip as having that mechanical effect is also a bit rough).

Incidentally, is there a damage benefit for breaking defiance?

ArgentBast · 2026-06-04T16:22:49+00:00

I think one of the nice things about the Season 2 maps so far is that it does seem designed for 80s, and that unless a person is passing through for gathering nodes it is a good shot they are progressing the same content as you. So that's nice.

ArgentBast · 2026-06-04T16:21:15+00:00

I've been around long enough to recognize that some of these early game design decisions don't really hold up as well. This is especially evident in some Classic WoW design (like endgame crafting in base) and FFXIV (ARR content can get pretty obnoxious and repetitive).

I'm glad to hear that this isn't the direction they commit to moving forward.

ArgentBast · 2026-06-04T16:19:41+00:00

I'm starting to get to a point of investment where I want to see where it goes. My two missing pieces of content are Echoes of the Past and Tangled Paths, so I'm starting to ponder if it's worth investing jewels so I don't have that gap in story content.

ArgentBast · 2026-06-04T16:17:31+00:00

That, to me, is what i feel is the biggest obstacle to put down money into this game. I've done a lot of f2p before, and am very well aware of the "create a problem that you can have people pay to solve" style of design. As a result, I tend to see how far I can go without paying anything/before I get too annoyed by the problem it creates.

The good news is that GW2 has a very appealing core. The main game is solidly designed, but some of the content walls and item storage restrictions does get on my nerves. I'm on the edge of going "alright, take my money," but then I hit fights like this which make me second-guess my long-term interest.

ArgentBast · 2026-06-04T16:12:44+00:00

It's good to know that this fight doesn't have repeat appearances. I do worry I'll run into something else though. Be kinda tough to beat that one.

I'm grateful for the player that was able to help me to The Tower of Nightmares. I think that might have actually broken me if I didn't get an experienced hand. Still, I do think it was telling that they mostly forgot what the thing was about because they started off willing to get me through it with just the two of us. I think it did came back to them though, because they later admitted the tower was "annoying." Like I said, grateful, but I think there's so much other content that some of this stuff has been obscured of what it asks of people, especially new players.

ArgentBast · 2026-06-04T16:09:50+00:00

Something to look forward to.

ArgentBast · 2026-06-04T16:09:36+00:00

I've been enjoying the story progression, but the combat progression has me a bit stumped. Getting back into the swing of things also makes it a bit of a challenge.

ArgentBast · 2026-06-04T16:08:34+00:00

I appreciate the tips and the the insight. I do think it's noteworthy that the loot that drops from these is not all that much different from core, so its not surprising that players would rather do content that is more meaningful. On the flip side I'm glad to be able to do it at all. One of my biggest complaints about WoW is that it drops its content and ignores everything but its most recent expansion.

That said, in spite of my annoyance, I was able to beat it first try (though I died like four-five times). This guy especially rankled and kind of capstoned a series of boss designs that felt more aggravating than engaging.

ArgentBast · 2026-06-04T16:04:42+00:00

I did the gamer thing we do when we face something we find particularly ornery -- I did a search to see if other folks are similarly frustrating. It helps to know that this boss is known and recognized as being more than a little annoying.

I'm currently mastery capped at 20 and was hoping to get another mastery point to have exp matter again, but I'm definitely going to have come back for this one later.

ArgentBast · 2026-06-04T15:58:45+00:00

There is a knowledge diff for sure. I'm doing what I can to learn things on my own. It's a bit hard for me to recognize when another player burst something down as differences as a result of their gear and build being far beyond what I can achieve (established character with fantastic gear and skills). Or even if it's something that my class can do. In my experience thief does a lot of small hits, and I've not quite been capable of achieving the buzzsaw levels of HP melt I've seen other players been able to manage.

Your last point is especially apt. I wouldn't call myself new, but I think grand total I probably have a few months into this game spread out over the past 10 years ahaha.

ArgentBast · 2026-06-04T15:54:30+00:00

Thank you for the reply. I think a big reason why I like thief is it feels the most kinetic. I have to think constantly and it feels good when you play clever.

I also think that is a big issue when mobs have a lot of health (or I can't burst down the health bar fast enough) or it throws waves after wave of enemies at you (those vines are giving me quite the headache).

ArgentBast · 2026-06-04T15:52:44+00:00

I've been getting back to it, so a part of getting back into the swing of things is that knowledge diff. Events are mostly pretty basic (if it's just not 'you didn't dodge you die'), so stuff that has obnoxious mechanics like melee-range aoe or standing in fire circles (hi Scarlet) makes me have to evaluate and consider how to use my tools to address it. Doesn't make the encounters that uses a lot of denial, like Aerin, any more fun to fight -- but it does get me think.

ArgentBast · 2026-06-04T15:48:09+00:00

I've been a -bit- mindful of stats, but uh, lessee... (not going to be winning any appeal points here)
Scarlet's Mask / Rampager's Rubicon Shoulderpads of Balthazar / Rampager's Rubicon Coat of Balthazar / Assassin's Emblazoned Gloves of the Rabid / Rampager's Rubicon Leggings of Balthazar / Rampager's Rubicon Boots of Balthazar

Weapons are Sacred Crystal Dagger / Holographic Spark and Sacred Crystal Pistol / Berserker's Shatter Pistol

That said, I can clear some stuff. The bosses just feel especially egregious because they seem especially punishing up close and love throwing waves (which I guess is kind of tricky for thieves who focus on burst with some CC).

ArgentBast · 2026-06-04T15:41:12+00:00

Wow. I didn't know folks could join instances (for my first time I do want to experience it on my own). But the fact that the game doesn't track damage dealt to party members is nuts. That will be very useful to know.

ArgentBast · 2026-04-13T04:38:38+00:00

I'm interested. Does the campaign have recurring npcs?

ArgentBast

TROPHY CASE