Originally posted by BillMurphy

Originally posted by Methos12

One thing no one mentioned - how's the loot progression in those first 20 levels? Does it follow typical MMO approach or is it closer to GW1? Basically, how much of "gear stats won't be as important " is actually true in low levels?

It's very much not important.  From what I could tell gear = armor and damage mitigation.  You get some upgrades, but it's every 5-10 levels really.  There are some items that will have stat bonuses, but they're minor compared to what you'll get from Traits later on.

Even when you're leveled to 80 in PVP, you have a chance, for though while others have gear that may be better than yours, it's not really the gear that gives them the advantage, but the traits, and the skills they have access to.

In short: this isn't a gear-hounds game.  It's there, it all looks cool and you can transmute items so that you can have one's stats with another's looks, but really... it's about how you build and play your character more than anything.

Thank god. Question, are traits level based? AA type thing, need to read up more I see, but hey if you can answer it then great.

Originally posted by BillMurphy

Originally posted by Chilliesauce

I hope you guys can provide us with more info about PVP next time. Thats is the only thing i am really excited for. I loved PVP in GW1 and i am looking forward to more enjoyment in GW2.

See this? 

There will be more to come.  :)

Thank you, i missed that one. And yes lookign forward to more info;)

Originally posted by BillMurphy

Originally posted by ProfRed

Looks like you enjoyed it a bit haha!  You know I really love the painted style of their site, char creation, etc.  So stylized it alone attracts me into the game. 

The one and most important thing I took from your write up is the exploring and wandering around the world.  I remember in Guild Wars 1 I found myself doing this for hours early on.  I really am excited about this aspect.  

The exploration is what really caught me off guard.  It's amazing.  Been a long time since an MMO really 1.) made me want to explore 2.) let me and 3.) rewarded me for it.  Explorers will get the most out of this game, as it doesn't hold your hand much other than to occasionally shoot you in the direction of a new event.

My wife and I love exploring so this is good news.

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Originally posted by BillMurphy

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Originally posted by Methos12

One thing no one mentioned - how's the loot progression in those first 20 levels? Does it follow typical MMO approach or is it closer to GW1? Basically, how much of "gear stats won't be as important " is actually true in low levels?

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It's very much not important.  From what I could tell gear = armor and damage mitigation.  You get some upgrades, but it's every 5-10 levels really.  There are some items that will have stat bonuses, but they're minor compared to what you'll get from Traits later on.
Even when you're leveled to 80 in PVP, you have a chance, for though while others have gear that may be better than yours, it's not really the gear that gives them the advantage, but the traits, and the skills they have access to.
In short: this isn't a gear-hounds game.  It's there, it all looks cool and you can transmute items so that you can have one's stats with another's looks, but really... it's about how you build and play your character more than anything.

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Man, I woke up this morning like a kid on Christmas just because I knew I would see more info about this game!  

Dynamic events obviously encourages large groups, I wonder how that works in terms of kill stealing, loot and exp. One thing I've always dreaded about open world mmo's is when some random jerk comes by and finishes off your enemy or runs off with your loot and exp.

I also wonder how solo'able the game will be. I like a good combination of grouping and then having the ability to do my own thing without having to LFG. I'm super excited about GW2 and can't wait!!

Originally posted by Leucent

 

Thank god. Question, are traits level based? AA type thing, need to read up more I see, but hey if you can answer it then great.

 

Traits are like "talents" in  another game.  You start earning them at level 11 (IIRC) and get one for each level you earn there on out.  They do things like increase your strength stat, increase your critical hit damage.  It all depends on which trait path you pick and which class you're playing.  For example, the Engineer has paths for explosives, tools, guns, alchemy and so on.  While a warrior might have one for armor, for martial weapons, and so forth.  

Every five points you spend in a path you get a bonus skill/stat from that path.  So for example: spend five points in explosives on the Engineer and you get the ability to lay a bomb down each time you dodge.  Spend five more and you can pick from a host of perks like increased damage with pistols and so on.

At last, a game that looks like it will change the landscape for the better.

If I was working for certain other devs right now I would be feeling a little embarressed.

Originally posted by Homitu

Man, I woke up this morning like a kid on Christmas just because I knew I would see more info about this game!  

Being on GMT+8 I've been waiting for updates for a whole day. And now that I have to go to bed the updates are flooding the site! ><

Originally posted by Methos12

 

Excellent, thanks for answering. One more thing that interests me are those character vocalizations we heard in the videos so far. How frequent were they and could you adjust their rate of occurrence under options or somewhere? Were they distracting in practice?

 

They didn't really bother me, if you mean how characters and NPCs shout/talk during combat?  They added to it for me.  But I suspsect you can turn them down/off.

Originally posted by BillMurphy

Originally posted by Leucent

 

Thank god. Question, are traits level based? AA type thing, need to read up more I see, but hey if you can answer it then great.

 

Traits are like "talents" in  another game.  You start earning them at level 11 (IIRC) and get one for each level you earn there on out.  They do things like increase your strength stat, increase your critical hit damage.  It all depends on which trait path you pick and which class you're playing.  For example, the Engineer has paths for explosives, tools, guns, alchemy and so on.  While a warrior might have one for armor, for martial weapons, and so forth.  

Every five points you spend in a path you get a bonus skill/stat from that path.  So for example: spend five points in explosives on the Engineer and you get the ability to lay a bomb down each time you dodge.  Spend five more and you can pick from a host of perks like increased damage with pistols and so on.

Very cool thank you.

Originally posted by sharpshade

Dynamic events obviously encourages large groups, I wonder how that works in terms of kill stealing, loot and exp. One thing I've always dreaded about open world mmo's is when some random jerk comes by and finishes off your enemy or runs off with your loot and exp.

I also wonder how solo'able the game will be. I like a good combination of grouping and then having the ability to do my own thing without having to LFG. I'm super excited about GW2 and can't wait!!

 

DE's seem to scale, to be honest.  The more people around, the more difficult they become.  There's no kill stealing really.  There's not really "questing" as it were, and since you're in the area with other people, all participating in an event, you wind up sharing loot and XP from the event.  Make sense?

In all, I found it soloable when I was solo, and very adhoc-group when people were around.  It seems to be the type of game that changes depending on the activity in the area.

EDIT: Also, take a look at the Norn Engineer Gameplay I just embedded to the bottom of page 1.  Flamethrower FTW.

Wow that's awesome! Thank you so much Mr. Murphy for being so quick to answer questions. I know most of us are drooling at the chance to play, heck I'd just settle for a release date at this point. I'll keep checking back for more updates! When is the next closed beta event for you all?

I already know enough that I want to buy it on release.  But I'm trying to avoid reviews and such as I want to experience it first hand.  I have reserved hopes for the game, but the mere fact that it's B2P means I could spend months on leveling characters if the experience is anywhere near as fun as SWTOR was.

Originally posted by FrodoFragins

I already know enough that I want to buy it on release.  But I'm trying to avoid reviews and such as I want to experience it first hand.  I have reserved hopes for the game, but the mere fact that it's B2P means I could spend months on leveling characters if the experience is anywhere near as fun as SWTOR was.

I m right there with you. As much as it pains me to say this, I don t even want to play beta/OB. I want to experience everything from day one. Seeing some vids, and reading some info, no biggie, but I m hoping this game will deliver, so i ll wait.

Originally posted by sharpshade

Wow that's awesome! Thank you so much Mr. Murphy for being so quick to answer questions. I know most of us are drooling at the chance to play, heck I'd just settle for a release date at this point. I'll keep checking back for more updates! When is the next closed beta event for you all?

We don't know yet... hopefully soon.  I feel like clicking the demo repeatedly and trying to log in.  But chances are it'll be a few weeks.  Hopefully YOU GUYS get to play soon!

Hehe... so the end-game is "play just for the fun of it"? this concept has always failed ALWAYS. If there is no long term character development in any form, there's no incentive to play.

This game looks so crappy, doesn't deserve any attention.

Originally posted by cptkloss

Hehe... so the end-game is "play just for the fun of it"? this concept has always failed ALWAYS. If there is no long term character development in any form, there's no incentive to play.

Not even talking about everything outside WvW, you might want to see DAOC for that. It at it s time was a very successful MMO, based on end game RvR alone. I know I played it just for the fun of it.

Originally posted by Leucent

Originally posted by cptkloss

Hehe... so the end-game is "play just for the fun of it"? this concept has always failed ALWAYS. If there is no long term character development in any form, there's no incentive to play.

Not even talking about everything outside WvW, you might want to see DAOC for that. It at it s time was a very successful MMO, based on end game RvR alone. I know I played it just for the fun of it.

Yep, the end game will actually be about the WvW and PVP.  Mark my words.  There are dungeons, and loot to be had from each.  But all most people will care about is server pride, a la DAOC.