Guild Wars
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| Guild Wars | |
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| Developer(s) | ArenaNet |
| Publisher(s) | NCSoft |
| Release date(s) | April 28, 2005 |
| Genre | CORPG |
| Mode(s) | Singleplayer and Multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Teen (T) |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
Guild Wars is an online game by ArenaNet, a developer founded by a group of people crucial to some of Blizzard Entertainment's past games and services such as Diablo, Warcraft, Starcraft, and Battle.net. They are now wholly owned by NCSoft, a South Korean game publisher.
Though often referred to as an MMORPG, Guild Wars' developers classify it as a CORPG, short for Competitive Online Role-Playing Game. The game supports an innovative party feature, that gives you a private map for you and your party when you go outside of town, which caused some people to think that the massively part in the genre was taken away. However, you can still meet people in the game and play with friends when you want tosaid Jeff Strain (http://www.computerandvideogames.com/news/news_story.php(que)id=116815), producer of the game.
Guild Wars was the subject of the "E3 for Everyone" event in May 2004 which, held during the annual E3 expo and conference, attracted over 200,000 gamers from around the world to participate in the 5-day public beta testing. Special features in Guild Wars include lack of a monthly fee, silent streaming update technology (new content can be easily sent to the user while he or she is playing) and unprecedented player versus player combat that ArenaNet has designed to rely on skill rather than the amount of time spent playing, shunning the design of MMORPGs such as EverQuest where making a high-level character takes anywhere from several months to several years. ArenaNet plans on releasing expansions every six to nine months that will advance the game's story line as well as introducing new features. Expansions will not be required to continue playing, nor will they give a true advantage over non-expansion players.
Long before the game was officially released, a "World Preview Event" occurred on October 29-31 2004, similar to the E3 event, and attracted approximately 400,000 users. Starting in November 2004, ArenaNet held monthly Beta Weekends in addition to the closed Beta. Designed for large-scale testing, these events were open to those who pre-ordered as well as people who got free one-time passes from various sources such as Friend Passes, magazines, or giveaways from sites like FilePlanet.
Guild Wars was released on April 28 2005 in North America and Europe. Unlike many MMORPGs at launch, Guild Wars' launch went very smoothly.
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Game mechanics
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Each player character in and of itself is composed of one primary profession and (optionally) one secondary profession, with the six professions allowing for a potential of 30 possible combinations. Each profession has a unique attribute unto itself that will only be present if it is the primary profession, being unavailable if used as a secondary profession. The remainder of the attribute-set for the secondary profession will be available.
Each profession has access to approximately 75 skills, ~60 being common and ~15 being elite. This allows for a possible total of almost 150 skills per character to acquire (if double classed), choose from (however, characters can only bring eight skills into a combat-possible area of any sort, which creates massive possibilities in the style of battle chosen, and preparing the right skill set is critical), and bring into battle. Out of a total of eight skills in the spell-bar, only one elite skill can be equipped at any one time. Skills can be rotated in and out of the spell bar at any time while in an area that has no possibility of combat, such as a town or an outpost.
There are three different methods of earning a skill. The first method is to earn the skill as a reward from a quest. The second is to purchase the skill from one of the many skill vendors using one of your skill points, one of which is earned at each character level, and a cost of gold to the skill vendor for taking his time to teach you, so to speak. The third method is to use a Signet of Capture, which can be bought at the skill vendors for a skill point and some gold, and used on a boss enemy's corpse that employs a skill that you would like to learn. Capturing skills from a boss enemy is the only way to gain access to elite skills.
The in-game model follows only the primary profession's appearance. The character's in-game armor crafting choices are likewise limited to the primary profession's selection. However there are multitudes of dyes and other ways to color and differentiate each character from others.
Attributes can be increased from 0 to 12, at an increasing cost of 1 to 20 attribute points, by applying attribute points which are earned as a character levels up. With each additional point invested in an attribute, a linear gain is produced (usually increased effectiveness to a linked skill). These attributes can also be raised through items, though there are typically penalties associated with the more powerful ones. There is a cap on character level which is currently placed at level 20, though a player may continue to gain skill points after this, but no attribute points. A low maximum level ensures that the PvP (Player vs. Player) combat is balanced and interesting, and enforces rewarding player skill rather than time invested in character.
Guild vs. Guild (GvG) combat, a specific type of PvP, is also available. If a player forms a guild (a team of players), then they can buy a Guild Hall and fight other guilds in order to raise their rank on the world-wide ladder system. These contests of strength, strategy, and teamwork involve either defending or attacking one of seven possible Guild Halls.
There is also the World Domination Arena, in which Korea, North America, and Europe fight in a PvP arena called Hall of Heroes. The countries/continents fight for the God's Favor in the arena with their team-mates. Wins and losses are be displayed in the chat box to declare who has the Favor and who is winning. Holding favor unlocks access to the Fissure of Woe and the Underworld, two difficult PvE (Player vs. Environment) areas.
Professions
There are currently six character professions available, each with their own attributes and unique skill sets:
Elementalist
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Master of arcane lore, the Elementalist calls down natural forces of unparalleled might to do their bidding. Functionally, the magical equivalent of heavy artillery, or simply 'nuker'. Elementalists can do the most damage in one hit.
- Energy Storage. (Primary Attribute) Energy storage increases the maximum energy potential for the Elementalist. This allows for the stockpiling of gargantuan amounts of energy relative to the other classes.
- Air magic. Air spells centers mostly around the application of electricity for damage, such as lightning attack. Often accompanied by a secondary effect that further weakens the target or the ability to knock an opponent down. Air is sometimes known as the more difficult element to master, however the Air element does offer an unprecedented amount of power in the right hands.
- Fire magic. Fire spells center mostly around the application of fire for damage over an area, utilising area-of-effect spells such as a large fire storm attack or a meteor shower. Fire is the most commonly seen element chosen by Elementalists, especially for first time elementalists.
- Earth magic. Earth spells centers around the application of rock and stone for damage, such as an earthquake attack, and offer more defense-oriented spells than the other Elementalist attribute-sets.
- Water magic. Water spells centers mostly around the application of ice and water for damage, such as freezing attack. Most damage attack spells also have a secondary effect, such as slowing and freezing.
- Unique Skill Set: Glyphs. Glyphs consist of spells that alter some component of the next spell cast.
- Unique Skill Set: Wards. Wards consist of spells that apply some benefits to all allies within its radius for a limited duration.
Mesmer
Through a mixture of magic and personal charisma, the Mesmer's skill library comprises of tactical spells that perform selective functions such as greatly improving an ally's ability to evade physical attacks. The Mesmer is one of the most complex classes in Guild Wars, and until recently did not have an AI henchman. The Mesmer is the fastest spell caster out of all professions.
- Fast Casting. (Primary Attribute) Fast casting increases the rate at which spells are cast. Fast casting, unlike other attributes, does produce linear gain and has less of an effect at higher levels.
- Domination. Domination spells inflict damage upon the enemy upon execution of certain actions, such as casting a spell.
- Illusion. Illusion spells create effects and manipulate the enemy while not always doing direct damage.
- Inspiration. Inspiration spells manipulate the energy or health of either the caster or the target.
- Unique Skill Set: Energy Steals. Energy steals are spells that decrease energy from the target while increasing the caster's energy.
- Unique Skill Set: Mantras. Mantras are protective spells of a specific element, operational only on the character itself.
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Monk
The servant of divine spirits, the Monk uses prayer to protect, preserve and restore the well-being of companions. His skill library comprises of spells centered entirely around the varying applications of divine power, ranging from magical healing to righteous holy attacks.
- Divine Favor. (Primary Attribute) Divine Favor allows any Monk spell cast on a target to slightly increase their health. Divine Favor spells generally increase the Monk's ability to cast their spells.
- Healing: Healing spells restore physical health to the target.
- Protection: Protection spells provide beneficial enchantments to the target. Protection also removes negative conditions from the target.
- Smiting: Smiting spells deal specialized damage that pierces armor and deals extra damage against Undead.
- Unique Skill Set: Resurrections. Resurrections are spells that restore life into a dead target with varying levels of functionality and effectiveness.
- Unique Skill Set: Upkeep spells: Upkeep spells, or "buffs", benefit the target constantly. However, maintaining these spells will lower a Monk's energy regeneration rate by one.
Necromancer
One who has learned to draw power from blood sacrifice and communion with death, the Necromancer relies on black magic and undead minions to aid in battle. The skill library of a Necromancer, is one centering around causing detrimental negative conditions, both to oneself (to create power by sacrificing health or energy) and to enemies. The Necromancer is one of the most complex classes in Guild Wars.
- Soul Reaping. (Primary Attribute) Soul Reaping allows the Necromancer to regain energy whenever a friend, foe, or summoned creature dies near the necromancer.
- Blood Magic. Blood magic spells manipulate health into damage or damage into health for the target. Blood magic spells also deal damage to the target over time.
- Death Magic. Death magic spells deal with the manipulation of corpses.
- Curse Magic. Curse magic spells deal with applying negative conditions, or "debuffing", the target.
- Unique Skill Set: Undead minions. Undead minions are summonable pets from a corpse. However, these undead minions are inherently unstable and will degrade, gradually losing life until they die.
- Unique Skill Set: Wells. Wells are area-effect spells that can effect either friends or foes within range, but must be cast from a corpse.
Ranger
An agile and wily survivor, the Ranger specializes in archery and an attunement to nature. Their skill library consists of nature-related abilities and temporary augmentations to their ranged attack.
- Expertise. (Primary Attribute) Expertise reduces the energy cost for attack skills, preparations, and traps. Expertise skills increase the Ranger's abilities to stay alive.
- Beast Mastery: Beast mastery skills provide bonuses for the Ranger's animal companion, which they can charm and raise in level.
- Marksmanship: Marksmanship skills involve bow attacks that deal additional damage.
- Wilderness Survival: Wilderness Survival skills provide an advantage to the ranger if used prior to combat.
- Unique Skill Set: Nature rituals. Nature rituals are global enchantments that effect every character present within the area of effect.
- Unique Skill Set: Traps. Traps are skills that are triggered if an enemy enters a designated area.
- Unique Skill Set: Pets. Pets are creatures you tamed while you were in the wild (you can only have one in at the same time).
Warrior
The brute of combat, the Warrior is the one close-combat profession in Guild Wars. The Warrior's skill library centers around the many ways to physically pummel the opponent.
- Strength. (Primary Attribute) Strength increases armor penetration of melee attacks. Strength skills increase the Warrior's damage.
- Axe Mastery: Axe Mastery improves axe damage. Axe skills involve inflicting many conditions to the target.
- Swordsmanship: Swordsmanship improves sword damage. Sword skills involve inflicting some conditions and to the target as well as good amounts of damage.
- Hammer Mastery: Hammer Mastery improves hammer damage. Hammer skills involve knocking the target down. Hammers deal high damage but attack at a slower speed then Swords or Axes.
- Tactics: Tactic skills increase the Warrior's ability to stay alive.
- Unique Skill Set: Adrenaline. Adrenaline, which is obtained by hitting an opponent, and is required for many of the Warrior's skills.
- Unique Skill Set: Shouts. Shouts are beneficial skills that affect both the Warrior and nearby allies.
External links
- ArenaNet, the makers of Guild Wars (http://www.arena.net/)
- The official Guild Wars website (http://www.guildwars.com/)
- The official Guild Wars guild listings (http://ladder.guildwars.com/)