Guildwars 2 Beta Thread

[zinfamous]

I have shithole comcast 3mbs down...and have had no problems whatsoever over the beta weekends--other than what was clearly server-wide lag.

 

[NoSoup4You]

I liked the combat from the few levels I've played through (saving the shock and awe of my first real play-through for launch), but it does feel sluggish to me. I overclocked my 460 to what's currently in my sig, and lowered the Shadows to High and framerate does not seem to be my issue.

In Guild Wars 1 and now also in GW2 the server can lag resulting in delayed inputs. What server are you on? Playing on Maguuma and Sorrow's Furnace I've experienced zero server lag, however in the first BWE the game was unplayable for me on Fort Aspenwood.

 

[GaiaHunter]

Rig:
i7 2600k @ 4.6 ghz with XSPC Rasa - Sapphire HD 7970 @ 1200/1400 with Swiftech MCW80 - 12GB DDR3 1600 G.Skill Ripjaws RAM - SilverStone RV03 - NZXT Hale90 750W PSU -MSI P67A-GD65 - 1TB Samsung HDD - OCZ Solid II 120 GB

Was your problems performance related or was it the combat flow?
I ask this because I've seen older hardware perform better than newer hardware in GW2.

 

[RussianSensation]

Was your problems performance related or was it the combat flow?
I ask this because I've seen older hardware perform better than newer hardware in GW2.

This game runs like a turd on AMD cards. HD5000 series are not rendering the game correctly at all, which increases performance but all the detail on the textures is missing. :hmm:

GCN tanks against even a GTX580.

Source

For this game, Core i series + NV Kepler is the clear choice.

 

[GaiaHunter]

I've seen drastic performance changes in between bwe.
I think they still have some optimization to do.

For example during SWTOR beta AMD GPUs were crap. After release they were as fast or faster than NVIDIA GPUs of the same price class.

 

[zinfamous]

still DX9, fellas.

I've honestly seen no noticeable performance issues with my Phenom II x4 960, and 5850, running at stock.

the screenshot pic in that post is pretty telling, though. I do hope they optimize it more for AMD at release.

 

[krnmastersgt]

Yeah I was hoping that the engine would allow for DX 10 or 11, my GTX 460 would perform a bit better and/or I could justify getting something like the 7770.

But since it's stuck on DX9 :/

 

[GaiaHunter]

There was talk about DX10/11 but so far nothing showed up.

On the other hand imagine tessellation on top of a WvW or a meta dynamic event - good bye fps...

There is a good chance I'll be adding either a 6870 to my 6850 or a 7850/7870 in the near future. Even though the game is playable at 20-25 fps I really want to get those 60 fps. Or if that GTX660 is better than expected and AMD doesn't have drivers a month after release.

 

[WraithETC]

Crossfire is definitely not working correctly. The performance is definitely broken with it on and normal with it disabled completely.

Triple or dual card configuration.

 

[StrangerGuy]

5850 = 7950 > 6990

He-man: What's going on

 

[GaiaHunter]

5850 = 7950 > 6990

He-man: What's going on

Beta.

In the first beta my Phenom II was faster at default X2 3.0 GHz than X2 4.0 GHz than X4 3.6 GHz. The 4850 stock was also faster than a 900/1150 6850.

Beta 2 the 6850 was faster but I was with a FX6100 4.4 GHz.

 

[sushicide]

if a sylvari trips and falls, wouldn't that be a plant face plant?

 

[AVP]

Game is awful. WvW is a skill-less, zergish, boring game-mode. World events aren't challenging or rewarding. 20 people autoattacking everything dead instantly.

 

[diesbudt]

Game is awful. WvW is a skill-less, zergish, boring game-mode. World events aren't challenging or rewarding. 20 people autoattacking everything dead instantly.

Haven't tried a WvWvW. But with how massive it is, I can't assume it is super skill based like an arena 5v5 match or whatever, but closer to many games battlegrounds... in which all people do is zerg also.

World events not challenging?

There was one in the char starting area, that was considered a "month-event", which I assume once a month it appears. A big Fire effigy marched through the area heading to a charr statue to burn it, goal was to kill him before that happens. Took 30min and sooo many player deaths to defeat him. (If you got in attacking range he put a fire debuff on you doing 75-80% your hp)

I have seen events fail also because there wasn't even minimum coordination, which on the bright side, when they failed it would chain to a new event to recover from said failed event.

And not rewarding? It really is the best XP gain thing in the game... killing Monsters doesn't give you a lot, The quests to help people do decent xp, but only so many times per map.

Somehow I don't think you gave it a fair chance.

 

[KentState]

Game is awful. WvW is a skill-less, zergish, boring game-mode. World events aren't challenging or rewarding. 20 people autoattacking everything dead instantly.

I also struggled with the game and just wasn't excited after this beta. It felt like another MMO and nothing special. Luckily there isn't a monthly fee so I won't be compelled to play it to level quickly. Maybe once it's released, I will enjoy it a little more.

 

[diesbudt]

I also struggled with the game and just wasn't excited after this beta. It felt like another MMO and nothing special. Luckily there isn't a monthly fee so I won't be compelled to play it to level quickly. Maybe once it's released, I will enjoy it a little more.

Well it is another MMO... just with plenty of changes on how to go about the MMO. But the fact is, it is still another MMO, so it will feel that way.

Curious as to what people specifically didn't like about it. (And its ok to just say "It isn't your cup of tea" because not everyone will like every game.)

Edit: see next post

 

[diesbudt]

So after giving the GW2 beta a go, I decided I will say what I liked and didn't like about the game. (Granted my experience is only up to level 10)

Likes
Combat - It is faster paced then other MMOs that I am used to. And it feels like an actual chaotic battle. Not a raid fight in like WoW/Rift/SWTOR in which it may take an enemy many swings to kill you (if your the tank). You better learn where your dodge button is. Also, with no "emotes/telegraphing" bosses have now been doing in MMOs, you only have a second or 2 from when an attack happens to dodge it. And dodge it you better or you will probably end up on the ground.

Death - First, the fact that you don't die and can still participate in a fight when your HP first hits 0, is pretty awesome. Especially since anyone can help revive you. I don't know how many times I pulled too many mobs not paying attention, kited and killed most of them to only hit 0 hp and fall on my back. Yet I finished them off while trying to recover, allowing me to not officially die. Also, if you do die and have to go back to a waypoint... you can choose the way point. You don't have to go to the closest one, and you don't have to go get your corpse. You just respawn at a waypoint and can continue on your adventure.

Events - I haven't even really completed much of the primary quest. Much like my experience in the Elder Scrolls series, I found myself exploring and just running into events and/or quests to help people. Sometimes it would just be me and a few others, or 30+ people. And I loved it when it became a clusterF. Had no to little Performance issues either, and my computer isn't the strongest (i5 2500 CPU, 6950 AMD Raedon, Comcast and steam summer sale D/l in background). Some events were easy, some were difficult, but I had fun even repeating a few of the events

Classes - I tried each and every class. And I love the uniqueness in the "F" abilities (F1-F4) which is based on which class you are and what weapon or skills you have equipped, futher customizing the abilities. And changing weapons mid fight allowing a change in what you are doing. Also removing the trinity and every class having the need to help heal to keep people alive.

Story - The main quest, and character creation gave a story, that actually affected what some of the dialouge was between the character and main quest NPC's.

Map - The map was just like anyother map, except with waypoints you can fast travel around to certain areas on the map, and it gives you a shadow of where your last so many steps have been, so you can literally retrace your steps.

Crafting - No gathering professions, every character can gather resources, and it is phased, so each person sees the same node, but each person gathers their own resource, so no fighting over them.

Dislikes
Combat - As amazing as the combat was, I did die a few times from 100% hp to 0% from an attack I had no idea was coming and had no idea I had to dodge it. Every killing attack should have some sign, even if it is a second or 2.

Events - Some of the events repeat too often. Makes them less unique. It is fun doing the same event a few times, especially with different chaarcters, but when my Engineer did the same event for the 6th time in 3 hours, that seems a little much. Though some of it could have been I didn't adventure too much as I was more learning the game, but a few more events in the same location that alternate or random would have been nice.

Capital city - The capital city at the start (Black Citadel, etc.) seems way too big and empty so early in the game. I feel like they could have reduced it by about 25-30% and easily still had a good sized capital.

Crafting - I Feel like I havn't covered this much as I was learning other thing. But A better interface for this would have done wonders I think.

 

[SithSolo1]

MMO Background: Not much, just played WOW from beta through Cata and other assorted betas and F2Ps.

I only tried the Theif(Norn, lvl 8), Ranger(Charr, lvl 6), Warrior(Human, lvl 10), and Engineer(Asura, lvl 8).

What I liked:

Graphics - The graphics and animations are great for an MMO imo and ran pretty smooth on my outdated system once I turned shadows down.

Race/Classes - I like the fact that any race can be any class, I've been harping on this in wow for years. I also really like that each race feels a lot different and has distinct personality. All the weapon combinations for each classe and how they affect your skills is very nice.

Story - I found the story line for the Asura Engineer and Human Warrior very enjoy able and interesting. I felt like I was actually helping out.

Map - Much better than wow. Easier to follow, navigate, and much more detailed.

Crafting - I like how detailed it was from the word go. Gather raw materials, refine them, use refined materials to make base parts, combine base parts into final product. I also like the fact that, say you are a weapon smith, you can craft all weapon types from 0 skill. The discovery system seemed interesting but I did not have time to try it.

Dislikes:

Combat - No matter what class I was playing, I always felt like I was playing a Wrath Ret Pally. You just spam whatever is up, as soon as its up, and win. I'm sure if I played it more I would have found some rotations but face roll seemed to work every time.

Events/Questing - Random events are nice but all you have to do is walk through it and you get at least bronze credit. Kill a mob and you get silver or 3-4 for gold. Way too easy. Questing was overly tedious. "Hay all yous guys in the area! Kill 60 of X mob or find 40 of X item, etc." Except if you are the only one doing it then it takes forever. On top of that some of the "completion triggers" had diminishing returns. *No turn-ins and getting rewards in the mail is pure win though.*

Main Story Quest/Rewards - The main story jumped level too fast imo. Do 3 parts and you're already lower than the recommended level. That said with how OP some of the helpfull story NPCs are it doesn't matter. On my Engineer I was able to do my level 10 story quest at level 6 because the friendly NPCs were winning it for me. This leads into my second issue. WHY DO THE REWARDS HAVE LEVEL REQUIREMENTS?!?!? Great, I just got this awesome upgrade but I can't use it for 4 more levels. I know, its because nothing is soulbound but the starter gear and everything goes up on the AH. Dumb.

Crafting - Awesome, I just crafted 10 flipping items and got 3 skill points starting from 0.

Almost forgot - Death - Just let me die. Lingering for another 10-20s whether I live or die just pisses me off.

Other annoyances -

The npc conversation system is clunky, so is wow's. They could both learn a lesson from SWTOR here.

Why are the loot key and the NPC talk key the same by default. Here I am trying to loot kills and the stupid friendly npcs keep getting in the way and I end up opening a conversation dialog.

On the trading post I wish the stuff would arrive in the mail like wow instead of you having to grab it while you are there. Also when you have filter button that says "Only Items I can Use" Don't damn well show me every peice of gear my level if I can't use it. If I can only wear heavy armor, don't showing me the flippin' medium and light armors.

All the races travel the same distance in the same amount of time, this is normal. However, the animations for the larger races are too slow. The Asura is spot on for its size, so is the human. The Norn is pretty slow but I kinda get that because they are viking giant people. The Charr drive me crazy though. The run animation is like they are stuck in a vat of molasses. Having them run on all 4 makes it even worse. They are large cat people, that just screams swift to me.

 

[GaiaHunter]

WvW is the best.
War with sieges as it should be.

And you guys come auto attacking and spam my way, and you will see how many seconds you'll be alive.

 

[SithSolo1]

WvW is the best.
War with sieges as it should be.

And you guys come auto attacking and spam my way, and you will see how many seconds you'll be alive.

See, I don't pvp so that aspect of the game is dead to me.

 

[dougp]

See, I don't pvp so that aspect of the game is dead to me.

Then GW and GW2 probably aren't your cup of tea.

 

[zinfamous]

Then GW and GW2 probably aren't your cup of tea.

I don't PvP, either, and they absolutely are my cup of tea.

I've had fun PvPing in both, but it is extremely limited amount of time. I'm a chronic afker, so I don't like to be in protracted 2-3 hour dedicated events very often.

 

[diesbudt]

I don't PvP, either, and they absolutely are my cup of tea.

I've had fun PvPing in both, but it is extremely limited amount of time. I'm a chronic afker, so I don't like to be in protracted 2-3 hour dedicated events very often.

I like both PvE and PvP. And I like both aspects in GW2.

Still Don't know which class I will actually dedicate play time to first on release...

So far I know it will not be a ranger or a theif.

Edit: I may just have to take a 6 sided Die and roll that to see what I play.

 

[zinfamous]

I like both PvE and PvP. And I like both aspects in GW2.

Still Don't know which class I will actually dedicate play time to first on release...

So far I know it will not be a ranger or a theif.

engineer is incredibly fun. It has solid damage, and the weapon kits that you get with the slot skills give the class amazing utility on top of that.

i was browsing through GW2 guru forums, and the word over there is that mesmer is not as bad as people bitch on the beta forums. In fact, what they claim is still very good about it, is essentially how I enjoyed playing it. I suppose I relaly should ahve made one for PvP to test it out some more, rather than assume all was now bad--but at the very least, my confidence is restored--I'm rolling that as my main with tailoring (human); then an Asura Engineer. Charr will probably be a Guardian, but I need to pick a race for ele, which I would like as a third toon.

I didn't really enjoy the Sylvari starting area, nor the class quests (ele)...but I will likely run a Ranger as Sylvari.

All that said, I'm very glad that I wasn't fully burned out as I was feeling I would be. This is all due to playing the Asuran engineer. Just non-stop fun.

The only bitching about the game I witnessed in general chat came down to one issue (and it was always from the people with free keys who had been playing the game for ~2 or 4 hours):

--Events are too spammy! I can't level fast enough because it's just grinding the same event over and over, and every other area (including my class quest) is too high level!

I think some of this is legitimate--though, maybe I am more patient with figuring out a system that is quite new--being that I tolerated constant death and overall cluelessness over several hours of BW1 with arguably the hardest class to play, lol.

A lot of the events right outside the starter area do repeat constantly, but this is because their frequency was ramped up for beta weekend. On top of that, they are only "the same" because most people just camp there and keep doing it over and over. Or, they never wait after it's done to follow the next chain and realize that there is a progression. These events never fail, because there tend to be too many people around to let them fail. You often have to let these events fail to see how this system truly shines. Also, the better events in teh starter worlds are in the ~lvl 10 areas. One of my favorites is the Heartwood fort in Queensland (human) area. There are about 3 chains, each of which can have a different component, depending on how it plays out. If you've got a group of about 20 or so people doing it, the centaur raids can be quite brutal and chaotic.

There is also a raid on a frog camp in the northern part of Metrica (asura) world that is pretty killer. If you are able to beat back their raids, you get the cue to then invade, and burn their village to the ground--yes destroy everything, bring buildings down, etc. If you succeed, angry boss spawns, and you fight him. However, you don't see other allied NPCs taking this place over (as far as i know), as you do with some other camps (like in heartwood--where either centaurs are in control, or humans are in control).

also--flame ele boss in Metrica--the "level 15 boss." WTF is that? you have to be level 20 or 25 to stand a chance. lol. I wouldn't say the boss is as impressive as shadow behemoth, but it is far more difficult. it's brutal, in fact.

 

[diesbudt]

--Events are too spammy! I can't level fast enough because it's just grinding the same event over and over, and every other area (including my class quest) is too high level!

I think some of this is legitimate--though, maybe I am more patient with figuring out a system that is quite new--being that I tolerated constant death and overall cluelessness over several hours of BW1 with arguably the hardest class to play, lol.

A lot of the events right outside the starter area do repeat constantly, but this is because their frequency was ramped up for beta weekend. On top of that, they are only "the same" because most people just camp there and keep doing it over and over. Or, they never wait after it's done to follow the next chain and realize that there is a progression. These events never fail, because there tend to be too many people around to let them fail. You often have to let these events fail to see how this system truly shines. Also, the better events in teh starter worlds are in the ~lvl 10 areas. One of my favorites is the Heartwood fort in Queensland (human) area. There are about 3 chains, each of which can have a different component, depending on how it plays out. If you've got a group of about 20 or so people doing it, the centaur raids can be quite brutal and chaotic.

There is also a raid on a frog camp in the northern part of Metrica (asura) world that is pretty killer. If you are able to beat back their raids, you get the cue to then invade, and burn their village to the ground--yes destroy everything, bring buildings down, etc. If you succeed, angry boss spawns, and you fight him. However, you don't see other allied NPCs taking this place over (as far as i know), as you do with some other camps (like in heartwood--where either centaurs are in control, or humans are in control).

also--flame ele boss in Metrica--the "level 15 boss." WTF is that? you have to be level 20 or 25 to stand a chance. lol. I wouldn't say the boss is as impressive as shadow behemoth, but it is far more difficult. it's brutal, in fact.

Yes, The events were spammy, though I didn't mind learning the game. I feel that a few more events placed randomly around would work great, and slow it down a bit. (Which events looked like on a 30min timer, when I read it should be 2-3 hour timer live) And I did see one of their Month events (once per month) which my god... that was difficult, long and a blast getting my fur incinerated trying to beat him.

This was my favorite part on events:

Did one event on the human starter in which bandits were poisoning the water supply. Well because of mistakes, they succeeded with 20s to go. Then all the sudden BAM new event (chained from previous event) Help clean up the poison goo left behind by the bandits!

The main complaint I seen throughout the beta on "map/yell" chat was the complaints that their characters wont carry over to live lol.

Yes the engineer, the healing kit wasn't amazing, I feel the healing is a bit limited. I wish 1 ability was a weak heal like an auto attack targeted, with the other 2 being the healing kit on the ground idea. However, the grenade kit? /LOVE first the "F" skill that comes with it is powerful for single target and AOE, plus the ability to switch to grenades for aoe, then back to your gun(s) for single target (and switch in and out to get more affects going on) was a blast.

One thing I noticed too that made me chuckle was Aoe attacks. I did the poison grenade, and everytime the A.I. would go WHOA WHOA /run out of aoe... I don't remember a previous time mobs were smart enough to stand out of the AoE of a player. /kudos on that. Though it was funny if they ran out the other way, they would run back towards me through the poison... and then partway through turn around and run out again lol.