So about that dynamic combat.. (Regarding the Thief and dual wielding)

[TerminalMontage]

In the first Thief video http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-gam...essions/thief/
it shows the Thief running and gunning, circling around the enemy. Can anyone confirm that you can move AND attack like that? That would be all kinds of awesome.

[Centaur]

Hi TerminalMontage, welcome to these forums.

Yes, in Guild Wars 2 every profession (not just the thief) is able to attack while on the move. You no longer have to stand still to shoot or cast spells (as is the case in most traditional mmo's). Moving and dodging is an important part of GW2 combat.

[TerminalMontage]

Thank you! It is a pleasure to be here, and thanks for the answer! This pleases me immensely.

[ComplexNuber]

As I recall, there are still *some* spells which require you to stay still, but the majority of them let you move around.

[TerminalMontage]

That's understandable of course

[Centaur]

Ofcourse... ground targeting skills (for example a ranger laying a trap) will still require you to stand still for a little while... it's a bit hard to efficiently place a trap when you're running around

[Mike Fang]

It sounds like the combat is going to be a lot like Warhammer Online. In that game there were a number of attacks, particularly ranged ones, that could be preformed while moving. Although, that does raise a few questions about how the combat mechanics will work. Will you lock onto enemies by clicking on them (and will enemies lock onto you the same way)? If so, will all ranged attacks lock in on them too? If that's the case, then moving around would be rather pointless, si3nce you wouldn't actually be able to dodge opponent's enemy seeking shots. Personally I'd hope the mechanics would allow you to use move with directional keys but aim attacks with the mouse.

[Centaur]

As far as I know (and was able to experience in the Gamescom demo last year), there is no 'locking onto' a target. You can aim your attacks in the direction of the target, but if something (or someone) happens to get between you and the target, then you will hit that thing/person. Same for ranged attacks... if you shoot your arrow in the direction of the target, and the target moves, then your attack will miss. So when you're moving around while shooting, you will have to make sure to constantly adjust your aim.

[roshamjoe]

The combat mechanics sound far more action RPG (ie Skyrim, Oblivion etc) than traditional MMOs. I am a huge fan of reduction of dependency on stats and increased need for reaction time and position. I always hated the "I have 50% chance to dodge so he'll miss me half the time even while I stand still" approach. Now, if you don't want to get hit MOVE, much better I think.

[Mike Fang]

As far as I know (and was able to experience in the Gamescom demo last year), there is no 'locking onto' a target. You can aim your attacks in the direction of the target, but if something (or someone) happens to get between you and the target, then you will hit that thing/person. Same for ranged attacks... if you shoot your arrow in the direction of the target, and the target moves, then your attack will miss. So when you're moving around while shooting, you will have to make sure to constantly adjust your aim.

That's fine with me. I just hope camera angle/the direction you're facing can or will be linked to the mouse like an FPS. That was one issue I have with a lot of MMOs, like 'That MMO That Must Not Be Named"; you have to hold down a mouse button to move the camera. That makes it difficult to move and fight, particularly if you're fighting PvP against one of those PvP purists that jump around like a grasshopper on crystal meth so you can't keep their fidgety ass in front of you. If the camera doesn't move naturally with the movement of the mouse, then I find it very difficult to react fast enough to hit an opponent.