ArenaNet: Lost Shores Content (2012-11-11)

[Ruse]

I think that you need to experience the content first before judging so quickly!

paired with:

As we release more new end game content in the future, you’ll see more Infusions and Ascended item types being added to the game. Eventually, you’ll be able to kit yourself out with a full set of Ascended gear and high end Infusions to help give you the edge in end game content.

and

The new additions in November are just the start of our item progression initiative. We’re going to add tons of new high-level content to Guild Wars 2 in the future. As we introduce the new high-level content, we’ll also roll out complimentary Ascended and Legendary items (to say nothing of the other rewards you can earn by playing the content).

I don't need to play it to recognize gear creep just two months into a game that wasn't supposed to have gear grind and gated content -- both of which are spelled out in the blog post.

[Fey]

I don't need to play it to recognize gear creep just two months into a game that wasn't supposed to have gear grind and gated content -- both of which are spelled out in the blog post.

Yeah, if you compare it to how gear progression started in other games, it's almost exactly the same type of item progression. Hah. They're just doing it piece by piece instead of entire sets at a time.

Hilarious.

[Centaur]

I too hate this gear progression. In all their nice stories pre release ArenaNet promised us that it would be easy to obtain max stat gear for everyone, and that the differences from there on would be in looks, not stats. I already hated the idea that grinding for legendaries would give you better stats, now they're adding another level of gear with an 'Infusion' slot for additional stat boosts. If this is really the approach they are going to take with this game, then I may have to start looking for another game as well.

[Maketso]

Honestly.... yea, the gear thing is an obvious ''omg'' thats bullcrap. But is it worth leaving a game that you bought over? Especially since the stats arent even that much better. And I bet it isnt that hard to obtain these new level gears.

Lets all rage... ._. Look at it, how much grinding is there really to do here other than legendaries? Other than that gameplay is casual, almost too much. But its nice. nevertheless, the publics reaction is going too far.

[Fey]

Especially since the stats arent even that much better. And I bet it isnt that hard to obtain these new level gears.

Again, just look at gear progression MMO's. The stat differences are never that different from tier to tier (unless the next tier was in an expansion) and once you're part of said progression getting the next part isn't hard at all. It's once there's 3 or 4 tiers that it starts to get harder, because you have to crack the ice and break into the gear progression system somehow, which is really hard when you're behind on gear.

This is how it starts lololol. GG.

[Cariad]

I'll wait until I see it before I judge. I don't mind running a dungeon a few times to get the best gear, or doing whatever it is we need to do to get it. It's all pushing buttons and flashing lights to me. We had to push buttons and see flashing lights to get our Exotics too. I feel a bit sorry for Anet. So many people bitched about no sense of progression, so they introduce some, then the other half bitches about it. Understandable I guess, but it might not be so bad. As long as the cash shop isn't too heavily involved, and there's no massive gambling upgrades/gear breakages/failing in the sense of imbuing/enhancing or whatever the f' it was called on your other mmo's, then I'm OK with it.

[NorilisZione]

For me i'm fine with this as long as they dont make it a grind where we have to farm the dungeon abunch of times just to get a single ring.

[King Arthur]

It's not like I'm judging or anything. It's true that we need to see it in-hand before we start judging.
To be honest, I really don't mind a new Equipment tier (Ascended) that's higher and stronger than the Exotic. As long as it's not a "Dungeon-only" grind-only gear. Make them achievable by other means, like World boss drops, or make them Craft-able with the new crafting level 400-500 or something with materials that can only be obtained in the new area.

That way, we can have something to look up to, without having that gear creep that's required if the only strongest gear to get is through dungeon raids. Does that mean the sPvP will have Ascended gears now?

[Vayne]

The question remains, how hard is it to get that gear? That's the only question I have. If i'ts not hard, it's not gear grind.

[meglobob]

It does look/sound like gear creep to me and I HATE grinding for gear. In my experience the new gear ends up adding nothing to your character because the content is made harder to compensate, so you just end up back where you started but wasted loads of time.

It won't stop me from playing GW2 thou...I like it too much.

I wish Anet would bring more cosmetic, better looking gear out instead with new content. Thats what I like.