pvp-armor
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Guild Wars 2 will let you replace PvP opponents with standardized clones
How you look and move in PvP is sometimes more important than just for cosmetic vanity, which is why Guild Wars 2 is planning to add "model standardization" as an option with the September feature pack. In today's dev diary, ArenaNet explains that since all of the races and classes have different animations for the same skills, it might be difficult for competitive players to identify what's coming at them. By being able to replace all enemy characters with standardized human models, PvPers will be able to clearly identify the class, weapon, and skill animations being used. The team's also finishing up work on two new sets of PvP-exclusive armor that draws inspiration from Guild Wars 1's Hall of Heroes. Players can earn one of those sets of armor by progressing with the new PvP reward track that's also slated for the feature pack update.
A sneak peek at Guild Wars 2's PvP Scholar armor [Updated]
Admit it: You aren't always out just for the thrill of the experience -- you want the bling-bling to go with it. A shopping spree, with your sword playing the role of "credit card" and each corpse a potential bonanza of fashion acquisitions. That's okay; we're not here to judge you. In fact, if fancy armor gets your motor running, Guild Wars Insider has a treat for you: two pictures of Guild Wars 2's PvP Scholar armor set modeled by a majestic Norn Elementalist. While the armor may not maximize skin coverage, the detail and design is certainly fetching. These pictures were taken inside of the PvP lobbies, which are breathtaking environments all to themselves. The picture on the left was taken in the Battle of Khylo lobby. ArenaNet has been rolling out the news of Guild Wars 2's PvP system ever since Gamescom last year. [Thanks to Seven for the tip!] [Update: Guild Wars Insider has posted up additional screenshots of PvP, pets, and even more armor.]
Wings Over Atreia's Aion 2.7 sneak-peek: Dev death match
You all just better be grateful that NCsoft is working out the kinks by using me as a guinea pig so you can have a smooth launch! Even if by launch I only mean the PTS, which is set to go live today with Aion's newest patch. Yes folks, I -- your intrepid Wings Over Atreia correspondent -- was invited to a media sneak-peek to check out the Crucible 3 arenas coming very soon to a live server near you. Who am I to pass up a few practice runs through the new arenas before the rest of the masses? So I touch-down mid-week for some additional Atreian coverage. And come on, no one could pass up the chance to stealth up behind a dev and unleash a flurry of dagger blows into his/her back! Unfortunately, logistical and technical difficulties stretching for days plagued this endeavor. Yours truly was especially cursed. However, just when it seemed like the event wouldn't happen, there we were, standing in Kaisinel Academy in spiffy new duds and queued to enter what is arguably the highlight of 2.7: the PvP arenas. At this point, I forgave all previous problems because I got to commence some slaughter on a few NCsoft employees. What?!? You all know you want to! I tested my dagger and sword against Scott Hannus, producer of the game guide; two members of the game guide team, Sean Orlikowski and Ryan Compton; Adam Christensen, Associate Producer; Dom Wai, Brand Manager; and two members of the community management team, Felicia Johnson (Nyx) and Curtis Grooms (Anhtoo). Oh, and I learned some pretty neat things about the upcoming patch as well. So how was the experience? And just exactly how tasty are Aion's forthcoming goodies? Whet your appetite past the cut with my impressions of the two instances and the new PvP gear as well as check out a video. Then join in on the PTS server to experience for yourself.%Gallery-136333%
Wings Over Atreia: Going for the gold
You did it. After dodging gank squads, hooking up to an IV on double XP weekends, and wearing out your mouse (true story, a legion-mate had to replace his!), you finally hit level 50 in Aion. Amid the fanfare in your mind and the "gratzes" you receive from friends, you can now sit back and relax, reveling in your accomplishment... OK done. That's right, after maybe two deep breaths, a smile, and 3.5 seconds, you are probably now looking ahead to the real big grind (especially if you were like me and just happened into the level without really thinking ahead) -- gear. Yes, maximum level in Aion doesn't mean much if you are still wearing quest blues from pre-Xeno. Gold is armor of choice, and having anything less can be a distinct disadvantage. Today we begin a journey looking into gearing-up for the current max level (at least until 2.0 launches September 7th). There are actually multiple options available for getting that shiny (and glowing) gear, but each set has its own price tag in money, time, and -- admittedly at times -- frustration; depending on which gear you focus on, the amount you pay in each category will vary, but it will be significant no matter which you choose. For those who focused on fast leveling, or simply did not know to plan ahead (yours truly), our work is cut out for us. However, for those who are not yet level 50, I cannot stress enough that the sooner you begin your preparations, the better. Depending on your preferred set, save materials, scour the broker for deals, grind AP, or make kinah, kinah, and more kinah. Because you are going to need it. This series of articles will give you some insights to help you plan ahead and be ready for that magical moment you ding. Join me past the cut to see where you should focus your energies.
Breakfast Topic: What do you want to see in the Argent Tournament?
So here's the deal. We've been told we have more Argent Tournament content coming, that's a given. As late as a couple days ago, Blues were telling us, for example, that we'll definitely see more ways to earn Champion's Seals. In short, come 3.2, it seems more than likely that we can expect the Goblins to be done building that coliseum, and the next phase of the tourney to be underway. So the question is, what exactly will we see?
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Are PVP weapons and armor too cheap?
That's the question of the week on the World of Warcraft forums, where many former Grand Marshals and High Warlords are lamenting their lost time and suggesting that Blizzard double or triple the cost of GM/HWL weapons. Several former PVPers have posted arguments that basically amount to feeling that since they put in the admittedly arduous amount of effort to get top rank, they feel slighted by seeing people running around in all blues and Rank 14 weapons. Melodii of Stormreaver posts not one, but two tales of woe: one of her rise to rank 14, and one of her arguments against cheap weapons. Melodii's story is somewhat heartwrenching, since she admits that she pvped through illness, neglected her friends, didn't work and quit school for six months to get Grand Marshal. Her opinion of herself as an "acheiver who didn't quit" was not shared by the seven pages of people making fun of her. So are weapons and armor too cheap? In my opinion, the cheap weapons and armor are fully justified. While I understand it can be painful to see the stuff you worked so hard for seemingly made available to the common man, the truth is that Blizzard's PvP system was completely broken. Melodii's story, rather than an impassioned defense of the former PvP system, looks more like an argument against it -- who wants to do nothing with their lives so they can get epics in WoW? Continuing with a life-disabling PvP system just so those who've gone before don't feel slighted is like sending people into a sinkhole to retrieve someone's wallet, and when those people don' t come out, sending more in so the dead people wouldn't have died in vain. The former Grand Marshals and High Warlords have their titles, and they had the weapons and armor long before they were available to the common player. Plus, as Drysc notes, the PvP gear will be worth much, much less come the expansion. All this will do is give people more of an equal footing when we're all standing at the Dark Portal together. And as someone who hasn't raided in two months, the idea that I can work a little each day to get something to help me level is a very, very sweet idea indeed. What do you think? Should they raise item honor costs, or are you just too close to that Grand Marshal mace to let that happen?
Official PvP Armor Set Information
Blizzard has put up official info on the new PvP set updates on their armor sets page (just select the PvP superior or PvP epic set from the pull-down menu on the right). We will see these new sets up on the live realms after the 1.11 content patch. This does make the PvP sets look less shabby in comparison to the PvE options, and hopefully further planned PvP improvements planned for 1.12 will make matters even better for those that prefer PvP content.
Updated PvP Armor Sets
PartingVisions.Com has some information on the PvP armor updates - specifically, screenshots for mage, hunter, druid, warrior, warlock, rogue, shaman, and paladin sets. (There's a link to an image named priest.jpg that currently seems to be broken.) You can compare them to the existing PvP sets here. The changes are losses in some places and gains in others, and your like of them may depend on your play-style. So check them out and let us know what you think. [Fan art by Guillaume Bonnet]
