Guild Wars 2: Specializations replace traits

With the Guild Wars 2 addon Heart of Thorns, ArenaNet introduces a new way to skill your heroes. The previous traits are outdated and are replaced by the specialization system. We present the specializations to you.

Only the Best from the Traits

ArenaNet itself states that only the best components from the trait system have been taken over for the specializations. The specializations are meant to determine how you play your character along with the abilities, for example with Conditions as the ultimate debuff. You will choose from a total of 9 traits at level 80 instead of 7. Among them are 3 major traits.

5 Specializations to Choose From

Old trait lines have now been replaced by the core specializations. You will select 3 of these as the basis for your build. For each specialization, you automatically receive 3 traits, as well as 9 main traits divided into three groups: Expert, Master, and Grandmaster. Sounds complicated? It seems that way at first glance. However, ArenaNet promises that the system is more beginner-friendly and that it allows for even more customization of your character based on play style.

Even Stronger: Elite Specialization

The elite specialization represents the new “super skills” at level 80. With these perks, new weapons, mechanics, traits, or skills can be unlocked. All this according to your wishes. For example, rangers with the druid elite specialization can wield staves as a weapon. By the way, you not only get one skill with the elite specialization, but a complete set consisting of healing, elite, and 4 utility skills.

Changes to the Skills

Traits that are being dropped in Heart of Thorns are replaced by core skills. Thus, individual skills will possess the former traits from the get-go. Example: All well skills of necromancers will use ground-targeting.

How is all this unlocked?

Now skills, traits, core and elite specializations have already been mentioned – as if that weren’t complex enough, ArenaNet also gives you the reward paths. The old system of unlocking your skills and traits will be abolished and replaced by the reward paths. You earn hero points for level-ups and hero challenges, which you can then invest in the new unlocking system.

Anyone who thinks that they have unlocked everything at level 80 is mistaken. You will need to collect further hero points through hero challenges to unlock all possible skills and traits.

“Suitable for Beginners”

ArenaNet claims that the new system is supposed to be more beginner-friendly. However, reading through the two blog posts on the matter gives the impression of reading the manual for the particle accelerator in Geneva. In short: Everything gets a new name, you have more options when designing a new build, and there is a new unlocking system – the reward paths.