The MMORPG Guild Wars 2 received a small update this week. Although the patch didn’t bring any new features, it is still loved by fans.
What kind of patch was it? In Guild Wars 2, a new episode of the Living World appears every 2 months, bringing new content in the form of maps and story. In between, there are regular small updates or balance patches.
However, the latest patch also brought some quality of life changes to Guild Wars 2, resulting in a lot of positive feedback. It was even described as the best patch since the expansion in 2017.
Dynamic Interface and Capes
What was included in the patch? In addition to announced balance changes, the update brought several unannounced and rather minor improvements:
- Weapons can now be hidden outside of combat.
- The LFG has been overhauled and appears more organized now.
- The interface can now be customized and windows can be hidden.
- The build templates have been expanded with additional features, so Guild Wars 2 now remembers which build was last played in PvE, PvP, and WvW.
- Capes have been introduced.
Especially the last point brought joy to many players. Capes were very popular in Guild Wars 1 and have always been requested for the successor. However, issues and clipping errors have allegedly prevented such a release until now.
Now the first capes have been introduced as back skins. There is a craftable guild cape and a skin available in the gem store.
What was changed in the balance? The main topic in this balance patch was the revisions of fall damage traits. These had lost their relevance through gliding and mounts. The update has replaced these traits with more useful ones for all classes.
In addition, the necromancer has been weakened in World vs. World and warriors and mesmer have received nerfs in PvP.
Players are Excited
How are players reacting to the patch? In a reddit thread, the update is praised by the creator punnyjr as one of the best updates since the release of Path of Fire in 2017.
He cites the following reasons:
- Nerfs that are not excessive
- The pleasant surprise with the capes and the UI
- The adjustments to the build templates
In the thread, he receives agreement:
- Julliant: “It’s a really good patch because Anet has worked on the fundamentals of the game. UI and QoL work is more important than most players acknowledge.”
- SovArya: “It’s a good patch. I only play WvW and like the changes. Capes and hiding weapons are incredibly good.”
- GXC1586: “It’s definitely a step in the right direction. Still a lot to do, but kudos for the work done. ArenaNet, all you need to do now is give us a proper overview of your plans for the future.”
What do critics say? However, there is also criticism of the patch. The fall damage traits were particularly useful in World vs. World and for Free2Play players. These players do not have access to gliders and mounts and could still die from fall damage.
There is also resistance in the thread against the statement that it is one of the best patches of 2019:
- Arilzu: “Players are generally happy with the patch? […] It’s okay, but the best since the expansion? Really?”
- kraai33: “The low expectations of the players amuse me.”
What happens next in GW2? The first episode of the fifth season of the Living World was released at the end of November. Another major update will not come this year.
It is expected that the Winter’s Day will return on December 17 and stay for about 3 weeks. Between January and March, the new episode will be released.
It has been a difficult year for Guild Wars 2. We have summarized the ups and downs of 2019:
