Mounts: I'm basing it on my experience when trying to keep up with the meta train on non-expac maps. It was either get the expac and mounts, or be unable to stay with the train, which made meta events all the more grindy. Like, trying to get Hero Challenges in TD was basically not possible because the jump mounts bypassed all the usual routes, leaving anyone who can't keep up with the train to be dead, because the mounts would aggro five billion mobs and anyone not jumping will get curb-stomped by those mobs.
Story: It's not that big of a deal to run multi-paths, tho'. They could just have one boss at the end, but change the path to the boss based on what you picked; and instead of throwing a gauntlet of mobs at the player, the path could be more dialogue focused quizzes. Y'know, offer the correct items or something like that. Minimal new assets with a more puzzle solving/dialogue focused progress. Also, given GW1:Factions had differing faction paths, branching story paths is the natural conclusion. They could always add new game+ or allow post-game unlock of the other branches, so that the player can still experience the content without feeling like it's just "go here, slay X" repeat ad nauseum.
Jade Bots: I meant that if the Jade Bot's upgrade affects drop rate and the ability to turn junk into more valuable stuff, then this squarely places anyone who doesn't buy the expansion at a significant disadvantage, and that kind of power creep is what drove me off of GW2 in the first place. I don't mind power creep if the creep is given to everyone, not just limited to people who buy the expansion. It feels too much like a slap in the face to veterans. Like, why bother buying anything at launch? Might as well wait until the entire thing is on life-support and then buy the bundle package for the best QoL experience.
Specs: Yeah, I can understand Engi not being high on your list. (T_T) Anet gives that class no love.
no subject
Mounts: I'm basing it on my experience when trying to keep up with the meta train on non-expac maps. It was either get the expac and mounts, or be unable to stay with the train, which made meta events all the more grindy. Like, trying to get Hero Challenges in TD was basically not possible because the jump mounts bypassed all the usual routes, leaving anyone who can't keep up with the train to be dead, because the mounts would aggro five billion mobs and anyone not jumping will get curb-stomped by those mobs.
Story: It's not that big of a deal to run multi-paths, tho'. They could just have one boss at the end, but change the path to the boss based on what you picked; and instead of throwing a gauntlet of mobs at the player, the path could be more dialogue focused quizzes. Y'know, offer the correct items or something like that. Minimal new assets with a more puzzle solving/dialogue focused progress. Also, given GW1:Factions had differing faction paths, branching story paths is the natural conclusion. They could always add new game+ or allow post-game unlock of the other branches, so that the player can still experience the content without feeling like it's just "go here, slay X" repeat ad nauseum.
Jade Bots: I meant that if the Jade Bot's upgrade affects drop rate and the ability to turn junk into more valuable stuff, then this squarely places anyone who doesn't buy the expansion at a significant disadvantage, and that kind of power creep is what drove me off of GW2 in the first place. I don't mind power creep if the creep is given to everyone, not just limited to people who buy the expansion. It feels too much like a slap in the face to veterans. Like, why bother buying anything at launch? Might as well wait until the entire thing is on life-support and then buy the bundle package for the best QoL experience.
Specs: Yeah, I can understand Engi not being high on your list. (T_T) Anet gives that class no love.