Despite not having anything to do with warring guilds anymore as its title implies, Guild Wars 2 still remains as one of the strongest MMORPG contenders these days. With a third expansion looming on the horizon, the sequel to Guild Wars is bound to get more attention and more players. After all, new content is always exciting and is a good way to reel in more people.
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Consequently, that sort of influx in the community is bound to bring in more newbies. It just so happens the newbies make plenty of mistakes and while Guild Wars 2 is more casual-friendly or forgiving than other MMORPGs, these certain mistakes should still be avoided if you want to have a good time or to not regret anything later on.
10 Picking Random Servers/Worlds
This isn't that significant especially if you have no friends that play Guild Wars 2. The Worlds or servers in the game are merged for the typical gameplay, i.e. open-world, quests, general PVE. However, one gameplay mode of Guild Wars 2, which is World versus World (WvW) separates players using their chosen World the first time they opened the game.
In order to change Worlds, then you have to pay using gems or the premium currency in the game. If you do have friends who play WvW, you might want to ask them first what world they picked so you can join them in that game mode, assuming you want to be on their side or vice versa. Otherwise, randomly picking a World shouldn't hurt your non-WvW experience.
9 Killing Mobs For Experience
Speaking of experience, it's the most recognizable resource in MMORPGs as it's the only one needed for leveling up. Most MMORPGs subject players to the endless grind of killing hordes of mobs or groups of monsters for experience. Guild Wars 2 handles this differently.
It doesn't grant little to no level-up experience for slaughtering monsters or enemies. Instead, players level up by doing Hearts, events, quests, and map completions. It ensures a more story-driven progression and lets players be more familiar with the game world. So, no more brain-dead mob killing routine.
8 Buying Gear Before Level 80
Apart from the sense of achievement or power tied to leveling up a digital insert of yourself in a fictional world, another motivation for MMORPG players would be fashion or gear. You would want the shiniest and most optimal gear possible and many new players get impatient and purchase them from merchants or worse, from the trading store in-game instead of relying on quest rewards.
This sort of mistake isn't exactly too damaging since it's easy enough to earn gold in Guild Wars 2 through the latest events. Still, those looking to maximize their gold, silver, or copper should hold off on buying items. Purchasing gear should only be done once you're level 80. Otherwise, you'll just be replacing your weapons and armor every 10 minutes or so.
7 Rushing To Max Level
That isn't to say rushing to max level, which is 80, is advised in Guild Wars 2. Unless that's your idea of fun or you're on your second character, rushing to 80 makes you miss some of what the game has to offer. That would be the excellent world-building and story-driven events and quests in the game.
Moreover, you can actually learn a lot about the game mechanics and some good deals for gear when you take your time and explore. It also gives time for you to accumulate a good amount of the game's many currencies if you don't rush. So make sure to participate in a lot of active events or groups instead of solo-rushing to 80.
6 Using The Level 80 Boost
For players who bought the game through the expansions, they'll probably be elated that they were given an item called the Level 80 Boost. It lets your newly-created character become level 80 and the game also teleports them to an endgame area.
The problem is, most new players who do this are left clueless as to what they need to be doing to enjoy the game or progress further. That's because levels 1 to 80 are considered as a tutorial for Guild Wars 2 both mechanically and mentally (to familiarize yourself with the game world and how events work). Simply ignore this Level 80 Boost if you're new to the game. If you do happen to accidentally use one, then just create a new character and start from scratch instead.
5 Relying On Healers, DPS, Or Tanks
Anyone coming from other MMORPGs and even MOBAs will likely be confused at Guild Wars 2's combat mechanics. Some will often rely on the party's heal spell or resort to a specific role in the RPG trinity of Tank, Healer/Support. and DPS.
This doesn't exist in Guild Wars 2 (at least not as clear cut as in others). Each class has a complete kit that allows them to sustain themselves. They can heal, deal damage, and avoid or absorb damage (thanks to the dodge mechanic). So unless you're playing Raids or Fractals, you don't need to worry about your role in combat.
4 Picking Anything Other Than Warrior, Ranger, Or Necromancer
With that said, some classes in Guild Wars 2 are more complex than others. Sure, that Revenant looks really edgy and cool, or that Mesmer looks radiantly enticing, but if you're just starting out, it's best to choose other classes. The most complicated ones are the aforementioned Revenant, Mesmer, and Engineer.
Classes for intermediate players are unofficially considered to be the Guardian, Thief, and Elementalist. As for the noob-friendliest classes, that would be the Warrior, Ranger, and Necromancer. Those three are your best bet if you don't want to be too challenged with your class or to mess up your usefulness in parties.
3 Clicking On Skills
Pressing on hotkeys is a bit fiddly at first, which is why many newbie players resort to clicking the skills in Guild Wars 2. Before they know it, they've become accustomed to clicking instead of memorizing their class rotations using the keyboard like an expert pianist of death.
Clicking on skills is an unnecessary crutch that would only hamper your reaction time and finger dexterity. That's why it's important to learn how to use the hotkeys early on and avoid clicking. It might feel awkward at first but you'll be more efficient in the long-run.
2 Joining Dungeon Explorable Mode When Below Level 80
Now here's a confusing aspect of Dungeons in Guild Wars 2, the notorious Explorable Mode. It has better rewards compared to the Story Mode but has a slightly higher level requirement. Many new players waltz in at the appropriate level stated in the Dungeon entrance only to be obliterated.
Ignore those level requirements. In truth, the optimal requirement for these Explorable Modes is level 80, preferably a five-man team of level 80 players. That's because only those familiar with the mechanics of Guild Wars 2 can get through such a mode. Unless you have endgame gear or at least a decent grasp of your class, don't join Explorable mode.
1 Treating Guild Wars 2 Like Every Other MMORPG
Last but not least is that one mistake that makes players impatient or bored with the Guild Wars 2, treating it like the others. In most MMORPGs, competition or being wealthier/higher-status than everyone else is the main relationship between players instead of cooperation.
Despite the name, Guild Wars 2 is actually one of the friendliest MMORPGs out there. There is, however, a separate gameplay section/mode for PVP and WvW and it doesn't rely on the PVE aspect of the game. So if you're new, just sit back and relax in Guild Wars 2's PVE mode (which is the meat of the game), there's no pressure there to be the best. Be a noob as long as you want.