14 DAY TRIAL // ArenaNet has announced that something disturbing is coming in the world of Guilds Wars 2. Disturbingly awesome, that is, since the development team decided to update the trait system with a massive 40 new traits, in a patch that is due out in April.
The fundamental change to the way traits will function will be that players will no longer be required to visit a profession trainer and purchase a training manual to access the various tier levels. Once at the appropriate character level, players will be able to dive right in and toy with the system, unlocking each tier for free.
This is in line with the development team's efforts to make traits a more approachable element of Guild Wars 2, also pushing back the level at which different trait tiers unlock for new characters, in order to add a more exciting pacing for character progression from levels 30 to 80.
Consequently, new characters will be able to unlock the adept tier at level 30, master tier at 60 and the grandmaster tier at character level 80.
Max level characters currently have 70 trait points to spend across all trait lines, and have to invest five points into any given line so they can unlock the next minor or major trait. Therefore, the team has decided to condense trait points, having each one be the equivalent of five of the old ones, one every six levels starting from 30 up until level 66, at which time they will start earning two at a time.
Once the change goes live, each trait point spent in a line will net players 50 of each associated stats as well as unlock the use of a minor or major trait slot.
The new system will make traits much easier to understand for new players, as currently there is a possibility of inexperienced players to spend 11 points in one line and 14 in another and end up having a less-than-optimal build.
The changes will ensure that the trait panel will be much easier to understand and navigate, with less clutter and less non-essential choices to make.
Additionally, the developers have made a few changes to the way players can refund their traits, making the button that instantly refunds all traits, previously only present in structured PvP areas, a game-wide feature. Player can now refund traits freely across the game, any time they are not engaged in combat or in a competitive PvP match.
For players interested in the full list of changes, the Guild Wars 2 website has all the information regarding the upcoming April update.