September 2014 "Feature" Pack (leveling aspect)

I'm surprised no one has commented on this yet. Have any of you tried leveling your alts (or first characters) since this patch went live? How do you feel about the changes? I had a new mesmer at level 21 before the patch hit, and when I logged in yesterday I noticed that both of my #5 underwater skills were now locked. Yeah...I'm not super excited about it so far.

Here's a great quote from the GW2 forum that kind of sums up the reaction most people will probably have to the change:

"When I finished playing my level 7 guardian yesterday I must have left him in a bar. He woke up today naked, his armor is now level 10 and he has forgotten his 6th skill. I wish I knew the lady's name I was with to get my stuff back. And to ask for another date."

I have 8 lvl 80's and my other necro is 40 something. But I feel for you . I have heard people talking a lot about this and I do not like the concept or principle.

I do understand the concept of making levelling easier for newbies, BUT it has taken away a lot of choices. Not being able to do your personal story until you have reached a certain level kinda sucks and blows - there is nothing quite as fun as doing The Battle for Claw Island and Retribution at least ten levels under the suggested level :-( I don't know why they had to change that. Like I said to Lala, they're supposed to make things BETTER! I feel like levelling is now more restricted. However, I will really see how that pans out with my level 20 engi.
I love the comment you posted Zeph about being in a bar etc. Made me really laugh hehe

Plum

Kewl idea Zephy! I shall wait on voting since I have had my mother here for the past two days.. i need a beer and some cookies and GW2 tonight and I will get back to you after lol


<3

A very big Meh...
I decided to make a new character just to "experience" the New Player Experience. So many little things bothered me during the 1-15 leveling. There are so many basic game features that are placed behind level gates or simply hidden from the player until a certain level. I guess if I had just started playing and didn't know what the game had to offer it wouldn't bother me, and I might even think it was really cool when i found out about POI's, harvesting, skill point challenges(actually BLOCKED until level 13--my pet peeve). But this is so unnecessary for someone who's been playing and leveling characters for 2 years. It feels slightly condescending to be honest. One of the things I loved about this game when I started was the open ended, learn as you explore, play as you want feel, and this patch completely removes that and holds my hand through several levels.

That said--there are some things I do like. Those first 15 levels fly by. The heart tasks are easier and give so much experience it's crazy. I'm a little worried now that leveling past 15 will feel painfully slow in comparison, but we'll see. I also don't mind the rewards we receive at some levels. When you gain a level, you get a flash screen telling you any stat bonus, skill unlock, and sometimes, loot. I've recieved a choice of dyes, a backpiece and some very nice armor that has choosable stats. I've even heard rumor that we receive a cultural armor piece at level 20...can't argue that. And the new crafting interface! <3

I understand that these changes went in because it was proven to retain players who are just starting. That's fine, we always need new players. But with a lack of attention being paid to content for players who've been here since the start...idk.

Don't like the restrictions at all. Why pull back experienced players back to newbie level. Nothing is accomplished by that. I would compare it to holding back an entire class one grade because a couple of new students need to catch up and didn't pass the final.
Mali

To us veterans, this update seems childish and lame. However, for those new players that come in and seem to be overwhelmed by everything, it might actually help. I still think it blows and wish I could change my vote, but oh well.

I think the whole "here, let me hold your hand through your first few levels" thing should be restricted to your first toon, or at least until you get one to a certain level, having to go through a tutorial every time I make a new toon gets tedious. xP
I see no point in restricting things like Skill Points and POIs and such until certain levels, I mean sure, don't point them out to me if I'm a new player until you feel that everything else has been figured out, but if I run across one early, let me try to figure it out on my own. :/

i want keeeeey farming back!!! POOUUUTTTTT!

as for the rest... hmmm my opinion is still developing...