The New 2020 Elite Skills & Weapons Added To Gw1 - A Review

Sharing my initial take on the newly implemented builds and opportunities available with the new update. Gw1 is a beautiful game whereby it could take months to really unpack and think about all of this fully, but here is what I got out of ten hours so far!
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[@johanwikstrom5671]

Hey WP, I realised something about the attribute raising skills after watching your video. You know those skills that have a failure rate unless you have enough points invested in them? Like Earth Shaker or Gale. The paragon elite completely bypasses that requirement for most of these skills, so you can use them without spending a single point in that line. I haven't found any good uses of it yet, but I reckon Gale and Slippery Ground could maybe be used?

[@zuphix1802]

Unfortunately the Paragon Elite does not buff any attributes which are below 4 already. I'm surprised the devs actually thought of that though.

[@MikePhantom]

@@zuphix1802 but the warrior one does :D

[@johanwikstrom5671]

@@zuphix1802 The wiki says you only need 1 point invested in the attribute to gain the buff from the para skill. Maybe that's wrong though? The sin skill requires you to have at least 3 points in the attribute

[@zuphix1802]

@@johanwikstrom5671 @Shroom1Up Interesting, I thought it was the Warrior one that added to 0 and the other 2 both needed you to be at 4. These inconsistencies are even more confusing the more I think about them.

[@WoodenPotatoes]

@@zuphix1802 Sadly you are mistaken Charlie. The Paragon requires only a single point in a line, and then it will increase the line by the full +5 or +6 or whatever. The reason is to lock out primary attributes (and maybe hidden pve title tracks) from being buffed. That's all. EDIT: That said, I am now learning that different classes have different thresholds! Assasin is 3, apparently. So... yeah.

[@dracomet2097]

I like how when WP decides to expand, ANet just keeps pumping out new shit non-stop.

[@Rayalot72]

At least WP's new strategy will be more sustainable. I wonder if ANet is replying to the community scene, though. I feel like a negative attitude towards the state of the game was getting pretty prevalent, so it makes sense for them to aim for a lot of good PR in a short time. So, they probably _are_ doing it in response to WP... and many other people.

[@ShoutsWillEcho1]

The fuck is wp?

[@arandomdude9588]

@@ShoutsWillEcho1 Bruh

[@musicfanatic23]

Guild Wars 1 is back baby, what a time to be stuck inside.

[@felixthirion9544]

GW1 was frking great, the depth of skill and party building were amazing

[@Jbills]

Everything about GW1 man... the build crafting, the aesthetic, the general feel of things... shit was gold

[@hakatapawa7115]

@@Jbills they could literally turn gw2 around to be more like the first without breaking a sweat

[@robertmech3069]

@@hakatapawa7115 the wishful thinking is off the charts

[@The_Conundrum_Crew]

Guild Wars skill system was inspired by Magic: The Gathering. And I think it shows because of how many people log in and play for so long just from the addition of 10 new skills.

[@SublimePeasant1369]

If I remember correctly; - Strenght Spears Spear is meant to gather adrenaline from distance on warriors. - In BDS farm the ranger is a Ranger/Ritualists and they're boosting their stats with weapons buff. Can be done as Rit/Ranger aswell.

[@JoeDavies42]

WP: "I'm just going to keep this as a brief overview" Video Length: "I don't think so."

[@bertlobertas]

This patch got me playing gw1 again!

[@alexrussell1778]

I love all this GW1 content! I still play on and off and I've realized over time there's a LOT I haven't done yet. I hope this patch will continue to spark a renewed interest in this game. Really enjoying these videos WP

[@strawberrired]

I was going to do all the skill capping stuff yesterday, but I got stuck in a ten page dialog with a baker in the Temple of Balthazar (As you do. But still some interesting info there about sausages and the Xunlai). Then I got sidetracked doing a quest chain in the Jade sea where you run around to recruit a bunch of people for a selfproclaimed hero only to have them all abandon you because upon returning they realised he was always a jerk. I've missed GW1. XD Also, reef lurkers.

[@kara5925]

This randomly came up in my play list - I played GW1 years ago, got disillusioned with GW2 and quit them both - and all the stuff you've talked about has got me playing again, so thank you for making this video 🙂

[@damianwroblewski8259]

I am pretty excited about new Ranger elite "Together as One". I can see that it is a small nod to Druid in GW2. It gives insane health regeneration and damage boost for the entire team. AND IT WORKS WITH SPIRITS AND MINIONS!!! With 15 Expertise you can maintain a 100% upkeep. Which gives +15 damage and +7 health regeneration to everyone in your team for 15s. It's amazing for minionmancer team compositions. Troll Unguent for everyone with shorter casting time, longer duration and damage boost :) I wanna get the new expertise sword to try out more stuff. I gotta say I'm blown away by the new possibilities. I didn't expect this skill to affect minions and spirits. I kinda wanna try support ranger/paragon builds. I like that you can't equip those skills on heroes. It encourages players to group together.

[@xandric1]

Enjoyed the video, actually back playing as well and having a great time.

[@Rajayali]

please do more GW1 videos, I would love to see some builds around the new elites!

[@LeiosLabs]

I actually love using echoes. It's one of my favorite playstyles that I miss in GW2. I created a bunch of tricks to make sure I could maintain echoes on my party all the time. It's one of the most challenging playstyles (because you have to keep a thoughts in your head), but it's really fun. This was the whole point in "The Power is Yours" and it worked really well for that. I am not sure whether I prefer the new Elite to "The Power is Yours", but it's great! Also: I have a number of builds with daggers on Paragons, so I'm really happy with that! "Go For the Eyes" is super easy to recharge with daggers and adrenaline-building skills, so you never run out of energy and just spam skills.

[@ChaoticNeutralMatt]

Nice input.

[@Joshimuz]

I'm so sad about the Ele skill since its pretty much the only class I play... and why on earth would I want an Axe D: I just tried it and the recharge reduction is 20% (and not 80%) now so I guess the tooltip was the intended effect Still, like you say, any update is a welcome one

[@JoshSweetvale]

30:00 While these skills can't be equipped ON Heroes, Heroic Refrain _can_ buff Heroes. Archetypical team leader indeed!

[@killerkram1337]

I've returned to gw1 just to get the guild wars 2 rewards shortly before this dropped. Then I started getting these and now I find myself still playing gw1 a lot lately. Its honestly a great game that has aged surprisingly well in terms of the combat mechanics. Cool to see a lot of people still playing as well

[@MrIllMind]

You COULD do a weapon swap build but focusing on one weapon with seven weapon stance just lets you really lean into strength and tactics while taking something like scythes or daggers with barely any investment

[@skipster3000]

Amazing. I already have 9 level 20s PvE characters, including on GWAMM, but now your video has inspired me to advance my Paragon, too. Thanks; brilliant video by the way!

[@a1ecu]

Definitely love these gw1 videos haha

[@Sientir]

I had a lot of fun streaming finding the bosses myself. I've not had that experience in...ever, really. Knowing there was a boss there, but not where exactly or what it had, and discovering it all was a blast! It was also fun to get some time to play with you. :) I really like the Assassin elite, even on a secondary Assassin, since the quick recharging shadow step and lead attack aspects still work. I've enjoyed Wastrel's Collapse (just for the stats), and this is a nice variant. It could also possibly combo nicely with some of the shadow/deadly arts skills that need a lead attack; hadn't thought of that until just now. Also, I'd been thinking that a lead attack shadow step was a good design idea for a while now; it's cool to see someone at ArenaNet agreed with me! I think the Monk elite also works well on a secondary, given that it is an AoE attack that can cause KDs. I think you mentioned that, though! It does seem to be set up to scale appropriately for that. Seven Weapon Stance (or w/e exactly the Warrior one is called) has been a lot of fun, too. I'm really glad to see new stuff in the game like this. Here's hoping ArenaNet adjusts the strike code to look at the weapon's attribute, instead of having that hardcoded to weapon type. It truly hasn't mattered until now-apparently, caster weapons use a different formula based on level for the strike power thing, instead of attribute investment.

[@JerodDunnRed]

Last night I installed Guild Wars 1 on my Chromebook via Linux / WINE. It actually runs pretty good and dang if I don't miss that game. Good coverage on these, I look forward to getting some of these weapons and elites!

[@davidsczepanik72]

My paragon uses daggers in gw1! That's so cool that they gave my hybrid build a nod!

[@nickdestruct]

Me and a friend bought new char slots. I made a paragon and he made another ranger and ferried each other over to KC. We are going to level them up a bit in Elona to run the Factions missions. Looks like we have a lot to do while we reminisce. 🤘🏼🥳

[@Zoadje]

I love this so much! After seeing this I immediately messaged my friends to install GW1 again :)!

[@wayne4427]

Love the update and love the content WP Keep it up!

[@Tallacus]

Man I am glad to be back playing my old GW1 UA Monk

[@reqq47]

This is awesome! I'm gonna get back to grind some achievements for hall of monuments.

[@MightyQuill]

I knew the first word of this video was going to be: WOW! :D

[@Billsy487]

I am astounded at the support for this game still, I played this religiously all the way until Eye of the North, then for some reason I stopped playing! Seriously thinking about getting back on it, would be nice if arenanet still paid attention to this insanely great game! The best MMO ever made ❤

[@codygaydon1325]

The build crafting ideas have inspired me to pick up the game again, I played it when I was quite young and and really enjoying it. Thank you, and anyone reading this... Because WP won't say it, like and subscribe to this guy!

[@sher8954]

With a Cantha expension in the work I actually thinking about playing the corresponding GW1 addon. A assassin/ranger sounds like it would be a lot of fun to play through the Cantha story. Also axe for ele in GW2 would be interesting in terms of matching new skills. I personally would like to see weapon enchantments.

[@RaggedyMimiga]

I will eat any gw1 video you put out ever like a there's a famine dude, yes to all ideas

[@gotenksjr]

The shortbow actually made me think of new Spirit Strength build potential, I don't recall how I used it before, maybe with a Scythe?

[@TEK427]

Anet is definitely getting business out of me. I just bought a bunch of mercenary slots! XD I love the mesmer and ritualist elites. I'm going to have fun playing with them!

[@munsta007]

My go to dps build on derv is zealous vow that gives pure energy everytime you hit something,but with a degen to energy bar. The new skill doesn't seem like it's be any different, plus it's then so it's slower than a flat gain every hit.

[@R_SENAL]

They have spears only underwater in GW2, would be good to have them added to land weapons, even let us use the underwater skins we already have with new ones of course. This also means we already have 1 Legendary Spear, so if we get during Icebrood Saga Gen 2 Spear for Legendary.... :) I would also like to add I wish they would allow Dagger underwater as how many divers use scuba knives IRL, that just seems like a natural 4th weapon choice down there, especially for Revenant who can only use Tridents now.

[@MrDannyWright]

It's great to hear you were talking to Mike, I miss being on Vent at stupid o'clock with you two.

[@WoodenPotatoes]

Hope life is going well man, always love seeing your username about.

[@valgrian]

I was actually quite excited to see a shortbow for Assassin. A long time ago I played around in AB with a crit strikes sin using a shortbow with Disrupting Accuracy for interrupt spam. It was pretty fun, though as I recall not particularly great at killing people.

[@snakeman830]

I remember doing the same thing. Ended up having a 5 minute duel with an ele in an alliance battle, just keeping them in their own fort. They kept backing off to recover health behind their legendary defenders. Dunno why it took so long for them to get help dealing with the lone assassin, though.

[@JoshSweetvale]

Even just improving your pulling weapon for A and W is a cute little bonus.

[@sqike001ton]

Spear wielding warrior is finally a thing I am going to make a warrior just for this even tho I have a fully maxed warrior and the ranger elite could pair very well with my dual/triple conjure weapon preparation build I usualy used perpaird shit to gain energy but the range elite could be powerful the bow would be great for the RT as a primary weapon

[@trilightning]

GW1 ist still a beautiful game to this date. I have been playing on and off for the last 2 months and trying to build up my characters in pve and stuff. I had an absolute blast playing though it.

[@johanwikstrom5671]

Hey again, I came up with some more fun build ideas but the text became quite long so I posted it on your subreddit instead. Feel free to check it out!

[@zuphix1802]

The Mysticism Staff is very interesting because you can add Adept mods to get 20% HCT of Mysticism which was not possible before

[@SuperShadow64]

I don't know if the cold dmg axe is a hint at a new elite spec, I thought it was just a reference to Frostfang, the legendary axe.

[@danak6773]

I hope to get a gw1 playthrough done one of these days I've messed with the early game a bit and even though it does show its age I think its held up

[@bre_me]

Just FYI Holy Damage isn't armor ignoring if it's a weapon damage type... Learned that after trying to use the new monk hammer and realizing I wasn't doing armor ignoring damage

[@imkluu]

It has been so long since I played GW1 that I don't remember how to gain elite skills, or any of the place names you mentioned. Do you have to load a special item or skill to capture elite skills? I didn't really understand a lot of what you were saying.

[@ArcabuzStrife]

i got back to gw1 and now i cant stop playing

[@VandrefalkTV]

Damn, this is awesome! :D Also, I'd loooooove a Paragon type elite spec in gw 2, golden wiiiiiings and floating! :D

[@Myror.7521]

Im hoping so mutch for a paragon spec for warrior with stuff .... that would be soooo gooood

[@peterssubs2707]

I happened on this by chance. GW1 was my childhood man. This could be a great opportunity to check stuff out and have a bit of a nostalgia trip - especially with all of us being stuck at home. You've earned a subscriber. Do you think ANET will do more things in the future with GW1 or this is just a one off?

[@melski9205]

So far every 5 years they do an update. However the devs did some great work on it last year, increased the view distance and updated a few things. They have at least 1 dev that still cares.

[@obsidianchilly]

I think the ele cold damage axe is just a reference to the God of War’s Leviathan axe

[@MichaelS5400]

The rit one is so incredibly fun

[@KhannUurrr]

Is there a video somewhere explaining this strike multiplier mechanic? I cant seem to understand what the wiki has on it

[@MehrumesDagon]

most of "PvE only" skills so far were unavailable to heroes (for example this is why you can't have NPC imbagon) - can those elites be used by them? and another question - about warrior elite - does that mean that technically speakign with this skill warrior can effectively use weapon from outside of primary/secondary profession?

[@beotho]

i tried ranger elite few minutes ago and it has no cast time. it is instant.. but sooooo low radius :((

[@_Banjo_]

The monk skill really reminds me of farming those trolls outside droknars on my monk

[@joshuatran1556]

Cold axe might be a reference to Frostfang

[@Deanzoid]

Just hearing about this. Can you still get the Proofs and the elites today solo?

[@RPGCrash]

please do a video on that necro build

[@Auriorium]

And here is me, only eye of the north and nightfall. Guess I will miss this unless later down the line.

[@violetbliss4399]

With the axe, I thought about the ranger or revenant axes... but seems unrelated to ele things.

[@strange-universe]

is there a timer on these? Like I need to go in there now? Oh, and do I need to have done all the game packs?

[@carnifex2005]

I'm guessing after the event is over, there will be people with the Proof of Legends available so you can spawn the bosses to get the new elites (if I'm figuring out that right).

[@someguy5444]

The problem with the ranger sword is that what the hell are you supposed to use as an offhand? They should have made the ranger use some kind of two handed axe that uses hammer skills or axe skills with a multiplier.

[@AkantorJojo]

I'm totally in for more GW1 content. Maybe even a "community Event" organised my you...? Also I have dreams of some devs taking back a look at GW1 and giving us some more buffs like a buffed paragon or some treaks to Ranger and Ele...

[@Sientir]

I'd love another skill balance update, at least in theory.

[@BlackSmithWolves]

Could you by chance maybe possibly update your engineering build? Or tell me what i need to take differently lol

[@_Banjo_]

Quite amusing that the Time Ward exists as a hint to Chrono in gw2.... where Chrono itself was a reference to the cancelled gw1 campaign

[@xarmanhskafragos2516]

Is it true that living world season 3 is a must if u are invested in the story?

[@ChaoticNeutralMatt]

Curious about new builds I could try. Edit: Didn't realize Magic was an inspiration.

[@Paintedawg]

Oh Guild Wars 1, it feels so gooooooooood 8D more more more!

[@gollumsk8]

imagine Living World for gw1 ... what i wouldnt give for big content update

[@BrecMadak]

Does this game feature a full loot PVP?

[@qwertyuiop65478]

Edit post 4/30 update: elite now does proc on aoe hits! Note for the Necro elite: hitting with AOE attacks DOES NOT proc the sacrifice multiple times. This includes scythe attacks. Also tested with Whirlwind Attack. Was hoping could do a Dark Aura sac spike with whirl, but it only sacs hp once regardless of how many mobs you hit. To boot, the scythe doing dark damage means no Barbs/MoP/OoP/OotV synergies. Unlucky.

[@ShiniestSkritt]

Why does the new Elementalist Axe use cold damage? Hopefully it's not just because the Conjure Frost skill icon has an axe. I wish it dealt lightning damage instead. We already have an Icy and Fiery axe in the game.

[@lifewhatsoever]

It makes me wanna play guild wars 1 again.

[@Sveargiths]

Sounds like you need to do a Boots Bad Builds a la Guild Wars 1 special.

[@Orcaluv26]

Hold on: if paragons get daggers, referencing spell breakers, and mesmers get shield, a nod to chronomancers, then why are elementalist a getting axes?

[@labdG]

All of this is so hype! :D So much fun. I just went back to playing through Factions. Gonna get that new assassin skill. I just realized that you can't equip more than one elite at a time. xD Darn. Totally forgot. I've relied an enother elite so much I don't know if I can give it up even for this one.

[@marnixpeeters2675]

MOAR GW1 YAAS

[@Draxynnic]

If warriors getting spears isn't just a nod to warriors already having a tendency to use spears as a ranged option, it could be an inverse of the paragon/spellbreaker interaction. Paragons got daggers because their spears got broken down into daggers. Warriors get spears because that's what spellbreaker daggers were before they were daggers. (Note that despite this relationship, spellbreakers don't appear to have any more than a symbolic link to paragons - spellbreaker skills, traits, and so on are more dervish-like than paragon-like.)

[@DBentt]

Can you use elite tomes on these?

[@VirtuesOfSin]

Hey WoodenPotatoes, could you recommend/comment your ideas regarding this theory crafting for a character? Primary: Monk - Secondary: Warrior [1] Judgment Strike; [2] Counter Blow; [3] Bane Signet; [4] Renewing Smash [5] Flurry; [6] Strength of Honor; [7] Auspicious Blow; [8] ??? The idea is to knock down the enemy and repeatedly spam Renewing Smash. If you can't knock down an enemy, you can Flurry and Strength of Honor to deal Attack Speed DPS. (Main reason I picked MoWar was because of Flurry/Strength of Honor... I'm sure there are better choices out there that combo with Knock Down better. Maybe MoAss with Daggers?). Honestly, just returned to the game since getting dumped by an Ex that introduced me, so I'm not all that familiar with combat. I'd like you're opinion on the idea if that is okay.

[@faux4874]

Warrior/Monk fis a bit better, because you have much more armor and access to Stonefist insignia. Have a monk hero with smiting investment (Ray of Judgment build typically) cast strength of honor on you instead of using it yourself: you don't lose energy regen, regain one more skill slot and can invest the attribute points elsewhere. Judge's Insight, Whirlwind Attack, For Great Justice, Crude Swing...

[@VirtuesOfSin]

@@faux4874 But Wiki says WarMo is a derogatory name for a bad class miss? lol (Joking aside) That does look interesting. Sad that you can't increase the potency of the new Divine elite though.

[@EllieUndomesticated]

Hammer monk is going to be fun

[@gewreid5946]

Monk/Warrior is the new Warrior/Monk, woohoo!

[@Sandroman1999]

How do I get an UI like in the video?

[@Haydenh127]

Can we get these elites after this event ends? Or do we have to play right now to get them?

[@jespersamuelson6200]

U need to get 5 proof of legends from coop quest, exchange it for a proof of triumph. Only duable during festival. But when u have the Triumph in your bag it's no time limit to catch skills.

[@carlosribero932]

Necro touch ranger could be viable with the sword and new elite skill

[@thatdangboy8267]

Bummer that none of the new weapons actually had anything to do with the new EOD specs. Would've been a cool easter egg

[@ShiniestSkritt]

I wish the new Paragon weapon was a Leadership shield. D,X

[@AquaBR2]

"I'll try to keep it brief over here" 46 fucking minutes

[@hundun5604]

I returned to gw1 after many years, and I approve this "update".🤓🥳 The devs really thought about this. It's not just some extra's. I wonder what 2025 (20th anni) will bring, if at all. This time I can run everything on max graphics and the game aged pretty well I think. I've seen a lot worse from ~'05.

[@bassrelic5030]

Please speak about the greens in another video :D

[@IamaQuadChannel]

Really wish ANet would see from this just how ludicrously popular this game could still be. Chuck some more cosmetic shop enhancements, make the current game free and release more expansions, welcome to profitability

[@ivannikolic3638]

Shame they didn't give weapons with new builds in mind for all professions. Well I speak for assassin at least, assassin with a bow was already viable build, so they just gave us a another bow. A new build possibility would have been if assassin got a sword for example.

[@BenLubar]

They added that joke elite spec you kept suggesting to Bootts where you cast 30 random shouts.

[@sqike001ton]

I disagree WP I think the rituliast sprit weapon skill could be really powerful it effects minions too and also you can get the elite weapon skills too it could be very powerful if combined with bone fiends and even flesh golem

[@plaguetree2387]

N/Rt FTW!

[@sqike001ton]

Alot of these skill seem to be pushing melee builds and skills as in recent times caster seem to be king for player builds other than assassin

[@hungryb4dinner]

Makes me want to reinstall again :D

[@adonutplaysgames8536]

Over the Limit: It was fun until it was patched :( Judgement Strike: Synergises well with the new anniversary hammer "Verdict" if you want to be a battle Monk.

[@linkofvev]

Same with the soul reaping Scythe "Sufferer" and the new necro elite Soul taker.

[@wannabetechnician7451]

imo basically an easy-mode by gw2 players for gw2 players