Mystic Worlds

GW2: Activities Round Up

It's been a while since my last substantial post.  In truth, not much has been going on in terms of gaming. I've been out of town for work 2 of the last 4 weeks is one reason. I've been spending more time teaching myself new jewelry making techniques in real life is the other.  In the next couple of weeks, I'm embarking on the journey of hot-joining metals and hope I don't burn down my house!  I'll need to make sure that my house insurance is in order.  (jk)

GW2 Maintenance Mode

My life in GW2 marches on.  No new friends have joined me in the game. Boooooooooo!!!  Niece, nephew and daughter returned to their lives on XBox. The large but WvW focused guild I'm in has gone silent or tits-up, not sure which.   Doesn't really matter, I'm cruising along doing what I do at end game - crafting, exploring, romping through my favorite zones, playing dress-up and making gold.

I love my Mesmer more than Tyria itself.  She's so amazing and fun to play.  My poor Guardian has been relegated to sitting in Southsun Cove in between farming and crafting sessions.  She makes all the money but the Mesmer has all the fun and adventure.  *sigh* She so pretty. Okay, she does contribute to the coffer.  She farms all the other zones and battles bosses for rares to salvage into Ectos. 

Just the Monthly Please

I'm not on enough to worry about doing Daily Achievements anymore.  They had been a little touch-stone for me to check in every day and seemed to happen more naturally.  Post the recent series of changes, it's less organic and often requires me to go specific places, not part of my normal routine. Going to places you hadn't or wouldn't normally is all well and good when you have the time, which I don't so much right now. Playing less means, I'm less inclined to do the detours.  

Conversely, I like the changes to the Monthly Achievement system.  The wider scope and longer completion time, means it's something I can reach for each month.  I don't even care about what you can buy with the laurels very much.  I like how I look in the gear I have.  I don't need the best stats in the game to do what I do, so the reward isn't a huge incentive.  Regardless, it's good to know I'm getting something better/more than before, for the effort.

GW2: Back on my Honeymoon

My Mesmer and newly finished crafting professions have me back into the honeymoon phase in GW2. The class provides better support and versatility for the aspects of game-play I focus on at max level. Plus her animations are flashy and her gear options are much more feminine, which adds to the overall appeal.

Harvesting on EZMode

I find harvesting nodes a relaxing thing to do. In most MMOs, its how I like to end my gaming sessions – bit of unwinding. Most of my harvesting is to support crafting but I don’t mind farming profitable items for resale.

The Mesmer class is much more adept at convenient harvesting in high level zones. She has a nice arsenal of skills for “Don’t mind me, I’m just passing through.” She has sweet sweet anti-combat maneuvers too. A typical configuration for me is Scepter + Focus, Sword + Torch, Decoy, Boons, + Boon Durations and Mass Invisibility.

The value of the Focus run buff is a no-brainer. It helps me bypass mobs and traverse the landscape more quickly. I use the #5 iDefender Phantasm to take aggro before I get close.  Usually the mobs nearby don't even notice me. Other times, I cast it if the mob is on top of the node or notices me as I’m harvesting. In either situation, the Defender Phantasm takes aggro and whittles the mob down while I’m harvesting. Depending on the mob, I can choose to continue on to the next location or kill it for a chance at useful loot or salvage.

The Torch is mostly for the Prestige skill which is a form of invisibility. I pop it and keep running. If I’m still in range of mobs or have aggro, I’ll follow up with Decoy and disappear again. It's also the only time I like have a melee weapon on the Mesmer.  If stuff gets in my face while I'm harvesting it's tag you're it, slash-slash, you're dead.

I save Mass Invisibility for hastening by a large swarm of NPCs or as a “hail Mary” escape. I also love running with the Signet of Inspiration for the random boons. The speed boost pops regularly and combined with Signet of Midnight for improved boon duration, it helps to length all of my combat avoidance tricks. To complement the Signets, I adjust my trait skills to reduce the refresh rates as well.

These options combined, really improve the efficiency of my harvesting runs. I thought the Guardian was cool with the almost constant run speed buff when you trait for “Shouts” and use a staff. Her ability to ignore things beating on her while harvesting or by casting spirit weapons to fight pesky mobs was convenient. Even though there’s no danger of being downed, there’s the harvesting interrupts which are annoying. The Mesmer however, can simply avoid the drama altogether in most cases, making her a more efficient harvesting class.

GW2: Mesmer Dings 80

I'm always exhausted the weekend I return home from traveling.  I was also ravenous for GW2 and spent the majority of the weekend at it.  My Mesmer reached 80 on Saturday.  Finishing the last few levels felt like a chore I wanted to end as quickly as possible.  This is mostly due to the fact that I CAN'T STAND ORR.

I might have skipped it altogether except that having parked the Guardian at the rich Ori node in Southsun, I need the Mesmer to harvest for her too when she's out.  So if I had to be out leveling I should at least spend some time where I can get the top tier cooking items.  OMG why are so many of them in Orr.  I detest that place.  I can tolerate Cursed Shore a bit more because navigating the area to harvest is a little less annoying but not by much.

When I wasn't gnashing my teeth in Orr, I was enjoying myself in Frostgorge Sound.  This will go down as the only snowy zone I've actually liked enough to stick around in after hitting max level.  I felt Rift was the first MMO to develop a compelling snowy zone but this tops even that design.  It's relaxing, casual questing and harvesting.  Not the frantic constantly under siege can't get to the waypoint you want of Orr.  And there's Journag, one of my hands-down favorite world boss events.

GW2: The end is in sight (Part 1 of 2)

My posts have been a bit behind my current level in game.  When I have the time, I often write several posts related to screenshots I’ve taken and schedule them to be published at regular intervals.  All my holiday/vacation time postings are done.  Boo!  Back to work, growing my skills as a crafter in real life and playing a bit less of GW2.

Boom 55 Mesmer / 200 Artificer & 200 Tailor

On this second tour of Tyria, my map completion goals are more relaxed.  I only intend to complete maps for my favorite zones.  I hop around a lot more than on my first character.  I poke my head into zones I didn’t level in the first time around.  I spend more time than necessary in zones that yield essential crafting materials for my professions.  Before exiting a map, I make a conscious effort to make my way to zone crossings to get the closest waypoint on the other side.

The evening after I reached level 55, I wanted play GW2 but wasn’t in the mood to do anything specific.  I started doing the daily quest but lacked the patience to zone-hop looking for events.  Scanning the world map for ideas, I decided to see how many waypoints I could get into the high level zones I’d need at level 80.  I was especially interested in the ones I need to farm for my Guardian’s crafting.  Since starting the Mesmer, I sidelined the Guardian.  For now she’s parked at the rich Ori node in Southsun Cove. Once the Memser is 80 her activites will provide harvested items for both characters.

On the Road

To make the trek, I equipped a Focus for the run buff, my two stealth utility skills and Mass Invisibility as my elite skill.  The plan was to run through zones, avoiding as much combat as possible.  I was level 55 wearing mostly level 45 gear.  One of my weapons was only level 40.  My Focus was level 36.  I upgrade my items every 10 levels into a full set of rare armor, weapons and trinkets.  Consequently, I wasn't due to upgrade again until level 60.

I expected to make it into level 60 zones without much bother.  Run, stealth, drop clones and keep running as needed.  However, making it safely to level 70 waypoints, this was a surprise.   I sure as hell didn’t think I’d make it into Frostgorge Sound and the Journag spawn point but I did!  I giggled inside when I made it that far and happened across the two Ori nodes in areas I could reach on the Mesmer.  HA!

to be continued...

 

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GW2: Embracing Multiple Armor Sets

 

Carrion armor set  

When I first hit level 80, I planned to do all of the instances I hadn't done along the way, as well as their explorer mode versions. That's not how things worked out. I joined a static PVE group within our guild but quickly realized that I really couldn't dedicate the fixed periods of time anymore. Obligations and temperament combined, the 2 to 3 hour chunks of time required, no longer suited my play style or personality. My preference for playing an hour here-n-there, tending to real life things in between sessions, was much more the norm. And this play style had now been encourage by the gaming mechanics in Rift and GW2. So in the end, I bailed on focusing on instanced PVE for end game.

Instead I worked on my crafting and found a profitable selection of items which I pursue with rigor. Farming, doing whatever local events pop when I'm nearby and chasing dragons fits perfectly into schedule. However, it wasn't until recently that it dawned on me that I was making farming a bit harder by rolling around in what is essentially, support/healer gear. Doh!

At first I resisted the idea of getting another set. I don't have to have it. I do fine farming and pull multiple mobs where possible to do so and kill them just fine. When I'm doing world bosses I play the supportive roll anyway so there's no real harm in keeping the set I have now. But after looking at the other crafted armor sets and the stats that are available on them, I changed my mind. I wondered how much faster I could farm with more DPS? Faster farming = more materials = more crafted items = more gold. So what if I'm not sure what I'm saving gold up for now anyway. Someday, something will come along that I need it for! *smile*

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GW2: Bribing Townsfolk with Alcohol

Our household has 6 copies of GW2 at this point. This includes my two nephews.  They don't live in my household but I fund their gaming since I'm the one who started their obsession. *smile* With the exception of my son and I, who tend to lavish our attention on a single character, the others are altoholics. And of them, only two actually get all of their alts to max. I suppose we can't count the 6 year old I've infected already with the MMO bug, who leaves alts around like cookie crumbs.  

With all the alt junkies and the limited amount of gear that's actually locked to a single character with a soulbound mechanic, I figured a family guild and bank would be helpful. I started an alt guild with a gaming friend from my former guild, Casualties of War. We put our alts in it and tried to remember to represent every once in a while to earn influence but the going was very slow. Even when I do remember to flip my main over to earn some,the influence only trickles in. 

GW2: Dancing with Dragons

 

Farming and tracking the Dragon Timers on my iPad

These days, I spend the vast majority of my harvesting and chasing down dragons. I’m very pleased with the returns I’m getting for the portfolio of crafted items I’m focused on selling, and nothing breaks up farming runs like dancing with dragons. 

There are 3 dragons as world bosses in GW2. You can read about them here. They are part of dynamic events, are hella fun and drop decent loot to use, sell or salvage. These continue the “come as you are” activity I’ve enjoyed most about playing GW2. I don’t need a group. I don’t have to be available on specific days at pre-set times. More importantly, I’m not obligated to stay for prolonged periods of time to complete the activity. I simply work them into my gaming session as possible.

 

GW2: Gambling for Gold

Screenshot from GW2 Spidy

My fastest and most profitable selling items are the Exotic accessories jewelers create using exquisite jewels and Orichalcum components. Depending on the stats, exotic accessories sell for upwards of 2.5 gold, where the items with healing stats sell for the least amount. The items themselves are easy enough to harvest for with the exception of one item that can only be salvaged (Ectoplasm) for and the rarest type of ore (Orichalcum).  

Each time the servers reset the location of Orichalcum nodes change. You can search for a player made map on the web or run through the level 70 to 80 zones and note the new locations yourself. Since I’m out farming anyway, I do the later by taking a screenshot of each location. I also do this for Omnomberries which are another less abundant resource needed for my best sellers. I mine ore like crazy, so having ore and the gems necessary to create the items isn't a problem. The real limiting factor for me, is acquiring enough Globs of Ectoplasm.

Neccessary Evil

Ectoplasm is the one component that can’t be crafted or harvested. The only way to obtain it is by salvaging level 68+ gear that is rare or higher in quality. Players running the high level dungeons and farming level 80 world bosses for chest loot have a higher probability of having spare items to burn for salvaging. I suspect the largest groups of players with available Ectoplasm are those that leveled crafting professions that produce gear. I’m not among that group, leaving me to obtain them via my low salvaging opportunities and/or purchase them from the Trading Post. 

GW2: Date with Zommoros and the Mystic Forge

Looking to expand my crafting repertoire, I decided it was time to make a date with Zommoros and the Mystic Forge. I had a ton of Mystic Coins in the bank and more Skill Points than I could shake a stick it. Aside: what the hell does that phrase mean? Is there a limit to the number of things you can shake a stick at??? Anywho, I was all dressed up in Skill Points and coins with no place to go.

A visit to GW2 Spidy and live research on the Trading Post showed that cooking trays and feasts sell for a decent profit. Depending on the type of food, the tray can go for double the profit of having sold the same 10 items individually. In case I hadn’t mentioned, cooking is one of my primary crafting professions. It’s like a tick. If cooking is available in a game I MUST COOK. Even though it’s generally among the lowest in overall profitability, I mentally and emotionally enjoy doing it. Besides, GW2 cooking is the best cooking has ever been done in any MMO EVER.  I reached level 400 without looking up a single recipe. I've been at max for a couple of months at least and I'm still discovering new items.  With cooking, I have no idea how many more recipes there are to be discovered and I love that about it.

GW2: Found My Crafting Groove

Losing steam or not, Tyria is much too beautiful to abandon. Rift feels a bit old school after the open questing style and more active combat in GW2. It might feel better in a static group or guild. Soloing felt very lackluster. I suspect other games would now feel ancient in comparison to what I’ve quickly become accustomed to as far as questing is concerned. I missed playing GW2 while I was out of town last week.  Just before leaving, I was determined to find “my something” to do at max level in GW2. 

In my post raiding life, crafting is what I like to do as end game. Unfortunately, the profitability of the LARGE AMOUNT of recipes I labored to discover in GW2, sell for less than the materials needed to create them. Silly desperate constant under cutting sellers notwithstanding, I decided to take another look. I mean seriously, with that many freaking recipes at my disposal there must be some money-makers in the bunch. With the help of GW2 Spidy and a spreadsheet, I found several winners.

GW2 Spidy is a browser-based tool that aggregates the sales taking place on the Trading Post and provides min/max selling price, average profitability per item, etc. It’s like the NASDAQ of the GW2 economy. Using the information on this site and validating prices on the live market, I identified profitable items for my professions.

 

GW2 Spidy Home Page

 

I listed the items I identified on the Trading Post. Using the “What I’ve sold” option data, I recorded my actual sales into a spreadsheet. After a few days, I averaged my actual sales per item and ranked them based on profitability. These rankings help me to decide which items to create first when I’m short on materials, as well as providing a focused list for farming. Granted, I farm everything within a reasonable distance when I’m in a zone but this list of items takes precedence. Within 5 days, I was able to double the modest amount of gold I have deposited in the bank. “Ah, sweet sweet loot. All mine!”

 

Snippet of some transaction history

I’m not rich by any means. Players who are doing repeated dungeon runs or are in active WvW teams are bringing in more. However, this allows me to have my own end game, based around an activity that I enjoy and it is done 100% in my own time and fashion. Sure, I could farm and sell all the materials and possibly make more gold. But the gold itself isn't the point for me. The point was to fashion a viable end game for myself in GW2 as I have in other games.  

Word of caution when using the GW2 Spidy Margin data. I find the calculations flawed in that they assume the cost of purchasing everything from the Trading Post, and for many items, don't let you choose that you've harvested it yourself.  You can easily deduct those cost from the handy list of costs displayed on the individual item sheets.  However, this means that you can't accurately sort your Watchlist by margin.  *Sad panda face*

Since my crazy nights and weekends of hardcore raiding in WOW, my end game is about creating a business of sorts out of crafting and/or player housing. I’ve found that post WOW, if a game can’t provide either of those options, as in has a busted crafting design/market and lacks player housing, I’m generally gone a couple of months after hitting max level.

Tyria is gorgeous. I’m still not tired of wandering leisurely through the zones and discovering new nooks-n-crannies. The difference now, is that I have a focus for myself that keeps me entertained and invigorated in between content patches.

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