Posts by Bluey

  • Addicted to the game, need help

    Dear fellow players,

    I have to admit, I am addicted to the game, and I need help.

    I have owned GW for 15+ years, and it has always been my favorite.

    I have a very stressful and demanding day job. I have a family (wife, no children yet). I have no other hobbies besides GW. I have always been playing in my free time, and have short-sightedness. I often go to sleep late due to being hooked up in the game and forgetting about time. Then I had to get up early to go to work. I often regret not sleeping well, and need more and more coffee to get by. After work, I am so stressed out that all I can do is play GW. I spend almost no time interacting with my wife, who has became frustrated just because of this. I have not exercised for ages and have become frail physically. I know something is wrong.

    I looked up the definition of addiction, and here's the DSM-5 Criteria for Substance Use Disorders: (the criteria doctors use)

    1. Taking the substance in larger amounts or for longer than you're meant to.
    2. Wanting to cut down or stop using the substance but not managing to.
    3. Spending a lot of time getting, using, or recovering from use of the substance.
    4. Cravings and urges to use the substance.
    5. Not managing to do what you should at work, home, or school because of substance use.
    6. Continuing to use, even when it causes problems in relationships.
    7. Giving up important social, occupational, or recreational activities because of substance use.
    8. Using substances again and again, even when it puts you in danger.
    9. Continuing to use, even when you know you have a physical or psychological problem that could have been caused or made worse by the substance.
    10. Needing more of the substance to get the effect you want (tolerance).
    11. Development of withdrawal symptoms, which can be relieved by taking more of the substance.

    I am not too surprised to find that I met most of the descriptions above. Gaming is a psychological addiction, so there may seem to be less withdrawal symptoms. However, if I didn't play GW, I become easily agitated and short-tempered. Then I spend time thinking about GW; about builds, farms, stuff I got in-game. When I'm free to play again, I jump right back in. Playing GW takes my worries away for the time being, but I find it difficult to live without it. And now that I found this awesome forum (GW legacy), even during work I can't control the urge to check it out once every few minutes. It's like I can physically stop playing and leave the computer, but my mind still goes on an on with the game.

    Though the years, I progressed very far in the game, grinding titles I wanted one after another, getting cool miniatures and weapons. But my real life has stopped its progression. I can't do well on work assignments because I can't focus. I can't get along with my wife because I don't have spare time for her, not to mention other family members. I haven't talked to my parents for months. I don't want kids or other things to happen in my life because I think it means less time to play. I am a grown-up but I don't think I am a responsible person.

    Oh, I've tried to quit before. I've tried pretty hard. There were a few times when I really regretted missing out on important things in real life, and out of rage, I deleted all my precious stuff and toons (made the account as clean as new). And I did that twice. I have even changed my password to gibberish so that I can't login forever. But it didn't work. I contacted support and got a new password, then slowly regained some fortune in-game until I was twice as rich as before.

    I love GW, but to a degree, GW has destroyed my life, again and again.

    I know those ectos and arms are just virtual riches, and the items are just 3d models.

    I know nothing lasts forever. (certainly not the everlasting tonics, haha)

    I know I need to stop.

    I need help.

    ;(

  • CLOSED* Mursaat Shield, tactics, uncustomized

    Bump, still looking for a price!

    I'm just a collector, not looking for profit. Just needed a good estimation.

    [My research]

    I found a post in the price check section for a Tengu Shield, and someone said in the replies that a Mursaat Shield was 60-80a. That was from 2018.

    I found some posts in the selling section, and bidding prices for this shield ranged from 40-80a; one was sold in May 2020 for 40a.

    I searched the trade chat and people were trying to sell at prices like 50-100a within ~2 years, but not many results showed up.

    Been asking in-game too, but the prices I got were all over the place... from 30a to over 100a.

    Also, I was also wondering if the requirement (str, tac, com) affected the price, or not at all.

    Thanks!

  • Team for Daily Zaishen Quests

    Greetings. I'd like to share the team I use for general gameplay.

    This is a variation of 7-Hero Mesmerway on PvX wiki. It is suitable for any primary profession, and functions very well without any consumables. As an example of its efficiency, the team can complete HM Eternal Grove with no splitting with relative ease.

    My own assessment of this team:
    ❅ Pros: Runs around fast, kills fast, can do most Hard Mode contents.
    ❅ Cons: Defense is only moderate.

    The main perk is Fall Back x3 on the Mesmers, as most of the time questing is spent running around. The Mesmers will follow you closely and will not stop for casting outside of battles (while other heroes may lag behind to summon minions or cast bundled ashes). You can always expect Fall Back to cover you when running.

    Player Build: Assassin's Promise spiker (for quick kills)

    [Build=OwVTMWP/NaBaX0mMmURc5LCitBA]

    Description of Player Build

    ❅ Equipment: Anything that adds up to 2x 10% HCT for spells, for faster AP and EVAS casting. For example, a staff with "Don't Think Twice" and "Swift" staff head, or a spear with "Don't Think Twice" + focus with "Swiftness" core. Consider adding Soul Reaping 5 mod for better energy management.

    ❅ Estimated armor ignoring damage per enemy (at 12 Deadly Arts): EVAS [Iron Palm (32), Fox Fangs (35), Nine Tail Strike (40x2)], YMLAD (80), FH (80), Signet of Shadows (80), Signet of Deadly Corruption with 4 conditions (116) = 503, not counting EVAS attack damage and FH deep wound.

    ❅ Combined with damage from heroes, you will likely kill a foe before using the whole skill chain. Cast AP when a foe is at 2/3 or 1/2 health (and not targeted by enemy healer). Consider skipping EVAS if the foe is under 50% health when targeted.

    ❅ The last 4 skills can be profession-specific energy management skills.
    W: has to rely on BiP; use Stonefist insignia for +1 second knock-down
    R: Scavenger Strike, Call of Protection, Comfort Animal
    Mo: Castigation Signet
    N: Soul Reaping gives enough energy, use Death's Charge to close in on foes
    Me: Waste Not Want Not (use after YMLAD)
    E: Glyph of Lesser Energy
    A: use Me, E, or P variant
    Rt: Spirit Siphon, other optional skills: Splinter Weapon (for EVAS), Agony
    D: Eremite's Zeal
    P: Leader's Zeal, instant and has no after-cast, use miniature for additional ally

    ❅ If you don't want BiP to be casted on you, use a spear for non-caster professions (W, R, A, D, P). For caster professions, keep your energy above 50% (a high-energy staff helps).

    ❅ For Paragons, Heroic Refrain is a good alternative for with this setup especially in hard areas, since most heroes have rather spread-out attributes points.

    ❅ If you use a spear (or a melee weapon), Splinter Weapon will be casted on you, which gives your auto-attackes considerable splash damage. Spears have the advantage of not needing to run up to foes.

    Me/P Mesmer Runners:

    [Build=OQlkAkC8gZezO+EkDmemuhQGgIA]

    [Build=OQlkAkC8gZezO+EkDmemuhQGoGD]

    [Build=OQlkAkB8gZe0O2LACIJQeWGARQNG]

    Description of Mesmer Runners

    ❅ Equipment: 20/20 wand + focus (or staff with SR5). Prodigy's insignias. For runes, aim for maximum Domination / Illusion, and 10 Fast Casting (breakpoint for 10-second recharge for 15-second spells).

    ❅ Soul Reaping 5 mods can be used on these Mesmers. The 2nd hero (with E-Surge and 2 shouts) runs out of energy most often, so will benefit from a high energy staff with SR5 the most. However, with BiP readily available, 40/40 sets are the standard equipment to optimize short bursts of damage output needed for general gameplay. SR5 mods are more useful in prolonged battles for more sustainable damage output, and also alleviates the pressure on the BiP hero.

    ❅ Disable and micro Fall Back (set hotkeys for this). Heroes use Fall Back during fights, which is a waste of energy. Also, while running, they wait about 1 second before re-applying Fall Back, which is suboptimal.

    ❅ Alternative skills: (Shatter Hex or Drain Enchantment can be situationally substituted)
    Spiritual Pain: more damage in easier areas
    Power Spike / Power Return: more interruption
    Waste Not Want Not: better energy management
    Shatter Enchantment / Mirror of Disenchantment: enchantment removal
    Hex Eater Signet: hex removal

    N/Mo Minion Master:

    [Build=OANDUshvSyBUB4BKgbhVVaR3VA]

    Description of Minion Master

    ❅ Equipment: Staff with 20+20 HCT Death, +20% enchantments. Bloodstained and Minion Master's insignias. For runes, aim for maximum Death Magic and 9 Soul Reaping (19 Death Magic and 11 Soul Reaping after enchantments).

    ❅ Spawning Power 5 mod can be used for stronger minions. However, keep in mind that +20% enchantments benefits the Protection Prayers skills.

    ❅ If using Heroic Refrain, aim for 13 Death Magic with runes (16 after enchantments), because the maximum is 20. Personally I don't bother with this adjustment, since it only gives the hero more health.

    ❅ At 19 Death Magic the Bone Fiends will be level 21 (heath 500, armor 63), making them somewhat compatible with Shelter from the ST Rit. If not using Shelter, consider taking Protective Spirit instead of Spirit Bond.

    N/Rt SoS Healer:

    [Build=OAhjYghqIPXzyJGrqKNncDzLGA]

    Description of SoS Healer

    ❅ Equipment: 20/20 Restoration wand + focus. Tormentor's Insignias. For runes, aim for 10 Soul Reaping (SoLS breakpoint).

    ❅ Instead of the Channeling Magic skills, you can bring any elite you prefer. Examples: Xinrae's Weapon, Icy Veins, Discord, Spiteful Spirit, Pain of Disenchantment.

    ❅ You can also use Rt/N with the same build for higher Channeling Magic at the cost of energy management. Take Spirit Siphon instead of SoLS. Consider using Soul Reaping 5 mod.

    ❅ I usually have 2 hard-resurrection skills on the team, in case one teamate dies from accidental spike. The BiP hero is a vulnerability, so this other N/Rt brings the resurrection.

    N/Rt BiP Healer:

    [Build=OAhkYgE6hEyzd4RUVFeSzJ3wccC]

    Description of BiP Healer

    ❅ Equipment: 20/20 Restoration wand + focus. Tormentor's Insignias. For runes, aim for 13 Blood Magic (BiP breakpoint) and 10 Soul Reaping (SoLS breakpoint).

    ❅ The hero maintains Protective Was Kaolai and Life outside combat. Disable to make him follow more closely.

    Rt/Mo ST Rit:

    [Build=OAOjAyhDJPYTr3ZbzBNdmtkLGA]

    Description of ST Rit

    ❅ Equipment: Staff with Soul Reaping 5 or +60hp. Shaman's insignias. For runes, aim for 16 Communing and 14 Spawning Power (Boon of Creation breakpoint).

    ❅ Why is there no Union or Displacement? To save the ST charges for Shelter, which usually gives the most protection. At 16 Communing and 14 Spawning Power, the Shelter spirit has 406 health, and loses 43 health per use (can trigger 10 times, or 19 times with Armor of Unfeeling).

    ❅ Shadowsong can continuously shut down hard-hitting melee bosses. It can be substituted with Dissonance, Earthbind, or Anguish.

    ❅ Disenchantment can counter enemy Monks with Protection Prayers skills. In prolonged fights with Monks, follow the targets of Disenchantment for easier kills.

    Overall, the team has:
    - 4 enchantment removals
    - 3 hex removals
    - 2 condition removals
    - 2 hard resurrections
    - Maintainable Fall Back and Stand Your Ground

    ❅ ❅ ❅ Mission-Specific Adjustments ❅ ❅ ❅
    - 4-men areas: Bring E-Surge, Minion Master, SoS Healer.
    - 6-men areas: Leave out BiP, ST.
    - Imperial Sanctum or Gate of Madness (when facing Shiro): Bring an Assassin with Flashing Blades and Wild Blow for Shiro. Micro Wild Blow for Battle Scars.
    - A Time For Heros: Bring 2 Unyielding Aura Monks and a Mesmer (can be Any/Me) instead of the heros with spirits and minions.
    - Moddok Crevice: Bring an Elementalist with Deep Freeze to snare the 2 Corsair Runners.
    - A Chance Encounter (WoC farm): Bring an UA Monk instead of the Minion Master.
    - Nightfall missions: If a specific hero is required, give it a staff and use this bar:

    [Build=OgWjIwDLrNygLQOAna6GCZgWGA]

    No team is perfect for any situation, and may need adjustments here and there. Please share your thoughts and suggestions. Any comments are appreciated. Thank you for reading.

  • NEW Heroic Refrain PARAGON ELITE Build

    Quote from OS T

    You mind putting up the runes and insignias and which headpiece you have for this build?

    I'm not the original post, but In my opinion, for a Heroic Refrain build...

    Headgear +1 and +3 Leadership, you need 16 Leadership for Heroic Refrain to hit +4 after casting it on yourself

    Centurion's Insignias on all armors

    other than that it's personal preferences

  • NEW Heroic Refrain PARAGON ELITE Build

    Nice build!

    I also tried to maintain Serpent's Quickness and There's Nothing to Fear a few days after Heroic Refrain was released! Ended up with the same first four skills, but the rest were motivation skills (Aria of Zeal/Restoration), since my heroes usually had Stand Your Ground + 3 Fall Backs. I admit up-keeping There's Nothing to Fear is quite nice against armor-ignoring damage, but in the end a half-bar Save Yourselves build (e.g. SY, FGJ, Flurry) still seemed more straightforward to use, and offered better protection. That's just my opinion though.

    Thanks for sharing this new build! Also, Serpent's Quickness is a great quality-of-life booster for Heroic Refrain! :)