Should You Boost in Guild Wars 2? A Veteran’s Perspective
The short answer: it depends. Boosting in Guild Wars 2 (GW2) is a powerful tool, but wielding it effectively requires understanding its nuances and considering your personal goals within the game. It’s not a simple yes or no; it’s about whether it aligns with your GW2 journey. Let’s delve into when boosting is beneficial, when it’s detrimental, and how to make the most informed decision.
Understanding the Level-80 Boost
The level-80 boost is an item, often obtained through purchasing expansions, that instantly raises a character to the maximum level. It equips the character with appropriate gear and grants a package of endgame rewards. This seems like a shortcut to the “good stuff,” and in some cases, it is. However, it’s crucial to understand what you’re skipping and what you’re gaining.
The Case Against Boosting: The Lost Experience
GW2 is unique among MMOs. It emphasizes exploration, discovery, and a dynamic world far more than the traditional “level grind.” The leveling process is the game, in many ways.
Missing the Magic of Discovery
- Map Completion: Each zone is filled with points of interest, vistas, hero challenges, and renown hearts (mini-quests). Completing these not only grants experience but also introduces you to the lore, the unique creatures, and the secrets of Tyria. Boosting bypasses this entire experience.
- Personal Story: Your character’s personal story unfolds gradually as you level, providing context for the world and your role within it. Skipping this can leave you feeling detached from the overall narrative.
- Skill and Trait Unlocks: Leveling organically allows you to experiment with different skills and traits, learning how your profession works and developing your own playstyle. A boosted character is thrust into endgame with a full suite of options, potentially overwhelming and hindering the learning process.
The “Endgame Starts at Level 1” Philosophy
Unlike many MMOs where the early game is a mere prelude to the endgame, GW2 integrates engaging content throughout the leveling experience. World events, dynamic encounters, and Living World episodes are accessible at various levels, offering diverse and rewarding gameplay regardless of your level. Boosting essentially throws away the early-game content, which many players consider the heart of the game.
The Case For Boosting: When It Makes Sense
While I generally advise against boosting for first-time players, there are scenarios where it can be a valuable tool.
Alt Characters: Streamlining Your Experience
If you’ve already leveled one or more characters to 80 and understand the game’s mechanics, boosting an alt character can be a great way to quickly access endgame content with a new profession. This allows you to experiment with different playstyles without re-treading familiar ground.
Endgame Focus: Jumping Straight into Raids or PvP
For players primarily interested in endgame content like raids, fractals, or structured PvP (sPvP), boosting can provide a rapid entry point. This bypasses the leveling grind and allows you to immediately focus on honing your skills and gearing up for these activities.
Reward Claim: Boosting a Level-80 Character
The boost item itself grants a package of rewards when consumed on a level-80 character. This can be useful for obtaining specific items or currencies. This can be especially lucrative during promotions or if you have an existing, under-used level 80 character.
Making an Informed Decision
Before using a level-80 boost, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is this my first GW2 character? If so, strongly consider leveling organically.
- Do I understand the basic mechanics of GW2? If not, boosting can be overwhelming.
- Am I primarily interested in endgame content? If so, boosting might be a viable option.
- Do I have other level-80 characters? If so, boosting an alt can be efficient.
- What are my goals for this character? Define your goals to determine if boosting aligns with them.
Maximizing Your Boost: Post-Boost Strategy
If you choose to boost, don’t jump straight into the most challenging content. Take the time to:
- Familiarize yourself with your profession: Read guides, watch videos, and practice your rotation on training dummies.
- Explore the world: Even if you skipped the leveling process, take some time to explore the level-80 zones and engage with the dynamic events.
- Complete your personal story: The level-80 chapter of the personal story is a good starting point for understanding the current narrative.
- Craft or purchase appropriate gear: The gear provided by the boost is a good starting point, but you’ll eventually want to upgrade to exotic or ascended gear.
- Find a guild: Guilds provide a supportive community and access to valuable resources and information.
Guild Wars 2 offers a fantastic and immersive experience. Understanding the different types of learning within the game can improve a player’s comprehension and enjoyment. Learn more about these concepts at the Games Learning Society website, GamesLearningSociety.org.
FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the complexities of boosting in GW2:
1. What exactly does the level-80 boost provide?
It instantly raises a character to level 80, provides a set of level-appropriate gear, and grants a package of endgame rewards like gold, crafting materials, and transmutation charges.
2. Can I try out a profession before committing to a boost?
Yes! The boost offers a trial period in the Silverwastes. You can experiment with the profession’s skills and traits before permanently consuming the boost.
3. What happens if I use the boost on a character that’s already level 80?
You’ll receive the package of rewards associated with the boost, but the boost itself will be permanently consumed. There’s no trial period in this case, so be absolutely sure before using it.
4. Is it possible to undo a boost?
No. Once the boost is permanently applied, it cannot be undone.
5. Will I automatically unlock all waypoints in the world after boosting?
No. You’ll still need to discover waypoints manually by exploring the world.
6. Does the boost unlock all skills and traits for my profession?
No, you are given a set of hero points to spend on skills and traits. You will need to complete hero challenges to gain additional hero points to unlock everything.
7. Can I use multiple boosts on the same account?
Yes, you can use multiple boosts on different characters on the same account. However, each boost is a one-time use item.
8. Does boosting affect my crafting professions?
No, your crafting professions remain unchanged. You’ll still need to level up your crafting skills manually.
9. Does the boost unlock all the expansion content?
No. The boost only raises your level. You still need to purchase and unlock the expansion content separately.
10. What gear stats should I aim for after boosting?
This depends on your chosen build and game mode. Generally, Berserker’s (power, precision, ferocity) is a good starting point for DPS builds, while Viper’s (power, precision, expertise, condition damage) is popular for condition builds.
11. Where should I go after boosting to get better gear?
Fractals, dungeons, and the trading post are good sources for exotic gear. Ascended gear can be obtained through crafting, fractals, or purchasing it with various currencies.
12. How do I find a good build guide for my boosted profession?
Websites like Metabattle and Snow Crows provide up-to-date builds for various professions and game modes.
13. Will my boosted character be able to participate in World vs. World (WvW)?
Yes! WvW is a great place to hone your skills and earn rewards. However, you might want to gear up appropriately before diving in.
14. What are some essential masteries to unlock after boosting?
Gliding and mount masteries are extremely helpful for navigating the world. Other useful masteries depend on your chosen activities.
15. Is there anything else I should keep in mind before boosting?
Consider waiting for a sale on the expansions that include the boost. This can save you money and provide access to additional content. Most importantly, do your research and understand what you’re gaining and losing by boosting.
Boosting in GW2 is a tool, not a magic bullet. Use it wisely, and you can enhance your gaming experience. Ignore the caveats, and you might miss out on what makes Guild Wars 2 truly special.