Specialization

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Specializations are now unlocked. You can now spend hero points in the training tab on specializations. Once you begin training a specialization, you can set your active specialization in the build tab of the hero panel.

— Specializations

Specializations interface.jpg

A specialization, also known as a trait line, is a profession mechanic that allows players to customize their characters by concentrating on different aspects of their profession through various traits. Depending on the character's level, up to three specializations can be chosen, and each fully trained specialization provides 3 minor traits and the choice of 3 out of 9 major traits—split between adept, master, and grandmaster traits.[1] Players can freely change specializations and traits when out of combat.

Each character in the core game can choose from five core specializations per profession, while accounts with expansion packs unlocked gain access to one elite specialization for each profession per expansion.

Unlocking specializations[edit]

Training panel interface.

To begin training a specialization your character must be at least level 21, then follow the below steps. In Structured PvP game mode, players do not need to unlock anything, as all skills and traits available to the account will be unlocked while within the Heart of the Mists lobby.

  • Step 1: Open your Hero panel and go to the Training tab. The Training tab is the third tab from the top on the far left of the Hero panel.
  • Step 2: Select one of the tracks under Specializations. Tracks are located on the left side of the Training tab.
  • Step 3: Once you select a track, it will become visible, showing you a circle with all of the selected track's associated traits.
  • Step 4: In the center of the selected track, there will be a trait, a button that allows you to learn the trait, and a cost (listed in Hero points).
  • Step 5: To learn a trait, click on the Train button and confirm that you're willing to pay its Hero point cost. Once completed, the next trait in the track will become available. Once all traits in a track have been purchased, the circle will be completed.

It is possible to train multiple traits at once by selecting a trait further along into the track and then clicking Train. Fully unlocking a core specialization costs 60 hero points.

Once at least one trait is trained in any specialization you may go into the Build tab and equip it into an empty slot. Traits may also be selected once equipped. Specializations may be swapped freely when not in combat. Specialization slots are unlocked at levels 21, 45, and 71. Level 80 characters will have exactly enough hero points to train all core skills and specializations—completing hero challenges will allow you to train skills and specializations sooner. Excess hero points may be used to train elite specializations.

Elite specializations[edit]

Elite specializations can now be unlocked in the training tab of the Hero Panel. You must complete all core specializations in order to start training an elite specialization. Hero points are used to train elite specializations. Once you begin training an elite specialization, you can set it as active in the bottom specialization slot of the Build tab.

— Level 80 rewards.

In contrast to core specializations, which merely modify how certain skills and effects work, choosing an elite specialization fundamentally changes the way a given profession plays by altering or expanding on the base profession mechanic and providing access to a new weapon, healing skill, elite skill and a set of utility skills of the same skill type.[2] All core profession skills, weapons and specializations will still be available while an elite specialization is equipped.

Training an elite specialization is basically the same as a core specialization, however there are a few requirements:

  • The account must own the respective expansion
  • The character must be level 80
  • All core skills and specializations must be fully trained

It will take 250 hero points to fully unlock an elite specialization. Hero points can be obtained through completing hero challenges found in any core Tyria or expansion zone or purchased from a Heroics Notary. The first trait costs 30 hero points to train, with subsequent traits costing 10 points and skills costing 15 points each. Elite specializations gradually unlock the specialization specific traits and skills at the same time—there is no separation of traits and skills. Upon training the first trait you will also unlock the respective specialization collection.

Elite specializations can only be equipped in the bottom (third) specialization slot in the hero panel, which has a faint golden frame around it. Elite specialization exclusive weapons and skills cannot be equipped or used unless the respective elite specialization is also equipped. Equipping a weapon without its respective elite specialization will have its respective weapon skills greyed out—making them unusable. Removing or swapping the elite specialization will cause any currently slotted skills to be greyed out.

Weaponmaster Training is an account-wide feature available in the Secrets of the Obscure expansion that unlocks the elite specialization weapons for use to the entire profession. Beyond requiring at least one level 80 character to unlock the feature, it's not otherwise level-restricted and can be used afterwards on characters below level 80.

List of specializations[edit]

Specialization Focus

Guardian icon small.png Guardian[edit]

Core
Zeal Zeal Symbols and spirit weaponsScepter, Greatsword
Radiance Radiance Signets, burning and blindingSword, Torch
Valor Valor Blocking and meditationsShield, Focus
Honor Honor Dodging, healing and shoutsMace, Staff
Virtues Virtues Consecrations and virtuesHammer
Elite
Dragonhunter Dragonhunter Dragonhunter icon small.png Hunt your target with improved ranged attacks, cripple and target lockdown. Virtues gain a physical effect, which can be further upgraded. Grants access to longbows and traps. HoT Texture Centered Trans.png
Firebrand Firebrand Firebrand icon small.png Bolster the frontline with melee support and quickness. Virtues become tomes, allowing usage of several skills before recharging. Grants access to axes and mantras. PoF Texture Trans.png
Willbender Willbender Willbender icon small.png Chase and control your foes with superior martial arts. Virtues now move you around the battlefield, enhancing your strikes and scorching the earth with Willbender Flames. Grants access to off-hand swords and physical skills. EoD Texture Trans.png

Revenant icon small.png Revenant[edit]

Core (requires a purchased expansion)
Corruption (specialization) Corruption Resistance, torment and damaging conditions
Retribution (specialization) Retribution Defense and resolution
Salvation Salvation Healing, condition removal and damage mitigation
Invocation Invocation Legend swapping and fury
Devastation Devastation Damage and life stealing
Elite
Herald Herald Herald icon small.png Invoke Glint for improved health and group boons and effects. Improves Upkeep skills. Grants access to shields, the Legendary Dragon Stance, and the Facet of Nature. HoT Texture Centered Trans.png
Renegade Renegade Renegade icon small.png Boost your allies' attacks and hamper your foes with Kalla Scorchrazor's warband effects and Citadel Orders. Improves all damage, Fury and Bleeding. Grants access to short bows and the Legendary Renegade Stance. PoF Texture Trans.png
Vindicator Vindicator Vindicator icon small.png Launch into the fray with a new dodge-jump and flip between the attacks of Luxon champion Archemorus and the aide of Kurzick champion Saint Viktor. Grants access to greatswords and the Legendary Alliance Stance. EoD Texture Trans.png

Warrior icon small.png Warrior[edit]

Core
Strength Strength Might, physical utility skills, control and damage • Greatsword
Arms Arms Critical hits, signets and condition damageSword
Defense Defense Toughness and damage endurance • Shield, Mace, Hammer
Tactics Tactics Soldier's Focus, AOE might, and shoutsWarhorn
Discipline Discipline Adrenaline gain, banners and weapon swappingAxe, Rifle, Longbow, Harpoon Gun
Elite
Berserker Berserker Berserker icon small.png Go Berserk for higher damage and burning. Grants access to torches, rage skills, and primal burst skills. HoT Texture Centered Trans.png
Spellbreaker Spellbreaker Spellbreaker icon small.png Gain Insight on your enemies. Counter their attacks, control their actions, and remove their boons. Improves crowd control. Grants access to daggers and meditations. PoF Texture Trans.png
Bladesworn Bladesworn Bladesworn icon small.png Switch to your new second weapon, the elite gunsaber. Charge-and-release for an immensely powerful Dragon Slash attack, replacing Burst skills. Improves Ammunition. Grants access to off-hand pistol and armaments. EoD Texture Trans.png

Engineer icon small.png Engineer[edit]

Core
Explosives Explosives Explosive Entrance, power and vulnerabilityGrenade Kit
Firearms Firearms Condition Damage and critical hits • Pistol, Flamethrower
Inventions Inventions Healing, protection and turretsShield
Alchemy Alchemy Elixirs and boonsMed Kit, Elixir Gun
Tools Tools Tool belt skills, utility kits, and endurance
Elite
Scrapper Scrapper Scrapper icon small.png Task your Gyros to support you and your nearby allies, generating superspeed and barrier. Grants access to hammers, well skills, and the Function Gyro. HoT Texture Centered Trans.png
Holosmith Holosmith Holosmith icon small.png Wield multiple holographic weapons with the Photon Forge. Manage its heat levels for added effects to your skills. Grants access to swords and exceed skills. PoF Texture Trans.png
Mechanist Mechanist Mechanist icon small.png Customize your Jade Mech CJ-1 and command it to fight beside you in battle. Grants access to maces and signet skills. EoD Texture Trans.png

Ranger icon small.png Ranger[edit]

Core
Marksmanship Marksmanship Long range damage and signetsLongbow, Harpoon Gun
Skirmishing Skirmishing Mobility, traps, and weapon swappingSword, Short bow
Wilderness Survival Wilderness Survival Defensive combat maneuvers and conditionsDagger, Torch
Nature Magic Nature Magic Boons and spiritsWarhorn
Beastmastery Beastmastery PetsGreatsword, Spear, Axe
Elite
Druid Druid Druid icon small.png Collect astral force and heal your allies with the forces of nature. Grants access to staves, and the Celestial Avatar form, which changes your weapon and glyph skills while active. HoT Texture Centered Trans.png
Soulbeast Soulbeast Soulbeast icon small.png Merge with your pet, enter Beastmode and take on the power of wild creatures. Improves combat damage and conditions. Grants access to main hand daggers and stances. PoF Texture Trans.png
Untamed Untamed Untamed icon small.png Unleash your pet, granting it new skills, then unleash yourself to gain increased damage and enhanced skills. Adds boon removal. Improves crowd control. Grants access to hammers and cantrips. EoD Texture Trans.png

Thief icon small.png Thief[edit]

Core
Deadly Arts Deadly Arts Power and poisonDagger
Critical Strikes Critical Strikes Critical hits and signetsPistol, Harpoon Gun
Shadow Arts Shadow Arts Healing, damage mitigation, stealth, and stealth attacksVenoms
Acrobatics Acrobatics Dodging and mobility • Sword, Spear
Trickery Trickery Stealing and managing initiative
Elite
Daredevil Daredevil Daredevil icon small.png Dash. Strike. Evade. Dare to fight longer with extra endurance and enhanced dodge effects. Improves weakness. Grants access to staves and physical skills. HoT Texture Centered Trans.png
Deadeye Deadeye Deadeye icon small.png Snipe your target from long range. Deadeye's Mark generates malice, which provides bonus effects to stealth attacks. Grants access to rifles and cantrips. PoF Texture Trans.png
specter Specter Specter icon small.png Siphon your enemy's shadow to fuel your Shadow Shroud, and restore your chosen ally through the damage you deal. Improves outgoing healing and barrier. Grants access to scepters and shadowstep wells. EoD Texture Trans.png

Elementalist icon small.png Elementalist[edit]

Core
Fire Fire Fire skills, burning and conjured weapons.
Air Air Air skills, glyphs, movement speed, and spike damage.
Earth Earth Earth skills, bleeding, defense, and signets.
Water Water Water skills, healing, vulnerability and cantrips.
Arcane (specialization) Arcane General improvements, arcane utility skills, and switching of attunements.
Elite
Tempest Tempest Tempest icon small.png Store up your elemental magic and overload for powerful channeled abilities in an area. Improves Aura share. Grants access to warhorns and shouts. HoT Texture Centered Trans.png
Weaver Weaver Weaver icon small.png Weave the elements together for new Dual Attacks. Improve damage, movement and self-sustain. Grants access to swords and stances. PoF Texture Trans.png
Catalyst Catalyst Catalyst icon small.png Augment your strikes for added effects, while your summoned Jade Sphere mimics your attunements, providing combo fields and boons. Improves auras and stats through Elemental Empowerment. Grants access to hammers and augments. EoD Texture Trans.png

Mesmer icon small.png Mesmer[edit]

Core
Domination Domination Interrupt improvements, boon removal and vulnerabilityGreatsword
Dueling Dueling Critical hits, clone generation and blindsPistol, Sword, Spear
Chaos Chaos Defense and application of random boons and conditionsStaff, Trident
Inspiration Inspiration Phantasms, signets, mantras and healing • Focus
Illusions Illusions Shattering and illusionsTorch, Scepter
Elite
Chronomancer Chronomancer Chronomancer icon small.png Manipulate time in an area with slows, crowd control, and quickness or alacrity. Grants access to shields, wells, and new shatter skills, including the added Continuum Split. HoT Texture Centered Trans.png
Mirage Mirage Mirage icon small.png Shadow Step, Mirage Cloak, even swap places with your clones to deceive your enemy, then ambush them. Improves Condition Damage. Grants access to axes and deceptions. PoF Texture Trans.png
Virtuoso Virtuoso Virtuoso icon small.png Inflict real cuts with your Blade illusions and Bladesongs, trading in clones and shatters. Improves strike damage, Fury, and Bleeding. Grants access to main-hand daggers and psionics. EoD Texture Trans.png

Necromancer icon small.png Necromancer[edit]

Core
Spite Spite Damage, boon removal and signetsAxe, Focus
Curses Curses Critical hits, conditions, and corruptionsScepter
Death Magic Death Magic Minions, Carapace and other damage reductions
Blood Magic Blood Magic Life stealing, healing and reviving allies. • Dagger, Warhorn
Soul Reaping Soul Reaping Death Shroud and life forceStaff
Elite
Reaper Reaper Reaper icon small.png Chill your enemies and reap them up close. Death Shroud is replaced by the powerful melee Reaper's Shroud. Grants access to greatswords and offensive shouts. HoT Texture Centered Trans.png
Scourge Scourge Scourge icon small.png Burn and Torment your foes, punish their boons and bolster your allies; either around you or your incorporeal Sand Shades. Replaces Death Shroud with Desert Shroud’s barrier. Grants access to torches and punishment skills. PoF Texture Trans.png
Harbinger Harbinger Harbinger icon small.png Playing with Blight is hazardous to your health. Imbue it into your skills for added benefits. The blighting Harbinger Shroud is powerful and nimble, but no longer shields your health. Grants access to main-hand pistol and elixirs. EoD Texture Trans.png

Related achievements[edit]

Notes[edit]

  • If the player is wielding a weapon whose proficiency is unlocked by an elite specialization and selects another specialization in the third slot, the corresponding weapon skills will be blanked out until the player either removes the weapon or changes back to the corresponding elite specialization, unless the player has the Weaponmaster Training.
  • If the player trains the initial proficiency of an elite specialization but does not train the minor adept (or any other traits), the player will be able to use the elite specialization's weapon but not have a replaced profession mechanic.
    • For example using this strategy, a Reaper would have access to Death Shroud, but lack any other traits from the Reaper specialization.

Trivia[edit]

  • The hover text on the third specialization slot reads "Core and Elite", whereas the first and second only state "Core".
  • Specializations replaced trait lines and were part of a trait system rework in the June 23, 2015 game update.
  • Originally, it cost 400 hero points to fully unlock an elite specialization. This was changed in the October 27, 2015 game update.

See also[edit]

External links[edit]