User:TEF/Guides/Guide to unlocking traits
Guide to Unlocking Traits[edit]
This isn't so much a guide as it is an at-a-glance list of all the trait unlock requirements to make it easy to see where/when/how. It includes my recommendations of "Grind" vs "Buy" vs "Try," i.e. should you spend the effort to unlock it, pay the gold, or try unlocking first and buy only if you find yourself getting annoyed by the process. I've attempted to offer a neutral appraisal of whether you could earn the required gold faster than you could complete the relevant task. For example, map completion takes ages, but the cost of unlocking is only 10 ; since time is money, it's "cheaper" to earn the coin and skill points than completing the entire map.
I have a strong personal bias against this type of leveling in any game; I especially dislike it for GW2 (see below), but I've tried to avoid letting my preferences interfere with providing a fair objective guide (with the exception of using the word, grind — I think it's hard to argue that repeating identical tasks is pleasurable for anyone after the Nth time).
At a glance[edit]
Line # | # | Task | Type | Map | Nearest Pingable | Code | Notes | Effort | Coin | SPs | Recom |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | I | Complete the story step "A Light in the Darkness." | Personal Story | The Grove | Omphalos Chamber | [&BH8EAAA=] | L55 story. | 5 (fergidaboutit) | 10 | 2 | Buy |
1 | II | Capture Inferno's Needle. | Capture | Edge of the Mists | Inferno's Needle | [&BEIHAAA=] | [none] | 4 (group effort) | 10 | 2 | Buy |
1 | III | Earn 100% completion in Gendarran Fields. | Map Completion | Gendarran Fields | Vigil Keep Waypoint | [&BJIBAAA=] | [none] | 5 (fergidaboutit) | 10 | 2 | Buy |
1 | IV | Defeat Rhendak the Crazed. | Event | Diessa Plateau | Font of Rhand Waypoint | [&BNwAAAA=] | [none] | 2 (easy) | 10 | 2 | Buy |
1 | V | Earn 100% completion in Blazeridge Steppes. | Map Completion | Blazeridge Steppes | [na] | [na] | [none] | 5 (fergidaboutit) | 10 | 2 | Buy |
1 | VI | Help Shining Blade Kimber defeat Kol Skullsmasher. | Event | Harathi Hinterlands | tbd | tbd | Giant | 4 (group effort) | 10 | 2 | Buy |
1 | VII | Befriend the ogre camp so they will join you as allies. | Event | Eternal Battlegrounds | Dragoss Kraal | [&BOkDAAA=] | [none] | 4 (group effort) | 50 | 5 | Grind |
1 | VIII | Complete the Citadel of Flame in Story Mode. | Dungeon Story | Citadel of Flame | The Flame Citadel Waypoint | [&BEAFAAA=] | [none] | 3 (medium) | 50 | 5 | Buy |
1 | IX | Find the splendid chest in Rebel's Seclusion. | Explore | Fireheart Rise | Breaktooth's Waypoint | [&BBoCAAA=] | Achievement: Rebel's Seclusion | 2 (easy) | 50 | 5 | Grind |
1 | X | Defeat the Terror-Seven Krewe Leader. | Event | Mount Maelstrom | Aquabase Terror Seven | [&BI0GAAA=] | [none] | 2 (easy) | 50 | 5 | Grind |
1 | XI | Discover Death's Anthem. | Explore | Cursed Shore | Death's Anthem | [&BA0DAAA=] | Achievement: Grounded | 1 (fast) | 1 50 | 10 | Grind |
1 | XII | Defeat the Risen High Priest of Balthazar. | World Boss | Straits of Devastation | Glorious Victory Waypoint | [&BPoCAAA=] | Orrian Temple (random timer) | 4 (group effort) | 1 50 | 10 | Try |
1 | XIII | Defeat the Risen High Wizard and secure the Promenade of the Gods. | World Boss | Cursed Shore | Arah Waypoint | [&BCADAAA=] | Orrian Temple (random timer) | 4 (group effort) | 3 | 20 | Try |
2 | I | Find the splendid chest in Earth's Gap. | Explore | Kessex Hills | Gap Waypoint | [&BLoDAAA=] | Achievement: Goff's Loot | 2 (easy) | 10 | 2 | Grind |
2 | II | Complete Twilight Arbor in Story Mode. | Dungeon Story | Twilight Arbor | Twilight Arbor Waypoint | [&BEEFAAA=] | [none] | 3 (medium) | 10 | 2 | Buy |
2 | III | Defeat Ulgoth the Modniir and his minions. | World Boss | Harathi Hinterlands | Cloven Hoof Waypoint | [&BLEAAAA=] | Timer (5:30 & 10:30 pm) | 4 (group effort) | 10 | 2 | Try |
2 | IV | Earn 100% completion in Lornar's Pass. | Map Completion | Lornar's Pass | [na] | [na] | [none] | 5 (fergidaboutit) | 10 | 2 | Buy |
2 | V | Earn 100% completion in Bloodtide Coast. | Map Completion | Bloodtide Coast | [na] | [na] | [none] | 5 (fergidaboutit) | 10 | 2 | Buy |
2 | VI | Earn 100% completion in Fireheart Rise. | Map Completion | Fireheart Rise | [na] | [na] | [none] | 5 (fergidaboutit) | 10 | 2 | Buy |
2 | VII | Befriend the hylek camp so they will join you as allies. | Event | Eternal Battlegrounds | Novotl Grounds | [&BOoDAAA=] | [none] | 4 (group effort) | 50 | 5 | Buy |
2 | VIII | Find the grand chest in the Windy Cave. | Explore | Lornar's Pass | Mistriven Waypoint | [&BJkBAAA=] | Achievement: Windy Cave Treasure | 2 (easy) | 50 | 5 | Grind |
2 | IX | Defeat the fire shaman and his minions. | World Boss | Iron Marches | Gladefall Waypoint | [&BO4BAAA=] | [timer unknown] | 4 (group effort) | 50 | 5 | Try |
2 | X | Complete the story step "Forging the Pact." | Personal Story | Timberline Falls | Rankor Ruins Waypoint | [&BFQCAAA=] | L62 story. | 5 (fergidaboutit) | 50 | 5 | Buy |
2 | XI | Complete the Crucible of Eternity in Story Mode. | Dungeon Story | Crucible of Eternity | Crucible of Eternity Waypoint | [&BEIFAAA=] | [none] | 3 (medium) | 1 50 | 10 | Buy |
2 | XII | Find the grand chest near Scholar Fryxx. | Explore | Straits of Devastation | Vesper Bell Waypoint | [&BPICAAA=] | Achievement: The Long Way Around | 1 (fast) | 1 50 | 10 | Grind |
2 | XIII | Defeat the Risen Priest of Grenth. | World Boss | Cursed Shore | Murdered Dreams Waypoint | [&BCIDAAA=] | Orrian Temple (random timer) | 4 (group effort) | 3 | 20 | Try |
3 | I | Defeat Fleshgrazer. | Event | Dredgehaunt Cliffs | Wyrmblood Waypoint | [&BGUCAAA=] | Achievement: Forsaken Fortune | 4 (group effort) | 10 | 2 | Buy |
3 | II | Complete the story step "The Battle for Claw Island." | Personal Story | Lion's Arch | Claw Island Portage Waypoint | [&BA8EAAA=] | L50 story. | 5 (fergidaboutit) | 10 | 2 | Buy |
3 | III | Capture Stonegaze Spire. | Capture | Edge of the Mists | Stonegaze Spire | [&BEcHAAA=] | [none] | 4 (group effort) | 10 | 2 | Buy |
3 | IV | Defeat Victurus the Shattered and his army. | Event | Iron Marches | Wreckage of Day's Labor | [&BNkBAAA=] | [none] | 2 (easy) | 10 | 2 | Buy |
3 | V | Earn 100% completion in the Fields of Ruin. | Map Completion | Fields of Ruin | [na] | [na] | [none] | 5 (fergidaboutit) | 10 | 2 | Buy |
3 | VI | Earn 100% completion in Iron Marches. | Map Completion | Iron Marches | [na] | [na] | [none] | 5 (fergidaboutit) | 10 | 2 | Buy |
3 | VII | Befriend the dredge camp so they will join you as allies. | Event | Eternal Battlegrounds | Molevek Works | [&BPIDAAA=] | [none] | 4 (group effort) | 50 | 5 | Buy |
3 | VIII | Complete Sorrow's Embrace in Story Mode. | Dungeon Story | Sorrow's Embrace | Sorrow's Embrace Waypoint | [&BD8FAAA=] | [none] | 3 (medium) | 50 | 5 | Buy |
3 | IX | Defeat Vidius Flame Tribune. | Event | Fireheart Rise | Vidius Castrum Waypoint | [&BBwCAAA=] | [none] | 2 (easy) | 50 | 5 | Grind |
3 | X | Complete the story step "The Battle of Fort Trinity." | Personal Story | Straits of Devastation | Plinth Timberland Waypoint | [&BFgGAAA=] | L70 story. | 5 (fergidaboutit) | 50 | 5 | Buy |
3 | XI | Find the locked door at the end of the forgotten stream. | Explore | Cursed Shore | Verdance Waypoint | [&BBsDAAA=] | Achievement: Forgotten Stream | 2 (easy) | 1 50 | 10 | Grind |
3 | XII | Defeat the Risen Priest of Melandru. | World Boss | Cursed Shore | Verdance Waypoint | [&BBsDAAA=] | Orrian Temple (random timer) | 4 (group effort) | 1 50 | 10 | Try |
3 | XIII | Defeat the Karka Queen. | World Boss | Southsun Cove | Pearl Islet Waypoint | [&BNUGAAA=] | Timer (6 pm PDT) | 4 (group effort) | 3 | 20 | Try |
4 | I | Complete the Obsidian Sanctum jumping puzzle. | Explore | Obsidian Sanctum | [na] | [na] | Achievement: Obsidian Sanctum | 4 (group effort) | 10 | 2 | Grind |
4 | II | Capture Tytone Perch. | Capture | Edge of the Mists | Tytone Perch | [&BD0HAAA=] | [none] | 4 (group effort) | 10 | 2 | Buy |
4 | III | Find the grand chest in Provernic Crypt. | Explore | Gendarran Fields | Provern Shore Waypoint | [&BOQAAAA=] | Mini-dungeon | 1 (fast) | 10 | 2 | Grind |
4 | IV | Earn 100% completion in Harathi Hinterlands. | Map Completion | Harathi Hinterlands | [na] | [na] | [none] | 5 (fergidaboutit) | 10 | 2 | Buy |
4 | V | Earn 100% completion in Timberline Falls. | Map Completion | Timberline Falls | [na] | [na] | [none] | 5 (fergidaboutit) | 10 | 2 | Buy |
4 | VI | Earn 100% completion in Mount Maelstrom. | Map Completion | Mount Maelstrom | [na] | [na] | [none] | 5 (fergidaboutit) | 10 | 2 | Buy |
4 | VII | Find the chest in Verarium Delves. | Explore | Sparkfly Fen | Ocean's Gullet Waypoint | [&BMkBAAA=] | Mini-dungeon | 2 (easy) | 50 | 5 | Grind |
4 | VIII | Find the grand chest in Arundon Vale. | Explore | Frostgorge Sound | Arundon Waypoint | [&BHgCAAA=] | [none] | 2 (easy) | 50 | 5 | Grind |
4 | IX | Defeat the dredge commissar. | Event | Dredgehaunt Cliffs | Tribulation Waypoint | [&BFYCAAA=] | [timer unknown] | 4 (group effort) | 50 | 5 | Grind |
4 | X | Complete the story step "The Source of Orr." | Personal Story | Cursed Shore | Verdance Waypoint | [&BBsDAAA=] | L80 story. | 5 (fergidaboutit) | 50 | 5 | Buy |
4 | XI | Complete Honor of the Waves in Story Mode. | Dungeon Story | Honor of the Waves | Honor of the Waves Waypoint | [&BEMFAAA=] | [none] | 3 (medium) | 1 50 | 10 | Buy |
4 | XII | Defeat the Statue of Dwayna. | World Boss | Malchor's Leap | Tempests Waypoint | [&BLACAAA=] | Orrian Temple (random timer) | 4 (group effort) | 1 50 | 10 | Try |
4 | XIII | Find the grand chest in the Ship of Sorrows. | Explore | Straits of Devastation | Plaza of Lost Wisdom | [&BOACAAA=] | Achievement: Ship of Sorrows | 2 (easy) | 3 | 20 | Grind |
5 | I | Complete Caudecus's Manor in Story Mode. | Dungeon Story | Caudecus' Manor | Beetletun Waypoint | [&BPoAAAA=] | [none] | 3 (medium) | 10 | 2 | Buy |
5 | II | Kill the Foulbear chieftain and her elite guards. | Event | Fields of Ruin | Foulbear Kraal | [&BNIAAAA=] | [timer unknown] | 4 (group effort) | 10 | 2 | Buy |
5 | III | Complete the story step "Retribution." | Personal Story | Lion's Arch | Claw Island Portage Waypoint | [&BA8EAAA=] | L59 story. | 5 (fergidaboutit) | 10 | 2 | Buy |
5 | IV | Earn 100% completion in Dredgehaunt Cliffs. | Map Completion | Dredgehaunt Cliffs | [na] | [na] | [none] | 5 (fergidaboutit) | 10 | 2 | Buy |
5 | V | Earn 100% completion in Sparkfly Fen. | Map Completion | Sparkfly Fen | [na] | [na] | [none] | 5 (fergidaboutit) | 10 | 2 | Buy |
5 | VI | Earn 100% completion in Frostgorge Sound. | Map Completion | Frostgorge Sound | [na] | [na] | [none] | 5 (fergidaboutit) | 10 | 2 | Buy |
5 | VII | Defeat Vexa and her golem in Vexa's Lab. | Event | Fireheart Rise | Noxious Castrum | [&BA4CAAA=] | Achievement: Vexa's Lab | 2 (easy) | 50 | 5 | Grind |
5 | VIII | Defeat the Infinity Coil Commander and capture the Infinity Coil. | Event | Mount Maelstrom | Crucible of Eternity Waypoint | [&BEIFAAA=] | [none] | 3 (medium) | 50 | 5 | Try |
5 | IX | Defeat Admiral Taidha Covington. | World Boss | Bloodtide Coast | Laughing Gull Waypoint | [&BKgBAAA=] | Timer (8:30 pm) | 4 (group effort) | 50 | 5 | Try |
5 | X | Defeat the Branded Devourer Queen. | Event | Iron Marches | Grundallion's Lair | [&BN0BAAA=] | [none] | 2 (easy) | 50 | 5 | Buy |
5 | XI | Defeat the Overgrown Grub. | Event | Eternal Battlegrounds | Blue World Keep | [&BOIDAAA=] | [none] | 4 (group effort) | 1 50 | 10 | Buy |
5 | XII | Complete the Ruined City of Arah in Story Mode. | Dungeon Story | Ruined City of Arah | Gates of Arah | [&BBUDAAA=] | [none] | 3 (medium) | 1 50 | 10 | Buy |
5 | XIII | Defeat the corrupted high priestess of Lyssa. | World Boss | Malchor's Leap | Lyssa Waypoint | [&BK0CAAA=] | Orrian Temple (random timer) | 4 (group effort) | 3 | 20 | Try |
Legend[edit]
- Line #: The order of the trait line, i.e. 1 corresponds to Zeal, Strength, ...
- #: The trait #.
- Task: The required task to unlock.
- Type: For sorting purposes. I hope the categories are self-explanatory.
- Map: The name of the map.
- Pingable: The name of something that you can ping to chat, allowing for a clickable link.
- Code: The chat code. (I need to update these to copy/paste friendly versions.
- Other: Notes about whether the task is associated with an achievement or is time limited (times are PDT).
- Effort: My estimate of how much time and aggravation is required. The number is for sorting only — it's the text that gives the estimate of easy vs forget about it.
- Gold and SP The gold and skill point costs to unlock.
- Recom: My personal recommendation. Buy = spend the coin. Grind = spend the time. Try = attempt the task first (if you can pull it off, it's a big time/coin savings.)
Summary[edit]
In other words, spend about 13 and then save a lot of the remaining costs by running around the map.
Editorial[edit]
One of the things I loved about the initial launch of Guild Wars 2 was: less grinding to "level up," by which I mean: I wasn't forced to do anything in particular to maximize my build potential. As of April 2014, that has changed substantially. Notably, there is only one way to obtain maximum armor/weapons (grind crafting); only one way for newbies to obtain ascended trinkets (FotM and guild missions — the laurel method only works if you have played for ages); only two ways to unlock traits (pay 43 or repeat the same exact tasks on each toon). I happen to like g-mish, crafting, and Fractals, so I don't mind those requirements, but Kormir help those who don't. And I especially hate having to run around the map to places I have been before multiple times to unlock various traits. Sure, I could grind the gold, but that's a ridiculous investment for a relatively small return: I need the traits unlocked, because I have no idea when/if I will need them. It's almost worse than in GW1, where I could accidentally accumulate tomes on Toon A, that would allow Toon B to unlock the relevant skills; there's no such shortcut in GW2.