User talk:Devorak

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What's Up

I moved this section from my main page to talk, because I feel over time this is more a GW2 discussion / info sharing (vs a "static" main page).

Real Life

• 05 August 2012:
  • Changed from Mesmer to Engineers focus. Added Guild Section.
• 16 June 2012:
  • Re-structured my user page, plus other changes
• 13 June 2012:
  • Built my user page - what you are reading
  • GW2 dB: Completed the remaining Mesmer Weapon Slots (added 10 more variables - total 41)
• 11 June 2012: Started building (in Excel) my GW2 Database, completed ~50% of the Mesmer Weapon Slots. Focused on documenting standard demographic information, direct damage and identifying other variables (found 31 variables so far)

GW2 dB Philosophy

As noted in my bio, my roots are in database programming. If information cannot be gathered (Google, Wiki, etc...) and analyzed (Excel. Access, SQL. etc...) then it is not worth knowing. For all major games I have played, I have maintained a database of information. The database I am using for GW2 is currently Excel, but as it grows, it will probably be migrated to Access then SQL (easier to build initial database architecture in Excel, but Excel has serious size/performance limitations).

I take great pleasure in researching and reverse engineering the game mechanics (algorithms) to determine the ultimate skill/trait combinations. For hard-core WoW players, one way this is done is via AEP (see shadowpanther's page on WoW Rogues). I am looking to build something equivalent. Currently the formula is far (very far) from being complete. It is only considering one variable (direct damage), though multiple variables have been identified. With the understanding that the designers are always attempting to keep the professions and even the builds balanced, this can form an underlining assumption and a means to verify my GW2 formula. If, in the end, the professions and the builds within a profession have nearly the same value, then my GW2 formula is near correct. To do this correctly, you need a pretty large N (number of skills). Like I said, it is very, very far from being completed.

Asking for Help

I am very new at Wiki editing. I have read a number of the articles available, though not all (undoubtedly the answer to this question is in an article I have yet to read). But, the question: Is there an easy way to ask a sysops (or expert Wiki contributor) a question without posting on their talk page? I generally consider the talk pages for discussions, not for newbie questions. Devorak 23:01, 13 June 2012 (UTC)

This is an excellent way to start, though on their talk pages also works. :) There is also the helpers page, for specific users you can ask questions. - Infinite - talk 23:08, 13 June 2012 (UTC)

And there is this. - Infinite - talk 23:10, 13 June 2012 (UTC)

Merci Beaucoup Devorak 00:02, 14 June 2012 (UTC)

Skill Infobox - Type attribute

In researching the weapon slots for the Mesmer, I was looking at Illusionary Counter. The type attribute is listed as Clone, which is correct (according to the description), but it is also a Type = Sequence. I can find no way to indicate both types (Clone and Sequence). Additionally, (I will have to read more on the generally rules relating to types), I have noticed (in the limited Mesmer skills I have looked at) that only the 1st skill in the chain is listed as a chain, not all 3 and I have yet to see any skill identified as a sequence, even though sequence is a valid type. Note: Illusionary Counter is only an example, I will likely find others that are in the same situation. Devorak 23:21, 13 June 2012 (UTC)

The type parameter is for the types that are explicitly stated before the description in the skill's tooltip. Sequence is not a "real" skill type, it simply identifies a style of skill functionality. —Dr Ishmael 23:27, 13 June 2012 (UTC)

Merci Beaucoup Devorak 00:02, 14 June 2012 (UTC)

Target/Practice Dummies

Just so you know, there are a bunch of dummies set up in Fort Marriner in Lion's Arch that are the traditional "punching bag" style. In addition, the Heart of the Mists has a bunch of interactive dummies to train various combat mechanics (e.g. dodging) as well as enemies of each profession that can be fought. -- Nineaxis (talk) 02:21, 14 June 2012 (UTC)

Merci Beaucoup Devorak 14:34, 16 June 2012 (UTC)