User:Zerris/Me/Mo Damageless Killer

Currently writing an essay about Guild Wars (sorta for school). Comments welcome, in discussion section. Try not to edit the essay itself. --Zerris

Essay
Guild Wars

 by Zerris 

Guild Wars is an MMORPG (or CORPG) created by ArenaNet. It allows one to explore and experience a wide variety of landscapes while playing an "Avatar" and while interacting with other people's Avatars. This can provide a challenge, requires some skill, and can be a way to make new friends.

Guild Wars promotes skill and style, as seen in this quote from ArenaNet: "The game is designed to reward player skill and teamwork, not time spent playing...". One of the ways this is done is by giving players the freedom to create their own builds and change them whenever they wish. It is also promoted through the use of a Level Cap.

One of the main options in Guild Wars is PvP, or Player versus Player combat. This involves teams of entirely (or nearly entirely) player-controlled characters fighting each other in various locations. These teams are made up of players with many different abilities who may not always get along. Co-ordinating these vast arrays of builds to focus on a common goal takes skill, as does making the builds one would use to play in these locations.

A build is a set of Skills and Attributes that one could use to achieving a specific or general goal. Whether in PvE or PvP, builds are essential to progress of any kind. In PvP, the different builds must be put together in an attempt to complete a wide variety of tasks, without knowing in advance which ones will be required. In PvE, one must have a build to proceed through the story line. Creating these builds takes a great deal of skill and style.

As with most MMORPGs, Guild Wars has a Level Cap. Unlike most of them, however, it has a very low Level Cap. The Level Cap is 20, and can be reached in a day or two, unlike the months to years of grinding normally needed. This encourages skill as it gives very little value to constant grinding for experience. Instead, one must out-think one's enemies, who continue to grow in levels even after you hit the cap. This takes a good bit of skill.

By allowing characters to reach the maximum level early in gameplay, Guild Wars helps to encourage skill over time. They also do this by allowing one to customize one's own build. The ability to custmize allows for greater diversity and makes PvP a game of skill. All of these work together to make Guild Wars a great place to learn and gain experience.