Key to the Guild (Guild Wars (PC))

Name: RPnecroranger

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Product:	Guild Wars (PC)
Date:	30/03/07 (854 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: simple to use, consistanly updated, no hidden £££ costs

Disadvantages: not always classed as traditional MMORPG as instanced, often snuffed on by other gamers

Strictly speaking, I didn’t start with the original Guild Wars; I started on the second campaign, Factions.

I have to admit (after starting a character on each of the campaigns) the original game was probably the slowest starting of the 3. You begin in Ascalon in the past, learning new skills, meeting new friends (that you add to a friends list) and working your way through to get past the Char Invasion, where everything changes – this is known in the game as ‘The Searing’ – an event where the Char invade and destroy a lot of Ascalon.

Pre-searing you don’t get access to Guild halls or storage, meaning you have limitations of what you can carry. Most pre searing beginners can pick up high end items (black and white dyes being a huge earner) but rarely understand the value until they leave searing, selling the items for lower value at merchants than waiting to sell to specialized merchants such as dye traders, rune merchants etc.

A small character called Gwen gets to follow you in pre-searing as long as you give her gifts, but cannot be found (dead or alive) after searing, but apparently she is to make an appearance in campaign 4, Guild wars : Eye of the North.

There is a very special (and difficult) award you can get for leaving pre searing at level 20 (capped levels) but its so difficult with most characters leaving between level 8 - 10

At this point I would like to point out that your character may only reach the max level of 20. BUT for each time you score enough experience to gain another 'level' past level 20 you gain a skill point, which can be exchanged at skill trainers with the addition of gold (upto 1000 gold) Most the creatures you will meet go up to level 30 (the Lich) however beating these creatures are a mixture of leveling, armour, runes, weapons and skills., as well as team work. Most (infact all) Missions and quests are possible using yourself and henchmen, however they are difficult and you may find it easier later to meet non AI people to join in.

Picking a guild is a bit more than the first person who offers; I would suggest (if you start with this one) find a helpful guild, unless your focus is more PvP (Player V Player) which you may get a guild more apt on the battle isles.

You have a choice on start up whether you want your character to do PvP or PvE (Player v environment) - note - PvE characters can do PvP but PvP characters cannot do PvE and miss the story.

All Guild Wars Campaigns can be played individually or all together, characters can travel from each campaign you own, i.e. Melhei Haemathet (Factions Necromancer) has actually traveled to, and in between all 3 campaigns and has completed all three.

You can actually download the Guild Wars software for FREE from the website. Once you buy 1 game, you can actually purchase keys for other campaigns straight from GW themselves. You can actually purchase keys directly from NCsoft here
https://secure.plaync.com/cgi-bin/Store.pl (£19.99)
Including the first campaign you buy. You do need a credit/debit card to purchase from them though. It’s easier to buy (or even pre order) Guild wars from local Game stores, PC game outlets and Amazon. (between £19.99 and £30 DO NOT BUY SECOND HAND!!!!!!!!)

How is this possible, exactly what am I buying then?

What you get in the box version

Basic :
CDs with the game engine (which is available from Guild Wars, free download)
Credit card with scratch off panel (this is the 'key' to access the game server)

Collectors editions do contain extra goodies, such as soundtrack CDs, special 'skill' pin badges, short term pass keys (last 14 days or 10 hours I think) and a 'mini-pet' but they can cost up to £40 - £45

So what are you buying? You are actually buying a personal account on a game server and the right to use it... that is why the game may not be sold on after even if you don’t play it anymore. I suggest NOT buying this game second hand at all. NC soft close accounts very rapidly if they think this has happened, and you cannot do a thing about it! You will loose your money, and may even be blocked from ever holding any NCsoft game account.

The age rating: 12
This actively reflects the 'violence' in the game, which, although there is no blood, can be quite disturbing for young minds. That and the fact there’s a drunkards title for those who fancy a wobbly screen ant the title of 'booze hound' lol

Would I suggest this game?
Yes. Its quite simple, doesn’t incur 'extra' costs like subscription, and as long as you stay clear of the sharks and farming guilds you’ll do fine. I also suggest using sites like http://guildwiki.org and GW online (listed on the official GW site somewhere) to get help and advice on lots of things. Find a good, helpful guild that won’t put you under pressure and just simply enjoy playing the game. It’s very easy to immerse yourself into.

Oh and if you DO come on, please don’t sell things in the 'all' tab chat... its very annoying!!!! Save it for the Trade tab :)

About me in game
I play three characters, and my first character, Melhei Haemathet was created in GW: Factions.

Melhei Haemathet
I love playing Melhei. I’m a big fan of spell casters, which you will see are a lot of my characters. Melhei has a choice of all professions now as her secondary profession (you can change your secondary profession but not your first) and I especially enjoy mixing Mesmer skills with Necromancer skills. I have to admit I prefer using Blood magic, but recently have dabbled in Death magic as a Minion master (wee beasties raised from the bodies of the nearest dead). I haven’t actually mastered any curses skills yet. I guess I should explain!!! For each profession you get 3 attributes plus an extra attribute for your primary. For necromancers in Guild Wars, the attributes are Blood magic, Death magic and curses, with a primary of Soul reaping. Those taking a necromancer as a secondary will receive all but soul reaping. You can find more info on the attributes and what each does, all the skills etc at Guildwiki (http://guildwiki.org)

Melhei is also Guild Mage of a Guild called ‘Crusaders of Justice’ – a guild dedicated mostly to PvE play and helping people. She is also the Portal Mage to all Games, and the name I use to combine the Crusaders of Justice from games such as Dungeons & dragons online and Voyage Centaury (see http://gw-crusadersofjustice.com) which are also MMORPG’s with Crusaders of Justice guilds. The Guild Wars COJ guild leader is ‘Harmony of the Wild’ – who also happens to be my partner!

My other characters are : Devina Favoura (Monk, Tyrian), Failine Avertoire (Paragon, Elona) and Valencia Cooraii (PvP Warrior/ranger) You can see how they are all getting on at : http://melheihaemathet.blogspot.com

Devina Favoura is the character I based my review on mostly, as she was created on this particular campaign, but she was created after Melhei, my main character. She is a lovely little monk who loves healing, protecting and smiting, but is currently trying to work on ‘farming’ – a concept where you go out alone to kill as many creatures to get all the bits and pieces to your self.

Tyria = the land used in Prophesies, the reviewed ‘first’ Guild wars campaign.
Cantha = the land used in Factions, the ‘second’ Guild wars campaign
Elona = the land used in Nightfall, the ‘third’ Guild wars campaign
(4th campaign is Guild wars: Eye of the north)
(Next edition is Guild Wars 2)

Summary: Slow starting, great to immerse yourself into role play, great for beginners to Role Play