Guild Wars 1, the venerable MMORPG from ArenaNet, might seem like a relic of the past to some. Yet, it boasts a persistently vibrant and dedicated community, particularly in the domain of speed clearing. This detailed elucidation aims to equip newcomers and seasoned alike with the savvy needed to excel in speed clearing—the art of completing dungeons, elite areas, or missions in the least amount of time possible. This guide, reminiscent of the informative and engaging articles found on Kotaku or Polygon, will submerge into the fundamental principles, optimal builds, critical paths, the essence of team synergy, and the convoluted techniques that separate the neophytes from the aficionados in the sphere of speed clears.
Speed Clear Basics
At the heart of speed clearing in Guild Wars 1 lies the principle of efficiency. It’s not merely about hastening through content, but doing so with a calculated approach that minimizes time while maximizing rewards. This involves a thorough understanding of the game’s mechanics, enemy behavior, and exploit patterns.
Understanding the Environment
The first step to becoming adept at speed clears is to foster a profound comprehension of the areas you’re intending to clear. This encompasses spawn locations, trigger points for enemy spawns, and pathing. Each dungeon and elite area in GW1 has its quirks, which speed clear groups exploit to their advantage.
Choosing the Right Profession and Build
Not every profession is suited for every type of speed clear. Certain areas favor elementalists for their AoE (Area of Effect) damage, while others rely on mesmers for their unparalleled control and interrupt capabilities. The choice of build within a profession is equally critical—often determined by the specific role assigned to you in the team. These builds are nuanced and tailored for the precise expectations of the speed clear at hand.
Gear and Consumables
Optimal gear is a cornerstone. This goes beyond having the right attributes on your weapons and armor. It extends into fine-tuning your equipment with runes and insignias that complement your build and role. Consumables play a pivotal role as well, offering boosts that can significantly cut down clear times.
Speed Clear Builds
In the realm of speed clearing, a well-crafted build is your sword and shield. It dictates your effectiveness and survivability. Builds in GW1 are diverse, ranging from the “55 Monk” capable of withstanding tremendous amounts of damage through health manipulation, to the “Perma Shadow Form” Assassin build used for solo farming or tanking in group scenarios.
DPS Builds
Damage-per-second (DPS) builds are designed to dispatch foes posthaste. Elementalists wielding the power of Fire Magic, Rune of Fire Attunement, and a cavalcade of AoE spells like “Meteor Shower” and “Fire Storm” are prime examples. Assassins, leveraging combos to unleash devastating attacks, excel in single-target elimination.
Support Builds
Support roles are the unsung heroes of speed clears. The Monk’s “Healer’s Boon” build or the Ritualist’s “Soul Twisting” spirits build exemplifies this, providing crucial healing and defensive boons to keep the team stalwart amidst adversities.
Control and Utility Builds
Mesmers shine brightly here, with builds centered around skills like “Energy Surge” and “Panic” to disrupt and weaken foes. Similarly, rangers with traps and nature rituals can control the battlefield, dictating the flow of combat.
Speed Clear Routes
Knowledge of the optimal path through an area is as crucial as the builds and gear. Every second counts, and understanding the fastest, most efficient route saves precious time.
Mapping It Out
Utilizing the game’s map to its fullest—knowing shortcuts, safe spots, and areas to avoid—is fundamental. Speed clear teams often consist of a leader or scout who knows the route inside out, guiding the team and ensuring minimal missteps.
Skipping Unnecessary Encounters
Part of mastering speed clears is knowing which fights are mandatory and which can be bypassed. The use of skills like “Shadow Form” or “Ebon Escape” to stealth or teleport past enemies is a hallmark of a seasoned speed clear participant.
Team Communication
In the ballet that is a speed clear, each team member’s movement and actions must be in perfect sync. This synchronization is achieved through impeccable communication.
Assigning Roles
Before embarking, it’s imperative to assign roles based on the builds—determining who will tank, who will deal damage, and who will support. Understanding these roles inside and out ensures that when the action commences, each member can perform without hesitation.
Real-Time Coordination
Using voice chat tools like Discord enhances the team’s ability to make on-the-fly decisions and call out important cues. Communication is not merely about relaying information; it’s about doing so clearly and concisely, avoiding unnecessary chatter that might distract.
Advanced Techniques
Mastering the aforementioned fundamentals lays the groundwork, but exploring into advanced strategies is what truly elevates a team’s speed clearing capability.
Animation Cancelling
This technique involves interrupting the animation of a skill to save time or to chain skills more fluidly. It’s a subtle skill that can lead to significant time savings over the course of a clear.
Pre-casting and Stacking
Certain skills or effects can be “pre-cast” before entering combat, ensuring they’re already active when needed. Similarly, “stacking” involves grouping enemies tightly through manipulation or control skills to maximize AoE damage. Both techniques require precise timing and understanding of game mechanics.
Splitting and Kiting
In certain scenarios, dividing the team to tackle different objectives simultaneously can shave off a considerable amount of time. This often goes hand-in-hand with kiting—drawing enemies away or managing aggro to relieve pressure or lure them into traps.
Guild Wars 1’s speed clearing scene thrives on the convergence of knowledge, skill, and teamwork. This guide only scratches the surface of the depth and complexity involved. Each dungeon, each mission, each elite area presents its own set of challenges and nuances waiting to be mastered.
Whether you’re a seasoned veteran looking to refine your techniques or a newcomer eager to make your mark, remember: success in speed clearing is a journey, not a destination. The camaraderie formed amid the frantic calls, the triumphant cheers at a new record time, and the collective understanding of each other’s roles transcend the game itself. Armed with this guide, step into Tyria’s challenging terrains, and etch your name into the annals of speed clearing lore.