MMORPG.com just had this interview with Jon Peters, System Designers at ArenaNet. Jon shared the philosophy of Guild Wars 2 profession design, without the ‘holy trinity’ the basic approach to balancing the professions. They truly want to avoid repetitive ”rotations” i.e., 1,1,2,1,1,2 – they want the skill choice to be organic and that the tools each player uses change based on the situation. That each weapon set has a diverse tool set with real choices (if I bring the sword, I’m giving up what my mace brings). How well do you use YOUR tools that you brought with you. The system designer also discussed the Heal reduction is mostly in the effect of a ‘poison’ debuff. No ‘mortal strike’ type move. Effects like these are in the forms of 11 basic’ debuffs’, called conditions and 8 ’buffs’ called boons. The point is to simplify balancing.

He also gave some general details on the traits that it is designed so that real choices are required and any professions leaning will be viable. ”Resettin