Feature Build: The calm before the storm

It's almost here, I can't believe how quiet it is when the Feature Build could possibly hit this week. We are talking about the biggest shake up for Guild Wars since Nightfall (and the introduction of heroes)! If you want to see why I expect the Feature Build this week (and no-one from ArenaNet has said it will be this week - it could easily be saved for the anniversary update or even later) you can look through the quotes in here: http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/l...t10462944.html. Even if it's not this week we know it's soon, how are you preparing for it?

Is anyone else stocking up on hero runes and insignias before the build skyrockets their prices (especially already expensive primary attribute runes and popular armour increasing insignias)?

Dusting off your Woe Spreader, Scar Eater and Sskai's Sword farming builds to open up a hero outfitting shop while they are hot?

Holding back on doing something in PvE (my dervish just finished all four games and is now hovering around Lion's Arch - Tahlkora will be replacing Alesia so I don't have to go through that pain again) until you can do it with your heroes?

Anyone looking forward to getting all three guardian/protector titles in a massive PuG fest the first weekend Embark Beach is around?

Maybe you have a GWAMM toon without survivor anxious to see if you can box your way back from the dead in a speculated change to that title?

Playing the market hoping that drunkard or some other title change might also be changed increasing the value of alcohol/random resource?

Maybe you've finally theory-crafted that perfect 7 hero balanced party build that you're dieing to try out?

Got a cool build for Koss and Goren to use if the AI update makes melee toons pwnage sauce?

Does your guild have a betting pool running to predict what the unknown specifics of the feature build are?

How are you spending your time preparing for the launch of the Feature Build?

Preparing to vanquish, finish HM missions, and do War In Kryta. Testing some 7-hero-builds, finding hero weapons, etc.

And hoping that it comes before or during the EotN bonus mission so I can do some HM dungeons and get double points. ^__^

I'm putting off doing any serious vanquishing in Cantha and Tyria until after that (already finished Elona...ahh well. Those henchies suck less anyway).

I've also been waiting to do WiK on my other characters until after the FB, because screw doing that with henchmen again.

Too bad I already got the VQ title on my main - would've been way more fun than using henchies. Still, I wouldn't mind re-doing more areas with my alts.

Anyways, had most of my favorite and most used heroes already decked out on my main in both builds and appearance. Looks like I need to start working more towards my alts. Also eager to finish campaigns and new content with fully customized teams.

Is anyone else stocking up on hero runes and insignias before the build skyrockets their price
I've always saved valuable/useful runes and insignias for all my heroes, even the ones that never get to play. I rarely have to buy from the trader.

Dusting off your Woe Spreader, Scar Eater and Sskai's Sword farming builds to open up a hero outfitting shop while they are hot?
Collector weapons. I'd imagine most people go this route.

Holding back on doing something in PvE until you can do it with your heroes?
Not really. Henchmen are usually fine for me. On the rare occasion they're not, I just dual-log an alt's heroes. But I don't even do that for elite areas, since I have a friend who insists I wait on those to do them with him. Though if he drags his feet too long, I may just go ahead with UW/FoW with a full hero team. That could be nice.

Anyone looking forward to getting all three guardian/protector titles in a massive PuG fest the first weekend Embark Beach is around?
That sounds...nightmarish. The update won't miraculously make PUGs better, just easier to find! I am super curious to see how Embark Beach works and how it affects others, though. Especially wondering how it'll affect trade.

Maybe you have a GWAMM toon without survivor anxious to see if you can box your way back from the dead in a speculated change to that title?
Won't be boxing -- will do it legitimately. But I have a 2-year-old character who was given a stay of very near execution by the leak. Really hopeful for her attaining her goals without having to be wiped.

Playing the market hoping that drunkard or some other title change might also be changed increasing the value of alcohol/random resource?
Hm, interesting. From your fingers to God's ears -- I've been sitting on a storage pane full of ToT bags for months, hoping for a price boom.

Maybe you've finally theory-crafted that perfect 7 hero balanced party build that you're dieing to try out?
Heh. The occasional "Damn, it'd be nice to add some smite to my Discord team" is about the extent of my theorycrafting.

Got a cool build for Koss and Goren to use if the AI update makes melee toons pwnage sauce?
The entire game mechanics would have to be completely overhauled for me to bring melee heroes. I honestly don't have much hope for this. I'd like to be pleasantly surprised, but....

Does your guild have a betting pool running to predict what the unknown specifics of the feature build are?
Just me, in my head.

How are you spending your time preparing for the launch of the Feature Build?
Same way I always do: enjoying the game for what it is at the moment. And after the update, I'll do the same. Less stress that way.

All my heroes on all ten of my chars have already got some basic upgrades, so, not worried.

As for what I'll do with a full hero party... FoW and DoA, maybe. Used to need a guildy's company for it, which no longer applies.

7 heroes will mean I can do things like Eternal Grove and Aurora Glade a little more easily.

And vanquishing/WiK will definitely be easier when I now have more space to bring specific builds to counteract whatever nonsense that is on the mobs' bars.

3 more necro heroes please?

3 more necros?
You're going for a discordsabway team or something like that?
Probably would work, its just not that likely to happen, unfortunatly...
On topic:
I beleive that a certain ANet employee did say something about the update being planned this week (John Stumme), or to be more precise, it was being planned a week ago but it has been delayed untill this week.

I'm waiting this update not for any particular needs, only to do alone and fast HM dungeons like kath, soo, rragar, vloxen, frostmaw. These 5 just. Maybe i'll try Forgewight and Exile HM just for fun(got the Hm credit already). I'm planning to do the rest just with a normal 3heroes+hench, just to say i'm able to do them with only 3 heroes...

I know it won't but yes I use them for both depending on the areas. A man can dream.

I've been putting off vanquishing Elona and the rest of Tyria until 7 heroes are finally possible. Coincidentally, it's double eotn weekend. Time to get all eotn titles!

I can't believe I'm looking forward to doing PvE.

my heroes already have whatever runes they are using and the ones that dont wont get played EVEN IF we have 7 heroes (sorry anton, zenmai, koss, jora, mox and goren)...

no am not doing anything different than I had been doing before. IF it happens then that will be great, but not waiting for it--WOLF!!!!!!!

didnt need to stock up on runes, all my heros are fully equipped, even the ones i dont normally use just in case

Im doing same as cosyfiep - no point in getting excited over something that may be here soon or in a few months.
Knowing anet we`ll get the hero update along with a load of skill updates/nerfs and everyone who has pre planned finds out that the builds they wanted to use are now void.

Is anyone else stocking up on hero runes and insignias before the build skyrockets their prices (especially already expensive primary attribute runes and popular armour increasing insignias)?
Most of my heroes are already runed up.

Dusting off your Woe Spreader, Scar Eater and Sskai's Sword farming builds to open up a hero outfitting shop while they are hot?
Nope. Most of my heroes are already geared up

Holding back on doing something in PvE until you can do it with your heroes?
I'm not rushing to get through some of the tougher areas to vanquish, but I won't wait for the build to tackle them if it's not here when I'm ready to do them.

Anyone looking forward to getting all three guardian/protector titles in a massive PuG fest the first weekend Embark Beach is around?
No. I have my doubts about how successful EB will be as a gathering place to form parties, especially with the 7-hero thing coming about. Who needs EB when you're going it alone with heroes?

Maybe you have a GWAMM toon without survivor anxious to see if you can box your way back from the dead in a speculated change to that title?
Haven't decidedif I'll go for survivor on my GWAMM. But if I do, I won't be boxing or slaying defenseless wurms over and over again.

Playing the market hoping that drunkard or some other title change might also be changed increasing the value of alcohol/random resource?
Nope. Should the drunk/party/sweet titles go account-wide, prices for those item will tank due to a huge drop in demand.

Maybe you've finally theory-crafted that perfect 7 hero balanced party build that you're dieing to try out?
Yep.

Got a cool build for Koss and Goren to use if the AI update makes melee toons pwnage sauce?
Nope. But I do have one for Jora! J/K - I don't generally use the Melee heroes, but I've got 'em set up where they don't totally suck now - will revisit the issue if/when the time comes.

Does your guild have a betting pool running to predict what the unknown specifics of the feature build are?
Nope.

How are you spending your time preparing for the launch of the Feature Build?
I'm not preparing for it. I'm taking a relaxed attitude about it and will make my game-play adjustments when it gets here.

Survivor on my main.

Solo urgoz/deep with 2nd acc heroes.

Same.
But also, getting my hero's ready to run SabWay & SpiritWay at the same time

I expect spamadan to move to ebay beach as it will be easier for people to get to any outpost from and no normal party size limit there.

Yeah I'm looking forward to what the changes to titles will do (Really want that survivor one!).

Also the new outpost will be interesting. will people gather there now instead of in Great Temple of Balthazar? And will people choose heros instead of PUGs for the Zaishen challenges?

Yep, I'm curious now