ArenaNet today released a pair of blog posts outlining the new specialization system coming in HoT.

Ever since Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns was announced, players have been wanting to know more about specializations. Specializations is the platform for which professions in GW2 will be expanded, and in a pair of blog posts today ArenaNet has given more information on what this system will actually entail.

First off, Specializations is the name for the reimagined trait system. Currently there are five trait lines for each profession. For example Elementalist comprises the trait lines Fire Magic, Air Magic, Earth Magic, Water Magic and Arcana. Under the Specialization system, these five lines are the five Core Specializations. On top of this is the Elite Specialization. We already know the name of one of these with the Ranger’s Elite Specialization being called the Druid.

A name change is not the only thing coming with the Specialization rework. Trait points will be a thing of the past, as players will be choosing three Specializations and all of the Minor and Major trait slots will be unlocked for those lines. This allows players to select three adept, three master and three grandmaster traits in total compared to an extra two available traits over the current system.

In addition, to get a couple of extra trait slots available to you, the total number of traits are being reduced. Instead of the current 13 traits per line, each Specialization will only house nine traits. This reduction is part of an overhaul as some traits are getting combined, while others are removed. However, those removed may not be entirely gone, as their functionality will become a default function of the skill. For example, Necromancer well skills will no longer have a trait that makes them ground targeted as the wells by default will be ground targeted skills.

Specializations will be unlocked through a new system called the Profession Reward Tracks. There will be reward tracks tied to each specialization as well as tracks for each utility type and special track focused on the Elite Specialization. A core specialization track will be for unlocking each trait within that specialization. For example, the Water Magic track for Elementalist will have players unlocking the adept minor trait before unlocking each adept major trait in turn before moving on to master and grandmaster traits. The Warrior Signet Track will unlock the Healing Signet healing skill, then each of the four utility signet skills before finally unlocking the Signet of Rage elite skill.

Elite Specialization Reward Tracks are a little more beefy, as they will unlock the new weapon, unique mechanics, skills and traits tied to the Elite Specialization. The blog posts give a few example of these. For example, we know that Necromancer’s Elite Specialization is getting a greatsword. The blog posts mentions that many of the new skills will be reusing old utility types like shouts and traps. New mechanics will include new ways to use the Necromancer’s Life Force bar and a new way for Mesmer’s to shatter their illusions.

Not only will the Elite Specialization Reward Tracks be unlocking all of the gameplay centered on the Elite Specialization, these tracks will reward actual rewards. These include new runes and sigils as well as a new weapon skin for the weapon added with the Elite Specialization with a single piece of armor (typically a helm or shoulder skin) that is themed after the same weapon skin.

How will you be able to progress in these Reward Tracks? Hero points. Hero points are earned through leveling the character as well as completing Hero Challenges (previously called Skill Challenges) out in the world. With skills being unlocked through these reward tracks, all skill points that players currently have laying around will be converted into a new crafting material. The blog post mentions that a level 80 character that has done none of the hero challenges should be able to unlock more than enough skills, specializations and traits to make several full builds.

Lastly is PvP. All of the core specializations and skills will be unlocked for all players while in PvP, with the Elite Specialization unlocked automatically in PvP for players who have purchased HoT.

With changes this big there are bound to be a lot of questions, so the ArenaNet team is hosting a live Q&A session on the Guild Wars 2 Twitch channel tomorrow, Friday, April 24 at Noon Pacific. In addition to this, check out the pair of blog posts on the Guild Wars 2 site for more details on Specializations.

Matt Adams aka the Mattsta

Follow me @MattstaNinja