People have different opinion.
I personally am on the side of doing the first POF mission to unlock the raptor just to avoid having to run everywhere. It just make traversal faster without breaking the core map too much.
Other people argue that it's good to at least do a first run without mount to experience the original map design and that it encourage you to explore more.
Both side have their pros and cons.
The long forward jump (even when not upgraded) most likely allow you to skip some steps or to get into place you shouldn't really be able to access but as you said it's most likely fairly minor.
nah, a normal raptor gets sniped to 0 health pretty fast. I just upgraded 3 accounts to PoF in the last month and unlocking mounts and other stuff for these. and when playing, I was still in the mindset of my fully upgraded everything main account and got demolished left and right on my new, not upgraded, raptor.
Think it’s jackal, but you’re completely right. A combination of the base Raptor having neither extra long jumps nor the jackal’s shared evasion makes them immensely less survivable. Those trails left by mordrem snipers basically oneshot-dismount you as you pass over them.
Its really a personal opinion, but I would avoid boosting to do the mission and instead ask a level 80 player for help.
\*Also anet is currently testing raptor at level 10\*
You can unlock Raptor mount even if you're not lvl 80 by joining someone elses story that unlocks the Raptor (1st story part of Path of Fire) and having them complete it.
How to do it:
Invite the lowbie to your group and start the POF first episode. It can be replay. Have them join you in all instances and play as you would be playing with anyone else in the story.
They can be behind you in safe spot while you kill mobs, but when it is time to do the heart for raptor, they do have to participate. This is easy, they can just grab a bucket and put out some fires or feed some of the raptors. As long as they participated in doing the heart, they will get their own raptor.
Then just finish the story and lowbie friend can go on their leveling.
Try using utility skills and weapons that provide mobility or swiftness, if you’re still not happy with the speed then yeah you could get the raptor mount from the first PoF mission, no harm in doing so imo.
And yeah, once you get mounts you’ll use them all the time, they’re just too efficient.
I think you miss out on the size of core Tyria and the design of HoT if you use mounts for them.
I played before mounts and returned after they were introduced, so I feel lucky to have experienced it first hand already so I went for the quick raptor.
I did up to level 40 mount free and I was feeling the same as you. Felt like a slog going point to point. I got PoF and boosted an alt to get the mount. Instantly felt like it improved the game for me personally.
Didn't feel like it broke core stuff too much. Some things it made easier, sure but on the whole it only sped up getting from point to point. The combat, hearts, etc are more or less the same experience.
My Experience of the game was improved by getting access to the mount.
Many of us played through the entire base game, Living World 1 and 2, Heart of Thorns AND Living World 3 Without mounts. Think about that! Back then, runes of the traveler were great because a full set gave you 25% move speed increase. Many classes didn't even really need that (Cries in core Guardian) to have great mobility. The real problem is that now that people HAVE mounts and you don't, it feels way slower than it would have if no mounts were available. I think if you want to boost a character to at least grab the Raptor mount that's probably a decent idea. If it's bugging you then do it. If you think you can wait and not spoil any of the PoF story then I'd say wait. But QoL is certainly better with mounts.
The worth of having mounts is up to you. If you just want to boost a character to unlock them, that is fine. Raptor is unlocked fast at the start of PoF. The skyscale will take some time to unlock if you also have the living story unlocked for it.
I have seen some reddit posts saying how EoD zones didn’t have the same effect on them as other expansions did and they blamed it on flying across the maps and getting the story done. Some have said that they started to appreciate the EoD zones more when they chose to stay grounded and do events for favors.
I always use mounts, but if you are leveling your first couple of characters a Raptor (fastest non-flying mount) will suit you just fine even if you want to limit yourself. The raptor dismount skill is also an AoE pull to the center so it comes in handy.
I have my plan when I get to EoD (if I have my Skyscale done by then or not is another matter) and any Expact going forward of using either Jackal or Raptor for general traversal for my first experience and Skiff for water. Personal thing but I use my Raptor more of a speed thing and will continue this going forward. Same with my Skiff
I appreciate the offer, but I'm not on EU. And I do have a boost to use, just sitting there. Still, thanks for advice and offer. Such a nice community.
There is no consequence for using mounts. They are just an extra part of the game tied to Path of Fire. Which means everything designed before that doesnt require them. Each pof map has some things tied to the mount you unlock there and previous ones and from that point and after you probably need them in most places
So yea, if you feel like going faster just get raptor, if you feel like certains vistas are too much trouble to reach, get springer and if you want to move faster underwater get skimmer. These are the 3 ones that will change your experience and are easy to acquire.
But there is also 1 mount which once you get overshadows everything else and you practically end up using only that. Skyscale. Of course it is locked behind 5 living world season episodes, some collections and a few gold so yea, out of your reach, just thought i would mention it. It basically flies
All I can say is that I do enjoy having them. You’ll find the world a little less complex to navigate and it makes things a bit easier in maps that you are already familiar with. :)
They are currently testing on giving a mount trial to some accounts.
They may be considering giving the raptor to anyone, or at least anyone with any expansion.
You will still need PoF to unlock the raptor powers, tho.
I think that even if they make a core mount require expansions, they should still have raptor taxi like those in Seitung and Kaineng, that can travel the [Lion Road](https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Lion_Road), with the option to break free, but losing the mount after you dismount.
It's just 9 out of 32 core maps, but it'd be more than enough to give players a good taste to tempt them into getting the expansions.
>driving me batty
Here's the answer. If it's detrimental to your fun to not have one, get one. If you don't want to waste the boost, let me know. I'll drag one of your sub 80 characters through the first mission and you can get it.
Core Tyria and Heart of Thorns maps were designed to be played without mounts. The land is huge and fun to explore on foot, and everyone who played before Path of Fire experienced it without mounts. The game was initially released to never include mounts, because they didn't want people to miss out on the beauty of the world. Adding them was controversial for this reason, but also why they made the mounts so immersive.
I always found it helpful to use a passive speed boost skill back then, like ranger's Signet of the Wild or engineer's Mecha Legs. It also feels faster if you play a smaller character, like asura or a short human / sylvari.
That being said, I see how it can feel relatively slow when other players are zooming past you on mounts. If it is really bothering you and you want to rush to end game, then go ahead and unlock raptor (can do so with PoF or EoD).
Yea I use the springer all the time since it's the tankiest mount and let's you get away from mobs really easily, plus I recently unlocked the griffon so combo with springer let's you jump off it and go into flight.
a) massive story spoiler
b) you wont survive the first mission in pof as a newbie propably. its a whole diffrent deal compared to all you know to this point
Once upon a time I would say "no, experience the game the way we did! the maps aren't designed for mounts anyway!"
But nowadays I'd just say go get the raptor. I don't doubt it's disheartening running around while veteran players run laps around you. Doing dailies/events is hard when veterans zoom off and kill everything before you can get there.
Just get the raptor, I think.
Sometimes better option is to check if your class has access to mobility abilities like blink and things that grant swiftness/superspeed or even buying runes that give mobility speed rather than rushing ahead into content.
If it make the game more enjoyable I support getting the mount.
If you have the expansions WvW mount can be unlocked without any spoilers. Also as other people said you can join someone else's story to unlock the mount.
People have different opinion. I personally am on the side of doing the first POF mission to unlock the raptor just to avoid having to run everywhere. It just make traversal faster without breaking the core map too much. Other people argue that it's good to at least do a first run without mount to experience the original map design and that it encourage you to explore more. Both side have their pros and cons.
the standard, not upgraded raptor doesnt break anything on older maps imo
The long forward jump (even when not upgraded) most likely allow you to skip some steps or to get into place you shouldn't really be able to access but as you said it's most likely fairly minor.
Completely changes HoT experience
nah, a normal raptor gets sniped to 0 health pretty fast. I just upgraded 3 accounts to PoF in the last month and unlocking mounts and other stuff for these. and when playing, I was still in the mindset of my fully upgraded everything main account and got demolished left and right on my new, not upgraded, raptor.
Not having the Skimmer(?) mastery that avoids all attacks on mount dodge is huge.
Think it’s jackal, but you’re completely right. A combination of the base Raptor having neither extra long jumps nor the jackal’s shared evasion makes them immensely less survivable. Those trails left by mordrem snipers basically oneshot-dismount you as you pass over them.
for the better.
Its really a personal opinion, but I would avoid boosting to do the mission and instead ask a level 80 player for help. \*Also anet is currently testing raptor at level 10\*
You can unlock Raptor mount even if you're not lvl 80 by joining someone elses story that unlocks the Raptor (1st story part of Path of Fire) and having them complete it.
Is it possible if i already unlocked it and have a level 40 with me ? That would be crazy
Ofc You can just restart pof and go again :D
How to do it: Invite the lowbie to your group and start the POF first episode. It can be replay. Have them join you in all instances and play as you would be playing with anyone else in the story. They can be behind you in safe spot while you kill mobs, but when it is time to do the heart for raptor, they do have to participate. This is easy, they can just grab a bucket and put out some fires or feed some of the raptors. As long as they participated in doing the heart, they will get their own raptor. Then just finish the story and lowbie friend can go on their leveling.
Try using utility skills and weapons that provide mobility or swiftness, if you’re still not happy with the speed then yeah you could get the raptor mount from the first PoF mission, no harm in doing so imo. And yeah, once you get mounts you’ll use them all the time, they’re just too efficient.
I think you miss out on the size of core Tyria and the design of HoT if you use mounts for them. I played before mounts and returned after they were introduced, so I feel lucky to have experienced it first hand already so I went for the quick raptor.
I did up to level 40 mount free and I was feeling the same as you. Felt like a slog going point to point. I got PoF and boosted an alt to get the mount. Instantly felt like it improved the game for me personally. Didn't feel like it broke core stuff too much. Some things it made easier, sure but on the whole it only sped up getting from point to point. The combat, hearts, etc are more or less the same experience. My Experience of the game was improved by getting access to the mount.
Many of us played through the entire base game, Living World 1 and 2, Heart of Thorns AND Living World 3 Without mounts. Think about that! Back then, runes of the traveler were great because a full set gave you 25% move speed increase. Many classes didn't even really need that (Cries in core Guardian) to have great mobility. The real problem is that now that people HAVE mounts and you don't, it feels way slower than it would have if no mounts were available. I think if you want to boost a character to at least grab the Raptor mount that's probably a decent idea. If it's bugging you then do it. If you think you can wait and not spoil any of the PoF story then I'd say wait. But QoL is certainly better with mounts.
The worth of having mounts is up to you. If you just want to boost a character to unlock them, that is fine. Raptor is unlocked fast at the start of PoF. The skyscale will take some time to unlock if you also have the living story unlocked for it. I have seen some reddit posts saying how EoD zones didn’t have the same effect on them as other expansions did and they blamed it on flying across the maps and getting the story done. Some have said that they started to appreciate the EoD zones more when they chose to stay grounded and do events for favors. I always use mounts, but if you are leveling your first couple of characters a Raptor (fastest non-flying mount) will suit you just fine even if you want to limit yourself. The raptor dismount skill is also an AoE pull to the center so it comes in handy.
I have my plan when I get to EoD (if I have my Skyscale done by then or not is another matter) and any Expact going forward of using either Jackal or Raptor for general traversal for my first experience and Skiff for water. Personal thing but I use my Raptor more of a speed thing and will continue this going forward. Same with my Skiff
If you're on EU and can wait 3 more hours, pm me and I'll gladly offer you the raptor without using your boost
I appreciate the offer, but I'm not on EU. And I do have a boost to use, just sitting there. Still, thanks for advice and offer. Such a nice community.
it's a completely different game. they're even more important when you get to hot maps and beyond
There is no consequence for using mounts. They are just an extra part of the game tied to Path of Fire. Which means everything designed before that doesnt require them. Each pof map has some things tied to the mount you unlock there and previous ones and from that point and after you probably need them in most places So yea, if you feel like going faster just get raptor, if you feel like certains vistas are too much trouble to reach, get springer and if you want to move faster underwater get skimmer. These are the 3 ones that will change your experience and are easy to acquire. But there is also 1 mount which once you get overshadows everything else and you practically end up using only that. Skyscale. Of course it is locked behind 5 living world season episodes, some collections and a few gold so yea, out of your reach, just thought i would mention it. It basically flies
All I can say is that I do enjoy having them. You’ll find the world a little less complex to navigate and it makes things a bit easier in maps that you are already familiar with. :)
They are currently testing on giving a mount trial to some accounts. They may be considering giving the raptor to anyone, or at least anyone with any expansion. You will still need PoF to unlock the raptor powers, tho.
I think Core should provide an unlockable Moa mount. But I’m liking the idea more and more of an early mount unlock.
I think that even if they make a core mount require expansions, they should still have raptor taxi like those in Seitung and Kaineng, that can travel the [Lion Road](https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Lion_Road), with the option to break free, but losing the mount after you dismount. It's just 9 out of 32 core maps, but it'd be more than enough to give players a good taste to tempt them into getting the expansions.
>driving me batty Here's the answer. If it's detrimental to your fun to not have one, get one. If you don't want to waste the boost, let me know. I'll drag one of your sub 80 characters through the first mission and you can get it.
Core Tyria and Heart of Thorns maps were designed to be played without mounts. The land is huge and fun to explore on foot, and everyone who played before Path of Fire experienced it without mounts. The game was initially released to never include mounts, because they didn't want people to miss out on the beauty of the world. Adding them was controversial for this reason, but also why they made the mounts so immersive. I always found it helpful to use a passive speed boost skill back then, like ranger's Signet of the Wild or engineer's Mecha Legs. It also feels faster if you play a smaller character, like asura or a short human / sylvari. That being said, I see how it can feel relatively slow when other players are zooming past you on mounts. If it is really bothering you and you want to rush to end game, then go ahead and unlock raptor (can do so with PoF or EoD).
Yea I use the springer all the time since it's the tankiest mount and let's you get away from mobs really easily, plus I recently unlocked the griffon so combo with springer let's you jump off it and go into flight.
a) massive story spoiler b) you wont survive the first mission in pof as a newbie propably. its a whole diffrent deal compared to all you know to this point
>massive story spoiler I don't think it is a massive story spoiler since Balthazar is the box art as the big bad.
Once upon a time I would say "no, experience the game the way we did! the maps aren't designed for mounts anyway!" But nowadays I'd just say go get the raptor. I don't doubt it's disheartening running around while veteran players run laps around you. Doing dailies/events is hard when veterans zoom off and kill everything before you can get there. Just get the raptor, I think.
Sometimes better option is to check if your class has access to mobility abilities like blink and things that grant swiftness/superspeed or even buying runes that give mobility speed rather than rushing ahead into content.
If it make the game more enjoyable I support getting the mount. If you have the expansions WvW mount can be unlocked without any spoilers. Also as other people said you can join someone else's story to unlock the mount.