GW2 Bump in the Story

So, I've generally been digging the story in Guild Wars 2, even though it's a little formulaic. Some of the branches are actually difficult choices, though they impact the player/character experience more than the game itself.

Last night, though, I hit my first main complaint with the story. Mind you, this is a notable spoiler that you'll want to avoid if you're playing, up until after the Battle for Claw Island - the level 50-ish story quest(s).


Not only did they kill off my favorite character in the game, but they completely "chumped" him!

From what I can tell, this story is a point where all players come back to. Regardless of chosen order, you'll end up with your "mentor" on Claw Island when the undead invade. Regardless of your chosen order, your mentor will stay behind against overwhelming odds. I've only seen the Order of Whispers playthrough, but my understanding is those basic events occur regardless.

I can understand the narrative thoughts behind it. Okay, the person who brought you into your order perishes, thus making way for advancement of the PC. Makes sense so far. The implimentation, however, sucks.

The scene is set up and presented as one of heroic sacrifice. All the elements are there. Tybalt expounds some on his past and explains that he wants to die well at least, that this is some measure of redemption for for the not-quite-clear events in his past. He'll hold off the undead long enough that everyone else can get away.

But... the whole thing falls flat.

Even putting aside that the whole conversation took longer than it would have to reach the dock, there's no presented reason to believe he's in a position to make a difference in a delaying action. "You trusted me this far, have faith in me just a little more," he says (or very close to that). And that would make sense to me if he presented some plan (using a bomb to destroy the dragon or collapse a wall or something would make sense), rather he just walks off with his rifle and has the gate closed behind him. Uh... why wouldn't we just close the gate and leave together? There were already a bunch of Lionguard troops fighting back there. That's not enough of a delay?

Then, after the cut scene, there's still a matter of fighting through a modest number of undead to reach the ship. So there's also no presented reason to think he did make any difference.

Rawrgh! Really? If you have to kill a major character like that, at least you could give the incident some weight and meaning. I feel the writers/designers seriously dropped the ball on that one, and I suspect it plays out just as badly for all three orders.

RIP Lightbringer Tybalt "Tibs" Leftpaw

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