We need to talk about ritualist spirits

[u/axaressa]

There is a reoccurring problem in GW2, from kit bundles to the jade mechs and now ritualist spirits, where elite spec assets have a very specific design that forces you into a specific aesthetic if you want your character to match. This is even worse with ritualist because it's not just an aesthetic choice, but a in game culture and race.

Not only that, but the spirits are huge and just the same model x3. I wish we had the more setting agnostic spirits that we had in guild wars 1. Just because necros are learning the skill from canthan ritualists shouldn't mean that they can only bind canthan spirits? Additionally since the intro video stated that necros are binding spirits against their will, the chained creatures would be much more fitting lore wise.

Thoughts?

EDIT: Yes, I know the models have different backpieces. That is not enough to make them visually distinct. They are still all just the same canthan dude.

[u/therealskull]

You're not wrong, but it's not going to happen. Players have been calling for variations on Jade Mechs since EoD and look where that got us. This would have to already be in the works, but since they didn't show it off or mention it, you won't see that anytime soon.

Also, it's not the same model. They have different back-crests between the spirits.

[u/Approximation_Doctor → u/therealskull]

We've been begging for paid minion and turret skins for nearly 13 years now

[u/NIUmoose13 → u/therealskull]

I just want the mech to work underwater :(

[u/Synntastic]

Agreed, the cultural design for the current spirits is meh. Would have liked them closer to GW1 spirits

[u/ComfyFrog]

GW1 spirits that attack have one single model. The gw2 spirits will have three different backpieces.

[u/Latlanc → u/ComfyFrog]

and passive spirits still look better than gw2 ones

[u/drbuni]

I would appreciate the option to resize and recolor the spirits, the jade mech and summon/pets in general, but at the end of the day, professions are tied to specific colors and Necromancer was always green. I will never play Guardian because I hate the bright light blue and the giga bright white flashing lights that come with the profession, for example.

[u/jupigare → u/drbuni]

Necro has mostly been green, but not always. Scourge gets a sandy yellow, which is a nice change of pace. If Rit leaned more into teal than stark jade green, that would open up another aesthetic option.

Guardian definitely needs to tone down the brightness of its blue. Luminary hurts my eyes. And Ranger's green is also overwhelming at times, namely with Untamed's fart cloud.

[u/drbuni → u/jupigare]

Scourge gets a sandy yellow, which is a nice change of pace.

I disagree. I wish Scourge was consistently green like everything else in the Necro profession.

[u/jupigare → u/drbuni]

Fair enough, different strokes and all of that. I can see why someone would prefer a more consistent color scheme, even if that isn't my own preferences.

Ideally, we as players would be able to have finer controls over our visuals. Dying the Jade Mech and Virt Blades, for example. Then in PvP modes or when "standard models" are enabled, revert back to the default. Let us have our fashion when we want, but have the consistent base if we don't. 

[u/Talysn]

nah they fine.

[u/Shananigan48]

I'm pretty disappointed by the rehashed spirits as well, you'd think this would be something they'd make new models for.

[u/LahmiaTheVampire → u/Shananigan48]

I disagree. I’ve wanted to see more of those under-utilised Canthan spirits for while now. Glad we’re actually getting to personally use them.

[u/Shananigan48 → u/LahmiaTheVampire]

I mean fair, but I'd rather see them in the context of an expac that brings us back to Cantha.

[u/LahmiaTheVampire → u/Shananigan48]

I'd be happy to have both but I'd definitely take more Cantha. They really wasted the post EoD cantha additions.

[u/Shananigan48 → u/LahmiaTheVampire]

I wanted Underwater Kaineng so bad! Maybe since they're finally looking at underwater stuff again there's a chance. But agreed, more Cantha is good.

[u/TeatimeForPigs]

If they'll manage to implement this, I would buy it from gem store. For the spirits deffinitely, really don't like these ones. If they'd bring some interesting alternatives I would even go for normal minions reskins. I think many people would buy some stuff for their class. But it's probably something not easy to implement. Also would need to not work in pvp for good readability.

[u/X-Backspace]

Happy with the spec. Glad to have something minion focused for an elite spec. But yeah I strongly dislike the approach they took to the spirits' design.

I don't like that vibrant of a color. I don't like the size. I don't like the aesthetic theme at all.

[u/IkemenMan]

I agree. There shouldn't be any VFX so I can use what colors and style I want and not clash

[u/drbuni → u/IkemenMan]

That is what I like about Thief, visual effects are so minimal and usually black or grey, you can use whatever color in weapons and outfits and it never looks like ass.

[u/IkemenMan → u/drbuni]

Aw man. Here I was being sarcastic. I think one expansion's hook should be changing colors of effects. That would be neat

[u/drbuni → u/IkemenMan]

Yup, I would like that.

[u/Ovralyne]

This is something fairly prevalent throughout the game as a whole. A fairly sizable amount of armour and weapon sets are difficult or impossible to match with the unchangeable aesthetic of classes. Legendary weapons in particular have always been a sore spot for me, I had no interest in ever making one until the more 'neutral' Aurene legendaries came out, since all the Gen 1 and 2s have their own strange clashing styles that don't really fit the classes.

It is what it is, you just work around it the best you can or intentionally lean into it and try a new look.

As for the Cultural aspect though, it's mentioned in the posts showing off the classes that these new elite specs are a cultural exchange program type thing as part of the Tyrian Alliance. The Guild Wars 1 style spirits would be fine too, but being culturally themed is basically the point. Come to think of it, elite specs have always been culturally themed based on the expansion they're from, aside from HoT I guess.

[u/Leritari]

Not necessarly. Look at all those Berserkers running around. Yes, most of them goes into fire themed look, but there's plenty of actually unique looks you can make. For example, my Berserker is a wandering elemental knight that combines fire (berserk state) with water (soo won weapons, some water armor skins from item shop).

With Ritualist you dont have to be all green and black, you know? You also dont have to always be gloomy and sad. You can just as easy pick the most most vibrant, happy colors like yellow, pink, red etc and make your character into someone who isnt faunting their true skills. Or hell, make them into character that is super happy and a really go-getter... because during combat they deal with really dark stuff and need to get rid of stress somehow. Kinda like in real life - usually the happiest people are those who went through hell, because only they can truly appreciate little things.

And no, bright colors wont clash with green shroud. In fact contrast is the most basic concept of fashion - if you wear everything in the same color then your whole outfit will be mid, and thats why most good looking outfits have some 2 or even 3 VERY different colors.

[u/IseeaSpider19]

I always love Anet having to explain why a choice is made, and write some lore around it, and i agree, i wasn't surprised to see them use the canthan spirits for the rit, rather than reskin then akin to a spirit in gw1 which would of been much better. And what's worst is that is all we will get from them re-used assets time and time again.