When I started writing this article, I had no idea what I was going to write about,  Between time with the family and the overtime crunch I had to pull at work, my free time, and therefore time with Guild Wars 2, vanished.  I didn’t have the normal preparation time I have when I normally write these articles.

In a desperate bid for ideas, I began scouring my phone’s internet for ideas and prompts.  I hunted high and low for something to ignite my fire.  I found several good ideas but nothing that got me going.  Then I started thinking and began to get frustrated.  It’s like I was jumping through hoops.

And then I smiled and shrugged and thought back on the first time I ever did the jumping puzzle inside The Eternal Battlegrounds.  You know THE jumping puzzle.  Complete with dark room and griefing.  Never before have I gotten so frustrated and yet felt so rewarded with a part of an MMO that didn’t include fighting or exploration.  It was platforming; something I had never had never payed much attention to in games. But after doing that first jumping puzzle, I became hooked. I thought it was a blast and I think that more MMO’s need to include puzzles like this.  It gave my friends and me hours of frustrated amusement as we attempted to find and conquer the many hidden challenges the geniuses at Arenanet had hidden away.  It was a really awesome alternative to combat or questing.

Now, I haven’t forgotten that this is a necromancer column so I figured I would add a few helpful tips when attempting jumping puzzles while playing as the necromancer profession.

Tip #1 Use the Well spec. Necromancer pets are a nuisance while trying to make well-timed jumps and, depending on the puzzle you attempt, can get you killed or knocked off a pillar if they pull an enemy.

Tip #2 Make sure you have the dagger equipped in your main hand and the horn in your off hand.  The horn’s speed buff ability “Plague Swarm” can make many jumps that you would normally just barely make into jumps you can make consistently and reliably. I’ve noticed characters jump further while under the effects of the haste buff.

Tip #3 Expect to fall.  It happens. A  lot.  But the trick is to keep on trying and not get to frustrated.  I admit, I’ve gotten frustrated before.

Tip #4  If you know a friend or guildmate who is a Mesmer, try to convince them to come with you.  Their portal ability can allow you to jump back to the top of a ledge should you fall off and can save you a LOT of time and aggravation.  Offer to give them gold if you must.

(You wouldn’t believe what the Mesmer on the right charges. lol)

Tip #5 Have some fun with it.  This is an experience currently unavailable in any other MMO on the market and one I hope more games add.  It’s a fun challenge and there are some really good rewards at the end of each of these challenges other than just the satisfaction reaching the goal line brings.

So, I hope my few tips help you out if you choose to try these challenges, and remember tip number 2.  It really does make a drastic difference for some of the more challenging leaps.

Until next time, may the wind be ever at your face and blow the stench of your undead minions away from you.  And Happy New Year!