When I interviewed ArenaNet at Rezzed, I found it a little odd that Stronghold was going into the map rotation straight away. At first I assumed it was meant that it would be instantly playable upon Guild Wars 2: Heart Of Thorns' release and that players would have the option to choose that or the existing control point maps. As it turns out and based on the Press Release I received yesterday, Stronghold is going into the rotation straight away, but what that actually means is that it’s being placed in the same selection pool as all the other Capture Point maps. This is lunacy.

The whole scenario plays out a little something like this:

Customer: Hello, I’d like to buy a ticket to see Avengers 2 please.

Cashier: Certainly Sir. I must warn you however that there are 9 other people wishing to view films today. When you get to the entrance of the cinema screen, there will be a vote by the ticket attendant to see which film people want. You’ll get to see a film, but it might not be Avengers 2.

Customer: Er, what? I want to see Avengers 2.

Cashier: I know that Sir. However, there will be a vote and if enough people vote for Avengers 2, when our ticket attendant chooses a person at random, there will be more of a chance to see that film.

Customer: But I just want to watch Avengers 2.

Cashier: I’m sorry sir. I know it’s a newly released film but we’ve other existing films that we allow people to see. You’ll have to vote like the rest.

Customer: Why can’t I just watch Avengers 2? Why do I have to vote?

Cashier: It’s just the way it is, Sir.

If you replace the word Avengers 2 with Stronghold, you get the idea.

Stronghold and Capture Point couldn’t be further apart in the way that they play and the builds that are required. Capture Point favours bunkering, builds that have staying power and mobility. Stronghold is entirely different because it requires supply running, base defending, manning trebuchet’s and all while still having the ability to kill the opposition. Due to the fact there are so many variables, to go into the same queue as Capture Point is both a nuisance and a headache for any team or player. Considering Guild Wars 2 lacks build templates, changing your gear, traits and skills on the chance you get one game mode or the other is going to be a constant annoyance.

If that wasn’t bad enough, what if you don’t actually want one of the game modes? Considering they play so differently (I’ve played thousands of matches of Capture Point and have played Stronghold) people will inevitably have their favourites. I know from having played both Stronghold and all the existing maps thousands of times that I no longer wish to play Capture Point. Stronghold appeals to me for a variety of reasons, but it boils down to the fact the Meta will be vastly different and like most players, I’m sick to death of standing on points.

By not providing players with the chance to get the game type that they want, you’re inevitably going to ostracise those who play PvP. With the roulette wheel that’s currently in game, I’m sure we’ve all experienced the one individual who votes for a map no one likes and sods law dictates you get it. By placing Stronghold into the mix and allowing players to miss out on it, it’s going to be infuriating when you just want a match or two of your favourite mode. I've also heard no sound reasoning from ArenaNet on this subject. 

Sadly this bonkers approach to PvP isn’t the only instance where ArenaNet evidently don’t play their own game to the standard of its playerbase.

1. Teams are still placed alongside solo queuers, so being stomped by premades is common place. Irrespective of the odds of winning that ArenaNet hides from players, it still doesn’t counter the fact voice communication and a pre made is infinitely superior.

2. Your MMR is hidden so you never truly know how you’re faring.

3. The “Leaderboard” is not only offline, but its become this bloated and convoluted system that rewards games played rather than win ratio. Maintaining your rank in the top 500 is a grind rather than one of skill.

4. The games Meta rarely evolves because too few balance changes are made because of a failure to split skills between PvE and PvP. I only have to think of Slick Shoes and Turret Engineers as prime examples.

5. Matchmaking is horrible. Only today did I lose multiple times in a row because I was paired with players who were totally new or who were immeasurably terrible (4 players spent one match fighting one Engineer).

On the basis of the above and despite Stronghold being fantastic, I actually think this will be my last day playing Guild Wars 2’s PvP. There’s fun to be had there, but only if you’re in a premade team of 5 and even then many of the faults still remain. There’s still time for ArenaNet to come to their senses and provide a seperate queue system for Stronghold, but until they do I won’t be returning back to its PvP.