Guild Wars 2 developer ArenaNet has announced that the April 15 patch will be focused solely on adding new features and quality of life improvements. The full list of features for the “April 2014 Features Pack” will be unveiled over the next few weeks, but the first major announcement focuses on the revamped trait system.
The upcoming patch will add 40 new grandmaster traits to Guild Wars 2. Each trait line of every profession will get a new grandmaster trait. The way in which you unlock traits has also changed. All major traits will no be unlocked via a guide system. Guides are in-game items that are earned through completing content such as dungeons, exploration, defeating certain bosses, PvP and personal story quests. ArenaNet has stated that the goal of this system is tie character progression to world exploration like it was in the original Guild Wars. However, they also mentioned that trait guides could be bought from trainers.
Another new feature in Guild Wars 2 is that players will no longer have to buy training manuals in order to unlock the adept, master, and grandmaster trait tiers. They will simply unlock once the player hits the right level. The level at which the tiers will also change. Adept will unlock at 30, master at 60, and grandmaster at 80.
Trait points have also been revamped so that under the new system one trait point will be worth five current points. This will give level 80 players 14 trait points instead of the current 70. Your first trait point will be unlocked at level 30 and you will earn one point every six levels until you hit level level 66. At level 66 players will begin earning two trait points for every six levels. Players will also have the ability to instantly refund any trait for free as long as they are not currently in combat.