For the first time since switching to an annual expansion cycle, Guild Wars 2's next release will introduce a new set of elite specializations for each of the game's nine classes—or professions, as they're called in-game. Elite specs are a pretty big deal—making fundamental changes to how a profession plays. New traits, utility skills and an overhaul of the base profession mechanic means entire new builds for players to try.
"We definitely figured out that we wanted to do elite specs pretty early," says Cal Cohen, senior game designer for Guild Wars 2, in an interview with PC Gamer. Previous annual expansions have focused on adding new weapon options for each profession, which Cohen notes are "a lot more specific" in what they can do for a profession's kit.
