Guild Wars 2 is a massively multiplayer online role playing game that was created and currently in development by Arenanet in oppose to World of Warcraft by Blizzard. It sets in the world of Tyria, a fantasy planet that is home of many sentient species, such as the Humans, Asura, Dwarves, and Norn. In addition, GW2 introduces two new races called Sylvari and the giant-like beings – Jotun. Guild Wars 2 follows the storyline of the first Guild Wars and its 3 expansion sets.

A player can create their character based upon the 6 races and 8 professions. One of the newest professions is the Mesmer – Mesmers prefer to create their own realities. The concept of their skills is based on control, illusions, mind and energy, as well as domination. They can slow an enemy and inflict damage while draining their powers. In short, the Mesmer is a powerful spellcaster and damage dealer that can also support other players. It is one of the most awesome addendum to the features of Guild Wars 2 that is being anticipated by many enthusiasts across the world. Professions are sub-divided by classes based on their armor; Light armor for Scholars, Medium armor for Adventurers, and Heavy armor for Soldiers.

Here are some of the professions with a tidbit of details about their abilities:

Warrior – They can use both range and melee weapons. Their power mostly relies on their brute strength and toughness, while heavy armor can make them mostly inevitable to die. Adrenaline is the unique mechanic that warriors make use of. It builts up when the player is attacking and later will put into force through a single powerful burst attack. Adrenaline improves and depends on the variety of the weapon set that’s been equipped by a warrior.

Elementalist – Elementalists are spellcasters that is simply based on various elements which is fire, earth, water, and air. This scholar profession lacks toughness and defense but their arsenal of magic style and focused attunements of skills can make mass destruction and highly offensive potential. Conjure and Glyph is unique abilities that can summon helpful items and manipulate the natural power of elementalists.

Engineer – The engineers are tinkers and technology based adventurers. They are the masters of mechanical chaos that can dismantle their enemies with a large array of weaponry system such as bombs, explosive mines, turrets, and grenades. Engineers are alchemic geniuses who can create healing kits and elixirs that can output a random effect. Turrets are immobile weapon devices that can help defend an area, and can enhance its effectiveness through the special tool belt. They also have a weapon and backpack kits which are highly versatile for their utility modifications.

Ranger – Rangers are very nimble adventurers who depends on their swiftness and cunning mobility. This nature based profession is associated with animals that can become a pet ally that can strike his opponents at will. Animal companions are unique to this job and can adapt to in-game situations. Their hp, armor, damage and other stats will rely on the owner, only one companion can be summoned at a time. Both the ranger and his pet can utilize the stealth ability while stopping their enemies with triggering traps, or chain skills that can be activated in a single shot.

Necromancer – A scholar profession whom summons the dead to his aid. Necromancers are the icons of death and dark energy. Their mastery over life force can cause the harbinger of souls and siphoning the life of their mismatched enemies. They can collect the souls of the slain opponents and turn into a horrific Death Shroud that can terrorize anything. The Death Shroud is an ability unique to necromancers that can either be used to heal or buff allies. Their superb health count with the ability to extend it can make necromancers a very good support and condition-enfeebling casters.

Guardian – As opposed to the shadowy approach of Necromancer, Guardians are the splendors of light and justice. They are hybrid soldier profession who empowers both himself and his allies with passive abilities that can enhance the defense and wards that can be deployed as a protective aid to the battlefield. The three Virtues of Courage, Aegis, and Justice makes the Guardian a top notch ally when fighting with the most hard to knock down opponents. The Virtue skills can be used to burn down enemies while giving an on-going passive support to block attacks and boost HP regeneration. The only downside to this class is that they have to temporarily disable themselves in compensation for his Virtues’ benefits.

Thief – An adventurer profession, thieves exchange their very low health and defense for unparalleled quick damage output. Their specialization with deadly combos and swift combat prowess makes this class a good one on one fighter. They can steal things from their enemies (not literal in game items) and turn it against them. The best part in using thieves is their no-cooldown weapon skills, of which can be used to chain combos of successive attacks at the cost of being disabled afterwards. Like the Rangers, they can also utilize stealth and trap abilities.

Mesmer – the current and the newest addition to Guild Wars 2 professions, Mesmers are Spellcasters that is bounded with illusions and mind control. It is a scholar profession that can be an imbalance to others while employing distracting phantasms at her wake. She has a unique ability called Shattering Illusions which can detonate all the illusions around her, triggering a secondary effect. It can either be  Mind Wrack – that does damage to nearby opponents, Cry of Frustration  – which can cause confusion to nearby foes, Diversion  – causes stun, and Reflection – applies a barrier around the caster that can reflect  the enemy’s projectiles.

These are just some of the game play features that is constantly updated as soon as the game is yet to be published. More information will be released as the game approaches nearer.

The release? It is officially announced that Guild Wars 2 will be released on August 28, 2012.