What are the best ideas that GW2 proposes to the MMO Genre?

[melodramocracy]

What works:

Jumping puzzles / complex zone design.
Overall cooperation vibe in PvE
Approach to instanced PvP

What doesn't:

Non-seamless open world.
Lackluster combat in some situations.
Somewhat pervasive cash shop.

[Borfl]

Skill points found in obscure areas in the world. It's not perfect, but its a step in the right direction to give the incentive to explore and not just grind events. If they were put into more mini dungeons that would've been better.

Jumping puzzles. The Eternal Battleground was a great idea.

[Kazgrel]

I love the character creation system of GW2 so much. The amount of detail that goes into character creation is just incredible.

Three words: Black Desert Online.

Look up the standalone character creator that can be downloaded now. To call the amount of detail in it insane is an understatement. Now if only the game itself will feature that amount of detail...

[Deleted]

According to me, the best combat of any mmo out there.
Beautiful graphics.
And asuras

Why I'm not playing it is for other reasons though :P

[Aliessil]

The way you're not punished for cooperation / helping random players.
The skill system, where the first 5 buttons are weapon-based and you can only have 10 skills available at any time.
PvP where fights aren't over in a few seconds; it's not uncommon for fights to last 30sec or more.
The way you automatically scale down to the content's level.

[Sorrior]

If you find it incredible then try Blade & Soul. Your head will explode.

Or aion...Or ffxiv or anything...

[barackopala]

The way you're not punished for cooperation / helping random players.
The skill system, where the first 5 buttons are weapon-based and you can only have 10 skills available at any time.
PvP where fights aren't over in a few seconds; it's not uncommon for fights to last 30sec or more.
The way you automatically scale down to the content's level.

My main issue with pvp is that bunkers take centuries to kill... if not unkillable at all, condi rev so fun C:

[kail]

Combat, the best IMO compared to other MMOs. Perfect mixture of tab target with enough skill shots and reliance on LoS with every ability. Oh and auto cleave for melee makes plenty of sense for me. Dodge mechanics is also a huge plus. PvP is something where I can easily tell a good player from a great one (smart use of dodges and CDs).

That and their inventory system. Love the entire bank designated for mats that is pre-organized. Gives crafting more complexity without the headaches. That and their wardrobe/transmog system is still the best. ANet knew how to handle many QoL features without oversimplifying the endgame.

- - - Updated - - -

Skill points found in obscure areas in the world. It's not perfect, but its a step in the right direction to give the incentive to explore and not just grind events. If they were put into more mini dungeons that would've been better.

Jumping puzzles. The Eternal Battleground was a great idea.

I also liked the incentive to explore, but I do wish MMOs would keep the incentive to consistently revisit the areas. With GW2, once you have completed the area there is little reason to return unless you're doing dailies and guild missions.

[Sliske]

World Completion in more ways than just uncovering the map and doing quests. Also, incentives that effect end game to do world completion.