Henchman skill bar contest

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We've listened to the voices of many players and are removing heroes from Guild vs. Guild and Heroes' Ascent play. In order to give all players the ability to participate in those formats (even if they can't form a full party with other players), we're replacing heroes with a selection of new henchmen.

Do you have ideas for great, competitive henchmen skill bars? Enter your best skill bars in our Henchman Skill Bar Contest!

Official page

During August and September, 2009, ArenaNet ran a contest that allowed players to submit skill bars for the henchmen that would soon replace heroes in Guild versus Guild and Heroes' Ascent. Players could submit their skill bars to Dizhou [Xunlai Pollster] in the Great Temple of Balthazar. Out of over 30 000 entries, the Guild Wars Live Team selected forty skill bars that the new henchmen would use.

Prizes[edit]

Forty winners (twenty GvG winners and twenty HA winners) will receive one of each of the following prizes:

  • Name a henchman; a henchman named after the winner's character or an appropriate name of the winner's choosing. Names must abide by the Naming Policy and are subject to the approval of the Development Team.
  • Everlasting Henchman Tonic; one Everlasting Henchman Tonic. These unique items will grant the winner the ability to temporarily transform into the image of the henchman that they are named after.

Winners[edit]

Guild versus Guild winners[edit]

Henchman Skill Bar Submitter Skillbar Henchman Skill Bar Submitter Skillbar
Warrior Pudash "I Will Win Ff"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Conjure Flame.jpg
Rush.jpg
Bull's Strike.jpg
Frenzy.jpg
Gash.jpg
Sun and Moon Slash.jpg
Crippling Slash.jpg
Necromancer Dirk Shadowrise "Dark Rising Shadow"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Barbs.jpg
Suffering.jpg
Insidious Parasite.jpg
Faintheartedness.jpg
Lingering Curse.jpg
Rip Enchantment.jpg
Signet of Lost Souls.jpg
Warrior Dahlia "Leet T H E O R Y"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Hammer Bash.jpg
Bull's Strike.jpg
Crushing Blow.jpg
Death's Charge.jpg
Flail.jpg
Enraging Charge.jpg
Magehunter's Smash.jpg
Elementalist Vincent Evan "A Papaya In There"
Gale.jpg
Glyph of Lesser Energy.jpg
Air Attunement.jpg
Flesh of My Flesh.jpg
Weapon of Warding.jpg
Protective Was Kaolai.jpg
Blinding Surge.jpg
Lightning Bolt.jpg
Warrior Disenmaedel "This Is Trigger"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Shock.jpg
Rush.jpg
Bull's Strike.jpg
Dismember.jpg
Disrupting Chop.jpg
Primal Rage.jpg
Body Blow.jpg
Elementalist Luzy Fiera "Luzy Of Fire"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Distortion.jpg
Aura of Restoration.jpg
Fire Attunement.jpg
Meteor.jpg
Rodgort's Invocation.jpg
Immolate.jpg
Mind Blast.jpg
Ranger Errol Hyl1 "Etron In Vitro"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Crippling Shot.jpg
Distracting Shot.jpg
Determined Shot.jpg
Savage Shot.jpg
Apply Poison.jpg
Serpent's Quickness.jpg
Natural Stride.jpg
Elementalist Motoko Kai "Mala Aurora"
Aura of Restoration.jpg
Water Attunement.jpg
Blurred Vision.jpg
Flesh of My Flesh.jpg
Shatterstone.jpg
Freezing Gust.jpg
Winter's Embrace.jpg
Glowing Ice.jpg
Ranger Lulu Xan "Lulu Xan"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Pin Down.jpg
Distracting Shot.jpg
Debilitating Shot.jpg
Apply Poison.jpg
Lightning Reflexes.jpg
Magebane Shot.jpg
Natural Stride.jpg
Elementalist Hinata "Hajime Hinata"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Aura of Restoration.jpg
Rust.jpg
Water Attunement.jpg
Ice Spikes.jpg
Blurred Vision.jpg
Mirror of Ice.jpg
Freezing Gust.jpg
Mesmer Tannaros "Tannaros Tower Rush"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Pious Concentration.jpg
Power Drain.jpg
Empathy.jpg
Backfire.jpg
Signet of Humility.jpg
Visions of Regret.jpg
Waste Not, Want Not.jpg
Assassin Kah Xan "Saint Reapers Sin"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Flurry.jpg
Twisting Fangs.jpg
Horns of the Ox.jpg
Falling Spider.jpg
Dash.jpg
Wastrel's Collapse.jpg
Falling Lotus Strike.jpg
Mesmer Cassie Santi "Cassie Santiago"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Phantom Pain.jpg
Lyssa's Aura.jpg
Conjure Nightmare.jpg
Illusion of Pain.jpg
Hex Eater Signet.jpg
Ether Phantom.jpg
Discharge Enchantment.jpg
Ritualist Narcissia "Pseudo Antipathy"
Resilient Weapon.jpg
Weapon of Warding.jpg
Recuperation.jpg
Protective Was Kaolai.jpg
Spirit Siphon.jpg
Mend Body and Soul.jpg
Wielder's Boon.jpg
Xinrae's Weapon.jpg
Monk Redemptor Frohs "Sacred Wolfy"
Guardian.jpg
Word of Healing.jpg
Infuse Health.jpg
Signet of Rejuvenation.jpg
Armor of Sanctity.jpg
Conviction.jpg
Cure Hex.jpg
Patient Spirit.jpg
Dervish Zen Siert "Zen Si Ert"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Wild Blow.jpg
Mystic Sweep.jpg
Faithful Intervention.jpg
Wounding Strike.jpg
Heart of Fury.jpg
Attacker's Insight.jpg
Signet of Mystic Speed.jpg
Monk Julyia "Il Juliya Il"
Guardian.jpg
Restore Condition.jpg
Shielding Hands.jpg
Remove Hex.jpg
Reversal of Fortune.jpg
Balanced Stance.jpg
Spirit Bond.jpg
Aura of Stability.jpg
Paragon Blenkeh "Aria Of Nerf"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Spear of Lightning.jpg
Anthem of Flame.jpg
Finale of Restoration.jpg
Mending Refrain.jpg
Wild Throw.jpg
Aggressive Refrain.jpg
"The Power Is Yours!".jpg
Necromancer Bellicus "Bellicus Magnus"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Enfeeble.jpg
Faintheartedness.jpg
Plague Sending.jpg
Rip Enchantment.jpg
Corrupt Enchantment.jpg
Foul Feast.jpg
Defile Defenses.jpg
Paragon Aurora Allesandra "Aurora Alessandra"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Cruel Spear.jpg
Spear of Lightning.jpg
"Go for the Eyes!".jpg
"Stand Your Ground!".jpg
Vicious Attack.jpg
Aggressive Refrain.jpg
Anthem of Weariness.jpg
  1. This henchman was initially named Etron, but was changed to Errol Hyl in the November 19, 2009, update.

Heroes' Ascent winners[edit]

Henchman Skill Bar Submitter Skill Bar Henchman Skill Bar Submitter Skill Bar
Warrior Teena the Raptor "Tiny Tina"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Shock.jpg
Rush.jpg
Bull's Strike.jpg
Executioner's Strike.jpg
Eviscerate.jpg
Frenzy.jpg
Body Blow.jpg
Elementalist Hobba Inaste "Our Guild Is Leet"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Eruption.jpg
Earth Attunement.jpg
Stoning.jpg
Grasping Earth.jpg
Ward Against Foes.jpg
Glyph of Lesser Energy.jpg
Unsteady Ground.jpg
Warrior Lora Lanaya "Iarwain De Llanowar"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Plague Touch.jpg
Rush.jpg
Hundred Blades.jpg
Sever Artery.jpg
Gash.jpg
Savage Slash.jpg
Sun and Moon Slash.jpg
Elementalist Bacchi Coi "Bacchikoi Bacchikoi"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Water Attunement.jpg
Ice Spikes.jpg
Blurred Vision.jpg
Mirror of Ice.jpg
Freezing Gust.jpg
Winter's Embrace.jpg
Glowing Ice.jpg
Warrior Adepte "Adepte De La Guerre"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Hammer Bash.jpg
Bull's Strike.jpg
Crushing Blow.jpg
Devastating Hammer.jpg
Flail.jpg
Mokele Smash.jpg
Enraging Charge.jpg
Elementalist Suzu "Der Held"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Fire Attunement.jpg
Rodgort's Invocation.jpg
Searing Heat.jpg
Glyph of Lesser Energy.jpg
Liquid Flame.jpg
Teinai's Heat.jpg
Savannah Heat.jpg
Ranger Haldibarn Earendul "Haldibarn Earendul"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Hunter's Shot.jpg
Distracting Shot.jpg
Debilitating Shot.jpg
Savage Shot.jpg
Incendiary Arrows.jpg
Apply Poison.jpg
Natural Stride.jpg
Elementalist Rollo Lowlo "Rolol Lololol"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Fire Attunement.jpg
Rodgort's Invocation.jpg
Immolate.jpg
Searing Heat.jpg
Song of Concentration.jpg
"Make Haste!".jpg
Mind Blast.jpg
Ranger Daky "Unfaithful Servant"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Wild Blow.jpg
Hammer Bash.jpg
Crushing Blow.jpg
Charm Animal.jpg
Comfort Animal.jpg
Bestial Mauling.jpg
Rampage as One.jpg
Assassin Fuu Rin "Pnoy Pride"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Death Blossom.jpg
Fox Fangs.jpg
Jagged Strike.jpg
Exhausting Assault.jpg
Dash.jpg
Critical Eye.jpg
"Coward!".jpg
Mesmer Syn Spellstrike "Syn Spellstrike"
Inspired Enchantment.jpg
Power Spike.jpg
Power Drain.jpg
Migraine.jpg
Cry of Frustration.jpg
Leech Signet.jpg
Flesh of My Flesh.jpg
Frustration.jpg
Ritualist Nuno "Hi Captain Obvious"
Convert Hexes.jpg
Resilient Weapon.jpg
Weapon of Warding.jpg
Protective Was Kaolai.jpg
Channeled Strike.jpg
Life.jpg
Offering of Spirit.jpg
Death Pact Signet.jpg
Monk Divinus Tutela "Leet Noobified"
Channeling.jpg
Dwayna's Kiss.jpg
Heal Party.jpg
Infuse Health.jpg
Healer's Boon.jpg
Waste Not, Want Not.jpg
Cure Hex.jpg
Patient Spirit.jpg
Dervish Alsacien "Le Boucher Alsacien"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Conjure Lightning.jpg
Mystic Sweep.jpg
Wounding Strike.jpg
Chilling Victory.jpg
Heart of Fury.jpg
Attacker's Insight.jpg
Signet of Mystic Speed.jpg
Monk Blahks "Healing Blocks"
Power Drain.jpg
Channeling.jpg
Guardian.jpg
Shielding Hands.jpg
Remove Hex.jpg
Spirit Bond.jpg
Gift of Health.jpg
Life Sheath.jpg
Dervish Uto Wrotki "Uto Pro"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Mystic Sweep.jpg
Faithful Intervention.jpg
Crippling Sweep.jpg
Lyssa's Assault.jpg
Heart of Fury.jpg
Reaper's Sweep.jpg
Signet of Mystic Speed.jpg
Necromancer Ghavin "The Necromaxime"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Glyph of Lesser Energy.jpg
Suffering.jpg
Grasping Earth.jpg
Well of the Profane.jpg
Lingering Curse.jpg
Rend Enchantments.jpg
Ward Against Foes.jpg
Paragon Khai Kemnebi "Khai Kemnebi"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Harrier's Toss.jpg
Crippling Anthem.jpg
Anthem of Flame.jpg
"Go for the Eyes!".jpg
"Brace Yourself!".jpg
Vicious Attack.jpg
Aggressive Refrain.jpg
Necromancer Erick "Eric The Devistator"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Glyph of Lesser Energy.jpg
Defile Defenses.jpg
Rip Enchantment.jpg
Faintheartedness.jpg
Soul Bind.jpg
Plague Sending.jpg
Foul Feast.jpg
Paragon Cole "Noodle Legs"
Resurrection Signet.jpg
Cruel Spear.jpg
"Go for the Eyes!".jpg
Song of Concentration.jpg
"Never Surrender!".jpg
Vicious Attack.jpg
Aggressive Refrain.jpg
Anthem of Weariness.jpg

Controversy[edit]

Many players were upset by the outcome of the competition. The primary reasons were a result of a perceived disconnect between final results and what some players expected, based on a plain reading of the stated rules (and clarifications made by ANet employees).

  1. Originality: The original rules called for originality. In particular, Martin Kerstein (an ANet community representative) stated, "We do ...not [want] some niche meta builds" and "[c]ommon gimmick builds are not very likely to be picked". (source)
    • However, the majority of the winning builds were part of the existing or then-recent metagame (either in GvG or Heroes' Ascent).
    • Many of the bars were hosted on one or more build sites, notably PvXwiki. (These can be compared at the talk page for Regina Buenaobra's Journal.)
    • In response, others have argued that there are relatively few excellent choices for henchmen builds: there are only so many ways to arrange an effective bar given the limitations of the AI, the small number of truly superior skills, and the fact that the builds were "not meant to replace human players". (ibid.)
  2. Effectiveness: Critics also have said that the game's AI cannot use some of the selected builds effectively. They pointed out that Kerstein also said, "we do want robust, general purpose builds...".(ibid.)
    • For example, skills such as "Make Haste!" and Song of Concentration were arguably unsuited for use by any AI.
    • ANet defended these choices by stating there was the possibility that the AI would be "tweaked" to improve performance with these builds. Critics responded by pointing out that the live team is too small to commit to the large amount of work required to update the AI.
  3. AI in PvP: The contest also reignited the debate over the use of any AI in Player vs. Player gameplay. Many players consider the use of henchmen or heroes to devalue the experience of competition for players, particularly those who have earned some skill. These critics concede that replacing heroes with henchmen was a step in the right direction, but they point out that true PvP requires the removal of any NPCs.

External links[edit]


Contests
Halloween Art 2005200620072008200920102011
Wintersday Art 20062007200820092010
Design-a-Weapon 20052007
Brand the Bosses 2005 (Sorrows Furnace)2007 (EotN)
Super Fan 20062007
Guild Emblem PropheciesFactionsNightfall
Miscellaneous Battle Report ContestFactions Backstage Pass EventMini Mania Contest
Henchman skill bar contest