Over the weekend I had the chance to try out Guild Wars 2 during the game’s first beta weekend, as well as put in some time with TERA as its head-start began on Saturday. Jumping between the two games I was really able to get a feel for each games combat system and if I had to pick a winner between the two, I’d have to say TERA wins and wins easily.

Now don’t get me wrong, Guild Wars 2′s system is an improvement from the standard tab-targeting we’re all used to, but it just can’t compete with real action combat that TERA features. ArenaNet went with a sort of a hybrid combat system where for all intents and purposes, its basically tab-targeting, but they added some dodging moves for a more action oriented combat feel. While dodging is possible, I dont’ see it coming into play quite as much in PvP as it does in PvE. After all, players are going to be locked on to you, so dodging will mostly be used for AoE (area of effect) spells.

In all honestly, during my time in World vs World, I didn’t really notice much difference between a true tab-targeting MMORPG and GW2. It pretty much felt the same to me.

On the other hand, everyone in TERA has to aim at their targets, so dodging is extremely important, and if you’re good at it, you’ll have a huge advantage, especially in PvP. It’s also a hell of a lot more exciting as everyone needs to be constantly moving, in PvP and PvE. Healers need to hit their target with their heals, so they can’t just sit there apart from where the combat is, unless they happen to have unbelievable aim. Melee characters also have the ability to block attacks adding even more depth to combat.

With tab-targeting, any ranged class was always a little boring to play, most of the time you’d just keep your distance and spam your ability bar. In TERA you’re constantly on the move trying to get the best shots, since TERA has some abilities that allow players to do more damage when attacking an opponent from behind.

The real deciding factor for me is that today I’m hungering for more TERA and not so much of GW2, even though I really enjoyed WvW.

Another week has come and gone here at LoreHound! It certainly is an exciting time to be a gamer! TERA Online, Torchlight 2, Diablo 3, Guild Wars 2, and my personal favorite The Secret World; all sorts of long-awaited goodies are on their way. This week we have more interviews, rumors, and beta previews! I wish I could kick this migraine that’s been insisting on running free, so I could be off in gameland.

I have a new icon for these weekly summaries, which I think is terribly cute. Made by Almalexiel at almalexiel.com, I especially love the little two-headed puppy! Thanks, Almalexiel! I’m struggling to finish up before my painkillers wear off, so on with the lineup!

• PAX Interview with AnnaMarie about The Walking Dead, a boardgame from Cryptozoic.
• Mike shared his views on pvp, and why he doesn’t think it works in theme park games.
• PAX Interview with Christina Sims about the latest from Cryptozoic, Penny Arcade: The Game – Rumble in R’lyeh. Nipplecrabs?
• Mike talked about possible SWTOR server mergers, which probably comes as no great surprise to most. It come as no surprise to me, I had a lot of fun with SWTOR! For about two months.
• Mike is excited for TERA! I hope it’s everything he’s hoping for!
• Mike pondered pvp or pve in Guild Wars 2. What’s your take?
• Pre-orders for Torchlight 2 are open! And you can get Neverwinter beta keys! I’ve never had much interest in Neverwinter, but after watching iTZKooPA’s Neverwtiner interview a few weeks ago, I’ll admit I’m curious to see it! Torchlight 2 + Neverwinter beta? Who can pass that up?
• It sounds like the plot of some sort of 80s callback movie, but there are rumors that Nexon is preparing a bid for a hostile takeover of EA. I’m not sure what would be created from a merge of those two game companies.
• RaiderZ Interview with Raiderz Executive Producer, Mark Hill. iTZKooPA gets the scoop on  action-combat, monster hunting, the item shop and much more!
• Mike fought his epic battle to download Guild Wars 2! He’ll have more news on that as well as TERA as he gets his gameface on.

We have a new interview with Raiderz Executive Producer, Mark Hill, as he talks to iTZKooPA about Perfect World Entertainments newest free-to-play MMORPG, Raiderz. The guys cover a lot of different subjects including the games action-combat, monster hunting, the item shop and much more.

We learn that monsters can drop items that are “infused” with different skill sets, allowing players to inherit skills of different class types. For examples, a Mage can pick up a two-handed axe and their skill bar will change allowing them to not only use the axe, but they receive a whole new set of abilities to go along with it for as long as that axe is equipped.

Raiderz uses a classless system, where players are not tied into any one specific class. The system is based on four basic classes, healer, ranged DPS, tank and melee, but once the player hits level 10, they are able to put skill points in any of the four classes allowing to create hybrid classes.

Mark revealed that closed beta is scheduled for sometime in either May or June, with open beta following in the third quarter.

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Perfect World Entertainment, publishers behind the upcoming online RPG Torchlight 2, announced today that those that pre-order the game will also receive access to the Neverwinter closed beta, which is scheduled for later this year.

Those that pre-order are not guaranteed immediate access, so everyone will not get keys on day one of closed beta testing, but everyone will eventually get keys as most player are added to the CBT.

If you’re interested in pre-ordering Torchlight 2, head-over to the official site to buy your copy.