By Adam Sunstrom

Special note: Each State of the Game article presents the opinions and insights of one game observer. These observations are personal in nature and do not reflect the opinions of ArenaNet. While ArenaNet does review each State of the Game article to assure that it offers content that is respectful of all players, we intend to allow our reporters the freedom to inject some personal opinion into descriptions of the current atmosphere of competitive play in Guild Wars, and to express views based on their experience and observation.

Remember how you felt the first time you rode a bike and could finally turn without falling? That kind of satisfaction comes from a sense of accomplishment. Not simply learning, but applying what you've learned and seeing the results of that hard work. This article is about finding your way back to that feeling when you're stuck in a rut—when nothing seems to work any more.