Guild Wars 2

Talking with a friend I made in Caledon Forest during map completion, we ended up talking about Rangers, their current state, and what to do with them. In the grand scheme of things, I don’t have expertise to fix a lot of this stuff, but I do know exactly what to do with spirits. We need a rework.

Change the spirits into small orbs that circle around the Ranger (meaning the Ranger is the start of their passive radius), that cannot be destroyed by anything but the Ranger. In return, the spirit effects themselves are reworked. All actives would become AoE targetted with a range of 900, and do damage (except for Water and Nature, which would do their normal healing actives) in that area while destroying the spirit at the same time. This fixes the Ranger’s lack of AoE by giving us controllable AoE in which to use, while sacrificing the normal passive support capabilities of the spirits if we feel we need the actives. This makes spirits more valuable across all modes because of their new reliability and effects.

Below are my suggested workings of the passives, all of which would remain on while the spirit is out with no failure rate, and with the normal number of target limits. All are my ATTEMPTS at balancing the new passive percentages as well. Nature Spirit is not listed because it’s the only well balanced spirit right now.

Water Spirit: Allies heal HP while around the Ranger, similar to the Elementalist’s Soothing Mist trait.
Frost Spirit: Bonus damage output of 5%.
Stone Spirit: Take 5% less damage.
Storm Spirit: 5% of damage taken is reflected back at the enemy.
Sun Spirit: Endurance regen goes up by 10%.

Change Vigorous Spirits to increase the range of the passive effects.
Change Spirits Unbound to double the passive effects of the spirits, move trait to Grandmaster line.
Change Nature’s Vengeance to increase the damage from the active. Move to Master line.

Do note that I would want the percentages to be changed for sPvP, as the current percentages could be too powerful when doubled in that mode.

That ends the suggestions. Comments, critique?

It’s a better idea than the current spirits, that’s for sure.

I like this, and it seems balanced enough. Doubling the passive effects might not be balanced though. Maybe have the trait increase them by 50% instead?

Soilder.3607:

I like this, and it seems balanced enough. Doubling the passive effects might not be balanced though. Maybe have the trait increase them by 50% instead?

I had actually been considering 50% as well, but wasn’t too sure on it or not.

Bet if this is implemented people will start naming their rangers “Link.”

Anyway, +1 to this concept.

this is my suggestion for the spirits;
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/ranger/Spirits-changing-a-mechanic

+1 to this idea and Prysin’s. Spirits are one of the things I think doesn’t work on Rangers and it needs to change.

I had a similar idea, but instead of creating a new thread, I’ll just give my suggested add-on to your idea here.

I suggest reducing the effects to this ::
Water Spirit – Gives you and allies healing equal to :: 42 (0.03), using your healing power. Would be half as much as Virtue of Resolve.
Frost Spirit – Bonus Damage output of 2%
Stone Spirit – Reduce Damage taken by 1%
Storm Spirit – 1% Damage taken is reflected back to enemy.
Sun Spirit – 2% Increased Endurance Regen.

My Suggestion is that the effects Stack up to 5 times if Multiple Rangers are using spirits, meaning that while the passive is somewhat weaker than the old spirits, they could be much stronger if multiple Rangers are working together.

Untraited, 5 Frost Spirits would give a 10% damage bonus, Traited would be a 20% damage bonus. Stone spirit could reduce damage by as much as 10%, Storm spirit would reflect as much as 10% damage back to enemy, and Sun Spirit could increase endurance regen by as much as 20%. Water spirit could heal for as much as 210 (0.12) per second. The Tooltip could show how many stacks of the effect you have, and could show the total bonus you get from the effects.

For Traits :::::
Vigorous Spirits – Doubles Passive effect.
Spirit’s Unbound – Spirit effects persist even when downed.
Nature’s Vengeance – Automatically cast Spirit Actives when downed.

It doesn’t seem like much, especially if there’s only one Ranger, but it is an un-targetable, 60 second in duration buff, which would actually make it quite strong. This would allow Multiple Rangers to coordinate in a Group, and it would also make them useful in WvW

Another idea is that instead of unique buffs (aside from frost spirit) that nothing about spirits actually change except for the spirits being immortal for the 60 second duration (or just float around you). The passive effects stay the same and have chances to give boons (or burning in the case of the sun spirit). If that’s the case, then Storm spirit should definitely change to a useful boon or Condition like Blind or Retaliation. This would also require that they keep their icd’s.

Uh, Sun Spirit giving Burning is like one of the hugest buffs that a Ranger can give in sPvP. It’s similar to how Frost Spirit increasing damage is so strong in PvE.

If you removed the passive chance to burn from Sun Spirit, it would nerf Spirits heavily. Say goodbye to the last viable build Rangers have in sPvP.

Neko.9021:

Uh, Sun Spirit giving Burning is like one of the hugest buffs that a Ranger can give in sPvP. It’s similar to how Frost Spirit increasing damage is so strong in PvE.

If you removed the passive chance to burn from Sun Spirit, it would nerf Spirits heavily. Say goodbye to the last viable build Rangers have in sPvP.

You did notice my suggestion of the AoE actives being ground targetted, right? So the build could easily become a double-whammy, and could make the spirit build stronger since instead of just defensive, it could easily switch to the offensive with the actives.

RyuDragnier.9476:

Neko.9021:

Uh, Sun Spirit giving Burning is like one of the hugest buffs that a Ranger can give in sPvP. It’s similar to how Frost Spirit increasing damage is so strong in PvE.

If you removed the passive chance to burn from Sun Spirit, it would nerf Spirits heavily. Say goodbye to the last viable build Rangers have in sPvP.

You did notice my suggestion of the AoE actives being ground targetted, right? So the build could easily become a double-whammy, and could make the spirit build stronger since instead of just defensive, it could easily switch to the offensive with the actives.

It’s REALLY hard to beat passive team burning. When everyone gets that Sun Spirit buff and focuses target on one person, it really hurts. A lot.

The sheer amount of damage that Sun Spirit brings to sPvP really can’t be understated. Recall that it’s already been nerfed from 3 seconds of burning to 2 seconds, and yet it’s still the meta build for Rangers in sPvP to take Sun Spirit, just for all the burning. I know for PvE and WvW, it’s pretty lackluster, but for PvP, it’s really, really strong. Far stronger than some Endurance Regeneration buff. There is a reason that Spirit Ranger, as is, is still the meta for PvP Ranger. And that reason is Spirit of Nature’s utility + the damage brought by Sun Spirit.

Neko.9021:

RyuDragnier.9476:

Neko.9021:

Uh, Sun Spirit giving Burning is like one of the hugest buffs that a Ranger can give in sPvP. It’s similar to how Frost Spirit increasing damage is so strong in PvE.

If you removed the passive chance to burn from Sun Spirit, it would nerf Spirits heavily. Say goodbye to the last viable build Rangers have in sPvP.

You did notice my suggestion of the AoE actives being ground targetted, right? So the build could easily become a double-whammy, and could make the spirit build stronger since instead of just defensive, it could easily switch to the offensive with the actives.

It’s REALLY hard to beat passive team burning. When everyone gets that Sun Spirit buff and focuses target on one person, it really hurts. A lot.

The sheer amount of damage that Sun Spirit brings to sPvP really can’t be understated. Recall that it’s already been nerfed from 3 seconds of burning to 2 seconds, and yet it’s still the meta build for Rangers in sPvP to take Sun Spirit, just for all the burning. I know for PvE and WvW, it’s pretty lackluster, but for PvP, it’s really, really strong. Far stronger than some Endurance Regeneration buff. There is a reason that Spirit Ranger, as is, is still the meta for PvP Ranger. And that reason is Spirit of Nature’s utility + the damage brought by Sun Spirit.

its the passive part of that burning that makes it way too powerful. Didn’t Anet nerf something similar in Necromancers(dhuumfire)? Whether spirits change or not, it might be only a matter of time before sun spirit gets nerfed to the ground as well.

Chrispy.5641:

Neko.9021:

RyuDragnier.9476:

Neko.9021:

Uh, Sun Spirit giving Burning is like one of the hugest buffs that a Ranger can give in sPvP. It’s similar to how Frost Spirit increasing damage is so strong in PvE.

If you removed the passive chance to burn from Sun Spirit, it would nerf Spirits heavily. Say goodbye to the last viable build Rangers have in sPvP.

You did notice my suggestion of the AoE actives being ground targetted, right? So the build could easily become a double-whammy, and could make the spirit build stronger since instead of just defensive, it could easily switch to the offensive with the actives.

It’s REALLY hard to beat passive team burning. When everyone gets that Sun Spirit buff and focuses target on one person, it really hurts. A lot.

The sheer amount of damage that Sun Spirit brings to sPvP really can’t be understated. Recall that it’s already been nerfed from 3 seconds of burning to 2 seconds, and yet it’s still the meta build for Rangers in sPvP to take Sun Spirit, just for all the burning. I know for PvE and WvW, it’s pretty lackluster, but for PvP, it’s really, really strong. Far stronger than some Endurance Regeneration buff. There is a reason that Spirit Ranger, as is, is still the meta for PvP Ranger. And that reason is Spirit of Nature’s utility + the damage brought by Sun Spirit.

its the passive part of that burning that makes it way too powerful. Didn’t Anet nerf something similar in Necromancers(dhuumfire)? Whether spirits change or not, it might be only a matter of time before sun spirit gets nerfed to the ground as well.

I don’t think it’s really ‘too powerful’. I think it’s simply build-defining, and allows the Ranger to have a real valid team-fighting and support build where they wouldn’t otherwise.

To ruin the only thing that’s been proven to be strong on the Ranger in this current PvP meta seems pretty dumb.

I can’t really more say than: +1

Neko.9021:

Chrispy.5641:

Neko.9021:

RyuDragnier.9476:

Neko.9021:

Uh, Sun Spirit giving Burning is like one of the hugest buffs that a Ranger can give in sPvP. It’s similar to how Frost Spirit increasing damage is so strong in PvE.

If you removed the passive chance to burn from Sun Spirit, it would nerf Spirits heavily. Say goodbye to the last viable build Rangers have in sPvP.

You did notice my suggestion of the AoE actives being ground targetted, right? So the build could easily become a double-whammy, and could make the spirit build stronger since instead of just defensive, it could easily switch to the offensive with the actives.

It’s REALLY hard to beat passive team burning. When everyone gets that Sun Spirit buff and focuses target on one person, it really hurts. A lot.

The sheer amount of damage that Sun Spirit brings to sPvP really can’t be understated. Recall that it’s already been nerfed from 3 seconds of burning to 2 seconds, and yet it’s still the meta build for Rangers in sPvP to take Sun Spirit, just for all the burning. I know for PvE and WvW, it’s pretty lackluster, but for PvP, it’s really, really strong. Far stronger than some Endurance Regeneration buff. There is a reason that Spirit Ranger, as is, is still the meta for PvP Ranger. And that reason is Spirit of Nature’s utility + the damage brought by Sun Spirit.

its the passive part of that burning that makes it way too powerful. Didn’t Anet nerf something similar in Necromancers(dhuumfire)? Whether spirits change or not, it might be only a matter of time before sun spirit gets nerfed to the ground as well.

I don’t think it’s really ‘too powerful’. I think it’s simply build-defining, and allows the Ranger to have a real valid team-fighting and support build where they wouldn’t otherwise.

To ruin the only thing that’s been proven to be strong on the Ranger in this current PvP meta seems pretty dumb.

Didn’t stop them from nerfing pets. Expect Anet to nerf the sun spirit…because then we’ll be stuck at a position similar to Warrior so long ago, which then we’ll get superbuffed.

RyuDragnier.9476:

Neko.9021:

Chrispy.5641:

Neko.9021:

RyuDragnier.9476:

Neko.9021:

Uh, Sun Spirit giving Burning is like one of the hugest buffs that a Ranger can give in sPvP. It’s similar to how Frost Spirit increasing damage is so strong in PvE.

If you removed the passive chance to burn from Sun Spirit, it would nerf Spirits heavily. Say goodbye to the last viable build Rangers have in sPvP.

You did notice my suggestion of the AoE actives being ground targetted, right? So the build could easily become a double-whammy, and could make the spirit build stronger since instead of just defensive, it could easily switch to the offensive with the actives.

It’s REALLY hard to beat passive team burning. When everyone gets that Sun Spirit buff and focuses target on one person, it really hurts. A lot.

The sheer amount of damage that Sun Spirit brings to sPvP really can’t be understated. Recall that it’s already been nerfed from 3 seconds of burning to 2 seconds, and yet it’s still the meta build for Rangers in sPvP to take Sun Spirit, just for all the burning. I know for PvE and WvW, it’s pretty lackluster, but for PvP, it’s really, really strong. Far stronger than some Endurance Regeneration buff. There is a reason that Spirit Ranger, as is, is still the meta for PvP Ranger. And that reason is Spirit of Nature’s utility + the damage brought by Sun Spirit.

its the passive part of that burning that makes it way too powerful. Didn’t Anet nerf something similar in Necromancers(dhuumfire)? Whether spirits change or not, it might be only a matter of time before sun spirit gets nerfed to the ground as well.

I don’t think it’s really ‘too powerful’. I think it’s simply build-defining, and allows the Ranger to have a real valid team-fighting and support build where they wouldn’t otherwise.

To ruin the only thing that’s been proven to be strong on the Ranger in this current PvP meta seems pretty dumb.

Didn’t stop them from nerfing pets. Expect Anet to nerf the sun spirit…because then we’ll be stuck at a position similar to Warrior so long ago, which then we’ll get superbuffed.

The fact that Sun spirit is part of one of our only useful builds in PvP is the reason Anet hasn’t nerfed it yet. When they find a reason to, they will.

Chrispy.5641:

RyuDragnier.9476:

Neko.9021:

Chrispy.5641:

Neko.9021:

RyuDragnier.9476:

Neko.9021:

Uh, Sun Spirit giving Burning is like one of the hugest buffs that a Ranger can give in sPvP. It’s similar to how Frost Spirit increasing damage is so strong in PvE.

If you removed the passive chance to burn from Sun Spirit, it would nerf Spirits heavily. Say goodbye to the last viable build Rangers have in sPvP.

You did notice my suggestion of the AoE actives being ground targetted, right? So the build could easily become a double-whammy, and could make the spirit build stronger since instead of just defensive, it could easily switch to the offensive with the actives.

It’s REALLY hard to beat passive team burning. When everyone gets that Sun Spirit buff and focuses target on one person, it really hurts. A lot.

The sheer amount of damage that Sun Spirit brings to sPvP really can’t be understated. Recall that it’s already been nerfed from 3 seconds of burning to 2 seconds, and yet it’s still the meta build for Rangers in sPvP to take Sun Spirit, just for all the burning. I know for PvE and WvW, it’s pretty lackluster, but for PvP, it’s really, really strong. Far stronger than some Endurance Regeneration buff. There is a reason that Spirit Ranger, as is, is still the meta for PvP Ranger. And that reason is Spirit of Nature’s utility + the damage brought by Sun Spirit.

its the passive part of that burning that makes it way too powerful. Didn’t Anet nerf something similar in Necromancers(dhuumfire)? Whether spirits change or not, it might be only a matter of time before sun spirit gets nerfed to the ground as well.

I don’t think it’s really ‘too powerful’. I think it’s simply build-defining, and allows the Ranger to have a real valid team-fighting and support build where they wouldn’t otherwise.

To ruin the only thing that’s been proven to be strong on the Ranger in this current PvP meta seems pretty dumb.

Didn’t stop them from nerfing pets. Expect Anet to nerf the sun spirit…because then we’ll be stuck at a position similar to Warrior so long ago, which then we’ll get superbuffed.

The fact that Sun spirit is part of one of our only useful builds in PvP is the reason Anet hasn’t nerfed it yet. When they find a reason to, they will.

It’s passive (they don’t like passive), and it procs burning (most powerful condition) for a full party’s attacks. That’s enough of a reason.

I don’t want this thread to die.

I support it too much.

A few questions and statements.
First of all will these passive buffs also affect allies? If yes and the max number is 5, will your pet be an extra target or will it only be 5 no matter what?
Have you also thought about other traits this change would affect? For example Sun Spirit + Natural Vigor? Or that with all with all these removals of boons it might affect traits like Fortifying Bond and Bountiful Hunter?

Also I really don’t like what you did with Sun Spirit. The trade-off is too big as others have stated. Even without condition build burning (or in group constant burning) is good. Up to 20% endurance regen is not at the same level in my opinion.

Except for this I really like this +1

Maroah.8607:

A few questions and statements.
First of all will these passive buffs also affect allies? If yes and the max number is 5, will your pet be an extra target or will it only be 5 no matter what?
Have you also thought about other traits this change would affect? For example Sun Spirit + Natural Vigor? Or that with all with all these removals of boons it might affect traits like Fortifying Bond and Bountiful Hunter?

Also I really don’t like what you did with Sun Spirit. The trade-off is too big as others have stated. Even without condition build burning (or in group constant burning) is good. Up to 20% endurance regen is not at the same level in my opinion.

Except for this I really like this +1

5, but I planned on it treating the pet as part of hte Ranger, meaning both the Ranger and pet will have the buff automatically and be treated as one target. Also I didn’t really think too deep into it since sPvP is out of my expertise and should have had its own changes without touching the rest of the modes to begin with (meaning all those nerfs to Ranger should have NEVER left sPvP to begin with).

The changes I suggest would actually make spirit Rangers viable in WvW and PvE, the two modes we need support in the most. The change to Sun Spirit was because we both know Anet would never allow an untargettable spirit to proc burning, it’s too powerful.