Guild Wars 2

Did search suggestions for a similar topic, found nothing. I’ve only leveled my character to 40 but am really enjoying ranger in PvE and PvP, I almost always choose nature-based classes in such games. The only complaint i have is that that thematically speaking i think rangers are missing a key element of what makes their archetype cool – a stealth skill (the one available through traits skill can only be used defensively and so doesn’t fit the silent stalker theme).

Obviously it should have a different flavour to currently available stealth skills for other classes. I think there was such a ranger stealth skill in the beta if memory servers, i seem to remember it was removed for balance issues.

Anyway one specific idea i had is “signet of the stalker”- passive = you and your pet gain stealth when you drop below 20% health [defensive similar to trait]. But also active = you gain 3 seconds of stealth, but timer only ticks down whilst moving, whilst stationary you can remain stealthed indefinitely, attacking breaks stealth. [more offensive use in-keeping with patient hunter motif].

I think the beta skill allowed stationary stealth to be indefinite and if ti was judged to be OP, maybe some revision is needed – e.g. it lasts 30 seconds whilst still or 3 seconds of movement? or cannot use if another ranger is stealthed within a range of 1200? [justification = not enough cover available] to stop group stealth ganking? Because of the cover thing, you could also have it so that activating the skill within 1200 of an enemy stealthed ranger would oust him from stealth instead of stealthing yourself [justification – awkward moment as you accidentally uncover them whilst looking for a good hiding spot XD].

Wow that turned out long, any thoughts, comments, suggestions?

Well it could work, but they should add something like that to the pets rather than a new skill (everyone has enough skills currently, if one is added every profession deserves a new one then). I believe the Jaguar pet has a skill called “stalk” where they become invisible for 6 seconds. This skill, is absoulutly useless atm, unless you get traits to give them massive power for a hard crit it just doesnt bring much to the table. [Stalk] should give you and your pet stealth for 5 seconds so you feel like a hunter stalking your prey together rather than your pet disappearing and you being left open and the main target.

been using the jaguar skill in pvp recently, i find it to be quite powerful, of course it would be even better if you gained stealth too though. However i liked the idea of being able to stay stationary and stealthed for a long time. But i totally disagree that every profession has enough skills, especially since some have far more than others already, and some are fairly useless etc.

The Jaguar’s stealth is incredibly powerful as the pet doesn’t lose stealth when attacking.
Used intelligently, you can lay down a lot of hurt on unsuspecting enemies in WvW.

But in regards the original topic, I would disagree. This game needs less invisibility, not more.

And that’s what “Stealth” in Guild Wars 2 really is: Invisibility.
For games that do stealth properly, check out games like Thief, Dishonored or Deus Ex.
That lighting levels don’t affect a thief’s ability to hide in GW2 is a crime. Stealth should be as much about player skill as any other aspect of playing the game, but in order to implement it properly there would have to be deep changes to the core game.
Stealth should be a thing of slow pace, observation and careful movement between objects that hide you.
Pressing a button to disappear from sight isn’t skill.

I don’t play a ranger, but I think it’d be cool if they got a camouflage skill.
Not invisibility but a skill that blends them into the scenery very well. And one that stays active while standing still, and works a lot better against certain environment colour palettes.
That way the ranger is encouraged to think like a hunter and find good spots to camouflage and ambush.

Mungrul.9358:

The Jaguar’s stealth is incredibly powerful as the pet doesn’t lose stealth when attacking.
Used intelligently, you can lay down a lot of hurt on unsuspecting enemies in WvW.

.

I thought it left stealth on hit, well my bad. But still they should release another feline pet that grants a stealth to you and the pet, and dealing any damage breaks that. Sort of a hunter ambush if you will, make you feel more freigtning (rangers can already be freigtning, but in their own ways.) Ofcourse, no special skills while in stealth, as thats a thief mechanic.

I can see your point Redfeather about stealth in this game, being pretty unskilled and not stealth at all, perhaps such skills should be split into stealth and invisibility, with stealth being something you can keep up for much longer but which you have to use intelligently (and can’t just pop in the middle of battle) being mindful of positioning and movement etc, as NinjaEd suggests

Cmon, admit it.

You just want to be a sniper and shoot someone in the back.

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