Guild Wars 2

I’ve only been playing this game for roughly a month or a little more now. I finally got a guardian to lvl 80, by doing story line quests and thorough zone questing. I’ve never joined a dungeon or fractal, ever. I have other toons I’ve been working on lately because, no matter how much I want to experience a dungeon for once in my lvl 80 toons life, I’m not really keen on the process. Honestly, I would feel more comfortable just queing and having the game randomly pick out people wanting to enter that que. I check occasionally on some dungeons running and most involve wanting ‘experienced’ players to join only. Well, that eliminates my options since I’ve never run a dungeon yet. Also, I just found out to run some fractals you need agony resist. As a new player, how would I have known that if not by chance reading about in the public chat? I know there are resources out there that would answer my questions, but I’m more of a social animal in that I want to talk to in game vets about their experience and knowledge instead of reading the many, many different opinions on things(I once tried to join a guild but they required ‘orientation’ to join, not my thing). It’s always frustrating to learn a new game and try to familiarize yourself with everything available. So am I the only new player afraid to join dungeons here? I kind of take things personal so if I screw up and get kicked or berated, I’m human, it affects me, and may never play that toon again. In other mmo’s I have no problems dipping my toes in the dungeon pool since it’s random and anonymous and doesn’t come with instructions. Why am I or seem to be so intimidated to do so in this game?

oh, and another thing, with being a guardian, I’m never sure what groups would prefer. as of right now I’m a mixture of power and precision with some toughness. Do groups prefer guardians with more healing or more durability? which way should I go to be more welcomed as a guardian?

marc.6581:

oh, and another thing, with being a guardian, I’m never sure what groups would prefer. as of right now I’m a mixture of power and precision with some toughness. Do groups prefer guardians with more healing or more durability? which way should I go to be more welcomed as a guardian?

If i was you, i’d go with more damage. Start with knights, and slowly work your way up to full berserkers.

A common mistake that people make is that they think their defensive support comes from stats such as healing power and the likes. However, most of the guardian’s support comes from active damage migitation such as blinds, blocks, aegis, reflects and protection.

As for a build, i’d suggest using the following to get the best out of your playing style if you want to be supportive. You’ll throw down perma protection while attacking with your hammer, which helps the group a lot.

Another good build would be 10/30/0/5/25 with Sword/Focus and GS. Does slightly more damage while losing the perma prot from the hammer and the 5s cd blast finisher.

This is the best thing I can think of for you.

GW2 PvE Motto : The Best Defense is a Good Offense

yeah, right now I’m at 25/20/25/0/0 and mostly use greatsword, off set being mace and torch. In all exotic gear atm. But I mostly just pve on my own, never joined a official group, just participated in some group kills. ty for info!

I wouldn’t be worried about doing dungeons. Just join groups that are not speed runs and are open to new players. As long as you’re up front about being new and listen to instructions, quite a lot of people will let you join them.

You don’t need AR in fractals until you’re 10+ and you can technically get away with having none until 20.

jessiejay.3625:

Welcome to dungeons Marc.

If you soo choose to become an enthusiast or common runner, here are some basics id say. Conditions to be met, results may vary, no refunds on soulbound, must be level 80 to apply.

Shopping list:
-Exotic armor, weapons, and trinkets. GW dungeons are by exotic standard no matter if Anet says Masterwork is ok. (Stats i never made a guardian. Ask others who have been) post crafting patch total set of gear is around maybe 10-15g

-6 superior runes of ____________. Many new players dont understand the added effects of a proper rune set. All 6 pieces need matching rune of superior designation. Again, talk to other guardians. Some popular runes are not cheap. Use other armor upgrades like orbs or emblems i think its called.

-Superior Sigil of ______ onto your weapons can be overlooked. This means the damage difference of 5-15% potential output depending on what your doing.

-A guild that is willing to take you on runs is better than LFG pickup groups. On that note you can also post: “P1 im new, need help” in the LFG tool. Ive done it before and it works in 5-10 mins wait. Listing tool is not only for exp or speed runs.

-2 hour windows. Ya A new team can make a 30 min run easily become 90 lol. Be open minded and listen to whos guiding the run. Always speak up if you dont know what to do. Undetstand what stacks are if needed. Always carry a range weapon in case of certain dungs.

-Dodge…nuff said

-YouTube has walkthrough of the dungeons most times. Watch them in free time.

If you did all/some of the above i can personally take you into some easy runs to get your feet wet. Char name in signature. Mail me if you play nights.

thank you much for responses, gonna work on some changes atm and I like the idea of just being blunt and honest of being a new player. Sometimes I don’t like to swallow my own pride, but this game will make me. thanks again!

Nothing wrong with saying you are new, actually most players would prefer to find that out sooner rather than later. Should you decide to run dungeons and I hope you do, you should let the party you are with know you are new and haven’t done this run before. Just make sure you join a group that says all welcome or doesn’t post specifics. You’d want to stay away from any LFGs that say speed run, experienced or list specific classes and so on. Players that do that are in a hurry and looking to teach.

After you join an appropriately advertised LFG if you let the party know that you are new most players will try to help you out anyway. If they kick then they are just jerks don’t let it get to you and try to find a better group, you wouldn’t learn from them anyway.

good luck

Also If I may, there is a list of players who are willing to help teach you the basics of dungeons. All you need to do is either contact them or post on the thread that you want help

The thread ia called “teachers”

Best of luck!!

Sarah

Bad PUGs prefer tank-heal Guardians thinking it’s going to save bad Berserkers.

SPOILERS … it doesn’t.

Doesn’t matter what you are, Berserker is the best for literally every profession – even Necro (lol).

A few different builds can be used dependant on situation and your group. But as for PUGging 10/30/0/10/20 would be able to carry PUGs using Sw/F and GS for DPS or 15/15/0/20/20 with Hammer & GS to provide protection.

Sarahfull.4930:

Also If I may, there is a list of players who are willing to help teach you the basics of dungeons. All you need to do is either contact them or post on the thread that you want help

The thread ia called “teachers”

Best of luck!!

Sarah

Greetings Sarah, id like to join in on any of your runs so i can learn to instruct fractals. I can do all levels. Will contact you via your linked posted in game to arrange these possibilities.

I may have conquered fracs but one only masters it by teaching, id like to reach that level

jessiejay.3625:

Sarahfull.4930:

Also If I may, there is a list of players who are willing to help teach you the basics of dungeons. All you need to do is either contact them or post on the thread that you want help

The thread ia called “teachers”

Best of luck!!

Sarah

Greetings Sarah, id like to join in on any of your runs so i can learn to instruct fractals. I can do all levels. Will contact you via your linked posted in game to arrange these possibilities.

I may have conquered fracs but one only masters it by teaching, id like to reach that level

Well I’m still not the best teacher but this would be great for everyone, we all get to practice fractals! (you and me teaching it, while the others learning how to do it)
^^

Another option is to try story mode first. People are usually less demanding there.

I totally agree with Neenja that you should always let others know if you haven’t done the dungeon before, if they kick you out you weren’t going to have a good time if you kept quiet anyway. I’d choose a patient group over a 1337 group even in dungeons I know backwards.

I will pick a new player that explicitly says that he needs some advice anytime over a 1-year old arrogant player that thinks he knows best but fails hard and blames others

Sarahfull.4930:

jessiejay.3625:

Sarahfull.4930:

Also If I may, there is a list of players who are willing to help teach you the basics of dungeons. All you need to do is either contact them or post on the thread that you want help

The thread ia called “teachers”

Best of luck!!

Sarah

Greetings Sarah, id like to join in on any of your runs so i can learn to instruct fractals. I can do all levels. Will contact you via your linked posted in game to arrange these possibilities.

I may have conquered fracs but one only masters it by teaching, id like to reach that level

Well I’m still not the best teacher but this would be great for everyone, we all get to practice fractals! (you and me teaching it, while the others learning how to do it)
^^

Ok sounds like a plan. Im sure you are an excellent teacher. Tandum teaching in the future sounds cool too. Looking forward to meeting up.

thanks for the many responses, getting my courage up already, tyvm!

I think joining a small guild is a much better option than pugging. There are so many guilds out there, it may take some time.. but it’s worth it. Guild mates are less likely to kick you from the party and will make more of an effort to teach/guide newcomers. If you want to use the lfg, you can start your own party.. and put in the description, new or all welcome.. and just mention that you are new to the path. Some people might leave but others will stay and will show you the ropes.

Being kicked from a party can be a norm when you start, don’t let it frustrate you; think of it as part of the process.

I main a guard, I second the 10/30/0/5/25 with Sword/Focus and GS as your primary weapons. Sceptor and Focus as your range. I would go with knights armor with berserker accessories and weapon.

Your support comes from shouts, reflection, condition cleansing, blind spams, and stability.. which you will learn in time. Guardians have awesome DPS potential so I wouldn’t waste that on healing support since everyone can heal themselves and it takes away from damage you could inflict.. thereby killing the boss quicker.

I run few dungeons everytime I log in. I don’t mind showing you the ropes.. I am not an expert but could show you the path and also give you some pointers about being a guard in dungeons. Let me know.

marc.6581:

most involve wanting ‘experienced’ players to join only

By “experienced” they really do mean “knows what to do”. Your opinions are (or, what did I do to start dungeons):
1. read/watch a guide for the particular dungeon you want to do so you know the tactics
2. form your own group claiming you are a new in the dungeon, you form a beginner party and want to learn, and asking for tutors
3. wait for a party which does not ask for experienced players and claim honestly at the beginning, that you are new and will need some instructions at difficult points
4. join a guild, guildies will help you and teach you where pug would reject you

Just be prepared to run into some morons and elitist jerks who will kick you from the party without a notice, but you will be surprised how many decent and helpfull people you will meet. Just be honest and don’t lie.

Few tips:

Run Storymode first, to unlock ex. mode so you’re always able to start an instance yourself if you want to and to get a feel of what each dungeon brings in exp. mode in terms of encounters, mobs etc.

If you’re planning on ever playing WvW, build a PVT, Knight, Cleric set first. Start with it in exp. modes to get accostumed to the different dungeons. 90% of the players already use it anyway despite all the (rightfully so) zerk-propaganda on this forum. Join path 1 groups without the “speed” or “experienced” in them, path 1’s are most of the time the easiest and quickest to do. You could watch a Youtube-video beforehand to know what to expect. Cause that’s all ex. mode really is; running from one memorized boss event to the next that are played the exact same way every time.