Guild Wars 2

Hey all,

New player here. Situation is that I work about 60 hours a week currently and my time to play is restricted. I only really have time to get maybe two classes up to max level. I do not want to use the insta 80 token yet as I need to learn the game.

First thing is which 2 classes fits these criteria best in your opinions? One class i want to have for wvw but still able to level at a decent speed in pve. The other class I plan to mostly solo or scout with but again….decent speed in pve so I am not grinding my face off getting him to max level.

Second question is…what is the best way to level up at a decent rate and still learn the class? Right now I am just following the story through each zone. I see a pvp button but I am only level 10 and not sure if the game will implode if I press it.

Thanks for the advice. Currently I have Guardian, Thief, and Mesmer…thought about Engi as well.

60 hours a week?? You work every day for 12 hours??? (not including saturday/sunday) OMG . You poor…

Are you a Doctor in a hospital, or what kind of job makes you work so alot???
Despite of this ^^

First Question: Play Ranger and Thief, easiest classes when it comes to leveling in PvE and best classes for “Scouting & Soloing”

Second Question: The best way to level up in a decent rate and learn the class on the way is by simply normally playing the game. Do explore the world, focus yourself on Events whenver you can as events give in PvE alot more Exp, than killing lots of monsters, unless you have lots of Exp Boosts and kill monsters that havent been killed for ages as killing such enemies, which haven’t been killed for long give significant Bonus Exp for their Kills.
Once you character is strong enough for Dungeons, speed farm Dungeons with people as every successful dungeon run basicalyl gives you nearly a level up, plus you collect tokens that you can use for an early on set of exotic equipment that comes in cheap, if you havent still the amounts of Karma to buy one from Orrian Karma NPCs from the Temple Events.
You can naturally also level your charactr through lots of other way, be it through PvP and using all the Level Up Tomes you earn this way or through WvW.

If you go to PvP, it doesn#t matter if your Charatcer is Lvl 10, as you will get automatically pumped zp there to Max Level and have there directly access to mostly all stuff except a few things that you have to unlock first by Gold to be able to use them in PvP as well.

But as a total Newbie I wouldn’t Level through PvP, if you don’t know how to play the Classes well enough. Won’t be alot of fun for you, unless you are some kind of hidden yet unknown PvP Super Talent with pure PvP genes in your blood :P

Leveling through PvE as Newbie is alot more fun and you learn also on the road decently to play the classes and all their mechanics as you slowly unlock all the stuff and get to test out things, as you level up your Characters, where in PvP peopel expect from you, that you know what your freaking doing, or you most likely will generate just only a rage fest around you …

Fastest movement early on in the game is Ranger, Necro, and Thief – they gain a 25% movement speed increase through signets. Mesmer gets a movement speed increase from Signet of Inspiration, a) but it is random with other boons procing instead, b) annoying because quickness procs just before you jump (epic trolling by the developers, even if unintentional ), and c) causes your toon to same something stupid every few seconds, otherwise, mesmer gains a speed increase trait with Chronomancer, which is after level 80. Warrior has a trait that grants 25% movement speed increase when melee weapons are equipped, but it is in the discipline trait line. Not sure about Guardian or Engineer because I haven’t leveled either one to 80. Yet. Revenant you gain movement speed increase with the elite spec. You can move faster with Shiro before completing Glint, but…that utility has a lot of uses in combat and it you’re constantly burning up the energy for it just running around, you won’t be able to use it when you want.

Lastly…feel your pain on the 60 hours a week. I do IT, so, been there, done that, still have the scars – previous employer I averaged 100 hours per week juggling 3 roles that were 60 hour-a-week jobs by themselves. Did that for 2 years before burning out. Fortunately, I have a new employer that is A LOT better about that…

Kaltyn of Torbins Deep.2946:

Mesmer gets a movement speed increase from Signet of Inspiration, a) but it is random with other boons procing instead, b) annoying because quickness procs just before you jump (epic trolling by the developers, even if unintentional ), and c) causes your toon to same something stupid every few seconds, otherwise, mesmer gains a speed increase trait with Chronomancer, which is after level 80.

This skill has changed so that quickness is always generated along with a different boon.

Of the characters you’ve already started, I’d stick with the Guardian or Thief. Guardian has a lot of healing skills and heavy armor, but the thief has access to a lot of stealth skills needed to avoid unwanted combat. Learning to play them and decide which style works best with your preferred style will be the key to what you stick with.

Until you unlock a certain level of character, you won’t have a lot of quick-leveling techniques. The best method to learn the class is to keep moving up to level appropriate areas and keep fighting until you find yourself challenged, then consider what you did wrong. If you want to try PvP, though, go for it: you’ll have all skills unlocked, be temporarily leveled to 80 and be able to test your skills against others, although you might find yourself slaughtered.

Orpheal.8263:

60 hours a week?? You work every day for 12 hours??? (not including saturday/sunday) OMG . You poor…

Are you a Doctor in a hospital, or what kind of job makes you work so alot???
Despite of this ^^

First Question: Play Ranger and Thief, easiest classes when it comes to leveling in PvE and best classes for “Scouting & Soloing”

Second Question: The best way to level up in a decent rate and learn the class on the way is by simply normally playing the game. Do explore the world, focus yourself on Events whenver you can as events give in PvE alot more Exp, than killing lots of monsters, unless you have lots of Exp Boosts and kill monsters that havent been killed for ages as killing such enemies, which haven’t been killed for long give significant Bonus Exp for their Kills.
Once you character is strong enough for Dungeons, speed farm Dungeons with people as every successful dungeon run basicalyl gives you nearly a level up, plus you collect tokens that you can use for an early on set of exotic equipment that comes in cheap, if you havent still the amounts of Karma to buy one from Orrian Karma NPCs from the Temple Events.
You can naturally also level your charactr through lots of other way, be it through PvP and using all the Level Up Tomes you earn this way or through WvW.

If you go to PvP, it doesn#t matter if your Charatcer is Lvl 10, as you will get automatically pumped zp there to Max Level and have there directly access to mostly all stuff except a few things that you have to unlock first by Gold to be able to use them in PvP as well.

But as a total Newbie I wouldn’t Level through PvP, if you don’t know how to play the Classes well enough. Won’t be alot of fun for you, unless you are some kind of hidden yet unknown PvP Super Talent with pure PvP genes in your blood :P

Leveling through PvE as Newbie is alot more fun and you learn also on the road decently to play the classes and all their mechanics as you slowly unlock all the stuff and get to test out things, as you level up your Characters, where in PvP peopel expect from you, that you know what your freaking doing, or you most likely will generate just only a rage fest around you …

Close guess!…I am an RN. In charge of a clinic and I work a second lesser job as well as remodeling my home. I am trying to cut back my hours…its too much.

I will roll up a Ranger and check that out. So far the Thief has been the most fun with guardian second. Mesmer I am troubled.

Sounds like I am doing right thing by going through the world story. I would NOT want to try pvp…its would be seal clubbin time for me =(

Thanks for the thoughts.

Kaltyn of Torbins Deep.2946:

Fastest movement early on in the game is Ranger, Necro, and Thief – they gain a 25% movement speed increase through signets. Mesmer gets a movement speed increase from Signet of Inspiration, a) but it is random with other boons procing instead, b) annoying because quickness procs just before you jump (epic trolling by the developers, even if unintentional ), and c) causes your toon to same something stupid every few seconds, otherwise, mesmer gains a speed increase trait with Chronomancer, which is after level 80. Warrior has a trait that grants 25% movement speed increase when melee weapons are equipped, but it is in the discipline trait line. Not sure about Guardian or Engineer because I haven’t leveled either one to 80. Yet. Revenant you gain movement speed increase with the elite spec. You can move faster with Shiro before completing Glint, but…that utility has a lot of uses in combat and it you’re constantly burning up the energy for it just running around, you won’t be able to use it when you want.

Lastly…feel your pain on the 60 hours a week. I do IT, so, been there, done that, still have the scars – previous employer I averaged 100 hours per week juggling 3 roles that were 60 hour-a-week jobs by themselves. Did that for 2 years before burning out. Fortunately, I have a new employer that is A LOT better about that…

Yes burn out…You know the pain.

So what about classes that are also good in WvW….does not have to be the best. Just able to keep up or NOT shunned completely. Is ranger and Thief able to get in there and mix it up?

I would also suggest the Ranger or Necro for PvE. Both classes can solo most world-encountered events, even champs, with very little problems (I am better on the Necro than the Ranger though). As other has mentioned, a Thief is fast and easy to do map completion, along with killing mobs rather quickly. Guardian will have a nice amount of sustain if you build it tanky, and allow for easy PvE as well.

You could really take any class and have a not-terrible time in PvE, just have to approach stuff differently, play the class to its strengths.

Let me just sum-up the pros and cons of each class (imo), not delving too deep in each one tho:
1. Heavy armor classes
– Warrior – Pros: one of the easiest classes for leveling with the most weapon options. At max lvl they are still viable in pvp and wvw. High sustain and high damage.
Cons: A lot depends on your build (but this is true for all classes actually). Ranged options are a lot weaker than melee. They don’t have a good condition build until getting the elite specialization “Berserk” after hitting lvl 80.
- Guardian – Pros: Class with heavy defensive capabilities, featuring a lot of shields, defensive boon distributions and heals. Can utilize burning verry well. With staff wielding you can just spam skill 1 and tag a lot of targets (usefull for farming). One of the best pvp classes at the moment (with the elite spec)
Cons:One of the slowest moving classes with no passive speed boost. Some of their defensive spells need some party members, to be used to their full extent. You need to know when and what to use, otherwise you can be killed quite easily.
- Revenant – Pros: Great support class with a lot of boon sharing. They can swap sets of utility skills. Swinging your hammer results in ranged attacks!
Cons: Can not switch their utility skills, they are set in packs. Somewhat squishy if you don’t move all around the place.
2. Medium armor classes
-Thief – Pros:One of the best bursting classes. Stealth. One of the highest (if not the highest) mobility classes. Good pvp capper/decapper. Good wvw scout.
Cons: Squishy as kitten. One needs to utilize dodging at it’s full extent to be viable as it is core for thief gameplay. Not so viable in dungeons/fractals/raids in my observation.

- Ranger – Pros: One of the easiest classes in pve, especially if you are not soloing. Good power AND condi builds right from the start. Pokemon trainer in gw2 (you must catch them all). May be the best healing class at the moment (with the elite spec “Druid”)
Cons: Squishy without your pet. Kinda getting boring after a while (imo). Never go into instanced content with longbow/brown bear equipped, pls.
- Engineer – Pros: One of the most fun proffesions to play. Has an answer for every situation with various kits (replacing your weapon skills). Can have up to 35 skills available at a time.
Cons: Playing an engie is like playing a piano. Jack of all trades, but master of none (still better than master of one). Limited weapon equipping options. Hard to play in either pvp/pve/wvw, but a master engie is a master of them all.
3. Light armor classes:
- Elementalist – Pros: Good damage dealer/support/healer/boon distributioner/condition remover. Good burst. Power and condi builds are both viable from the start. Good AoE for wvw with staff wielding.
Cons: Squishy. Hard to memorize what skill does what. Should constantly switching between attunements. Squishy!
- Mesmer – Pros: Has the most utility partywise. Good for soloing, as you never feel alone with 5 more of you. Good pvp-er. Fun to play.
Cons: Hard to master. Doesn’t have a good passive movement speed bonus till getting the elite spec. Condi builds are lackluster (imo). All skill have purple buterfly-ish effects (it’s a con for me.)
- Necromancer – Pros: you can never go wrong with necro. Probably the highest survivability off all. Heavy condition distributor, both for single and multiple targets. Playing a necro feels freaking cool. Pve is a breeze, pvp and wvw feel easy.
Cons: One can not fully enjoy the unlimited power until getting the elite spec “Reaper”. Limited power-based builds. Ranged combat is somewhat not enjoyable (imo).

Sadismo.7508:

- Ranger – Pros: One of the easiest classes in pve, especially if you are not soloing. Good power AND condi builds right from the start. Pokemon trainer in gw2 (you must catch them all). May be the best healing class at the moment (with the elite spec “Druid”)
Cons: Squishy without your pet. Kinda getting boring after a while (imo). Never go into instanced content with longbow/brown bear equipped, pls.
- Engineer – Pros: One of the most fun proffesions to play. Has an answer for every situation with various kits (replacing your weapon skills). Can have up to 35 skills available at a time.
Cons: Playing an engie is like playing a piano. Jack of all trades, but master of none (still better than master of one). Limited weapon equipping options. Hard to play in either pvp/pve/wvw, but a master engie is a master of them all.
3. Light armor classes:
- Elementalist – Pros: Good damage dealer/support/healer/boon distributioner/condition remover. Good burst. Power and condi builds are both viable from the start. Good AoE for wvw with staff wielding.
Cons: Squishy. Hard to memorize what skill does what. Should constantly switching between attunements. Squishy!
- Mesmer – Pros: Has the most utility partywise. Good for soloing, as you never feel alone with 5 more of you. Good pvp-er. Fun to play.
Cons: Hard to master. Doesn’t have a good passive movement speed bonus till getting the elite spec. Condi builds are lackluster (imo). All skill have purple buterfly-ish effects (it’s a con for me.)
- Necromancer – Pros: you can never go wrong with necro. Probably the highest survivability off all. Heavy condition distributor, both for single and multiple targets. Playing a necro feels freaking cool. Pve is a breeze, pvp and wvw feel easy.
Cons: One can not fully enjoy the unlimited power until getting the elite spec “Reaper”. Limited power-based builds. Ranged combat is somewhat not enjoyable (imo).

Nice break down! I never thought about Necro. Have not done a necro since the days of EQ =)

Was just listening to WoodenPotatoes – a Guild Wars 2 YouTube-er. He was talking about an experiment he did taking a fresh account from level zero to 80, trying to simulate what it’s like for a new player to get from start all the way to the level where they could possibly do raids if they wanted.

He said the Thief is definitely his pick for fastest leveling experience. Not only can you rig a thief with a constant 25% movement boost, but dagger mainhand has a leap attack ability that can cover a lot of ground really quickly. And if you keep a shortbow as your alternate weapon, that has a teleport ability that can really speed up map travel.

Combat is really fast and damaging too – with the thief teleporting all over the place to each enemy. If feels tons faster to me than my warrior, guardian, and mesmer characters.

Achle.7618:

Nice break down! I never thought about Necro. Have not done a necro since the days of EQ =)

FWIW, in every other MMO out there I “know” the classes I’m going to enjoy up front. The paladin / guardian / magic plate tank, the dark magic and greatsword warrior, the archer / ranger / hunter, the summoner / pet oriented DPS.

GW2 is the first one that doesn’t match up perfectly to that. The things I enjoy are different to every other game out there. (Though I <3 reaper, and almost love ranger, so it’s not as far off as it could be, but still … not an exact match. Go differences!)

Point is, try classes you normally wouldn’t think of enjoying in other games. GW2 is different enough you might love them.

SlippyCheeze.5483:

Achle.7618:

Nice break down! I never thought about Necro. Have not done a necro since the days of EQ =)

FWIW, in every other MMO out there I “know” the classes I’m going to enjoy up front. The paladin / guardian / magic plate tank, the dark magic and greatsword warrior, the archer / ranger / hunter, the summoner / pet oriented DPS.

GW2 is the first one that doesn’t match up perfectly to that. The things I enjoy are different to every other game out there. (Though I <3 reaper, and almost love ranger, so it’s not as far off as it could be, but still … not an exact match. Go differences!)

Point is, try classes you normally wouldn’t think of enjoying in other games. GW2 is different enough you might love them.

This is very true. I typically hate paladins. I love Guardian. Same thing for Necro. Go figure… XD

In your situation, your best way to progress is to take advantage of daily logins, and daily achievements. As your time is limited, these give you the best value for your time.

I also agree with many folks that said Ranger, as it’s a class that can definitely get thing done at a steady pace especially when you want to solo. For class #2 I would suggest Revenant for group play. I can’t spell it. ;;