Guild Wars 2

while I do know that there are plenty of posts already, and I have already used the search bar. Please… no flames!

So I played the original GW and i loved it, and finally I decided it was time for me to move on and try the new GW2. About classes, I already played a necromancer and it was a really tough bet for me because of all the debuffs and DOT, something that I realize I do not like anymore.

So I was wondering about classes with a strong damage, DPS and/or strong AOE damage. Healing would be a nice option too.

So my choices are really down to Guardian, Elementalist and Engineer (just the concept of using guns is really cool, though I dont know much more about them)

Also, does race play a big role in each class? or by the time their 80, the racial differences are negligible.

Thanks!

You probably want this in Players Helping Players.

Race plays no role other than flavor, though some racial skills might complement one profession better than another (albeit weakly, they are meant not to be as strong as universal skills).

Guardian — can do good DPS if played right, but is far more oriented to support. I find it super fun in dungeons with all the boons and stripping of conditions, plus an Elite heal that takes the whole party to full health. I can stay alive when everyone else has wiped. But then I can’t do a darn bit of good against the boss, so I have to suicide. Anyway, if DPS/AOE is your wish, you might find Guardian lacking.

Elementalist — This can do a whole lot of amazing stuff. You have to be good, though. You have to dance through all four attunements and know 20 different skills and when to use them. If you trait towards healing you’ll lose out on DPS. Commonly agreed to be the hardest profession to master; if you don’t master it you’ll be the squishiest person around. My Ele is my lowest level alt (she’s next up to push to 80, but she’s only 40 or so) because I got frustrated with taking 45 minutes to struggle through content another alt could punish in 5 minutes. I know the game better, now, and I think I’ll play her more effectively. Still, be ready to die a lot.

Engineer — I get the feeling you love or hate this one. I’m pushing mine to 80 now (got him to 70) but only flamethrower feels effective. Plus you have to keep hitting utility keys to swap out weapons (well, kits), so there’s a lot of reaching around the keyboard. It’s the most “piano playing” profession. If I didn’t enjoy spending game time leveling alts, he’d never reach 80. He won’t be used in dungeons etc either, so he’s going on the shelf except for Norn rp sessions. Note also that it’s harder to customize an Engineer’s look as kits all look the same for all of them and kits replace backpieces and shields.

These are all very subjective opinions. Every profession appeals greatly to many and repels many as well. And every profession can be shaped to whatever role you want, albeit with greater difficulty for some.

Something you can do to test out how a max level/geared class plays without leveling is take a new character to the Heart of the Mists (crossed sword icon). There you are boosted to 80 with free access to all the stats, skills, weapons, runes, sigils, etc. You can play around with different builds against the target golems, target professions, there’s even a boss there.

Race plays almost no role in class selection. The racial elite is weak compared to the class elites. Here’s a good summary of the strengths/weaknesses of each class:

http://www.reddit.com/r/Guildwars2/comments/1ojgdr/what_class_should_i_play_a_summary_of_each/

The only difference race makes is a few racial skills and whilst some of them are fun to use (like the norn’s shape-shifting or the charr warband support) they don’t make a big difference, generally your profession specific skills are more useful so most people only use them. Basically think of race as a cosmetic choice and choose the one you like the look of or find most interesting.

I like both the engineer and elementalist. I personally find guardians boring but a lot of people seem to like them. But I think any of them will fit your requirements, all can do decent damage and all can be decent healers (although you might need to change your traits to go from one to the other). The elementalist and engineer are definitely harder to play than a guardian (which is why I find them more fun), you’ll need to keep switching kits or attunements. At lower levels they’ll be squishier too but they get better as you level up.

Engineer and Elementalist are both a good 10x harder to learn than guardian. Elementalist requires that you play very well to get an adequate result, and amazingly well to play good. Engineer offers a bit more leeway, if you play bad you have a bit more hp and toughness. They both require high awareness and use of combo fields. They both perform ok in PvE and at PvP the engineer excels moreso.

Wow thanks so much for the quick replies!
Are there any good beginner based classes though? I’ve played way too many hunters so that’s no fun, and well Mesmers seem hard. Although Engineers look cool, the high skill ceiling does seem like a turnoff.

But like someone said, how can I do the Hearts of the Mist?

But in your opinions, what is a strong DPS/AOE Class then?

Basically there are 4 classes right now that have the best direct damage with cleave of some sort and that is warrior guardian mesmer and elementalist. And they all have some sort of group support in their builds. Necromancer is a selfish class if you go direct damage with no cleave, thief i havent played but no one is really taking them either unless you pvp and want to abuse invis, and engi to my knowledge doesnt have good direct damage with aoe either, its condition damage with bleeds. I havent really played ranger any either but from what i have heard about their forums is that they are in the same spot as necromancers at the moment with being weak.

So you have 4 choices out of 8, kind of sad that only 50% of the classes are really viable in terms of pve and pvp to some extent.

Try necro, it is an easy class and you can spec for various play styles.
you also have essentially a second health bar with death shroud.

btw the poster above me is taking nonsense, you can play any class, every class has it’s strengths and weaknesses, it comes down to play style and skill.

Morrigan.2809:

Try necro, it is an easy class and you can spec for various play styles.
you also have essentially a second health bar with death shroud.

btw the poster above me is taking nonsense, you can play any class, every class has it’s strengths and weaknesses, it comes down to play style and skill.

So I’ve already played a necro before in GW1, so I would prefer not to play it again as my first class. I know all classes are viable, but specifically I wanted to know the stronger DPS/AOE direct damage classes.

I guess I’ll pick guardian first. But all in all I just wanted to try a rather quick leveling and medium-high dps class so I can get through the game play first.

People love guardian but so far I can’t see it ;P, mine is in my revolving slot at lvl 17
Good luck and happy hunting

oh btw my Engi was a joy to level as well and they are super versatile

Ah, when you said you had played it before I thought you meant in this game. You should test run a necromancer in the Mists against target dummies. I don’t know how different they are from GW1 as I never played that game; still, it seems likely the feel will be quite different as some base game mechanics are unique to 2. Also you can run very different styles of necromancer, avoiding minions entirely if desired.

uanaka.3072:

Wow thanks so much for the quick replies!
Are there any good beginner based classes though? I’ve played way too many hunters so that’s no fun, and well Mesmers seem hard. Although Engineers look cool, the high skill ceiling does seem like a turnoff.

But like someone said, how can I do the Hearts of the Mist?

But in your opinions, what is a strong DPS/AOE Class then?

Here’s a rundown of AOE and DPS capabilities:

Elementalist: Best DPS in the game, both AOE and single target. Very squishy though.
Mesmer: Extremely high single-target DPS but lacking in AOE options. Very tanky however.
Thief: Good single-target DPS with average cleave. Primarily a utility profession.
Guardian: Good DPS with excellent AOE options, but lacks offensive buffs. Good in parties where others can supply them.
Warrior: Average at everything. Supplies offensive buffs so makes a good solo class and a good support class in dungeons. Usually considered the most basic, easy-to-use class and thus sought after by pug groups seeking to play it safe with unknowns.
Ranger: Pretty much the same as warrior except with a pet. Higher skill ceiling due to pet management and awkward mechanics on best weapon (sword).
Engineer: Gods of support of all kinds. Below-average DPS overall though. Excellent both solo and in parties due to massive (de)buff stacking abilities.
Necromancer: Very tanky. AOE options virtually nonexistent and single target DPS is average at best. Currently not a very good class but it may change in the future.

Given your specific criteria (easy to use, decent AOE DPS) warrior and guardian are probably your best bet. Necromancer is also fairly easy to use but lack in AOE DPS.

I think my necro is my best at aoe. At least at tagging. Drop down expanded marks via staff, watch the numbers swarm like bees. Then there’s the elite plague, mix that with epidemic, my goodness. Ele will be the game best at AoE and at sharing it (Fiery Greatswords for all!); I just don’t play Ele to say it’s -my- best.

I think I’m just going to engineer? I suppose it is a hit and miss, but it seems to do pretty good aoe damage and it has the utility. I played the necro, but maybe I’ll try again, I personally didn’t like the minion system, but maybe it got changed.

And I suppose Guardian is my go to!

Just play a warrior. Easy-peasy and does top damage.