Guild Wars 2

Ran a theory-crafted gimmick build where I had Cleric’s gear with Monk runes, SR 3-2-1, Blood 1-3-1, and Reaper 3-1-1 with Dagger/Warhorn and GS. All Wells except for Darkness. BEST TIME OF MY LIFE!

Sure, I died a few times, mostly to Hive Trolls and Shadowplates, but everything else I was able to vamp enough to grind down to death. No surprise, Gravedigger was usually my killing blow. With 1508 Healing Power, even when I was being poisoned by as many as 3 Veteran Spiders at a time, I was still maintaining a respectable health. I only needed to use Well of Blood when I missed the interrupt on GS5.

Gliding and Bouncing Mushrooms were so convenient, it was almost unfair how I could pretty much ignore falling damage and all that climbing. Best Masteries EVER! If the events weren’t bugged, I’m pretty sure I could have gotten more levels in them.

Pretty much my only complaint besides the bugged events, is how GLACIALLY SLOW the Reaper feels, even with Speed of Shadows and Relentless Pursuit. The GS swings are so slow, I get about the same lifesteal whether I use GS auto or Dagger auto. That shouldn’t be right, should it? Without a ranged weapon, I kept having to chase down more mobs than was enjoyable, especially when they could just charge/KD me down again. WAY too low CD on those charges, guys.

9/10, would beta again. 10 if you could fix those bugged events.

So far, I think the Reaper is fun, and a good concept, but it just doesn’t work out in-game.

I’m especially having trouble finding a place for it in WvW. The greatsword is not a ranged weapon, and the Reaper is promoted so far as being a frontline fighter, but even with 1/2 PVT gear and Melandru Runes or Trooper Runes, it’s just far too squishy to stand next to Warriors and Guardians. The Reaper brings some very interesting things to WvW group play, but it just doesn’t have any way to escape danger, and it doesn’t have anywhere near the toughness it needs to even try out more than a 2-skill combo.

Played in the second BWE, and I found the missing element: Swordmaster Faren. That event chain was COMEDY GOLD, end to end. The most mocked type of event, “the escort event,” was fun and engaging because you know this guy was gonna be dropping insulting zingers, bombastic boasts, and thereafter ALMOST GET KILLED BY A CHICKEN.

Otherwise, buffing the Reaper GS and Shroud was a good decision, the events were a lot less buggy, gained a few more points in Glider, up to Lean Techs, and OMFG I love gliding around so much!

No, seriously, I didn’t have this much fun gliding in Aion, and besides the angelic lingerie, that was their only gimmick.