Guild Wars 2

I am a level 80 engineer and had an account for roughly a year; been active about 4-6 months of that. My time has mostly been running champion trains, hot join pvp, and jumping puzzles (and leveling).

In my entire time of playing I have not run 1 dungeon. I have played 7 different MMOs (starting with DAOC), so I have plenty of experience in all typical roles (tank, heals, dps). My build I have in this game (and I went nearly broke buying full exotics for this build can be seen below):

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fcAQJAqel0pqb3zSyF17ISoHS49pWieofWmj9pgcB-ToAgzCmImSNlbKzUypsTNAZ2A

Note: I just chose PvP to keep it simple, but same for PvE.

Regardless, it is a quasi-bunker spec with OK damage using bombs and splash heals with each attack.

Some basic questions:

1) If I randomly join a dungeon should I announce that I am new to the dungeon (and dungeons in general), or just “follow the crowd”?

2) Will my support/defense oriented spec be welcome?

3) What are the typical time commitments for a dungeon?

4) Any other advice is welcome.

You should always let your party know that you’re new to a dungeon. This means that the experienced players can guide you. You might be able to just follow along, but sometimes knowing the tactic can prevent party wipes and lengthening the run, which isn’t too fun.

In dungeons, the meta is DPS. The way the game is structured, support builds take away from the party in dungeons. They do not scale right. For instance, specing for healing will not benefit the party as much as one might think it should, as it will do minimal healing and as it stands every class has it’s own heal. This being said, boons for party members are handy, so always have that idea in your head.

Typical times will depend on the dungeon. Some are quick, like citadel of flame path 1 and 2, around 10-15 minutes, while others, like, Arah can be more like an hour in a casual group. It really depends on the group set up, path, and experience.

My advice is to go in with an open mind and a good attitude. Good teams can be hard to find in pugs, but I know when I first started, a cheerful group can make the difference between having fun and being sad you wasted your time. Overall, apart from the dungeon path gold at the end, dungeons won’t be as rewarding as champion train farming, but it is fun and challenging content, and a great way to meet cool people.

1. You should definitely let the party know that you are new to the dungeon. Most players are willing to guide you through. It isn’t fun when 1/5 of the party goes down, especially at the crucial time. The last thing any party wants is that everyone dies multiple times, people started getting frustrated, and then they realise that one of their members has no idea what he/she is doing.
2. Zerker is usually the best PvE build, but a support/tank build can be useful. My guardian is a support/tank build but so far I haven’t been kicked out because of this build. You will still have to do damage, but the enemy won’t go down as fast.
3. Depends on the dungeon that you’re doing. With experience, you’ll find that you know how each dungeon path runs and it will take quicker to finish. As Little Lepton mentioned, it also depends on the group you’re with, the individual builds, and the experience. So far, I take around 15 minutes on AC paths with a group of experienced zerkers (high DPS), and around 40-60 minutes with a group of first timers (but we do have lots of fun!).
4. With the LFG tool, it is much easier to find a party to go for dungeon runs. Do keep in mind on the party description. If you have no experience in a dungeon, it’s not a good idea to join a party with the description “p3 experienced only” or “p2 need zerkers”. These parties want a specific build, and they want to run the dungeon quick so they need experienced players.
If you decide to create a party, write something like “p1 all welcome” or “p2 first time need help”. I’ve done this with dungeons that I am not familiar with. You’ll generally find that both non-experienced and experienced players will join and most are happy to guide you, as you have indicated very early being a first timer. I also find that joining these kinds of parties with similar descriptions like these are generally more chatty. I just did a story mode with a group of first timers and they couldn’t stop chatting with me, even after it ended! xD
Enjoy dunegon-ing!

1) Yes, let them know. In my experience many groups don’t mind at all that you’re new, but they like to know so they know to tell you things like “stack in the corner and wait for them to come to us” or “Hit the one on the left first” or “We’re going to run past this part because it takes ages, keep to the right hand side and save your dodges for the end” instead of assuming you know what to do and potentially getting you (or the entire group) killed in the process.

Alternatively create your own listing on the LFG tool and put something like “Dungeon newbie looking to learn” in the description. You’ll probably get a mix of other new people and experienced players willing to teach you.

2) Like other people have said DPS is preferred for dungeons. IMO it’s not a bad idea to have a bit of defence of some sort especially when you’re new and might not know what’s going to hit you and from where, but generally the focus should be on doing damage. Unless you’re joining speed running groups though it’s not a big deal, I’ve done numerous dungeons and never had anyone ask what builds people are using.

3) It depends on the dungeon and the group. Some can be speed cleared in under 10 minutes some will take over an hour. And then there’s Arah path 4 which only seems to be talked about in nervous whispers.

If I haven’t done a dungeon before I allow about 2 hours, and that usually gives plenty of time to do it with a casual group with little/no skipping, get back to LA and sort my inventory out.

4) I recommend starting with story mode dungeons. They’re shorter and generally simpler than the explorable mode. They also unlock access to explorable mode. You can do explorable first but someone else needs to go in first and then you join them. Which means if you skip the story modes sooner or later you’ll hit the slightly awkward situation where you put a group together, check everyone is ready and then have to say “Oh, can someone else go in please? I can’t start explorable.” (But that might only bother me.)

Having said that don’t be afraid to start your own groups, even when you’ve never done a dungeon before. Just mention that in the description and you’ll probably get a mix of other new people and people willing to teach you.

More generally you can put whatever you want in a group description. People usually stick to what mode/path they’re doing and things like ‘everyone welcome’ or ‘level 80 only’. My personal favourite was someone doing Honour of the Waves (in Frostgorge) who included “Must be disguised as a dolyak to join!”

Always let your party know if you are new to a dungeon. That just let’s me know to explain things in chat to you that need to be explained like strategies. Otherwise, I assume you have ran before and know all the strategies.

DPS is preferred in dungeons because of the way the game is designed. Killing faster is always better. But feel free to bring whatever build you feel comfortable with. As you play, you may notice that you need to tweak your build for certain dungeons.

Most dungeon paths can be cleared by a competent group in 15-45 minutes. Arah is much longer for groups usually.

Dungeons are a very different experience than PvE. They are usually very tough initially, but once you learn the encounters and strategies they become real easy. It is not unusual for new players to go down a lot in a dungeon.

My advice is also let them know you’re new to dungeons. Also, use something like Teamspeak (TS) if you can. Otherwise, let your group know you don’t have it, so they can type out instructions. Don’t just run in, wait to find out what to do. We just did a dungeon last night with a new person and they just died over and over because they kept running past the group.

My other advice is to find a GOOD guild that has mature, helpful members who can guide you through the dungeons. Honestly, PUGs are iffy… some are good, some are very bad. Don’t let people frustrate you too much, and try to fun.

Great and helpful replies, everyone!

Sounds like the people running dungeons are a little nicer than the typical heroic guy in WoW!

Tsyras.5274:

I have plenty of experience in all typical roles (tank, heals, dps).

1) If I randomly join a dungeon should I announce that I am new to the dungeon (and dungeons in general), or just “follow the crowd”?

2) Will my support/defense oriented spec be welcome?

3) What are the typical time commitments for a dungeon?

4) Any other advice is welcome.

1) For CoF and CoE all paths, def announce your new. reason is these paths have mechanics that entire group needs to be experienced with and if you decide to hold ur breath then you’ll waste a lot of time and probly contribute to a group wipe. in other paths like TA/Arah..nah dont say anythin. reason is you’ll probly down alot in those dungs anyway since your new.

2) Most people alrdy told u but classes in GW2 r all be built around self-heal+DPS, at least in regards to dungeons and group content. theres no tanks in game, you can maybe tank mobs for a few secs but try for any longer and ull die. dont try to heal ur group except when they’re all stacking, boons r most useful then. basically wat im sayin is go full zerk for DPS if u can, looking at ur build ur runes/sigils r kinda crap (no offense) and will probly result in longer than ideal dungeon run times. Though if not full zerk i’d recommend knight at a minimum, until u get the hang of it.

3) depends on 2 things rly, how long u want it to take and how much u suck at it. for the 1st thing if you try to skip all the mobs u can and how much personal DPS your bringing., you can optimize ur run time. for the 2nd its basically an experience check, whether u know the boss fights etc. In general though typical run times is ~15min with a decent group. Arah is the exception, as a tougher dung with all newbie pugs guaranteed multiple wipes, upwards of 30min.

Tsyras.5274:

I am a level 80 engineer and had an account for roughly a year; been active about 4-6 months of that. My time has mostly been running champion trains, hot join pvp, and jumping puzzles (and leveling).

In my entire time of playing I have not run 1 dungeon. I have played 7 different MMOs (starting with DAOC), so I have plenty of experience in all typical roles (tank, heals, dps). My build I have in this game (and I went nearly broke buying full exotics for this build can be seen below):

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fcAQJAqel0pqb3zSyF17ISoHS49pWieofWmj9pgcB-ToAgzCmImSNlbKzUypsTNAZ2A

Note: I just chose PvP to keep it simple, but same for PvE.

Regardless, it is a quasi-bunker spec with OK damage using bombs and splash heals with each attack.

Some basic questions:

1) If I randomly join a dungeon should I announce that I am new to the dungeon (and dungeons in general), or just “follow the crowd”?

2) Will my support/defense oriented spec be welcome?

3) What are the typical time commitments for a dungeon?

4) Any other advice is welcome.

1) Yes. Since most dungeons have mechanics that you should know about it’s better to say that you’re new so someone can explain

2) Both yes and no, while berserker armor is by far the fastest way to clear a dungeon bunker/support build is the best way to go if you’re running with random people.

3) Everything from 7 minutes to 3 hours But generally you should expect to spend between 15-30 min per dungeon run. However there are exceptions such as the Lost City of Arah which will take a minimum 30 min per path(if going with experienced people).

4) If it is the first time you’re running dungeons, go on youtube and watch some videos to get a hunch on what you’re about to do. I love helping people in dungeons but it’s a wildshot since most of players today want to get things done fast many will not be so grateful if you’re a newbie. Just a step we all have to go through sometime.