Guild Wars 2

Hello, I am looking for specific class advice. I couldn’t find threads phrased the way I had in mind, so here goes.

Is there a class that

1. Moves very quickly without specialized equipment -well before- max level, ideally from a very early level.

2. Has access to mobility/exploration-oriented skills like jumps, flight and teleportation.

3. Has a relatively easy time with PvE, ideally requiring minimal concentration and effort to do open world content solo and dungeons with a group.

Other things: Is there a specific race or crafting skill that would be helpful to me?

Things that are irrelevant: PvP ability, high end raiding viability, varied combat.

Thanks in advance!

Open world exploration is utterly trivial and mindless fun, so just pick the one you enjoy playing most.

Necro and mesmer are the only two professions that are sort of slow moving at first. Everyone else has some way of zipping around effortlessly.

No class can fly. There are a few weapon and utility skills that will give you extra movement speed, leaps, teleports, and shadowsteps. No race will run faster/be better at something than another race. And crafting won’t really help you as far as gameplay, unless you want to use it to quickly get a few levels.

I think a warrior would probably be your best bet for a mobile class that is almost face-rolling easy to use while leveling. You’ll have early access to warhorn, which has a skill that gives you swiftness. You’ll also have utility slots that give you swiftness (Balanced Stance and Signet of Rage). Greatsword 5 gives you a nice movement skill, too. And there is also a trait you can unlock and use that will give you +25% movement speed while holding melee weapons. Warriors are also well-liked in dungeons and group content.

Easy? Warrior and necro. Warrior like RoseofGilead explained, necro because they really, really can’t die. Like, really not.

Fast? Thief, hands down. Zip across the map with shadowstep, shortbow #5 and avoid mobs with shadow refuge. Though how viable they are right now, I have no idea, I haven’t looked in detail at the patch notes yet.

Flight is gliding, I guess? All classes can do that, provided you have Heart of Thorns.

Red Queen.7915:

Easy? Warrior and necro. Warrior like RoseofGilead explained, necro because they really, really can’t die. Like, really not.

Fast? Thief, hands down. Zip across the map with shadowstep, shortbow #5 and avoid mobs with shadow refuge. Though how viable they are right now, I have no idea, I haven’t looked in detail at the patch notes yet.

Flight is gliding, I guess? All classes can do that, provided you have Heart of Thorns.

^ Thief was buffed as of the patch so you’ll be plenty well off using it

I’d like to second thief, you can use a norn with Become the Snow Leopard for extra invisopower.

All classes are easy to play if you understand how you play them. GW2 is not built around who have the most stats and there for kill everything easy. You kill if you know how to kill.

All players in HoT have gliding and can also glide in tyria now. All classes have either permanen speedbuffs through sigils, or speedbuffs in the weapons or sills they use. Some classes have blink, some have a very dodgy playstyle, but there is no 1 macro class here, there is no macros

So what you should ask your self is more what do you like to play. Are you a ranged person, do you enjoy close up fights. Do you like magic or just raw damage, you want stealth, or a high hp pool, do you want a support class, or what exactly do you enjoy playing.

Also remember that most of us have more then one character. In gw2 there are no switching roles, you switch class if you want to bring something different.

If you want a character that FEELS LIKE it moves quicker go for a short one.

If you compare a max height Norn vs a min height Asura, the Asura will feel two or three times faster, even when they run at the exact same speed.

So when you’re creating a character, think twice when you are picking your height.

I would forget about the 3 things you are asking about and try a class that is fun to play for you. Even if u get the best class for exploration it will still feel like a grind if you dont have fun playing it.

I should probably clarify a bit since some of you seem confused or believe you know what I would like better than I do. I am a concept artist who just wants to see how this game’s concept art translates into the game, so I am coming at it from the angle of someone wanting to see the game beyond screenshots and videoes, while minimizing the gameplay aspect. I really just want to look around and take screenshots.

I really do appreciate the attempt to help, and understand that it may usually be good advice to tell someone to find a fun and enjoyable class, or that it’s all about preference, but in this case it is unhelpful, and perhaps even a bit disrespectful (“I see you are asking for something specific, now let me explain how your preference is irrelevant and that you should go for this other thing instead”).

As for the relevant advice, most of you mention thieves because they are quick, but I know that MMO thieves tend to demand lots of input, and I would like to play something that can almost “play itself”. Is this the case here? If this was World of Warcraft for example, the right class would be Hunter, since they have a passive speed boost to get around, long range, and very easy, low-input fighting if you want it to be.

You’re still not quite getting it. I would be impressed if you managed to get yourself killed while doing open world exploration. You can literally target any non-major-boss enemy in the open world, turn on autoattack, go make a cup of coffee, and when you come back you will have won the fight. That’s not an exaggeration.

Sorry you feel disrespected by the answer, but everything fits your description. Just go take your screenshots with any random pile of garbage character you want. Don’t even bother making decisions about your build and weapons and you’ll still win.

Fluffball.8307:

You’re still not quite getting it. I would be impressed if you managed to get yourself killed while doing open world exploration. You can literally target any non-major-boss enemy in the open world, turn on autoattack, go make a cup of coffee, and when you come back you will have won the fight. That’s not an exaggeration.

Sorry you feel disrespected by the answer, but everything fits your description. Just go take your screenshots with any random pile of garbage character you want. Don’t even bother making decisions about your build and weapons and you’ll still win.

If you are finished being intentionally obnoxious, pedantic and contrarian I would like you to leave the thread now since you clearly don’t want to help. Your opinion that every class has identical input requirements, are all one hundred percent equally mobile and acquire said mobility at the same point in the game has been noted.

Cyanstar.5819:

I should probably clarify a bit since some of you seem confused or believe you know what I would like better than I do. I am a concept artist who just wants to see how this game’s concept art translates into the game, so I am coming at it from the angle of someone wanting to see the game beyond screenshots and videoes, while minimizing the gameplay aspect. I really just want to look around and take screenshots.

I really do appreciate the attempt to help, and understand that it may usually be good advice to tell someone to find a fun and enjoyable class, or that it’s all about preference, but in this case it is unhelpful, and perhaps even a bit disrespectful (“I see you are asking for something specific, now let me explain how your preference is irrelevant and that you should go for this other thing instead”).

As for the relevant advice, most of you mention thieves because they are quick, but I know that MMO thieves tend to demand lots of input, and I would like to play something that can almost “play itself”. Is this the case here? If this was World of Warcraft for example, the right class would be Hunter, since they have a passive speed boost to get around, long range, and very easy, low-input fighting if you want it to be.

I suggest Ranger or Warrior, with a warhorn equipped either way. It is easy to get permanent swiftness (+33% movement speed) with a Warrior, just equip a warhorn and Runes of the Centaur.

Warrior is a low-input class from a key-pressing standpoint, and has good damage and survivability. Ranger has a pet which can draw aggro from you (and also grant more swiftness, depending on the pet).

I would stay away from thief, based on what you want. Short bow and shadow stepping are lousy ways to get around the open world compared to permanent swiftness, and thieves are harder to play even in PVE.

Ok, the only problem is that it is true that with any class

You can literally target any non-major-boss enemy in the open world, turn on autoattack, go make a cup of coffee, and when you come back you will have won the fight.

off course some of them are a little easier than other classes and some have less mobility.

I believe that you are looking for warrior, you have access to a trait that lets you move faster and has a decent health pool.

Thief will do the trick as well because it has really good mobility (better than warrior) and a good damage to just spam 1 and survive but you have to try not to pull that many mobs or be ready to escape in case of danger because of the low health pool and medium armor.

Necro is one of the slowest classes, I think it has an skill that gives you passive speed but I’m not sure, but it has the largest pool health plus minions so you can take your time taking those screen shots while your minions do the job (won’t always work) and in the worst case you have 2 health bars so you will rarely die.

Any other class will do the trick as well and that is because here no class is a total no-brainer neither the ultra-hardcore-you-need-ten-hands-to-play-it you should avoid though mesmers (low mobility and a little hard to play while low level), engis (hard to play and many buttons to press), eles (hard to play, many button to press and lowest health pool, great mobility though)

I would suggest thief or guardian.

For Guardian, “Retreat” (Shout type, utility skill, will be a 7,8,9 slot skill) is around 25-32seconds depending on your build and boons, and has a comparable cool down. If you lug around a greatsword, 3 is a good leap to cover ground.
——-For Retreat “early” train Shout Line first, it’s your second skill.

Thief using short bow, can use the 5 skill and your utility skill “Shadowstep/Shadow Return” to leap forwards. I like to change my General Settings to “Lock Ground Target at Maximum Skill Range” to enabled so I don’t have to wait for the circle to turn green from being “in range.” It will automatically stop your cursor at the farthest point you can take the skill. on Shadow Step, don’t actually USE Shadow Return unless you need to go backwards.
——-For Shadowstep “early” train Deception Line first, it’s your second skill.
(I do not agree this is a lousy way to get around, you just need to aim well, just don’t land on a mob).

I love looking at this game. I love running around and seeing every little nook and cranny and beautiful little hole they built into it. I’m also a big believer in moving fast. My Retreat is 32sec duration and 32sec cool down, basically I can have infinite swiftness without swapping to staff. However staff is also an easier way to stack swiftness with Retreat- but that’s the only reason I have a staff, for Silverwaste Chest runs. I don’t use it for any other reason.

I don’t agree that every class is equally mobile. Mesmers bug the crap out of me. Even with Signet of Inspiration (utility skill), your Temporal Curtain (focus 4) is 12 seconds of swiftness. With my Retreat, I have 32 seconds of 33% swiftness. If I choose to use Staff to augment, I have 26 seconds of 33% swiftness (non combat of course) with 6.5seconds of swiftness from Symbol of Swiftness (Staff 3) initially. However, should you STAY in the symbol cast by the staff for the duration of the symbol, your swiftness will stack to 27 seconds (6.5 seconds of swiftness for every second the symbol is there, which is 4 seconds unbuffed). 39 seconds from staff if you use Honor Line > Writ of Persistance. But this only applies if you remain in the symbol to stack the swiftness. If you’re on the move, the initial 6.5 seconds is plenty long enough to recharge Retreat. And you won’t have to change your build to use Writ (I prefer Pure of Voice, affects all shouts, including Retreat).

But don’t let me get too technical on you.

Cyanstar.5819:

If you are finished being intentionally obnoxious, pedantic and contrarian I would like you to leave the thread now since you clearly don’t want to help.

I hope you can get past your aggression and just read my answers without being so weirdly hostile. I answered everything you asked twice, despite the way you treated everyone who tried to help you. That’s not really the way these forums works, it’s a pretty civil place. Take a breath and calm down a bit!

Let me put it this way: A certain content creator often plays “challenges” where he doesn’t dodge or heal at all. That’s how easy the open world content is. I told you mesmer and necro don’t move as fast at first and everything else has a way of moving around quickly.

Basically: JUST PLAY THE GAME, you’re massively over thinking this.

Edit: Actually I think I see why you flew off the handle. You probably read my second post as being sarcastic, but I was being genuine. You really can just stand in front of any non-boss enemy and go make a cup of coffee. I’m not exaggerating! I honestly think you could win with autoattack if you were completely naked with no armor, but I haven’t tried. Would be an interesting experiment.

Fluffball.8307:

Edit: Actually I think I see why you flew off the handle. You probably read my second post as being sarcastic, but I was being genuine. You really can just stand in front of any non-boss enemy and go make a cup of coffee. I’m not exaggerating! I honestly think you could win with autoattack if you were completely naked with no armor, but I haven’t tried. Would be an interesting experiment.

You really did come off as kind of a kitten-kitten. Just saying.

All classes/races have the same access to jump height and gliding (which is only max level with HoT). Teleports (usually) don’t allow you to go places you couldn’t walk anyway. The exception is the mesmer portal, which can port other players places the mesmer has already been (mesmers often port others to hard-to-reach areas).

Rangers, necromancers, elementalists, and thieves can unlock a skill that gives a passive 25% run speed boost at level 13. Of these, all but thief also have a skill that gives a brief speed boost available when using a particular weapon (staff or dagger for ele, warhorn for necro and ranger). This unlocks at level 7 or 10.

I’d recommend a ranger. The pet can distract enemies, and the longbow has the longest range available, making it easy to stay out of danger.

Necromancer would be my second choice for you. They have a second health pool, making it really easy to survive, but this requires a little more management to turn it on when you need it. Minions can serve a similar function as pets, but are not immediately available.

Thief and elementalist have low health and a more active playstyle, so I wouldn’t recommend them.

Race mostly doesn’t matter in this game. However, if you are trying to take screenshots, you might prefer an asura. They are much smaller than other races if you don’t want your character taking up much of the screen. Also, there is an option to ‘adjust camera to character height.’ The default height matches the taller races, so if you are an asura, that gives you a distinct camera height option. (This has basically no effect if you are zoomed all the way out, though).

This game really is gorgeous. Enjoy taking those screenshots!

EDIT: I see a lot of warrior suggestions, and that’s not a bad idea. You’d just have to wait till a higher level to unlock the passive run speed, since it’s a trait.

Ranger and Necro are good choices if you mainly want to explore leisurely. Necro minions and Ranger pets make exploring pretty much risk-free and both run reasonably fast from level 13 or so (Ranger through Signet of the Wild, Necro through Signet of Locusts). The minions and pet also assure that you just need to do minimal input to get past most open world content.

MissSinfully.2478:

You really did come off as kind of a kitten-kitten. Just saying.

I read an interesting article that explained people read text in whatever mood they’re currently in. So while I was trying to hammer home that you can be the worst player in the world and still do fine, if you’re looking for aggressive text, you’ll find it.

My wife plays GW2 with 1 hand, which I didn’t even realize was possible until I saw her do it. I submit that she is literally the worst player in the world. It takes her 5 or 10 seconds just to point her character in the right direction. And she does fine. That should sum up this thread.

OP the class u want is ranger. It has the passive speed boost through a signet as utility slot, while u can have a pet by ur side to take agro or kill mobs if u afk. U can also get around by leaping with greatsword #3.

If u were just going for speed id take theif with a shortbow and teleport on utility.

Class options-

Ranger: Has speed buffs. Straight-forward play. Pet draws aggro to keep you alive while running about. Quite durable in PvE and ranged weapons make it easy to kill enemies before they get close enough to hurt you bad.

Necromancer: Has speed buff options. Playing with a minion build literally plays itself. You can afk in most places and your minions will slap down anything that comes near you. Like others said, necromancers pretty much don’t die.

Warrior: Combining Greatsword with a second weapon set of sword and warhorn you can really cover a lot of distance. It takes active skill use though so if you’re multi-tasking you might consider necro or ranger before this. Warrior’s are durable.

If you don’t want to get invested in learning the game mechanics and details of highly effective builds, just go with one of the above three.

There’s a couple options you could use based of utilites & weapons (I didn’t factor in traits):

• Guardian w Staff/Greatsword → Staff 3 (33% increase), Save Yourselves (33% increase), Retreat (33% increase), Greatsword 3 (leap)
• Necro w warhorn -> Signet of locust (25% movement passive) Warhorn 5 (33% increase)
• Mesmer w Focus -> Focus 4 (33% initial & 33% movement), Signet of Inspiration (swiftness as passive), Blink (1200 teleport)
• Warrior w Warhorn -> Warhorn 3 (33% increase), Balance Stance (33% increase) + Frenzy (quickness), Greatsword 5
• Ele w staff -> Lightning 4 (33% increase), signet of Air (25% movement speed passive), Lightning Flash (900 teleport), Fiery Great Sword 4
• Ranger w GS/warhorn + pets -> Greatsword 3 (1100 leap), Warhorn 5 (33% increase), Strenagth of Pack (33% increase), Quickening Zepher (50% quick), Signet of Hunt (25% movement passive)

Hope that helps a bit

I played all 8 classes, and Ranger is the easiest class to do all PVE content, including HoT. Several features of Ranger that allow this: high HP, mobility (signet), decent long ranged weapon (longbow), pets (switch to another when one died), and pets heal you when you are down. All these made Ranger the top choice for soloing PVE content. I am finishing HoT maps with different classes, and Ranger rarely get killed. Hope this help.

Cyanstar.5819:

I should probably clarify a bit since some of you seem confused or believe you know what I would like better than I do. I am a concept artist who just wants to see how this game’s concept art translates into the game, so I am coming at it from the angle of someone wanting to see the game beyond screenshots and videoes, while minimizing the gameplay aspect. I really just want to look around and take screenshots.

I really do appreciate the attempt to help, and understand that it may usually be good advice to tell someone to find a fun and enjoyable class, or that it’s all about preference, but in this case it is unhelpful, and perhaps even a bit disrespectful (“I see you are asking for something specific, now let me explain how your preference is irrelevant and that you should go for this other thing instead”).

As for the relevant advice, most of you mention thieves because they are quick, but I know that MMO thieves tend to demand lots of input, and I would like to play something that can almost “play itself”. Is this the case here? If this was World of Warcraft for example, the right class would be Hunter, since they have a passive speed boost to get around, long range, and very easy, low-input fighting if you want it to be.

If you want specific advice, then give specific information. The answer you are looking for is special and require special thinking, so giving us word like unhelpful and disrespectful back when we are really trying to give you good advice after the info you first gave us, feels very off to me and i kind of wonder why so defensive.

As for asking specific questions well maybe because it is needed. I asked about weapons because in this game, your weapon type changes your skills. So a class in it self can be a lot of things depending on what weapon type and build you pick for your class.

Anyway, thief would be what i would try, with the info you gave in your last response. How ever to make it work properly you would have to make a stealth build , or a if you have HoT you can also make a daredevil. Both of this requires special weapons and builds to have the longest stealth or the most dodges.

GW2 do not have classes that plays it self, but if you want a class that is mobile and can stealth through parts you don’t want to be involved in, then yes, thief is your choice.

There’s a keybinding option that will remove the user interface for prettier pictures.

I bound it to “Insert”, right below “Print Screen”.

BTW, FWIW, I vote for Ranger as well.

And, if you do take screenshots, be sure to push the ‘zoom’ slider all the way to the left, so your shots don’t look like some tourist with an iPhone took them.