Guild Wars 2

Hey guys, I’m strictly a PVE player.

I’ve thrown my GW2 profession feelers out there and tried Rangers, Gaurdians, Warriors, Thieves and Engineers.

I’ve been really enjoying the mobility and pistol/pistol game play thieves have going for them although I’ve heard some not so great things about them and their viability later on.

The guardian had some nice aesthetics going for it but I went back to my thief because I did enjoy the pistols a lot more.

I’ve never been a fan of mages in mmorpgs – so I’ve never given ele’s a shot here.

It really sucks that rifles aren’t that good – I would’ve loved to play the game using those in raids/dungeons etc.

I do have a level 80 boost remaining that I was thinking of using on a Mesmer – but I’ve heard their playstyle is more mechanically demanding and being new, I dont think thats my best option atm.

I’ve enjoyed the simplicity of a ranged PP thief to learn how the game plays out. However I do think I’ll use that 80 boost to main something else thats more meta-ey.

Warrior GS was very dull for me as well and ended up using a LB instead :P

Do you guys have any suggestions on what weapon + profession I should play given what I’ve enjoyed so far?

For PvE, Staff Tempest (Elementalist E. Spec) has the title of “Best Direct-Damage DPS available in-game”. That’s not “Best Ranged DPS”, but “Best DPS whatsoever”, they’re only rivaled by Thieves on smaller targets.

Elementalist might seem daunting at first with all its attunements, but playing Staff Elementalist in PvE typically means camping Fire and just nuking everything with Fireball, Lava Font and Meteor Shower. If you do get hurt, you can use Water to heal back up, Air for AoE CC and Swiftness to run off, and Earth for more CC and Projectile Hate. It’s one of the easier professions in PvE once you know your stuff, and they’re indeed very Meta, not a single Raid group that will say “No Thanks” to a Tempest unless they already have 3-4 of them.

LB Warrior is a good option. LB Ranger is also good and is one of two ways to 1500 range in the game (the other is engineer with mortar kit). The Rifle is pretty good for engineer if you want a ranged power build. Engineer is a class that looks like a lot to handle (and it can be) but it doesn’t HAVE to be.

Which reminds me… What aspects of PVE are you looking to play? Open World? Map Meta-events? Dungeons? Fractals (and if yes, then just the lower level ones, or do you want to get to the high level ones as well?). Raids?

I know you’ve said no Mesmer on grounds of difficulty, but maybe you should try out your level 80 boost with a greatsword and staff Mesmer. Hit with greatsword, knock back if the mobs get to close, have clone on dodge and shatter often, leapback with staff to get distance, etc. And if you find you don’t like it, don’t accept the final step of the trial and check out some other profession. It’s also nice to be able to help out others with ports.

Adding on to what Just a flesh wound said, when you use your Level 80 boost you’ll be taken to a trial moment. What you currently have will be packed. You can determine if that’s the class you really want to use it on. If you don’t like it, you can always speak to the guy and have him revert you. Only when you say you’re sure you want this character boosted during the trial will it be permanent.

The shared slot the booster comes in is permanent, too – but not the focus of this topic. Have you considered using a necromancer? That class has three setups permitting range (axe main, scepter main, staff) but in order to be distance-viable you’ll have to wait until utilities unlock at 11, where you can summon minions.

Elementalist can seem daunting, but you’re not being forced to manipulate all of the elements at once. And the way the elementalist is based on, I wouldn’t call that a caster per se. Just a ranged class with style. Staff-based eles have excellent uility not just for solo but also group PvE, even more so when Tempest becomes available.

As for engineers: kits, kits, kits. Did I mention kits? Flamethrower, grenades, mortars will swap that rifle of yours for something a little more useful.

Don’t be afraid to experiment, above all else. You don’t know what you’ll like until you try it.