Guild Wars 2

Hey there, I got really desperate on choosing my main class, so I am trying it here.
I leveled mesmer to 80, engineer to 70, and most of the other classes to 10-20, but still was unable to decide.

What I want from the class:

- ranged, raw, power based weapon to use in dungeons

- ability to dish out damage on par with other classes

You see, I am mainly a PvE guy, and I like to keep my distance. Due to condition damage having a cap and not working on objects, I really want a power based weapon.

So far I tried mesmers greatsword and engineers rifle and grenade kit. The issue with mesmer is the core mechanic of the class. They attack by summoning phantasms, but these tends to get destroyed by AoE, leaving the mesmer struggling behind.

Engineers rifle is not really a ranged weapon, and I found myself to hate grenades, because of the need to constantly target spells, which is kind of annoying when you have to kite at the same time.

I refuse to play warriors, I just hate the class lore (or the lack of one).

I love my elementalist, but the popular dungeon builds are Dagger/Dagger, which is melee, and Staff, which is known to give unimpressive single-target damage. Plus an elementalist typically has paper-thin passive defense, which means more active defense (read: kiting and casting).

Maybe try a Ranger or a Thief? I haven’t played a ranger, but its pet makes it viable for PvE. I use pistol/pistol on my thief for hairy situations and don’t have problems keeping distance between me and mobs when it’s only me, but I’ve read that pistol/dagger is also viable.

I enjoy my Elementalist, and as far as ranged power goes (with the right spec+gear) I find myself doing quite a deal of damage. Not sure if you’ve done the TA dungeon but killing those explode-when-you-walk-on-me things with one shot of the auto-attack makes life a good bit easier. At least most the other people I seem to roll the dungeon with have to use multiple attacks to do the same thing…

But I try to stay balanced between raw power and condition damage (Rampager’s gear) because condition damage is so useful. It might cap, and structures and stuff don’t take burning damage – but it’s only when fighting vets and higher that I appreciate the fact the health bars just drop. If you’re going to go power+vit or whatever hope you have fun, I don’t see the need to drop condition damage personally though.

DEKeyzToChaos.7381:

I love my elementalist, but the popular dungeon builds are Dagger/Dagger, which is melee, and Staff, which is known to give unimpressive single-target damage. Plus an elementalist typically has paper-thin passive defense, which means more active defense (read: kiting and casting).

Maybe try a Ranger or a Thief? I haven’t played a ranger, but its pet makes it viable for PvE. I use pistol/pistol on my thief for hairy situations and don’t have problems keeping distance between me and mobs when it’s only me, but I’ve read that pistol/dagger is also viable.

Just a note, my 80 thief is fun rolling pistol/dagger – but pistol lacks punch and relies on condition damage. If he wants to roll a ranged thief I’d personally recommend shortbow – does 2x more power related damage per hit and can chain up to 3 enemies… plus the cluster bomb spikes well and skill 5 helps escape enemies when endurance is down.

Just my 2 cents…

Thanks for replies, I will certainly take a look at the elementalist.
I tried the ranger, but the longbow seem kind of slow and unresponsive.
Could you give me any hint of spec and gear you use for your elementalists ? I really prefer single target damage.
Also, dont get me wrong, I have nothing against builds with some condition damage, I just dont want to focus on it.

Bvhjdbvkjf.1987:

Just a note, my 80 thief is fun rolling pistol/dagger – but pistol lacks punch and relies on condition damage. If he wants to roll a ranged thief I’d personally recommend shortbow – does 2x more power related damage per hit and can chain up to 3 enemies… plus the cluster bomb spikes well and skill 5 helps escape enemies when endurance is down.

Just my 2 cents…

Oh yeah, I forget about the shortbow. My other characters have been getting a lot more attention than my thief recently, so I guess I’m a little rusty on that profession’s theorycrafting. Thanks for the clarification!

Zaerp – https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/elementalist/My-PvE-level-80-Ele/first#post825360

I tried to get some feedback on it, kinda just got told ‘cool’ =S

DEKeyz – Lol not a problem, I was super excited about pistol/dagger back before BWE1 and kept it up until I hit level 42, then just noticed the shortbow was better for AoE and DE and keep pistol/dagger on weapon swap for 1v1 and champions where condition stacking can be more useful.

Bvhjdbvkjf.1987:

Zaerp – https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/elementalist/My-PvE-level-80-Ele/first#post825360

I tried to get some feedback on it, kinda just got told ‘cool’ =S

DEKeyz – Lol not a problem, I was super excited about pistol/dagger back before BWE1 and kept it up until I hit level 42, then just noticed the shortbow was better for AoE and DE and keep pistol/dagger on weapon swap for 1v1 and champions where condition stacking can be more useful.

Thanks !
It seems interesting for sure, even thought it is more AoE oriented than I would like to.

I would also like to get some feedback on the ranged damage of a ranger, as he would be my next choice.
I know this belongs to the ranger section, but I cant help myself but to avoid it. In any class section, with the exception of warrior/guardian/thief, there is no one but trolls complaining how their class is the weakest.

@Bvh – That’s a pretty aggressive build. Does Air XI actually help you out that often? I mean, once every 90 seconds sounds like “It will save your behind once, but when the champ targets you 10 seconds later you’re toast.” Haven’t used it personally, so I can’t really judge. If you find that it’s only there because you have an extra water slot, maybe try Air I, VI, or XII instead?

@Zaerp – My elementalist build is staff-optimized and support oriented, and staff is pretty much all AoE. I can whip up my build if you’d like, but I don’t think it would be a play style you would enjoy. D/D like Bvh is melee oriented but so much fun, and I haven’t touched a Scepter in like 69 levels (and I’m level 80), so I can’t comment well there. And yeah, there are lots of complainers in the profession forums. But there are also some very good posts.

DEKeyzToChaos.7381:

@Bvh – That’s a pretty aggressive build. Does Air XI actually help you out that often? I mean, once every 90 seconds sounds like “It will save your behind once, but when the champ targets you 10 seconds later you’re toast.” Haven’t used it personally, so I can’t really judge. If you find that it’s only there because you have an extra water slot, maybe try Air I, VI, or XII instead?

@Zaerp – My elementalist build is staff-optimized and support oriented, and staff is pretty much all AoE. I can whip up my build if you’d like, but I don’t think it would be a play style you would enjoy. D/D like Bvh is melee oriented but so much fun, and I haven’t touched a Scepter in like 69 levels (and I’m level 80), so I can’t comment well there. And yeah, there are lots of complainers in the profession forums. But there are also some very good posts.

Umm… honestly don’t know. I think the most honest answer I can give you, is that I don’t recall the last time a mob disabled me (knockdown etc) aside from in Orr when those Risen pull me. Having no defense, it was very nice to stand up with a stunned enemy so I could re-create the gap and kill the jerk.

Outside Orr though I don’t think it’s even been neccessary for me since I either kill too fast or control the mob too well. I prefer things not getting close to me as even before this game my motto was “Healers are for people who get hit” lol. Evasion be it die roll or in this game – skill based, has always been my focus.

Edit – I have given Bolt to the heart consideration, but I’m not a huge aura user so hadn’t considered Air I. And XII was one I considered until I ended up focusing more on damage for most mobs vs control

Zaerp.2769:

- ranged, raw, power based weapon to use in dungeons
- ability to dish out damage on par with other classes
(…)
I refuse to play warriors, I just hate the class lore (or the lack of one).

To bad, as i think that warrior sniper with rifle is what you looking for. Simple raw power on good distance.

I very much like ranged on a warrior: both the rifle and the longbow rock. However since you’ve said that’s not an option for you, I’d suggest ranger, elementalist or necromancer. I see others speaking about rangers and eles but no one saying much about necros.

In short, necros rule. You have really sick (in some cases, literally, lol) attacks and everything is ranged. Of course as with eles, daggers are the shortest range, axes and scepters are mid range (although I have to say on necros, scepter is really good) and staff has the longest range.

If you dislike the whole minion thing you can still totally kick butt without using minions.

Roll an Elementalist…just be ready to die over and over. From your prerequisites….it sounds like the only class that fits your needs is a Ranger.

mapokl.3167 got it right, the only profession that fits what you’re looking for is a Rifle/Longbow Warrior.

I would thought so too Draco…but he specifically ruled out warrior.

Thanks for the feedback.
I am currently deciding between a ranger and an elementalist, not sure which one it will be yet. I actually had about a level 30 necro, but just got bored of it, may give it a chance again.

To the warrior, I kind of realize that warrior is what I am looking for, but I still refuse to play it due to a couple of things.
Mainly, warriors are kind of OP right now. Everyone who ever rolled a warrior and any other class knows it, somewhere deep in their hearts. I always disliked the most popular classes, just for the fact that so many players can play them, and excell at them with close to zero effort.
I mean, they have the best damage currently, they have the most viable builds, they have close to the best survivability etc. There is literally nothing they are not very good/best at.