Guild Wars 2

Sup. I’m a returning player and I’ve had some fun with my fresh mesmer last few days but I really don’t feel that playstyle. My main is a guardian and I liked it but I think I need a fresh start and I don’t want to burn out playing all the classes and settling on none. What’s a fun class that’s useful in fractals/raids but doesn’t require the expansion? I simply can’t afford it right now.

I know it’s all subjective but please don’t tell me “play what you like most” because I know there is a bias late game and I’m open for suggestions. I know I won’t like a mesmer. I wanted because it has lots of utility and gimmicky applications but I simply didn’t like the playstyle. That illusion routine is tedious, often an overkill and they die too fast. So yeah, apart from the mesmer, which class is fun FOR YOU and which you feel has most use in endgame without the expansion?

They just had a 50% off sale on HoT, it might still be going on? If not, it may up again for Christmas.

Anyway, a phalanx strength warrior is always a good choice. Edit: I ignored the bit about it being fun for me as I play ranger 99.9% of the time.

That part was really addressed to people who’d tell me that there is no best class, it’s about which one I like. Thanks for the reply and I might just try the warrior, I’m close to 80 with one but that should be enough time to get used to the build. As for HoT, as an English teacher, I’m struggling to pay my tuition so for now it’s a no-go. A new job’s coming but we’ll see.

Late game can mean a lot of things. Are you talking about WvW? PvP? Fractals/Dungeons? Raids?

Which one you intend on doing will have a major impact on what would be useful.

bearshaman.3421:

Late game can mean a lot of things. Are you talking about WvW? PvP? Fractals/Dungeons? Raids?

Which one you intend on doing will have a major impact on what would be useful.

He specifically asked about raids and fractals. That pretty much leaves PS warrior or condi ranger, I can’t think of much else considering he doesn’t want to play guardian.

As mentioned, PS warrior (even if you don’t have berserker unlocked) will be highly sought after- people care about that 25 party might more than whether you have berserker unlocked or not.

Base ranger and engi in viper gear are really fun and great classes to play. Those two are also some of the, if not THE most hard hitting condi classes in the game and no raid/fractal group will say no to them.

Can a core account get viper’s gear? I didn’t think so? Is there a near-alternative?

DeanBB.4268:

Can a core account get viper’s gear? I didn’t think so? Is there a near-alternative?

I am actually not 100% sure about the acquisition limitations for viper.

Regarding a near-alternative, sadly I don’t think there are any other condition oriented sets that are as good as viper. Most condi dps classes rely on at least 2 different conditions to maintain dps- mainly bleed and burns, and to a lesser extent, poison. The problem with not having viper gear is that you have to focus your sigils and runes to max out bleed and have weak burns, or max out burns and have weak bleeds, or have mediocre burns and bleeds. Without the concentration stat from viper gear, you won’t be able to hit the optimal duration increase for you to have good dps from bleeds, burns, and poison. The only exception would probably be engineer. Engineers get this amazing trait called chemical rounds, where when they are wielding pistols they get 50% condition duration for everything. So theoretically, you could run a non-viper condi set like sinister or rabid and have 2 runes that give you 10% burn duration, 2 runes that give you 10% bleed duration, and 2 runes that give you 5% condition duration, sigil of malice (10% condi duration) and sigil of earth/bursting on your dual pistols, and use toxic focusing crystals (10% condi duration) and rare veggie pizza (20% condi duration). That way you’ll be able to hit 100% on both burns and bleeds.

To answer OP’s question, I guess we can add a non-viper engi to the list and thief as well. Even without daredevil, dagger/dagger base thief still does some holy moly dps and is nothing to laugh about.

Wow, thanks for all the replies. I’ve been leveling my warrior and it gets the job done. The numbers are big and it’s easy enough to get into plus I like the support part of the build.
I’ve also just checked the viper geat and it doesn’t thow on the TP and I don’t have the option to craft Viper insignia so I guess it’s impossible to get such gear.
This said, I’m not really in a rush so I guess I’ll try both the engi and the thief. I can recall enjoying shortbow for WvW and Steal fun in PvP as far as the thief goes. I want to have the capability of being top-tier class but the fun factor is the game maker for me.
So thank you all for the leads, now it’s up to me to try them out and make my new main. Cheers!

Fluffball.8307:

bearshaman.3421:

Late game can mean a lot of things. Are you talking about WvW? PvP? Fractals/Dungeons? Raids?

Which one you intend on doing will have a major impact on what would be useful.

He specifically asked about raids and fractals. That pretty much leaves PS warrior or condi ranger, I can’t think of much else considering he doesn’t want to play guardian.

I kitten ed and missed that part. (feels shame)

Condi necro doesn’t depend on reaper and is pretty good, especially with epidemic and boon corruption (which deals well with some fractal instabilities). Condi Engi is good as well, and doesn’t use scrapper at all (would actually be weaker for it). Those are all I can add to your suggestions.

Daedraz.1650:

DeanBB.4268:

Can a core account get viper’s gear? I didn’t think so? Is there a near-alternative?

I am actually not 100% sure about the acquisition limitations for viper.

I/m pretty sure HoT is required. I think Sinister is your next best bet. Supposedly in some builds/instances it’s actually better. (shrugs)