Guild Wars 2

Hi there!

I’m back to GW2 after a yearlong break, and I have a hard time choosing which class to pick. I don’t think I will be going hardcore, but I do like challenging content and speedruns. I’m mainly focused on PvE content. I have no particular affection for melee or ranged, but maybe a slight bias towards ranged when I come to think of it. Being the most damaging player in the group is not very important to me, I rather like being the support type character – that being said I would like to be able to handle myself when I do not have a group to back me up.

I should mention that I do have a level 80 engineer, but after looking around a bit on the forums and talking with some people in-game, the engineer does not seem to be a very good class for PvE content, and the only viable build in Dungeons seems to be the grenade build – which I do not like. Right now I have a toolbelt focused build with the Rifle as main weapon, but that does not seem to be very good for Dungeons.

Anyone that could give me some tips on a class that might would fit me? Also some tips on how to play that class and what role I can expect to fill while in a group.

Cheers!

Ranger pets are no brainer easy in open world. In dungeons though, they need to be micromanaged to ensure they don’t die.

Warrior vs Guardian party buffing: Warriors will buff offensively with might and fury and the like. Guardians will buff defensively with aegis and regen and reflects and the like.

Both are pretty boring to play imo; nothing like Engineer. Although, while gameplay is pretty boring with warrior, having access to so many weapons makes build variety fairly large.

OP said “Also, it seems kind of strange to me that half of the classes in the game are considered bad when it comes to dungeons. For a game that is so focused on character and world investment that seems like kind of a big flaw.”

It’s not that there are bad professions in dungeons, they’re all quite viable. It’s just that there are a couple that are preferred for speed runs since they bring optimal damage with the best party buffing. A guardian/warrior/Mesmer group brings offensive boons, defensive boons, and utility respectively. But every profession can do these things, just not as optimally in zerk dungeons speed run situations.

Ele can might stack like a mofo, group heal wonderfully, and unleash some hard hitting aoe. Engi can too. But mob mentality, ignorance, and greed often dictate what’s acceptable in any given situation. Play what’s most fun.

hmmm, it sounds to me like you are an ele. The DPS an ele can do is very nice, but they can also be very protective. During leveling it can be challenging to stay alive, but withthe grandmaster traits they can be made rather ‘tanky’ while not trading too much off the dps. They are ranged, though the strongest mainhand weapon (dagger) means you need to be rather up close.

Listening to what you want it sounds like thats something that would fit you.

I’m thinking Mesmer. They’re wanted for speed runs, offer good damage, have great team utility in dungeons, and can hold their own in PvP.

Yeah, that seems about right. I’ve been thinking about either of those two. Though i get the feeling that they are pretty advanced. I got a Mesmer in level 22, but it’s hard keeping up with all the Phantasams and the mirror images and I’ve not gotten a hang of it yet. I like the more direct approach. But the Ele seems like more of a pure DPS class. Or am I wrong?

Wowbagger.3176:

Yeah, that seems about right. I’ve been thinking about either of those two. Though i get the feeling that they are pretty advanced. I got a Mesmer in level 22, but it’s hard keeping up with all the Phantasams and the mirror images and I’ve not gotten a hang of it yet. I like the more direct approach. But the Ele seems like more of a pure DPS class. Or am I wrong?

you are wrong bout the ele. The ele has 4 attunements. Fire is a pure DPS line. Earth is specialized in gaining thoughness, crippling and reasonable DPS. Air specialized in reasonable DPS combined with blinds and dazes while giving speedbuffs. Water has awefull damage, but specializes in freeze and healing. You can constantly switch between these attunements, making it possible to use all those elements.

I disagree with mesmer. Mesmer is used in only 1 speedrun. Also the mesmer is mostly used there for 2 skills only. I dislike that kind off approach. The ele can do almost as good in much more dungeons and is viable in both normal runs and speedruns.

Gotta back up mercury about disliking the reasons Mesmer are brought along for speed runs. You’re there specifically for your reflects, group quickness, and potentially stealth skipping.

I mentioned Mesmer cuz OP said slight preference for ranged fighting. If you want melee, then guardian and warrior are your obvious choices. They’re highly desired in speed runs, and dungeons in general, and offer fantastic party buffs. Of the 2, guardian is more support oriented, while warrior can top dps charts..

Do you prefer big damage vs steady damage?

Squishy with escapes vs tanky and reliable?

Your opinion on pets/minions?

Offense vs defense?

More skills but they are very specific vs less skills but they are more versatile?

Thanks for all the response people! The thing is that I do have a level 80 engineer, but from what I gather, the only way to get in to a dungeon-group as an engi is to spec a bomb/nade build, and I don’t like the playstyle of the Bomb/Nade. I did really enjoy playing as a Toolbelt focused engi with static discharge and I also like using combos to stack buffs. Though, I also like to explore the world a great deal. I don’t know. I have a really hard time choosing what to do.

Also, it seems kind of strange to me that half of the classes in the game are considered bad when it comes to dungeons. For a game that is so focused on character and world investment that seems like kind of a big flaw.

NornBearPig.9814:

Do you prefer big damage vs steady damage?

Squishy with escapes vs tanky and reliable?

Your opinion on pets/minions?

Offense vs defense?

More skills but they are very specific vs less skills but they are more versatile?

I don’t really care for big damage or steady damage. I’d rather have a more tanky and reliable character, if that is useful for me and the group. If I can achive the same survivability with higher skill I’d rather try to learn to play better than to go with a more forgiving build. Pets minions can be fun, but in my experience they are usually a no-brainer and does not require much skill – which I do not really like. There often just there. That said, counting mesmer illusions as pets I do realize that there is a lot of skill involved in managing them, though I do not feel like it’s very enjoyable and I don’t seem to get a hang of it.

Offensive vs Defensive I think I’d rather go with Offensive, though support is really were my strength is. Buffing others damage, providing utilities, boosting defenses etc while also dealing damage, but not comparable to classes entirely focused on dealing damage. Though I’m under the impression that those defined roles does not really exist in GW2, and everything is kind of squashed together (which is a good thing in my opinion). But there you have it anyway. I usually go around exploring the world quite a bit also, so being able to hold my own is also important, but I do not consider myself a solo-player.

As for skills, I think adaptation is good. Less skills with more versatility is in my opinion more enjoyable.

But the central part for me is activity. That was what I liked so much about my engineer, you were always on your toes. Rocketjumping in, shotgun, blast out with overcharged shot, net, fire away a ramhead and a static discharge, run up, blunderbus, ramhead knockback etc. I felt engaged fighting and I had to change tactics all the time. That was very enjoyable. It was not that hard to learn either, but once you really got the hang of it you were able to really control the fight. Is there any class that has those kind of properties?

I’m thinking guardian. They support very well, solo very well, and they also can do a load of damage for speedruns. They’re also very survivable. Since you mentioned offensive support, a warrior might be your thing, too. They have a fire field, many blast finishers, group fury and might, and banners are among the best offensive support in the game. It’s not really a “always on your toes” gameplay style though.

Overall I think guardian would be your best bet. You’re always on your toes watching your group to cleanse bad conditions and applying aegis to help your group tank the big hits. You can also use your greatsword to move the mobs around for your group. You do a ton of damage, you can solo very well, and you’re very tanky.

roll with warrior.

warrior >>>> every other class combined

/thread

How about Rangers and Thiefs, how do those classes fare in the PvE content?

Ranger http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5iQSBcIEnQ Thief http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnRtvUDniEw

Seras.5702:

Ranger pets are no brainer easy in open world. In dungeons though, they need to be micromanaged to ensure they don’t die.

Warrior vs Guardian party buffing: Warriors will buff offensively with might and fury and the like. Guardians will buff defensively with aegis and regen and reflects and the like.

Both are pretty boring to play imo; nothing like Engineer. Although, while gameplay is pretty boring with warrior, having access to so many weapons makes build variety fairly large.

OP said “Also, it seems kind of strange to me that half of the classes in the game are considered bad when it comes to dungeons. For a game that is so focused on character and world investment that seems like kind of a big flaw.”

It’s not that there are bad professions in dungeons, they’re all quite viable. It’s just that there are a couple that are preferred for speed runs since they bring optimal damage with the best party buffing. A guardian/warrior/Mesmer group brings offensive boons, defensive boons, and utility respectively. But every profession can do these things, just not as optimally in zerk dungeons speed run situations.

Ele can might stack like a mofo, group heal wonderfully, and unleash some hard hitting aoe. Engi can too. But mob mentality, ignorance, and greed often dictate what’s acceptable in any given situation. Play what’s most fun.

You’re absolutly right. I’ve been thinking a bit and I will probably continue on my Engineer, even though it might not be the most optimized class for dungeons. I like the Engineer, and after all that what it all comes down to. Thanks for all the advice you’ve given! Hope to see you all in the game and to have some fun killing stuff and exploring!

Cheers!

With Guardian there can be lots of activity, but less about saving yourself and more big picture managing the battlefield with shield walls, reflects, virtues, and party boons, and the occasional big save on a teammate. If you play in a solo ‘take care of myself, team second’ mindset then I can see Guardian being less active, snoozefest skill spam so keep that in mind.

From your response I think you may have misinterpreted many skills with narrow focus vs few skills with wider focus. Engi and Ele both have many skills available to them and can switch to the right ‘tool’ they need when they need it. Compared to Guardian and Mesmer who have less skills available to them, but the individual skills have composite effects. If you enjoyed the ‘toolbox’ aspect of the Engineer then you might find something similar with the Elementalist.

For an alt down the road I think Guard fits your preferences most accurately with Ele in second. I would try Guard simply because it is the most different from your previous class while still matching up with the preferences you listed, who said you can’t have variety . You will not be turned down when seeking a dungeon group.

I just bought the game and I’m downloading it as we speak. So I know nothing about the game really

I was thinking of going with Ranger with longbow. Though I hear it’s not so good weapon for them ?!