Guild Wars 2

Hi there!

I’ve recently come back to GW2 (I’ve played quite a bit on and off since lauch). I got 3 level 80 characters now, but none that I really like and feel that I can settle down with. The three I got are Engineer, Thief and Elementalist. I mostly do open world content and exploring/jumping puzzles (I rarely do PvP) and I don’t have a lot of time to play. I’ll try to lay out what I like and don’t like about the classes I play and see if some of you pros can come with some tips on different way to play the classes I’ve chosen or tips on other classes I should try out! Thanks!

Engineer
What I don’t like: Quite fun but too much to handle for me. I never feel like I get a hang of the class and I also got a kind of a problem with the Charr:y feel of the class (I’m a big Asura fan). Right now I’m running a SD build without any kits (using my rifle and various gadgets) but I’m really lacking DPS and the CC that I bring is mostly knockbacks which is not very useful when playing with other players (which I mostly do indirectly – events and dungeons etc.).

What I like: I feel like I can use my utilites and swap out my skills in a more meaningful way to suit the encounter with the engi than I can with the other classes I play. I like jumping around and having access to a lot of CC – however I think it’s lacking a bit of AoE (I know I could go with the flamethrower or grenades, but I don’t like it so much) and general DPS.

Thief
What I don’t like: I like the concept of the Theif but I feel that it can quite spammy. I usually run D/D or Shortbow. The shortbow is quite fun, though I mostly rely on 2 and 4 and with D/D it’s mostly 5 and 2. I can imagine this class being a lot more fun in PvP – but I’m not really in to PvP. I also find it’s utility skills to be quite boring. I’ve found running with two or three sigils to be the most effective when I play (again, I mostly do events and open world content) and occasionally picking up like Shadows Refuge or Smoke Blast (the blast finisher with stealth).

What I like: Out of my three classes I play I feel like I can be more aware of the encounter with this class not having to focus at all times at 19 different CD:s and keeping up my rotations to maximize DPS. However I’d like the class to be a little spammy and allow for a little more variety.

Elementalist
What I don’t like: I quite enjoy running a staff build with the Fresh Air trait, though again I feel like it’s a little repetitive – but every time I try out something any other weapon I quickly find myself overwhelmed with all the combos and the small margin for error. I’m not a hardcore player and I will never be, and I just don’t feel I got the time to really learn how to play D/D ele properly.

What I like: I like being able to stay back for a bit though and still feel effective, and I also like being having access to a lot of fields and finishers. I’ve not really learnt to use all the utilities and I mostly run with either Arcane blast and wave/Ice Bow + sigil of fire (extra crit for Fresh Air). I also like the attunement swapping.

Wowbagger.3176:

Hi there!

I’ve recently come back to GW2 (I’ve played quite a bit on and off since lauch). I got 3 level 80 characters now, but none that I really like and feel that I can settle down with. The three I got are Engineer, Thief and Elementalist. I mostly do open world content and exploring/jumping puzzles (I rarely do PvP) and I don’t have a lot of time to play. I’ll try to lay out what I like and don’t like about the classes I play and see if some of you pros can come with some tips on different way to play the classes I’ve chosen or tips on other classes I should try out! Thanks!

Engineer
What I don’t like: Quite fun but too much to handle for me. I never feel like I get a hang of the class and I also got a kind of a problem with the Charr:y feel of the class (I’m a big Asura fan). Right now I’m running a SD build without any kits (using my rifle and various gadgets) but I’m really lacking DPS and the CC that I bring is mostly knockbacks which is not very useful when playing with other players (which I mostly do indirectly – events and dungeons etc.).

What I like: I feel like I can use my utilites and swap out my skills in a more meaningful way to suit the encounter with the engi than I can with the other classes I play. I like jumping around and having access to a lot of CC – however I think it’s lacking a bit of AoE (I know I could go with the flamethrower or grenades, but I don’t like it so much) and general DPS.

Ok, well for PVE and especially roaming you are hamstringing yourself.

1. Go with some kits. You don’t like hades, ok that’s fine, but at least go with Bomb Kit or Flamer thrower, and then the Elixir gun. Then spend the 2 trait points for speedy kits and you have swiftness with 100% uptime.

Bomb Kit is absolutely fantastic DMG wise. Technically the Grenade kit can out dps it, but it requires a lot more button mashing and aim. Bomb Kit would also completely solve you AOE issues. There is something awesome about laying down a flame bomb and then (while still in the fire field) use the Jump Shot from the rifle. Many times I get to hear my Human Engi state “I make a pretty good team” after pulling this one. as I get my fire shield as a result of the combo.

Elixir Gun just gives you escape ability to spare, decent damage (including a little AOE) and lots of utility. And while PVE roaming, you just flip between Elixir and Bomb.

http://www.wolfineer.com/the-engineer-handbook/

Is just a great place to start. He also keeps build and options for builds.

Honestly though, it’s worth the effort to learn how to use grenades, whether PVE , PVP or WvW they can just be awesome. Something else great about the kits, is that they work well regardless of wether you want to dabble in Condition builds, or want to stick with a Power build.

For me I also must admit there is something to be said about the look. The ability to essentially go with a Steampunk Musketeer motif is pretty cool.