Guild Wars 2

I am trying to decide between these two professions, so I thought I could get some feedback on which one would be better for my playstyle. I like to be versatile when it comes to combat. I enjoy being able to melee and be at range effectively. I would like it if I could stealth or use a little magic. I’m also looking for a class that would do well all around, in PvE, PvP, and WvW. I also like to use a little strategy when it comes to combat. I mainly enjoying playing a dps-like role, but don’t mind support. Sorry for the somewhat long list, but I do appreciate the help.

Well warriors lack both (self-provided) stealth and magic. They’re also slanted towards the melee end. As far as strategy goes every prof needs to employ strategy to be effective unless you’re opponent is a target golem.

i find ranger more entertaining to play

Base on your playstyle then warrior is not for you although they have big damg and hp pool great def but they are raw with poor skill animation with get you fall to sleep but everyone still love them cuz the damg and offensive support they bring to grp.

Ranger might fit your playstyle after patch they have good dps in both range and melee and talk about magic they can use spirits and nature force to support the team easy pve mode with 2v1 strategy pet can hold argo pretty well. In pvp/WvW you can play as a sniper/burst or trapper and condition ranger. But you might not be welcome in dungeons.

I suggest you another class that perfectly fit your style : Guardian ! Like a holy knight with good skill animation acceptable range – mid range dps high survivability can deal massive damg in grp play and bring ton of deffensive support ppl like you everywhere you go !! can be very dangerous in pvp/WvW if you play it right but they have low hp pool and slow speed.

Plus final class : Mesmer !! Sorry i don’t have a mesmer so i can’t tell you the pros and cons

Getefix.9150:

i find ranger more entertaining to play

Me too.

I played with many rangers as a warrior in dungeons i had to say they are not that bad. the pet can be used for tanking while the rest of us killing the boss. and ranger dps is pretty nice too

I agree with Eros that Guardian would be a really good alternative to the warrior for you. I play PvE only and Guardian is the last character I created, but he’s my main go-to character now because I can take him anywhere. He can deal and take some massive hits, but also has (group) support skills that can literally mean the difference between life and death in a big fight. Also, one of the most requested professions in group play, esp. dungeons.

Your dps is mainly mid to close-range dmg by way of scepter or sword/greatsword. The staff is your ranged weapon, but has more defensive/support skills. Good to have in your inventory, but not your first choice in most fights.

Ranger is an excellent ranged profession, but you’ll have much less dps capability. Plus, as has been said, they’re not very welcome in dungeons or fractals. It is one of the easier professions to learn though, so not a bad choice as a first character.

Personally, I would not recommend Mesmer as a first character choice. The play style takes a bit of getting used to and, in my opinion, they only start to deal decent damage once you get to higher levels (>30) and make full use of your trait options.

But hey, the good news is, you have 5 character slots! Just try out a profession, don’t like it? Create another one and try something different. There’s really only one way to find out. ;-)

I play both characters (in fact, I play at all of them) and both are enjoyable in their own way. I will say that if this is your FIRST character to take to 80, PLEASE don’t learn combat mechanics on a Ranger.

While the Ranger is a high survival character, what makes them very survivable also teaches the player some lazy habits in terms of combat. Someone who has never played another character can easily fall into the hang back, strike from the back constantly mentality that the Ranger does so well.

The problem with this is you likely never learn to properly kite an enemy, dodge a heavy attack, use avoidance skills at the right time or how to deal with a mob when you don’t have a built in tank (your pet). I love playing my Ranger but if you learn to play GW2 combat with one, you are doing yourself (and others you eventually play with) a disservice.

Just my 2 coppers on the subject.

Brother Grimm.5176:

I play both characters (in fact, I play at all of them) and both are enjoyable in their own way. I will say that if this is your FIRST character to take to 80, PLEASE don’t learn combat mechanics on a Ranger.

While the Ranger is a high survival character, what makes them very survivable also teaches the player some lazy habits in terms of combat. Someone who has never played another character can easily fall into the hang back, strike from the back constantly mentality that the Ranger does so well.

The problem with this is you likely never learn to properly kite an enemy, dodge a heavy attack, use avoidance skills at the right time or how to deal with a mob when you don’t have a built in tank (your pet). I love playing my Ranger but if you learn to play GW2 combat with one, you are doing yourself (and others you eventually play with) a disservice.

Just my 2 coppers on the subject.

I’m going to second this. I’d advise against a Ranger as a first character.

Yup i agree with Grimm on this Guardian is my first and i have to learn how to survive in some tough situations and improve my skill. Btw Guard is the perfect class to learn how thing work in this game GW2 is not like any other mmo in here Tank/Heal/Dps mean nothing you control your own destiny.

Ranger is my second and wow when im on my ranger everything so easy way too easy it fun but not much to learn.

If you still want to roll a ranger i strongly suggest you DO NOT stick with a bow and a bear aka Bearbow. In solo it’s fine but when you go with team do not use it your best setup to learn is a sword/Offhand and greatsword.

Yeah, playing a ranger with berserker gear and greatsword and/or sword is going to punish you pretty heavily if you play dumb, but on the flip-side the DPS is pretty awesome.

I went guardian as first character too, ranger as second – I have ended up playing ranger a lot more these days because it just blows things up, but I do see what everyone else is getting at. Guardian doesn’t give you an option to be really lazy – it can take some punishment, but not all that much unless you make good use of your abilities. On ranger it seems most enemies (less so in level 80 areas) can be beaten by pressing F1 and going AFK.