Guild Wars 2

Hey there guys,

So I know you get asked these sorts of questions all the time and I apologize but I’m adding mine to the mix.

I’m currently looking for a decent all-around class that can do decently in solo, dungeons & PvP. That being said, I’m looking perhaps at more of a support role? I know there is no “true” healing class, but I’d like to be able to support my mates and such, while providing decent DPS to the group.

So I’m looking at Elementalist, Mesmer and Necromancer as my top three interests.

Any advice is welcomed!

Thanks much.

I feel like everything you just described is pointing in the direction of the Guardian.

I’ve not actually tried out a guardian yet, but the aesthetics of them (heavy armor that is), is not super appealing to me. Though perhaps I really ought to give them a better look.

If anyone has any other suggestions or advice, I’d be happy to hear it.

You can always transmute armors to get your look. You can’t transmute skills to get your desired playstyle.

That’s quite true. But I don’t think you can transmute the light armor to heavy, unfortunately.

I am trying out Guardian right now and it’s been interesting.

Mesmers can do everything in the game. At lower levels, they do kill somewhat slower though, but they more than make up for it later on. They’re good in dungeons, they bring a lot of utility to dungeons. And they’re great in PvP and WvW.

Elementalists are pretty good if specced right at open world, in dungeons and PvP. And they have a wealth of healing skills that really play into the support role. They’re a lot squishier than Guardians though, so they take some getting used to before they’re very effective and damage mitigation/avoidance, but otherwise they could suit you too.

All of them fit the bill really. Guardian would be a great choice, but as Vayne said, Mesmers are overpowered so that’s another possibility. Elementalists would be the third choice and I’m leaving Necromancers out because their support is not comparable to the other 3 classes.

Well, a Necro sort of supports in other ways. I quite like joining a fight, dropping a well, summoning a minion and letting that deal damage, apply conditions and draw aggro so I’m free to res others, or drop support wells on them if they need it, or, if nobody needs help in that form, I can add to the damage on my own too.

But yes, strictly for simplicity purposes, Wolfheart is right that Necros don’t have comparable support to the other three in terms of boons, healing etc.

I’d say that if you can’t get into the heavy look, elementalist is probably your next best choice after guardian. The ele is a good jack of all trades, you just have to be really on your toes as they are the squishiest class.

Mesmers and Guardians are both great at everything. Necro’s have just been buffed from relative obscurity to amazing, but I’m guessing that they are going to be on the nerfing block for the next few patches (as are Mesmers).

Wow, thank you all for all the feedback.

It’s definitely given me some food for thought.

I’ll concur that Guardian or Elementalist are your best choices for support’ish playstyles that excel at all forms of gameplay (open world, dungeon, wvw, high end PvP). Although Eles are very squishy keep that in mind.

Indeed, I have to agree with most of the people here: Guardian will be the class you’re looking for.. You’ll be loved in dungeons (at times people will explicitly call out for a guard), you’ll be tanking stuff you never thought that was tankable and in the meantime you’re still buffing your party with regens and aegis stuff..

My guardian (although I don’t play that much with it) does nicely with her Power/Thoughness/Healing Power armor set for that matter (not that much raw DPS, but very nice support and tanking).