Guild Wars 2

Hi everyone, returning player here seeking some advice on a profession. I’ve noticed many things have changed and I’m wanting to get a fresh start here.

What I’m looking for:
All PvE oriented, including dungeons.
DPS output on single and aoe targets to be at least mid range or higher (I don’t have to top charts or anything but do like to hold my own)
Ranged or Melee is fine
Iffy on pets, don’t really feel like micro managing other things
Not overly complicated, but not to easy either
I love being able to survive out in the world by myself, so survivability is a must. I know most profs can do so but would like one that is a bit more then average
All profs are open for consideration

Thanks for reading and your advice!

Warriors have always had great damage and survivability, but any profession can be good… just not as good as Warriors.

Warrior or Necromancer seems like it would suit you.

Warrior are generally popular for dungeons, and have a lot of AOE, considering they have the “Cleave” function, which means the swings of their weapons will hurt any mob it touches, even if they aren’t targeted, as well as their actual AOE abilities, like offhand Axe and Longbow, although Warrior might be a bit too easy if your looking for something a bit in the middle.

Or Necromancer. Necromancer can be very good in dungeons due to its high damage output as well as very high vitality and defencive capability. Most people say that anything other condition necromancer is broken, but its lies, beacuse I run power necromancer, and I think it does more sustained damage then greatsword warrior. Necromancer also has a load of AOE in their “Wells” utility skills. Necromancer also has Death Shroud as their profession-unique ability, which can be used for defensive or offensive use, depending on how you trait it.

Both of these professions have high damage outputs, and even higher defence. Both Warrior and Necromancer share the highest base HP in the game of 18,372 HP at level 80, so you can focus more into boosting your damage to have a very balanced character.

Mesmer, necro or ele would fit your wants. Mesmer pets are made to die so no problem with them. Necro I do not use any minions just conditions with scepter/focus and axe/dagger. I did not have huge issues with survivability with any of them though some have issues with ele.

Assuming meta-builds:
I think you should look into Guardian, Warrior, Thief or Mesmer. It’s difficult to really determine what you’ll enjoy, but the way I’ve experienced the classes those fit your questions:
- PvE-orientated, including dungeons, Guardian, Warrior, Thief, Mesmer all fall in the PuG-desired classes (though PuGs can dislike Thiefs,) Warrior and Thief are also beloved in more orginized groups. Guardians and Mesmer are more Fractal-orientated (in organized groups, PuG-dungeons will love them aswell.)
- Melee or Range is fine, good thing it is, no class is currently best played at range, you’ll miss out on party buffs and usually the DPS is lower.
- Iffy on pets, well avoid Ranger at all cost and you’re fine. Other ‘pets’ (phantasms, illusions, minions) are either unbeloved or require little attention (besides the initial timing on the Mesmer’s iWarden.)
- Not overly complicated but not easy either, difficult to judge. I don’t think any class is really complicated, but Elementalist and Engineer can feel overwhelming due to 4 ‘weaponsets’ instead of just 2 (Attunements/kits.) Warrior can be percieved as really easy, so that might be a miss for you. Thief and Guardian are the class you’ll non-stop learn new tricks on to perform better, but are an addition to the team even when you’ve just got the basics down.
-Survivability, Warrior and Necromancer are likely the most dureable classes (Warrior has hight health and HP, Necromancer has Death Shroud and high HP) with Elementalist being on the squishy-side.