Guild Wars 2

Hi everyone, thanks for taking the time to read my post. This is a request for help. I’ve searched the forum, but didnt find the answer to my precise question, which I hope doesnt bother you.

I’m set to create a scholar character (namely Elementalist, Necromancer or Mesmer). Only, after playing some level, I’ve realised that the game is deeper than I thought originaly. This is why I am asking for advices/comments on these professions. Since I dont want to burden you with a vague question, I’ll post my thoughts which I would like you to correct me and/or offer advices concerning these.

First of all, I am mostly a solo player, due to my extremely chaotic schedule (2 jobs and kids will do that). So, my play time is often short and I might have to shut the game down at any moment, this is why I need something that can solo well (please dont suggest guardians/hunter, I am dead set on a scholar profession, and I understand they might be “better” solo, but I’m willing to have it harder to play something I like).

My view of each profession :

Elementalist :

The class looks very good, but I fail to understand why the squishiest class of the game, does not actually have the best dps. I understand that it has a lot of utility (mind you, I’m not sure what this “utility” really mean when what you’re trying to achieve is to take the enemies down). I’ve read that this class doesnt “solo” well, that it dies often but that it has “nice” graphics… I really like the elementalist thematically, but I dont know how to play it. You have to switch elements and adapt to fights, but…. really… each weapons has it’s spells which change depending on the elements… which is nice! But as a new player, I find myself at a lost to find how to play effectively.

Necromancer :

The necromancer sure looks nice. Summoning creatures (a big plus for me) but I dont know how it plays. Can you get a horde of creatures out? The first one is so weak, even when I try to get all the aggro on me, he gets attacked and he never seems to heal… not sure how the later creatures will do to enhance the play. I’ve read that necromancers are “weak” though, but some players seems to advocate otherwise, so I dont know what is or how you play the necromancers for good/great results.

Mesmer :

Summoning illusions and clone looks really nice, but having to “shatter” them to cause damages? I havent tried it yet, but to be honest, I’m a little afraid that this profession requires tons of micromanaging for little results. Like I said with Necromancers, I love pet class and I dont mind some micromanaging, but with this class, I’m not sure at all how to look at it (and yet, it might be the perfect profession for me).

As to simplify my request in a couple questions :

1- How right or wrong my view of each class is?

2- How would you adapt one of these profession for solo play? (weapons + reasons)

3- Any advice on talents skill traits?

Please note, telling me to play each to level 30 doesnt really help, since my time to play is few and that would mean a very long time only to learn the answers through trial and error when some of you could point me what I need to know to make an educated choice in mere moments.

Thank you very much for your patience, and any help will be much welcomed

Elementalist only pays off if you really dive deep into it and learn it inside and out. It REALLY pays off though, in results and just sheer fun. The depth of possibilities with combos and synergy makes them feel the most actiony in this action mmo.

Haven’t done much with necro but he seems to be fun so far. You don’t really see a whole lot of minion master necros running around, not sure if it’s because the build doesn’t work very well or because they’re buggy or what, but I’ve seen it once or twice. It’s possible.

Mesmer is kinda rough. I played one to 80. It’s very effective, but it’s boring as hell until you get deceptive evasion (a level 40 trait). It’s not as micromanagey as you’d think. You don’t control the illusions directly. The only thing you have to do is shatter them, and that’s a single button push.

I have experience with the mesmer,and i’d suggest you to choose that one:
awesome burst
defensive
both condition and physical damage
can tank well
if paired with a few guardians is OP
in WvW and dungeons they are awesome
very fun to play

The awkward thing is that closes actually don’t exceed 40 dmg each hit…but they apply conditions!
Early on they’ll be useless,but after reaching your best traits,so level 40,they become really,really good at spamming conditions.

The elementalist isn’t played as the highest dmg class,instead,it’s played as support-tanky class: it has a lot of heals,regens and buffs,that can apply to allies,while healing itself with small heals,that are released over a long time.
Actually a well played aura elementalist can buff a team better than 3 guardians,wich is amazing.
However,it feels like the best weapon set is dagger/dagger,and it might also get nerfed…that is what holds me from using it: i want to be able to do well with any weapon set equally.

Not sure about the necro,it can have 5 minions using heal skill,3 utilities (them all) and the elite golem,maybe more using traits/runes. however i don’t really like that profession.

I know you asked for scholars,but you may also like the Engineer:it’s hard to master,mostly used as a tanky-support applying heavy CC.
There are a huge amount of good builds,and it’s very fun to play,however armors aren’t exciting. Doing PvE with an engineer is as easy as possible.

IMO: mesmer/engineer>elementalist>necro