Guild Wars 2

Hi all, I’ve just got this game today and I’m currently patching it.

I’ve been browsing the main site for the professions and some forum topics to get a good overview of all the classes, but I still don’t know what to pick.

I was hoping to get some more insights from you guys. Here’s my preference:
- I usually play ranged/support, but I do play melee on rare occasions
- I prefer quick and agile playstyles but can still self-sustain (e.g. not too soft) whilst exploring the world.
- I put more emphasis on PvE, and then do PvP occasionally.
- I usually solo, or go with a small group of friends
- I’m looking for an adventurous play style so I prefer a self sustained, PVE capable class.

Right now what I have on my mind is:
1. Ranger, but I read from some topics that their support skills and pets needs a lot of balancing.
2. Thief, I like stealth and agile playstyles but will the DPS and HP/tank be enough for solo / small gang?

Any opinions/suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks!

Edit: I’m also on the lookout for newbie guides especially those that talk about classes and playstyles. If you can point me to any, that would be great!

Ranger is a fine class for soloing PvE content. They don’t have many pet options (because of the balancing you mentioned) But they have 1 really good PvE Pet, and that’s the Bear. Honestly, when I read your preferences, my immediate thought was “This person wants to play a ranger.” They’re great ranged DPS, they have a couple nice support skills (Their healing well is GOD for other players if they know how to combo) And can switch in to melee when they want to (greatswords. Check them out.)

Thieves… Well, I play a thief. I love my thief. Do not get us confused with the squishy Rogues from other games. Thieves can build for survival and outlive almost anyone. There’s actually a semi-viable PvE Tanking build in which you get aggro, and then never stop dodging the enemy. Just dodge dodge dodge dodge. And that’s not even talking about how overpowered Blind is.

I’ll let you discover the wonders of thief yourself if you decide to roll one, but let me say this. If you ever find yourself having problems with a regular mob (or even a veteran) Equip a pistol in your offhand and check out the 5th skill on it.

Yea, thieves are great for everything but support. They don’t really give much to other team members.

My wife plays a ranger. She provides very nice support to the party and her pet is very durable. It is a versatile class.

I have a low-level thief that I play on occasion. I was surprised at how support-focused the thief can be (specifically with a shortbow). I’ve died a lot, but I attribute that less to the capabilities of a thief and more to the fact that…

My main is a guardian. Guardians are probably the most durable class there is, and it is hard to play a guardian that doesn’t fill a support role. A lot of gurdians play greatsword or hammer; these are not agile weapons—the 1-handed sword is. guardians don’t do the ranged thing very well, but in melee, we are quite formidable.

Elementalist can also do a lot of support while blasting things from afar…or up close—they have short-range capabilities too.

Other classes I am less well informed on.

First off all, don’t take topics on a forum too serious when it comes to judging the game. Second off all, best is to just give things a good try.

The main difference between ranger and thief is the range. Where a ranger is designed for long range, but can be excellent on melee range, the thief is designed to be melee range but can be excellent on long range.

The other difference is that ranger is easier to play excellent but the thief can do more when played excellent (so you have to make it successfull, but if you do you outclass the ranger).

Thanks for the advice guys!

It looks like the ranger is a pretty versatile class even with the balancing issues. I’ll settle for that one first but I’ll take mercury ranique’s advice and try out the other classes as well.