Guild Wars 2

Alright, I’m going to start off by saying that I know I’m kind of going backwards here. I should probably focus on class first, then start picking best weapons. But here’s the deal: I love archers in games. Always have, always will. So, acknowledging that I’m running in the “wrong” direction, I’m looking at the skills for the longbow on the warrior and the ranger, and I can’t quite make a decision about which I like better. I’m not looking to be cutting edge in WvWvW or sPVP or really anything. Just … decent, hopefully in as much game content as possible, with my main focus on just having a bit of fun after work.

No matter the class, I’ll probably wind up with my secondary weapon set being melee, so that’s a bit of a factor. My gut says warrior will be better for that, because, well… Warrior. They also seem to have a little bit more ability to buff their teammates through shouts and banners, which is nice. Most of all, though, I like the idea of a classical archer, not so much a fantasy one. So, a dedicated soldier with a bow, lobbing arrows and fire at enemies from afar. The heavy armor is a nice touch, and I’ve always liked a shield.

But on the other hand, I’m okay with handling pets and do like the idea of having a little tank follow me around and provide some extra dps. The second bow for a ranger might be kind of neat, too, since it’s heavy on bleeds and poison. Traps, a little stealthing, and some great single-target damage (it looks like) help make this a harder choice.

So, in your collective opinion:

1) Does the pet DPS from a ranger help in any significant proportion in PVP?
2) Does having a pet help offset the survivability gap between the classes in PVE or PVP?
3) Does the warrior have any skills or perks that help make up for the lack of range-based damage boost that rangers get with the longbow?
4) Which class is generally more useful in a small-scale engagement/party?
5) A large one?

Thanks in advance, folks. I know there have been some patches recently, so I’m looking for some more recent information than I can find just searching around.

LBs are really more of a sidearm in gw2.

Be it warrior or ranger.

Even an archer ranger will fare better with SBs.

1) Pet DPS is less important in pvp, but the pet skill (f2) can be really helpful.
2) In pve monsters tend to target your pet, though in pvp (and wvw) players directly target you, thus rendering your tank useless.
3) I believe warriors have a trait to go from 1000 to 1200 range and a +10% dmg trait.
4) + 5) Depending on your build and expertise, both professions can be extremely potent and destructive to enemies. (Though usually warriors are traited for melee.)

Usually in PvP the warrior can use the Hammer/Bow, but the Longbow is a sidearm for that.

I use a longbow on my ranger, but its for the cripple in a very specialist role.

Anyway, the ranger longbow still do great for dmg. You can focus enemies, downing them one by one in a fight, while keeping your distance. Its not the best setup, but if you use it right, the can be powerful.

If you are looking for more of your classical Archer look, the ranger skills fit the picture better. But if want a ranged weapon with cool looking skills then the warrior one wins it imho.

I’ll speak for PvE since Lerak has PvP covered.
1. See Lerak’s post.
2. Only in open-world Pets are relatively capable of tanking, any other content they’re too squishy or struggle too much getting aggro. Warriors are quite a bit bulkier (higher armor and HP) than Rangers, so they’re not too shabby on survivability either.
3. Burning Arrows – Longbow damage is increased against burning foes. Reduces recharge on longbow skills and Stronger Bowstrings – Increases longbow range. Very similar to the Ranger except they can get Piercing Arrows aswell.
4. Warriors are generally more beloved than Ranger, though people to expect them to be mainly melee. (Like any other class though.) In any game-mode Warrior is currently in a better place than Ranger. (A great build for (pugging) dungeons involves: Axe/any + Longbow, how-ever the Longbow is only used for the Firefield (f1) and Blastfinisher (3) to give the party 3 stacks of Might, more with other blastfinishers such as Banners, in the beginning of the fight.)
5. Larger groups (than 5) are Zergs in WvW, Longbows aren’t ‘as’ beloved there as say Hammer, but you can always decide to carry it in your second Weaponslot.

I’d say the odds are in the favour of Warrior in the current state of the game, but in the end it’s all about you having fun.

I have a Ranger at 80 and 2 Warriors at 80. The second Warrior leveled up with longbow and I had so much fun with it (nothing like having a constant source of combos with yourself) that I gave him the Rox’s Quiver I’d been saving for just the right character.

It’s always going to depend on personal taste, but I recommend the warrior over the ranger as being far more entertaining to play.