Guild Wars 2

So I’m just recently coming back to Guild Wars 2 after not playing it for a few months. I have been playing it off and on since release, but have yet to get a character to max level. So far I have played an Engineer to mid 60s, a Mesmer to mid 40s, and a Guardian to mid 30s.

So coming back now I want to pick a class to finally get to max level, and hopefully find a good guild to do some stuff with, I’m just having a hard time finding a class I want to play!

I heard Memser’s were nerfed quite hard so I’m not sure if I want to play them. And my problems with Guardians and Engineers is I feel like the effective builds for them always come down to buff bot builds, were you never get to use any interesting utility skills and are stuck using shouts and elixirs, as they are the only thing that’s viable.

So I want to know which class I should try. The only thing I’m really looking for is I want a class with multiple viable build options that don’t come down to buff stacking. I want some fun interesting abilities to use!

Engineer seems like ALL utility to me at times because of how often I go for the kits. Elixir-spamming is great if you have the HGH trait (Might stack with elixir use), but it’s not necessarily the end-all be-all. I’ve tried a flamethrower build (with the Juggernaut trait), flamethrower/Elixir Gun, grenades (with Grenadier), and a condition build with pistols and they were all fun. I’m not a huge fan of turrets, but there is a trait line that beefs those up too. There are a couple of builds that really don’t shine until you can sink a full 30 points into a single trait line (this is where Grenades get fun, for example). I guess that’s one of Engi’s main issues, that leveling is more of a chore and the late game is really where you get down to business, but once you get there it can be pretty interesting.

I’m playing a Thief right now and it’s a lot of fun. There are a few builds that are all about condition stacking (especially bleeds), and others that deal more with stealth and crowd control. I run a condition build mostly, and I mostly don’t feel kitten if I don’t have 6 stacks of Might on me every single second. It’s more about mobility than raw power. Thief also has some interesting ranged skills via shortbow if you want some combat variety.

Define ‘viable’ and in what format(sPvP, open PvE, dungeons, WvW)? Different formats require different things.

I don’t use any buffs on my Engineer except for swiftness to run around. I do use Elixir C but having a condition removal is a good idea. Standard utilities for me are Grenade Kit, Elixir Gun, Elixir C with Pistol/Pistol. 30/25/0/0/15 for traits.

As for my guardian, it’s mostly retaliation and swiftness as well.

All professions are viable in all play formats (except in tournament pvp ebcause the current meta is horrible >_<).

If youre looking for alot of interesting and fun builds, i would recommend mesmer!

The best builds out there mix support and damage, but on such a degree where you dont sacrifice damage for support.

For example, one of our best damage traits lies depe in the support tree, so instead of having to go 50/50, you go 100/75, or something like that number.

There are mroe ways to supprt people than jsut stacking boons, projectile reflection come to mind.

A mesmer can keep 100% reflection uptime, which would compeltely nullify all damage in some situations, and 0% damage takenis better than 67% from protection ;).

Over at the mesmer forums, we also set up a mesmer only in-game guild, where we can hang out/share knowledge/help people out etc. No representing required! here it is, if youre interested :D.

I think guardians pretyt much always have to use boons, but they have dps builds aswell. engineers have boons, but dont use them in all builds, i think :o.