Guild Wars 2

Hey, I just started playing this game again after a 5 month+ break. I recently convinced my friend to pick it up and I want to start a new character with him. I have always loved condition damage and I am wondering which class is best for condition damage. I mostly play PvE and WvW.

I did some of my own research and I hear necro and engineer are good for condition damage. I like playing somewhat of a supportive role too, so I would like a class that can also help the team out a bit.

Any suggestions are welcome.

I’ve heard the Warrior condition builds are pretty strong…but I’ve also heard they may be targets for the nerf hammer soon. I’ve run a hybrid condition / critical build on my Warrior over the past several months (mostly because I didn’t focus my gearing up effort like I should have when I reached 80) and am considering going full Condition Damage (but need to figure out how to get my hands on Exotic Rabid gear without busting my bank).

All the classes can put up a viable condition build in PvE…..WvW is another story (that I am not qualified to tell you).

Necro is best condition damage easily, but it has almost no mobility or support. But engineer is a close second, with a lot of mobility and supportive abilities. Rangers also can put out lots of condition damage while still being extremely tanky. Warriors can do decent condition dmg builds, but not as much dmg as the three above. Mesmers as well can put up good condition dmg, but are reliant on clone-death.

GreenLeaf.3725:

Hey, I just started playing this game again after a 5 month+ break. I recently convinced my friend to pick it up and I want to start a new character with him. I have always loved condition damage and I am wondering which class is best for condition damage. I mostly play PvE and WvW.

I did some of my own research and I hear necro and engineer are good for condition damage. I like playing somewhat of a supportive role too, so I would like a class that can also help the team out a bit.

Any suggestions are welcome.

If you want a godly condition damage dealer, it is by far Necromancer. Their condition damage is unmatched in comparison to other classes as of right now. Engineers are great at dealing condition damage too and they have the supportive ability that you were looking for. They can drop a lot of combo fields which comes in handy whether it be stealthing allies for a sneaky approach in WvW or a massive heal in a sticky situation.

However, the beauty of the game lies in its ability for you, the player, to build a character in whichever you choose it to. You can build a condition damage focused Warrior or even Elementalist but it would not be as cookie cutter as Necromancer nor Engineer.

Necromancer Scepter/Dagger + Staff

Necromancer is probably the best. Especially with Epidimec. Warrior has really good condition damage via sword/sword and longbow. Applying tons of burning and bleeds, and able to keep some decent burst damage with skill 3 on both weapon sets. You can also take Banner of Strength as a Warrior to get an extra 170 condition damage, not to mention all the might you can get. I think Warrior is far better off as power though

I would say necro with engineer as a close second. Not sure why someone mentioned warrior, as they are second to last. just ahead of guardian. When your limited to only one or two conditions it hard to give them much value in this race.

I agree, Necromancer is the class with the most condition damage. However a Necro as mentioned above is no support, even tho the Necro has a way to support a little bit with staff but compared to other classes it can’t even be called support.

The Question is more about what kind of PvE content you plan on doing?
Reason I am asking and most people will disagree, is that Necro’s are not taken for instances. Unless you have a guild or team of 5 friends you plan on playing with, forget the necro option if you like instances. Same with the so called “zergs” that roam through frostgorge or queensdale, those trains are mostly plastered with Necro’s and since GW2 has a condition cap you will have problems, especially on lower level to even reach gold for the event.

With that said, if you just plan on running with a friend, doing casual map completions and don’t care about the reward from events or plan on farming orr (based on condition damage class, not which class is best for farming) etc., than yes the necromancer is the way to go.

I am still trying to pin down EXACTLY what is considered ‘condition damage’. Is it basically any DoT?

Necromancer is the best if you like conditon damage. If anyone tells you Necro isnt, they are wrong

Newski.5640:

I am still trying to pin down EXACTLY what is considered ‘condition damage’. Is it basically any DoT?

Conditions are all the debuffs they enemies put on you (weakness, blind ), conditions damage is only the debuff that deals damage to you ( bleed, burning )