Guild Wars 2

I’ve played this game ever since the Beta, and I still can’t seem to be able to find which class is right for me.

I think I enjoyed playing Guardian the most. Heavy armour, two-handed sword, PvE seemed fairly easy (though I didn’t use any specific builds; I just put random traits because I am an idiot, and that’s why I got 1-hit KO’d in Southsun). But I didn’t like how the only real ranged attacks I could have were with the staff and wand (scepter? whatever it’s called), both of which I hate with a passion.

Engineer seemed fun, too, though much less so. I’ve been looking at builds only recently, and although some of them seem really good (functionally, at least), they just don’t seem all that fun for me to play, even the Flamethrower Tanky build, which apparently is one of the best builds for PvE survival.

As far as casters go, from most fun to least fun, I’ve tried the mesmer, necromancer, and elementalist. Mesmer was fun for a while, and although casting random illusions was fun, I didn’t survive very well, but, again, I am not familiar with builds, and when it comes to this game, I can be a bit more casual than not. Necromancer I found boring; I preferred the GW1 variant far more. And especially ditto with the Ele. I absolutely despise the GW2 ele. I have to constantly change elements and run around and use a skill or two and rely on others to take the damage for me. (Again, maybe I did it wrong, Iunno).

Rangers I did try for a bit, and it was kinda fun, but I don’t remember much of it, since I never put much time into it. Ditto with Warrior. On one hand, it’s nice having heavy armour and 90% of all weapons available to you. On the other hand, it’s nice to have an ally you can send into battle to absorb most of the damage while you attack from afar, though the lack of heavy armour could serve your demise in Karka events (though I got 1-hit ko’d with my Guardian, so I guess it doesn’t matter after all).

TL;DR After playing for a long time, I still can’t figure out which profession is right for me. I want a profession I can use for PvE and survive well with, but is also fun to use. I don’t expect to be able to dish maximum damage out and 1-hit ko everything in my way; just something fun and functional, preferably ranged, or at least mostly- or somewhat-ranged.

EDIT Forgot to mention, I DID try Thief, but did not enjoy it at all. Seemed just like Assassin in GW1. Too much focus on making combos and stuff, and certain skills having to follow other certain skills. Bleh.

To me honestly it sounds like you should stick with your Guardian since you seemed to enjoy it the most even without ranged options.

If ranged is a must and you are a mostly PvE player, Ranger is a fairly strong choice IMO, but some will disagree with that. I love my Ranger, even if I hardly ever log on and play her.

Aeonblade.8709:

To me honestly it sounds like you should stick with your Guardian since you seemed to enjoy it the most even without ranged options.

If ranged is a must and you are a mostly PvE player, Ranger is a fairly strong choice IMO, but some will disagree with that. I love my Ranger, even if I hardly ever log on and play her.

Well, my Engineer is Lv. 61 and my Guardian is Lv. 53 (I don’t have any Lv. 80 characters), just to show my dedication for those two chars.

I am purely PvE (I used to do dungeon runs every so often, but now dungeons seem empty, so that’s out). I don’t PvP or WvW. I can’t even remember much of what the Ranger was like, since it’s been so long, but if I do go Ranger, I’d like a good PvE Survivability build to make up for the lack of heavy armour and other defensive skills that the guardian has.

AdelaisAer.4109:

Aeonblade.8709:

To me honestly it sounds like you should stick with your Guardian since you seemed to enjoy it the most even without ranged options.

If ranged is a must and you are a mostly PvE player, Ranger is a fairly strong choice IMO, but some will disagree with that. I love my Ranger, even if I hardly ever log on and play her.

Well, my Engineer is Lv. 61 and my Guardian is Lv. 53 (I don’t have any Lv. 80 characters), just to show my dedication for those two chars.

I am purely PvE (I used to do dungeon runs every so often, but now dungeons seem empty, so that’s out). I don’t PvP or WvW. I can’t even remember much of what the Ranger was like, since it’s been so long, but if I do go Ranger, I’d like a good PvE Survivability build to make up for the lack of heavy armour and other defensive skills that the guardian has.

Check out some of the Ranger dps/support builds they have in the Ranger forums. I feel like ranger has a pretty high survivability even with medium armor from all the skills that dodge etc.

It’s been so long since I really played mine that I can’t give you an up to date build, but they are out there. Maybe give Ranger a try to 30 or 40 or so then pick up the Engi or Guard if it’s not working out. I know that’s not the best option but I have been in the position you are in before, and sometimes it pays to just try them all as much as you can.

Aeonblade.8709:

AdelaisAer.4109:

Aeonblade.8709:

To me honestly it sounds like you should stick with your Guardian since you seemed to enjoy it the most even without ranged options.

If ranged is a must and you are a mostly PvE player, Ranger is a fairly strong choice IMO, but some will disagree with that. I love my Ranger, even if I hardly ever log on and play her.

Well, my Engineer is Lv. 61 and my Guardian is Lv. 53 (I don’t have any Lv. 80 characters), just to show my dedication for those two chars.

I am purely PvE (I used to do dungeon runs every so often, but now dungeons seem empty, so that’s out). I don’t PvP or WvW. I can’t even remember much of what the Ranger was like, since it’s been so long, but if I do go Ranger, I’d like a good PvE Survivability build to make up for the lack of heavy armour and other defensive skills that the guardian has.

Check out some of the Ranger dps/support builds they have in the Ranger forums. I feel like ranger has a pretty high survivability even with medium armor from all the skills that dodge etc.

It’s been so long since I really played mine that I can’t give you an up to date build, but they are out there. Maybe give Ranger a try to 30 or 40 or so then pick up the Engi or Guard if it’s not working out. I know that’s not the best option but I have been in the position you are in before, and sometimes it pays to just try them all as much as you can.

Alright, I’ll try to do that. I should also mention I don’t want any builds that require me to constantly swap/switch weapons/whatever. That’s the main reason I hated GW2’s Elemenetalist.

AdelaisAer.4109:

Aeonblade.8709:

AdelaisAer.4109:

Aeonblade.8709:

To me honestly it sounds like you should stick with your Guardian since you seemed to enjoy it the most even without ranged options.

If ranged is a must and you are a mostly PvE player, Ranger is a fairly strong choice IMO, but some will disagree with that. I love my Ranger, even if I hardly ever log on and play her.

Well, my Engineer is Lv. 61 and my Guardian is Lv. 53 (I don’t have any Lv. 80 characters), just to show my dedication for those two chars.

I am purely PvE (I used to do dungeon runs every so often, but now dungeons seem empty, so that’s out). I don’t PvP or WvW. I can’t even remember much of what the Ranger was like, since it’s been so long, but if I do go Ranger, I’d like a good PvE Survivability build to make up for the lack of heavy armour and other defensive skills that the guardian has.

Check out some of the Ranger dps/support builds they have in the Ranger forums. I feel like ranger has a pretty high survivability even with medium armor from all the skills that dodge etc.

It’s been so long since I really played mine that I can’t give you an up to date build, but they are out there. Maybe give Ranger a try to 30 or 40 or so then pick up the Engi or Guard if it’s not working out. I know that’s not the best option but I have been in the position you are in before, and sometimes it pays to just try them all as much as you can.

Alright, I’ll try to do that. I should also mention I don’t want any builds that require me to constantly swap/switch weapons/whatever. That’s the main reason I hated GW2’s Elemenetalist.

In PvE I found Short Bow or Axe and Torch or Horn to be the most effective for survivability/killing things. Keep in mind I used a condition build however.

Aeonblade.8709:

AdelaisAer.4109:

Aeonblade.8709:

AdelaisAer.4109:

Aeonblade.8709:

To me honestly it sounds like you should stick with your Guardian since you seemed to enjoy it the most even without ranged options.

If ranged is a must and you are a mostly PvE player, Ranger is a fairly strong choice IMO, but some will disagree with that. I love my Ranger, even if I hardly ever log on and play her.

Well, my Engineer is Lv. 61 and my Guardian is Lv. 53 (I don’t have any Lv. 80 characters), just to show my dedication for those two chars.

I am purely PvE (I used to do dungeon runs every so often, but now dungeons seem empty, so that’s out). I don’t PvP or WvW. I can’t even remember much of what the Ranger was like, since it’s been so long, but if I do go Ranger, I’d like a good PvE Survivability build to make up for the lack of heavy armour and other defensive skills that the guardian has.

Check out some of the Ranger dps/support builds they have in the Ranger forums. I feel like ranger has a pretty high survivability even with medium armor from all the skills that dodge etc.

It’s been so long since I really played mine that I can’t give you an up to date build, but they are out there. Maybe give Ranger a try to 30 or 40 or so then pick up the Engi or Guard if it’s not working out. I know that’s not the best option but I have been in the position you are in before, and sometimes it pays to just try them all as much as you can.

Alright, I’ll try to do that. I should also mention I don’t want any builds that require me to constantly swap/switch weapons/whatever. That’s the main reason I hated GW2’s Elemenetalist.

In PvE I found Short Bow or Axe and Torch or Horn to be the most effective for survivability/killing things. Keep in mind I used a condition build however.

The thing I don’t like about shrotbows (especially after looking at some builds) is that you have to be hitting the target from the side or the back for it to be effective.

AdelaisAer.4109:

Aeonblade.8709:

AdelaisAer.4109:

Aeonblade.8709:

AdelaisAer.4109:

Aeonblade.8709:

To me honestly it sounds like you should stick with your Guardian since you seemed to enjoy it the most even without ranged options.

If ranged is a must and you are a mostly PvE player, Ranger is a fairly strong choice IMO, but some will disagree with that. I love my Ranger, even if I hardly ever log on and play her.

Well, my Engineer is Lv. 61 and my Guardian is Lv. 53 (I don’t have any Lv. 80 characters), just to show my dedication for those two chars.

I am purely PvE (I used to do dungeon runs every so often, but now dungeons seem empty, so that’s out). I don’t PvP or WvW. I can’t even remember much of what the Ranger was like, since it’s been so long, but if I do go Ranger, I’d like a good PvE Survivability build to make up for the lack of heavy armour and other defensive skills that the guardian has.

Check out some of the Ranger dps/support builds they have in the Ranger forums. I feel like ranger has a pretty high survivability even with medium armor from all the skills that dodge etc.

It’s been so long since I really played mine that I can’t give you an up to date build, but they are out there. Maybe give Ranger a try to 30 or 40 or so then pick up the Engi or Guard if it’s not working out. I know that’s not the best option but I have been in the position you are in before, and sometimes it pays to just try them all as much as you can.

Alright, I’ll try to do that. I should also mention I don’t want any builds that require me to constantly swap/switch weapons/whatever. That’s the main reason I hated GW2’s Elemenetalist.

In PvE I found Short Bow or Axe and Torch or Horn to be the most effective for survivability/killing things. Keep in mind I used a condition build however.

The thing I don’t like about shrotbows (especially after looking at some builds) is that you have to be hitting the target from the side or the back for it to be effective.

Makes sense. Most of the time I ran around with axe/torch or axe/horn anyway. Able to hit multiple targets easier, easier to apply dots, etc.

Aeonblade.8709:

AdelaisAer.4109:

Aeonblade.8709:

AdelaisAer.4109:

Aeonblade.8709:

AdelaisAer.4109:

Aeonblade.8709:

To me honestly it sounds like you should stick with your Guardian since you seemed to enjoy it the most even without ranged options.

If ranged is a must and you are a mostly PvE player, Ranger is a fairly strong choice IMO, but some will disagree with that. I love my Ranger, even if I hardly ever log on and play her.

Well, my Engineer is Lv. 61 and my Guardian is Lv. 53 (I don’t have any Lv. 80 characters), just to show my dedication for those two chars.

I am purely PvE (I used to do dungeon runs every so often, but now dungeons seem empty, so that’s out). I don’t PvP or WvW. I can’t even remember much of what the Ranger was like, since it’s been so long, but if I do go Ranger, I’d like a good PvE Survivability build to make up for the lack of heavy armour and other defensive skills that the guardian has.

Check out some of the Ranger dps/support builds they have in the Ranger forums. I feel like ranger has a pretty high survivability even with medium armor from all the skills that dodge etc.

It’s been so long since I really played mine that I can’t give you an up to date build, but they are out there. Maybe give Ranger a try to 30 or 40 or so then pick up the Engi or Guard if it’s not working out. I know that’s not the best option but I have been in the position you are in before, and sometimes it pays to just try them all as much as you can.

Alright, I’ll try to do that. I should also mention I don’t want any builds that require me to constantly swap/switch weapons/whatever. That’s the main reason I hated GW2’s Elemenetalist.

In PvE I found Short Bow or Axe and Torch or Horn to be the most effective for survivability/killing things. Keep in mind I used a condition build however.

The thing I don’t like about shrotbows (especially after looking at some builds) is that you have to be hitting the target from the side or the back for it to be effective.

Makes sense. Most of the time I ran around with axe/torch or axe/horn anyway. Able to hit multiple targets easier, easier to apply dots, etc.

I actually liked Axe/Axe. Had decent damage, range, and AoE, alongside some other utility skills.

I was looking at Guardian builds, and to be honest, they are either purely defensive-healing-tank (and therefore dish out next to no damage), or purely offensive builds (and therefore can die fairly easily). I haven’t seen any builds that aren’t “heal-slaves” or “kamikaze”, or at least ones that combine the two and actually work.

Also, I am trying to do the same with my Engineer. It’s either Flamethrower-only (because of Juggernaut) or Bomberman, with very little focus on actually using your weapons and instead constantly switching/swapping kits and spamming elixir utility skills and running around. While the Flamethrower IS fun, it’s useless in big event, like Southsun. 1-hit ko.

Not sure what to do. :s

AdelaisAer.4109:

Aeonblade.8709:

AdelaisAer.4109:

Aeonblade.8709:

AdelaisAer.4109:

Aeonblade.8709:

AdelaisAer.4109:

Aeonblade.8709:

To me honestly it sounds like you should stick with your Guardian since you seemed to enjoy it the most even without ranged options.

If ranged is a must and you are a mostly PvE player, Ranger is a fairly strong choice IMO, but some will disagree with that. I love my Ranger, even if I hardly ever log on and play her.

Well, my Engineer is Lv. 61 and my Guardian is Lv. 53 (I don’t have any Lv. 80 characters), just to show my dedication for those two chars.

I am purely PvE (I used to do dungeon runs every so often, but now dungeons seem empty, so that’s out). I don’t PvP or WvW. I can’t even remember much of what the Ranger was like, since it’s been so long, but if I do go Ranger, I’d like a good PvE Survivability build to make up for the lack of heavy armour and other defensive skills that the guardian has.

Check out some of the Ranger dps/support builds they have in the Ranger forums. I feel like ranger has a pretty high survivability even with medium armor from all the skills that dodge etc.

It’s been so long since I really played mine that I can’t give you an up to date build, but they are out there. Maybe give Ranger a try to 30 or 40 or so then pick up the Engi or Guard if it’s not working out. I know that’s not the best option but I have been in the position you are in before, and sometimes it pays to just try them all as much as you can.

Alright, I’ll try to do that. I should also mention I don’t want any builds that require me to constantly swap/switch weapons/whatever. That’s the main reason I hated GW2’s Elemenetalist.

In PvE I found Short Bow or Axe and Torch or Horn to be the most effective for survivability/killing things. Keep in mind I used a condition build however.

The thing I don’t like about shrotbows (especially after looking at some builds) is that you have to be hitting the target from the side or the back for it to be effective.

Makes sense. Most of the time I ran around with axe/torch or axe/horn anyway. Able to hit multiple targets easier, easier to apply dots, etc.

I actually liked Axe/Axe. Had decent damage, range, and AoE, alongside some other utility skills.

I was looking at Guardian builds, and to be honest, they are either purely defensive-healing-tank (and therefore dish out next to no damage), or purely offensive builds (and therefore can die fairly easily). I haven’t seen any builds that aren’t “heal-slaves” or “kamikaze”, or at least ones that combine the two and actually work.

Also, I am trying to do the same with my Engineer. It’s either Flamethrower-only (because of Juggernaut) or Bomberman, with very little focus on actually using your weapons and instead constantly switching/swapping kits and spamming elixir utility skills and running around. While the Flamethrower IS fun, it’s useless in big event, like Southsun. 1-hit ko.

Not sure what to do. :s

With guardian, this is what I usually run with in PvE and a lot of times even in WvW. It’s a good mix match of offensive and defensive stats. I tend to gravitate towards berserker/knights armor with a few cleric pieces to get my healing power up to a respectable amount. With this build I have around 2000 power and 1700 toughness, 40% crit rate with 50% increased crit damage, and 700-900 healing power depending on which weapon I have up. Maybe this will help. I can solo champions in PvE with this build, and it’s not a slouch in killing things either. These are all estimates btw I’m not at home atm.

http://www.gw2builds.org/create/bwe_1/guardian#0.0.2.0-2.5.10.7.1-30.0.10.30.0-3.5.12.7.8.7.1

EDIT: In PvE you may want to swap out the utilities for more defensive minded ones. This is personal preference I believe. Also it seems the calculator I was using may be out of date. The point spread is the same either way however.

Aeonblade.8709:

AdelaisAer.4109:

Aeonblade.8709:

AdelaisAer.4109:

Aeonblade.8709:

AdelaisAer.4109:

Aeonblade.8709:

AdelaisAer.4109:

Aeonblade.8709:

To me honestly it sounds like you should stick with your Guardian since you seemed to enjoy it the most even without ranged options.

If ranged is a must and you are a mostly PvE player, Ranger is a fairly strong choice IMO, but some will disagree with that. I love my Ranger, even if I hardly ever log on and play her.

Well, my Engineer is Lv. 61 and my Guardian is Lv. 53 (I don’t have any Lv. 80 characters), just to show my dedication for those two chars.

I am purely PvE (I used to do dungeon runs every so often, but now dungeons seem empty, so that’s out). I don’t PvP or WvW. I can’t even remember much of what the Ranger was like, since it’s been so long, but if I do go Ranger, I’d like a good PvE Survivability build to make up for the lack of heavy armour and other defensive skills that the guardian has.

Check out some of the Ranger dps/support builds they have in the Ranger forums. I feel like ranger has a pretty high survivability even with medium armor from all the skills that dodge etc.

It’s been so long since I really played mine that I can’t give you an up to date build, but they are out there. Maybe give Ranger a try to 30 or 40 or so then pick up the Engi or Guard if it’s not working out. I know that’s not the best option but I have been in the position you are in before, and sometimes it pays to just try them all as much as you can.

Alright, I’ll try to do that. I should also mention I don’t want any builds that require me to constantly swap/switch weapons/whatever. That’s the main reason I hated GW2’s Elemenetalist.

In PvE I found Short Bow or Axe and Torch or Horn to be the most effective for survivability/killing things. Keep in mind I used a condition build however.

The thing I don’t like about shrotbows (especially after looking at some builds) is that you have to be hitting the target from the side or the back for it to be effective.

Makes sense. Most of the time I ran around with axe/torch or axe/horn anyway. Able to hit multiple targets easier, easier to apply dots, etc.

I actually liked Axe/Axe. Had decent damage, range, and AoE, alongside some other utility skills.

I was looking at Guardian builds, and to be honest, they are either purely defensive-healing-tank (and therefore dish out next to no damage), or purely offensive builds (and therefore can die fairly easily). I haven’t seen any builds that aren’t “heal-slaves” or “kamikaze”, or at least ones that combine the two and actually work.

Also, I am trying to do the same with my Engineer. It’s either Flamethrower-only (because of Juggernaut) or Bomberman, with very little focus on actually using your weapons and instead constantly switching/swapping kits and spamming elixir utility skills and running around. While the Flamethrower IS fun, it’s useless in big event, like Southsun. 1-hit ko.

Not sure what to do. :s

With guardian, this is what I usually run with in PvE and a lot of times even in WvW. It’s a good mix match of offensive and defensive stats. I tend to gravitate towards berserker/knights armor with a few cleric pieces to get my healing power up to a respectable amount. With this build I have around 2000 power and 1700 toughness, 40% crit rate with 55% increased crit damage, and 700-900 healing power depending on which weapon I have up. Maybe this will help. I can solo champions in PvE with this build, and it’s not a slouch in killing things either.

http://www.gw2builds.org/create/bwe_1/guardian#0.0.2.0-2.5.10.7.1-30.0.10.30.0-3.5.12.7.8.7.1

EDIT: In PvE you may want to swap out the utilities for more defensive minded ones. This is personal preference I believe. Also it seems the calculator I was using may be out of date. The point spread is the same either way however.

Yeah, I’d swap the meditations for shouts, especially the one that gives you like 10 boons or something, but otherwise, looks great. Thank you!

Any suggestions for Engineer builds?

Here is a more updated link with the gear I use most of the time in PvE/WvW, even if the stats are off slightly. Keep in mind at 80 you will probably need at least 2 different sets of gear though.

http://gw2buildcraft.com/calculator/guardian/?3.0|1.1g.h2|6.1k.h2|1k.71d.1n.71d.1n.71d.1k.71d.1n.71d.1k.71d|2s.e13.21j.e13.2v.e13.2s.e13.21j.e13.2v.e13|u27c.0.a6.u29c.0|55.7|w.13.15.19.1i|e

As far as engineers builds go….I haven’t played one since beta, so I really don’t know much about the class anymore. I wish I could help there, but maybe a kind engineer can step in to help.

Aeonblade.8709:

Here is a more updated link with the gear I use most of the time in PvE/WvW, even if the stats are off slightly. Keep in mind at 80 you will probably need at least 2 different sets of gear though.

http://gw2buildcraft.com/calculator/guardian/?3.0|1.1g.h2|6.1k.h2|1k.71d.1n.71d.1n.71d.1k.71d.1n.71d.1k.71d|2s.e13.21j.e13.2v.e13.2s.e13.21j.e13.2v.e13|u27c.0.a6.u29c.0|55.7|w.13.15.19.1i|e

As far as engineers builds go….I haven’t played one since beta, so I really don’t know much about the class anymore. I wish I could help there, but maybe a kind engineer can step in to help.

Thanks, and yeah, I hope so. I did find an amazing Engineer build, but unfortunately it’s a glass cannon. Its damage output is incredible, but its survivalability is next to 0.

https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/engineer/Static-Discharge-Build-ZAP-UR-DED

" I have to constantly change elements and run around and use a skill or two and rely on others to take the damage for me. (Again, maybe I did it wrong, Iunno)."
Just wanted to point out this is not quite true. In gw2 you never have to rely on others tanking for you.
The reason why you felt very squishy is because ele and some others are not a “facetank” profession. Like with warrior and guardian you can tank anything in pve and win.
Professions that cant facetank, do usually have more mobility and ways to avoid damage!
Elementalists have good burst heals, but low health so you die fast at lower levels where ou cant heal much.
Mesmers have low health, but stealth and a whole lot of teleports and illusions to avoid damage.
And so forth.
I would defintely recommend going with guardian, seeing you had the most fun with that one.
Just know: professions that feel veh weak just means they have a slightly higher skill requirement, so after a bit of practice the “i feel squishy” will quickly turn in a “i feel awesome”.
I personally like more active playstyles like mesmer (stealthing and blinking), engineer (kit swapping and amazing versatality) and ele (attunement swapping and mobility).
Things like warrior, just stand there and auto attack while everyhing dies, just dont do it for me. Thats just my oppinion ofcourse.

Oh, mesmers are also viable at range! The greatsword attack hits 3 targets at range and does high damage, when youre specced for lhantasms you can let your melee phantasms do all the work, while youre still at range yourself.

Cheers,
Alissah