Guild Wars 2

The runes of the traveler are really expensive on the TP, over 9 gold each. Why are they so popular? what profession/playstyle uses them?

It’s a WvWvW and open pve rune for professions that are naturally slower, like mesmer or necro, or don’t want to waste a utility slot for increased movement and still work well with their build, like thieves and rangers.

would they be O.K. for a condi wvw warrior roamer?

They would work fine in any class, although they are better for power builds.

For condition there are strong rune choices, such as Rune of Perplexity, Torment, or Antitoxin or even Undead.

Nike has a condition roaming build:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2Erh84Oic0

He gets his speed from discipline III

Warrior can get extra speed from trait “Warrior’s Sprint”. That’s what I use. However, for necro, guardian, mesmer, you’d have to use a skill instead of a trait. I use travelers on my mesmer and guardian, but switch my skill out for my necro… usually. If you use traveler runes you don’t have to remember/think about changing skills right before a fight.

TooBz.3065:

They would work fine in any class, although they are better for power builds.

For condition there are strong rune choices, such as Rune of Perplexity, Torment, or Antitoxin or even Undead.

That is the beauty of the traveler rune, yes there are stronger condition rune choices, but there are also stronger power runes.
Traveler runes is kinda similar to Divinity runes, it gives bonus to every stat, gives a bit of crit damage, cond duration and the very welcome speed boost, so it fits most classes and most builds, making a high demand to that rune.

Ok. I’m going to clarify. For NOW (emphasis on Now, because changes incoming), travelers runes give +6% crit damage and +30 points condition damage, power, and precision. In my opinion, the power precision and crit damage combination is pretty sweet.

The condition damage is less so. So you are really taking the runes for the speed buff, which can be done for 10 points in Discipline (and really you want 15 anyway).

Which is why it’s a more viable choice for power over condition builds. (warrior only)

But of course, it’s ok to use them. Use what you like.

I was talking more in general, warrior in specific have plenty of better options for cond or power builds.

Is there any other way for a ranger to get a speed boost? I really hate running that signet.

You can get Natures Voice trait and spam guard, you’ll have perma swiftness.

Again a skill slot used up an a trait kinda wasted. Like the warrior method. Runes are really expensive but I guess I’ll have to deal with it.

If you don’t have a problem to loose a little damage and get some vitality instead there are also the much cheaper runes of speed

Only the Mesmer is really restricted to Traveler Runes.
For us it’s pretty well mandatory in WvW. There’s no other way to keep up with the rest of the zerg.