Guild Wars 2

I’ll keep it as short as possible. After playing Reaper and Dragonhunter, I’ve noticed a pretty clear lack of utility support in those two elite specializations that exists with other traits. Just for example, look at the Meditation and Shout traits for Guardian.

Using a meditation skill heals you and grants fury to allies in a radius. Mediation skills have reduced recharge.

Allies affected by shouts have conditions converted to boons. Shout abilities have their recharge reduced.

These are game changing utility traits. They define the Medi or Shout builds respectively. What’s the trap trait for Dragonhunter?

Trap hits bleed enemies.

This trait would only effect, realistically, carrion Guardians who run procession of blades. The bleed duration isn’t very long, anyway.

The same is true of Necromancer. You get traits that boost signets, minions, etc, all of which reduce cooldowns, or give you trait abilities on certain conditions. It all results in synergy and might stacking, or minions which can be used faster, and which throw down a poison nova on death.

Some of these traits are in the same line, and some are not. My suggestion is to change the utility traits to Grandmaster line for elite specialization, and to make them really meaningful. At the very least, the cooldown reduction should be considered baseline, and a primary benefit needs to be added to make these traits effective.

For example, a Grandmaster trait for Dragonhunter traps may give a bigger radius, bleeds, and a reduced cooldown. A grandmaster for Reaper shouts may give some boon on every target hit, and reduced cooldown (not dependent on targets hit). Maybe a group beneficial boon as well.

I haven’t played Chronomancer or Tempest yet, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they were also lacking in support for their utilities. As it is, Dragonhunter is still dependent on Meditation utilities. I think that’s a mistake, and you’ll end up patching this problem eventually. I hope you do it before release.

Not all elite specializations are designed for utility/support. Reaper is supposed to be damage and debuff, but the greatsword is too weak and so are its shouts. No one really knows what Dragonhunter is supposed to be.

Not all elite specializations are designed equally.

Exedore.6320:

Not all elite specializations are designed for utility/support. Reaper is supposed to be damage and debuff, but the greatsword is too weak and so are its shouts. No one really knows what Dragonhunter is supposed to be.

I’m referring to utility skills, not utility as a role. Even looking at the Ranger’s Trap skill, it’s definitely much better than the Guardian’s.

Boons and conditions caused by traps last longer. Traps recharge faster and offensive ones cause cripple.

Velimere.7685:

Not all elite specializations are designed equally.

Not sure what that has to do with the topic. I’m saying the traits that effect utility traits are very underwhelming/underpowered. Chronomancer’s also seems underwhelming.

Wells remove conditions from allies when they end.

Compare that to Glamours, or Deception. It’s pretty lackluster. I imagine Shouts are also subpar compared to Cantrips, at least as far as traits are concerned.

I’m sure they will patch improvements to these things. I’m just suggesting it should be a priority before release.

senoph.2930:

I’m referring to utility skills, not utility as a role. Even looking at the Ranger’s Trap skill, it’s definitely much better than the Guardian’s.

If I wasn’t forced into the poor DH virtues, I’d consider using a trap for a utility skill. Cripple would really help melee Guardians.