Guild Wars 2

I’m a bit confused about certain abilities in this game in regards to damage versus risk. In particular, I want to discuss about Warrior’s 100B, Thief’s PW, and Mesmer’s BF. I don’t want to get into a discussion on whether or not these abiltiies are meta – I want to discuss its’ reward versus risk.

100B Vs PW Vs BF
All of these are channel/stationary high damage skills yet their risk/reward ration are so different. 100B is high risk/high reward skill because you can’t move nor evade attacks while channeling it. On the other hand, PW and BF are low risk/high reward. You can move via teleport and evade all attacks. Additionally, the ability to setup the PW/BF is included with the weapon set.

I’m not a good pvper nor do I spvp much. As a new spvper, I just don’t get it. Maybe one you veteran can help me understand why there is such a difference.

100b does 2-3x more dmg

- BF does like no damage compared to 100b
- The risk from PW is the high amount of initiative
- Greatsword has a build-in evade (skill nr 3). That makes up for the lacking defense of 100b

hb would suck even if it was double damage, it’s just kitteneless root with a big “kill me” neon sign over you head. The only good thing about hb is dps on downed ppl…but you need to down them first ofc…

100b you want to combo into, if you look at the skills in a vacuum they look disproportionate.

When you consider PW + Teleport, also consider Earthshaker + Hundred Blades, or Pin Down + Hundred Blades, etc…

Also consider that Warriors have healing signet so they are constantly healing during hundred blades and after so they can recover from damage they may have taken during the risky move.

Consider playing PW without using steal or any teleport. You might think that a Thief is actually squishy when rooted, with a predictable evade frame.

The funnier comparison is 100b to Rangers longbow Rapid Fire. Rapid Fire does comparable, if not more damage, while being mobile and 1500 range.

Because there is no such thing called high risk high reward in this game, i might be mistaken. please prove me wrong.

You can’t compare skills in a vacuum. You can’t just ask for the good stuff, you have to take the whole package. If you want 100B to evade like PW, then you have to also accept being ultra-squishy, having to deal with the double-edge sword of init, not having your healing signet, not having any of your immunities via stances, etc.

The simple fact of the matter is that many warrior builds already have more than enough sustain. Giving them an extra evade on short CD would be kinda-gamebreaking. Allowing 100B to be mobile would give way to much damage without any setup required. Greatsword is already a pretty balanced weapon on the warrior class (some would argue not so, but its very close).

There is no such thing as a low-risk, high-reward skill. You have to evaluate entire builds.

the funny thing is Axe AA can deal more damage than 100b, you don’t have to root yourself for it and it doesn’t require a setup.

the funnier is Ranger’s Rapid Fire, this thing is the new improved 100b

• ranged can get it to 1500 range
• almost same cd
• faster cast time
• Combo Finisher
• 10 hits
• 10 stacks of Vulnerability
• can Pierce when traited
• it keeps tracking target
• does not root you while channeling
• easy to spam
• 0 risk unlike setting 100b

100b looks so Stone Age compared to this new Rapid Fire.

Chapell.1346:

Because there is no such thing called high risk high reward in this game, i might be mistaken. please prove me wrong.

S/x FAir burst Ele is a good example of it, I feel. One of few, though.

Full burst can’t be done regularly, the build has paper-thin armour and looong cooldowns on its defensive skills. Lethal when used well, but after their initial burst the Ele is really very vulnerable. Teamfight going on? Probably shouldn’t stick around; a random arrow might turn up and 1-shot you.

Bit too high reward for the risk, I feel, but there certainly is a lot of risk involved.