Guild Wars 2

Here is the Brief Version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb2P2THGjhI

The Full Version can be found here:
http://youtu.be/roWsp8E8IX8

Here’s a summary:

1. Turn off “Melee Attack Assist”
2. Tun off “Autotargeting” if playing Melee (turn it on if playing caster)
3. Turn on “Simple Party UI”
4. Turn down graphics (shadows off, reflections off, and turn on “Effect Limit Of Detail”)
5. Get Stacks as soon as possible (Guard stacks, stacking weapons)
6. Keep Food Up (Food and Wrench)
7. Download and use the server TS3
8. Use META builds
9. Invite people to your Party
10. Rebind Your Keys

Other suggestions from the comments

11. Change AoE to Fast cast (thanks Hule)
12. Always carry supplies (thanks Davey)
13. Play Ele/Necro when you [don’t trust your] PUG commander (thanks L Step)
14. Use maximum FOV [if your GPU can handle it] (thanks Wolfey)
15. Carry personal stun break (thanks Zephyra)
16. Keybind “about face” and “look behind” (thanks Zephyra and Offair)
17. Use Blast Finishers in Water Fields (thanks Baldrick)

These are all technical. And there isn’t really any valid argument against any doing any of them. They will make it easier for you to not only survive in WvW, but to excel, even with a poor gaming setup or reflexes. These are NOT suggestions on how to play, but they are suggestions on how to get the most out of the mechanics already available to you.

If you run into problems or have questions (e.g. with TS3), just ask through PM or below so that others can see potential answers.

[updated based on comments]

CrazyRabidSquirrel.9274:

8. Use META builds

If you are total beginner, yes.

11. Change AoE to Fast cast

Using meta builds doesnt make you a better player/wvwer..its make you dependant on builds you havn’t created yourself,you’re lacking the knowledge of your own builds/traits/setup to make proper judgements on what works with what thus copying stuff from other people and running with a “Working build” really isn’t gonna make you play any better at all.
Also i fail to see how lowering graphics makes you a better wvwer,something like that is system related.

There is a reason why meta builds are meta. There are roles. If you not do your job somebody else must do it instead of you

Good quick tips for newbies to WvW.

12. Always carry supplies.

13. Play Ele/Necro when you have a terrible PUG commander.

TFW your class doesn’t have a meta build.

McWolfy.5924:

There is a reason why meta builds are meta. There are roles. If you not do your job somebody else must do it instead of you

But if you don’t know why the meta is the meta and just do it because someone else says its the meta, then you aren’t as good of a player as someone who understands the why.

Full zerk builds aren’t for players who have issues staying alive. Just copying the dungeon meta to play dungeons for said players is a bad idea.

Players should research the meta and adjust as necessary to fit their skill level and aim to get better and gradually adjust their gear and build to fit the meta. Or their money situation. They may not have the gold to keep food up 100%. So if a meta build is dependent on 100% food uptime, then the player might have to adjust the build slightly to make up for it.

A good WvW’er would know why the meta is the meta. An average WvW’er would just follow the meta.

Caedmon.6798:

Using meta builds doesnt make you a better player/wvwer..its make you dependant on builds you havn’t created yourself,you’re lacking the knowledge of your own builds/traits/setup to make proper judgements on what works with what thus copying stuff from other people and running with a “Working build” really isn’t gonna make you play any better at all.
Also i fail to see how lowering graphics makes you a better wvwer,something like that is system related.

Good point about meta builds. Not having graphical lag does make you a better player though.

14. Adjust your camera settings to maximize your field of view
15. Always have at least 1 res skill on your bar (if class allows)
Eles: Glyph of Renewal
Mesmers: Illusion of Life
Necros: Signet of Undeath
Ranger: “Search and Rescue!” / Spirit of Nature
Engineer: Toss Elixir R
Warrior: Battle Standard
Guardian: Signet of Mercy

15 is not for everyone or every build but it is nice to get people up via AoE/ Target ^-^

I would say “turn AoE to fast cast” is very class based. For example, ranger longbow 5 is sometimes restricted when using fast cast because the 1500 range makes it a tricky skill to use when in a tower or above your enemy.
Also, Meta builds is only if you have no clue what is happening, even then, I started by playing a custom build, and just became good with it. Playing META can even be limiting…
TS is a really REALLY important one if you only get one thing from this post, because then the server can take care of you

16. Always have a stun breaker on your bar. (Stability helps too). It can be a life saver especially if you’re just trying to catch up to your Zerg.

17. Bind a key that quickly shows behind your character so you can always check if you’re being tailed/stalked/followed. Be sure to check behind you frequently. Never let yourself tunnel vision.

18. Keybind “About Face”, especially when there are multiple thieves around trying to stab you from behind.

19. Learn to use aoe heals intelligently. I see too many rangers stand away from doors and NEVER use that shiny waterfield and blast to heal the poor guys on the rams when you don’t have enough eles to keep up water fields- what’s so hard about running in, cast healing spring, blast with horn 5, run back again?

20. When playing thief, bring along at least two more and a d/d ele or mesmer and only ever attack when you’re 4v1 or at most 4v2. Or is that only on the servers I face?:-)

21. Learn what works for you. At the moment I’m mainly playing mesmer without a portal or a veil in sight:p

meta builds created from players that stacked specific sigils/runes to sell them in the future when the price sky rocketed

p.s. this is not 100% truth but some times happened when the meta is successfully on specific roles