Can someone post this really tanky druid roaming build that uses Bristleback and Smokescale.
Every druid i whisper is either ehem “offline” or won’t give it up, I’m trying to understand it better so i can have a chance at killing them or should i just not bother. I’ve seen up to 4 people chase one down and it just walks off laughing and the guys chasing it are some of the better players around. It’s just really frustrating having little to no chance against a build that can’t be beaten coz it’s so tanky with pets that do all the damage. I’m on a glass cannon build and the ranger hits me for less than 1k on rapid fire so i know it’s on very tanky gear.
They can easily swap greatsword to longbow with similar spec.
They can resist power burst pretty well due to protective ward.
Slow condition damage is useless because they have good healing and can cleanse all of them by entering celestial avatar form.
They also have good escape due to multiple access to stealth, swiftness/superspeed and movement skill.
To take one down, you need to chain CC lockdown and burst them to death before they enter celestial avatar form.
I find the raw damage/burst on ranger to be severely lacking compared to most other professions, so I run a strictly power spec’d build and improve my survivability with various tools such as numerous stealths and damage mitigation which rangers have lots of access to.
But it’s technically a glassy build so I won’t post it.
~ Kovu
Charr Ranger, Necromancer, Thief
Fort Aspenwood. [CREW], [TLC], [ShW], [UNIV]
The reason the build is so slippery is because of the #3 ability on staff (1200 range dash that evades), #3 on greatsword (another 1200 leap that evades), the F1 ability on smokescale (blast or leap finisher in it = stealth), and a trait that grants stealth + superspeed upon leaving celestial avatar form.
They can be frustrating to fight because they can disengage and reset so easily. One way to deal with them is to put reveal on them when you think they’re about to exit celestial avatar. That way they won’t get stealthed.
Having said that, you just need to play whatever class it is you play smart. Understand who you are fighting, their animations, and then you will see the enemy dead. Key to Druid is knowing when to CC. This is no different than when you are fighting other classes.
In fact, it is the single most frustrating thing when playing a Druid. Smart use of CC means you are one dead mother kittener.
Main – Laaz Rocket – Guardian (Ehmry Bay)
Johnny Johnny – Ranger (Ehmry Bay)
Hárvey Wallbanger – Alt Warrior (Ehmry Bay)
Having said that, you just need to play whatever class it is you play smart. Understand who you are fighting, their animations, and then you will see the enemy dead. Key to Druid is knowing when to CC. This is no different than when you are fighting other classes.
In fact, it is the single most frustrating thing when playing a Druid. Smart use of CC means you are one dead mother kittener.
To be honest, current druid is not that susceptible to CC. We have multiple good stun-breaker skills.
For example, my utility bar consists of signet of renewal, protect me and glyph of equality. They are all good stunbreakers with reasonably low CD. There is also this ultimate reset button called celestial avatar form that breaks stun when traited. In addition, I can get pulsing stability from Strength of the Pack.
All of these together makes it actually quite hard to lock down a druid.
Thanks for the replies guys and for not making out this is a whine thread. Appreciate the constructive input for change.
As Exciton said CC virtually pointless if they see what class you are they can quickly switch out for stun breaks. This is the one build i genuinely have trouble with fighting and have come to the conclusion it’s just better for my mental health to let other people chase it down and loose their minds in map chat.
If it’s one of those pewpew longbow staff druids, ignore them and bore them off map like you would to perplex thieves and mesmers.
Roaming is dying due to these troll builds and the lack of entertainment in fighting them.
Well if we can collectively agree to not fight them and make sure they know why then they’ll just give up no the builds if they want fights.
Not sure where my post went lol….
I’m just salty when I roam now compared to before HoT all I’m seeing is condition stealth spammers or longbow heroes from a tower 1500 range away or even in small groups it’s just stack a minute of quickness and 11111111 people to death… Those are the people that fight, the rest just port or run kite.
I mostly play for the new Free-For-All arena in PvP lobby.
….. And Elementalist.
To be honest, current druid is not that susceptible to CC. We have multiple good stun-breaker skills.
For example, my utility bar consists of signet of renewal, protect me and glyph of equality. They are all good stunbreakers with reasonably low CD. There is also this ultimate reset button called celestial avatar form that breaks stun when traited. In addition, I can get pulsing stability from Strength of the Pack.
All of these together makes it actually quite hard to lock down a druid.
This.
Also, I had been arguing this in the Ranger forum about how this particular build is next to impossible to kill and not at all hard to play. But of course, everyone got defensive because I insinuated the idea of having their cheese build taken away from them, and I’m also a Ranger…
I’ve been running in to this build pretty much everywhere. There are two in particular on YB who as I hear, are rather famous for their trolling (and also racist apparently?). I’ve just opted to not fight these builds at all. If I see a Druid I drill a few hits in to them and if I see that they’re tanky, I disengage and get out. It’s built to be able to faceroll 1v1’s, win 1v2’s, skirmish with 1v3’s and troll 1v4 – 6. In other words, unless you’re ganking it it’s probably not going to die so it’s not worth your time to bother with it. I consider it what the old D/D Cele Ele was – a very long, very boring fight with all the advantage on their end.
Bear in mind (lol) I was not engaging because I’ve fought this guy and seen him fight many times. He knows I’ll just ignore him so he doesn’t pay attention to me watching it. Also note that he gains Shocking Aura when using SotP which means he’s using Runes of Leadership not Soldier.
Basically, there are choices to be made. Each gamer plays their own way and expecting others to play to suit you is silly. Instead, Deal with them however you wish.
Just as screams for voice coordinated full condi or prof X builds are not for all of us, neither is the full “cheese” build meta. Bore, face, run, gank, disengage, whatever floats your boat.
I would suggest there are counters to everything but some are not things people wish to do. Thanks for the build links, hopefully they help the OP. Good Luck.
To be honest, current druid is not that susceptible to CC. We have multiple good stun-breaker skills.
For example, my utility bar consists of signet of renewal, protect me and glyph of equality. They are all good stunbreakers with reasonably low CD. There is also this ultimate reset button called celestial avatar form that breaks stun when traited. In addition, I can get pulsing stability from Strength of the Pack.
All of these together makes it actually quite hard to lock down a druid.
This.
Also, I had been arguing this in the Ranger forum about how this particular build is next to impossible to kill and not at all hard to play. But of course, everyone got defensive because I insinuated the idea of having their cheese build taken away from them, and I’m also a Ranger…
I’ve been running in to this build pretty much everywhere. There are two in particular on YB who as I hear, are rather famous for their trolling (and also racist apparently?). I’ve just opted to not fight these builds at all. If I see a Druid I drill a few hits in to them and if I see that they’re tanky, I disengage and get out. It’s built to be able to faceroll 1v1’s, win 1v2’s, skirmish with 1v3’s and troll 1v4 – 6. In other words, unless you’re ganking it it’s probably not going to die so it’s not worth your time to bother with it. I consider it what the old D/D Cele Ele was – a very long, very boring fight with all the advantage on their end.
Bear in mind (lol) I was not engaging because I’ve fought this guy and seen him fight many times. He knows I’ll just ignore him so he doesn’t pay attention to me watching it. Also note that he gains Shocking Aura when using SotP which means he’s using Runes of Leadership not Soldier.
I’ve seen that druids stream on twitch. He is not running the shout trooper build from metabattle.
He uses surging runes, not leadership. Also, afaik, he’s in full ascended celestial gear.
In my experience druids either build to be so glassy they fall easily when you focus them or they build to be so tanky and evasive that you only need to focus their pet to make them wimp out of the fight.
In my experience druids either build to be so glassy they fall easily when you focus them or they build to be so tanky and evasive that you only need to focus their pet to make them wimp out of the fight.
Yup, no one ever bothers focusing the pet on those tanky druids. Take out their pets and they don’t have the damage to kill you. They also have a harder time building their astral force since they no longer have the constant regen on their pet.
Druids other huge weakness is they don’t have an instant source of stability. SotP pulses stab but it takes a full second to cast. If you play smart you can chain cc and burst them down.
Also known as Puck when my account isn’t suspended
LGN
To be honest, current druid is not that susceptible to CC. We have multiple good stun-breaker skills.
For example, my utility bar consists of signet of renewal, protect me and glyph of equality. They are all good stunbreakers with reasonably low CD. There is also this ultimate reset button called celestial avatar form that breaks stun when traited. In addition, I can get pulsing stability from Strength of the Pack.
All of these together makes it actually quite hard to lock down a druid.
This.
Also, I had been arguing this in the Ranger forum about how this particular build is next to impossible to kill and not at all hard to play. But of course, everyone got defensive because I insinuated the idea of having their cheese build taken away from them, and I’m also a Ranger…
I’ve been running in to this build pretty much everywhere. There are two in particular on YB who as I hear, are rather famous for their trolling (and also racist apparently?). I’ve just opted to not fight these builds at all. If I see a Druid I drill a few hits in to them and if I see that they’re tanky, I disengage and get out. It’s built to be able to faceroll 1v1’s, win 1v2’s, skirmish with 1v3’s and troll 1v4 – 6. In other words, unless you’re ganking it it’s probably not going to die so it’s not worth your time to bother with it. I consider it what the old D/D Cele Ele was – a very long, very boring fight with all the advantage on their end.
Bear in mind (lol) I was not engaging because I’ve fought this guy and seen him fight many times. He knows I’ll just ignore him so he doesn’t pay attention to me watching it. Also note that he gains Shocking Aura when using SotP which means he’s using Runes of Leadership not Soldier.
Yes, hard to kill because they are skilled with their build and play smart.
There you go again with the “easy to play” comments… Go spec your Druid into a similar build and video yourself playing so you can show us how easy it is.
Your core complaint is this build doesn’t stand and fight, much like thieves do. You seem to not want to adapt your playstyle and rather complain instead.
Killed those Rangers a bunch of times btw.
New Main- 80 Thief – P/P- Vault Spam Pro
221 hours over 1,581 days of bank space/hot pve/lion’s arch afk and some wvw.
Yes, I’ve fought that YB Druid far too many times now. I would have won a 1v with him just a couple nights ago if not for his thief friend showing up at the end. <shakes fist>
The Dev’s must be made aware of builds like this Druid that are over tuned. Crossing fingers we get a proper balance patch this time.
Yes, I’ve fought that YB Druid far too many times now. I would have won a 1v with him just a couple nights ago if not for his thief friend showing up at the end. <shakes fist>
The Dev’s must be made aware of builds like this Druid that are over tuned. Crossing fingers we get a proper balance patch this time.
So you were winning the 1v1 but somehow the druid is overtuned because….. it didn’t insta die?
Heaven forbid rangers can put up a fight amiright? Get those kitteners back to the bottom of the barrel where they belong.
Smh
Also known as Puck when my account isn’t suspended
LGN
Yes, I’ve fought that YB Druid far too many times now. I would have won a 1v with him just a couple nights ago if not for his thief friend showing up at the end. <shakes fist>
The Dev’s must be made aware of builds like this Druid that are over tuned. Crossing fingers we get a proper balance patch this time.
So you were winning the 1v1 but somehow the druid is overtuned because….. it didn’t insta die?
Heaven forbid rangers can put up a fight amiright? Get those kitteners back to the bottom of the barrel where they belong.
Smh
That was fun to read… “I almost won had it not been for back up so nerf the overtuned Druid”… Some of you are silly.
New Main- 80 Thief – P/P- Vault Spam Pro
221 hours over 1,581 days of bank space/hot pve/lion’s arch afk and some wvw.
I have not seen a Druid build yet that did well in duels and none in roaming have been an issue.
There is a pure bunker variety that doesn’t use stealth which can be a pain to bring down but has zero chance of killing anything. There is also a condi version which can stack some nice condi damage but is too brittle.
Sarcasm For Hire [SFH]
“Youre lips are movin and youre complaining about something thats wingeing.”
The Dev’s must be made aware of builds like this Druid that are over tuned. Crossing fingers we get a proper balance patch this time.
Are you seriously asking for Druid changes?
Reading some of the comments it sounds like we are able to trait everything and have 20 different skills and/or abilities on our bars. /boggle Believe it or not Druids have to pick and choose just like everyone else. There is no secret here. We Druids pick hybrid, DPS, or Sustain. If you are losing to the Druid or any other class it isn’t because they are over powered it is because you don’t know the timing and counters or just bad.
Main – Laaz Rocket – Guardian (Ehmry Bay)
Johnny Johnny – Ranger (Ehmry Bay)
Hárvey Wallbanger – Alt Warrior (Ehmry Bay)
Having said that, you just need to play whatever class it is you play smart. Understand who you are fighting, their animations, and then you will see the enemy dead. Key to Druid is knowing when to CC. This is no different than when you are fighting other classes.
In fact, it is the single most frustrating thing when playing a Druid. Smart use of CC means you are one dead mother kittener.
To be honest, current druid is not that susceptible to CC. We have multiple good stun-breaker skills.
For example, my utility bar consists of signet of renewal, protect me and glyph of equality. They are all good stunbreakers with reasonably low CD. There is also this ultimate reset button called celestial avatar form that breaks stun when traited. In addition, I can get pulsing stability from Strength of the Pack.
All of these together makes it actually quite hard to lock down a druid.
Yes, we have options. However, the options are gated by how we are geared and what traits we are using. We both know we can’t have it all. If I am geared and using traits for support then my damage output is going to be limited. I can run has fast and far has my shoes will take me but sooner or later they will catch me if they are any good.
My comment about CC isn’t about a fair fight. It is more about being attacked and the enemy playing smart and time their CC around me triggering counter measures. And that isn’t factoring in my reaction time or panic attack. I know we have all seen it when the pilot sees a SAM incoming and throws the chaff/flare knob to ALL and punches it…then the second SAM comes in and seals the deal
But yeah, I see your point and I can see others about their so called immunity. Having been in that spot and winning fights hugely out numbered I’ve come to the conclusion that a average skilled Druid can make bad players rage quit in those situations.
Main – Laaz Rocket – Guardian (Ehmry Bay)
Johnny Johnny – Ranger (Ehmry Bay)
Hárvey Wallbanger – Alt Warrior (Ehmry Bay)
The Dev’s must be made aware of builds like this Druid that are over tuned. Crossing fingers we get a proper balance patch this time.
Are you seriously asking for Druid changes?
Reading some of the comments it sounds like we are able to trait everything and have 20 different skills and/or abilities on our bars. /boggle Believe it or not Druids have to pick and choose just like everyone else. There is no secret here. We Druids pick hybrid, DPS, or Sustain. If you are losing to the Druid or any other class it isn’t because they are over powered it is because you don’t know the timing and counters or just bad.
But (s)he would have beat that druid player had the thief not come along…
The reality is that the ranger/druid needs buffs and fixes, and players need to get better.
New Main- 80 Thief – P/P- Vault Spam Pro
221 hours over 1,581 days of bank space/hot pve/lion’s arch afk and some wvw.
Hoping A-net would add the new HOT druid pets into WvW in some manner.
Perhaps they could be purchasable from the vendor if you own a HOT account or something similar??
I purchased HOT, but really don’t enjoy PvE – i only bought it for the new class and elite specs. #sadface
I had guildies wp to the pets and then used the teleport to a friend things that they gave out in the birthday gifts.
But yeah, having the pets automatically available or purchasable would be awesome. Ranger is the only class that makes you perform a pve scavenger hunt to have access to all of your skills.
Also known as Puck when my account isn’t suspended
LGN
I run druid quite a lot, and saying you can’t condi it is completely wrong. You want high frequency condie classes like thief or mes that can reapply and play a survival game until there’s no cleanses left.
Cleanse on cele as the only form of cleanse won’t keep pace with the condi roaming builds like mes/thief. I run a different build now with Survival skill cleanses and even that won’t keep pace with certain condition classes.
Other weaknesses: only 1 source of stability, so good warriors are an issue (assuming you’re fighting and not just running), as well as any spec that can chain some CC out when stab is down.
The build has favorable matchups and can run a lot, but it’s definitely not unbeatable.
To all the people saying that druid is “faceroll 1v1” “as long as you know what do do” I have 1 question:
How long have you been playing the game?
There are a lot of people new to the game, new to wvw, new to roaming, new to the class and the build. None of them have the years of experience we have. Something that I think of being very easy to do probably takes the newer guys intense focus and concentration.
It’s precisely because we’ve been playing the game so long that we think of something as a faceroll. This doesn’t go for everyone.
The druid who’s been playing the game since release winning a 1v2 relatively easily can’t be the only judge of a build compared to the druid who bought the game last month and lost on the same build to a guard (for instance).
There is a spectrum, we’ve played so much and practiced so long we can’t get it wrong. There probably more people playing who are practicing so they can finally start getting it right.
To all the people saying that druid is “faceroll 1v1” “as long as you know what do do” I have 1 question:
How long have you been playing the game?
There are a lot of people new to the game, new to wvw, new to roaming, new to the class and the build. None of them have the years of experience we have. Something that I think of being very easy to do probably takes the newer guys intense focus and concentration.
It’s precisely because we’ve been playing the game so long that we think of something as a faceroll. This doesn’t go for everyone.
The druid who’s been playing the game since release winning a 1v2 relatively easily can’t be the only judge of a build compared to the druid who bought the game last month and lost on the same build to a guard (for instance).
There is a spectrum, we’ve played so much and practiced so long we can’t get it wrong. There probably more people playing who are practicing so they can finally start getting it right.
Honest John, might I suggest you make an alt and name it “Almost Honest John”? It doesn’t matter how long people have played or when they started. You can’t expect someone picking it up today to be better than someone who picked it up last year. We typically call that a learning curve. It is a natural progression. The only difference is some people learn faster or understand the game mechanics or details better than others. That is ok, not everyone is the same. And don’t get me started on keybinds…which makes a huge difference.
Also note that with the release of HoT every class is somewhat new again. So while I see your point technically it is moot. It isn’t like we have been playing Druids since the first publically available BETA of GW2…
I think most people have been pretty cool and pointing out options rather than just say L2P.
Main – Laaz Rocket – Guardian (Ehmry Bay)
Johnny Johnny – Ranger (Ehmry Bay)
Hárvey Wallbanger – Alt Warrior (Ehmry Bay)
