Guild Wars 2

I’ve always been one to basically focus all my stats and traits towards doing the most damage and taking down my target as fast as possible, but I was wondering if it best to start balancing this out a bit with some more defensive stats ect. Eg using armor with some toughness in or something, especially as I’m getting to higher levels now.

Just wanted a bit of advice, thanks guys!

Yes.

Half of winning is still being alive at the end.

The key to eles is all about defensive stats. For few reasons, 1 we have the lowest hp and armor so we need to load up on def stats just to be even with other classes. 2. we have some of the best heal skills and condition removal skills which works great with high def stats. 3. the attument swap = weapon swap combined with the sigil that grant stacks of might on swap + tactic that give your more might on activating cantrips that helps you be tougher . Add all that up means even when you spec all D you will do almost as much damage as if you are all burst.

So there is really no reason not to go all tanky . Now having said that I am not all defensive speced mainly cause I’m a dumb kitten and still trying to be a ranged dps :P

A lot of people who don’t like dying a lot run highly defensive builds while playing elementalist, but personally I like living on the edge with berserkers amulet and high damage utilities. I have play on my feet much more and typically only die where I would have died with any build on any profession, (turning a corner to find 5 enemies glaring at you).

As I am still in the leveling process myself, I’ve read here on the forums that if one concentrates on defensive builds they totally screw their ability to do any -real- damage and if they do the opposite and concentrate on damage they die a lot. Thus, they should actually try to be just slightly more focused in one or the other (damage or defense) but not overly so. How true is this as far as PvE is concerned?

All good points!
I may start trying to build myself up with some more defensive stats act, but probably still focus on DPS. Is it a bad choice though?

ALSO is it worth maybe trying to throw some +Healing in there?

I think a balanced build is a great way to go, to start. It’s also the easiest to gear for lol because gear sets specializing in areas take time to put together, or gold. I am assuming you are talking WvW and Pve. As you play more you will probably have a better idea if you want to tilt one way or the other.

I think it comes down to what parts of the game you are playing, how you are doing, and how you like to play. Many players play the extremes and develop bunker builds and cannon builds and they get the “best” defense and “best” dps etc. Those fit their playlstyles and the situations they find themselves in, each of which is very different from one another of course.

I am looking towards +healing myself and can’t wait to see how it turns out. Seems to me +healing can go a long way towards offsetting a lack of toughness and be of especially good use in groups with aoe healing.

PinCushion.7390:

Yes.

Half of winning is still being alive at the end.

Or, in the case of elementalists, half of having a slight chance of winning.

Build tanky or lose, not sure why since every other class can build glassy and still be viable. We don’t have that build option, or any build options for that matter.