Guild Wars 2

There are two extremes in the approach to game play in dungeons. Conform to a specific standard for the good of the group or play the way you want to play, because after all, it’s only a game. Obviously, problems exist with both approaches.

For the former, I have yet to see a true consensus on any forum for a standard regardless of build or weapon choice despite what some elitists contend. For the latter, one can reasonably be expected to bear some responsibility for the value of another player’s time.

Before I get to the build I’m asking about, I run D/D in open world solo because I like the visceral feel of the play style. In dungeons I have tried both staff and S/D. I have no trouble positioning my lava font, but I seem to miss at times with dragon’s tooth and phoenix, so I tend to go with staff, and of course attunement switching when appropriate is a given.

As for staff, I have read everything from it being OP to the choice of mediocre dungeon players only. I recently ran a dungeon where I seldom died and generated lots of big red flashing numbers, which unless you’re true support, is anyone best contribution to the run. I think, anyway.

At the end, someone asked about my build. Thinking he was impressed with my play (especially for a full zerker glass cannon in a dungeon) I replied, “30/30/10/0/0.” The insults and lols came fast and furious.

I asked them if they expected me to heal. Someone said no, but I was gimping my dps and then left without another word.

Can someone explain that to me without flames and insults? For everyone claiming X is the best dps build I can find someone else claiming it’s Y. Is the truth out there?

P.S. I’m aware of the lightning hammer build.

Play the way you want to play is the obvious reply. You don’t need to prove yourself to anyone, and in the end this is about YOU having fun for YOURSELF. Nobody really has the “best” build that they can point you to, it all depends.

Myself for example, I run staff because I like staff. I can play any weapon set, but I just prefer staff. I concentrate on boon support, AoE field support and condition cleansing… Could I run full beserker and AoE everything to death? Of course, but how boring would that be? Plus, what a lot of PuG’s don’t realise is my build complements the builds of my regular guild dungeon runs who like to play glass cannon without condition removal… I’m not going to change my build set up for random PuG’s who’s opinion I care little for anyway. My guildies and I work just fine clearing everything for the FUN of it

HOWEVER!

If you are looking for some of the “meta” dungeon running specs, then this is a good place to start, if that’s what you’re after: https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/elementalist/The-Ele-Meta-Dungeon-Speed-Runs

Thanks for the informative reply. I suppose my fundamental question buried in a long-winded (I know) post is why the outpouring of vitriol over a 30/30/10/0/0 and how that can possibly kitten my dps?

My level 80 power is 2426/AP 3407 and I’m traited for all the +damage modifiers available to me.

If you had 10 in Water you would have the option to use a couple of conditional damage modifiers of 10%-20%, that’s all I can think of honestly.

However, there’s no reason to take a rando’s opinion to heart in that situation.

You’re better off just thinking about it for a second and seeing if their’s any obvious validity to the opinion, and letting it go if not.

lol any chance those punks insulting were playing Warrior or Thief? Those are the real easy cheese damage classes in GW2, and Ele is the nerfed/kitten ambitious one. With zerker gear your build is one of the top dps builds Ele has, but there are some others to eek out a bit more damage and do situational pve stuff with a conjured weapon.
Getting through a dungeon with little deaths as a gc Ele is good play. Your damage and survivability is flat out less than other classes. They may have been loling at the difference in numbers or your “noobness” in not wanting to speed run your way through a game :p

OP i wouldnt worry about it. If you are running a nice dps spec, then so be it. and if its staff, you’re also doing something right. staff is best dps and utility for dungeons.

http://www.guildwars2guru.com/topic/85568-lh-is-the-new-bearbow-the-real-staff-dps-build-for-manly-men/ has close to the best possible builds. They’re not so different from yours. Rando seems to not know much of what they are talking about if they are that upset about 10%.

Towren.1745:

Play the way you want to play is the obvious reply. You don’t need to prove yourself to anyone, and in the end this is about YOU having fun for YOURSELF. Nobody really has the “best” build that they can point you to, it all depends.

Myself for example, I run staff because I like staff. I can play any weapon set, but I just prefer staff. I concentrate on boon support, AoE field support and condition cleansing… Could I run full beserker and AoE everything to death? Of course, but how boring would that be? Plus, what a lot of PuG’s don’t realise is my build complements the builds of my regular guild dungeon runs who like to play glass cannon without condition removal… I’m not going to change my build set up for random PuG’s who’s opinion I care little for anyway. My guildies and I work just fine clearing everything for the FUN of it

HOWEVER!

If you are looking for some of the “meta” dungeon running specs, then this is a good place to start, if that’s what you’re after: https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/elementalist/The-Ele-Meta-Dungeon-Speed-Runs

It’s easy to say “play the way you want to play”. Though, you join a PUG dungeon and you’ll soon find out, not everyone else shares that same opinion.
It’s also easy to say “don’t play with PUGs” aswell, but at the best of times It’s hard to even find people in my active guild to run dungeons with.