Guild Wars 2

I’m new to MMO’s – this is my first one and have been enjoying my experience until now. I’m supposed to kill this Doc Howler person and the best I can do is to take him down to about half health before I die. I’ve probably done this mission about 20 times and have never gotten close to killing him. I’m at level 13. Any hints or suggestions? My elementalist has a pretty decent staff and I try to use all the attunements and have a skill that gets rid of the poison he shoots at me, but no matter what I do I die. So frustrated…..

you probably aren’t dodging well or something
I’d be willing to help you in game and give you tips if you’d like

also staff can be hard to use, especially before you get the blasting staff trait (increases AoE size). you might try a different weapon set

As said above, staff is hard to learn on. It’s generally a good idea to pick up s/d or d/d to start with, as both have access to some very powerful skills that are both offensive and defensive, and also have a lower skillcap (skillcap is how hard it is to play at near-max capability). This will help you a lot with figuring out how to chain stuff together generally on the ele, as well as giving you a handle on elementary combo finishers and the more straightforward uses of each attunement.
Additionally, I suggest picking up either the Frost Bow or the Lightning Hammer utilities, as they are fairly high-powered and make your life a lot easier, as soon as you can.
Finally, personal story quests are never required to be done immediately, or at all. If you’re not enjoying them, it’s a good idea to go check out the other parts of the game until you feel like going back and getting the rewards.

Thanks guys for the advice – I really do appreciate it. A lot of what I read on these forums goes right over my head because I don’t have the vocabulary down or understand the basics yet, but I totally get what you are saying and I’ll take your advice to heart. I’m not going to let this mission stop me and will come back to it after I get some better equipment and dagger or something.

I remember Doc Howler killed me repeatedly back in the day. Don’t worry, you will figure it out (or already have by now). One piece of advice, she uses several projectile attacks, you have a reflection on staff, or a reflection and projectile destruction on focus.

I can help you if you can find me in game. Give me a whisper or an in-game message.

One thing that works in most PvE situations is the elite Earth Elemental summon. It can tank better than most warriors, and it attracts aggro as if it had a target painted on its face. Well, if it had a face, that is.

ThiBash.5634:

One thing that works in most PvE situations is the elite Earth Elemental summon. It can tank better than most warriors, and it attracts aggro as if it had a target painted on its face. Well, if it had a face, that is.

He’s level 13, silly.

Who’s Doc Howler again?

Mochann.5298:

Who’s Doc Howler again?

Apparently he’s the hardest storyline boss in the game. In a like level 10 quest. Searching the forum for him reveals that even guardians and thieves have extreme problems with him, repeatedly wiping until a high level character helped out.

Glad I must have dodged a bullet on him! I must have chosen a different path.

ArthurDent.9538:

I remember Doc Howler killed me repeatedly back in the day. Don’t worry, you will figure it out (or already have by now). One piece of advice, she uses several projectile attacks, you have a reflection on staff, or a reflection and projectile destruction on focus.

Also earth dagger 2 blocks projectiles

emikochan.8504:

ArthurDent.9538:

I remember Doc Howler killed me repeatedly back in the day. Don’t worry, you will figure it out (or already have by now). One piece of advice, she uses several projectile attacks, you have a reflection on staff, or a reflection and projectile destruction on focus.

Also earth dagger 2 blocks projectiles

WHAT? Lol Earth 2 is an aoe bleed/cripple.

Otaur.9268:

emikochan.8504:

ArthurDent.9538:

I remember Doc Howler killed me repeatedly back in the day. Don’t worry, you will figure it out (or already have by now). One piece of advice, she uses several projectile attacks, you have a reflection on staff, or a reflection and projectile destruction on focus.

Also earth dagger 2 blocks projectiles

WHAT? Lol Earth 2 is an aoe bleed/cripple.

He already found out about that bug earth 2 have atm from another thread. It does destroy projectile.