Guild Wars 2

Hi! So as said in my other threads I just came back after 11 months and I am looking to start fresh(my highest profession is a Mesmer but I am not sure I like her)

How do Elementalists do PvE / Leveling wise? (I hardly PvP)

Elementalists rock in PvE

Thanks! Is there anything I should do in the way or Survival (IE certain traits to take to increase survivability)

In dungeons you need to use a focus off-hand, so you can provide projectile deflection for your group. For survivability you will have to use glyph of storms and lightning hammer so you can apply lots of blinds. If your group takes abilities that are as supporting as these then you will have no trouble surviving until fractal 79

Edit: unless you are fighting dredges, in which case your best move is to get down on your knees and pray to all the gods you never believed in.

As for the traits, you need 10 in arcane, so you can either buff you and your allies or use vigor for timely dodges.

Eles are o.k. in PvE, but aren’t as good as Guardians (who are top dog). It is really tough-sledding until about 40 when you can get the 15-point trait in water. At 60, we come into our own and start to shine when you can get Evasive Arcana (Grandmaster trait) so that dodge-rolling in water heals and removes one condition. After trying out those traits, you can play around with different builds, but almost all included 1 of the 2, because you can’t reliable survive without them.

For survivability you just need the vigor on crits, so you can dodge for days.

Then go lightning hammer spec and destroy everything.

Having mained a warrior, then leveled a gardian, I found that Ele kind sucked until I hit about level 60-65 and died a whole lot. Once I hit 80 I found it pretty good but nothing close to War and Guardian.

They’re in an interesting spot. They’re actually pretty good, but require a lot of effort to really pull off. Lightning Hammer Elementalist puts out arguably the best damage in the game, Fresh Air DPS Elementalists do pretty decent damage while retaining utility, and even the bunkery Water-Arcanist Elementalists with Zerker gear deal OK damage and are nice for casual, laid back runs. All of these specs are very different, of course, but they’re all pretty good.

The best thing about an Elementalist is that regardless of the build, you will be able to stack tons of Might for your team, which is great for overall team DPS.