Guild Wars 2

I’m going to attempt to revisit underwater combat. It’s the only thing about my ele that I actually downright hate. I’m willing to admit I could be doing it wrong, so looking for some insight on general playstyle / rotation (which always requires adapting to different situations, I realize) as well as what utilities you slot underwater. I had a guildmate try to explain how used ele underwater (he said he loved it) but … it didn’t really take for me.

I realize there’s a lot of hate on eles underwater … please don’t turn this into a “bash underwater combat” thread. I’m looking for help to work with what we’ve got, not kitten about what we don’t.

Right now at 80 I’m in a mix of rare/exotic carrion gear with some cleric accessories, if that factors into your considerations at all. My build is more supportish (0/0/20/20/30) but I did not neglect my damage stats and carrion has plenty of vit on it.

I also have a few specific questions.

1) Air Pocket. Is this one of those hidden gem skills I’m just not using correctly? Rather than escape when I need to I seem to usually just aggro more mobs.

2) Utilities. What do you use/why?

3) How do you deal with Orr underwater where it seems like everything has a yank? In addition to being plain annoying, it leaves me flailing. Right now my underwater combat plan is “drop AoEs, kite in a circle while using CC as it comes off cooldown” and yanks sort of screw with that.

Well… my current underwater strategy is… Use whirlpool while yelling “IMATORNADO”.

Beyond that I run Arcane Shield, Signet of Water, and Armor of Earth. Shield and Earth help with the yanking if you know its coming. A lot of my strategy underwater requires me to not be in Orr… err I mean not fighting 3 mobs at a time. I still haven’t really perfected Underwater Water actually does really good burst though. And you’ll receive the innate regen…not that its a lot…but I have lived with 30 health on more than one occasion. :p

Edit: Sorry if this is a bit off topic. But I was looking into running extra points in water (currently only use 10) what trait do you use for your 20 pointer? I use reduced CD for trait 1.

I just want to say that I find that the fact that we can’t use around half our utilities underwater (typically the ones I like using the most) irritates me immensely.

In late PvE. I always have a condition removal. As some of the poisions can be long lasting. I fighting on land near water I will jump into the big drink and shed conditions. Generally I avoid underwater combat whenever posible. That was whirlwind is insane. Aleast compared to elem’s terribly sub-par onland elites.

Angry Helper

Edit: Sorry if this is a bit off topic. But I was looking into running extra points in water (currently only use 10) what trait do you use for your 20 pointer? I use reduced CD for trait 1.

I have been trying out Icy Mist for my 20-pointer, but I’m still experimenting there. I’ve also given Soothing Disruption a go, mostly for the vigor. However I absolutely cannot imagine going without Cleansing Wave for my 10-pointer. Condi removal for me and nearby allies just for attuning to water? Yes please.

I use my elite skill. Oh, wait…

i use water 5 skill does so much dps for some reason got an theif to 1/4 of his hp with it then i wall and i bomb then fire for quick attacks i have to say water deals the most dmg underwaater

Jay wilson.1702:

i use water 5 skill does so much dps for some reason got an theif to 1/4 of his hp with it then i wall and i bomb then fire for quick attacks i have to say water deals the most dmg underwaater

Water 5 IS nice, however it only really does massive damage to one target if you get them pinned against the wall. It also has a long cooldown.

That also does not tell me anything about your utilities.