At what point do you switch to scrapper?
So I’m doing open world completion since I still have 50% of the original world to explore. I’m also approximately 50% complete with unlocking the scrapper elite specialization. I keep reading How much better , and how especially in PVP core is weaker than scrapper, so I’m wondering, at what point in the scrapper unlock does it become more efficient to use scrapper over core?
hammer is a much better weapon than anything else the engineer can bring to the table.
As quick as the Valkyries ride,
As true as Odin’s spear flies,
There is nowhere to hide.
As true as Odin’s spear flies,
There is nowhere to hide.
it doesn’t really matter for world completion. what you need for that is things core engi has already. in fact, I recommend not switching while doing world completion until you have applied force unlocked, because you don’t get much damage out of the line. hammer doesn’t offer higher burst than anything else, it only offers slightly better sustained dps than rifle, and burst damage is what primarily helps in world exploration.
a flamethrower centric build offers easier tagging capability in addition to the mobility you can already get with core engi, and scrapper gives it the trait synergy it needs to effortlessly put out pretty good dps. you need at least mass momentum to start abusing trait synergies, and applied force makes it just plain better.
JQ: Rikkity
head here to discuss wvw without fear of infractions
head here to discuss wvw without fear of infractions
hammer is a much better weapon than anything else the engineer can bring to the table.
Bit of an exaggeration, but it does provide a level of functionality and utility that is lacking in the core weapons; none of this provides an answer the OP’s original question.
Scrapper is just another way to play. Nothing more, nothing less. When you go with the Scrapper/Hammer route, you basically sacrifice all hybrid potential that would epitomize Engineer, however you gain superior self preservation skills that require less effort to coordinate and maintain. If you would like to go in a direction that will quickly grow stale due to lack of dynamic play style, then Scrapper will help you lay the groundwork for that path to pursue. If you would like to pursue a path that will enhance your overall potential as a player, then you really should stick with core Engineer for a while longer; using Scrapper as you feel the situation necessitates.
If you’re playing solo in open world I don’t think I would ever go scrapper unless I wanted to play hammer or needed to use sneak gyro. Dropping Tools in open world just kinda sucks because you lose out on your permanent swiftness trait, and dropping anything else sucks because you lose out on a lot of damage. Scrapper can blast lightning but it’s a pain in the kitten to do repeatedly. If you’re fighting constantly it isn’t a big deal because you don’t have as much time spent just walking and you can take your swiftness on hit trait. But for general purpose open world solo play, when you may be spending long stretches doing nothing but walking, you probably want to keep tools as your third traitline just for movement speed.
If you’re in a group scrapper can also be useful for function gyro or superspeed.
PvP is a whole different story. Just because something is good in pve doesn’t mean it is good in pvp, and vice versa. Just as an example, the most common pve engineer build takes explosives/firearms/tools, while the most common pvp build has inventions/alchemy/scrapper, so don’t think you will using a similar playstyle or skill setup at all. In pvp, scrapper is insanely powerful and hammer is engineer’s best weapon with a solid mix of damage and utility. Lately some P/P condi builds have sprung up, but that’s mostly because people want to try new crap in the offseason.
Well I roam in wvw. I’m finding I’m beating scrappers 1v1 with my prehot condi engi. I don’t think scrapper is very glitter and ponies at all. I think it’s very easy to counter so far. Then again, they could just be bad players lol