Guild Wars 2

I want to start an Engineer because I’m interested in their condition builds, and I’ve been checking for builds here but I didn’t found a particular “this is the build!” topic.

I’m not even sure if Engineers have this sort of thing (like Guardians and Elementalists who have meta builds), and with all the traits scattered and being unexperienced as I am, I don’t know what’s considered the best for condition builds.

I’m currently testing a 30/10/0/30/0 build, with Sharpnel, Enhance Performance, Grenadier, Hair Trigger, Fast Acting Elixirs, Potent Elixirs, HGH.

So my questions are…

- Is the Grenade Kit better for conditions than Elixir Gun? I went Explosions because of Condition Duration, but I had to give up Firearms and Condition Damage… I don’t want to lose Alchemy as I’d like to have at least a few points for some survivability.
- Do the Bomb Kit have a decent proper use? It seems useless besides PvE where mobs stay still, but the Confusion there seems great…
- I’m using Elixir H, Elixir B, Elixir S, Grenade Kit as utilities, for this kind of build (conditions) what are the most used ones? I’m considering Elixir Gun, Tool Kit (I love Confusion) and Elixir C for another quick Elixir but I’m clueless of their effectiveness in battle.

Sorry if these questions seems too newbish, but I’m clueless about Engineers and I’d like to know how they work out before starting one (or if I should go Necromancer or maybe Mesmer for conditions).

For pure condition damage, Grenade Kit dominates. With the traits in Explosives that gives you a 15% chance to bleed on explosions, you stack a pretty decent amount of bleeds. The Elixir Gun offers some condition damage, although it’s not meant to be a purely offensive kit. I like to think of the Elixir Gun as a hybrid damage/supportive kit, where as the Grenade Kit is purely offensive (with some control, considering the Chill from your 4 skill.) I usually run with 20 points in Alchemy, I like the extra survivability, and I enjoy having at least one Elixir in my build. I find the Self-Regulating Defenses trait in (IV) to be useful in both dungeons and sPvP.

I have found success with the Bomb Kit in WvW, mainly, with a few niche options in sPvP. When big groups zerg in WvW, you can sometimes run in without being focused, and drop some heavy damage with your bomb kit. Use the Big Ol’ Bomb to knock people off of bridges and ledges, and massive snare with the Glue Bomb are highly vital in situations.

I tend to stay away from Elixir H, that’s just my personal preference, I prefer the Med Kit and Healing Turret, personally. I usually bring Elixir R for both dungeons and sPvP. It’s a great way to revive allies when needed, you can even drop it at your feet if you know you are going to be downed, and it will bring you right back up! The active skill is also really nice if you get caught in some nasty AoE or someone chasing you down, 2 free dodge rolls is nothing to laugh at in a sticky situation. Elixir C is purely for offensive burst. If you’re going to bring out big damage, this is a good way to increase your Critical Chance and Condition Damage. I find Elixir S to be useful in sPvP, however I don’t use it in PvE.

If you’re thinking about going to a different profession, that’s your choice. In my opinion, few compare to the pure AoE Condition Damage that Necromancers have, however they are GREATLY kitten by the bleed cap, when building pure condition damage. I find Confusion to be a little lacking unless you can stack it significantly (Mesmers.) I enjoy Engineers because they do significant Condition Damage, but you can quickly switch your build if you are in a party with a Condition Necromancer, so you don’t hit the bleed cap, and still dish out some serious damage.

Hope that helped, and sorry for the wall of text!

Bomb & Grenade kits can be used for both condition & power builds imo. Though, I think they shine when power is the larger focus.

ToolKit is a power kit. The autoattack & Prybar skills hit very hard.

Elixir Gun is always on my skill bar in PvE. I’ve tried getting rid of it, but I just can’t lose what it brings. A large healing light field, an escape/blast finisher, and the ability to dish out some important single-target (i’m thinking dungeon bosses) conditions (weakness, poison, etc). Plus, it stacks bleeds twice as effectively as pistol autoattack.

I’ve never been huge fan of Elixir H, but then I’ve never run an elixir heavy build like you have. Traited, I’m sure it’s quite potent & with Cleaning Formula 409 you’ll have no condition problems. Take that and you can drop C. B is a favorite of mine. Seems too good not bring along in most PvE cases.

Something Engineer has is a lot of build variety. Sure, there are a couple accepted best damage dealing builds (but what profession doesn’t have them?). But Engis can bunker, deal straight dmg, condition dmg, support, etc. We’ve got all the tools.

I don’t theorycraft or design builds and forum post. But I will tell you to go a few pages into the Engi forum & you’ll see some great stuff. And a lot of it. Seems like we’re always experimenting, and I think this profession allows for that more than any other. Have fun.

For some beginner information check out my commentary videos about the Engineer, also I got several videos showing different builds for WvW porpuse if you are into that Follow the link in my signature!

Thank you for the info, I’m not really concerned about PvE since I think all professions are fun and balanced for PvE, this Engineer would be mainly for WvW.

I want a profession that can be really good at zerg x zerg battles, preferably with conditions (I have an Elementalist and I don’t think it kill things good enough, people always run from AoEs) and still being able to provide some support and survivability (no glass cannon).

I was going for Necromancer, but a guildie told me Engineers are as good or better than Necromancers for AoE conditions in WvW, but since I don’t want to level both to 80 to figure out which is better for what I want…

I saw some of your vids Amadeus, and found out that the Bomb Kit is actually useful… I thought people would easily avoid it but I forgot they’re the ones wanting to melee Engineers…
I’m going to give Engineers a try, thank you for all the info!