Guild Wars 2

Hey all,

Thought I’d get ask for some advice on Engineer elites. Been leveling a Charr Engi (now at 77) and been having some difficulty getting a good grasp on the elite skills. In general, there range seems to be all a bit too short for the offensive ones (mortar and barrage), and I’m not sure if I should really just use the supply crate, as I’m not specced to use turrets. Just thought I’d get some insights since the Engi has always been my least favorite of my 5 “main” classes.

For pvp supply crate is really our only choice. It can be argued mortar is better for seiges, but I only ever use supply crate, I cannot begin to tell you how many times it has saved my kitten from theives and burst warriors, pretty much gives you a stun, root, burning damage and a heal all in one.

we have more then one?

In terms of usefulness, the only real choice is Supply Drop.

I mean there are, I suppose situational uses for say, the stability of Elixir X. But since there’s no reliable way to get the desired transformation, it’s sketchy at best to rely on that. (I often see engies popping it for the stability and then cancelling the form. Meanwhile in gaurdianland… permastability.)

Mortar’s range is bad, without the use of a trait. And it’s an aggro magnet, in addition to being incredibly fragile.

The turrets in supply drop are useful for drawing aggro, providing regen and immobilize, and naturally the bandages are useful for not only yourself, but any allies in the area.

I use mortar, mainly because i play wvw almost exclusively. only use it when i’m defending, and already throwing crap from the walls so the mortar translates to: more crap to throw

Elixir X – its a fun gimmick for the first time you get each effect. After that I have only used it a few times to run past mobs in a jumping puzzle.

Mortar – Like ^ said, I’ve only used a few times when defending and I’m not sure I even killed anything with it. Just knocked ppl back. Grenades and FT will yield better results.

Supply Crate – Yup this is about it. Pretty awesome Elite you WILL end up using this the most. I try and hold off in PvP till after they pop a heal and are around 50% then use it as a stun/finisher and rush in to attack and grab the med kits.

Racial Elites – Only real alternative to SC.

When running a char you still have the option of Charzooka, too, which is pretty freaking awesome. But I think Supply Drop still has the highest situational usage. Supply Drop is actually one of my favorite elites in the game. Even without the trait which makes it even better. Otherwise the charzooka, more for fun and some added dps, or the Sylvari one (forget the name) with the turrets and three seconds of invulnerability.

The sylvari turrets are one of the few elites that can actually kill multiple mobs without interference once cast.

As said, Supply Drop is the engi best option, but I prefer Charzooka, 2 is a good CC if you know how to, you can use 4 to get some space and 5 could do not so bad damage in area.

altough SC Drop is for sure a great thing and the only viable engineer elite, the asura racial golems are very nice too actually. i use them more often these days (pve only obviously)

Supply Drop- nougth said.

It would be great if at least Mortar got buffed to something more sturdy and usefull.
Currently we have NO other ranged option than grenades with the Grenadier trait.
Everything else is totally underwhelming in terms of range and damge compared to even the nerfed grenades.

It’s so very shamefull that an elite skill is completely overshadowed by a basic kit like grenades.
And grenades aren’t even too strong… it’s just that Mortar is so dam weak.

Even untraited I think grenades would have more utility than the stationary, terribly slow and easily destructible Mortar.

Kimbald.2697:

It would be great if at least Mortar got buffed to something more sturdy and usefull.
Currently we have NO other ranged option than grenades with the Grenadier trait.
Everything else is totally underwhelming in terms of range and damge compared to even the nerfed grenades.

It’s so very shamefull that an elite skill is completely overshadowed by a basic kit like grenades.
And grenades aren’t even too strong… it’s just that Mortar is so dam weak.

Even untraited I think grenades would have more utility than the stationary, terribly slow and easily destructible Mortar.

it would be nice if the traits that are supposed to work with mortar…worked with mortar. IE all the turret traits, increased supplies, etc. yes, mortar is a turret.

Even ignoring traits being useless and the mortar itself being a glass kitten with even crappier range. Could it not lock up every 3 shots?

As a Charr eng, I switch between Supply Drop and Warband Call.

Warband is pretty useful for me as they are extra damage with effects (the sword/shield warrior acts like the vet guards by throwing bolas and charging an enemy).

Supply Drop is VERY useful with the initial stun plus bandages and turrets. Traited, it’s hard to beat as an Elite.

1. Go to the Mists and specc Grenadier trait.

2. Equip Mortar, and of course grenades.

3. Hit different armor target dummies till they are destroyed. Use grenades first, than mortar.

4. Untrait Grenadier and do the same.

You will see that a target dummy takes AGES to kill with Mortar.
Everyone saying that Mortar is good for keep defense etc isn’t seeing the numbers right. They see lots of numbers and figure the damage is good, but it simply is not.

Mortar can’t kill anything fast at all.

Even compared to UNTRAITED grenades it loses.

To make it worse:
Mortar is stationary
Mortar is sloooow
Mortar is fragile and easily destroyed.
Mortar has SHORTER range than traited grenades.
Mortar can’t be used min range, where grenades can! Not even the klnockback or the heal, what would make perfect sense…

Plusses:
Mortar has a heal, but it will never keep anyone alive in a siege I’m afraid.
Mortar has a knockback.

Seriously: go test it on dummies in whatever gear you chose.
Mortar just has pityfull damage.