Guild Wars 2

Okay, so I’ve levelled my engineer and traited (and outfitted) mostly going by gut feeling; now I think I want to turn her into a legitimate build. I read all the trait descriptions but they left me very confused. There is just too much information. I feel like a total n00b. :’-(

So I want to “properly” retrait and also get new exotic gear to match.

So maybe you have some input for me as to what specifically would be a good idea for me to do.

Some info:
- I mainly do PvE, and I want to get into dungeons and fractals more.
- I do PvP and WvW only sometimes and casually, so this shouldn’t be the main focus of the build
- I want to invest in toughness so I don’t feel SUPER squishy
- Right now, I mostly use the elixir gun and occasionally bombs. Also a fan of pistols (the rifle, not so much.)
- I can live without grenades, flamethrower, tools (I rarely use them) and I’m sort of “done” with turrets, except for the elite supply kit which is awesome.
- I’ve used the healing turret for the longest time. Right now I’m trying the other healing skill for the first time and I’m not sure yet whether I like it better or not. It does seem to give me more flexibility when I have to move around a lot.

My current build is 30/30/10/0/0 with
- exploit weakness
- incendiary power
- enhance performance
- hair trigger
- precise sights
- coated bullet
- explosive descent

So I think my build is all over the place right now and there is a lot to be optimized…

If there was one line that improves toughness, condition damage (or duration) and has elixir traits, that’d be the one I’d put all my points in, but sadly they’re spread out over 4 different trait lines What to do?

I’m grateful for any hints that help me unjumble this mess!

Where exactly do you want your damage to come from?
-Rifle is good for crit chance/damage
-Pistols are good for conditions
-FT is better for conditions, but also works for crit
-Grenades work for either, but are often better for conditions
-Bombs, IIRC, act a lot like grenades
-Elixir gun does condition damage

In terms of traits, pick whatever enhances your primary source of damage. While the stat buffs are nice, it’s far more important to take the traits that enhance your weapon rather than the stats that enhance your damage type.

For a sample build, here’s what I use. I go with the rifle for long-range control and crits, and you could probably swap the 30 in firearms for a 30 in explosives if you wanted to use grenades instead. http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fcAQFAUlspSXnvSeF17IxoCeG0j863+K6xjp8kB

If you wanted to use dual pistols/condition damage, I would steer you towards http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fcAQJAqalspSXnvSeF17IBoH5Fv8V0jHT5J/pAbB
It shares many similarities with the first one, but is more geared towards pistols and conditions. You would want to use precision/condition gear to maximize condition damage and application.

If you wanted to use an elixir gun centric build, in which you won’t deal nearly as much damage but will have more utility, I’d take http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fcAQJAqelspSXnvyuF17IxoCdGkC9WXRPeMlnMA
You’ll note that this last one has ten extra points available; they aren’t critical to playstyle. Put them in anything that you’ll likely use: if you are critting a lot, get 10 in explosives for the trait that applies burning on crit, or put them in firearms for one of the several on-crit trait. If you get attacked a lot, one of the defensive inventions options might be attractive.

With all of these, you will be using your elixirs to stack useful boons on yourself, while dealing damage and supporting with your weapon abilities. Save Elixir S for when you are getting focused and need a reprieve, and in the builds with it, save elixir U for when you can be sure that you will have a full 6 seconds to unload your damage on your target.
If none of these builds look fun, then I’ll try and come up with more.

DISCLAIMER:
None of these builds are pro builds, none are OP FoTM builds, they’re just how a random person on the internet likes to play.

Just came up with this from what it sounds like you like,

This is a dungeon build solely, it runs pistol/shield for more defense to protect yourself, and the shield 4 so that you can use it to trigger the aoe heal from your tool belt 1 slot.

The bombs will heal everyone in the group so when your bunched up you will be a real cleric. The elixir gun heal as well will be great for you and your group.

http://intothemists.com/calc/?build=VVRw;2cPku0c-VQFx0;9;49JT9-2;057-06A5;37w0;3Rk06Rk063Nj

This is great guys! Thank you for the input.

Sylentir.8913:

Where exactly do you want your damage to come from?

I’ve got my mind set on condition damage, I think.

Sylentir.8913:

In terms of traits, pick whatever enhances your primary source of damage. While the stat buffs are nice, it’s far more important to take the traits that enhance your weapon rather than the stats that enhance your damage type.

That is very useful information. Thanks a bunch. This makes it a lot easier for me to pick out stuff.

Sylentir.8913:

With all of these, you will be using your elixirs to stack useful boons on yourself, while dealing damage and supporting with your weapon abilities. Save Elixir S for when you are getting focused and need a reprieve, and in the builds with it, save elixir U for when you can be sure that you will have a full 6 seconds to unload your damage on your target.
If none of these builds look fun, then I’ll try and come up with more.

Again, very useful. I’ve used elixir U in this way under water a lot, but never in my regular toolbar.

My regular toolbar right now is:
- Elixir H
- Elixir Gun
- Bomb Kit for PvE (love the F3, too)
- Elixir B / Elixir C alternating, depending

When I use the elixir gun, I don’t need elixir C as it comes with its own “remove condition” skill, but when I need to remove conditions a lot (certain boss fights?), I add elixir C anyway. I guess I could use elixir U in the same slot, never really thought about this for some reason…

Sylentir.8913:

None of these builds are pro builds, none are OP FoTM builds, they’re just how a random person on the internet likes to play.

I am a random person on the Internet, too, so that’s fine

galandor.1059:

This is a dungeon build solely, it runs pistol/shield for more defense to protect yourself, and the shield 4 so that you can use it to trigger the aoe heal from your tool belt 1 slot.

The bombs will heal everyone in the group so when your bunched up you will be a real cleric. The elixir gun heal as well will be great for you and your group.

This is a very interesting take. I never saw the character as a healer type, but it is good to know that an engineer could be. I will have to think some more about whether I want to play this role in dungeons but it does sound fun.

Both your replies have been very inspiring.

What I learnt:

- fun traits are more important than stat points
- I should consider trying out shields
- engineers can be healers

I will play around with this some more and when I find a configuration that I think might work post it here!

Make sure you craft and consume Pizza. The good stuff extends your Condition Duration by 40%.

Pixelpumpkin.4608:

This is great guys! Thank you for the input.
When I use the elixir gun, I don’t need elixir C as it comes with its own “remove condition” skill, but when I need to remove conditions a lot (certain boss fights?), I add elixir C anyway. I guess I could use elixir U in the same slot, never really thought about this for some reason…

Completely forgot to tell you one large thing! If you look at the traits, the 30 points in alchemy all go towards improving elixirs in various ways.
-The first tier decreases cooldown by 20%, which lets you stack buffs more often. Pretty good.
-The third tier gives you might on elixir use. Also pretty good.

However, one that is really powerful without being a grandmaster tier trait is that second tier! On elixir use OR THROW, you remove conditions. Anytime you use elixir B (which should be on cooldown), you remove a condition. Anytime you throw elixir H or elixir B (which can be on cooldown if you want more damage, or can be saved if you think you’ll need it later) you remove a condition on anyone it hits. Anytime you use elixirs S or U? or throw elixirs S or U? Same deal.

As a result, you have tons of condition removal, without even taking an ability that offers condition removal. The weapon skill on the elixir gun is also awesome, and should help make you even harder to kill with bleeds and the like.

Generally speaking, you’re going to want to use a kit to deal the majority of your damage. The pistol/shield/rifle are great weapons, but in my experience, are swapped to, used, and swapped out of for your kit again. Elixir gun is a fantastic kit, however it’s best used in a support role (healing, spreading conditions, blast finishing). Its auto stacks bleeds more effectively than pistols even, so it’s not a bad weapon to fight with at range if necessary.

The primary damage kits are Grenades, Flamethrower, Bomb, ToolKit. Despite what was said about, FT is not a condition weapon, it’s a power/prec wep. It may apply burning, but it shines with stacks of precision and +crit dmg due to its fast fire rate and hard hitting #2. Grenades are a hybrid, benefitting from cond & straight dmg. Bomb & Tool Kits are melee range kits. Never had much luck with bomb kit but that’s my shortcoming, not the kit’s. ToolKit is incredibly useful, especially in PvP. It hits hard (power weapon again), applies confusion, cripple, bleed, has a block, and a long range pull. Useful if you are operating at close range with Bombs or FT.

In general, you’re going to want to gear for damage, not survivability with respect to PvE dungeons. Some toughness and vitality is helpful, but in general your best defense is not getting hit. Use shield blocks and most of all dodge! Some dungeon attacks, no matter your armor and hp, will squish you dead. You have to avoid the damage. If you stack too much touhgness & vitality, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed with your damage output. People say that high damage potential of a dead player is useless so stay alive. While this is true, gearing simply to stay alive makes you equally useless since your damage & support abilities will be diminished. PvP requires more tough/vit than PvE, since you will be getting hit. Just my 2 cents.

Yup, every of the information above is true. This game does not offer versatility only as an option. In order to be a decent player, no matter what role, you have to rely on both kits and weapons.

Short Story: I used to play a Knight set (Power, Precision, Toughness) + Flamethrower, oriented on HGH. After 2-3 months of experience in various PVE and Dungeons I perfected my dodging and the HP didn’t drop below 75% anymore. That’s when I thought I should drop the Toughness for another stat.

I suggest you try the same. You just said you prefer the pistols + Elixir gun? Well in this case you have reasons to try a Rampager’s set (Precision, Power, Condition damage). Soon has suggested Pizza as food. Adding that to this set will make you a condition nightmare.

If you feel you are too squishy all of a sudden, you can mix the set. Suppose you have your Coat Power Prec Toughness will balance things.

JubeiTM.5763:

If you feel you are too squishy all of a sudden, you can mix the set. Suppose you have your Coat Power Prec Toughness will balance things.

I use my accessories to supplement survivability. Zerk/Rampager armor and most of my accessories. Got a couple with vit, tough, heal just for that little tweak my playstyle requires. By that I mean for those dungeons I don’t know well and get caught in the fire lol.

Okay, that’s all very good input. Kind of makes me wish I could play 4 different builds at the same time

I think I’m happy now with my elixir gun/pistols girl for traits:

• 20/20/0/30/0 with
• Exploit Weakness, Enhance Performance
• Rifled Barrels, Fireforged Trigger
• Blood Injection, Backpack Regenerator, Deadly Mixture

That gives me enhanced damage, recharge and range on the elixir gun (the latter also for pistols), some additional condition damage, and almost permanent regeneration + might.

Next step, getting armour to complement this. Rampager’s sounds like a good idea, but yeah, maybe I’ll through some vitality/toughness into the mix for when things get too hot.

I’ll also try out pistol/shield as soon as I’ve got that pesky rifle mastery achievement out of the way. I’ve only ever seriously played double pistols, but after reading this thread and a few others in this forum I think I have to give the shield another try.

I haven’t given the tool kit much thought at all yet but I’m happy to try that out next!

Again, thank you for the insights and suggestions; I feel I’m learning a lot.