Guild Wars 2

I just cam back from a 5 months break to my engi, my most favorite class of all time but this is my second thread on a big problem I have with it. I get focused ALL the time what ever dungeon I do, is it because I do to much dps??? I can’t handle this any more I go down on each and every single stack and I have 0 added toughness with no shield. I spend more time trying to stay alive on a stack while any other class gets 0 aggro…. I don’t know what to do anymore other than quitting the class….

Had this problem before my break and still have it now…

I used to have that problem a lot, when I actually did dungeons. I’d literally enter a room, and an enemy across the room, fighting another party member, would hit me with a Warrior Sword #1 auto-attack. From across the freakin’ room, I repeat. Even glitches had aggro on me!
At the worst points, I’ve had eight enemies peel off my party members and all dive on me.

I really doubt DPS was a problem for me, too – I was probably running Cleric’s, or Knight’s, or some combination thereof, and using Turrets. Old Turrets, too, the ones that attacked whatever they wanted, were bugged so heavily that I went and compiled a nearly thirty-item-long buglist on…those ones. They didn’t even scale to anything at the time.

I…didn’t do anything about it, besides go “WELL DON’T I FEEL IMPORTANT” and run around screaming. Even happened in world boss fights, and other ‘event boss’ things, so much so that I could reliably kite the Modniir, for example, through literally everyone’s attacks and not lose aggro. I couldn’t get it to stop, and once I got used to it, I kind of liked it. So I ran with it, and built for tanking; I fine-tuned my builds to handle the greatest number of enemies at a time, with little concern for speed…after all, they wouldn’t leave me alone, so as long as I could survive them, I’d grind them into dust.

Full berserker is not for you, then. If you can’t handle it then DO NOT use it. Simple as that.

Get some soldier or knight pieces until you are confident enough. Or use toolkit for the extra block.

Kraljevo.2801:

Full berserker is not for you, then. If you can’t handle it then DO NOT use it. Simple as that.

Get some soldier or knight pieces until you are confident enough. Or use toolkit for the extra block.

I have been playing this game since beta I know my classes and armors from inside out, it’s not a L2P issue, it is literally the fact that I gain aggro even if I don’t hit stuff and I am not able to lose it even if I run across the room…

Any other class I have geared full zerk I can sip a coffee and read the newspaper while I watch my char auto attack but the engi is something else when you have the whole dungeon stop and heat seek your kitten for no reason. I mean come on even in a stack I am the one who gets the punches while the other members of the group don’t even take one hit or barely an aoe attack.

SE is the worse, I can stay near the chest at the last boss and after someone pulls her down the stairs she comes running after me and I am at the other end of the room…

Hmm most mob behavior causes them to attack the person with the most toughness/vitality. Which is why being even a little bit tankier than your team mates can be lethal unless your BUILT for it. (like a soldier/sinister burn guard).

As far as engies go. Are you doing anything that pumps up your toughness?

if not is your group one with several clothies?

Other than that are you fighting mobs that have unique aggro behaviors. Namely orrians from arah. Some mobs in arah have unique agro mechanics from what we can see.

Damage doesn’t really effect agro much in this game. If your having trouble keeping mobs off of you theres something you can do to make sure theyl stay on easier targets.

Keep cripple and chill on them. This will almost guarantee that they will go after the nearest targets. As there set to take into account how difficult it is for them to reach there targets. This is useful in keeping htere attention firmly on melee targets. Again this doesn’t work on many orrian mobs. But they specifically will ALWAYS attack hte weakest link. (if you have someone below half health you can almsot guarantee theyl get wacked. Or theyl be like lupicus (who fixates on specific players)

I have exactly same problem. There is clearly some bug what make engi target more often and I dont think its something with gear dps or range. Its also one of those reason why I never use Scholar runes.

I’ve just test my theory.
Results ? Hybrid builds (which deal both physical and conditions) have higher priority in mob’s aggro than pure builds.
Meta engineer with granade kit inflict tons of various conditions and this couse that aggro.
Try to shorbow ranger in zerk gear on meta events ^^ Every champion will fallow you not forty man zerg.

Miltek.2104:

I’ve just test my theory.
Results ? Hybrid builds (which deal both physical and conditions) have higher priority in mob’s aggro than pure builds.
Meta engineer with granade kit inflict tons of various conditions and this couse that aggro.
Try to shorbow ranger in zerk gear on meta events ^^ Every champion will fallow you not forty man zerg.

Its not that beside I dont run that so called meta build and other classes also have condis on their skills. No matter what you do you can even wait few seconds and start attack later then rest of the party and still after one hit you are again primary target.
I tested it in multiple gears from zerk to soldier in multiple situations and result is same

I main engineer, playing him all the time in dungeons. My opinion to this;
As someone allready mentioned, if you feel like you die to much, dont go full zerk. I dont know how you play, and what skills you use, but im sure that the class offers more than enough ways to negate damage, reduce damage, fill endurance, clear condis, break stuns, heal yourself etc.
I remember that when i switched from tankier gear to full zerk i felt extremely fragile too. Bit it really is just a matter of time until you get used to it.

Some enemies like to focus those furthest from them, so watch out for that.

Other than that, yeah I have been having it happen a lot too, I feel your pain. For melee mobs pop your nets and back up a little, gives you some breathing room. Try sitting in melee range but at the max range often helps as well as circling the boss.

No real miracle cure just gotta do your best.

gengaluf.1729:

I main engineer, playing him all the time in dungeons. My opinion to this;
As someone allready mentioned, if you feel like you die to much, dont go full zerk. I dont know how you play, and what skills you use, but im sure that the class offers more than enough ways to negate damage, reduce damage, fill endurance, clear condis, break stuns, heal yourself etc.
I remember that when i switched from tankier gear to full zerk i felt extremely fragile too. Bit it really is just a matter of time until you get used to it.

Dying is not a problem (I mean we never die in zerk) at all its about focus where mobs clearly have some strange behavior when they meet engi

Rozbuska.5263:

gengaluf.1729:

I main engineer, playing him all the time in dungeons. My opinion to this;
As someone allready mentioned, if you feel like you die to much, dont go full zerk. I dont know how you play, and what skills you use, but im sure that the class offers more than enough ways to negate damage, reduce damage, fill endurance, clear condis, break stuns, heal yourself etc.
I remember that when i switched from tankier gear to full zerk i felt extremely fragile too. Bit it really is just a matter of time until you get used to it.

Dying is not a problem (I mean we never die in zerk) at all its about focus where mobs clearly have some strange behavior when they meet engi

Exctly, please read before posting, it’s not the gear factor because even if I go full soldier or knight if you get focused you are still paper, like stated above it seems to be a weird game mechanic/bug that causes engi to gain aggro from nothing.

I used to have this problem. For example, Sure Shot Seamus would focus me 9 times out of 10 in his shotgun phase, and several other bosses as well. I died for a bit, then got better and stopped dying. I realized you could literally sidestep every blunderbuss he does, so I started moving so that he would face away from the rest of my team and sidestepped every attack while DPSing. Other bosses have similar attacks that need to be dodged, moved out of, baited, blocked, etc, and once you learn those they’re fairly easy. Trash mobs are even easier, with blind completely negating 95% of their attacks, and CC to negate the rest, so you barely even need to know which attacks to dodge/kite/etc.

TL;DR: get good

i run dungeons fractals world bosses just fine as my engineer

so yeah it seems its a L2P issue from your side

i usually run Static discharge builds
with rifle turret wrench and elixir U or whatever i feel is better depending on dungeon or whatever .

if you want a dungeon immortal build go full clerics with healing bombs and backpack regen sigil of life and saffron ice cream i think it was

Sins.4782:

I used to have this problem. For example, Sure Shot Seamus would focus me 9 times out of 10 in his shotgun phase, and several other bosses as well. I died for a bit, then got better and stopped dying. I realized you could literally sidestep every blunderbuss he does, so I started moving so that he would face away from the rest of my team and sidestepped every attack while DPSing. Other bosses have similar attacks that need to be dodged, moved out of, baited, blocked, etc, and once you learn those they’re fairly easy. Trash mobs are even easier, with blind completely negating 95% of their attacks, and CC to negate the rest, so you barely even need to know which attacks to dodge/kite/etc.

TL;DR: get good

There are some bosses what you can counter like you say but other what you simply cant like that instant Alpha tooth attack in CoE 1 or trash bandits in CM what hits you for 50% and then you die on 25 stacks of bleed befor you can even use turret. Another good example are devourers from that first burrow in CoF 2 where you stack behind that pillar. No matter how many you dodge or block they jumpung on you whole time while left rest of the team untouched like almost every time. I agree there are bosses with clear mecahnic but most of them you simply cant counter by mechanics no matter how good you are

Don’t use a shield

Rezzet.3614:

i run dungeons fractals world bosses just fine as my engineer

so yeah it seems its a L2P issue from your side

i usually run Static discharge builds
with rifle turret wrench and elixir U or whatever i feel is better depending on dungeon or whatever .

if you want a dungeon immortal build go full clerics with healing bombs and backpack regen sigil of life and saffron ice cream i think it was

That’s the weird part of it it’s not a L2P issue because it doesn’t seem to happen to all the engi players, I don’t know if it’s dependent on race or anything else.

Please don’t assume that just because you don’t get this problem and you are having a great time you are any better at playing the class, I’ve had my engi since day 1 and know the class inside out. It’s not like I can counter the game mechanics if every single enemy wants to kill me and nobody else on the team. I am sure I could stay at the beginning of the dungeon and the last boss would find a way to run all the way back to kill me, it’s that bad.

Seems like a player skill issue my frand! I’ve run every dungeon path and Fractal 50 with full berserker Engi! PvE in this game is so goshdarn easy there really isn’t any excuse for dying! Jokes!

Wahoo! Bye frands!

Rozbuska.5263:

There are some bosses what you can counter like you say but other what you simply cant like that instant Alpha tooth attack in CoE 1 or trash bandits in CM what hits you for 50% and then you die on 25 stacks of bleed befor you can even use turret. Another good example are devourers from that first burrow in CoF 2 where you stack behind that pillar. No matter how many you dodge or block they jumpung on you whole time while left rest of the team untouched like almost every time. I agree there are bosses with clear mecahnic but most of them you simply cant counter by mechanics no matter how good you are

Alpha’s earth attack is dodgeable. If you’re not fast enough to recognize the animation, you’ll have to predict the attack, which usually isn’t all that hard. If you’re still having trouble, run 6/6/0/2/0 with invigorating speed and infused precision.

The cutpurses in CM usually use their 12-bleed death blossom when they reach you or soon after, dodge/block it, then blind the rest of their attacks and kill. If you’re facing riflemen or bombers, start off with Toss Elixir U, focus down any bomber(s), and blind/CC any riflemen that outlast your wall.

For the devourers in CoF, chain blinds, and if you’re fast, precast toss elixir u and switch back to your regular skills before you enter combat to deal with the ranged ones. If you’re still having trouble, consider crating immediately.

I really dont see the problem. I guess i played plenty on my engineer, but i never had the feeling of beeing targeted extremely more often than anyone else. You might hate me fir saying this but imo its just a matter of practice if you can predict and dodge or negate incoming damage or if you can not. I never expirienced any problems in pve related content.

Sins.4782:

Rozbuska.5263:

There are some bosses what you can counter like you say but other what you simply cant like that instant Alpha tooth attack in CoE 1 or trash bandits in CM what hits you for 50% and then you die on 25 stacks of bleed befor you can even use turret. Another good example are devourers from that first burrow in CoF 2 where you stack behind that pillar. No matter how many you dodge or block they jumpung on you whole time while left rest of the team untouched like almost every time. I agree there are bosses with clear mecahnic but most of them you simply cant counter by mechanics no matter how good you are

Alpha’s earth attack is dodgeable. If you’re not fast enough to recognize the animation, you’ll have to predict the attack, which usually isn’t all that hard. If you’re still having trouble, run 6/6/0/2/0 with invigorating speed and infused precision.

The cutpurses in CM usually use their 12-bleed death blossom when they reach you or soon after, dodge/block it, then blind the rest of their attacks and kill. If you’re facing riflemen or bombers, start off with Toss Elixir U, focus down any bomber(s), and blind/CC any riflemen that outlast your wall.

For the devourers in CoF, chain blinds, and if you’re fast, precast toss elixir u and switch back to your regular skills before you enter combat to deal with the ranged ones. If you’re still having trouble, consider crating immediately.

Dude.. I know how to counter that and if I will need vigor I will take it. That was just example where is engi clearly target more often then he should. You guys dont understand one thing. We dont die there. We dont complain about dying because thats not a case.. We talking here about clear bug in game where engineers are focused without reason.

Rozbuska.5263:

Sins.4782:

Rozbuska.5263:

There are some bosses what you can counter like you say but other what you simply cant like that instant Alpha tooth attack in CoE 1 or trash bandits in CM what hits you for 50% and then you die on 25 stacks of bleed befor you can even use turret. Another good example are devourers from that first burrow in CoF 2 where you stack behind that pillar. No matter how many you dodge or block they jumpung on you whole time while left rest of the team untouched like almost every time. I agree there are bosses with clear mecahnic but most of them you simply cant counter by mechanics no matter how good you are

Alpha’s earth attack is dodgeable. If you’re not fast enough to recognize the animation, you’ll have to predict the attack, which usually isn’t all that hard. If you’re still having trouble, run 6/6/0/2/0 with invigorating speed and infused precision.

The cutpurses in CM usually use their 12-bleed death blossom when they reach you or soon after, dodge/block it, then blind the rest of their attacks and kill. If you’re facing riflemen or bombers, start off with Toss Elixir U, focus down any bomber(s), and blind/CC any riflemen that outlast your wall.

For the devourers in CoF, chain blinds, and if you’re fast, precast toss elixir u and switch back to your regular skills before you enter combat to deal with the ranged ones. If you’re still having trouble, consider crating immediately.

Dude.. I know how to counter that and if I will need vigor I will take it. That was just example where is engi clearly target more often then he should. You guys dont understand one thing. We dont die there. We dont complain about dying because thats not a case.. We talking here about clear bug in game where engineers are focused without reason.

Exactly, I am not comlaining that engi is squishy compared to other classes or that the class is bad to stay alive, I am only saying that for some reason for ME and Rozbuska for some reason it feels like we are doing dungeons and content alone because the mobs jump ONLY on us and NOBODY ELSE. There is no question of survival, only the simple fact that I can stand 100 feet away from everybody and not attack and the mob will still run after me. The damage when I play my engi is not shared on the team it’s focused on me and no amount of healing or dodges can save you from a whole dungeon running after you.

I play a Silvari btw if that changes anything.

I really don’t think the race changes anything. Played an asura engineer and a human one, it’s exactly the same…

And having perma aggro as an engineer without really doing something to earn it seems to be very common.
My favorite for this is the coe golem and i remember at least half a dozen players in pugs comment on it before even starting the boss (most of them elementalists who seem to have the same problem here, only to a lesser extent)

So you stand still in a corner (you mentioned stacking) then complain that you die?

Are you dodging?

Are you using things like smoke bomb to aoe blind the attackers?

Perhaps you do not do enough to negate damage. I get focused when stacking, at times. Just because you stack, does not mean you should abandon damage mitigation tactics.

I don’t care what you say, if you feel like paper in soldiers gear, in a dungeon, it absolutely is a lap issue in my experience.

Stacking and standing still in a corner is 2 different things which don’t have anything to do one with the other, in any case, I guess that without me recording a video of it only those with the same issue will understand.

Let me try one last attempt at it, let’s say you do a 5 man stack in a corner and you have the boss coming at the stack, it’s not normal that I am the only one getting hit and the others can go take a kitten and come back and not have lost even1/4 of their hp.

You have to understand the difference between “I don’t know how to play and wtf is dodging” and “I can’t stay alive because I have 6 mobs running after only me”.

I don’t know, it could be that my character has a bug and it fell on my engi or maybe mobs just find my silvari I very attractive and they are trying to kitten him.

i dont know if its a bug or not or if my dps or armor is insane but i run with hoardss of mobs after myself however i make my builds prepare for that for example if i know theres potential of me being hit with near instant killing moves i simply take A.E.D and make sure i got the reset heal skill cooldown on 25% hp trait bam 2 insta revives right there its all about countermeasures .

Who doesnt like some good sylvari salad though

Ï dont wanna yell hooray yet because I tested it only for past 2 days in dungs but I think I found source of this problem. Its Autotargetting (in options) and mobs in target in general. Without that mobs mostly ignore me and agro works as expected with it on.. Oh boy:-)

Zerker maybe? Try not supporting that meta, oh wait you can’t because they still haven’t balanced the rest of the PVE combat systems.. sorry carry one!

It’s pretty obvious that just like your turrets, your hobosacks count as a target for the enemy. Hence you generate more threat.
Maybe do you run fire/air sigil or static discharge? Forceful explosives? Anything that makes you tag more stuff?
Maybe you don’t dodge stuff! Maybe you don’t blind stuff!
Anyway, you can take perma vigor and pistol/shield and toolkit. Maybe an energy sigil. If you still die then maybe play the other classes you say you can afk auto with.