Guild Wars 2

I’ve been looking at a lot of guides, but I’ve been really confused as to which would be the better build for my character, since I doubt there’s a “best” build.

I am looking for PvE-focused build, as I don’t PvP, and I hardly do dungeon runs.

Also, this is my current build, so if you could give me tips on how to make it better, that’d be highly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

You’ve got a lot of unused skill points there.
What skills are you using?

Zenguy.6421:

You’ve got a lot of unused skill points there.
What skills are you using?

Just the ones I have equipped already, and a few others that I forget at the moment. But if there are skills you recommend, please do tell me, and I’ll unlock them.

I really just want a nice reliable PvE build that’ll be fun and also will be good enough so I won’t die in two hits.

Well, considering you’re gonna hit 60 and get grandmaster traits, you have a couple options.

1) Going grenades and getting Grenadier for 3 nades, 1500 range, applies a lot of conditions and is generally safe. If you want to sit back and lob grenades, then this is the way to go. Shrap, Short Fuse and Grenadier are the traits you want from explosives.

2) Flamethrower. Once you hit 60, it becomes more viable as might stacking comes into play. You will always have at least 6 stacks of might on you, once you get deadly mixture in alchemy (also needed).

3) Bomb build. You’ll need some defensive armor to do this, but it’s a lot of fun. Bombs hit pretty hard by themselves and with defensive armor, you can get more offensive traits. I usually run 25/15/0/10/20 for extra crit chance when the enemy is below 50% hp and more crit damage. Just keep in mind that most things will stick to you if you are running with a group unless there is a guard around, so be prepared for lots of dodging. I’d recommending picking up Elixir R with the build for a stun break and endurance refill, not to mention you should be getting vigor procs with that build which allows for more dodging or being a bit more offensive by dropping bombs via evasive keg.

Spart.6578:

Well, considering you’re gonna hit 60 and get grandmaster traits, you have a couple options.

1) Going grenades and getting Grenadier for 3 nades, 1500 range, applies a lot of conditions and is generally safe. If you want to sit back and lob grenades, then this is the way to go. Shrap, Short Fuse and Grenadier are the traits you want from explosives.

2) Flamethrower. Once you hit 60, it becomes more viable as might stacking comes into play. You will always have at least 6 stacks of might on you, once you get deadly mixture in alchemy (also needed).

3) Bomb build. You’ll need some defensive armor to do this, but it’s a lot of fun. Bombs hit pretty hard by themselves and with defensive armor, you can get more offensive traits. I usually run 25/15/0/10/20 for extra crit chance when the enemy is below 50% hp and more crit damage. Just keep in mind that most things will stick to you if you are running with a group unless there is a guard around, so be prepared for lots of dodging. I’d recommending picking up Elixir R with the build for a stun break and endurance refill, not to mention you should be getting vigor procs with that build which allows for more dodging or being a bit more offensive by dropping bombs via evasive keg.

I don’t think I’d like the Bomb build very much.

As for the Flamethrower one, what exactly do you mean by “deadly mixture in alchemy”? I haven’t played for a while, so I am a bit out of it. Speaking of which, what would the traits be for that one?

Ditto with the Grandes one.

AdelaisAer.4109:

As for the Flamethrower one, what exactly do you mean by “deadly mixture in alchemy”? I haven’t played for a while, so I am a bit out of it. Speaking of which, what would the traits be for that one?

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fcAQJAqel0pyaX3SdF1rIBoH1vu3Vki83YA-e

That would be a basic FT build at your level there. I neglected to get Incendiary Powder in Explosives as Juggernaut and Deadly Mixture are both two staples if you are gonna be sitting in FT. Infused precision and Invigorating speed can be swapped out for Vulnerability on crits in Firearms and Fast Acting Elixirs in Alchemy.

Beserkers would be your damage armor set, while soldiers (Power/Vitality/Toughness) would be your defensive.

AdelaisAer.4109:

Ditto with the Grandes one.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fcAQJAqOlIqiY3zSTdEBUh6TUh87zj3KtgQA-TIAjMmEA

That would be a starting point for nades at your level. Then you would head more into alchemy for Backpack regenerator and then into Tools for Speedy Kits. Rampager Gear (focused on conditions) would be the gearset for this.

Spart.6578:

AdelaisAer.4109:

As for the Flamethrower one, what exactly do you mean by “deadly mixture in alchemy”? I haven’t played for a while, so I am a bit out of it. Speaking of which, what would the traits be for that one?

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fcAQJAqel0pyaX3SdF1rIBoH1vu3Vki83YA-e

That would be a basic FT build at your level there. I neglected to get Incendiary Powder in Explosives as Juggernaut and Deadly Mixture are both two staples if you are gonna be sitting in FT. Infused precision and Invigorating speed can be swapped out for Vulnerability on crits in Firearms and Fast Acting Elixirs in Alchemy.

Beserkers would be your damage armor set, while soldiers (Power/Vitality/Toughness) would be your defensive.

AdelaisAer.4109:

Ditto with the Grandes one.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fcAQJAqOlIqiY3zSTdEBUh6TUh87zj3KtgQA-TIAjMmEA

That would be a starting point for nades at your level. Then you would head more into alchemy for Backpack regenerator and then into Tools for Speedy Kits. Rampager Gear (focused on conditions) would be the gearset for this.

I just hit 60, so I am going to try that. So essentially, 30 Firearms, 20 Alchemy, and concentrate on making Flamethrower dish out as much damage as possible, right?

Would this build be useful for doing dynamic events in PvE, such as Karkas in Southsun or Shatterer?

I use a variation of the FT build mentioned, though I use PVT gear. I’ve found I can tank pretty well in Orr or Frostgorge. I should note that you cannot tank with this build in Southsun unless it’s 1v1. Multiple mobs, especially karka, will run you over unless you can use CC/kiting (or Gear Shield for karka range attack). The only mobs I have trouble with in the Shatterer event is the vets, who tend to use knockdowns frequently. Teq is much the same way, especially Vet Risen Krait.

AdelaisAer.4109:

I just hit 60, so I am going to try that. So essentially, 30 Firearms, 20 Alchemy, and concentrate on making Flamethrower dish out as much damage as possible, right?

Would this build be useful for doing dynamic events in PvE, such as Karkas in Southsun or Shatterer?

Pretty much. As you get closer to 80, you want to Incendiary Powder for a burn to take advantage of Flame Jet’s 10% extra damage to burning targets, and could max out Alchemy and pick up either 409, or Backpack regen, it’s all up to you. There is also a FT crit damage variation build on the forums https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/engineer/PVE-BUILD-Firestorm-Engineer/first#post2099083 that I had a blast playing, but eventually just switched back to bombs cause I enjoy them a lot.

You should be more than fine for events, though southsun could be a pain at times (stupid reef riders eating might stacks).

Keep in mind that you don’t have to keep the utilities that I’ve selected, so if you find something that’s more useful to you, then by all means take it.

Spart.6578:

AdelaisAer.4109:

I just hit 60, so I am going to try that. So essentially, 30 Firearms, 20 Alchemy, and concentrate on making Flamethrower dish out as much damage as possible, right?

Would this build be useful for doing dynamic events in PvE, such as Karkas in Southsun or Shatterer?

Pretty much. As you get closer to 80, you want to Incendiary Powder for a burn to take advantage of Flame Jet’s 10% extra damage to burning targets, and could max out Alchemy and pick up either 409, or Backpack regen, it’s all up to you. There is also a FT crit damage variation build on the forums https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/engineer/PVE-BUILD-Firestorm-Engineer/first#post2099083 that I had a blast playing, but eventually just switched back to bombs cause I enjoy them a lot.

You should be more than fine for events, though southsun could be a pain at times (stupid reef riders eating might stacks).

Keep in mind that you don’t have to keep the utilities that I’ve selected, so if you find something that’s more useful to you, then by all means take it.

I see. That sounds fine, then. If I use your build, what would the final traits be for Lv. 80? Currently for me it’s 0 30 1 20 0, with the traits key skills (every ten traits) you suggested. (I’m Lv. 61)

It would be 10/30/0/30/0.

Explosives: V
Firearms: III, VIII, XI
Alchemy: I, VII, X

That’s if you want to include perma swiftness and vigor into the mix, if you want more vulnerability and quicker elixirs, go V instead of III in Firearms and II instead of I in Alchemy.

Spart.6578:

It would be 10/30/0/30/0.

Explosives: V
Firearms: III, VIII, XI
Alchemy: I, VII, X

That’s if you want to include perma swiftness and vigor into the mix, if you want more vulnerability and quicker elixirs, go V instead of III in Firearms and II instead of I in Alchemy.

Alright, I’ll make sure to try that then. Thank you.