Guild Wars 2

Is it possible to do significant condition damage through just straight p/p or p/s? Or are kits the sole purpose of the engineer?

Sole purpose? No, they are not the purpose, they are part of the design though.

If you are asking is you can use P/P or P/S can be used reliably as sources of damage without kits, I would say no. Simply because you will be out damaged by basically every build on every profession.

Significant condi dmg? Yes.

I feel you may not be grasping the role of kits. They are like 2nd weapon sets to other classes and meant to be swapped into often. Another class like warrior will hit all the buttons untill skills are on CD then swap weapons for fresh skills.

If youre not rotating between weapon skills and kits youre like those rangers who go knock back, rapid fire and then just auto attack until off cool down.

There are some builds that dont use kits but thats another topic.

Simple put, no.

Only way to deal significant damage with P/P is with HGH build (due high amount of might stacks) – else I’d say no. There needs to be conditions diversity and conditions need to be constantly reapplied (that’s why with condi builds kits, traits, sigils and runes are so important).

ICP
Sigil of doom
runes of balthazar
reasonable high critchance (~33% minimum)

combine these, spam whatever AA you like
Warning: you need to pack at least one kit (at least medkit if you really need the other utility slots) to trigger sigil of doom.

You need kits for any kind of damage.
There are some gimmicky builds like HGH for condi or hybrid maybe. Static discharge for power. Those can thereotically go without any kits but they are both subpar even with kits.
So no, you do need kits. The way class is balanced is around the fact that you have no alternate weapons and kits make up for that. It’s like saying never swapping attunements on ele.

Kits are what give the Engineer amazing versatility.
but.
It is possible to do great condi damage without them.

As has been mentioned, HGH is one of the best ways to go, I have seen HGH builds without kits they just are harder to use, it relies heavily on effective dodging and tanky armor but elixirs can give you great utility.

If you wanna make a no kit build I’m willing to help you with armor and trait choices.

Thank you for all your feedback.

You can have a look at the build I just posted:

https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/engineer/Hybrid-Juggernaut-Build-PvE

Instead of focusing on Flamethrower just trait your pistols in Firearms (2nd trait line).

Hi everyone. I’m new to MMO’s so there are a few abr. that I do not ubderstand like HGH for example. I play a turret Engineer only. Thought that was a good thing. Is that a bad idea?

Any info welcome and thanx in advance.

Sorry for my spelling.

HGH is a trait under the Alchemy trait line.

Thanx for the quick response.