Guild Wars 2

I need some help from the experts builders.

While I know the metas and I’ve seen a lot of really nice builds in these forums, truth is I almost never adopt something for my Engie if I don’t find it fun. Fun is not the same as optimal for me. I usually adapt suggested builds so heavyily I just end with a broken build.

So I’m trying to do things in the reverse way this time:

I like FT and Rifle.
I find pistols boring, and hammer too focused on melee for my taste.
I hate launching nades all day (But I love Grenade Barrage).
I always take Speedy Kits and Juggernaut.
I like mobility and evasion more than blocking or reflecting.
I like the Healing Turret.
I hate all AIs.
I like to play mid range, going in and out of the combat.
I like condis AND power (I usually try to might stack a lot)
I like Orbital Strike but rarely use the Mortar Kit itself.

Which build and gear would you recommend to me? I Primarily want to optimize my PvE, but also would like to look your ideas for PvP.

Thanks for the help!

I run a build you might enjoy- the Scrappernaut. Short version, Juggernaut synergizes in silly ways with Mass Momentum and Applied Force in the Scrapper tree to give you 10-15 stacks of might, permanent stability, and 3s of quickness every 10 seconds just by having a FT equipped. So you can start any fight with a big burst from a lava ball, then switch to hammer and unload all your CDs before pulling FT back out ’til CDs come back. Wash, rinse, repeat. Rifle is an option for utility, but hammer really does bring a lot more burst on CD and the utility is very strong.

Third tree is flexible. I do like tools for Speedy Kits, but I’d also strongly recommend taking a look at Inventions- the sustain you get out of it is huge, mecha legs at a flat 25% takes the sting out of no speedy kits, and Bunker Down does silly things with FT autos- med kits and mines errywhere.

Utilities and elite are also flexible. I’m a similar “use it if it’s fun” player and Rocket Boots are wheeeee! Blast Gyro hits like a large, angry truck, and the toolbelt is 3s of super speed- great disengage coupled with stab from Juggernaut. Elixir Gun is honestly a more competitively useful choice with condi cleanse, more healing, and burst from Acid Bomb, though. For Elites, Sneak is strong, but I like Mortar so I can stay viable at range and because boom.

Build:

Scrapper x/3/3
Firearms (2 or 3)/3/1
Tools 2/1/x OR Inventions 2/3/2

Hammer, Heal Turret, FT, x, x, x

Runes: I like Hoelbrak for a little more condi resistance.
Amulet: Paladin. Valk is good too, a bit more vitality is nice, but it also ties you into High Caliber in Firearms; in this case, Pack Runes might be better so your crit isn’t in the basement.
Sigils: I always use Blood, second varies- Fire, Air, Water, and Superior Speed are all worth considering.

I also enjoy Rifle and FT and I use this build for most all PVE content, except raids.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vdAQFAUnUUB1Uh1aBuoC0ehF2iaMOGjvAMEPxAgO4P+nH-TxRBQBJU9HA8AAuiyv9t/wDuAAmRJIe0BAA-e

The third utility slot can be switched out for anything. I also have rifle turret mainly for its tool belt skill; it’s on a quick 6.75 second cool down and syncs well with Static Discharge. Also in dungeons I usually take off mortar kit in favor of Stealth gyro. Most mobs I have found wont aggro it, so makes skipping mobs pretty easy.

And for PVP – Hoelbrak Runes, Sigil of Force, Sigil of Generosity, Paladin Amulet and swap Incendiary Powder for Juggernaut and Applied Force for Adaptive Armor.

You wont have as nearly as much sustain as the scrapper meta, but it does have good point control. Blast gyro can be used to knock multiple people off a point – also good for interrupting burst rezs.

They aren’t meta but I do enjoy the builds.

Probably a bad idea

for pvp, i suggest picking up another class. since you dont like hammer (or p/p), you will really hurt your chances at winning by not using it. sorry to be that guy. it is what it is. and its unfortunate.

Gotta agree with insanemaniac here. It’s unfortunate, but the truth. I’ve played engi for years, done every build imaginable, even back when p/s was the standard pvp loadout (I know, hard to believe it was ever a thing… but it was). The truth is that as fun as any build might be, what is decidedly not fun is losing every encounter and match you play. And that’s just how extreme the current metagame has become (maybe not quite literally, but frighteningly close).

Thank you for the responses, guys. I’ll study and test your suggestions to see how well they work on my not so adaptable brain!

About not using Engie when playing PvP… Truth is I’m trying to improve my Reaper for PvP purposes now, so I don’t feel too extremely bad about your nice, hurtful honesty.