Q:
I’ve been caught in a struggle between these two classes for months, now. The intention, for now, is to use a Celestial armor set with Runes of the Traveler, in order to be able to switch between builds to fill the needs of my group (always the same people, not really interested in “the meta” and powergaming), so super-finely-tuned builds are currently not relevant. We’re pretty-exclusively focused on PvE (including Dungeons and Fractals), though I get into WvW on my own from time to time, usually running around with a zerg because I don’t trust myself to handle the roaming playstyle very well. :P
Currently, to my inexperienced eye, these are the benefits I see:
-Easier/more reliable Vulnerability application via Grenade Kit and the Explosives trait line.
-Constant Stability via Flamethrower Kit and Juggernaut, versus the ridiculous-cooldown Stability moves on Elementalist.
-More reliable Stunbreak access… Most often, I end up being in a Flamethrower/Elixir Gun/Elixir U build, giving two Stunbreaks.
-Quickness, via Elixir U, with a very nice 10+ second duration that makes it super handy for any long-activation story items such as the door panel in the Underground Facility Fractal. Plus reviving, gathering, combat… I like Quickness a good bit.
-Stealth via Smoke Field and Elixir S toolbelt skill. I haven’t actually really made use of this much, but I know it exists and is available if I ever do end up needing it.
-More frequent Blind fields via Bomb Kit and Mortar #4. I use these a LOT when needing to revive my friends, or just in general to reduce the damage we all take.
-Higher uptime on survivability buffs. Invulnerability through Elixir S, stealth through Elixir S, the previously mentioned Blind fields, blocks on both the Shield and Tool Kit…
-More reliable projectile reflection. Shield’s #4, Med Kit’s Streamlined Kits ability, and the big one, Advanced Turrets.
-Rifle’s unique Jump Shot. We do a lot of jump puzzles and general climbing, and the long-jump ability of Rifle is quite useful for that.
-Light production. Fairly minor, but the flashes from grenades, bombs, mortar shots, gunshots, flamethrower… ALL of them provide light for darker areas. As far as I could tell in my testing, nothing from Elementalist does the same. I can’t goof off in dark places!
-More fitting name. I’m “Toolbox”, it’s just spot-on. XD
Areas where Elementalist seems to pull ahead:
-Better damage output. Becomes a little less potent with the Engineer’s seemingly-easier Vulnerability application, but still appears to be a good bit better even then.
-Better ally-healing. Engineer seems to have a better burst-heal with Healing Turret, but between Soothing Mist, the various weapon heals, and Evasive Arcana, Elementalist seems to me to be far more adept at a straight-up healing role when such a thing is needed.
-Better passive defense. Has a lower basic armor rating due to using Light Armor, but with Stone Flesh, Rock Barrier, and Signet of Stone adding on Toughness, plus Geomancer’s Defense and Diamond Skin/Stone Heart, it seems like Elementalist has a LOT of stuff simply allowing them to eat more attacks.
-Better movement. Dagger/Dagger has two decent movement abilities, and Fiery Greatsword gives extremely potent mobility, as well.
-Better team-applied Swiftness. Engineer’s only built-in approaches are the Med Kit Throw Accelerant ability, and the not-terribly-viable-when-moving Experimental Turrets boost from Net Turret. Elementalist gets Elemental Attunement, plus Air Staff’s #4 if the Staff is equipped. As my friends play Guardian and Mesmer, this is fairly big. XD
-Lightning Flash. Just a TON of different intersting uses, I’m not even close to knowing them all.
-Cooler appearance. Highly subjective, but I certainly feel that the light armor, available weapons, and general attack animations all look a lot more impressive than those of the Engineer. My current setup looks very tech-y, which makes up for the fact that the name “Toolbox” fits more with an Engineer. :P
Now, to be fair, I have a lot more experience with Engineer, and so I’ve determined far more of their intricacies and fun little tricks. I’m certain there’s a LOT of simple pleasures on Elementalist that I don’t know of. That’s the kind of stuff I’m hoping will be revealed to me in this thread, as well as any other stuff that helps differentiate the two so I can finally make a choice. X)