Guild Wars 2

When dragon hunter was announced, i like the idea of it. And then i read description saying “Guardians will find that the new elite specialization gives them access to some conditions and functionality normally reserved for professions of a more physical nature” and that we will be getting bleeds on traps.

But slowly reading info that comes from Arenanet, seems like my dream of a celestial burning(+bleed) dragon hunter is dying?
First bleed is removed(i understand the reasoning) and then they are also removing burn from the longbow symbol. So in other words anything that actually added to condition damage from dragon hunter has now been removed?
So does dragon hunter still work ok for a fun burning build? Since i kinda have to give up either zeal, virtues or radiance to get hands on dragon hunter and the longbow.(i will be giving up zeal). Same time tethering people also ruins the passive burning that very important.

And for fun i just came up with a trait i wished Arenanet would make.
Holy fire(best name i could come up with!)
“Justice passive also works when justice is on cooldown. crit has chance to burn” put into dragon hunter somewhere.
But hey that just a dream i have for future. Because this for me sound like perfect solution to a burn spec, since now we have 3 things that will keep burns going while fighting.
1st: Justice passive is always on. That passive does wonders on live already(when traited for every 3 hit). Where i never press f1, since that passive is what puts out most burning and helps me to get to 3 stacks needed to proc inner fire for fury.
2nd: Justice active that keeps pulsing some burn on to people when they got tethered.
3rd: Other classes can get bleed on crit from traits and a sigil. This is last of dragon hunters sustain burn output.

Since burning dragon hunter/guardian, is using only 1 damage condition. There needs to be ok amount output that can keep out going with some bonus damage now and then (When tether, justive and crit all hits same time). And other good part about this trait is it is not weapon depended, but favors weapons with a lot of hits in short time (GS 2, scepter 2 and sword 3 and Procession of Blades). Also with this we kinda got condition back on traps, just burning instead of bleed.
In end most important thing for making a good burning build work is just have justice passive work all the time, since it is the main burn output right now.

I hope that was readable and made sense.

The short answers is yes.

Basically what dragonhunter will provide you with for a burn build is a contious cover condition via cripple if traited. It has to show how effective it will actually be but I assume that it will keep a constant one condition removal “protection” infront of you burn. it can turn out to be hugh depending on the queque of conditions.

Side effect: The ability to kite the opponent to a certain extend.

What DH will also provide is a means of condition cleanse via blocks which will make a difference despite what most people say. so you can actually run DH/Virutes/radiance.

However I think that a build like this will be quite strong in a 1vs1 scenario – which will be a new game mode imo with the introduction of guild halls and arenas. If it holds up in other game modes is questionable but I think it will be quite fun in pve as it brings decent damage and important buffs for group play.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vVAQNApdTnsABNditCBmCBEEhF/hCbEehfQO8X/23KAqg6E-TFiFABLq+jBnCghV+l9DAwKlgAcEA8e/B30HQKAIWWB-w

The build utilizes defenders dogma and the new hunters fortification and brings a lot of sustain.

I wouldnt shed a tear for the removal of the burn from LB. It was just one stack and also it hurts it doesnt break bow as a condi weapon becasuse it never was. the removed bleed on trap is unfortunate but anet might put something back in.

Random note:
Anyway, making this post was a good idea. Made me think far more about my build and got me to add in the promised changes. This could work, but i will stand by making justice work 24/7!
——————————————————————
Honestly the build i was thinking off was something like this (Yes i like idea of celestial, but in end, i will need to test it with a power heavy, a condition heavy and a celestial build and see what works best. Hopefully i can afford Hots before next beta and then test there)
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vVAQNAsfTlsAhyhYzQwXIQQELBElc3X+rvVA8AvZWC2gTIA-T1hAABCcKF+U9HY2fANlfLqvBSlgA8kCEFAYB-w

Biggest problem for this build is you will NEVER want to active justice, since you be losing burning, cripple and Vulnerability. This is main reason i wish they would make justice passive work while justice is on cooldown. Since the cool uses of virtues is one ideas i love of dragon hunter.

Traits and reason for em
Radiance:
Minor:
Justice is blind: Blind when we use justice is never bad. But later i will go into why this trait isn´t to good with the build
Renewed Justice: getting justice renewed after kill is good, works well with justice is blind and other later traits. So it makes possible for justice active to be used now and then when you sure something is dying
Radiant Power: Yeah i am running celestial for now and crit is a bit lower, this trait helps fix that a good bit.
For majors.
Inner fire: is kinda self explain, i am celestial and need more crit. With burning and my elilte, that should pretty good up time on fury and bring my crit to a ok place.
Radiant fire or wrath of justice: This is a choice thing, but prefer radiant fire, since help with getting burns on and with torch i can also do a nice attack with it now and then. But if you do alot using jsutice active, then getting signet of wrath effect everytime, could add nice amount damage and another immobilize. And if you don´t use torch radiant power loses out a tiny overall. (Since zealot fire is good damage and nice burning!)
Amplified wrath: More burn damage and free burn on block, build might not be high on block. But with shelter, courage and aegis that still some free burning now and then. But mostly taken for more burn damage

Virtues
Minor:
Inspired Virtue: I do expect to use my virtues at times, so getting a few boons at same time is never bad
Virtue of retribution: More boons when using virtues. Not much to say here
Power of the Virtuos: a bit more damage for each boon, is not bad, though build isn´t one with alot of boons, in groups you always get free boons anyway. But virtues recharge is also lower, so still has a positive effect other then minor damage buff
Major:
Unscathed contender: Now this tier is harder for me to decided. But This trait means you can often start with a nice opening attack and at random times mid combat get a nice combat boost. But master of consecrations of also ok if you like me like running wall of reflection and purging flame. Last one can also be used if you pvp and want something to help with CC. So there is some choice here.
Supreme justice: This one for me is one of the main traits for the build. Since i means more burns and works well with some stuff in dragon hunter. But it is one main things that make using spear of justice almost not worth it!
Permeanting Wrath: Again a buff for justice passive, that allows me to do a bit AoE damage with my justice burning. I like it, and greatsword is works far better for this one. (So greatsword attack 2 is very good for using passive of justice. So there is some choice in weapons)

Dragon hunter:
Minor:
Virtuous action: this says itself. Turn guardians virtues into new dragon hunters ones. I like idea behind em, but they aren´t perfect. They need lowered cool down and justice could use a “passive works when justice is on cooldown”, because tethering seems far to weak when looking at what justice passive can be buffed to! So please add that trait to dragon hunter!!(Or put on a another trait, like big game hunter. Where it would fit perfectly with build!)
Defenders dogma: This one is kinda meh to very bad, but now and then it ends up give free burn( + crippt and vul)
Pure of sight: Again a bit meh, but i am using longbow, so still usefull atleast.
Major:
Dulled Defense: The knock back part isn´t to use full in my build. But giving Vulnerability on each cripple, that is very use full and combo very well with next major trait (This is based of the promised change for next test)
Zealot’s aggression: More damage to cripple target is good, we just need more ways to add cripple. Oh wait each justice passive proc also adds cripple now. So every time Justice passive hits, we do AoE burning, that add cripple, that then add Vulnerability. Biggest problem here, this means you never want to use justice, other then when you sure they die and you can get it back with renewed justice.
Last trait: This one is undecided. hunter’s fortification give a bit condi removal and we do get random blocks from aegis and healing skill every now and then. Can be use full. Heavy light give knock back when people are close, adds stability at same time and add cripple and Vulnerability onto enemy. Not bad overall and can a ok option. And last we have big game hunter, this was one i was looking forward to. But after making my build i found out use spear of justice is more of a punishment for build then a nice boon/burst of damage.

Edit: I forgot 1 important thing, longbow 1 to 3 are projectile finisher, so even more chance for burning. Means purging flame has chance to make attack do burning from comboing.

This build is made with thinking about new change they talked about, which why zealots agression and dulled defense is used. Since Justice passive now cripples and cripple adds Vulnerability with dulled defense.

Arenanet please atleast think over idea of adding “justice passive work while justice is on cooldown” so we can make a good dragon hunter condi build. Biggest advantage of this is we now can both tether and get passive at same time. If you added this part i am actually fine with justice original cooldown.

kitten this turn into a long reply about build and my idea for a build. ><

It’s depressing, really. My guardian is my most-played character by far, but with as much fun as I have had with Revenant/Reaper and how little DH offers for a PvE burn build, it looks more and more like it will wind up on the shelf.

Technically, we could still be a condi build if we applied Cripple per F1 activation, that is, if it works that way. If that was the case then DH would be in a better spot than it has been.

I don’t know what I want, I just want it and it better be good.

Misguided.5139:

It’s depressing, really. My guardian is my most-played character by far, but with as much fun as I have had with Revenant/Reaper and how little DH offers for a PvE burn build, it looks more and more like it will wind up on the shelf.

Depressing?
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vVAQNApdTnsABNdilDBODBEEhlAiS+7L/z3KAeg3MbIawJE-T1hAABU8EAqW9HA3f4alfSqEEgTBQ06DIFAELrA-w

the example is for pve open world. change weapons for dungeons.

Basically you engage with bow #4 > #5 > f2 > JI > Elite > weapons swap > trap > mace #2 > mace #3.

with three targets in the aoe you are looking at 40+ burn stacks per target each doing 1500 damage. AND this is not eving considering that GS would be much more effective.

I played this build without tunes of the mad king. against non veterans you can not even finish the combo without everything being dead.

the trap adds 8 stacks and 20% damage on all ticks. why in the world is this depressing?

You can swap mace/focus or GS for staff too, to never even have to go into melee combat. simply stay afar block the enemies path for 11 seconds and use double symbols, piercing attacks and what not. heck you can even swap out Purging flames for WoR and even ranged attacks are gone.

I can understand any frustration about DH in terms of meta. but generalizing DH as depressing for PVE is just silly.

DH + Virtues is probably the strongest aoe burn condi setup you can run in the entire game.

I also do not get the gripe about leaving SoJ/VoJ on passiv. Its the whole idea for condi builds.

If anything I find that DH does not bring enough to justify it for a dps builds. the active of SoJ does not last long enough to be worth it. especially since we can get hig vurn will be maxed out anyway in group play.

The traps aren’t the issue, though I’d like the bleed trait back. I’d rather keep using scepter/torch than longbow.

Misguided.5139:

The traps aren’t the issue, though I’d like the bleed trait back. I’d rather keep using scepter/torch than longbow.

what is the issue then?

Asmodal.6489:

Misguided.5139:

The traps aren’t the issue, though I’d like the bleed trait back. I’d rather keep using scepter/torch than longbow.

what is the issue then?

I don’t know. Maybe it’s just me wanting a change. I was expecting more SOMETHING. A new damaging condition to play with. Some method of applying conditions other than Justice. It isn’t that DH is awful for condition builds, but outside of maybe working a trap into the build, there’s not much reason to.

Understand that I was really looking forward to DH, unlike many. The name didn’t bother me. Heck, I bought the Dwayna LB skin to use on my Guardian. Now I’m just not feeling it. There are too many other shiny new things out there that are a lot more fun.

Misguided.5139:

Asmodal.6489:

Misguided.5139:

The traps aren’t the issue, though I’d like the bleed trait back. I’d rather keep using scepter/torch than longbow.

what is the issue then?

I don’t know. Maybe it’s just me wanting a change. I was expecting more SOMETHING. A new damaging condition to play with. Some method of applying conditions other than Justice. It isn’t that DH is awful for condition builds, but outside of maybe working a trap into the build, there’s not much reason to.

Understand that I was really looking forward to DH, unlike many. The name didn’t bother me. Heck, I bought the Dwayna LB skin to use on my Guardian. Now I’m just not feeling it. There are too many other shiny new things out there that are a lot more fun.

Well I understand. i do not think that trap are all terrible. tehy are just not interesting enough. Any build I come up with has at max one trap. They need to become more awsome for sure.

What enjoyed with DH was a really glassy LB/Staff build that completely focuses in killing tuff at range and keeping it there. this is a completely different playstyle and it was not easy to get used to but it is extremely effectiv in HoT where I see people dieing to single veteran mobs all the time -whcih would never happen in old maps.

i think its very viable,
Radiance and Virtues are pretty mandatory (imho) but if you don’t mind sacrificing another tree then by all means grab dragon hunter.

Procession of Blades is an AoE that hits 10 times, imagine all of those burns?! XD
Light’s Judgement also hits 10 times and applies a ton of vuln, meaning more condi damage!

i’m not sure i’d bother with the longbow though, imho staff Scepter/Torch are a better combo, giving you both awesome single target and aoe options.

Posted this in another, similar thread. It’s built for wvw defense and certain open field fights near chokepoints.
Set your traps up where the zerg is definitely going to cross and Hail Rodgort