Guild Wars 2

So Dragon Hunter has been revealed. The specialization seems quite strong tbh in terms of raw damage multipliers and vun stacking. Although I gotta say and I hope i’m not alone in this…I signed up to play guardian 2 and half years ago to play the Vanguard, Defender, Shield Bearer (shield STILL sucks and STILL hasn’t been fixed to improve it), Heavy armor, support warrior. Not a full out dps long ranged trapper?

I just think the specialization went way left field and didn’t really build upon that defender image guardians portrayed while the game was still being made. Basically I feel this specialization hasn’t built upon that portrayal in the slightest. So, with that I’ll wait out seeing the other specializations but if nothing catch’s my eye with a similar “Defender-ish” playstyle then I’ll prob take a break from GW2. Anyone feel the same way as me?

p.s. Before people tell me to just play guardian without the specialization… well I just want to play a new part of the game as many if not all players will want to do by playing the new specialization content. Also gonna add that the “defender” portrayed class doesn’t have good shield skills…still. Even after years of community pleading.

I thought during one of the interviews they said they were completely reworking the shield? Does anyone else remember that or am I just nuts?

Lord Rheios.4152:

I thought during one of the interviews they said they were completely reworking the shield? Does anyone else remember that or am I just nuts?

If they are reworking the shield then thats great news. Unfortunately it doesn’t help too much with dragon hunters though where they have some longbow specific traits. Although i gotta say my main gripe on the class is the traps…Traps just don’t meld well with the guardian concept imo (other’s opinions may differ). Still seems really left field to me. Look at other spec’s for examples on melding… Ranger (nature, pets, bows) goes to Druid (nature still so it melds well, then magic and tba stuff), Mesmer (trickery, Manipulation, displacement) goes to Chronomancer (Manipulates time so it melds well, other great stuff but i don’t play mesmer) and Guardian (buffs, defending, etc) to Dragon hunter ( Longbows, traps, damage, lots of cripple, etc.) Not much similarity here.

Animosity.5968:

Lord Rheios.4152:

I thought during one of the interviews they said they were completely reworking the shield? Does anyone else remember that or am I just nuts?

If they are reworking the shield then thats great news. Unfortunately it doesn’t help too much with dragon hunters though where they have some longbow specific traits. Although i gotta say my main gripe on the class is the traps…Traps just don’t meld well with the guardian concept imo (other’s opinions may differ). Still seems really left field to me. Look at other spec’s for examples on melding… Ranger (nature, pets, bows) goes to Druid (nature still so it melds well, then magic and tba stuff), Mesmer (trickery, Manipulation, displacement) goes to Chronomancer (Manipulates time so it melds well, other great stuff but i don’t play mesmer) and Guardian (buffs, defending, etc) to Dragon hunter ( Longbows, traps, damage, lots of cripple, etc.) Not much similarity here.

Arguably Guardian CAN be very militant in its defense. My guardian was always much more Torch tossing heretic-hunting ,Flame Legion slaying, Charr zealot than any bulwark against a foe. The best defense is a good offense and all that. From the way that Peters describes it, I saw the Dragon Hunter as a specific application of that same zealous urge to punish the wicked who would harm people. Which groks to me.

So you’re setting traps to slow enemies and leave trials of blood so that you can find them, stake them to the ground, ignite them in flames, and smite! Smite the dragonspawn before they can reach our homes! Our spawn’s fahrars! Hunt them in all the dark places of the world and bring searing light to them. Trap the paths where they hunt, the places they rest, their training ground, their warrens. Only when they are destroyed is this world safe!

So pretty much you’re still “defending” in the more general sense of preventing harm even before it can look at others. And its not like you can’t still buff. Defense still has a spot even for a DH, it just seems to me more about defending your small Inquisitorial squad on missions than everyone in a wide swath.

At least that was my take on it. Others have very different opinions of course. I wonder if they could have synced things better if they downplayed the “hunter” part and focused more on an Inquisitorial outlook, or made it sound more obviously a Paladin order type of thing.

Regardless I can see where people hoping for a little bit more “Last bulwark for survival” would be disappointed by “Smite the abomination” style play. Guardian’s always been a bit weird that way because it seems to try and incorporate both concepts. Which is a bit more wide conceptually than say Dexterous Warrior or Berserk Warrior .

Lord Rheios.4152:

Animosity.5968:

Lord Rheios.4152:

I thought during one of the interviews they said they were completely reworking the shield? Does anyone else remember that or am I just nuts?

If they are reworking the shield then thats great news. Unfortunately it doesn’t help too much with dragon hunters though where they have some longbow specific traits. Although i gotta say my main gripe on the class is the traps…Traps just don’t meld well with the guardian concept imo (other’s opinions may differ). Still seems really left field to me. Look at other spec’s for examples on melding… Ranger (nature, pets, bows) goes to Druid (nature still so it melds well, then magic and tba stuff), Mesmer (trickery, Manipulation, displacement) goes to Chronomancer (Manipulates time so it melds well, other great stuff but i don’t play mesmer) and Guardian (buffs, defending, etc) to Dragon hunter ( Longbows, traps, damage, lots of cripple, etc.) Not much similarity here.

Arguably Guardian CAN be very militant in its defense. My guardian was always much more Torch tossing heretic-hunting ,Flame Legion slaying, Charr zealot than any bulwark against a foe. The best defense is a good offense and all that. From the way that Peters describes it, I saw the Dragon Hunter as a specific application of that same zealous urge to punish the wicked who would harm people. Which groks to me.

So you’re setting traps to slow enemies and leave trials of blood so that you can find them, stake them to the ground, ignite them in flames, and smite! Smite the dragonspawn before they can reach our homes! Our spawn’s fahrars! Hunt them in all the dark places of the world and bring searing light to them. Trap the paths where they hunt, the places they rest, their training ground, their warrens. Only when they are destroyed is this world safe!

So pretty much you’re still “defending” in the more general sense of preventing harm even before it can look at others. And its not like you can’t still buff. Defense still has a spot even for a DH, it just seems to me more about defending your small Inquisitorial squad on missions than everyone in a wide swath.

At least that was my take on it. Others have very different opinions of course. I wonder if they could have synced things better if they downplayed the “hunter” part and focused more on an Inquisitorial outlook, or made it sound more obviously a Paladin order type of thing.

Regardless I can see where people hoping for a little bit more “Last bulwark for survival” would be disappointed by “Smite the abomination” style play. Guardian’s always been a bit weird that way because it seems to try and incorporate both concepts. Which is a bit more wide conceptually than say Dexterous Warrior or Berserk Warrior .

Great response! I’m glad that the dragon hunter does fit into some shape of the guardian spirit after all. Unfortunately it’s not the one I fell in love with but it brings hope to me that other’s (such as yourself) with such a obvious passion for the class are having your expectations met.

Animosity.5968:

So Dragon Hunter has been revealed. The specialization seems quite strong tbh in terms of raw damage multipliers and vun stacking. Although I gotta say and I hope i’m not alone in this…I signed up to play guardian 2 and half years ago to play the Vanguard, Defender, Shield Bearer (shield STILL sucks and STILL hasn’t been fixed to improve it), Heavy armor, support warrior. Not a full out dps long ranged trapper?

I see what you’re saying but it’s hard to offer that Defender/Vanguard role at times because everyone can technically self-support themselves. That’s the beauty of it. There’s no more Holy Trinity like most mmos. As much as I want to be a walking shield for my allies, they may not even need it.

The F3 does offer a block for you and your party members if you specialize. Communial Defense got moved down a tier and people can technically trait for a better power defender build variants thanks to better build syncs. But I agree, the guardian’s iconic Shield needs a change.

Edit
Couldn’t help think, what if the shield #5 had a “bash” effect in that you can use it multiple times before it goes on cd? You can only knockdown foes that are in a 240 radius but the bubble is still there for a 1s moment? So it works as Mantras, able to use a 1s bubble three times only to block projectiles. Knock backs only if they’re in a 240 radius. It blasts heals (as normal) when it finally ends.

This makes for some great range counter moves while also promoting an aggressive effect to it if you use it in melee range.

Sadly I was also kinda meh about the dragon hunter. When I made my Guard two years ago I was all ready for my sword and shield combo only to realize how much the shield sucked. The reflects was great but why knockback? remove the knockback and use like the stun or knockdown. This is more in line with PVE but PvP wise were they probably were thinking was the knockback was good for point holding nope it is not. It sucks because the CD is to long. I probably wont be using the specialization in dungeons but WVW might be useful.

I okay with bow as new weapon. What I don’t like are the traps. If you want to be effective you need to be the first person to arrive so you can set them up, but we’re slow. Maybe even the slowest profession in the game.

If this is about the shield being garbage then i understand, if its about the guardian not being defensive or DH being practically rangers enough then the issues might not be with the profession…

OP.

They Have stated that they plan to do several specializations for all classes over time so you may eventually get one that appeals to the playstyle you’re looking for.

I Have always loved Archery, and also really like the holy warrior archtype so I’m very excited with this combination, but if its not what you’re looking for I suppose that’s fair.

I’m glad to see that some people are getting what they want. Perhaps it’s my own fault for still loving the defender type in a mmo without the Trinity system or perhaps it’s the meta’s fault for pushing everything besides dmg zerk out of the game (pve). overall I’ll wait and atleast try it because of having over 2500 hours logged on my main guardian. But, I’m pretty sure I’ll b moving on to a new class as I can’t see myself attacking from afar with a bow and laying traps. I’m working on a ele atm and I have all other classes maxed so I’ll have some options.

On another note, I hope this meta dies and is burned never to return. I tried to play my passive healing, tanky, concentration build with mace/shield and staff in fotm and dungeons and Ppl auto kick me for not being zerk. I think something is seriously wrong when the game has so many armor types and Ppl only use zerk or assassin mix.

Lord Rheios.4152:

I thought during one of the interviews they said they were completely reworking the shield? Does anyone else remember that or am I just nuts?

It’s probably still on the table.

Animosity.5968:

I’m glad to see that some people are getting what they want. Perhaps it’s my own fault for still loving the defender type in a mmo without the Trinity system or perhaps it’s the meta’s fault for pushing everything besides dmg zerk out of the game (pve). overall I’ll wait and atleast try it because of having over 2500 hours logged on my main guardian. But, I’m pretty sure I’ll b moving on to a new class as I can’t see myself attacking from afar with a bow and laying traps. I’m working on a ele atm and I have all other classes maxed so I’ll have some options.

On another note, I hope this meta dies and is burned never to return. I tried to play my passive healing, tanky, concentration build with mace/shield and staff in fotm and dungeons and Ppl auto kick me for not being zerk. I think something is seriously wrong when the game has so many armor types and Ppl only use zerk or assassin mix.

Good luck with that the only way for tanky healing guardians will become meta is if they nerfed blocks and removed the dodge mechanic altogether. Which is not going to happen.

Animosity.5968:

I’m glad to see that some people are getting what they want. Perhaps it’s my own fault for still loving the defender type in a mmo without the Trinity system or perhaps it’s the meta’s fault for pushing everything besides dmg zerk out of the game (pve). overall I’ll wait and atleast try it because of having over 2500 hours logged on my main guardian. But, I’m pretty sure I’ll b moving on to a new class as I can’t see myself attacking from afar with a bow and laying traps. I’m working on a ele atm and I have all other classes maxed so I’ll have some options.

On another note, I hope this meta dies and is burned never to return. I tried to play my passive healing, tanky, concentration build with mace/shield and staff in fotm and dungeons and Ppl auto kick me for not being zerk. I think something is seriously wrong when the game has so many armor types and Ppl only use zerk or assassin mix.

That’s why I just ignore the meta and create my own groups for everything. I’ve been playing a condition guard. We are not a popular folk.

Regardless I do hope they patch up the shield at least, and while I think most of our other trait lines will probably be more limited changed, perhaps they’ll be a slightly more defender-y build for you.

I am looking forward to the Ele’s Tempest as well though. I’ve wanted to go sword/focus or sword/dagger on my ele for a while. (assuming they get sword. They might be getting axe for all we know.)

Lord Rheios.4152:

Animosity.5968:

I’m glad to see that some people are getting what they want. Perhaps it’s my own fault for still loving the defender type in a mmo without the Trinity system or perhaps it’s the meta’s fault for pushing everything besides dmg zerk out of the game (pve). overall I’ll wait and atleast try it because of having over 2500 hours logged on my main guardian. But, I’m pretty sure I’ll b moving on to a new class as I can’t see myself attacking from afar with a bow and laying traps. I’m working on a ele atm and I have all other classes maxed so I’ll have some options.

On another note, I hope this meta dies and is burned never to return. I tried to play my passive healing, tanky, concentration build with mace/shield and staff in fotm and dungeons and Ppl auto kick me for not being zerk. I think something is seriously wrong when the game has so many armor types and Ppl only use zerk or assassin mix.

That’s why I just ignore the meta and create my own groups for everything. I’ve been playing a condition guard. We are not a popular folk.

Regardless I do hope they patch up the shield at least, and while I think most of our other trait lines will probably be more limited changed, perhaps they’ll be a slightly more defender-y build for you.

I am looking forward to the Ele’s Tempest as well though. I’ve wanted to go sword/focus or sword/dagger on my ele for a while. (assuming they get sword. They might be getting axe for all we know.)

Condi guards are going to be a lot more viable now with this specialization. I am looking forward to it, because I can now possibly cry “BURN THE HERETIC” when I smite enemies with stacking burning.

Also, OP, play guard however you like. I primarily WvW, but also PvE a ton in fracs. I run Soldiers armor with Melandru Runes and a set of Zerker Accessories that I can switch with Knight if I need more defense. Never had a problem with groups, though I stay away from groups that say “zerk only”, since I find people in those groups generally to be a bit more hostile than other groups.

Hi fellows Guardian,
You shouldnt be worried about the specialisation taking away our support role.
You actually get a buff (you can trait 0-0-6-6-6)..
Its a bit 2 soon about the theorycraft in game mechanics, we have seen that LB can be played offensive and defencive.. (Cause of CC, Refelct projectiles)..

Jay.1085:

The reflects was great but why knockback? remove the knockback and use like the stun or knockdown. This is more in line with PVE but PvP wise were they probably were thinking was the knockback was good for point holding nope it is not. It sucks because the CD is to long..

I am sorry, but if you think the Knockback is ‘’only good for point holding’’. You probably miss understood how you should apply your CC to support your team mate..
There is a lot that shield can offer in a support role. (protection,peels, aoe cc )
The only thing now is that Focus gets protection…

But overall, for the DragonHunter, I feel it will be aimed more towards condi builds and dps spec..

Bye. Can I have your stuff?

Dragon hunter has offense, deal with it. 90% of the guardian population would have flipped a table if we were given something defense specialized. It would have been pointless because you can already be a super healer or an unmovable tank with the traits that we have. It’s just that nobody does it because its not needed. Whats amazing is the fact that as much as people complain about it “being like ranger” or “being all offense” er no its really not. Yeah it does damage, but its TRAPS, with a bow that has CC.