Guild Wars 2

I haven’t really kept up with the news cuz I was busy irl past months. Did they say anything about you having to trait for dragonhunter to equip longbow or can the “normal” guardian with for example radiance, valor and virtues use longbow aswell?

As far as I remember, access to the new weapons are an aspect of the elite specialization itself, so probably no, you’d have to spec Dragonhunter to use longbow.

I’m not sure it would be worth it even if you can. Although the base damage of the bow looks reasonable, you miss out on a ton of utility from not having DH traits applied:

For instance:
a) +10% dmg beyond 600 range ( this would I assume also apply to non-longbow skills like smite aswell )
b) Knockbacks when using bow in melee range ( or alternative trait is a straight +15% dmg using the tether )
c) Cripple on knockback
d) +10% dmg against crippled foes
e) Stability on true shot
f) tons of vulnerability application, although you can make use jesus beams regardless

Gosh, I wish. Nope, you’ll have to trait into the elite spec in order to use the bow, sadly.

Black Box.9312:

Gosh, I wish. Nope, you’ll have to trait into the elite spec in order to use the bow, sadly.

Why, exactly, is that a bad thing? All of the traits that improve the longbow are in the elite trait line. If it’s exclusively because of the name, then that’s a pretty shallow reason; the name doesn’t effect gameplay.

MiniEquine.6014:

Black Box.9312:

Gosh, I wish. Nope, you’ll have to trait into the elite spec in order to use the bow, sadly.

Why, exactly, is that a bad thing? All of the traits that improve the longbow are in the elite trait line. If it’s exclusively because of the name, then that’s a pretty shallow reason; the name doesn’t effect gameplay.

Because I’d rather be able to run Zeal/Radiance/Valor but still have access to some decent CC. And seeing as every guardian build will continue to be pigeonholed into Valor, I’ll have to sacrifice quite a bit of DPS from Zeal or Radiance to take the DH traitline which has nothing that I want, aside from maybe the immobilize leap from VoR.

Actually, that’s a disappointment to me. It had not dawned on me that you need DH trait to get LB. Is that a definite thing for all classes to get access to their new weapon skills?

I still think that as far as PVE goes, DH is going to give so much additional damage (or even superior damage depending on weapon in some cases) that it will be meta. The theorycrafters are going to have a few scenarios to map out because I think the result is going to be that different combos are going to be good in different situations.

Elite specializations, when selected, unlock new utility skills, weapons, and modifications/additions to the profession mechanic only as long as that elite specialization is one of your three active specializations. You are not required to choose an elite specialization, but you can only have one elite specialization active at a time. Current trait lines are being re-worked into “normal” specializations.

So yes, if you want to use longbow, you have to choose the Dragonhunter specialization as one of your three.

Makes me wonder if there will be new specializations that will unlock the same weapon unused by the core profession. I.e. another guardian elite specialization that unlocks the longbow, but with a different playstyle and mechanics from the guardian and the dragonhunter.

I’d be okay with it if taking the spec didn’t also make your virtues more close-ranged and/or less supportive. Would be nice if that was toggleable or something.

Fashion Mage.3712:

I’d be okay with it if taking the spec didn’t also make your virtues more close-ranged and/or less supportive. Would be nice if that was toggleable or something.

They could switch the minor adept with a major adept like piercing light so you can choose to activate it.

Unfortunately you would also have to move Wings of Resolve into a higher tier and it would render several other traits in DH useless because they depend on the the new virtue effects.

( the same would be true if you had a toggle in the virtue bar to switch between them )

Black Box.9312:

Gosh, I wish. Nope, you’ll have to trait into the elite spec in order to use the bow, sadly.

Did they confirm that? Can anyone link or quote anything regarding that? :<

Equipping the dragonhunter elite specialization grants guardians access to longbows…

https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/the-dragonhunter-in-action-ready-up-episode-33-summary/

2nd sentence.

Yes, unfortunately. If you want a useful ranged weapon you need to trait for useless virtues, useless traps and unneeded longbow related things.

That’s another reason why I play warrior, plenty of weapons to choose from already for the core profession. If DH is worth specializing in I will play it, if not I won’t even bother.

Agree.

They should make it a sub profession like an enhancement allowing longbow to use. And if you want to trait you’ll have a lane for that. It could also be teasred. Core game access to the weapon. Expansion access to the lane.

It will also be better for future sub professions so you can have access to two or more of them and their rasenal.

The advantage of forcing the unique weapon to be associated with a specialization is that future specializations can offer different unique weapons, thus making specializations more interesting. If this wasn’t the case, after like 3 specializations every class would have access to every weapon on every build which would be harder to balance and kind of make specializations less special. I sort of like the limitation.

Keksmuffin.1450:

I haven’t really kept up with the news cuz I was busy irl past months. Did they say anything about you having to trait for dragonhunter to equip longbow or can the “normal” guardian with for example radiance, valor and virtues use longbow aswell?

I’m going to take a second to fanboy. I’m glad to see you back. By far my favorite guardian to watch during tournaments.

Dinks.2478:

Yes, unfortunately. If you want a useful ranged weapon you need to trait for useless virtues, useless traps and unneeded longbow related things.

The design of elite specializations is that it’s a significant shift in how you play. At the same time, by limiting combinations with other traits, it allows for better balance and for future elite specializations to feel unique. So if you’re expecting to just add on to the base profession, you’re mistaken.

Dragonhunter’s intended playstyle seems to be oriented toward a solo player with more offensive abilities rather than support for a group. Most guardian players (or at least the more vocal ones) were looking for a support option with longbow. Just because it’s not what you wanted doesn’t mean that the Dragonhunter design is bad. However, you can argue about whether Dragonhunter fulfills its design or if that role is useful.

Exedore.6320:

Dinks.2478:

Yes, unfortunately. If you want a useful ranged weapon you need to trait for useless virtues, useless traps and unneeded longbow related things.

The design of elite specializations is that it’s a significant shift in how you play. At the same time, by limiting combinations with other traits, it allows for better balance and for future elite specializations to feel unique. So if you’re expecting to just add on to the base profession, you’re mistaken.

Dragonhunter’s intended playstyle seems to be oriented toward a solo player with more offensive abilities rather than support for a group. Most guardian players (or at least the more vocal ones) were looking for a support option with longbow. Just because it’s not what you wanted doesn’t mean that the Dragonhunter design is bad. However, you can argue about whether Dragonhunter fulfills its design or if that role is useful.

Drennon.7190:

Keksmuffin.1450:

I haven’t really kept up with the news cuz I was busy irl past months. Did they say anything about you having to trait for dragonhunter to equip longbow or can the “normal” guardian with for example radiance, valor and virtues use longbow aswell?

I’m going to take a second to fanboy. I’m glad to see you back. By far my favorite guardian to watch during tournaments.

Thank you ^-^

Also thanks for the replies. I personally think it’s a good idea since I really want DH to be viable. The wings seem really fun, especially with the trait that they do damage.