Guild Wars 2

So, now that we have a third post about DH changes, what’s the reason to pick this spec?

Condi? Nope, no more burning on bow and bleeding on traps.
Group support? Less then Guardian, since we don’t even have stability on GM trait anymore and DH is supposed to be more “selfish”.
Damage? I don’t think so.
Class Mechanic? See damage.

So a whole spec for traps and a longbow that is not even a great improvement from the usual scepter+offhand. And they don’t even have good sinergy, traps are melee and longbow is ranged.

This is not a QQ post however. I’m curious to see what’s the reasoning behind DH, why should I pick it over Guardian except “fun”.

So sell me DH please.

i dont know why they made the dh so bad is actully made me stop playing my gurdian becuse its fells like the gurdian calss going to sink like the titanik .
sorry dh is just bad , its fells like it dosent have any connection to the gurdian calss
the need to redisen it from the bottom even consider change the wepone spe
virtuse are bad idont see why i would like to trade my old one for the new ones
new onse mabey cooler animation but riquiarde higer controll and not give you much in retern. even worse then befeore

- It introduces a more sustained soft CC with cripples and dazes
- it provides a stronger ranged weapon option
- provides more self sustain with condi clearing on block and reciveing 10% less damage
- More damage modifiers to stack

Those i see are improvements and worth investing in. Just because the DH doesn’t fit your playstyle doesn’t make it a useless thing.

If you want to give constructive feedback to help improve things, this thread has been doing very well at fine tuning recommendations and feedback :
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/guardian/Constructive-Dragonhunter-Feedback-Ideas/

Else, this will just be regarded as another QQ thread and never taken seriously.

Just my 2 cents.

Nah, it’s just a question, thanks for your answer.
Could you provide a good DH build also with more and reliable damage modifiers then a normal dps Guardian?

I think everything you said is right, but maybe not considering what you’re giving up. DH is not a 4th traitline to equip.

I think the changes show that they’re finally on the right track, but I do still agree that it doesn’t seem worth taking considering what you would have to give up in order to use it.

The changes are on the right track but biggest question is, if it was viable, would you use it?

People may have beef with DH because they don’t like the playstyle. It’s no longer a first in, last out. It’s more like 3rd in, last out or second to last (if that makes sense).

@OP
DH isn’t more selfish by any means. The bow’s cripple and #5 has 4x the support of scepter. The support is about the same, if not more, than hammer.

I’ve only used 1 trap and it was Blades. I’ve seen other guards kite with multiple traps and have actually gotten them to trigger but trap damage just wasn’t there.

Sacrificing supportive medi skills can work as long as there’s a fair trade off. It didn’t perform that great in beta but lets see what the next test brings.

I was really looking forward to using DH with my burn guardian. The latest changes announced gut that idea pretty hard, so I am hoping they will reconsider.

I understand why they made the changes they did, but it feels like they weren’t looking at the big picture in terms of the overall impact on the use of the elite spec for a condition build. I would like to see them go the opposite direction with both changes by having the symbol of energy pulse burning and adding bleed to bow hits on the trait (as suggested by Ragnar).

What they really SHOULD do is change the Zeal GM minor’s functionality so that symbols have that initial burn pulse on all symbols, instead of the crap 33% chance per hit bullkitten. Or better yet, do the same thing but merge it into Symbolic Avenger and put something non-symbol dependent as the minor.

Black Box.9312:

What they really SHOULD do is change the Zeal GM minor’s functionality so that symbols have that initial burn pulse on all symbols, instead of the crap 33% chance per hit bullkitten. Or better yet, do the same thing but merge it into Symbolic Avenger and put something non-symbol dependent as the minor.

That doesn’t remotely solve the issue at hand (not that I object to the idea). DH spec shouldn’t be semi-useful to a condition build only by requiring Zeal, a spec I don’t even use on a burn build.

Black Box.9312:

What they really SHOULD do is change the Zeal GM minor’s functionality so that symbols have that initial burn pulse on all symbols, instead of the crap 33% chance per hit bullkitten. Or better yet, do the same thing but merge it into Symbolic Avenger and put something non-symbol dependent as the minor.

I really like your idea!

For me this is plain and simple and an awsome opportuinity to quote myself.
Hunters Fortification alone is a beauty that will open up several build opportunites.

Asmodal.6489:

… one of the most synegetic traits we will have IF it goes live!
I dreamed of a GM that removes condi when Aegis ends. this is much better!

Every traitline profits from it. Especially those that do nothing for blocking because now you can actually take them without having zero condi removal.

Mace #3 = 1x condi cleanse on 15sec CD
Focus #5 = up to 3x condi cleanse on 36 sec CD
Retreat = cleanses condi without investing in honor in honor
VoC = Aegis cures a condition
VoC active = its a shield now that can last for 5 secs clearing 4 condis
Valor minor = 1x condi cleanse at 50% hp
Valor minor 2 = recharges VoC so another condi cleanse
Protective reviver = Clear an additional condi
shelter = 2x condi cleanse on 30 sec cd
fragements of faith = produces kitten loads of aegis
hunters determination = produces the trap that produces a kitten load of aegis
two rune sets that produce aegis = just got better
boon conversion = fire turns into aegis which clears a condi

This trait essentially frees us from utility bound condition cleanses and if you do not want that it adds to it wtihout changing much around.

Defenders Dogma ties in beautifully now because a block will alos guarantee fast VoJ activation triggering cripple. > we now do not rely on the knock back to take advantage of the damage modifier essentially giving us 20% more damage beyond beyond 600 range that you can work for. add in 20% while being under the effect of aegis and you can still choose another traitline to up the damage or your sustain.

I got several builds I want to try… it will be glorious…. meta? mabe not but glorious.

Asmodal.6489:

For me this is plain and simple and an awsome opportuinity to quote myself.
Hunters Fortification alone is a beauty that will open up several build opportunites.

Asmodal.6489:

… one of the most synegetic traits we will have IF it goes live!
I dreamed of a GM that removes condi when Aegis ends. this is much better!

Every traitline profits from it. Especially those that do nothing for blocking because now you can actually take them without having zero condi removal.

Mace #3 = 1x condi cleanse on 15sec CD
Focus #5 = up to 3x condi cleanse on 36 sec CD
Retreat = cleanses condi without investing in honor in honor
VoC = Aegis cures a condition
VoC active = its a shield now that can last for 5 secs clearing 4 condis
Valor minor = 1x condi cleanse at 50% hp
Valor minor 2 = recharges VoC so another condi cleanse
Protective reviver = Clear an additional condi
shelter = 2x condi cleanse on 30 sec cd
fragements of faith = produces kitten loads of aegis
hunters determination = produces the trap that produces a kitten load of aegis
two rune sets that produce aegis = just got better
boon conversion = fire turns into aegis which clears a condi

This trait essentially frees us from utility bound condition cleanses and if you do not want that it adds to it wtihout changing much around.

Defenders Dogma ties in beautifully now because a block will alos guarantee fast VoJ activation triggering cripple. > we now do not rely on the knock back to take advantage of the damage modifier essentially giving us 20% more damage beyond beyond 600 range that you can work for. add in 20% while being under the effect of aegis and you can still choose another traitline to up the damage or your sustain.

I got several builds I want to try… it will be glorious…. meta? mabe not but glorious.

I actually really like the condi cleanse on block, however what bugs me is the 1 second icd thats on it.

Kidel.2057:

So a whole spec for traps and a longbow that is not even a great improvement from the usual scepter+offhand. And they don’t even have good sinergy, traps are melee and longbow is ranged.

Funny how I don’t read about “synergy issues” in ranger trap threads. There is a weapon swap for a reason and part of the play to using traps is to ambush, space denial or lure your prey into them and then either stay ranged or weapon swap and go in for the kill.

I do concur with your thoughts on condi taken out. I actually enjoyed playing a condi trapper in the last bwe.

With regards to why to take LB, as others have stated, for soft CC and supposedly better damage over scepter/offhand. We shall see in bwe2 and bwe3 if the LB does shine in these areas.

I felt a straight up zerker DH build was rather lackluster in the first BWE so here’s to hoping the next BWE gives us reason to be optimistic. fingers crossed

merchantchuck.4875:

Asmodal.6489:

For me this is plain and simple and an awsome opportuinity to quote myself.
Hunters Fortification alone is a beauty that will open up several build opportunites.

Asmodal.6489:

… one of the most synegetic traits we will have IF it goes live!
I dreamed of a GM that removes condi when Aegis ends. this is much better!

Every traitline profits from it. Especially those that do nothing for blocking because now you can actually take them without having zero condi removal.

Mace #3 = 1x condi cleanse on 15sec CD
Focus #5 = up to 3x condi cleanse on 36 sec CD
Retreat = cleanses condi without investing in honor in honor
VoC = Aegis cures a condition
VoC active = its a shield now that can last for 5 secs clearing 4 condis
Valor minor = 1x condi cleanse at 50% hp
Valor minor 2 = recharges VoC so another condi cleanse
Protective reviver = Clear an additional condi
shelter = 2x condi cleanse on 30 sec cd
fragements of faith = produces kitten loads of aegis
hunters determination = produces the trap that produces a kitten load of aegis
two rune sets that produce aegis = just got better
boon conversion = fire turns into aegis which clears a condi

This trait essentially frees us from utility bound condition cleanses and if you do not want that it adds to it wtihout changing much around.

Defenders Dogma ties in beautifully now because a block will alos guarantee fast VoJ activation triggering cripple. > we now do not rely on the knock back to take advantage of the damage modifier essentially giving us 20% more damage beyond beyond 600 range that you can work for. add in 20% while being under the effect of aegis and you can still choose another traitline to up the damage or your sustain.

I got several builds I want to try… it will be glorious…. meta? mabe not but glorious.

I actually really like the condi cleanse on block, however what bugs me is the 1 second icd thats on it.

icd or not, this is the best DH trait we got hands down. We Absolutely Needed it. In fact, it’s probably going to be the main reason to pick traps, I don’t mind changing out CoP for something more damaging like traps, if it means i’ll be getting 10 condi cleanses in the course of the battle.

I wanted to use hammer with Bow but now Scepter/Sword/Mace + Focus looks so much more sweeter.

Cripple, Vulnerability, slow, and longbow.

I sort of see the Dragonhunter as the commander character specializing in setting up the kills for his group and swooping in where needed while providing battlefield control with traps. I try to see the traps more as a new form of symbols, to help with zoning control and kill setup, which also allows to stay at range against enemies easier, but also provide the melee Dragonhunter with new “symbols” to lock down enemies and make them vulnerable, taking on a more offensive support role.

DH has more access to immobilize effects, both F2, longbow 5 and elite trap immobilize and can setup kills, it is however still a strange mix of ranged and close combat.

Is it perfect? No I don’t think so, but maybe not quite as kittenome make it out to be. At least changes are being made and I don’t really care for what was said about the spec at reveal, I am far more concerned about it being playable in the end.

Wasabee.5786:

I sort of see the Dragonhunter as the commander character specializing in setting up the kills for his group and swooping in where needed while providing battlefield control with traps. I try to see the traps more as a new form of symbols, to help with zoning control and kill setup, which also allows to stay at range against enemies easier, but also provide the melee Dragonhunter with new “symbols” to lock down enemies and make them vulnerable, taking on a more offensive support role.

See, but that’s kind of the issue. More area denial is the last thing this class needed. So even if they buff the hell out of traps, it still will just be more of what we already have.

Black Box.9312:

Wasabee.5786:

I sort of see the Dragonhunter as the commander character specializing in setting up the kills for his group and swooping in where needed while providing battlefield control with traps. I try to see the traps more as a new form of symbols, to help with zoning control and kill setup, which also allows to stay at range against enemies easier, but also provide the melee Dragonhunter with new “symbols” to lock down enemies and make them vulnerable, taking on a more offensive support role.

See, but that’s kind of the issue. More area denial is the last thing this class needed. So even if they buff the hell out of traps, it still will just be more of what we already have.

Guardians have area of denial ? …

Bandit.8279:

Kidel.2057:

So a whole spec for traps and a longbow that is not even a great improvement from the usual scepter+offhand. And they don’t even have good sinergy, traps are melee and longbow is ranged.

Funny how I don’t read about “synergy issues” in ranger trap threads.

Ranger is a core class. It has ranged and melee options. Dragonhunter adds a ranged weapon and melee skills.

x indigo x.6981:

Black Box.9312:

Wasabee.5786:

I sort of see the Dragonhunter as the commander character specializing in setting up the kills for his group and swooping in where needed while providing battlefield control with traps. I try to see the traps more as a new form of symbols, to help with zoning control and kill setup, which also allows to stay at range against enemies easier, but also provide the melee Dragonhunter with new “symbols” to lock down enemies and make them vulnerable, taking on a more offensive support role.

See, but that’s kind of the issue. More area denial is the last thing this class needed. So even if they buff the hell out of traps, it still will just be more of what we already have.

Guardians have area of denial ? …

Symbols, wards, consecrations, etc. Static AoE pressure has never been something that we’ve lacked. The problem has always been how easily avoidable it all is, and these all-or-nothing traps that can be rendered useless with a single dodge don’t do a thing to add any extra depth to the class.

Because it’s fun to play and really strong.