Guild Wars 2

I was curious what weapon should I use in ranged encounters?

I like the axe for single target but due to range isn’t that great, and as I’m power based a staff seems to not make much sense.

What range weapon are all of you using on power builds and why? Say for either soloing champions or just random events with tons of mobs in HoT

I try not to. Nearly every encounter can be done in melee, but for that time where you need to recoup some hp because the pressure, or mechanics which make it impossible to melee Axe is the only option we have for power builds.

It’s not the best, but the only time you should be ranged is when you’ll die going melee or you’re recharging shroud for a shroud based build.

Dagger 2 is also a ranged attack and if you time it correctly, you can switch to Axe, drop your utilities (wells), use heal skill, focus skills, Axe 2, F1, RS#2… and you’re back in melee without wasting time pressing axe 1 a whole lot.

With greatsword, keep in melee as much as you can.

Both axe and staff are useful. Use staff for AoE. Lead off with either one as you close the gap.

If you have soul Reaping, staff is better because you can trait it. Axe without Spite is just an irritant to everyone.

Try to ditch ranged weaponry on a power-based build in favor of Dagger/Focus and Greatsword (maybe Warhorn offhand instead of Focus if you prefer that, but I value the raw damage and “burstier” LF-generation on Focus over yet another CC on warhorn)

As Reaper, you are very sustainable anyway and learning to stick in melee all the time is going to help you a lot.

Axe is fantastic for small-scale or 1v1. It’s great in engage to build some more LF, and GC is a great finisher for people running away. OH Focus lets you chase a bit better with Spinal Shivers on fleeing foes and can be a huge nuke/power engage with the boon rip. Focus skills are also 1200 range if you need it, too. Staff is irreplaceable for larger fights, though.

Yea, learning melee is important, but there is no substitute for being able to beat thieves into the dirt by channeling a high-damage Ghastly Claws before they stealth as to prevent them from resetting and healing. Vuln Stack synergy on AA is also great if you run Decimate Defenses, and is still otherwise just icing on the cake for extra damage when entering Shroud.

NovaanVerdiano.6174:

Try to ditch ranged weaponry on a power-based build in favor of Dagger/Focus and Greatsword (maybe Warhorn offhand instead of Focus if you prefer that, but I value the raw damage and “burstier” LF-generation on Focus over yet another CC on warhorn)

As Reaper, you are very sustainable anyway and learning to stick in melee all the time is going to help you a lot.

Basically this. I melee everything.