WvW zerg : reaper or chronomancer ?
I’d argue chronomancer is the better pick in both scenarios unless you run core necro well-o-mancer for corruption and maximum ranged pressure. Unless you run a tank build to frontline, the reaper dies really fast while running wells and can’t properly utilize its melee-oriented shroud, and condi builds do not work in ZvZ, ruling out both its most powerful builds and its ranged pressure.
Power reaper is decent in the smaller-scale encounters, however typically the condi variant out-performs it.
Chronomancer brings a ton of powerful utility via wells, alacrity, boon removal, AoE stealth, better ranged damage (again unless core necro is used) and better AoE swiftness over even guardian/DH.
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/thief/ES-Suggestion-The-Deadeye-FORMAL/
^ Chrono has AoE quickness not AoE swiftness (other than focus Tempoeral Curtain + Signet of inspiration).
If you run reaper in WvW, I feel as though you want some condi damage.
Condi reaper is very strong with well of corruption/Nothing can save you, since you can spam conditions with staff/scepter as well. If you run Deathly Chill (Reaper) & Chilling Darkness (Curses) you can spam chill damage with Well of Darkness (as a substitute for power-based Well of Suffering). If you run Soul Reaping you get Dhuumfire on Shroud 1.
Chronomancer has been taken for veil, portal, Null field (when well of corruption is not there , also substitutes for well of power), Feedback, but most importantly : Gravity well (which is greatly amplified by Power Block).
In your backline: Elementalist+Mesmer+Necromancer
Truth is you need both of these classes in WvW ZvZ for your raid to function well. Typically you bring along 2-3 chronos in a given 20-30 player WvW raid. They’re used for veils, portals, and gravity wells for cc bombs.
On the other hand, reapers are utilized to enhance the dps of the raid, and you typically want at least 3-5 in each raid. Wells are still being used regardless of the build you are running, be it power frontline or power midline (difference is really just the amount of armor you’re sporting, and that frontline builds carry more shouts).
Condi builds shine when the size get smaller than 20, they’re great for solo/small group roaming. But condi builds lose effectiveness when opponent’s size is greater than 20. In which case, a power reaper using Well of Suffer and Corruption are still very much needed in the raids.
You pretty much use Chronos for cc bombs and utilities such as veil & portals, while you use Reapers for direct damage bombs. As for which to play, I’d recommend trying both and see which works out for you better. Both are useful, although I would say if the raid/guild you tag along with consistently have more than 2-3 chronos, then reapers become more useful then.
Chrono for roaming/solo
Reaper if you play in small/large groups
Just my opinion.
Chrono just sucks in general, go with Necro.
Zraiyya – Asuran Elementalist | EVOS
Akkodi – Asuran Engineer | EVOS
Necro wells have more damage and boon strip. Chrono mancer wells reward you if someone get hit by the final duration effect, which won’t happen that often. Gravity well is effective but with a large group stunbreaks and stab are a plenty.
Right now in organized groups chronos are running boon share builds, so if you enjoy a backline play style with wells necro might be your thing. I’d recommend ele as another option though.