I’ve also posted this under the Structured PVP subforum, not sure that was the right place though… for clarification: this build is meant for PVP
Welcome to my alternative (to the currently popular full zerk lb builds) build for the Ranger. It supports your team in large fights, but you also have excellent 1vx point hold capabilities, for both the home and the far point. If you have any ideas for improvements, tell me! Here’s the link:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fNAQRAsX3fnMqQLL2KI+rAXLGQPoWGADc7gIb3WndxRcxTRNB-TZBBwAQ3fAwLAwzRAI0BBAcZAA
Explanation of choices:
Weapons:
For main hand I use a sword. It’s a strong weapon, its autoattack is good, Hornet Sting gives you a dodge, and after that a gap closer. Against CC warriors about to hammerstun you, you can dodge out and jump back in with impunity. The 3d skill also gives you a dodge and a poison, which deals nice damage. The offhand is an axe, since this build is based on fights on points and holding points solo, with the traited offhand axe you can zone enemies almost entirely off point with #5. The ranged attack block is a bonus, which gives the skill some utility. #4 gives you a guaranteed finisher to use in your heal field.
The offset has an axe for mightstacking. Works brilliantly against mesmers and MM necro’s, since your might will spike up. Also, since it bounces, your sigil of purity, which gives the build the much needed condi removal, has a high chance of proccing. Your conditions do some damage so the bleed on number 2 is nice. #3 is truly a gem. 10 seconds cd, 12 seconds weakness and 3.5 seconds chill. Use it on damagedealers, and they’ll burn their condi clear on the weakness. The chill also impairs their movement, which is great for a movement-based class like you, a ranger.
Sigils: Accuracy to buff your meagre crit chance when you don’t have fury up. Battle on main set for might, purity on axe for the increased proc chance.
Amulet and runes:
While I was experimenting with the build, the all-round stats Celestial gives you came out as the best. It gives you tankiness to stay on point, increased heal effectiveness and since you deal both power-based and condition damage, Celestial is the best to mix. Rune of the Ranger to further buff your otherwise rather low precision and ferocity, and the 7% damage buff is really powerful.
Utility Skills:
Healing spring, because you can place it on a point, and it will almost entirely cover it. Use axe #5 on it for healing bolts. It is also a teampick: since we have it traited, it will not only heal your teammates, but also give them 6 seconds of vigor (you’ll get the vigor too).
Lightning Reflexes for a stunbreak and Immob break, and more vigor. Between your vigor, normal 2 dodges, and your dodges on weaponskills, enemies will have a really hard time hitting you.
Sic’ Em becuase 40%, even if it’s only on your pet, is a lot. However, the main reason is for the stealthblock: perfect for thieves, mesmers, some engi’s… It gives you a 6 second window to burst all you can into them. Enemy thieves will also play very cautiously when you use this on them, because their main escape is disabled for 6 seconds, and they cant use some of their biggest spikes (backstab).
Signet of Renewal to give some more condition removal. Before taking this, I found myself fighting HamBow Warrs, who would put 6 stacks bleed on me, which I could not clear. This resulted in me taking some 48000 damage from bleeding alone during an extended point fight. Clearing this is obviously important. The active is for emergencies only, as it will pretty much kill/disable your active pet for the remaining fight.
And finally, Rampage As One, because 24 seconds of swiftness, fury, and stability(!) are so kitten good, as well as the might stacking effect will really put some more ooomphhh in your attacks.