Guild Wars 2

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fNAQJARTjEqUyaLL2sQ1aABhaVA0uGChl1dTkvf9BrK5A-TJBFwACuEA12foaZAAPBAA

This is a build for dueling/roaming style sPvP. Personally, I think it’s a mid to upper mid tier build if played in the right hands, but in higher level PvP it would probably peter out to better burst build options and better team play options.

I’ve found that for this build to work correctly, you must keep the traits in the Nature Magic and Marksmanship lines, but feel free to toy around with any traits in the Wilderness Survival line to make the build tankier or more attack minded.

Basic playstyle involves use of Swoop to aid in movement from node to node, Troll Unguent early during fights if you keep the tankier traits, and use of Sharpening Stone to spread bleed conditions (which are considerable when they line up with the cooldown on Keen Edge) and knowing when to use Quickening Zephyr to really lay on the hurt. This particular build is pretty survivable for a burst build, and I personally love the playstyle of Longbow/Greatsword so I’ve been determined to at least find one of the best builds I could to support that weapon set, and this is the best I’ve come up with so far.

Runes of the Pack makes up for your crit % loss with traits, and I use Air/Fire because this build consistently gets 1-1.5k hits when those abilities proc. If you prefer a kiting style of play, you may wish to take out one utility for Muddy Terrain and add use sigils that support bleed conditions.

This build is not good in close quarters, so try to stay mobile and in the open… save your Greatsword attacks for when the enemy is below half HP and attack aggressively with Hilt Bash/Quickening Zephyr/Maul to finish off an over aggressive melee.

Anyway… happy hunting. Hope some of you enjoy the build.

Update: Due to some issues with the offensive capability of using the Greatsword, I found that, while it takes a little effort to use effectively, Sword/Axe actually worked better and provided everything GS provided and then some.

1) Sword auto-attack is better then GS auto-attack, especially with Quickening Zephyr.
2) Sword #2 can be used to cross large gaps of space for roaming the way GS #3 does, but it’s just a little harder to use since you need to “backflip” forward, turn around, then leap forward again.
3) GS counter isn’t missed as much with Axe #5 in that it reflects and also does damage back to opponent.
4) The limited CC from GS #4, again, no missed so much with Axe #4, except it seems bugged and doesn’t always work.

The amount of engage/disengage requires some work to time out right, but in 1v1 in open space, these two weapons seem to outplay GS overall with the exception of no stun. But how often was anyone hitting with GS #5 anyway? The range is so terrible.

Again, this is no tournament spec, but if you are playing mid-level tourneys or casual play, it’s a good 1v1 build. (Might want to take the trait to reduce CD on off-hand so you have your Axe moves for utility).

I’ve been running a similar build in WvW in full ascended berserker gear with power infusions and consumables. I mention that because the damage boost is very substantial compared to PvP. I have been using dual melee, but occasionally need to swap to LB to take out siege, and get caught in a 1v1 with it equipped.

I find longbow hits like a nice caress of silky panties unless you put more in to MM and/or skirmishing. I’m a huge fan of power LB builds, but I have trouble seeing this hurting anyone, especially in a PvP bunker meta.

Have you tried using something like S/A and GS?

Fluffball.8307:

I’ve been running a similar build in WvW in full ascended berserker gear with power infusions and consumables. I mention that because the damage boost is very substantial compared to PvP. I have been using dual melee, but occasionally need to swap to LB to take out siege, and get caught in a 1v1 with it equipped.

I find longbow hits like a nice caress of silky panties unless you put more in to MM and/or skirmishing. I’m a huge fan of power LB builds, but I have trouble seeing this hurting anyone, especially in a PvP bunker meta.

Have you tried using something like S/A and GS?

It’s not survivable enough to me with that setup. And my experience with this build is that LB is actually the powerhouse that makes it work… so I’m not sure how to answer that. The procs from Sigil of Air and Fire typically add to that burst enough to be significant, and you’d be surprised how much the bleed damage supplements this. Though this really isn’t a tourney build, more for 1v1 in general, but if I were running it seriously in tPvP I would swap 10 points out of Wilderness Survival and put it into Marksmanship, taking Eagle Eye. This change is significant enough to get the damage output increase you’re looking for and is playable enough in most tPvP matches.

With Axe #4 and LB #4 and carrying a Wolf, and reflecting their CC with a carefully timed Axe #5, this is also one of the few Ranger builds I’ve run that can CC bunkers off the point.

But truthfully… though it takes a while to whittle them down depending on their skill level, this build packs a lot of punch from what I’ve experienced so far.

Again, it’s not going to change the meta, but it’s a build that incorporates Survival of the Fittest with a general “power” build, and it’s been working for me so I thought I would share.

Sure, didn’t mean to imply I wanted you to never post again and put a hit out on your family.

I personally don’t like using LB without a hefty power and crit build since you already get the massive damage reduction from being too close and having one of the slowest attacks in the game. But like I said, I have been using a similar build so I get where you’re coming from. I can see you making up the lost damage by being annoying elusive with the longbow. People drastically underestimate the non-autoattacks of the longbow.