Condition build gear advice?

Condition build gear advice?

in Ranger

Posted by: Snowblind.2491

Snowblind.2491

I’m looking to make some ascended gear for my Short Bow/Axe+Torch build, and I’m thinking to go with crafting full Viper’s for armor and weapons. Then using Sinister for trinkets (from story rewards, etc.). On paper this looks good to me, but I may be missing something (?).

Is there something else I should be looking at?

I’m also leveling an engineer, and I’m thinking the armor will work well for that character too. 2 birds, one stone and all.

Thanks

Condition build gear advice?

in Ranger

Posted by: Crapgame.6519

Crapgame.6519

People will probably want to know if this is sole for PvE and Raids or if it also includes WvW. And if WvW the amount of play time spent – guess.

Personally I ended up just crafting Celestial Ascended armor. I went with Rabid exotic for my condition/trapper build. Shaman exotic for condition/traps and Druid build. Setting up a Cleric exotic to test a few things out.

Celestial seems to balance out condition and healing stats for my Druid. I wanted Minstrel but this seems to be what I ended up with in the end. But note my play is only for WvW. As I go through HoT map and story complete I’ve not found any restrictions by using my Celestial armor set.

I think those that push for min/max or extreme setups will provide more detail with crafting information.

Main – Laaz Rocket – Guardian (Ehmry Bay)
Johnny Johnny – Ranger (Ehmry Bay)
Hárvey Wallbanger – Alt Warrior (Ehmry Bay)

Condition build gear advice?

in Ranger

Posted by: vespers.1759

vespers.1759

If you’re doing PVE what you have sounds great. For WvW i prefer to run dire, although some people like rabid too (personally i’d rather have the extra vitality and trap trait over the bleed on crit).

As for shortbow… imo that weapon is complete garbage in every game mode. axe/dagger + sword/torch is great for WvW and axe/torch swap for pve is good. Movement speed outside of a kittenty shout build has always been condi ranger’s main issue. However now you can druid for the 33% movement speed and use your dagger 5 and axe 3 to get in close quite easily.

imo condi ranger works best in that 300-500 ranger sweet spot where melee can’t hit you and ranged can’t either because you’re dodging and evading around them.

Bristleback can’t hit anything? Let’s fix the HP bug instead.

Condition build gear advice?

in Ranger

Posted by: Snowblind.2491

Snowblind.2491

Oops, I should have specified, this is for PVE. I have a dire exotic set I run in WvW, with a trap setup, and it works fine, though I haven’t played much WvW in quite a while now.

My plan is to spend most of my time in the open world, soloing mostly, and HoT events and such. I don’t plan to raid at all ; I’ve raided a ton in other games and it’s just not something I’m interested in right now.

As to the shortbow, I know a lot of people don’t like it much, but I enjoy it, and I feel like I have a pretty good rhythm with it.

I’ve been running around in rabid exotics, and it’s ok, but I’d like a little more, plus the condi duration of viper’s looks good.

(edited by Snowblind.2491)

Condition build gear advice?

in Ranger

Posted by: vespers.1759

vespers.1759

Yep for open world pve you can make anything work. Viper is currentmy the best condition armor out there and shortbow will work fine for smacking mobs down.8

Bristleback can’t hit anything? Let’s fix the HP bug instead.

Condition build gear advice?

in Ranger

Posted by: Snowblind.2491

Snowblind.2491

Thanks, I will also take to heart what you said about Axe/Torch + Axe/Dagger. I can see where that’s a good combination for a lot of stuff. I sometimes swap torch for offhand dagger anyway, so it makes sense. I’ll add a dagger to the crafting list.

Condition build gear advice?

in Ranger

Posted by: Tragic Positive.9356

Tragic Positive.9356

@Snowblind

If you are going for pure efficiency, QuickDraw on torch is what makes the magic happen. Which means going torch in both weapon sets is what makes rangers viable condition damage dealers. If you really need the bonus evade, you should go for sword instead of axe for 1 set.

If you do not intend to play high level fractals or raids (for casual pugs or open world) – you might be fine with the Rabid stats to have that bonus survival.
If your target is the high-end content (fractals, raids), full Viper / Sinister itemization (Rampager Back) with A/~ + ~/T is what you are looking for.

“Observe, learn and counter.”