Guild Wars 2

Hi all,

recently came back to Ranger after a long hiatus and have been enjoying my return! Their revitalisation in PvE with the Druid is what made me really consider the return.

I’ve not played for a long time (May2015) and took to the forums to find an effective “Solo PvE/Events Farming/HoT build”

I checked the sticky on the forum :New Builds List – 50+ builds – All modes

The two builds that are listed there both use Axe as a MH weapon and focus heavily on conditions (Sinisted armour/weapons)

Now, I’m reading on the forums that many people say Axe as MH is very underpowered and not in a good place etc.?

Just a little confused as to what I should be running around in.

YES, I know “Any build is fine for solo content” and I understand that, but I do like being as fast/easy as possible as I go through HoT zones and event farming.

Is a Condi Axe MH build not good? Should I stick with traditional power builds for solo content?

What’s confused me is the thread’s sticky there are only two listed “PvE/Open World” builds and they’re both Condi builds, which made me think that was the commonly perceived most effective?

Any help/information would be much appreciated,

Thanks!

Seeing that you have HoT, you can swap the Sinister Armor for Viper’s for more Condi duration. MH Axe might not be in a “good spot”, but its still our best MH weapon for Condi builds due to projectile finishers for Fire Fields and Splitblade’s Bleed.

Power is also fine. Ultimately, its a matter of preference.
Wouldn’t really bother with Druid unless you want to run Condi+Support on heals/GotL for PvE, though.

Condition Axe/Torch build is fine. You should probably use the condition build for while soloing in the HoT zones as they are more forgiving and easier to tackle things while alone such as Hero Challenges and so forth.

Also, what you read about MH Axe around the forums is, for the most part, true. However, the fact is our PvE condition build relies heavily on Torch off-hand, and between Sword and Axe main hands, Axe is just the better option.

in short,

*torch carries condi ranger builds heavily
*of the two 1h weapons, axe is better than sword for conditions
*axe could be improved as its design is wonky

This is what I run to do general PVE stuff.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQJATRnEqAtsgFsCmsAUtglFBb5yFAOawP1s6Xtpc95GBl8swA-TlSBwAXV2YWJIgLAwN1ficEAeu/QWlSPeAALOEA41FQKgxGGB-w

If you’re finding the going tough feel free to mix in some more defensive trinkets.

If you’re still finding the going tough a defensive pet could also be the go, like fern hound, wolf, etc.

Note:- I take refined toxins over shared anguish because I already have access to 3 stun breaks already.

LB provides great AOE with skill 5 and of course because you take the LB trait you can pierce enemies in a line. Keep that in mind when you choose a target because it can demolish groups quickly.

GS maul will also devestate mobs but I generally use it to get around the map as well as to stack bloodlust. GS 5 will also cause a daze which will proc ancient seeds. If you find ancient seeds too single target based then lingering light is also a good option.

It’s pretty efficient at rolling through mobs even if it is a little glassy. Swap to CA and use skills 3 and 4 in quicktime for a healing burst if you need it. Skill 5 is also great at clearing mobs especially if you’ve just used entangle to immob them.