Guild Wars 2

i’ll be the first to post this. the intuitive mechanics, the utility, even the applied damage. no pet required! LB rangers are JUST ranged assassins with next to no team utility. what gives? (yes im mad about it)

http://www.twitch.tv/guildwars2/b/657277834

/discuss

p.s. im not just talking about the LB on the guard. im referring to how well its integrated with the virtues, utilities and elites available to the guard.

it did look like Dragon Hunter takes everything a ranger can do.. but do it better and with more team utility (still a guardian after all at its core), and without the pet.

autoattack snare on 2 enemies? dmg comparable to power ranger. no pet limitation. just missing 1500 range and projectile velocity ranger gets.

I look forward to seeing how it gets balanced with ranger in mind.

Sandzibar.5134:

it did look like Dragon Hunter takes everything a ranger can do.. but do it better and with more team utility (still a guardian after all at its core), and without the pet.

autoattack snare on 2 enemies? dmg comparable to power ranger. no pet limitation. just missing 1500 range and projectile velocity ranger gets.

I look forward to seeing how it gets balanced with ranger in mind.

Welcome to the guardian ranger brothers if you wana play a druid/ necro stay ranger if not come over to the blue team.

The ranger specialization had better be fantastic. I’m sick of ANet “fixing” the ranger by giving its abilities in improved form to another class.

This is the first thing ANet’s done that makes me angry.

Loving the DH LB after seeing the ready-up. I kept thinking that some of those would have been nice for our SB. Their traits were also nice and some good synergy with other trait lines.

Not sure how it will compare with a LB Ranger directly, but I definitely like it more than SB Ranger.

Get help. I’m serious!

It looked like a ranger specialization to me, or the D3 demon hunter.

I’m basically ignoring all the balance issues and barely even looking at tool tips. Not until the expansion comes out. Right now it’s all just dev ideas.

I can’t watch twitch from work, but looking at dulfy:

• http://dulfy.net/2015/05/08/gw2-dragonhunter-ready-up-livestream-notes/

Longbow skills

• http://dulfy.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/gw2-dragonhunter-longbow-skills1.jpg

Why is their longbow hitting for solid damage regardless of range, piercing without traits, applying cripple if it hits more than 1 target, and fire every 0.75s as opposed to our 1.00s (0.90s traited). That doesn’t look right. Is there some aftercast that at least makes it more than the 0.75s listed?

Trueshot #2 and Deflecting Shot #3 both look like they’d hurt … what is up with 4s cooldown. I’m hoping that is just a “still in development” issue. It has the same cast time as the auto-attack so that currently looks like skill that you simply cast every time it’s not on cooldown. Not very skillful but looks very effective … more effective low skill-floor crap for Guardians. Deflecting Shot is in a similar position with its fact cast time, still decent damage and affecting any attacks since it’s a blind and projectile destroyer.

Symbol of Energy … this seems okay. I’m just amazed that this weapon has so many hard-hitting skills with such low cooldowns.

Hunter’s Ward … I’ll need to see the video to see the damage on this, but that final damage looks painful. At least this isn’t on some less than 20s cooldown. Bit annoyed that it not only traps but cripples too. Stepping on our toes there a bit.

Traps

• http://dulfy.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/gw2-dragonhunter-trap-skills2.jpg

These all hit hard. We’ll have to see how our own traps stack up to these once they are done with the rework there. Hopefully we’ll be on par. Nothing too horrible here except a Zerk Guardian with 3 traps stacked could ruin someone’s day pretty darn quickly. If you’re full melee, you might cry given they can stack on their traps and pew pew you with their new longbow.

Traits:

• http://dulfy.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/gw2-dragonhunter-traits1.jpg

Minor Traits
Look fine. Nothing to write home about.

Adept Traits
Bleed on traps, looks lackluster, zealot’s aggression and soaring devastation could be sick if paired with other things. We’ll come back to Zealot’s Aggression.

Master Traits
Hunter’s Determination gives 3s stability per target hit by a skill that hits hard, casts quickly, and is on a 4s cooldown … so 3s of stability every 4.75s …. really?! I’m hoping that’s one of those “still in development” things that will be getting tweaked.

Bulwark looks fine.

Dulled senses isn’t too bad … until you look at the synergy with the grandmaster.

Grandmaster Traits
Hunter’s Fortification doesn’t look too bad given how long the virtues cooldowns currently are.

Heavy Light just looks ridiculous when you pair it with the other factors. First, now they want to be in melee with that Longbow because (1) it doesn’t do any less damage in melee (2) knockback is an interrupt … interrupt every 7s just from attacking (3) that knockback synergizes with dulled senses to cripple you (4) that cripple from dulled senses synergizes with zealot’s aggression for extra damage … now back to their minor that does +10% dmg at >= 600 range … or you can be crippled, constantly interrupted, and taking +10% dmg from them any time they get you within 300 range.

Big Game Hunter could hurt, but there are other traits in game that resemble it … I’m just curious about this stacking with other +% dmg traits … as that would get to pretty darn ridiculous levels.

• Big Game Hunter + Fiery Wrath + Zealous Blade + Symbolic Avenger = 15% + 10% + 5% + 20% = +50% damage … from two specializations

I think at the very least some numbers need to be tweaked here … math isn’t that hard.

So far the only area where the DH can’t beat the ranger is burst (double Maul/Rapid Fire after traitline revamp), condition pressure (it does great condi damage but only burning, bleed, cripple and immob) and HP.
Their traps are way better, they don’t have a pet with stupid AI, they have the core support skills of guardians, better CC and on top of that, damages. Of course the numbers will change before release (it looks far too strong right now).

We can expect something good for the druid but I don’t have much hope for the pet…

I’m not going to comment on damage because they’ve said multiple times it’s not finalized (dear, i hope it isn’t)

but looking at the skills

#1.. cripples, bounces, and deals good damage? I hope it has less damage than LRS because if not, it just seems like an improved version of it
#2.. basically ranged maul? doesn’t look that op, but looks like something that would be better fitting for rangers
#5.. just looks like an improved barrage to me.

I’m going to wait, but currently it seems on par or better than ranger LB, which kinda saddens me. I was expecting it to be cool, but i didn’t expect it to be very similar to ranger lb and with cooler features. I was expecting something like team support through AoE’s and stuff.

Eh, I imagine that zerk will be dangerous for them as they have very low base health, not to mention if they sit on all of their traps any gap closer with evad frames or dodge roll will make them blow their load on nothing.

It looks good, but we don’t know how much of it is placeholder or how they will do once it’s live.

Sebrent.3625:

I can’t watch twitch from work, but looking at dulfy:

• http://dulfy.net/2015/05/08/gw2-dragonhunter-ready-up-livestream-notes/

Longbow skills

• http://dulfy.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/gw2-dragonhunter-longbow-skills1.jpg

Why is their longbow hitting for solid damage regardless of range, piercing without traits, applying cripple if it hits more than 1 target, and fire every 0.75s as opposed to our 1.00s (0.90s traited). That doesn’t look right. Is there some aftercast that at least makes it more than the 0.75s listed?

Trueshot #2 and Deflecting Shot #3 both look like they’d hurt … what is up with 4s cooldown. I’m hoping that is just a “still in development” issue. It has the same cast time as the auto-attack so that currently looks like skill that you simply cast every time it’s not on cooldown. Not very skillful but looks very effective … more effective low skill-floor crap for Guardians. Deflecting Shot is in a similar position with its fact cast time, still decent damage and affecting any attacks since it’s a blind and projectile destroyer.

Symbol of Energy … this seems okay. I’m just amazed that this weapon has so many hard-hitting skills with such low cooldowns.

Hunter’s Ward … I’ll need to see the video to see the damage on this, but that final damage looks painful. At least this isn’t on some less than 20s cooldown. Bit annoyed that it not only traps but cripples too. Stepping on our toes there a bit.

Traps

• http://dulfy.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/gw2-dragonhunter-trap-skills2.jpg

These all hit hard. We’ll have to see how our own traps stack up to these once they are done with the rework there. Hopefully we’ll be on par. Nothing too horrible here except a Zerk Guardian with 3 traps stacked could ruin someone’s day pretty darn quickly. If you’re full melee, you might cry given they can stack on their traps and pew pew you with their new longbow.

Traits:

• http://dulfy.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/gw2-dragonhunter-traits1.jpg

Minor Traits
Look fine. Nothing to write home about.

Adept Traits
Bleed on traps, looks lackluster, zealot’s aggression and soaring devastation could be sick if paired with other things. We’ll come back to Zealot’s Aggression.

Master Traits
Hunter’s Determination gives 3s stability per target hit by a skill that hits hard, casts quickly, and is on a 4s cooldown … so 3s of stability every 4.75s …. really?! I’m hoping that’s one of those “still in development” things that will be getting tweaked.

Bulwark looks fine.

Dulled senses isn’t too bad … until you look at the synergy with the grandmaster.

Grandmaster Traits
Hunter’s Fortification doesn’t look too bad given how long the virtues cooldowns currently are.

Heavy Light just looks ridiculous when you pair it with the other factors. First, now they want to be in melee with that Longbow because (1) it doesn’t do any less damage in melee (2) knockback is an interrupt … interrupt every 7s just from attacking (3) that knockback synergizes with dulled senses to cripple you (4) that cripple from dulled senses synergizes with zealot’s aggression for extra damage … now back to their minor that does +10% dmg at >= 600 range … or you can be crippled, constantly interrupted, and taking +10% dmg from them any time they get you within 300 range.

Big Game Hunter could hurt, but there are other traits in game that resemble it … I’m just curious about this stacking with other +% dmg traits … as that would get to pretty darn ridiculous levels.

• Big Game Hunter + Fiery Wrath + Zealous Blade + Symbolic Avenger = 15% + 10% + 5% + 20% = +50% damage … from two specializations

I think at the very least some numbers need to be tweaked here … math isn’t that hard.

If we open with UC and and SYS we are looking at a ~78% damage modifier Huehuehue, so 1 JI + WW might 1shot a baddy every now and then .

Yes their auto attacks hit another target, but we’ll get Piercing Arrows for free with our new Lead The Wind, which will be even better hitting 5 targets.

They do have a deflective arrow which is quite interesting but we have a stealth on #3 which augments our survivability abit more in my opinion. We will still have better burst and better range than them, plus we have an interupt/knockback on #4 which they don’t and can become a life saver. The only skill that really stood out for me was the #5 from the DragonHunter which looked pretty sweet.

From what I’ve seen I don’t see how people think this looks superior to Ranger, because while the Longbow may have similar gameplay, their skills aren’t the same.

I don’t see myself rerolling as a DragonHunter at Expansion and I don’t intend to, but I do want to play it.

I’m less concerned with it in a 1v1 as my attention and cooldowns are focused on that Guardian. In a larger group fight … that damage combination is going to be ridiculous.

Here’s a mean example which I’m probably going to partake in on my Mesmer with my Guardian buddies

• Mesmer: Mass Invis
• Guardians: Binding Blade … damage will break their stealth but they’ve got you now
• Guardians: Symbol of Wrath
• Guardians: Pull
• Mesmer: CC (shield will be great for this)
• Guardians: Whirling Blade

Profit.

That’s more about group stealth openers being lame.

It’s made worse by the immense amount of +dmg those Guardians are going to enjoy during it.

Longbow to Longbow, the Dragonhunter (I think) is more comparable to a shortbow Ranger. They way they can use LB resembles a skirmishing style and their traps also brings them along those same lines, especially the one with AOE reveal.

Well I’m switching. All hail the ranger without pets. And without freaking coats!

So long rangers!

It really did feel like a ranger/rogue/demon hunter archetype. I could play that and not even feel like I was cheating on my ranger.

I haven’t seen it yet, but if Dragonhunter is really much better than Longbow Ranger, then that’s actually good news.

The only downside is that you might have to level another character to 80 and maybe craft another set of ascended gear. Heavy armor looks better though.

I doubt it will be all that much better. Longbow Ranger has more range and all their skills will pierce with trait. But Dragonhunter is worth trying out and that’s a plus.

In wvw dragonhunter is op hands down. Not a question about it. Once DH is released, you will see almost no rangers anymore in wvw.

I made a long post here: https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/game/gw2/Dragonhunter-revealed-meh/page/8#post5047794 about why DH is op.

Even if they nerf all the shown skills damage by 50% i’d still think it’s op for wvw zerg warfare wich should say something about how op it currently is.

To bad GWEN will be fortified in wvw and not thorn apart.

Its uncomparble, think about palying LB with out stealth and strong KB. Rnger LB is much more suited for kiting and landing big spike rotaions. Gurdains are like slow SB with rifle damage(not the mega shot). Looks interesting and cool desighn. I also liked how they made gurdians traps realy strong with longgg CD, i was woundering how giving gurdains trapper runes will play out – now i understand.

While i was watching the readyup all i could think about was the LB AA doing more damaga and criple if it hits 2 targets. I was thinking about 1v1 vs a gurdains getting heavy damage and prema cripple cus of out pet. Our pet cripples us (JK:)

LughLongArm.5460:

While i was watching the readyup all i could think about was the LB AA doing more damaga and criple if it hits 2 targets. I was thinking about 1v1 vs a gurdains getting heavy damage and prema cripple cus of out pet. Our pet cripples us (JK:)

I think mes and minion master have more to worry about on that front.

Heck, that’s the secret sunny side of spirits on following us anymore :p

Phoebe Ascension.8437:

In wvw dragonhunter is op hands down. Not a question about it. Once DH is released, you will see almost no rangers anymore in wvw.

I made a long post here: https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/game/gw2/Dragonhunter-revealed-meh/page/8#post5047794 about why DH is op.

Even if they nerf all the shown skills damage by 50% i’d still think it’s op for wvw zerg warfare wich should say something about how op it currently is.

To bad GWEN will be fortified in wvw and not thorn apart.

GWEN will die, GG.

My problem with the Dragonhunter Longbow is that he has 3 mouse-targetted skills. I hate those. I can live with Barrage, but I wouldn’t want 2 more.

The condition damage he did was pretty crazy with only 6 stacks of burning (3000+ per second), so maybe power builds will be a thing of the past.

Holland.9351:

My problem with the Dragonhunter Longbow is that he has 3 mouse-targetted skills. I hate those. I can live with Barrage, but I wouldn’t want 2 more.

I used to feel that way and then I played 500 games on my engi. It’s the stupidest thing in the world, but it actually improved my barrage “skills”. :O My dislike of ground targeting was entirely because I wasn’t used to it.

Holland.9351:

My problem with the Dragonhunter Longbow is that he has 3 mouse-targetted skills. I hate those. I can live with Barrage, but I wouldn’t want 2 more.

The condition damage he did was pretty crazy with only 6 stacks of burning (3000+ per second), so maybe power builds will be a thing of the past.

Best part about ground targeting is that they cant be reflected unless the effects come with a projectile, but even then they can be used in melee range to ignore the reflects.

Dragonhunter traps were really far too powerful. A lot of condition damage and control.

If someone triggers a Ranger trap they might get a bit of bleed/burning/poison/chill on them, but that’s about it.

I’m ambivalent, though not surprised to see Guardian essentially turned into what Ranger should/could have been. I’m also concerned Ranger’s specialization will not be nearly as compelling or synergistic. Our base traits pale in comparison and we still offer no team support, with crippled spirits being our last hope (unless Druid is made into a support spec, which I’d rather it didn’t). We’ll have to wait and see… but having played Ranger nearly exclusively for 3 years, I know to keep my expectations low.

Sebrent.3625:

Trueshot #2 and Deflecting Shot #3 both look like they’d hurt … .

they do. they both pierce and trueshot was doing 4.2k crits on carrion gear. that’s without any of the burning damage being procced. sure, trueshot has a short cast time but its cd is ridiculously short and it gets you to pop your defensive cd’s and use up endurance.

ITheNormalPerson.9275:

#1.. cripples, bounces, and deals good damage? I hope it has less damage than LRS because if not, it just seems like an improved version of it
#2.. basically ranged maul? doesn’t look that op, but looks like something that would be better fitting for rangers
#5.. just looks like an improved barrage to me.
.

i’ll just play a bit of devil’s advocate.

1. cripples with bounces on autoattack. how’s that not OP? do we have a ranged cripple on autoattack?

2. how is a ranged maul not OP? he was critting 4.2k+ on carrion gear. and it’s nearly spammable

5. “just” an improved barrage? it’s basically a long range ring of warding in an aoe. thankfully, the cd is fairly long.

also #3 does decent damage and hardcounters longbow rangers. in addition, it’s a really fun long range skillshot, something ive always wanted on my ranger.

I have a feeling they buffed longbow rangers just so they can make them obsolete with all the reflect hardcounters and “new tech”. cuz no other spec or prof really depends on projectiles as much as we do. it’s all become clear, well played ANet.

LughLongArm.5460:

Its uncomparble, think about palying LB with out stealth and strong KB. Rnger LB is much more suited for kiting and landing big spike rotaions. Gurdains are like slow SB with rifle damage(not the mega shot)..

I sort of understand what youre trying to say. but what im saying is that LB rangers have no utility in comparison and deal similar damage, only with a little bit more burst. DH brings so much more utility AND survivability while doing similar damage.

Holland.9351:

I haven’t seen it yet, but if Dragonhunter is really much better than Longbow Ranger, then that’s actually good news.

could be. our skirmishing condi bunkers builds will be beastly, and druid will likely be a support spec. so i was likely gonna completely move away from LB play anyways. but my point is…whats the point of glassbow now?

Skullface.7293:

From what I’ve seen I don’t see how people think this looks superior to Ranger, because while the Longbow may have similar gameplay, their skills aren’t the same.

as I explained above: DH brings utility + survivability in addition to doing similar damage from 1200.

My question is, why does LB still have a range penalty then? DH not only has no range penalty, it caters to skirmishing. That’s ridiculous.

What is most angering is this kind of thing is what rangers have been asking for since the beginning. Now for those of us who love our pets, we look even stupider as they are a straight liability.

Also, true shot…4.2k burst damage. And people complain HARD about the LB channel doing damage.

^ true shot is virtually spammable and that was 4.2k with Carrion gear.

RF should have always been on the SB because it’s impossible to fire an LB that quickly, and abilities like Trueshot and Deflecting Shot (just the skillshot part) always belonged on ranger’s LB. I fantasized about this 2 years ago, and hoped they would improve LB is a more intuitive way. instead they just cranked up the damage on the AA and RF. but of course we cant complain about that too much because it was good for us.

Watched the video …
Especially since I play Mesmer and Ranger most of the time … that 0.75s auto-attack with a 2s cripple if there is anything around me for it to bounce on …. is ridiculous.

Now, not only is the Guardian able to easily mix it up in melee … but they can start a zerg fight by pinging people from 1,200 range and stacking ridiculous amounts of cripple on 2 per shot.

TrueShot is not cool either … it is a ranged maul … with a base 4s cooldown … that can be traited to give 3s of stability … what … the …

This bugs me the most on my Ranger.
On my Mesmer I’m just happy I’ve got a nice kitten nal of reflects coming down the pipeline.

Will have to wait and see what Ranger gets … has me somewhat hopeful for our traps and their rework.

mistsim.2748:

^ true shot is virtually spammable and that was 4.2k with Carrion gear.

Oh I know, just adding to the ‘WTF?!’ sentiment. Not only does it do massive damage, not only is it not range penalized, not only is it currently spammable, it’s also a burst.

This is why I made the ‘can we all agree anet hates rangers’ topic…it’s been three years and we get gradual to no buffs, and it takes them less than a year to come up with this for Guardian. It’s almost like they took all our ideas, painted them blue, and made it into this.

mistsim.2748:

as I explained above: DH brings utility + survivability in addition to doing similar damage from 1200.

I do agree Guardian does bring some impressive long cd utilities from what they showed. There is still one thing that I didn’t see, which was on-demand interupts which are important in PvP and ranger has tons from pets, greatsword and longbow.

Not quite sure what you mean about survivability tho because LB rangers will be able to spec for Wilderness Knowledge at the expansion, which will boost its survivability quite considerably. Think about plays you could do with the new Quick Draw trait, you’ll be able to use Swoop on 4s cd with your greatsword for escaping or just for mobility purpose. I will be pretty happy survivability-wise if you ask me.

The thing that I don’t think the stream showed well is whether or not the arrows on the Guard LB are actually reliable. Like, if the auto doesn’t track, in general, all of those attacks seem like they move so slow.

Obviously we can’t tell just yet, but basing it on just their velocity alone, people should have no problem strafing the DH LB where as we all know with Read the Wind’s velocity and Eagle Eyes range becoming baseline on ranger, that rangers LB isn’t really all that avoidable.

i’ve read through all the Guard traits and the Lb , this is very much a LB that does not include a Skirmishing style of play most of the traits that effect the Specialisation line are more for 600-1200yard and the skills are generaly effected by traits that are more effective as Gap closers while dealing damage or healing or applying Vun per interval looking at you Spear of justice.

the dragon hunter clearly lacks Skirmishing effectiveness which is made up for by the combination of snares it can do.

though you don’t have to use traps and could use other Utilties i’d see it suffering with the heavy armour syndrome still yes it’ll have a LB but vastly lack a variety of gap widening and or damage mitigation while using the LB set just like every other range user though with heavy armour .

so you better pack some swiftness/blocks and a stun break because you’ll be needing it, underneth all the fancy light shows the Guardian still retains its core Machanics so don’t compair it to a Rangers LB it clearly works in a entirely different way.

Sytherek.7689:

The ranger specialization had better be fantastic. I’m sick of ANet “fixing” the ranger by giving its abilities in improved form to another class.

This is the first thing ANet’s done that makes me angry.

Look at all the skills that Ranger has in GW1 and then look how many of them were given to other classes in GW2. Everything that was good about Ranger in GW1 has been stripped out and given to others. Now, the same thing is happening here.

It is quite annoying.

The only saving grace of True Shot is that it is a channel and you cannot move while channeling it, meaning it can be interrupted easily, but its on a 4s CD and our interrupts are upwards of 12s… It does better damage than Maul and its at 1200 range and on a shorter CD… WTF. Oh, yeah, if you trait with Hunter’s Determination and some boon duration, we won’t even be able to interrupt it. But they will be able to interrupt us! Yay, a 7s CD on a KB for them! Stay in Range and they can interrupt all our good skills and do big damage at the same time.

Our traps better be fricking amazing, because the DH ones really are. If you were to stack all those traps, they would down a lot of players in one hit and the ones that do pulse, last for 10 seconds! The bleed on trap is per pulse too, so some of those traps could give 10 bleed stacks.

Deflecting Shot should be a ranger’s skill. Any master archer (longbow ranger archetype) should be able to pull off this trick that using their own arrow to deflect/nullify enemy projectile.
As for other OP stuff DH gets, i agree most of them are ridiculous.

It has still little access to swiftness and no movement speed bonus. Also they can’t really spam conditions at will, burning is a sure thing but bleed can be easily cleansed and you’ll have to move into the trap.
Also there’s no interrupt, except that auto KB and whatever they can bring from the core class.
The good part is that they have no pet, so damage-wise they’re more reliable and the traps will be good for PvE and fast dungeons/boss encounters

PvE-wise, I against bring to you their +50% damage:

• Big Game Hunter + Fiery Wrath + Zealous Blade + Symbolic Avenger = 15% + 10% + 5% + 20% = +50% damage … from two specializations

And if you look in their forums right now, Jon Peters is thinking about giving them Quickness …. so that could help them edge Mesmer out of that meta … and further cement Guardian’s position in the PvE Meta … because they needed that … ?

When i first some the little intro of the DH on the main website, i /sigh. Then i watched the ready-up video, now i just…../facedesk.

Sure, numbers wise, things can still change…but mechanics wise, thats what will launch, and i have to say I am jelly.

Although, when it comes to characters, aesthetics are important to me, and I have a hard time wrapping my mind around a Slyvari Guardian. That coupled with the Kudzu, which imo only looks good on a sylvari….

The only thing that could make this worse is a new legendary longbow skin that is perfect for a human/norn guardian.

Fester.9328:

Although, when it comes to characters, aesthetics are important to me, and I have a hard time wrapping my mind around a Slyvari Guardian.

Let’s not forget that these Dragonhunters are around to slay dragons and all dragon spawn. So a Sylvari Dragonhunter is kind of… conflicted.

About the DH spec, it definitely serves a different role and I don’t see it obsoleting LB rangers in any way. Pretty neat skills, though. I expect a slight CD increase on True Shot, but they also have no range increase, no velocity increase or no CD decrease, so things like their LB5 will be used very rarely.

The traps seem strong. I like seeing more revealed (especially with how this is one is done,) but no way to ground target them or reduce their CD.

When you see a Dragonhunter you’ll really just have to refuse to fight on their terms or their turf. I can dig that. Maybe they’ll be really strong in conquest.

jcbroe.4329:

The thing that I don’t think the stream showed well is whether or not the arrows on the Guard LB are actually reliable. Like, if the auto doesn’t track, in general, all of those attacks seem like they move so slow.

Obviously we can’t tell just yet, but basing it on just their velocity alone, people should have no problem strafing the DH LB where as we all know with Read the Wind’s velocity and Eagle Eyes range becoming baseline on ranger, that rangers LB isn’t really all that avoidable.

hmm this is an interesting point. the AA arrows did seem to move slowly. but not Trueshot.

Skullface.7293:

Not quite sure what you mean about survivability tho because LB rangers will be able to spec for Wilderness Knowledge at the expansion, which will boost its survivability quite considerably. Think about plays you could do with the new Quick Draw trait, you’ll be able to use Swoop on 4s cd with your greatsword for escaping or just for mobility purpose. I will be pretty happy survivability-wise if you ask me.

yes, glassbows will no longer be glass. 6/6/6/0/0 will be very strong. and I guess I have to be ok with us being JUST ranged assassins, and nothing else. the DH brings incredible utility to the table.

mistsim.2748:

jcbroe.4329:

The thing that I don’t think the stream showed well is whether or not the arrows on the Guard LB are actually reliable. Like, if the auto doesn’t track, in general, all of those attacks seem like they move so slow.

Obviously we can’t tell just yet, but basing it on just their velocity alone, people should have no problem strafing the DH LB where as we all know with Read the Wind’s velocity and Eagle Eyes range becoming baseline on ranger, that rangers LB isn’t really all that avoidable.

hmm this is an interesting point. the AA arrows did seem to move slowly. but not Trueshot.

Yeah, True Shot is really good, and I mean, it isn’t like it shouldn’t be, and it definitely isn’t like we aren’t justified in feeling like our toes are being stepped on by a lot of the Guardian LB functionality.

But at 1200 range? I don’t see how their LBs sustain is even going to compare to ranger sustain unless that autoattack tracks. Otherwise, rangers will still have the superior single target take down ability.

Guardians will just have the charged burst shot (that would work so perfectly with our LB and Moment of Clarity even just design wise over rapid fire that it still has me a bit stunned), AoE, and barrage that most of us have all been asking for/desiring since forever.

Still, we don’t know what Druid staff, traits, or utilities are going to be like, and if we’re lucky, we’ll find out with next weeks expected medium armor class reveal.

There is no reason for outrage just yet, although True Shot is one of things we’re all just going to have to learn how to suppress and deal with lol.

Sebrent.3625:

PvE-wise, I against bring to you their +50% damage:

• Big Game Hunter + Fiery Wrath + Zealous Blade + Symbolic Avenger = 15% + 10% + 5% + 20% = +50% damage … from two specializations

And if you look in their forums right now, Jon Peters is thinking about giving them Quickness …. so that could help them edge Mesmer out of that meta … and further cement Guardian’s position in the PvE Meta … because they needed that … ?

Imagine that with Radiance. Amplified Wrath (+33% burn damage and burn on block), extra 25% chance to crit burning foes, burn foes on crit with +20% burn duration, and fury on burn. Then throw in a celestial amulet with flame legion runes. You are looking at perma multiple stack burning, and 70% crit chance with 57% more damage direct damage and 33% more damage from burning.

Do not forget the traps with the really long reveal, instant 25 vuln stacks, the Jesus Beam trap and the nice elite trap. Also, ticking 4,3k damage per seconds with burning,

mistsim.2748:

Sebrent.3625:

Trueshot #2 and Deflecting Shot #3 both look like they’d hurt … .

they do. they both pierce and trueshot was doing 4.2k crits on carrion gear. that’s without any of the burning damage being procced. sure, trueshot has a short cast time but its cd is ridiculously short and it gets you to pop your defensive cd’s and use up endurance.

ITheNormalPerson.9275:

#1.. cripples, bounces, and deals good damage? I hope it has less damage than LRS because if not, it just seems like an improved version of it
#2.. basically ranged maul? doesn’t look that op, but looks like something that would be better fitting for rangers
#5.. just looks like an improved barrage to me.
.

i’ll just play a bit of devil’s advocate.

1. cripples with bounces on autoattack. how’s that not OP? do we have a ranged cripple on autoattack?

2. how is a ranged maul not OP? he was critting 4.2k+ on carrion gear. and it’s nearly spammable

5. “just” an improved barrage? it’s basically a long range ring of warding in an aoe. thankfully, the cd is fairly long.

also #3 does decent damage and hardcounters longbow rangers. in addition, it’s a really fun long range skillshot, something ive always wanted on my ranger.

I have a feeling they buffed longbow rangers just so they can make them obsolete with all the reflect hardcounters and “new tech”. cuz no other spec or prof really depends on projectiles as much as we do. it’s all become clear, well played ANet.

LughLongArm.5460:

Its uncomparble, think about palying LB with out stealth and strong KB. Rnger LB is much more suited for kiting and landing big spike rotaions. Gurdains are like slow SB with rifle damage(not the mega shot)..

I sort of understand what youre trying to say. but what im saying is that LB rangers have no utility in comparison and deal similar damage, only with a little bit more burst. DH brings so much more utility AND survivability while doing similar damage.

Holland.9351:

I haven’t seen it yet, but if Dragonhunter is really much better than Longbow Ranger, then that’s actually good news.

could be. our skirmishing condi bunkers builds will be beastly, and druid will likely be a support spec. so i was likely gonna completely move away from LB play anyways. but my point is…whats the point of glassbow now?

Skullface.7293:

From what I’ve seen I don’t see how people think this looks superior to Ranger, because while the Longbow may have similar gameplay, their skills aren’t the same.

as I explained above: DH brings utility + survivability in addition to doing similar damage from 1200.

1-If you trait for marksmanship you can have a ranged cripple with any weapon
2- Maul is AoE while Trueshot just pierces
3- The cooldown makes it undesireable despite how great a skill it is.

All I want is for ArenaNet to improve our traps now that the Guardian has better ones – this is undeniable.