Guild Wars 2

So I got to thinking…why only do a single buff to spirits and not even buff their limiting factors?

Here’s my thought – Greatsword. In the BWEs greatsword/spirit rangers were absolute terrors. Half of that was because of GS damage, but the other half was that spirit spammers were ridiculously hard to kill and were ludicrously valuable resources in teamfights. Since GS got such a huge defensive buff, perhaps JP&co didn’t want to buff spirits at the same time and return to invincible spirit spammer builds. As with Psychrome’s post, we’re already seeing much tankier builds involving rangers and GS, so it’s no long shot to believe that large buffs to spirits would recreate the super tanks.

So perhaps the next balance patch will see ANet continuing to delicately tweak spirits, and perhaps then they’ll be viable without making other classes bow to their spirit spammer overlords again. And perhaps signets afterwards? Time will tell.

Spirits are pretty darn powerful in a large group setting. I’ve seen ranger mesmer necro teams pwning people with them in tpvp.

In a wvw battlements scenario one spirit ranger can buff a whole lot of people due to the nature of the spirits buffing system. AKA proc a buff that has a chance to proc the boon/condition in a relatively large area while mobile. They are a talent that magnifies in power with recipients of the benefit.

I think the bigger thing holding spirits back is this large fight wvw potential than 1v1 dynamics. You can’t really analyze them as a 1v1 ability.

Arrys.7145:

Spirits are pretty darn powerful in a large group setting. I’ve seen ranger mesmer necro teams pwning people with them in tpvp.

In a wvw battlements scenario one spirit ranger can buff a whole lot of people due to the nature of the spirits buffing system. AKA proc a buff that has a chance to proc the boon/condition in a relatively large area while mobile. They are a talent that magnifies in power with recipients of the benefit.

I think the bigger thing holding spirits back is this large fight wvw potential than 1v1 dynamics. You can’t really analyze them as a 1v1 ability.

This, spirits in 1v1 are -ok- and i really only use them for their active (IE i need a blind NOW or i need an immob etc) where is in a large group i can park the spirit behind some of the meat shields, er i mean allies, and watch the enemies just get torn to shreds as the spirits amplify the groups power SIGNIFICANTLY MORE then any war banner can, i mean cmon, 100 toughness/vitality…. or 33% damage reduction, take your pick… oh yeah, that’s right whose got the better summon now?

Then again, i think a lot of the people complaining that spirits are broken are people who haven’t played the first game, and don’t know how those spirits worked (which is -similar- to these ones, powerful buff but very squishy) and as such they’re trying to use them as like totems or something from wow instead and they’re not getting the same results so they’re screaming “It’s broken!”

That being said OP i 100% agree with you, my spirit spammer build in BWE1&2 was OP, i was able to go into 1v8s and come out the last man standing without even breaking a sweat, and that was also with the OP masters bond (LOL! pet critting every other attack for 6k, yeah THAT wasn’t broken!!)

I personally dont care about spirits, I want my sniper build to be viable. Id love arrows that actually hit what Im aiming at, believe it or not from the range we are shooting at people couldnt dodge arrows as easily as a side step, they moved too fast. So once they make them on par with bullets Ill be happy.

Dante Dragonhand.2538:

I personally dont care about spirits, I want my sniper build to be viable. Id love arrows that actually hit what Im aiming at, believe it or not from the range we are shooting at people couldnt dodge arrows as easily as a side step, they moved too fast. So once they make them on par with bullets Ill be happy.

Frost spirit is a flat 3.5% to 5% DPS increase that magnifies your base damage attack by 10% when it triggers which of course flows through to crit and bonus crit damage. And properly positioned if you are in a somewhat secure static location it has 100% uptime. It can also proc multiple times in a row unlike other spirits.

Is there another ranger utility that can give you a flat 5% DPS boost? And randomly spike damage 10% over multiple attacks.

Quickening zephyr is double damage potential for 4 seconds of 48 seconds. If one assumed 500 DPS that’s 2000 extra damage out of a 24,000 total or a 8.3% DPS increase. It’s the only one I can think of. (Granted spikes help).

Granted it’s a snipers nest potential ability where defense comes from position.

And of course when they get to you it can proc a 5 second chill.

It shouldn’t be automatically discarded as a sniper option. Open field skirmishing not so hot.

Arrys.7145:

Spirits are pretty darn powerful […]

You lost any and all credibility you ever had right there and then.

Spirits are weak anywhere. They’re by far the weakest support abilities in the world.

I would like to see a change that would make spirits stealthed by deafult.
Appearing only for a second whenever they proc or use skill, so enemies can know where they are. They could still be killed by AoE or when in line of fire.

This way, durability should not be buffed. They would be just as easy to kill as they are now, but it would require keen eye or luck. And skilled rangers would think more about positioning them.

Also, all spirit traits remain viable.

Iv been thinking of trying em out, but since it takes like 3 seconds for the spirit active ability to cast I gave that up.

Durzlla.6295:

spirits amplify the groups power SIGNIFICANTLY MORE then any war banner can

But war banners are invincible, and can be picked up and repositioned by any character. Spirits are squishy and die as soon as they get targeted or AoE’d.

Daemon.4295:

Durzlla.6295:

spirits amplify the groups power SIGNIFICANTLY MORE then any war banner can

But war banners are invincible, and can be picked up and repositioned by any character. Spirits are squishy and die as soon as they get targeted or AoE’d.

War banners also have an inferior buff compared to spirits, our defensive spirit makes everyone who gets the proc take 33.3% less damage for 4 seconds, no war banner can even come CLOSE to that lv of a buff, then our main offensive one causes 10% more damage, no war banner can do that (unless someone effected literally has no power/precision or condi damage)

Durzlla.6295:

Daemon.4295:

Durzlla.6295:

spirits amplify the groups power SIGNIFICANTLY MORE then any war banner can

But war banners are invincible, and can be picked up and repositioned by any character. Spirits are squishy and die as soon as they get targeted or AoE’d.

War banners also have an inferior buff compared to spirits, our defensive spirit makes everyone who gets the proc take 33.3% less damage for 4 seconds, no war banner can even come CLOSE to that lv of a buff, then our main offensive one causes 10% more damage, no war banner can do that (unless someone effected literally has no power/precision or condi damage)

Spirit pets only proc on a single person in the vicinity and it is completely random who gets it. Warriors also trait banners to do damage when summoned and grant regeneration. The ranger traits the spirits to move and have a little bit more health.

arcaneclarity.5283:

Durzlla.6295:

Daemon.4295:

Durzlla.6295:

spirits amplify the groups power SIGNIFICANTLY MORE then any war banner can

But war banners are invincible, and can be picked up and repositioned by any character. Spirits are squishy and die as soon as they get targeted or AoE’d.

War banners also have an inferior buff compared to spirits, our defensive spirit makes everyone who gets the proc take 33.3% less damage for 4 seconds, no war banner can even come CLOSE to that lv of a buff, then our main offensive one causes 10% more damage, no war banner can do that (unless someone effected literally has no power/precision or condi damage)

Spirit pets only proc on a single person in the vicinity and it is completely random who gets it. Warriors also trait banners to do damage when summoned and grant regeneration. The ranger traits the spirits to move and have a little bit more health.

You clearly don’t use spirits… The ICD is per PERSON not per spirit, that means if I proc protection the thief next to me can also proc protection, however after its procced that person can’t get it again until 10s is up, and I’d hardly call it random….

Durzlla.6295:

arcaneclarity.5283:

Durzlla.6295:

Daemon.4295:

Durzlla.6295:

spirits amplify the groups power SIGNIFICANTLY MORE then any war banner can

But war banners are invincible, and can be picked up and repositioned by any character. Spirits are squishy and die as soon as they get targeted or AoE’d.

War banners also have an inferior buff compared to spirits, our defensive spirit makes everyone who gets the proc take 33.3% less damage for 4 seconds, no war banner can even come CLOSE to that lv of a buff, then our main offensive one causes 10% more damage, no war banner can do that (unless someone effected literally has no power/precision or condi damage)

Spirit pets only proc on a single person in the vicinity and it is completely random who gets it. Warriors also trait banners to do damage when summoned and grant regeneration. The ranger traits the spirits to move and have a little bit more health.

You clearly don’t use spirits… The ICD is per PERSON not per spirit, that means if I proc protection the thief next to me can also proc protection, however after its procced that person can’t get it again until 10s is up, and I’d hardly call it random….

<.< It’s random. You have a percentage chance to proc, once its procced on a person, no one has a chance to proc it again until the cool down is over.

arcaneclarity.5283:

Durzlla.6295:

arcaneclarity.5283:

Durzlla.6295:

Daemon.4295:

Durzlla.6295:

spirits amplify the groups power SIGNIFICANTLY MORE then any war banner can

But war banners are invincible, and can be picked up and repositioned by any character. Spirits are squishy and die as soon as they get targeted or AoE’d.

War banners also have an inferior buff compared to spirits, our defensive spirit makes everyone who gets the proc take 33.3% less damage for 4 seconds, no war banner can even come CLOSE to that lv of a buff, then our main offensive one causes 10% more damage, no war banner can do that (unless someone effected literally has no power/precision or condi damage)

Spirit pets only proc on a single person in the vicinity and it is completely random who gets it. Warriors also trait banners to do damage when summoned and grant regeneration. The ranger traits the spirits to move and have a little bit more health.

You clearly don’t use spirits… The ICD is per PERSON not per spirit, that means if I proc protection the thief next to me can also proc protection, however after its procced that person can’t get it again until 10s is up, and I’d hardly call it random….

<.< It’s random. You have a percentage chance to proc, once its procced on a person, no one has a chance to proc it again until the cool down is over.

Nope every person that is in the 900 radius of the spirit when it pulses gets a non strippable buff that enables them to have a chance to proc the spirits effect.

Unlike war banners the ranger can also move all three at once. But only if specced. Much like a warrior can have a larger radius 1200 but only when specced and the regen effect is powerful if traited.

spirits weakness is survivability.

Arrys.7145:

arcaneclarity.5283:

Durzlla.6295:

arcaneclarity.5283:

Durzlla.6295:

Daemon.4295:

Durzlla.6295:

spirits amplify the groups power SIGNIFICANTLY MORE then any war banner can

But war banners are invincible, and can be picked up and repositioned by any character. Spirits are squishy and die as soon as they get targeted or AoE’d.

War banners also have an inferior buff compared to spirits, our defensive spirit makes everyone who gets the proc take 33.3% less damage for 4 seconds, no war banner can even come CLOSE to that lv of a buff, then our main offensive one causes 10% more damage, no war banner can do that (unless someone effected literally has no power/precision or condi damage)

Spirit pets only proc on a single person in the vicinity and it is completely random who gets it. Warriors also trait banners to do damage when summoned and grant regeneration. The ranger traits the spirits to move and have a little bit more health.

You clearly don’t use spirits… The ICD is per PERSON not per spirit, that means if I proc protection the thief next to me can also proc protection, however after its procced that person can’t get it again until 10s is up, and I’d hardly call it random….

<.< It’s random. You have a percentage chance to proc, once its procced on a person, no one has a chance to proc it again until the cool down is over.

Nope every person that is in the 900 radius of the spirit when it pulses gets a non strippable buff that enables them to have a chance to proc the spirits effect.

Unlike war banners the ranger can also move all three at once. But only if specced. Much like a warrior can have a larger radius 1200 but only when specced and the regen effect is powerful if traited.

spirits weakness is survivability.

The banner weakness is lack of mobility and the buff not being -that- great (it’s good, but not game changing)

the spirit HP trait needs to be reworked into +80% hp and -80% damage taken. the current 100% health increase don’t keep it from being one shot by everything veteran and above.

fony.5102:

the spirit HP trait needs to be reworked into +80% hp and -80% damage taken. the current 100% health increase don’t keep it from being one shot by everything veteran and above.

This would be a welcome change that I’d like and use quite a bit

Durzlla.6295:

This, spirits in 1v1 are -ok- and i really only use them for their active (IE i need a blind NOW or i need an immob etc) where is in a large group i can park the spirit behind some of the meat shields, er i mean allies, and watch the enemies just get torn to shreds as the spirits amplify the groups power SIGNIFICANTLY MORE then any war banner can, i mean cmon, 100 toughness/vitality…. or 33% damage reduction, take your pick… oh yeah, that’s right whose got the better summon now?

what about hammer guard, which already gives permanent protection to the melee classes? a defensive banner stacks with this protection, and with traits gives permanent regen. also banners can’t be killed by stray aoe, and aren’t random. let’s not get too carried away – spirits need some work.

Brienson.7319:

Durzlla.6295:

This, spirits in 1v1 are -ok- and i really only use them for their active (IE i need a blind NOW or i need an immob etc) where is in a large group i can park the spirit behind some of the meat shields, er i mean allies, and watch the enemies just get torn to shreds as the spirits amplify the groups power SIGNIFICANTLY MORE then any war banner can, i mean cmon, 100 toughness/vitality…. or 33% damage reduction, take your pick… oh yeah, that’s right whose got the better summon now?

what about hammer guard, which already gives permanent protection to the melee classes? a defensive banner stacks with this protection, and with traits gives permanent regen. also banners can’t be killed by stray aoe, and aren’t random. let’s not get too carried away – spirits need some work.

Never said they didn’t need more work, and hammer guardians don’t give perma prot…. But they do give a decent amount of coverage to people in immediate Melee range

Arrys.7145:

arcaneclarity.5283:

Durzlla.6295:

arcaneclarity.5283:

Durzlla.6295:

Daemon.4295:

Durzlla.6295:

spirits amplify the groups power SIGNIFICANTLY MORE then any war banner can

But war banners are invincible, and can be picked up and repositioned by any character. Spirits are squishy and die as soon as they get targeted or AoE’d.

War banners also have an inferior buff compared to spirits, our defensive spirit makes everyone who gets the proc take 33.3% less damage for 4 seconds, no war banner can even come CLOSE to that lv of a buff, then our main offensive one causes 10% more damage, no war banner can do that (unless someone effected literally has no power/precision or condi damage)

Spirit pets only proc on a single person in the vicinity and it is completely random who gets it. Warriors also trait banners to do damage when summoned and grant regeneration. The ranger traits the spirits to move and have a little bit more health.

You clearly don’t use spirits… The ICD is per PERSON not per spirit, that means if I proc protection the thief next to me can also proc protection, however after its procced that person can’t get it again until 10s is up, and I’d hardly call it random….

<.< It’s random. You have a percentage chance to proc, once its procced on a person, no one has a chance to proc it again until the cool down is over.

Nope every person that is in the 900 radius of the spirit when it pulses gets a non strippable buff that enables them to have a chance to proc the spirits effect.

Unlike war banners the ranger can also move all three at once. But only if specced. Much like a warrior can have a larger radius 1200 but only when specced and the regen effect is powerful if traited.

spirits weakness is survivability.

We tested them right after the nerf. If it procs for one individual, it won’t proc for another until the cooldown is over.

arcaneclarity.5283:

Arrys.7145:

arcaneclarity.5283:

Durzlla.6295:

arcaneclarity.5283:

Durzlla.6295:

Daemon.4295:

Durzlla.6295:

spirits amplify the groups power SIGNIFICANTLY MORE then any war banner can

But war banners are invincible, and can be picked up and repositioned by any character. Spirits are squishy and die as soon as they get targeted or AoE’d.

War banners also have an inferior buff compared to spirits, our defensive spirit makes everyone who gets the proc take 33.3% less damage for 4 seconds, no war banner can even come CLOSE to that lv of a buff, then our main offensive one causes 10% more damage, no war banner can do that (unless someone effected literally has no power/precision or condi damage)

Spirit pets only proc on a single person in the vicinity and it is completely random who gets it. Warriors also trait banners to do damage when summoned and grant regeneration. The ranger traits the spirits to move and have a little bit more health.

You clearly don’t use spirits… The ICD is per PERSON not per spirit, that means if I proc protection the thief next to me can also proc protection, however after its procced that person can’t get it again until 10s is up, and I’d hardly call it random….

<.< It’s random. You have a percentage chance to proc, once its procced on a person, no one has a chance to proc it again until the cool down is over.

Nope every person that is in the 900 radius of the spirit when it pulses gets a non strippable buff that enables them to have a chance to proc the spirits effect.

Unlike war banners the ranger can also move all three at once. But only if specced. Much like a warrior can have a larger radius 1200 but only when specced and the regen effect is powerful if traited.

spirits weakness is survivability.

We tested them right after the nerf. If it procs for one individual, it won’t proc for another until the cooldown is over.

This is false, nothing i have seen proves this, PERIOD

I just love spirits, but I find it umm.. unfair that we must put 30 Trait points to the line if we want our spirits to move. Don’t know about others, but I think spirits aren’t that big help if they can’t follow you. And that’s one of the rangers problems. If you don’t max the spirits line they suck. If you want your pet to survive you must max that too.

Hyperdermix.2640:

I just love spirits, but I find it umm.. unfair that we must put 30 Trait points to the line if we want our spirits to move. Don’t know about others, but I think spirits aren’t that big help if they can’t follow you. And that’s one of the rangers problems. If you don’t max the spirits line they suck. If you want your pet to survive you must max that too.

All aspects of a ranger works that way. You want traps, You need to spec 30 points in skirmishing. Signets -30 points in marksmanship. You wont to use pets effectivly – beastmastery. Etc.

Bohun Martell.8963:

Hyperdermix.2640:

I just love spirits, but I find it umm.. unfair that we must put 30 Trait points to the line if we want our spirits to move. Don’t know about others, but I think spirits aren’t that big help if they can’t follow you. And that’s one of the rangers problems. If you don’t max the spirits line they suck. If you want your pet to survive you must max that too.

All aspects of a ranger works that way. You want traps, You need to spec 30 points in skirmishing. Signets -30 points in marksmanship. You wont to use pets effectivly – beastmastery. Etc.

This, i noticed this as well, it’s freaking stupid, NO OTHER prof needs to do this to make their utilities worth something, however most profs do have things like this to make them -better- but to put them on par? Absolutely not! They really need to buff our utilities and -then- change the traits so that they make the utilities -better- then other utilities and not bring them up to par with other untraited utilities.