Guild Wars 2

Ok, so I decided I might as well go post all my builds around to see what’s what. If you frequent other classes’ boards you’ll probably see another one of my topics there asking for advice.

Anyway, to preface I pretty much just play PvE and I’m open to just about all suggestions but I’d like to keep my weapon sets. Though for Ranger I don’t mind getting a GS in addition to what I already have.

So here it is: http://www.guildhead.com/skill-calc#mmoc0VmzMmRavmmRavmGGx9McaMaoka8070q7ow170m

I find Ranger to be a bit odd, nothing pops out for me so I kinda just made…something. There’s not much to say about it, I have a hard time finding any obvious synergy with Ranger. Also for gear I’m thinking Berserker, Rabid or Rampager perhaps.

sharpening stone seems like abit of a waste if you have the markmanship trait anyway……A spirit might be handier

If you’re already traited for survival skills, I’d take Muddy Terrain over Sharpening Stone. It’d help in locking down a mobile enemy on a much more tolerable cooldown than the Entangle.

That setup seems to be more focused on direct power than conditions, so you’re pulling yourself in 2 directions a bit (direct vs bleeding). You could focus more heavily onto the bleeding (and other conditions) and trait for the traps instead, if it were up your alley.

You may want to consider switching to a shortbow, since your build and gear seems to be pretty heavily stacked with condition damage. I would swap Eagle Eye for Piercing Arrows and go with a shortbow.

Going 30 deep in Wilderness Survival and not taking Empathic Bond or Bark Skin seems like insanity. Those are two of the best traits Rangers have available. Bark Skin is especially good for PvE.

I would do one of two things:
1) Get rid of Lightning Reflexes (not as useful in PvE as it is in PvP) and take Signet of Renewal. Swap Off-Hand Training for Martial Mastery and put Bark Skin in your grandmaster spot.
2) Get rid of Lightning Reflexes and take Signer of the Wild. Swap Off-Hand Training for Martial Master and put Empathic Bond in your grandmaster spot.

I would also suggest swapping Entangle for Rampage as one. If you need the immobilize, get rid of QZ or Sharpening Stone and take Muddy Terrain.

Seems pretty solid for PvE otherwise.

Hmm for some reason I tend to forget pets even exist. I think it has to do with Ranger being my GW1 main and despising pets, so that bias has carried over a bit.

While I really appreciate the advice my only caveat to all this is keeping the weapon sets (I hope that’s not too stubborn). My biggest flaw or concern when playing video games is I always place a bigger emphasis on style rather than stats, and I just happen to really dig the look of the longbow (going for Eir’s Longbow). Not to mention I already have spent a fair amout of money on skins across all my characters.

Perhaps in order to wean me off conditions and therefore the shortbow would a more direct damage build be better? Or perhaps somehting pet centric? Truth be told so far I haven’t had too many problems with PvE but no harm in a little optimization.

asimo.6354:

Hmm for some reason I tend to forget pets even exist. I think it has to do with Ranger being my GW1 main and despising pets, so that bias has carried over a bit.

While I really appreciate the advice my only caveat to all this is keeping the weapon sets (I hope that’s not too stubborn). My biggest flaw or concern when playing video games is I always place a bigger emphasis on style rather than stats, and I just happen to really dig the look of the longbow (going for Eir’s Longbow). Not to mention I already have spent a fair amout of money on skins across all my characters.

Perhaps in order to wean me off conditions and therefore the shortbow would a more direct damage build be better? Or perhaps somehting pet centric? Truth be told so far I haven’t had too many problems with PvE but no harm in a little optimization.

Yeah, you could always go for a build that focuses more on direct damage than condition damage. Longbow, sword, and warhorn all get virtually no benefit from condition damage. Alternatively, you could go for a build that focuses solely on survivability and doesn’t depend on any particular weapon or damage type OR you could go with a pet focused build. Any of them will work for PvE.

Here are just some ideas for builds that might work a little better for you without forcing you to switch weapon types to get you started in the right direction.

Longbow direct damage. Remaining points can go into WS to buff either sword or off-hand or you can put them into NM and pick up V and IX and go with a greatsword. BM is an option if you want to pet swap every 15 seconds for quickness or if your want your pet to do more damage.

Pet damage build. Something like this would work if you just wanted your pet to eat stuff alive. Greatsword would work better here too, because you could setup some serious burst damage with Hilt Bash for your pet. Swap out one of the signets for QZ and you can give your pet even more burst. Swap out Rending Attacks for whichever pet type you prefer. Compassion Training can be swapped for Master’s Bond if you don’t like swapping your pet frequently. Master’s Bond turns your pet into a killing machine at 25 stacks.

The Ranger PvP build in my signature can be easily modified to use in PvE for good survivability and would work with just about any weapon setup.

[Edit: You’re going to hear people say pets are terrible. That’s hogwash. In PvE pets can be turned into absolute killing machines. They even work well in PvP with the right pet selection. They could definitely use some TLC, but they can be used effectively at the moment.]

Ooh! Thanks for the in depth response! For the first one I’d probably drop the rest into Wilderness Survival to buff Sword and Offhand. However, it’s the 2nd build that I like a lot.

Though I disliked GW1 pets they are far cooler this time around, and I like that this build takes advantage of the Ranger’s unique mechanic. As it stands none of my characters have a pet/sidekick type of playstyle so that sounds fun. I don’t mind getting a GS for this build but it seems my current weapons would work just as well. I think I might just use this one

Just one last question if I could bother you, but what sort of gear should I take for this build?

asimo.6354:

Ooh! Thanks for the in depth response! For the first one I’d probably drop the rest into Wilderness Survival to buff Sword and Offhand. However, it’s the 2nd build that I like a lot.

Though I disliked GW1 pets they are far cooler this time around, and I like that this build takes advantage of the Ranger’s unique mechanic. As it stands none of my characters have a pet/sidekick type of playstyle so that sounds fun. I don’t mind getting a GS for this build but it seems my current weapons would work just as well. I think I might just use this one

Just one last question if I could bother you, but what sort of gear should I take for this build?

For a pet build you can gear a couple of ways, but if your pet is going to be taking most of the heat (hopefully), your best bet would be to gear out in Berserker gear to maximize you personal damage. Your pet’s stats are completely independent of your own, so it doesn’t matter what type of gear you throw on.

I’d start out with Berserker gear and see how that works for you. If you find you’re too squishy you could go with something like Valkyrie or even Soldier to improve survivability.

Hmm I’m feeling berserker more, I like to buff precision so I think I’ll give that a go. Also plenty of Runes and other slottables to complement that.

Anyway thanks for all the help to everyone!