Guild Wars 2

Here’s the link to the build: http://www.gw2build.com/builds/anti-melee-ranger-build-ranger-build-anti-melee-8998.html

Here’s a video showing how exactly to use it. I’ve changed the traitlines since making the video, but it plays pretty much the same. The only differences really are that there is about 50% more overall endurance regen and constant haste in the new one (it’s a definite improvement). Still, I hope this gives some kind of idea of the play style.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=gJ8DxZ3WIJ4

Also keep in mind that while I’m kiting him around a lot, you can easily fight in small spaces the same way without necessarily getting hit more. Just make use of that turnaround keybind very often (the one that turns character and camera 180 degrees) and you can actually kite even better since most people don’t turn around that quickly.

One last thing about playing it… thieves cannot touch you anymore for the most part! It outdamages and outlasts thieves, especially the burst types. With your bears taking damage every 48 seconds (shout) and the signet of stone being your standby invulnerability every 96 seconds, you can just activate one of those whenever a thief gets too close to comfort.

You’re completely reliant on two ‘immunities’ if you can call them that, both with atrocious cooldowns. If you’re ever caught without them you’re at a severe disadvantage.

I would not run it.

Agadar.4931:

You’re completely reliant on two ‘immunities’ if you can call them that, both with atrocious cooldowns. If you’re ever caught without them you’re at a severe disadvantage.

I would not run it.

Except I do run it and win with it consistently. To each their own I guess. I’ve just found myself to be much more successful in group fights and 1v1s with a build that doesn’t burst them down or condition them to death but simply outlast them.

Also, those “attrocious cooldowns” aren’t so bad when you consider that many fights last upwards of 3+ minutes. It translates to basically 3-4 “second chances” of sorts over the the course of a 1v1 and gives more than enough time for teammates to reinforce you if you’re outnumbered.

Then, on top of everything else, you can escape easily from most fights almost instantly out of range of enemies by freezing all those around you, using lightning reflexes, skill 3 for the short bow, and just turning around and using that swiftness to head to the next objective. If someone follows, they are usually out of range of allies and you can just kill them for being alone if not ignore them altogether.

Then on top of everything else, there’s the binding roots which stun everyone around you for at least 1 1/4 seconds (2s if wearing mesmer runes) and for however long additionally it takes for them to destroy roots or teleport out. It’s a mobile build, just like I advertised. It isn’t the best out there and it won’t beat everything, but it does a pretty good job kicking butt for mostly everything else.

But again, no one’s forcing you to play it. I’m sure you do just fine with your own builds.

can i see you play against condition+survivability thieves? alond with good d/d elementalists those are the only ones i can’t really 1v1

Luriyu.6873:

can i see you play against condition+survivability thieves? alond with good d/d elementalists those are the only ones i can’t really 1v1

It’ll run for days against good d/d elementalists… kind of a stalemate. Versus condition+survivability thieves, I’m guessing you’re talking about pistol thieves that cloak a lot and like to stack blinds/poisons? If so, it does pretty good, but it’s not the best build out there against them. I get downed as often as I down them in all honestly. I’ve been playing ranger since beta and have yet to find a really good anti-survivability thief build, but this does the job for the most part. If nothing else, you can beat each other up until help arrives. My fights against them have lasted from 90 seconds to 3 minutes, so that should give you some kind of idea of how it plays against those builds.

For Faux Sake.8457:

Except I do run it and win with it consistently. To each their own I guess. I’ve just found myself to be much more successful in group fights and 1v1s with a build that doesn’t burst them down or condition them to death but simply outlast them.

Also, those “attrocious cooldowns” aren’t so bad when you consider that many fights last upwards of 3+ minutes. It translates to basically 3-4 “second chances” of sorts over the the course of a 1v1 and gives more than enough time for teammates to reinforce you if you’re outnumbered.

You got some balls man. I have the same thought, “outlast = win”. But that build has no survivability compared to the ones I run. You have almost no toughness, vitality, or healing power traited (maybe your amulet does). I’d love to see it in action.

Kind of interesting, I’ve been hearing a lot more of these kite builds. I would also like to point out that lasting along time in spvp is probably one of the best things you can do for your team.. especially as a ranger guarding a point. This build is definitely viable in Spvp.

Thanks for the video! Good stuff.

Eurantien.4632:

For Faux Sake.8457:

Except I do run it and win with it consistently. To each their own I guess. I’ve just found myself to be much more successful in group fights and 1v1s with a build that doesn’t burst them down or condition them to death but simply outlast them.

Also, those “attrocious cooldowns” aren’t so bad when you consider that many fights last upwards of 3+ minutes. It translates to basically 3-4 “second chances” of sorts over the the course of a 1v1 and gives more than enough time for teammates to reinforce you if you’re outnumbered.

You got some balls man. I have the same thought, “outlast = win”. But that build has no survivability compared to the ones I run. You have almost no toughness, vitality, or healing power traited (maybe your amulet does). I’d love to see it in action.

It has about 2800 toughness and 21000 Hp. I agree with you that it could definitely be even tankier, however vitality and toughness can only take you so far. Since healing is exclusive from vitality, any more vitality is not all that helpful in comparison to if it were traited elsewhere (would rather the extra 4000 Hp be put into something that can help me avoid 10000 damage through evasions. I could go into a rant about the lesser effectiveness of toughness added to an already tank build but I’ll spare you guys since youare probably well aware of it.

When it comes down to it, I made this build because I hate dying. It has very high power and great output since the rage boon gets passively stacked most of the fight. The centerpiece of this build though is its ability to toss your ranger out of combat if things look bad in a matter of seconds. Like thieves, you can hit and run with the same setup that you can stand in a cap point and tank with.

I’m glad you are interested in this though. It is a very viable PvP build that lands me the top score and a win more often than not. More rangers should look into survivability over condition bursts imo.

If you are a norn and use snow leopard elite, you can get even more distance! Haha. I love that elite. I use it in WvW and only use it to bail out or to chase down an enemy.