Guild Wars 2

I have multiple rangers and I pretty much strictly SPvP. One of my favorite unorthodox builds to run has dual axes and is built around OH axe number 4 (Path of Scars) doing big damage and then pulling the target into my traps. This is a berserk glass cannon build that is pretty effective at taking out multiple enemies.

The only problem is that this build will become obsolete next expansion for one simple reason, there is no longer a reduction trait for OH axe abilities. Currently we have ‘Off-Hand Training’ which is located within the Wilderness Survival line that reduces the ability from 15 seconds to the necessary 12 seconds. This however cannot be found in ANY of the new traits.

My suggest is to implement it into the trait Honed Axes or potentially Spotter. Honed axes has the advantage of already being a trait based around axes but it does not reduce the ability reduction (fair enough on the mainhand) but adding a reduction on the offhand would fit into this trait nicely and not be too over the top.

For the curious my current build is 4/6/4/0/0.

Not sure if this is the correct area to post for potential HoT changes but thought I’d share as this ruins a really good build for me.

I think part of that might be made baseline… like the AoE component of whirling axe, but I don’t know about anything to do with path of scars.

It is possible for you to take the new quick draw trait to simulate a lower cooldown, although that does require weapon swapping to trigger.

I’ve always found the axe trait for the ranger to be lackluster, although the AoE chill might be a nice addition.

If I did miss it and it’s baseline then I understand. It just seemed weird to miss an entire wep reduction for rangers.

I can take quick draw and while it’d be okay it wouldn’t be as effective as having the reduction trait itself and it’d be a very clunky work around.

I started out taking dual axes to challenge myself a bit more but I’ve found it’s quite fun and effective at taking out multiple enemies at once and the HoT changes work perfectly with the rest of the build, just screws over the core OH axe ability.

I’m pretty sure that Honed Axes will reduce the CD of ALL axes skills, not only main hand.

OH axe really need some love.

I think OH axe is quite powerful as it is, except being rooted while using number 5.
If they lowered the damage a smidge and allowed movement similar to the warriors axe skill then I think the OH axe would be a fairly popular choice.

Bunuka.3154:

I think OH axe is quite powerful as it is, except being rooted while using number 5.
If they lowered the damage a smidge and allowed movement similar to the warriors axe skill then I think the OH axe would be a fairly popular choice.

The damage is crap for a 25s CD, and a 5 second cast time.

Its a DPS loss over sword auto. Meaning unless you are trying to reflect something, the skills is completely useless.

fixing WD is so easy. just compress the cast and the current damage into a 2s cast. secondly, allow us to move while casting. they’ve been dragging their feet on this offhand, it’s so frustrating. they also haven’t buffed Hunter’s Call which is probably the only ability in the game with zero utility. no cripple, no blind, nothing. just an extremely mediocre DoT even with zerker stats.

mistsim.2748:

fixing WD is so easy. just compress the cast and the current damage into a 2s cast. secondly, allow us to move while casting. they’ve been dragging their feet on this offhand, it’s so frustrating. they also haven’t buffed Hunter’s Call which is probably the only ability in the game with zero utility. no cripple, no blind, nothing. just an extremely mediocre DoT even with zerker stats.

That would make it useless as a reflect though. I’d rather it becomes a mobile reflect with the existing cast time.

what, why? keep the reflect. im just saying reduce cast time and let us move while casting.

Or, just up the damage on it. ATM we do less damage that a warrior’s offhand axe spin skill, and they aren’t rooted during it.

I would be happy to stay still if the people that close to auto-attack me with melee are actually punished for coming near me, as opposed to the ~2k damage in total it dishes out.

but channeling anything for 5s while standing still is ridiculous. there isn’t a single situation in this game during which you would need to channel a reflect for 5s. 2-3s at most. besides, it needs to be more reactive, relative to when the opponent starts his pew pew.