Guild Wars 2

Does the patch open up anymore builds for Druid/Ranger?

What ‘non meta’ builds become stronger?

Lastly, are the changes to all classes significant enough to change the face of the meta?

Maul spam looks like it will be fun to play around with, with the instant recharge from GS5. I’m thinking quickness from pet swap to wolf while simultaneously mauling, wolf does extra brutal charge, you GS5 straight into another maul.

That would work on either the standard staff menders or valk builds.

On the other hand maul already has a super low CD, so not a ton changes. The pet bonus damage is the bigger change I guess.

You think Quick Draw will be worth taking? I’m just wondering what that would look like
or would that even be of any benefit at all having to take skirmishing….

Weapon swap, gs 2, (reduced cd)2, 5, 2

EnderzShadow.2506:

You think Quick Draw will be worth taking? I’m just wondering what that would look like
or would that even be of any benefit at all having to take skirmishing….

Weapon swap, gs 2, (reduced cd)2, 5, 2

Nah man I’d rather take Marksmanship for the crazy deeps boost (remorseless)

Tiger and hilt bash hit more reliably, but it still is an easily counterable build. Warrior thief and any Condi build will shut you down still.

FrownyClown.8402:

Tiger and hilt bash hit more reliably, but it still is an easily counterable build. Warrior thief and any Condi build will shut you down still.

GS/staff is basically the same build as the meta LB if you run both with menders, GS just gives you a harder hitting pet now.

We spend a lot of time camping staff anyway, the LB and GS are just there for opportunistic bursts, and both can be used to run away.

I will likely still run staff/lb, just because I enjoy LB skills so much, but GS should be a fun alternative.

FrownyClown.8402:

Tiger and hilt bash hit more reliably, but it still is an easily counterable build. Warrior thief and any Condi build will shut you down still.

Everything is a “counterable build” actually warriors and teefs I have an easy time with. As they are both easily countered by big bursts, (warrior well 2 bursts one to trigger the passive and one to end em)

Now a medi dh or condi mes will give you trouble since they can negate your bursts consistently if they properly manage cds

Ya I really don’t see a mender’s druid or even a valk/cav druid having problems with a thief. GS does a really good job countering thieves because it has 2 CCs and a short CD burst skill, which is literally the recipe for beating thieves. The one hitch is you may not be able to kill the thief unlike a LB which can track them as they tele all over, but you’re not going to lose the point at least.

I would not particularly want to fight a mesmer with a GS, but then GS is the weapon I have the least experience with outside of SB.

Druid in general is not something that is hard countered 1v1, so there is some room for some fun.