Guild Wars 2

I am experimenting with a longbow power build, with GreatSword.

I engage in sPvP exclusively.

My big question is how to handle thieves and warriors when they catch up to me.

Are there any sPvP experiences longbow power rangers here that have some tips about what they have learned that works?

I don’t want to just be a boring and simple 1500-range “tagger” for glory points; I want to actually play the build to it’s highest potential.

So let’s have a discussion. Hopefully the real thinkers will show up. We can ignore any dismissive “forum PvP” cheapshots.

Well I’d recommend focusing on mobility/control and just make sure they don’t catch up to you. PBS is obvious in its application. Hunter’s Shot is good if you capitalize on it by maneuvering behind them during the short stealth. However, to maximize that potential I would recommend dumping GS for just a sword. Hornet Sting/Monarch’s Leap just gives you so much mobility if you manipulate it correctly.

What type of amulet, runes and sigils you want to use? Those will completely change how you want to roll.

I personally use a S/D instead of a GS because I like the evades and ability to escape if needed.

Silentshoes.1805:

I am experimenting with a longbow power build, with GreatSword. I sPvP exclusively.

My big question is how to handle thieves and warriors when they catch up to me.

Are there any sPvP experiences longbow power rangers here that have some tips about what they have learned that works?

I don’t want to just be a boring and simple 1500-ranger “tagger” for glory points; I want to actually play the build to it’s highest potential.

So let’s have a discussion. Hopefully the real thinkers will show up. We can ignore any dismissive “forum PvP” cheapshots.

What build, utilities, and pets are you using? GS is far superior to s/d for a power build. You have mobility, a stun, a block, and huge burst potential with maul. With thieves it is a crap shoot on who lands their burst first, but if you have the right pets it can help change the tide after their opener.

I first want to try Eagle runes and full Zerker. Get the job done as fast as possible so they don’t have much health if they get to me.

No condition boost. That’s why I chose Greatsword.

Advice and reasoning on pets is welcome, too!

They will need to be power pets, or course. I am starting with Hyena and Jaguar.

I plan to support at range and avoid melee if possible, but I want to be decent at close range if they get to me…and they will, of course.

Here are the traits I am trying first.

20/20/30/0/0 (Make sure to get Piercing arrows and Empathic Bond). LB with Air sigil, GS with Hydromancy/Energy, gear – whatever fits you. If runes of speed will be ever fixed, I’d recommend these. For now I run either Forge or Melandru. Berserker amulet. TU, Muddy Terrain, L. Reflex, SoH, RaO utilities.
Power ranger is probably one of most skill-demanding builds I’ve tried 1v1. You’re in big disadvantage in tPvP as you can’t use any other working 25% perma speed than SoH and that speed is needed. Be careful with weapon swaps. Thieves, mostly Sword ones, will be your greatest nemesis as they can teleport to you whenever they want with one button spam.
tPvP also reduces your damage as you won’t be able to sit on 900 range most of the times so your #1 dmg is greatly reduced (I’m suggesting removal of this requirement, even only for PvP for I dunno how long -.-). As for pets, Spider and Wolf are your biggest friends. If somebody gets to close and you don’t haveany cd on LB, switch to GS. #4 into one a-a chain, #5 into one a-a chain, don’t forget about keeping some damage with Maul. If there’s only 3 seconds left or less on swap from GS, swoop away and swap to LB again, gaining range. Practice. But I wouldn’t suggest this build for any serious PvP atm, it lacks in burst and damage vs. competitive meta players and builds. It’s still fun tho, but requires hell lot of practice, focus, thinking and patience to be any good at it. GL
Ah, btw. This build works 100% better on WvWvW

Thanks, Rym.

lol pretty much what Rym stated. It’s definitely a fun build, but can be quite demanding on the player.

I personally run it slightly differently since I only get my pvp out of roaming WvW. I am quite fond of runes of lyssa for the random boon on heal and the condition clear + gain all boons on elite. On my GS I use the sigil of generosity and a sigil of fire on my LB (mostly because it’s fitting for the Fused Skin lol).

Also, Rapid Fire is a good way to hit those players that like to spam invisibility, since it tracks them throughout the duration of the skill.

Thief: Play aggressively, and never turn your back to him. Thieves deal more damage to your back, and you can’t outrun them if they decide to chase you. Even if you know you’re about to go down, it’s better to keep damaging the Thief, so if an ally comes by, he will have a better chance of downing the Thief. Use snare skills such as Muddy Terrain or canines (on passive, use F1 or F2 for instant snares), and try to anticipate the Thief’s attacks, whether that is coming out of stealth or using Infiltrator’s Strike. There is always a rhythm to things.

Warrior: This is more of a case of knowing the Warrior’s skills. Keep gaining distance to him, and make him waste his skills. Stun removal, and any vigor or endurance regeneration you can get, is a must. Keep moving, knock him back with Point Blank Shot, use Hunter’s Shot to avoid him, and block/daze with the greatsword. Make sure you deal constant damage to him. In most cases it’s going to be a dragged out fight, so keep that in mind, and don’t waste all your skills in the first 10 seconds of the fight.