How viable are rangers in speed runs now?
Long, sarcastic answer to your last question :::
Shifting priorities. That’s my phrase of the week because we all know that video game companies can’t multitask. Because of Anet’s constant, never ending, always shifting priorities, Balance is kind of in the back of their thoughts right now, and their goal right now is trying to get new players (evidence by the free trial for a few more days, and advertisements on PCgamer and IGN using the exact same art as 2012’s ads). So expect the next balance patch in April.
short answer :::
For some reason, Anet thinks that balance patches are a Feature, instead of a very necessary part of a living, breathing, always changing MMO. So, hold your breath like the game is, because you won’t see any balance patches until the next feature pack.
very short answer :::
No.
Also, Rangers are used for Speed runs, and it usually involves Frost Spirit and Spotter in the build.
Ranger is a very fun class to play, but its nowhere near as difficult as other professions to play (except maybe Warrior). Just expect to be disappointed that your pet is worthless in a lot of the content, and the next chance we have of seeing it fixed is the next feature pack.
(edited by Chrispy.5641)
Thx a lot Chrispy for the detailed answer!
Mesmer, Guardian and Warrior teams haven’t been meta for a while now. New holy trinity is Warrior, Thief and Ele with mesmer/guardian to fill in as needed on a per path basis.
Rangers can fit into speed run teams, but it depends a lot on the skill of the player. My guild hasn’t managed to get any record clear times that include a ranger (and they have been trying hard). They are more viable now than in previous builds of the game.
Ranger is definitely viable for record runs now.
We will release a few records including it in the upcoming days now that DnT tournaments over so keep an eye out on reddit and dungeon forum for those.
Reason for them being viable is that they literally have highest burst in game atm and they buff your groups dps by ~10% and as we all know bosses tend to barely last 10 sec in proper teams.
And about them being nerfed, whole reason people think rapid fire needs a nerf is cause they can’t dodge once, it’s a pvp issue not pve and doubt they’ll nerf them.
(edited by Amicable Pugs.4503)
RF is not even a PvP issue, its an issue in WvW small scale combat… if thats an issue anyway… haha
Confirmed here also.
I run 6/6/0/2/0. Ranger is definitely competitive. Now with this patch, my ranger is generally accepted in and excels in high level fractal runs (50+).
With the burst, ranger also is great for bursting down whole packs of trash so by the time they reach your team stack they are already softened to die in 1 100b (QZ barrage + piercing rapid fire on furthest target).
Healing spring + Spirit of Nature is also really useful for PvE. You can save whole teams from a reflect gap or area crit with the spirit.
the proper PvE build gonna be 65030 though. You need to share dat might with the pet, or else – DPS goes down the drain
Currently @ some T1 server in EU
Yes, Ranger is very strong for speed runs. Frost spirit was fixed, rangers give strong vuln uptime, and with the FGS nerf, they’re not edged out by the competition as much as before.
DnT guide showing the new meta: http://www.guildwars2guru.com/topic/84268-the-perfect-dps-ranger-guide-for-real/