Guild Wars 2

Wolfey.3407:

I’d rather over heal then under heal.

I have a full DPS set and a full healing set.

If the tinfoil hat association of GW2 is right, then no big deal… I have a dps set nothing lost. If anet is right and it is very challenging, then I have a healing set that will put everyone’s to shame in PvE.

Like any game, it’s better to heal for too much then not enough. I’d rather spike heal for 9k-12k and keep my team mates alive if they over aggro or mess up on timing. This also prevents heated kittening matches with DPS fighting among each other. You end up being a larger asset to the team if you’re able to pick them up and and keep them alive through the over aggro then being the one to blame for failing to keep the party alive.

This.

Also, like Tragic says it’s not the end of the world if we are focused entirely on healing – we can also still provide valuable passive group DPS support through traits and utilities (God I hope they fix spirits though).

I actually want to enjoy the game content I’m playing. Everyone is so focused on getting through raids and dungeons as quickly as possible while building for maximum damage output. Going through the same mindless routine and button mashing every single time in this way is not fun. It’s a chore just to get to the loot at the end.

I want to be able to feel like I’m legitimately playing a role when I take part in raids, and that my place as a Druid healer is completely vital for the team. Although I’ll be playing through the same content over time, I want each encounter to be different from the last, bringing new challenges. What if the boss uses different attacking patterns next time? What if you have a couple of weak links in your team who need more healing support than the others? What if you have to keep changing your long-range support, short-range support and damage tactics each time? It’s things like this that add up to fun, dynamic gameplay that keeps you on your toes and keeps you engaged every time.

I care less about the prize and more about the fun I have on the journey.

When you’re doing progression content, speed running, clean kills and fastest times possible are kind of irrelevant. All that matters is if the boss dies. Doesn’t matter if you do it in 5 minutes or 8 minutes as long as you get the kill and it is consistently repeatable every week. Personally, I prefer safer, consistent strategies when you are potentially pulling a boss hundreds of times trying to get your first kill.

I’m also not entirely convinced the content will ever be on super farm easy mode. In other MMOs, you just get better gear and naturally shorten fight times by doing way more damage. To get faster kill times in GW2 you would have to optimize your strategies and play near perfectly. Worst case scenario, I have plenty of Berserker Gear from vanilla GW2 content.

Wiping on farm bosses in raids is a pretty terrible feeling in general.

We can’t comment on it yet cause we don’t know either how the content will be or how much difference healing builds will make.

I really doubt we’ll see cleric on druid. I would personally like it if raids require cleric healers but I doubt Anet will go that deep into trinity.

If things stay as they were on DW3, for WvW I would go zealot. Healing was enough to keep a small group alive and damage was more than enough to kill people reasonably fast even with staff.

Yelloweyedemon.2860:

I really doubt we’ll see cleric on druid. I would personally like it if raids require cleric healers but I doubt Anet will go that deep into trinity.

If things stay as they were on DW3, for WvW I would go zealot.

Depends. Unless they reintroduce Zealot recipes, the limited supply of them on TP makes crafting Zealot gear quite pricey for those that have yet to unlock it.

I like the Druid and all, but I’m not going out of my way to drop about 300g on an exotic set, let alone more for the ascended versions. At the moment, Clerics is literally the second-best and less-expensive alternative unless you’re a money bag.

Ghotistyx.6942:

NapTooN.6283:

• 4 Zerk/Valk +2 Magi Trinkets
• Full Magi Armor
• Valk Weapon
• Wurm Rune
• GS/Staff Water/Life Sig
  ———————————-
• ~25k HP
• ~1700 Power
• ~40% Crit Chance
• ~200% Crit Damage
• ~900 Healing Power with full Life Sigil
  ———————————-

a classic hybrid.

Where’s the condition damage?

In the closet where it belongs. And if i come to a Point where i need Condi Damage:

• Hey i am Still a Ranger, I bring out my Pet with 1300 Condition Damage, Problem solved.

I think ascended celestial with ascended cleric trinkets (ascended berserker’s if you need more damage) might be good.

NapTooN.6283:

In the closet where it belongs.

Then you wouldn’t be a hybrid.

Ghotistyx.6942:

NapTooN.6283:

In the closet where it belongs.

Then you wouldn’t be a hybrid.

If you only have Physical and Condi Damage in your head, then you are right. If you have Healing in your Head aswell, then you are wrong

I am not a Condi Physical Hybrid, never claimed to be, i am a Healing/Damage Hybrid. And as per my Edit, if i Need Condi Damage, i just equip a 1300 Condi Damage Pet, Problem solved.

NapTooN.6283:

• 4 Zerk/Valk +2 Magi Trinkets
• Full Magi Armor
• Valk Weapon
• Wurm Rune
• GS/Staff Water/Life Sig
  ———————————-
• ~25k HP
• ~1700 Power
• ~40% Crit Chance
• ~200% Crit Damage
• ~900 Healing Power with full Life Sigil
  ———————————-

a classic hybrid.

What weapons and game mode is that supposed to be used for?

NapTooN.6283:

Where’s the condition damage?

In the closet where it belongs. And if i come to a Point where i need Condi Damage:

• Hey i am Still a Ranger, I bring out my Pet with 1300 Condition Damage, Problem solved.

There are a bunch of mobs with high resistance to direct damage, that take full damage from conditions (for example in the silverwastes) so I find that statement a bit funny tbh!
I would also guess there’ll be even more mobs around where going hybrid damage will outdamage any pure zerker/pure condi builds.

OGDeadHead.8326:

NapTooN.6283:

Where’s the condition damage?

In the closet where it belongs. And if i come to a Point where i need Condi Damage:

• Hey i am Still a Ranger, I bring out my Pet with 1300 Condition Damage, Problem solved.

There are a bunch of mobs with high resistance to direct damage, that take full damage from conditions (for example in the silverwastes) so I find that statement a bit funny tbh!
I would also guess there’ll be even more mobs around where going hybrid damage will outdamage any pure zerker/pure condi builds.

For those Mobs, i always have a totally free Pet with up to 1300 Condition Damage. And those Mobs are only a Problem in Solo Situations, In Dungeons/Fracs/Raids whatever there will be always at least 1 Condi Party Member if those places Feature that Kind of Mobs.

Heimskarl Ashfiend.9582:

NapTooN.6283:

• 4 Zerk/Valk +2 Magi Trinkets
• Full Magi Armor
• Valk Weapon
• Wurm Rune
• GS/Staff Water/Life Sig
  ———————————-
• ~25k HP
• ~1700 Power
• ~40% Crit Chance
• ~200% Crit Damage
• ~900 Healing Power with full Life Sigil
  ———————————-

a classic hybrid.

What weapons and game mode is that supposed to be used for?

Whereever I go, mainly Fracs, maybe Raids and maybe some WvW/open World. The Weapon will be Staff for the Healing Part and GS/LB for the Damage Part (Depending if Melee is usable in that encounter)

NapTooN.6283:

For those Mobs, i always have a totally free Pet with up to 1300 Condition Damage.

Stack som might on your pet and make that number 2100!

I have a full cleric set ready but I’m thinking of maybe doing zerker armor + zealot trinkets.

Can you buy zealot trinkets with only laurels?

neville.3420:

I have a full cleric set ready but I’m thinking of maybe doing zerker armor + zealot trinkets.

Can you buy zealot trinkets with only laurels?

Only exotic zealot and you need to buy the recipes, no ascended trinkets.

Terra.8571:

neville.3420:

I have a full cleric set ready but I’m thinking of maybe doing zerker armor + zealot trinkets.

Can you buy zealot trinkets with only laurels?

Only exotic zealot and you need to buy the recipes, no ascended trinkets.

Well. That sucks. So I’ll probably need to do exotic zealot armor + ascended zerker trinkets…?

neville.3420:

Terra.8571:

neville.3420:

I have a full cleric set ready but I’m thinking of maybe doing zerker armor + zealot trinkets.

Can you buy zealot trinkets with only laurels?

Only exotic zealot and you need to buy the recipes, no ascended trinkets.

Well. That sucks. So I’ll probably need to do exotic zealot armor + ascended zerker trinkets…?

Personally, if you want to do dps, full zerker will be better. If you want to heal, full cleric. If you want to hybrid, you still need to decide your priority. If it’s healing, a compromise could be:

Cleric Staff + Cleric Trinkets + Zealot Armor (All Ascended)
DPS Weapon = Berserker

If you slot a crit sigil in the Zerker weapon, you end up with around 2.2k power, 42% crit (before spotter and fury).

Personally, I’m thinking between the above Vs full cleric. At the end of the day, my druid is for raids so I want to maximise support. The new Grace of the Lands trait reiterates how much support druids can bring (spotter, frost spirit, sun spirit, glyph of power, grace of the lands + raw healing).

If you want to dps with druid, try full zerk. If you struggle to heal, slowly change pieces out is my opinion.

Terra.8571:

neville.3420:

Terra.8571:

neville.3420:

I have a full cleric set ready but I’m thinking of maybe doing zerker armor + zealot trinkets.

Can you buy zealot trinkets with only laurels?

Only exotic zealot and you need to buy the recipes, no ascended trinkets.

Well. That sucks. So I’ll probably need to do exotic zealot armor + ascended zerker trinkets…?

Personally, if you want to do dps, full zerker will be better. If you want to heal, full cleric. If you want to hybrid, you still need to decide your priority. If it’s healing, a compromise could be:

Cleric Staff + Cleric Trinkets + Zealot Armor (All Ascended)
DPS Weapon = Berserker

If you slot a crit sigil in the Zerker weapon, you end up with around 2.2k power, 42% crit (before spotter and fury).

Personally, I’m thinking between the above Vs full cleric. At the end of the day, my druid is for raids so I want to maximise support. The new Grace of the Lands trait reiterates how much support druids can bring (spotter, frost spirit, sun spirit, glyph of power, grace of the lands + raw healing).

If you want to dps with druid, try full zerk. If you struggle to heal, slowly change pieces out is my opinion.

Yeah that’s a valid point. Maybe I can even use my existing cleric armor with zerker trinkets and add a crit sigil.

I was trying to find a nice balance really.

I tried zerker in the BWE and it worked decently but I believe that was only because the healing coefficients were way out of wack. So to get that same sustain I’ll likely need to slot at least a little bit into healing power.

NapTooN.6283:

Heimskarl Ashfiend.9582:

NapTooN.6283:

• 4 Zerk/Valk +2 Magi Trinkets
• Full Magi Armor
• Valk Weapon
• Wurm Rune
• GS/Staff Water/Life Sig
  ———————————-
• ~25k HP
• ~1700 Power
• ~40% Crit Chance
• ~200% Crit Damage
• ~900 Healing Power with full Life Sigil
  ———————————-

a classic hybrid.

What weapons and game mode is that supposed to be used for?

Whereever I go, mainly Fracs, maybe Raids and maybe some WvW/open World. The Weapon will be Staff for the Healing Part and GS/LB for the Damage Part (Depending if Melee is usable in that encounter)

I was just wondering because of the vitality, if it were me I would trade that vitality for Power any day, but you cannot get Precision + Healing power on anything without Zealots, which is a huge expense right now. You also have a nice amount of Ferocity in there.

Although, I’m thinking I’ll make whatever is the cheapest ascended set to make, then change them to Zealots in the forge, probably end up cheaper than buying all the recipes.

Oh, and they will add Zealot trinkets at some point, fellas, save your laurels.

One more point for those wishing to make a cleric/zerk hybrid, remember the trinkets add more to your stats than the armor, so if you want more healing, go for clerics trinkets and zerker armor.

I am thinking clerics to start, but might switch to zealots for healing spec
for dps I am going zerker most likely

Full Clerics Armor/Weapon/Trinket. If I feel like I’m overhealing, i’ll switch Armor to Berserkers but still maintain Cleric’s Weapon/Trinkets.

The ideal mix might just be Zealots though, but it’s a pain in the butt to get. Zealot will be a glass cannon healer.

NapTooN.6283:

Ghotistyx.6942:

Then you wouldn’t be a hybrid.

If you only have Physical and Condi Damage in your head, then you are right. If you have Healing in your Head aswell, then you are wrong

I am not a Condi Physical Hybrid, never claimed to be, i am a Healing/Damage Hybrid. And as per my Edit, if i Need Condi Damage, i just equip a 1300 Condi Damage Pet, Problem solved.

It might be pedantic, but terminology is important.

Hybrid characters combine two damage sources just like a hybrid car has two power sources. A tank has both power and defense, like it’s vehicular counter part. You’ve got power and sustain (via healing power) which is good. Druid isn’t something I’d consider a good option for hybrid builds, but it does have a lot of sustain. And of course, your pet could bring the condition damage, allowing you to hybridize that way. Might stacking, Nature Magic, and a Lynx could be an interesting dual hybrid set up, with Druid providing all the sustain needs. Something like Carrion+Cleric might be interesting.

Heimskarl Ashfiend.9582:

NapTooN.6283:

Heimskarl Ashfiend.9582:

NapTooN.6283:

• 4 Zerk/Valk +2 Magi Trinkets
• Full Magi Armor
• Valk Weapon
• Wurm Rune
• GS/Staff Water/Life Sig
  ———————————-
• ~25k HP
• ~1700 Power
• ~40% Crit Chance
• ~200% Crit Damage
• ~900 Healing Power with full Life Sigil
  ———————————-

a classic hybrid.

What weapons and game mode is that supposed to be used for?

Whereever I go, mainly Fracs, maybe Raids and maybe some WvW/open World. The Weapon will be Staff for the Healing Part and GS/LB for the Damage Part (Depending if Melee is usable in that encounter)

I was just wondering because of the vitality, if it were me I would trade that vitality for Power any day, but you cannot get Precision + Healing power on anything without Zealots, which is a huge expense right now. You also have a nice amount of Ferocity in there.

Although, I’m thinking I’ll make whatever is the cheapest ascended set to make, then change them to Zealots in the forge, probably end up cheaper than buying all the recipes.

Oh, and they will add Zealot trinkets at some point, fellas, save your laurels.

One more point for those wishing to make a cleric/zerk hybrid, remember the trinkets add more to your stats than the armor, so if you want more healing, go for clerics trinkets and zerker armor.

Magi is perfect for me, but useless without something that uses the Precision. Vitality, Precision, Healing Power. That’s why i go with Wurm and Zerk/Valk to increase my Vit which increases my Ferocity in return, which makes use of said Precision that comes with the Magi Stuff.

Apo and Cleric are nice and they offer the same amount of Healing Power that Magi does, but they lack Vitality and i prefer Vit over Toughness. I feel more safe when i see 25k Health instead of just 15k.

Gonna build a druid for full support in raids and wvw—utilizing glyphs (up close due to small radius). Going full Nomads with monk runes. Cleric runes should I need to max out healing power.

too bad avatar and staff don’t have any access to condis. I’m not convinced condi druids will work at all.

what have we got?

traps – where is the invuln and stun breaker?
a/d – limited by reflects and blocks, no aoe
torch – our best condi weapon

am I missing something?

I wish they would make Poison Master a thing.

Double Hybrid Druid
Might not be the best, but it’s a thing to consider.

mistsim.2748:

too bad avatar and staff don’t have any access to condis. I’m not convinced condi druids will work at all.

what have we got?

traps – where is the invuln and stun breaker?
a/d – limited by reflects and blocks, no aoe
torch – our best condi weapon

am I missing something?

I wish they would make Poison Master a thing.

Look at the trait lines you have to drop to make condi druid work. Its such a huge drop in dps that power really becomes the only option since losing BM isn’t as big a loss in dps, and in most instances could be made up with Glyph of Empowerment