Longbow/Greatsword build
With this weapon combo, GS will be your main weapon and longbow will be the backup. Longbow just doesn’t have enough DPS to be a primary weapon. Only use the bow when you need a range attack. Axe/warhorn is better for dungeons, but longbow can be a usefull backup / opener.
Try something like this:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fMUQJATRjAV11tVCWs2Bi2DAYpzzecIE9IXBRlytOxbtA-jQCBIgQoiAJPApPTjN/BpSqIasKGYKTER1uDFRrGA-e
This is a strong sustained damage build with good survival but low burst. Empty traits are optional for you to choose. This build is based on using the Lynx.
Bark Skin, Companions Defense, and the natural evades and block on GS will make you very tanky. Concentration Training makes the Might Stacks from your Lynx last a very long time, giving you better damage then anyone will ever expect from a GS ranger. Lastly, the Skirmishing traits give you high crit and crit damage, and increases the effectiveness of traps as well, giving you DPS from 3 sources at once. This is needed to make up for GS’ low native damage, and additionally makes it hard to lock you down. Alternately, take 10 points from Skirmishing and put into Beast Mastery for pet skill cooldown reduction, to get higher Might uptime.
Swap Barkskin for Empathic Bond when you expect to face conditions.
I suggest, for the empty traits, either Trappers Expertise so you can throw traps at range while meleeing, or Carnivorous Appetite which will keep your pet alive significantly longer.
Utility skills have 2 traps and 3rd skill of your choice- signet of the hunt or signet of the wild are my recommended ones for general play. Quickening Zephyr or Lightning Reflexes are good options also. The two traps are to augment your DPS once again. GS damage is low, so you need to combine multiple damage sources to get good killing power. Vipers Nest can be exchanged for Frost Trap if you need more control.
Troll Unguent is your best heal when soloing, with Healing Spring for groups. Use the Unguent early in the fight for maximum regen time and earlier cooldown.
Gear for Precision / Power / x. X can be vitality, toughness, or even condition, depending on how you personally play and what aspect of your character you focus more on.
“I care nothing for a festering industry that wantonly refuses to
provide a service that I’m willing to purchase.” – Fortuna.7259
provide a service that I’m willing to purchase.” – Fortuna.7259
(edited by Rhyse.8179)
Thanks a lot for your feedback! I seem to be getting the same build I posted if I click your link however. It might be a glitch or accident, so could you try again?
Oops!
“I care nothing for a festering industry that wantonly refuses to
provide a service that I’m willing to purchase.” – Fortuna.7259
provide a service that I’m willing to purchase.” – Fortuna.7259
First thing about a build is the purpose of it. In what gametype, scenario and function it should have. Since nothing is stated, here’s a tip on a build i used to run:
It relies on steady focus, hunter tactics and peak strength to add up a handsome amount of damage. I left the last 10 points up to you since it is a really tough call between 10 points in Nature to grab the 70% proc in spirits or you go +10 in beastmaster and grab spotter. Advantage for the latter since you’d also get eagle eye choice for the sweet range on longbow, again it depends on the purpose and circumstance.
Hope it helps, have fun.
edit; forgot to add my choice in utility skills, pets it’s really up to you, they are the icing on the cake, although Feline or Bird along with Drake or Devour are encouraged duos for this build, one sturdier and another more dpser.
(edited by Ariete.6509)
For WvW and Spvp, I would use a completely different build. I tend to put 30 pts in marksmanship and rely a bit more on the bow than the sword.
Signets are a great tool because you can:
1) bow them down at great distance
2) Stealth
3) Swoop/Bash/Maul
And you have an active signet which will increase damage substantially and one that will allow you to not take damage should the fight get protracted.
In larger fights, you still have the bow with great range and the ability to tag lots of enemies with the great sword. Personally, I like buffing pets. Cougar is great but so is the red Moa. It depends on the fights you will be in. I tend to find that the pets simply don’t do predictable damage in larger battles or in wvw right now with the performance issues. But they can buff me easily.
Using signets for defense and often having a bear just in case (with the cougar) allows you to run more of a berserker set of gear. You just need to be in control of what fights you get into! Stealth will hurt you.