Guild Wars 2

Okay so we won’t start the next bandwagon, but I don’t believe the ranger is worthless in WvW. I would like to start a five man ranger squad and have it operate like its military namesake. I have never played an MMO prior to december. I have read all the negative responses regarding rangers but still like them, so no need to post a response. I know how bad they are.

I believe it is possible to accomplish because I have never played an MMO prior to GW2 and I don’t like being told something is impossible. I also know none of the current meta game. Stacking? Please Rangers should never Stack. Stacking=Dead ranger.

My goal is to create a 5 man tight knit group that can handle 5:1 odds by themselves and wreak major havok on the battlefield when following a platoon.

I only ask that the long bow be the main weapon of choice. Again because everyone says the LB is worthless. Yes I know it is and I would like to change that perception.

My goal with the longbow is to find a build that makes it viable. I don’t understand DPS, too much math. But I do understand those little white numbers that pop up when I hit something. I would like to have rapid shot average about 3000 to 4000 a hit and top out at 15000 on the last shot. When doing a volley I would like the hits to pop up doing 3000 to 5000 a whack.

Okay don’t laugh, oh hell go ahead and laugh, it won’t phase me. and yes I believe it can be done.

So if interested and up to this monumental challenge please email me. I currently reside on HOD.

Dilligaf Wyt

The perception that bearbow (and thus longbow) sucks is actually a pve one, because it really does suck in pve. But that’s because pve has no use for the bear’s meatshield or condi removal, and melee is preferable for max dps. Stuff like Point Blank shot is bad when you’re trying to stack together to kill stuff, but trying to approach a group of 5 rangers each spreading out their PBS’ing would be annoying as hell. Of course, other pets such as felines, spiders, and dogs have interesting utilities as well.

Still I would say it’d be funny to run around with 5 bearbows standing on top of something or knocking people off bloodlust or something.

I Know. But I believe it is possible. Like I said I am new and trying to figure out DPS gives me a headache. What is the average little white pop up number that warriors do. I watched videos and it seemed to me that they average about 3,000 to 4,000 a whack. I have seen one video where he hit 9,000. Rangers I see hitting between 150 to 300 hundred a pop and sometimes even hitting 1,700. Is this correct?

If it is then I believe I can get the long bow to deliver these kind of numbers. Yes I am an optimist and hate being told its been tried and impossible. Improbable but not impossible.

If I read this correctly you expect a 5 man Ranger group to be able to handle 25 people in a fight?

Other than that I think it is a great idea. 5 coordinated Rangers would indeed be a force….and a lot of fun. LB/GS would be the base. You could maybe make one of the 5 a support Ranger but meh, the whole point would be focus fire on same target and blow it up. 5 CC pets + good assisting would be a nightmare for people because of the damage +range.

Would absolutely love to do this but have never found others interested on SoS

Forzani.2584:

If I read this correctly you expect a 5 man Ranger group to be able to handle 25 people in a fight?

Other than that I think it is a great idea. 5 coordinated Rangers would indeed be a force….and a lot of fun. LB/GS would be the base. You could maybe make one of the 5 a support Ranger but meh, the whole point would be focus fire on same target and blow it up. 5 CC pets + good assisting would be a nightmare for people because of the damage +range.

Would absolutely love to do this but have never found others interested on SoS

5v25? NP….

me and a VS thief obliterated 15 people in an instant running a combination of traps and venoms. when running against superior numbers there is only 4 things that matters; location, location, location, location.

TL;DR ver.
5v25 – Find a chokepoint and bring forth your A-game, you’re in for a rough ride.

Prysin.8542:

Forzani.2584:

If I read this correctly you expect a 5 man Ranger group to be able to handle 25 people in a fight?

Other than that I think it is a great idea. 5 coordinated Rangers would indeed be a force….and a lot of fun. LB/GS would be the base. You could maybe make one of the 5 a support Ranger but meh, the whole point would be focus fire on same target and blow it up. 5 CC pets + good assisting would be a nightmare for people because of the damage +range.

Would absolutely love to do this but have never found others interested on SoS

5v25? NP….

me and a VS thief obliterated 15 people in an instant running a combination of traps and venoms. when running against superior numbers there is only 4 things that matters; location, location, location, location.

TL;DR ver.
5v25 – Find a chokepoint and bring forth your A-game, you’re in for a rough ride.

Venom share I assume? That is another thing on my list. Go condi Ranger and partner with a Venom Share Thief.

edit: read too fast. VS = Venom Share
Double edit: Either way, I would like to try the 5 Ranger coordinated group in WvW

First off: Ranger’s aren’t useless when it comes to small-group or solo play and they are viable in zerg play aswell.

On the other hand, you will end up running full zerker + 30/30/10/0/0 or something like that with your damage-expectations, which makes us less viable;)

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vMAQNBjODbkRlOWLZxhFuWDErH7JQ9pfQTcG8nRA-zUBBYfCyJPFRjtNoIasKkYaXER1AA-w

I’d use axe/horn for the fury/swiftness gain + blastfinishers for the water fields from your springs.

You will have big numbers but you’ll be paper, so make sure you know when to dodge and stuff.

One of you should swap out Piercing Arrows for Spotter.

Be aware of the fact that this offers no utility for the zerg, so you’ll only be good for damage when following a tag.

Anyways: keep in mind you are probably going to lose 1/3 of your critical damage next tuesday

5 Ranger group

2 x Trapper/Entangle Ranger

2x DPS Ranger

1x Spirit/Heal/Buff Ranger

I’d LOVE to see 5 of these groups running together for a 25 ranger zerg.

Heimskarl Ashfiend.9582:

5 Ranger group

2 x Trapper/Entangle Ranger

2x DPS Ranger

1x Spirit/Heal/Buff Ranger

thought he wanted a full zerker group, if he doesn’t nvm my post^^

did you forget to swap the gear or do you really want to run zerker on the trapper and the spirit/heal/buff ranger

I dont run zerker armor.a few pieces here and there. maybe a ravager shoulder pads. The pic is why i think it can be done. I have held up to two on one but four smoked me. Then again i am noob so i still need to perfect my skill.

I do believe the synergy from five rangers can do the trick.

charraz.7352:

…did you forget to swap the gear or do you really want to run zerker on the trapper and the spirit/heal/buff ranger

I reckon run them all in full zerk, imagine 25 rangers with piercing arrows firing off Rapid Fire into an oncoming zerg. Assuming usual zerg packed in close and flat ground its like 1.3 million damage lol. And from 1500-1200 range. If on average, you need to do 20,000dmg to down someone, that is enough damage to down 65 people right there. Then you have 25 Barrages after that. If they get close, all swap to axe and start bouncing the axes around and 10 Path of Scars into the rest of them. 15 unlucky people also get the birds attacking them from warhorn. If all the rangers ran Fire/Ice sigils on the LBs, with the traps, I don’t think many normal sized zergs would get close.

The traps are really just for area denial and movement debuffs, plus conditions to cover the immobs, that’s why I put in all the bleeds too, to make them put their condi removal skills on CD. I think the damage from the conditions is trivial compared to what you will do with the LB and zerk if all focused fire on the zerg.

Just a quick idea anyway.

All I know is I would like to try it. I know everyone hates them, but there has to be at least 4 brave souls who would be willing to give it a try?

I used to play a game called Knight Online. One of the classes was a mage who at level cap could drop 4 AOE’s in less than 6 seconds. A group of 5 of us(all mages) would wreak havoc on camps(protected by guards). We would have the tank run up to the camp to agro all guards, then the 5 mages would run up and drop 20 Nova’s(AOE’s) in 6 seconds and decimate the camp. Was a lot of fun.

5:1 odds lol.

It won’t happen. The best wvw guilds aren’t prohibiting rangers out of spite. It is just the truth they are inferior in zergs. I main ranger everywhere but zergs in wvw. When you first take a fully pvt warrior or guard into the zerg you will instantly realize how dumb you were to use a ranger in zergs.

ps – feedback.

Heimskarl Ashfiend.9582:

I reckon run them all in full zerk, imagine 25 rangers….

While it would hysterical on some occasions, a few reflects, invulnerabilities/blocks, and condi necros would leave you with a pile of downed rangers. PVT zerg heavies are also so crazy durable. You can kill them easily in a 1v1 but it takes way longer than it would take for their zerg to slam in to you.

Balanced beats a one trick pony.

Anywho, I doubt you were serious.

I have full ascended zerker gear, ran it for 3months. It sure is a lot of fun. Autoattack on the longbow hits 4-5k, if you’re running signets, it can hit between 7-12k. However, it is not viable since most people will target rangers and eles first, a few dodges or a gap closer will definitely down you (especially thieves). Overall, its not viable (especially with the upcoming crit dmg nerf) and only fun for sniping unexpected players.

However, if you insist on running full zerker LB, heres a few tips.
-Turn off autoattack
-Bring the wolf and set it to passive. When point blank shot fails to keep the distance, you must use LB#5 on yourself or wolf F2 to keep people off you.
-Always dps with autoattack, LB#2 has lower dps and should only be used on stealthy classes.
-LB#3 when you think you’re targeted, and run back to your group to blend back in.
-Bring the GS for blocks and escapability.
-Don’t GS block melee attacks unless you can afford being rooted
-Don’t even think of using GS#2, that super telegraphed skill will land 1 :10.

Fluffball.8307:

While it would hysterical on some occasions, a few reflects, invulnerabilities/blocks, and condi necros would leave you with a pile of downed rangers. PVT zerg heavies are also so crazy durable. You can kill them easily in a 1v1 but it takes way longer than it would take for their zerg to slam in to you.

Balanced beats a one trick pony.

Anywho, I doubt you were serious.

Yeah, it would be hysterical for sure. Oh, I was serious, but, I didn’t mean to make out it was an invulnerable force of Rangers that could never be beaten, it would just be heaps fun! And as with all zergs, they are gonna get steam rolled at times. You do have 20 healing springs every 30s so conditions shouldn’t be too big a drama and there would be enough traps down that you can keep distance, plus piercing PBSs.

If you were going to run all Rangers, that’s how I would do it.

Again, knowing you aren’t serious, I think it would work maybe 1/15 times. Even with all that damage from range, the enemy frontline will just go invulnerable and leap the distance in 2 seconds or even less.

If you really wanted to make an all ranger zerg, you’d need all sorts of roles.

Just for fun with a 50 man typical zerg, I’m thinking 23 GS signet rangers, 10 cleric’s spirit rangers also using nature’s voice, 12 trap rangers and 5 LB rangers. Everyone except the spirit rangers uses entangle. 35 bears, 5 drakes, 5 drakehounds and 5 wolves as the first pet, 40 wolves, 5 drakes and 5 drakehounds on swap.

Well this is fun, I would love to try it out if I can get 4 other people in SoS to join me. We should also do this via a rangers-only guild, that way we are truly representing rangers.

Feel free to comment the below setup, I could use opinions on all:

1 and 2. Signet survivalist – high dps ranged
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vMAQNBjYDbkQlOW7XxhFuWDArHEG4gtHayJmuCoexKnMB-zkCBofJDzBA3JyEEAUGQkIwpPFRjtAvIas6aYKXER1ECg1CA-w

3. Melee survivalist – high dps melee
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vMUQNAsXRnEqQtg2vCOsAXLGIaPyk5PP7B/V0icFQ1FfcyE-zkCBofJDzRQkgAkWGiEBI3sIasFXFRjVXDT5KoqYKyECo8CA-w

4. Trapper Boon ranger – hybrid
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vMAQRAsf3YnMqQvg2uCmrAVLGQaF4E2DFxReE3jRpTCxS+0DA-zECBofJDTMyIOBk8AIPqIasVTFRjVPjIqWfEjQATWDA-w

5. Boon ranger – condition bunker
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vMAQRAsf3YnMqQvg2vCWsAVLGQaP0EzDTeFmF3jRpTCxC+UB-z0CBofJDTMyIOBk8Ag+AkABiCBOPqIasVTFRjVPjIqWfEjQASXDA-w

Your trapper ranger isn’t using a single trap.

Fluffball.8307:

Your trapper ranger isn’t using a single trap.

I forgot to update the trapper with the new link, thanks for pointing it out, it’s now updated.

Sounds very fun, if I were better I’d definitely be down.

Heimskarl Ashfiend.9582:

charraz.7352:

…did you forget to swap the gear or do you really want to run zerker on the trapper and the spirit/heal/buff ranger

I reckon run them all in full zerk, imagine 25 rangers with piercing arrows firing off Rapid Fire into an oncoming zerg. Assuming usual zerg packed in close and flat ground its like 1.3 million damage lol. And from 1500-1200 range. If on average, you need to do 20,000dmg to down someone, that is enough damage to down 65 people right there. Then you have 25 Barrages after that. If they get close, all swap to axe and start bouncing the axes around and 10 Path of Scars into the rest of them. 15 unlucky people also get the birds attacking them from warhorn. If all the rangers ran Fire/Ice sigils on the LBs, with the traps, I don’t think many normal sized zergs would get close.

The traps are really just for area denial and movement debuffs, plus conditions to cover the immobs, that’s why I put in all the bleeds too, to make them put their condi removal skills on CD. I think the damage from the conditions is trivial compared to what you will do with the LB and zerk if all focused fire on the zerg.

Just a quick idea anyway.

Oh wow yeah all that sounds great.

Elrond.9486:

Oh wow yeah all that sounds great.

Read my response. All the rangers die. Probably without killing anyone.

The Allied Council of Rangers[TACR] is recruiting across all servers but we’re located on Blackgate so you won’t be able to WvW with us unless you transfer over. Ideally we’ll start doing WvW guild raids within the next few weeks.

Regardless, you should check out our recruitment page.
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/ranger/TACR-New-active-ranger-guild/first#post3878195

kiwituatara.6053:

-Don’t even think of using GS#2, that super telegraphed skill will land 1 :10.

LB#3 → weapon switch → GS#2 ( superior sigil of intelligence on the GS )

i never have problems with GS#2

5 man ranger sure sounds fun. And of course exponentially stronger than a lone roaming ranger. But what if you face a 5 man thief p/d-d/p (hard counter to rangers in my opinion), all those sic-em’s would run out. Might also run into a 5 man mesmer, now that’s scary.
But for the other 5-mans, warriors, necros, eles, engis, guardians, wont be too hard for a ranger group except maybe the engis.

Long bow isnt worthless!!! Its the one weapon where rangers can show unique talent, namely long range high single target dps.

Love to hear how it turns out, I’m big on turning around peoples perceptions about rangers. I’ve made it a point be the last man on pin in a tough zerg fight before I evacuate the area once everyones wiped but me. Too squishy my *!!!!

You know, it’s actually really really fun running five zerker melee sword/wh rangers + jungle cats in dungeons..

I really need to hook up with four other rangers of equal or greater skill for some fun dungeon runs when I’m home.

I would join you if I wasn’t already on NSP :P

Running rangers in a five man group won’t change perceptions. Rangers are already viewed as excellent roamers, it’s when they try to participate in large scale fights (what WvW is primarily about) that the class really begins to struggle.

Shiren.9532:

Running rangers in a five man group won’t change perceptions. Rangers are already viewed as excellent roamers, it’s when they try to participate in large scale fights (what WvW is primarily about) that the class really begins to struggle.

Zerg vs Zerg any class is fine. Hell, that’s where even under leveled participate.

GvG? Likely not. Partly because of the class and partly because of short sighted people.

Heimskarl Ashfiend.9582:

I reckon run them all in full zerk, imagine 25 rangers with piercing arrows firing off Rapid Fire into an oncoming zerg. Assuming usual zerg packed in close and flat ground its like 1.3 million damage lol. And from 1500-1200 range. If on average, you need to do 20,000dmg to down someone, that is enough damage to down 65 people right there.

All I can imagine is the mesmer in the opposing zerg thinking all his christmas’ and birthdays have come at once. When I play mesmer in a zerg I equip feedback, as many mesmer do, and and watching that show unfold would be hilarious. I given they are all in full zerker, I would give it >2s before every single ranger is downed.

But still.. I have always wanted to see all ranger roaming groups so I hope you get this going, and if you do, be sure to video it

The problem is getting rangers that are skilled to roam with, I am not saying that you’d need to seek out the 0.1% of the best rangers out there, but there are a lot of rangers who are just not skilled in the art of ‘not getting face planted by thieves everywhere they go’. Also I know that the best setup of rangers will come from a balanced mix of various ranger strengths, which is great because not all rangers can play the variations flawlessly. I would gladly join a 5 man ranger team so send me a message in game.

Cufufalating.8479:

All I can imagine is the mesmer in the opposing zerg thinking all his christmas’ and birthdays have come at once. When I play mesmer in a zerg I equip feedback, as many mesmer do, and and watching that show unfold would be hilarious. I given they are all in full zerker, I would give it >2s before every single ranger is downed.

But still.. I have always wanted to see all ranger roaming groups so I hope you get this going, and if you do, be sure to video it

AHEM! Most competent rangers can recognize feedback (especially after the first arrow return) and know its time to melee. :P

But I really dislike all the reflection in the game, it seems like there are so many tools aimed specifically at disabling all rangers range attacks which are projectile type. Thats a bone to pick with anet.

Retaliation also, hurts me way more than reflection. I usually only do a longbow#5 at full health and pop trolls unguent to be safe.

I think I five man squad of any sort (of only rangers) can’t work. You have no AoE hard cc and your damage bombs on an enemy group would be pitiful.

kiwituatara.6053:

I have full ascended zerker gear, ran it for 3months. It sure is a lot of fun. Autoattack on the longbow hits 4-5k, if you’re running signets, it can hit between 7-12k. However, it is not viable since most people will target rangers and eles first, a few dodges or a gap closer will definitely down you (especially thieves). Overall, its not viable (especially with the upcoming crit dmg nerf) and only fun for sniping unexpected players.

However, if you insist on running full zerker LB, heres a few tips.
-Turn off autoattack
-Bring the wolf and set it to passive. When point blank shot fails to keep the distance, you must use LB#5 on yourself or wolf F2 to keep people off you.
-Always dps with autoattack, LB#2 has lower dps and should only be used on stealthy classes.
-LB#3 when you think you’re targeted, and run back to your group to blend back in.
-Bring the GS for blocks and escapability.
-Don’t GS block melee attacks unless you can afford being rooted
-Don’t even think of using GS#2, that super telegraphed skill will land 1 :10.

you’re forgetting one thing though:
Taking down single targets not protected by the masses IS the thieves job. If you can survive that assault, somehow, you did not succeed. Infact, if you survive a 1v1 assault from a thief, the thief failed hard.
1v1, a thief should have the upper hand, even a warrior or guardian will not survive a thief 1v1 if they are not BUILT to take them on. They can last longer then a ranger, but the thief will roflstomp them unless they get back to the herd. That is the fate of zerg builds vs roaming builds.

There is some exceptions to this rule;
Power Regen Ranger (Clerics + PVT)
Signet Crit Tank (Cavaliers + Knights)
Dire Trapper (Dire)

The reason these builds work no matter where you put them is the combination of armor, hp and the ability to either lay down crazy strong bursts or superior durability.

Myself, i prefer a GS Regen Ranger (0/0/30/30/10 for zerging. Use Bark Skin and Offhand Training, do not take EB, past tomorrow the alleged pet bug will not work and EB will be useless in blob fights due to dead pet)
My build: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vMAQNBhOD7kRF6F0OWwiF4axAS7BnYen3rws4eMKeSImysuyasA-zUCBoNCyUEQ0HwEBApmJKJdYsVWFRjVNjIqWZDLAACgje0je0je0O6RP6RP6RLFATCjA-w

Dire Trapper:
Basically a tagging build allowing for maximum tags while being somewhat useful. Should be paired with a guardian for condi cleanse.
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vMAQNAR3fnEqQ7K2tC2CCXLGIaK4k5ZPMkjekTh/9UKr6KrxC-zUCBINCyUEQk3AEGwZSFRjtaqIas6GYKWER1eFFRrmUALKNC-w

MercilessLemurs.7459:

I think I five man squad of any sort (of only rangers) can’t work. You have no AoE hard cc and your damage bombs on an enemy group would be pitiful.

I wonder how the enemy would deal with 5 rangers who continue to rotate between muddy terrain (traited) and continued to roll regen, hard condition damage, melee evasiveness, pet fear rolling and croud control skills. While a 5 man warrior – guardian – mesmer – thief – engineer is a strong setup, each will sacrifice something in their build in order to contribute to group play. Rangers on the other hand can draw strength from different builds while maximizing their total contribution. Now I am not saying that this is a deciding winning factor, my point is that it would be a little difficult to predict because you’d be dealing with a lot of variables which depend entirely on how well the team can play.