Guild Wars 2

Hello,
i’m going to create a ranger as my main ranged class but i’m new and i dont really know what ranger are capable tof doing….
i tried rangers few times in hearth of the mists and my favourite weapons are Long Bow and GS…

can you guys please link a good build fow WvW/events which isn’t full zerker?
thank you

Well, kinda depends here.. If you say you don’t like the full zerker part, is that because of the lack of survivability (which I can believe with a GS, I wouldn’t wanna stand with my paper armour next to that heavy hitting mob)?

Because I run full zerker LB/SB in WvW and manage to do so nicely most of the times.. I prefer running solo or in small group (please no zerging). My previous build wasn’t that zerker, was more carrion (I think? – Po/Pr/Cond Dmg), but gives you the same lack of decent defense or healing..

Nevertheless: as mentioned, it’s zerker, check out at your own risk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRFszeYiXWg

imo, “Longbow and GS” and “not full zerker” don’t mix well.
With LB+GS, you want to be able to dish out huge damage spikes.

Maybe slap in some soldiers and Valkyrie pieces.

Thank you for answers… i think hunter’s comunity is the most polite and quick to answer

i just tried some builds in hearth of the mists… and i can say:
1) condition damage build… will be really strong (maybe better than necro’s)
2) i don’t like to play for conditions ( XD ) but maybe that would be my secondary set
3) Long Bow is really… wow… strong (stealth… massive vulnerability… and 5k+ with LB 2#) and of course i love “barrage” <3
4) ranger pet is stronger than i remembered… maybe, is the a build based on pet? (i don’t really like to depend from my pet… but would be a nice one)

so i tried some builds and the my favourite was the one based on Long Bow/Short Bow … the problem is that i didn’t find a good LB/SB build on internet and I had to create it alone… not sure if it was that good

here is a prototype of the build:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fMAQJATVnAVkFcgFKWgaZgYpYP9pzIT9nzg/MC-j0yAYrARigoCAJPosHRGbRtIasqFMVJguMpqzI7NKiWNA-w

ps: i really like those 1500 toughness togheter with 17.4k hp

can you help me to complete the build? or maybe, can you link an already optimized LB/SB build?

thank you

Feel free to check out the linked YT-vid in my previous post.. :-)

And of course, there is also a thread here in these forums about all kinds of ranger builds, might be handy to get some ideas from there also? :-)
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/ranger/Post-Your-Build-Thread

Tribio.8531:

Feel free to check out the linked YT-vid in my previous post.. :-)

And of course, there is also a thread here in these forums about all kinds of ranger builds, might be handy to get some ideas from there also? :-)
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/ranger/Post-Your-Build-Thread

yes man, you are right … but as i said before i don’t like full zerker builds :<
anyway your build is really similar to mine… so maybe changing some equip i can mix the berserker damage with more toughness and survival

anyway i have some questions regarding utilities:

1) is signet of stone usefull?
2) lightning reflex > protect me! ?
3) is signet of the wild usefull?
4) is signet of the hunt usefull?

i really don’t know how to choose those 3 utilities because there are a lot of good (for me) utilities :<

is better SotH/SoR/Protect Me or SoS/SoR/SotH or LR/SoR/SotH (as in your vid) ???

Here, this is my personal spec, Hard to Kill. I don’t WvW much, but I have run through the entirety of an enemy zerg while they were seiging the keep I wanted to get into without getting hurt, so it has to be good for something. I’ve never had any trouble in Dungeons and Fractals and open world PvE is a breeze. If you like it, go for it, if no one else likes it, I don’t care.

http://en.gw2skills.net/editor/?fMEQJATRjAVJ2FW+VsWCi1j8EoB1UMp+zKYoXBaNgC-jgyAoNAUHEBBgwAlFLiGb5sIasqZioalNm9GziTEVLCAbMA-e

I use the Lightning Reflexes mainly as stun breaker and to create some quick distance (needed with my complete ranged build). “Protect me” (pet takes all dmg for some time iirc?) can be handy, but I don’t use it, since I plan on never getting hit (so no reason my pet should soak up dmg I won’t get).

Signet of Stone I don’t use that much, but I have seen it being used by more melee-oriented rangers.. The extra thoughness and the damage mitigation on activation are charming for that.. :-)

Signet of the Hunt is handy for roaming, since the 25% movement speed gets you at far places way quicker.. Also the activation will give a little burst in pet dmg..

Signet of the Wild gives you some good regen (but I think that the healing you get without having specced in healing power isn’t that great).
I used to switch Signet of the Hunt and Signet of the Wild during my roams..

You certainly shouldn’t forget Signet of Renewal, to have some passive condi removal (and insance active condi removal, your pet (make sure it’s close when you activate) will take all the condi’s from you – best to switch to another pet after doing so) :-)

My advice here: Experiment! It’s not because I like a specific setup that others will like it (or the play style associated with it). I’m sure within some time you’ll find your perfect build and show some nice ranger love to other players..

yesterday i began using a burst condition build. you can stack loads of conditions very fast, great for a small group or zerg, still testing 1v1, but it might be worth a look.

http://intothemists.com/calc/?build=-F;5Fku-v2ZEF-0;9V8d;19TT;02;017A06A;4KNH4a;1NX8aNX8aP0FN7IqYJ0;0VX-d0h1l2sZy49eWPk4R0;9;9;6FFFFFF;9;9;7V6s5m

It’s not my build, though i have made some small changes with it ingame. i’ll try to find the original thread.

Kjeldoran.3849:

anyway i have some questions regarding utilities:

1) is signet of stone usefull?
2) lightning reflex > protect me! ?
3) is signet of the wild usefull?
4) is signet of the hunt usefull?

i really don’t know how to choose those 3 utilities because there are a lot of good (for me) utilities :<

is better SotH/SoR/Protect Me or SoS/SoR/SotH or LR/SoR/SotH (as in your vid) ???

1) People don’t seem to care about toughness, but really Signet of Stone is only especially useful if you have the Grandmaster Marksman trait and can gain the Invulnerability off it.

2) Lightning Reflexes I haven’t used, I understand people liked it but I believe it was recently nerfed in some way. Protect me could be your alternative to Signet of Stone, just so long as you understand it’s going to hurt your DPS while preserving your health.

3) Yes. Depending on your Healing Power it’s usefulness is variable, mine is high so it’s very useful. Don’t get it for stability, though, unless you’re going for that same Marksman trait, because otherwise it’s not for you.

4) This is your travel power. I only use it for getting where I’m going then swap it to Signet of Renewal for condition dropping.

ok, thank you again for support.

that will be my favourite build:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fMAQJATVnAVkFcgF+VwaZgYpYP9pzIT9nzwQMC-j0yAYrARigoCAJPosHRGbRtIasqFMVJguMyqzk6NKiWNA-w

i prefer “protect me!” because it’s a stunbreaker and i’m not using a full zerker equip so i can’t stop enemies before take any damage… so this will make the build harder to kill.

i have only few questions:
1) what do you think about “rampage as one”? i think that with this skill i can regain some dps instead of another defensive skill (entangle)
2) what trait should i put on in the first socket in skirmishing? I’m indeed between “sharpened edges” and “primal reflexes”…

Kjeldoran.3849:

yes man, you are right … but as i said before i don’t like full zerker builds :<

Mix Zerkers with Knights. If you take Knights armor instead of Zerker the total effective damage difference is around 14%.

Kjeldoran.3849:

ok, thank you again for support.

that will be my favourite build:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fMAQJATVnAVkFcgF+VwaZgYpYP9pzIT9nzwQMC-j0yAYrARigoCAJPosHRGbRtIasqFMVJguMyqzk6NKiWNA-w

i prefer “protect me!” because it’s a stunbreaker and i’m not using a full zerker equip so i can’t stop enemies before take any damage… so this will make the build harder to kill.

i have only few questions:
1) what do you think about “rampage as one”? i think that with this skill i can regain some dps instead of another defensive skill (entangle)
2) what trait should i put on in the first socket in skirmishing? I’m indeed between “sharpened edges” and “primal reflexes”…

1) I like them both. Rampage as One gives a lot of benefits and it lasts for a while. Stability is always a good thing to have. Fury is nice because you get might every time your pet crits and it makes them crit more often. I usually end up with 8 stacks of might for a couple attacks. It’s also a pretty nice speed boost with swiftness. If I just need to get somewhere I may rampage as one just for that.

Entangle I use on my conditions ranger and it’s awesome. It has a really wide radius, which is nice, plus the bleed. It works on anything, and lasts a really long time. It is not nearly as effective against bosses that drop AoEs on the ground or that do stong PBAoE attacks, because they’re burn through the root in one shot. But it’s still nice for the bleed on a build designed around conditions. For you it’s useful if you can get mobs clustered, then you can drop Barrage on them, or just start wailing on them with GS attacks.

2) I like Sharpened Edges. I don’t crit a lot, just I crit enough to put a fair number of bleeds out, which is always nice. Vigor is nice if you’re dodging a lot, but since it’s only applied in this case if you’ve already been hit, and it happened to crit, it’s not very useful nor reliable.

Because we share names i’d like to share my build with you, It’s a powerbuild I call the 1337 ranger becasue of the amount of vitality it has. with 3000 attack, 50% crit chance and 68% crit dmg you get a decent burst using the hilt bash + maul combo with the moment of clarity trait. With 2935 armor you get to be tanky aswell and with -65% condition duration conditions shouldn’t be a big problem anymore.

Traits: 0/30/20/20/0

Marksmanship: – None.

Skirmishing:

- Primal reflexes: for vigor(MOARR EVASION)
- Quick draw: faster SB/LB skills, A must for me, if i don’t use it LB feels very clunky to me.
- Moment of clarity: for the lovely hilt bash + maul combo

Wilderniss survial:

- Vigorous renewal: for vigor obviously
- Martial mastery: Faster GS and sword skills, more hilt bash and maul combo’s It’s also very usefull against thieves, #4counterattack on a 12 second cooldown (the best counter against thieves IMO)

Nature magic:

- Strenght of spirit: for the extra power but I switch it out for nature’s protection every now and then which gives you protection if you take 10% of your total HP in a single hit.
- Evasive purity: I love this trait, removing poison/blind on dodge to make sure you heal with 100% efficiency or get that maul to hit.

Beastmastery: none.

Skills:

- Lightning reflexes: this skill will get you out of those annoying entangles most of the time gives you vigor, moves you backwards and evades, a great defensive skill imo and would pick it over protect me any day becasue protect me pretty much kills your pet

- Signet of the hunt: movement speed, always usefull in wvw(where i use this build) for chasing/fleeing running supplies etc etc

- Signet of renewal: i usualy let this sit on passive but i use it as a panic button aswell(clearing entangle from your party will be appreciated)

Pro’s:
-decent burst
- lots of evasion
- easy escape/disengage using stealth, lightning reflexes and swoop
- traits can be swapped out to fit pretty much any weapon.
- quite tanky(37% dmg reduction) and conditions will slide off(-65% condition duration).

Cons:
- lack of healing but shouldn’t be a big problem if defensive play is done right.
- you need a pile of cash to get the numbers right.
- needs food to get the numbers right.

Here are 2 links to the same build in diffrent editors, Have fun
Critique is welcome.

http://intothemists.com/calc/?build=VH;4sEFx-f2ZDV-0;9k1E;2TJJ;239B39-47;2L-k6;26TsW6TsWn-FW0-w6;2VW-a0f1kYq3w_2H0D-1c;6V0B-V05;9;9;9;9;0V;54k3U

http://gw2buildcraft.com/calculator/ranger/?6.0|1.1g.h17|3.1g.h1j|1n.7r.1n.7r.1n.7r.1n.7r.1n.7r.1n.7r|2s.0.3t.d17.2u.d14.2u.d14.2v.d14.2v.d14|0.u4ac.k4a.k56.0|15.7|0.0.0.0.0|e

Note: the 2nd link is a build editor that isn’t up to date so it’s missing evasive purity and has nature’s protection instead.

Kjeld.9730:

Because we share names i’d like to share my build with you, It’s a powerbuild I call the 1337 ranger becasue of the amount of vitality it has. with 3000 attack, 50% crit chance and 68% crit dmg you get a decent burst using the hilt bash + maul combo with the moment of clarity trait. With 2935 armor you get to be tanky aswell and with -65% condition duration conditions shouldn’t be a big problem anymore.

Traits: 0/30/20/20/0

Marksmanship: – None.

Skirmishing:

- Primal reflexes: for vigor(MOARR EVASION)
- Quick draw: faster SB/LB skills, A must for me, if i don’t use it LB feels very clunky to me.
- Moment of clarity: for the lovely hilt bash + maul combo

Wilderniss survial:

- Vigorous renewal: for vigor obviously
- Martial mastery: Faster GS and sword skills, more hilt bash and maul combo’s It’s also very usefull against thieves, #4counterattack on a 12 second cooldown (the best counter against thieves IMO)

Nature magic:

- Strenght of spirit: for the extra power but I switch it out for nature’s protection every now and then which gives you protection if you take 10% of your total HP in a single hit.
- Evasive purity: I love this trait, removing poison/blind on dodge to make sure you heal with 100% efficiency or get that maul to hit.

Beastmastery: none.

Skills:

- Lightning reflexes: this skill will get you out of those annoying entangles most of the time gives you vigor, moves you backwards and evades, a great defensive skill imo and would pick it over protect me any day becasue protect me pretty much kills your pet

- Signet of the hunt: movement speed, always usefull in wvw(where i use this build) for chasing/fleeing running supplies etc etc

- Signet of renewal: i usualy let this sit on passive but i use it as a panic button aswell(clearing entangle from your party will be appreciated)

Pro’s:
-decent burst
- lots of evasion
- easy escape/disengage using stealth, lightning reflexes and swoop
- traits can be swapped out to fit pretty much any weapon.
- quite tanky(37% dmg reduction) and conditions will slide off(-65% condition duration).

Cons:
- lack of healing but shouldn’t be a big problem if defensive play is done right.
- you need a pile of cash to get the numbers right.
- needs food to get the numbers right.

Here are 2 links to the same build in diffrent editors, Have fun
Critique is welcome.

http://intothemists.com/calc/?build=VH;4sEFx-f2ZDV-0;9k1E;2TJJ;239B39-47;2L-k6;26TsW6TsWn-FW0-w6;2VW-a0f1kYq3w_2H0D-1c;6V0B-V05;9;9;9;9;0V;54k3U

http://gw2buildcraft.com/calculator/ranger/?6.0|1.1g.h17|3.1g.h1j|1n.7r.1n.7r.1n.7r.1n.7r.1n.7r.1n.7r|2s.0.3t.d17.2u.d14.2u.d14.2v.d14.2v.d14|0.u4ac.k4a.k56.0|15.7|0.0.0.0.0|e

Note: the 2nd link is a build editor that isn’t up to date so it’s missing evasive purity and has nature’s protection instead.

ahaha XD very similar name
thank you for the build… anyway i dont think that this build can be good for me…
i really hate full zerker builds but i also can’t play a so defensive one :<

compared to my previous build yours has a low damage (about 200 less power (my build was withouth ascended equip) and about 35% less direct damage (from damage modificators)… while has a greater (enormous for me) survivability…
anyway thank you for the suggestion i really appreciated it and… now i have a question:
is greatsword so good? i’m looking for a second weapon which can give me some support stuff…
for example i use short bow for:
1) poison volley to finish someone (about 5k direct damage + poison when in front of an enemy)
2) quickshot as an anti-panic button… to escape from thieves for exemple or simply ro escape from a zerg/fight/enemy/mob/boss or anything XD
3) clippling shot/concussion shot both faster after quickshot in order to gain a great advantage over the enemy…

so… the question is: can GS carry out a good amount of damaga? and has a lot of utilities kitten has?

thank you ^^

Greatsword is a very usefull weapon IMO here’s why:

1.The autoattack chain) has an evade and decent damage which is always welcome

2. Maul) has nice damage and combined with the moment of clarity trait does even more damage. I’m actualy kind of disapointed Anet changed the 3 bleeds it used to apply to 3 vulnrebility stacks.

3. Swoop)is good for escaping, chasing or simply engaging(and it also has OK damage!).

4. Counterattack/crippling throw) blocks attacks from range and knocks back people who directly attack it so it’s great against thieves and other classes that use melee. Before the latest patch you couldn’t move and throw your blade at the some time. now that you can, i’m very happy with this attack because it makes chasing alot easier.(this attack also has ok damage and you can possibly open with this attack for the cripple to prevent them from running.)

5. Hilt bash) is a daze/stun depening on if you hit them from behind or not which i assume is a 30 degree angle just like the shortbow bleed and the flanking trait. the stun combined with the moment of clarity trait gives you an attack opertunity(150% damage on next attack) Hilt bash also gives your pet an attack opertunity and it doesnt matter if your attack hits or not.

Edit: If i use shortbow I use poison volley when i think someone is going to use their healing skill, quickshot to evade, make some range or when i think a thief is going to hit me but GS #4 is betterfor that becasue it lasts longer and has better damage. crippling shot is nice to prevent your target from escaping and the bleeds your pet applies after them is a nice bonus the stun/daze on #5 is great aswell (free atatck /o/)

edit#2: Back to your last question, yes GS can carry out a good amount of damage and has alot of utilities i’ve hit some glassy peeps for over 6k with mauls and counterattacks.

naphack.9346:

imo, “Longbow and GS” and “not full zerker” don’t mix well.
With LB+GS, you want to be able to dish out huge damage spikes.

I don’t think you understand how EITHER of these weapons work right now then.

GS’s spike damage was only abusable (thus “Viable”) back around Beta.
And LB recently had a major 50% stealth nerf to Barrage’s damage.
Anet is personally trying to tell you… yes YOU, naphack.9346 … that these are CC/survival weapons.

Also: you may have seen a few “10k auto attack” posts around here… It’s safe to ignore those b/c “spike damage” is a joke when it’s on a 60+ second recharge and is easily avoided just by NOT STANDING STILL.

Kjeldoran.3849:

Thank you for answers… i think hunter’s comunity is the most polite and quick to answer

i just tried some builds in hearth of the mists… and i can say:
1) condition damage build… will be really strong (maybe better than necro’s)
2) i don’t like to play for conditions ( XD ) but maybe that would be my secondary set
3) Long Bow is really… wow… strong (stealth… massive vulnerability… and 5k+ with LB 2#) and of course i love “barrage” <3
4) ranger pet is stronger than i remembered… maybe, is the a build based on pet? (i don’t really like to depend from my pet… but would be a nice one)

so i tried some builds and the my favourite was the one based on Long Bow/Short Bow … the problem is that i didn’t find a good LB/SB build on internet and I had to create it alone… not sure if it was that good

here is a prototype of the build:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fMAQJATVnAVkFcgFKWgaZgYpYP9pzIT9nzg/MC-j0yAYrARigoCAJPosHRGbRtIasqFMVJguMpqzI7NKiWNA-w

ps: i really like those 1500 toughness togheter with 17.4k hp

can you help me to complete the build? or maybe, can you link an already optimized LB/SB build?

thank you

You devloped a very interessant Build. I rlly like how you managed to balance Output Damage and Toughness with Crit Damage, The Crit Chance still Low Tough. But hey Nice Work, I may even Change somethings and use it. Its a rlly nice Build to use Lb/Gs Weapons. Good Job Man.

I could link my build (also devloped after seen many builds) but u said you dont like depending on Condition Damage.

But hey if your Willing to check it here it is:

https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/ranger/New-PvE-Build-Kill-Master-Ranger/first#post2461914

Wiseman.4870:

You devloped a very interessant Build. I rlly like how you managed to balance Output Damage and Toughness with Crit Damage, The Crit Chance still Low Tough. But hey Nice Work, I may even Change somethings and use it. Its a rlly nice Build to use Lb/Gs Weapons. Good Job Man.

I could link my build (also devloped after seen many builds) but u said you dont like depending on Condition Damage.

But hey if your Willing to check it here it is:

https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/ranger/New-PvE-Build-Kill-Master-Ranger/first#post2461914

thank you man for build and feedback… and yes i’m considering to switch SB for GS that looks really interesting…

an interesting alternative would be to sobstitute rune of ranger for rune of ogre and get extra power and a stable +4% damage while losing a +5% crit damage (and changing “eagle eye” for spotter trait we get the same precision)…
i don’t really know what is better:

first build (eagle eye and rune of ranger):
+5% damage (always on, with longbow)
+300 range for LB skills
+5% damage (when you have a pet)
+8% crit damage

second build (with spotter and rune of ogre):
+150 aoe precision
+4% damage (always on, with every weapon)
+165 power
+3% crit damage
+chance to summod rock dog (o.O?)

according to http://gw2buildcraft.com/ the second one get 11 less Effective Power, 0.8 crit chance and 4% crit damage… so maybe isn’t a good exchange… what do you think?

PS: my actual build is http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fMAQJATVnAVkFcgFKWgaZgYpYP9pzIT9nzwQMC-j0yAYrARigoCAJPosHRGbRtIasqFMVJguMyqzk6NKiWNA-w

oh and here is a little optimized one:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fMAQJATFDZ25VCWg2Bili90nOjM1fODDxoT2g3SB-jkyAYrARigoCAZvFNmADaRtIasqFMVpgquMxejioVDA-w

a bit (really a bit) more offensive