Guild Wars 2

Ok, so I’m pretty new to ranger, (level 20) and my goal is to be using a LB with maximum range and glasscannonness for damage in WvW.

I don’t intend to do much PvE other then levelling, and 0 dungeon/fractal content,

I would, however, like to here which traits you guys would recommend, I am already thinking 20/20 at the top for maximum LB range and increased damage/reduced recharge, but where would you guys put the last 30 points? (assuming once I’m level 80 and all)

Also, which runes/sigils would you recommend using? I am thinking something like perception stacks and building up to 25, then swapping to a force, or perhaps fire/air, and using something like scholar runes, but I’m really not sure,

I would appreciate the input, Thanks!

Once you hit lvl 80 and you want to stay glass cannon. I recommend few things.

30/20/20/0/0 u trait signets/longbow here and at the same time have some defense from dodge rolling and gaining protection. Use wilderness survival recharge faster trait, and other 1 is your option. reason for 20 in skirmishing is there’s nothing good for ur GM in there so ur last trait is to recharge SB/LB skills.

Although this is fun build to play because of dps its also very easy 2 die in it. My choice of weapons would be SB/SD or LB/GS.

With right runes and armor and trinkets you should be easily exceeding 105% critical damage with just 20 points in skirmishing. with all 30 your looking at about 125% with food.

If you want great survivability and good DPS in WvW and being able 2 kill almost anyone in 1v1 go with Condition damage builds I like to use Carrion gear and go with 30/0/30/10/0 using axe/torch and sword/dagger and signets all and trait em up. Your condition attacks with food last 70%+ longer and make your target just melt away and you have so many evades and survivability potential with entangle and signet of stone

You’re right that 20 Marks/20 Skirm is a good base for Longbow sniping. Eagle Eye is neat for catching people that are running away and Quick Draw is incredibly important to reduce the cooldown of Hunter’s Shot and Point Blank Shot, which are your key tools in maintaining 1000+ range.

Do yourself a favor and use your first Marksmanship trait for Malicious Training and pick up either Jungle Spider/Canyon Spider or Jungle Spider/Wolf. I know that the 10% damage boost is enticing, but you’ll be losing more damage than that without spiders spitting 5 second immobilizes all over the place, or a wolf casting 3 second aoe fear, keeping enemies away. It’s the best thing a longbow Ranger can do for themselves.

You get a lot of mileage out of Sigil of Air on a Longbow, it’s about like adding an extra shot to Rapid Fire every time you use it. Since you plan on using this bursty Zerker style, I feel like you’ll get more use out of it than Force.

I can’t tell you to not play Zerker Longbow, but it’s much more of a tactical sustain weapon than it is a burst weapon. It pairs really well with Sword/Dagger for this reason.

I’m finding quickdraw a bit less important these days with the LB#1 damage more evened out, however I like using my great sword a lot when closer anyway.

Take 30 into MS for sure, there are too many fantastic traits for you not too.

30 Skirm works for the stats it gives, and Moment of Clarity will be on some use (especially if using GS as your weapon swap), but not essential.

You can put 10 points into any of the other lines depending what you want really.

10 in WS is great for the survival skills CD reduction, if you’re using QZ / LR, and the endurance regen boost is always good.

If you take 10 in NM it will be for traiting spirits and then using frost spirit. Thats for really full DPS mode, although I find it a bit limiting myself.

10 in BM is handy for Mighty Swap, which will help you stack a little might and make your pet a bit more damaging if you’re using it to help your burst (which a cat certainly will, especially if you buff its crit damage in the skirmishing line).

So really.. I’d recommend going 30/20+/x/x/x, all depending which utilities you want and how you plan on using your pet.

You want to run Knight’s gear, 30/0/30/0/10. Focus on getting the right setup for yourself (berserker trinkets for more critical damage). Wield long bow + greatsword OR longbow + sword/axe. OR longbow + sword/torch. Use signet traits for might stacking, active effects of signets and for utilities I recommend muddy terrain / signet of stone / signet of renewal. Pet wise, you will use might on pet swap almost always, spiders are nice to keep due to the ranged support and root + AoE poison.

This is the most basic way to deal big damage and not get squashed like a bug in WvW using a longbow + other weapon set. Practice makes master and the ranger takes time to master (10 points for the rhyme).

Disclaimer: Do not run alone using this build unless you know what you are doing, I highly suggest running in a party until you’re capable of defending yourself.

Hi Natsu, cheers from mesmer land.
Hope you don’t mind my hijacking your thread as I have the exact same (and other) questions. Maybe this will spark more discussion and more ideas.

I’m also working on leveling a ranger to play in WvW. I’d like to also use longbow and greatsword (LOVE GS). I’ve theory-crafted this build with the purpose of being able to zerg and solo roam with a couple trait tweaks:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fMAQJATRjIVV2NW+Vs2Bi1j8Eo+0UwJLxUwfGdyrO0K-j0yA4rARfCUyrIas1zwWdjW5NIKGM9ZSVuCyujs6PQEBwMBA-w

I’ve not seen many ranger zerg builds as of yet. I know they’re out there but still researching so I’m sure this is nothing new. 30/20/20/0/0 seems like it fits well to me.

For example, for zergs I’m thinking predator’s instinct and then I can trait signets when roaming, etc. I’d probably switch out wilderness knowledge for something else when roaming (vigorous renewal maybe)? I was thinking owl for chill and swiftness when roaming and bear to help condition cleansing. Looks like spiders are most common for zerging. I’ve seen some options in the thread I really like as well. Oh, and decent protection/fury uptime with the build due to the boon duration I built in. Is that recommended?

I have another random question. I love idea of a ranger support. I know there are great healing options available, though I’m interested in a shout build, taking nature’s voice trait to share regen/swiftness, and maybe soldier’s runes. Is this a common choice in WvW? If this is too off-topic I can open another thread.

Kilger.5490:

I’m finding quickdraw a bit less important these days with the LB#1 damage more evened out, however I like using my great sword a lot when closer anyway.

I couldn’t disagree with this more. Quick Draw has nothing to do with increasing your damage output and everything to do with surviving via Hunter’s Shot and Point Blank Shot.

After having a look at all your suggestions, I have put This together,

30/20/20/0/0
ii,viii,x
iv,x
iv,x

healing spring, signet of the hunt, quickening zephyr, frost spirit, rampage as one

longbow/Greatsword
force/battle sigils
all berserker
spider pets
superior runes of the ranger

The plan will be to run around and maximum range longbow people, and swap to Greatsword if they get too close, and probably die =p (I will most likely be running with a couple of other people so less chance of them getting too close)

Cheers for the help guys!

Your pretty much describing how I play OP.. I’d recommend this 30/30 and the last 10 whichever will help you survive the most in WvW.

If your going to go full damage, you need to go full damage. There are a lot of complaints against this class that their damage is weak; most of the time it’s because they aren’t traiting or gearing themselves properly. The thing with the Ranger is, they don’t seem to do well when you mix up their builds.. IE, a glass cannon thats not in full berserker and doesn’t have 30/30 seems to suffer a big damage penalty. You need to go kittens to the wall with this.

The thing is, they don’t really have the utility to escape or to keep up with another class (in small group or solo situation) if you mix their builds up. If you go with a solo/roamer build, your golden. This build won’t really help you using a LB and in bigger groups. If your going part berserker with a mix of knights/soldiers like some like to do, you’ll find you’ll get beat far more in those situations than you’ll win. Then zerg play, well with your LB you won’t be in the fray so to speak, so there is no need to gear yourself for survivability. Even if you did, you’ll die quickly much like every other class in the front lines if they have any heavy hitting ranged classes on their side. I’ve killed bunker rangers off easily in a full damage spec, because despite the toughness and regeneration, they can’t handle a massive burst.

Also, ignore that you have a pet. Choose whatever pets to take with you that will help you survive better. Once you learn to stay alive, you may be surprised just how strong they are.

Cheers for the advice, I do plan to change to 30/30/x after getting used to playing properly with a slightly more survivable build (protection and 200 toughness etc)

I can’t wait until I level my ranger to 80 where the run really begins =p

30/20/20 is pretty solid in WvW.
Use Longbow + Greatsword (for Swoop)

Marksmanship:
Steady Focus(I), Piercing Arrows(VIII), Eagle Eye(X)

Skirmishing:
Sharpened Edges(II), Quick Draw(X)

Wilderness Survival:
Shared Anguish, Martial Mastery

Piercing Arrows and Eagle Eye are both a must-have in WvW for glass-cannon longbow. Don’t be tempted to replace either of them.

Martial Mastery is very useful for your Greatsword. It’s a noticeable difference how often you can use Swoop. Swoop is great for catching up to friendlies and for escaping, so you can’t get it off cooldown often enough. Counterattack is also useful to block ranged attacks while you are running away.

Now if you go do some PvE, this build allows you to drop Eagle Eye in favor of Signet of the Beastmaster, which is generally better outside of WvW.

I use 30/30/0/10/0 myself, because I’m going maximum glasscannon. The 1500 range piercing arrows generally allow me to stay safe for 99% of the time, but it takes experience to know how. I do miss the enhanced greatsword, but not often enough to be too bothered by it. I just go Moment of Clarity for Skirmishing 30, because the rest of the trait line is even worse. I use Concentration Training + Red Moa, but it’s very buggy, so I wouldn’t advise it. However, If I put Red Moa on passive and press F1 before F2, then I’ll get a much longer duration on my Fury, making it near permanent.

For utility skills I use:
Protect Me (with Brown Bear as backup pet)
Signet of Stone (activate together with Protect Me to become reliably invincible)
Signet of the Hunt (never go without it)

DeadlySynz.3471:

If your going to go full damage, you need to go full damage. There are a lot of complaints against this class that their damage is weak; most of the time it’s because they aren’t traiting or gearing themselves properly. The thing with the Ranger is, they don’t seem to do well when you mix up their builds.. IE, a glass cannon thats not in full berserker and doesn’t have 30/30 seems to suffer a big damage penalty. You need to go kittens to the wall with this.

The thing is, they don’t really have the utility to escape or to keep up with another class (in small group or solo situation) if you mix their builds up. If you go with a solo/roamer build, your golden. This build won’t really help you using a LB and in bigger groups. If your going part berserker with a mix of knights/soldiers like some like to do, you’ll find you’ll get beat far more in those situations than you’ll win. Then zerg play, well with your LB you won’t be in the fray so to speak, so there is no need to gear yourself for survivability. Even if you did, you’ll die quickly much like every other class in the front lines if they have any heavy hitting ranged classes on their side. I’ve killed bunker rangers off easily in a full damage spec, because despite the toughness and regeneration, they can’t handle a massive burst.

Also, ignore that you have a pet. Choose whatever pets to take with you that will help you survive better. Once you learn to stay alive, you may be surprised just how strong they are.

That is exactly what I have been finding lately. Trying to create builds that are supposed to be damage, yet I always seem to add a little defense wiggle room into it and the damage really suffers.

Always go with Sigil of Fire over Sigil of Lightning for WvW. Go Valk with Berserker trinkets. Use sigil of bloodlust instead of perception. Use greatsword as your off weapon for swoop escapes, defensive utility.

Have patience. Don’t try to rush toward the front to drop your uber barrage or crossfire. You’ll get blown up. Wait a good 3-5 seconds after initial push by enemy to use your cooldowns or you’ll likely get half HP or lower from retaliation and nothing else.

DeadlySynz.3471:

Your pretty much describing how I play OP.. I’d recommend this 30/30 and the last 10 whichever will help you survive the most in WvW.

If your going to go full damage, you need to go full damage. There are a lot of complaints against this class that their damage is weak; most of the time it’s because they aren’t traiting or gearing themselves properly. The thing with the Ranger is, they don’t seem to do well when you mix up their builds.. IE, a glass cannon thats not in full berserker and doesn’t have 30/30 seems to suffer a big damage penalty. You need to go kittens to the wall with this.

The thing is, they don’t really have the utility to escape or to keep up with another class (in small group or solo situation) if you mix their builds up. If you go with a solo/roamer build, your golden. This build won’t really help you using a LB and in bigger groups. If your going part berserker with a mix of knights/soldiers like some like to do, you’ll find you’ll get beat far more in those situations than you’ll win. Then zerg play, well with your LB you won’t be in the fray so to speak, so there is no need to gear yourself for survivability. Even if you did, you’ll die quickly much like every other class in the front lines if they have any heavy hitting ranged classes on their side. I’ve killed bunker rangers off easily in a full damage spec, because despite the toughness and regeneration, they can’t handle a massive burst.

Also, ignore that you have a pet. Choose whatever pets to take with you that will help you survive better. Once you learn to stay alive, you may be surprised just how strong they are.

I agree I run a 30/30/0/10/0 build with all zerker. With the sigil stack I get 80% crit chance with 110% crit damage with 3300 attack power. If I am going all out range from say a tower then I use double longbow with sigils of strength. Swapping gives me the extra fury for 100% crit chance and easily get 25 stacks of might. Trust me melting people is not a problem.

If you are going to fight from range mostly then not using double longbows will keep you from swapping and gaining the fury buff.

If you implement all that is available to be a true Ranger then it will work out well. However, I agree our pets pretty much blow and don’t consider them at all except for hopefully they will either cleanse a condition, root someone if they are stupid enough to stand still and etc. I use the protect me if I get caught by a melee, especially a thief. Then press the rapid fire with the “haste utility” (forgot the name)and wait for them to reappear dead.

I had no real success with condition or bunker builds. I have seen some that were great at it, but that is rare what I have seen. To me the whole point to playing a ranged class that has such an advantage of range is to keep them away and pick them off.

Unfortunately Anet made short bow useless in my opinion.

I would love the option to get rid of my pet for more fire power.

ILLSPAWN.5340:

I would love the option to get rid of my pet for more fire power.

If only Stow Pet persisted, and while the pet was stowed we got out damage back.

By the way, when standing on a castle wall and firing down, the Red Moa is handy for a fury buff, or the jungle stalker for might stacks.

Sevans.4619:

Kilger.5490:

I’m finding quickdraw a bit less important these days with the LB#1 damage more evened out, however I like using my great sword a lot when closer anyway.

I couldn’t disagree with this more. Quick Draw has nothing to do with increasing your damage output and everything to do with surviving via Hunter’s Shot and Point Blank Shot.

Quick draw did have a lot to do with increasing my longbow dps with more instances of rapid fire, but now it matters less, since the autoattack damage is normalized more at short/medium range with the patch. This is the point of what I was saying, and part of the appeal of the trait was lost, “for me”.

Dont worry, I understand your point. I did qualify what I was saying I like using my great sword, so please… come closer. But thats a bit tangental to what the OP needs to know about.

Kilger.5490:

Sevans.4619:

Kilger.5490:

I’m finding quickdraw a bit less important these days with the LB#1 damage more evened out, however I like using my great sword a lot when closer anyway.

I couldn’t disagree with this more. Quick Draw has nothing to do with increasing your damage output and everything to do with surviving via Hunter’s Shot and Point Blank Shot.

Quick draw did have a lot to do with increasing my longbow dps with more instances of rapid fire, but now it matters less, since the autoattack damage is normalized more at short/medium range with the patch. This is the point of what I was saying, and part of the appeal of the trait was lost, “for me”.

Dont worry, I understand your point. I did qualify what I was saying I like using my great sword, so please… come closer. But thats a bit tangental to what the OP needs to know about.

I get you, just saying Quick Draw is there to keep them at max range, where longbow really stings.

Next time I’m in JQ Borderlands, I’ll look you up and we’ll see how that greatsword of yours performs.

Personally I think this set up does great damage. I have been fooling around with it the last few days and most people melt. Especially since they have a timer in their head that they can hang around and deal damage to you and pull back after they do their rotation. I can’t count the number of times they die because they don’t bail in time.

I still need practice doing this for the main reason is I have been dabbling on the Warrior also. A condi build with LB+S/S. Obviously Warrior survivability is off the charts. So when I get on my Zerker Ranger I need to realize I need to be much more careful and pick my spots.

When you are sniping with the Ranger thieves are drawn to you like a magnet. Gotta keep your head on a swivel for sure since you go down very quickly.

do NOT go something like 30/30/10.
15 in wilderness survival are essential for protection on dodge.
You can go 30/25/15/0/0 or 30/20/20/0/0. The first one is more range-centric, with a bit more damage, the second one is a bit more defensive giving access to traits for your sidearm, which is either the greatsword(defensive sidearm) or sword+warhorn(aggressive sidearm). 30/15/25 could also be an option, tho I don’t have numbers on whether the 10% extra damage on the initial burst(same bonus as scholar runes) is worth the stat loss from not having the 5 in skirmishing. I don’t think, it is.

As for traits, steady focus is a must, the rest of the marksmanship line is up to your preference. There’s a ton of good traits in there, so pick any 2 and you are fine.
from wilderness survival, nothing beats the reduction in fall damage.

Runes: Runes of the Ranger. Don’t bother with scholars. Retal and siege will get you below 90% regardless, while ranger runes provide a permanent 5% boost.
Alternatively, just stuff ruby orbs in there.

About skills, muddy terrain is one of the best, if not the best skill, you can get. Having that on demand AoE immobilize just makes kiting and zerg fighting that much smoother.

Pets: Your best bet is probably a combination of devourer+dog. You can run the classic three tailed devourer and have an on demand knockdown in case someone wants to get close.

Natsu Dragneel.1625:

Ok, so I’m pretty new to ranger, (level 20) and my goal is to be using a LB with maximum range and glasscannonness for damage in WvW.

I don’t intend to do much PvE other then levelling, and 0 dungeon/fractal content,

I would, however, like to here which traits you guys would recommend, I am already thinking 20/20 at the top for maximum LB range and increased damage/reduced recharge, but where would you guys put the last 30 points? (assuming once I’m level 80 and all)

Also, which runes/sigils would you recommend using? I am thinking something like perception stacks and building up to 25, then swapping to a force, or perhaps fire/air, and using something like scholar runes, but I’m really not sure,

I would appreciate the input, Thanks!

Advice:

1. - play another class.
2. - if your not going to do dungeons or pve then why bother going glass? condi is meta everywhere outside of pve.
3. - dont hate me for been honest.

tan.9240:

Natsu Dragneel.1625:

Ok, so I’m pretty new to ranger, (level 20) and my goal is to be using a LB with maximum range and glasscannonness for damage in WvW.

I don’t intend to do much PvE other then levelling, and 0 dungeon/fractal content,

I would, however, like to here which traits you guys would recommend, I am already thinking 20/20 at the top for maximum LB range and increased damage/reduced recharge, but where would you guys put the last 30 points? (assuming once I’m level 80 and all)

Also, which runes/sigils would you recommend using? I am thinking something like perception stacks and building up to 25, then swapping to a force, or perhaps fire/air, and using something like scholar runes, but I’m really not sure,

I would appreciate the input, Thanks!

Advice:

1. - play another class.
2. - if your not going to do dungeons or pve then why bother going glass? condi is meta everywhere outside of pve.
3. - dont hate me for been honest.

Telling someone to quit before they even get started is just wrong and very bad advice, what if he turns out to be a pretty decent ranger in WvW? You can argue all you want about the profession, we all know it has its flaws but that by no means condone you not to be hated on for having a band ranger experience. So yeah enjoy some hate.

@ Tan,

1. I already have all the other classes at 80, and I want to play a ranger.
2. I’m not going to do dungeons and a lot of pve as I already have map completion twice, and a full ascended guardian for any/all pve/dungeons/fractals. I am going all glass because I like big numbers, and the max-range longbow intrigues me.
3. All I see if some bad advice telling me to quit before I have started, and that I can’t do what I want in wvw.

@ Everybody else, thanks for all the tips and such, I have a pretty good idea what I’m going to do when I hit 80 in a week or so =p

Natsu Dragneel.1625:

@ Tan,

1. I already have all the other classes at 80, and I want to play a ranger.
2. I’m not going to do dungeons and a lot of pve as I already have map completion twice, and a full ascended guardian for any/all pve/dungeons/fractals. I am going all glass because I like big numbers, and the max-range longbow intrigues me.
3. All I see if some bad advice telling me to quit before I have started, and that I can’t do what I want in wvw.

@ Everybody else, thanks for all the tips and such, I have a pretty good idea what I’m going to do when I hit 80 in a week or so =p

Just make sure that in trying Glass, don’t sacrifice too much in toughness or you will forever regret going full Glass. It’s just too hard to survive as a ranger in WvW without high toughness.

awge.3852:

Just make sure that in trying Glass, don’t sacrifice too much in toughness or you will forever regret going full Glass. It’s just too hard to survive as a ranger in WvW without high toughness.

I posted this build above in the thread:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fMAQJATRjIVV2NW+Vs2Bi1j8Eo+0UwJLxUwfGdyrO0K-j0yA4rARfCUyrIas1zwWdjW5NIKGM9ZSVuCyujs6PQEBwMBA-w

Couple questions on it. First, to your point, is there enough toughness there in your experience and second, is it smart to build in boon duration or better to go with ranger runes (or other option)?

naphack.9346:

do NOT go something like 30/30/10.
15 in wilderness survival are essential for protection on dodge.
You can go 30/25/15/0/0 or 30/20/20/0/0. The first one is more range-centric, with a bit more damage, the second one is a bit more defensive giving access to traits for your sidearm, which is either the greatsword(defensive sidearm) or sword+warhorn(aggressive sidearm). 30/15/25 could also be an option, tho I don’t have numbers on whether the 10% extra damage on the initial burst(same bonus as scholar runes) is worth the stat loss from not having the 5 in skirmishing. I don’t think, it is.

As for traits, steady focus is a must, the rest of the marksmanship line is up to your preference. There’s a ton of good traits in there, so pick any 2 and you are fine.
from wilderness survival, nothing beats the reduction in fall damage.

Runes: Runes of the Ranger. Don’t bother with scholars. Retal and siege will get you below 90% regardless, while ranger runes provide a permanent 5% boost.
Alternatively, just stuff ruby orbs in there.

About skills, muddy terrain is one of the best, if not the best skill, you can get. Having that on demand AoE immobilize just makes kiting and zerg fighting that much smoother.

Pets: Your best bet is probably a combination of devourer+dog. You can run the classic three tailed devourer and have an on demand knockdown in case someone wants to get close.

If you have problems kiting or like to melee some then he probably is right about going all glass is not good. Honestly I rarely die with my ranger unless I put myself in a situation where I can’t range them and kite. If I want in your face combat I feel othwr classes are better suited for that.