IMPORTANT: This post is not a professional guide. I wrote this, hoping to spark new ideas, and helping you and me to make Ranger a better class to play
Just want to throw my current build out there for further discussions. I have ran as a Ranger in my entire GW2 life (405 days since beta), and changed my build countless times. I am testing this at the moment: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fMEQRBHPxG2IRVVdhlkFrlApLgpIROk3j0jWER/hSJj7KR2C-jwEBYfhGRECVEggAkyIQkIw5cYZPBJBKspRQlhBpOcas6aYaXIqXo6XwaYByebQz2cJFA-e
Summary:
The main focus of this build is to survive, support, but still deal reasonable amount of damage. My stat selection is a bit mixed; the three main focus are Toughness, Power, Precision (up to 40%), and the minor focus are Crit Damage, Vitality, Healing Power. My traits are 0/20/5/15/30.
Since a good portion of the equipment stats and traits go to survivability, in order to still deal an okay amount of damage, there is a huge focus on sustained Might for yourself and your pet. You get 30% extra boon duration, and Fortifying Bond buffs your pets. You still have to constantly call back your pet to avoid AoE or huge damage spikes from boss. The traits have a rather large focus on pets as well.
In this build, your Jaguar is 50% of your total damage. Meanwhile, Red Moa, Frost Spirit, Healing Spring, Axe #5 and Warhorn #5 provide the party support.
Weapons:
Axe/Axe
Axe #1 three hit chain is used to tag as many crap mob as possible and stack Power quickly via Superior Sigil of Bloodlust. It is also used in certain dangerous situations where it is impossible to maintain melee with boss. Axe #4 is great for pulling, and the damage is not bad. Axe #5 is a great projectile reflect skill, and it can also be used on combo fields to shoot out combo bolts.
Sword/Warhorn
This is my DPS weapon set, both Berserker stat. Once swapped into this, Superior Sigil of Battle will give 3 stacks of Might, and the Trait Furious Grip will pop Fury. I’ll usually pop Rampage as One and Quickening Zephyr, then summon birds with Warhorn #4 to quickly add Might, and finally burst with Sword #1. If your Moa is out, you can stack Fury as well. Sword #3 is perfect for dodging boss’AoE without creating DPS downtime, and Sword #2, pressing only once, can get you out of dangerous situations immediately. Warhorn #5 is perfect for party buff and blast heal for your party, or blast might if there’s a Flame Field.
Utility Skills
Frost Spirit – After trait buff, this will give about 7% damage boost, party-wide, throughout the fight.
Signet of Stone – A panic button for pets. Since you’ll want to keep pets up at most time, in emergencies where pet swap is cooling down, hit this to make your pet invincible for a whooping 6 seconds. When inactive, added toughness is always good for you and your pet’s survivability.
Quickening Zephyr – burst button.
I’m still in the progress of testing and refining it, constructive criticisms are welcomed!