Guild Wars 2

Hey all – I posted about a month ago with a Shortbow/Axe & Torch pvp build. I’ve changed a few things up and am having good success, just wanted to share the updates and some gameplay…

Condition Trap PVP Ranger Video Update

Build – http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fNAQNAV3YjMq0ua3KmrQ1aABhaVA0+FS2WgkittenBbQBnqA-TpRHABJVGgsLAgAHEAAOCAhs/QwPAAA

Changes
*Off hand dagger (instead of Torch)
*Optional: Sword instead of MH Axe – personal preference
*Changed a couple Sigils
*Changed 2nd Pet (Wolf and Alpine Wolf… Wolf is a must, alpine wolf could be jungle spider, drake, etc)
*Optional: 3rd Trap vs. Signet of Renewal (if playing condition-heavy team)
*Optional: Entangle vs. Rampage as One

It’s a pretty strong 1v1 build, and can definitely be tuned to be more offensive or defensive. I deviate toward the offensive, as it suits my playstyle. Great for holding points, especially if you can lay traps ahead of time, likewise if using Treb or Cannon. There is a solid combination of conditions, good toughness, a stun/daze, a fear, at least 2 evades (4 if using sword), good passive condi removal, poor/fair active condi removal from healing spring (if you need more active condi removal, replace Viper’s Nest or Spike Trap for Signet of Renewal), some CC, and decent downed play if you can utilize the wolf F2 to buy yourself a few precious seconds.

Please enjoy the video. I’m no pro player, but I think it’s a solid PvP build. Constructive feedback please, Thanks!

This is almost identical to my trapper build for SPvP. Though I use sword/dagger as my offhand for a little more evasion. I might swap dagger for torch every now and again for more burning, though.

I also use a jungle spider/marsh drake combo for my pets, but that’s because I use Frost Trap over Snake Trap. That chill really makes a difference when fighting elementalists. And I use Hide in Plain Sight over Off-hand Training mostly because I find myself using my dagger skills fairly rarely, and I find the disappearing act to be a good way of throwing enemies off their game. Especially when it procs along with Shared Anguish, which basically turns your opponent’s attempt to crowd control you into free stealth.

The best part of this build, though, is no one expects it anymore. Last night I won four games in a row because enemy rangers kept trying to pick me off and the enemy kept wasting their time trying to focus me down, taking pressure off my teammates who actually are squishy. Then most enemies will immediately try to take cover when they see you giving you time to throw down your traps.

One enemy ranger gave me a solid 3-4 seconds of shooting him in the back with my shortbow because he activated Signet of Stone and thought he wasn’t taking damage. By the time he realized I was loading him up with bleeds it was too late.

I also beat a dagger elementalist three times in a row because Frost Trap kept ruining his rotation and my constant poison application was killing his healing potency. Hitting him with Entangle right after he left water attunement was the clincher though. Sadly I never got the stomp. He always disengaged and this build has almost no ability to pursue. Doesn’t matter since the point was mine.

Just finished watching your video. I just wanted to say I love you for your choice in music, it was fitting and hilarious.

Ironically enough that is the build I run in WvW. Well, almost. I take wilderness knowledge. Instead of snake I think I run flame, spike, and frost. Of course trapper runes instead of krait

Works well with LB or shortbow. Depending on if I’m solo or with something.

Seems like a Gladomer similar build. Although his build is NOT trap based. Still very Condi heavy. He uses Axe/Torch and Sword/Dagger. Here is Gladomers build: http://en.gw2skills.net/editor/?fNMQRAnY8fjEqUzaLL+rQ1aABhaVA0uGu3Ww9QcDfdFrkC-TRiAABJ8AA6Z/hE1PAwBB4U1f44IAIpSwKOBAip8LAACwMLzysMDO6RP6RP6RbmzcmzcmzsUAwMNC-e

I was looking to do a SB variant. I am not used to jumping in peoples faces as a Ranger. I will modify yours a bit to my liking. Thanks for the cool video man!

Ehecatl.9172:

Just finished watching your video. I just wanted to say I love you for your choice in music, it was fitting and hilarious.

Thanks and glad to hear of your success! It is a fun build because it is generally unexpected; I have the “Aether” Shortbow, which looks like a longbow, so people generally assume I’m a power ranger. I’m also surprised by how many people attack my pets – I guess once they figure out I’m not a power Ranger, they assume beastmaster…? Either way is fine with me lol – yes I should try the sword/torch combo, and maybe replace the flame trap with a signet.

Thanks for the comment on the music! If you get the chance, check out my other 2 recent Ranger videos on YouTube, you might like them as well. I did go to great lengths in the 2nd song to sync stomps with the music

Corneilius.3761:

Seems like a Gladomer similar build. Although his build is NOT trap based. Still very Condi heavy. He uses Axe/Torch and Sword/Dagger. Here is Gladomers build: http://en.gw2skills.net/editor/?fNMQRAnY8fjEqUzaLL+rQ1aABhaVA0uGu3Ww9QcDfdFrkC-TRiAABJ8AA6Z/hE1PAwBB4U1f44IAIpSwKOBAip8LAACwMLzysMDO6RP6RP6RbmzcmzcmzsUAwMNC-e

I was looking to do a SB variant. I am not used to jumping in peoples faces as a Ranger. I will modify yours a bit to my liking. Thanks for the cool video man!

You’re welcome, and like you I like the shortbow as well – mostly for the strong autoattack/bleed pressure, and the interrupt. I wouldn’t say I like to fight in close on everybody though- just power rangers. I also like to let thieves come to me, as the traps really hurt them badly. Ideally I like the 500-900 range when possible.

Recently at PAX East I got to speak with R_O_M from the team Orange Logo (EU team that won the big tournament), as he runs Warrior/Ranger. One of the first things he mentioned is how strong Survival of the Fittest is right now, so yes Gladomir’s build sounds quite effective!

I hope you can post back here once you’ve found your perfect build and let us know how your final build turned out!