Guild Wars 2

Hey guys, would appreciate some advice from the vets around here (pardon the pun.

Bit of a slow poke – tried most other classes (except for warrior & guardian), almost completed game with 80 MM necro (just 4 or 5 story quests to go…been lazy). Other classes were just a ‘looksee’ as my main & only love was the necro (in spite of all the ‘flaws’). Caveat: I am primarily a PvE soloer, still haven’t done a dungeon & I may like to try some WvW later on, but not a focus.

I picked up my sylvari ranger at 19th, where I left her, as per other classes I tried, just to finish starter & next zone. When I came back to just have a short bash following mesmer, elem & eng squishiness which left me with a bit of a ‘bleh’ feeling, it was either grind 800 gems for another slot to try guardian, or try the only class left that I was half-interested in: the ranger. My Charr thief was totally underwhelming for my play style, as I’m mainly a ‘kill from a distance with pets/minions & impunity’ type of player <G>

Ok, enough waffling. My ranger is primarily focused around canines & I want to make it a pet-centric build. I love snow & those areas, but my alpine wolf (Snowfang) was a bit ordinary, as I found out how much more survivable a tank the fern hound (Charlize was – just unbeatable imo with the regen skill.

I use longbow for max distance + axe/warhorn (again, axe for keeping at mid-range, horn for swiftness/mobility mainly.

I prefer signets for slot skills: healing spring, sig of the hunt/stone/wild, rampage as one (sometimes summon sylvari hound for fun).

I’m 46th now, traited up for 16 in marks (signet mastery) & 20 in beasts (master’s bond + commanding voice).

Ok, so keeping in mind that I want to keep my pet survivability/tankage as the #1 priority, and keeping my distance (no melee) as a close 2nd, any/all advice appreciated guys!

If pet survivability is no1 the drop the marks points and put 15 in nature magic pick the trait nature’s bounty wich increases regenereation by 33%, now you have long lasting regenerations that automatically transfers to your pet when using healing spring (not just the initial heal) same goes for all other boons you get like warhorn can be used from a much greater distance and still apply to the pet or up close where it will apply twice, then keep adding to the BM traits.

you have chosen good pets for your weapon set, as canines are arguably the most effective pet without any direct intervention from you ( this is because they have a 5s cripple, a knockdown & 1/4s auto attack speed ). since you are using longbow / axe, you will rarely be in close proximity to your pet, not to mention a lack of snares on those weapons ( still can use axe chill & barrage to help them ).

as manekk said, fortifying bond can be a strong choice for you since it will let you support your pet while he is out of range for so long. it is also great if you continue to use warhorn for the reasons he mentioned.

i would ditch master’s bond & replace it with compassion training, since you are using fern hound. bond does not stay when you petswap, so its effectiveness is negated by our own profession mechanic. and compassion training will help you as well if you eventually aim to run 30 in beastmastery.

10 points in skirmishing will get you +30% dmg on pet crits, its the most bang for your buck you can get regarding pet dmg traits.

above all, explore & find new ways to make your spec stronger to suit your playstyle. hopefully these few tidbits will help you on your way.

I almost never PvE anymore, all WvW, but I run 0 0 30 10 30

The BM tree obviously is the way to go if you’re focusing on pets. The Wolf is a great canine because of his passive skill KDs and his on command fear, which can be a life saver.

10 pts into the vitality tree to make your regens 30% longer, synergizes extremely well with fern hound.

I went the rest into cond dmg because of shared anguish and empathic bond. If you’re buffing the pet you might as well make it even more useful, this tree will let the pets take stuns for you and removes conditions passively.

I won’t comment on your weapon choices as it seems more like a pve build. WvW you almost have to run a one hand sword for the dodges.

Tx guys, will definitely try some of those ideas & other traits.