Guild Wars 2

I started WvW on my Ranger tonight using this build:
http://metabattle.com/wiki/Build:Ranger_-_Stealth_Trapper

PvP works OK considering I just started. The issue I’m having is that when flipping camps, my pets just keep dying. Is that just the way it is?

well 1 you dont have any shared regen boon for the pet so it doesn’t heal and only has protection on dodge to keep it alive.

troll ungent is only enough to prevent core dps damage with the addition of other Condis you can survive with evades / stealth but your pet can’t so below are some examples of how to help your pets survive.

though its perfectly normal , with that build I would use A Jaguar pet to f2 its stealth with you stealthing too the , Ranged Veterans shouldnt be too much of a issue as these act just like us apply CC and some vunrability too with a lb compairable damage of burst.

just taking a jaguar will increase its survival by a lot.
the second pet i’d suggest a High hp pet, like Wolf(mid), Drake(mid/high) , MoA (high) (choose your MoA to ether daze(pink one) or Grant Chill (blue) as the chill slows cooldowns even on npcs that will improve survival again with the MoAs high hp , it will last a long time before you have to swap.

drakes for tail swipe sick the drake on a npc pref a ranged npc to block shots and kd it down to lower damage.

other pets in this manner need some other source of boon support mostly from Shared boons , so in your build those other pets will likely die without the extra support of ether Regeneration or f2(daze/chill/kd’s).

hope this helps , just watch out for those pesky archers/thiefs.
not worried about the mages if there is one , sick your pet on them first while you kite dealing with the melee types.

It’s sort of the way it is, but thats a good thing, since your pet is dying and not you.

Next and mainly, keep your pet alive via pet swapping.

Finally, keep both pets alive via recalling them if there is no other choice and moving forward yourself. Taking aggro to save your pet will pay off when someone jumps you and you have a living pet.

I guess my prior build had me spoiled. I was running BM with cats in PvE, and my pets had more HP than me.

I hate, hate, HATE those scout NPCs that hit you with blind. On Mesmer and Ele, I focus them down first.

lujate.5432:

I hate, hate, HATE those scout NPCs that hit you with blind. On Mesmer and Ele, I focus them down first.

CC them out of the dark field and you’re good to go!

Wolf fear, LB4 etc.

I’m fairly new to ranger, but I’m using a fairly similar build for taking camps.

Here are a few suggestions:
- Swap vipers nest for ice trap – posioning them is more valuable than chill
- Always wait until camp supervisor has no righteous indignation
- Try to get guards to stack in a small area – usually you can draw them around a corner, building, etc – if that proves difficult for some reason, stand next to one of the scouts – all but one other scout will come to you
- Consider using drakes – they are more durable. Put a fire field down before the first attack (with flame trap or torch). Usually they will do tail whip and give you and them might. Use the drake special attack when opponents are stacked.
- Swap first drake after using special attack. Ideally have another fire field down. When you swap in the new drake, use troll unguent heal after a few seconds

Good luck!

Dogs are not really tank pets so they will have issues. Swapping to drakes is a great choice for taking camps thanks to their tankiness as well as cleave.

General pointers though are to remember to use you heal to help your pet, if needed. Remember to swap pet before it dies so you don’t get stuck on a long CD. If it looks like your pet is going to die before you can swap / heal it just call it back, it should lose agro to at least some of the NPCs and give you enough time to swap it out. Or you can just keep pet of passive till you have drawn the agro to yourself, and then send your pet in. This is usually what I do since it’s easier to move the NPCs where I want them if they are on me, and it tends to split their agro between myself and my pet which keeps up both alive.

On zerker ranger I keep pet on passive until I stack NPCs and then have it attack boss. When I start taking dmg I use SoS. I use healing spring and my bird will leap heal in it sometimes. If I think pet will die I swap to wolf unless the camp NPCs are on edge of dying. After NPCs dead and you ooc just stow pet and reactivate, no dead pet CD ;-)

LOS (line of sight) the npcs into a small area and use spider and confusion drake. Give yourself venom and apply poison to all with maul then switch to confusion drake apply confusion and dps them down with piercing arrows or GS.

If you are running power build aand you can’t dps before confusion drake is dead, there’s something wrong with your build or armor.

Same thing if you are running traps, LOS them to corner. Give yourself venom, apply poison with torch #5, use traps, switch to shortbow and use piercing arrows to dps them down. Again if you cannot kill them before your pet dies there’s something wrong with your armor or build.

If you don’t kill them all and your drake is dead, target the head supervisor and switch to spider. You will get the immobilize and you can kite it from there.

Also forget troll urgent, go with healing spring. With either sword #2 or GS #3 you can get 2 healing bursts each by leaping through water field and that will total healing and regen to greater than troll urgent.

I’ve played some more and taken in some 1v1 and 1v2’s. This build worked well for those and i don’t want to give that up to make camps easier.

I’m working on timing the recall pet. Unlike the swap, the recall can’t be done at the last minute.

Passive mode is a good idea. I’ll have to give that a shot.

lujate.5432:

I’ve played some more and taken in some 1v1 and 1v2’s. This build worked well for those and i don’t want to give that up to make camps easier.

I’m working on timing the recall pet. Unlike the swap, the recall can’t be done at the last minute.

Passive mode is a good idea. I’ll have to give that a shot.

Passive mode is not a good idea but the suggested default mode unless you are map completing and want to be a bit lazy.

About the pets, you can just switch them out when you are not in combat. If you want to keep pvp pets and make camp a bit easier, I suggest you keep 1 pvp pet and switch out 2nd for the poison or ice drake.

Ice drake is my suggested option because if you get ganked while killing the npcs you can aoe chill and use that super speed to escape.

For dungeons and PvE, I never had any issues keeping my pet on active. I know that other Rangers complain of their pets running off and aggroing things, but I never had that issue. I’ll be trying passive in WvW for sure.

I was thinking about replacing the hound with a drake all the time, but I think I’d miss the canine CC.

I put together a quick video of what it’s like to use drakes taking a camp. I try to point out a couple of the things I’ve learned so far.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F1StrrseE4&feature=youtu.be

The build I’m using is a variant of the one you linked. My build looks like this:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fNQQNAnfVjEq0ua3KmrQ1aABhYVQ73wW2RZbp8jR82D-TFyCABA8AAO+QAAo+gw3fwT1fm4MAkoSwsU+FAABwRP6RP6RPazcmzcmzcmFCYxaA-w

I know people use the canine pets really effectively, but I never really got the hang of using them well. For sure, when I take a camp, I don’t want them to run away. And it’s usually no problem to get them all to stay in the same area.

Against other players, the drakes seem to do fine for me. They are easy to manage. And it seems like with the Agility Training trait, they are able to keep up with most players.

Have fun!

eldenbri.1059:

I put together a quick video of what it’s like to use drakes taking a camp. I try to point out a couple of the things I’ve learned so far.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F1StrrseE4&feature=youtu.be

The build I’m using is a variant of the one you linked. My build looks like this:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fNQQNAnfVjEq0ua3KmrQ1aABhYVQ73wW2RZbp8jR82D-TFyCABA8AAO+QAAo+gw3fwT1fm4MAkoSwsU+FAABwRP6RP6RPazcmzcmzcmFCYxaA-w

I know people use the canine pets really effectively, but I never really got the hang of using them well. For sure, when I take a camp, I don’t want them to run away. And it’s usually no problem to get them all to stay in the same area.

Against other players, the drakes seem to do fine for me. They are easy to manage. And it seems like with the Agility Training trait, they are able to keep up with most players.

Have fun!

Nice camp cap, good idea though with the drake +trapper runes , you can always throw a trap away from the target , stealth swap pet to trigger KD on the drake Hug the drake so you can partly lure the target towards your stealthed location and KD them into the traps (if you get the angle of attack correct) or even plant 3 in a circle so ether way if the drake Kd’s into one or the other of the traps , its a good on point defence since Trapper rangers lack Stun breaks , i’d say its better than wolf because of the Aoe KD people cant circle you too easly.

Zenos Osgorma.2936:

eldenbri.1059:

I put together a quick video of what it’s like to use drakes taking a camp. I try to point out a couple of the things I’ve learned so far.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F1StrrseE4&feature=youtu.be

The build I’m using is a variant of the one you linked. My build looks like this:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fNQQNAnfVjEq0ua3KmrQ1aABhYVQ73wW2RZbp8jR82D-TFyCABA8AAO+QAAo+gw3fwT1fm4MAkoSwsU+FAABwRP6RP6RPazcmzcmzcmFCYxaA-w

I know people use the canine pets really effectively, but I never really got the hang of using them well. For sure, when I take a camp, I don’t want them to run away. And it’s usually no problem to get them all to stay in the same area.

Against other players, the drakes seem to do fine for me. They are easy to manage. And it seems like with the Agility Training trait, they are able to keep up with most players.

Have fun!

Nice camp cap, good idea though with the drake +trapper runes , you can always throw a trap away from the target , stealth swap pet to trigger KD on the drake Hug the drake so you can partly lure the target towards your stealthed location and KD them into the traps (if you get the angle of attack correct) or even plant 3 in a circle so ether way if the drake Kd’s into one or the other of the traps , its a good on point defence since Trapper rangers lack Stun breaks , i’d say its better than wolf because of the Aoe KD people cant circle you too easly.

Drake has a KD?

Nice eldenbri. I was most impressed by the fact it looked like you only got blinded once or twice.

Zenos, I don’t have a lot of experience with drakes (only use them to melee the worms in TA), but I don’t recall them having a knockdown.

There’s a fair bit of luck in not getting blinded. But if you kill everything in 30-40 seconds, there are only so many shots.

Drakes don’t have knockdown. But they do have tail whip. I try to have a fire field down before switching since the tail whip is not only AoE, but it’s also a blast finisher. And there’s another little benefit – it puts on weakness for 1 second.

Another little benefit of drakes that isn’t obvious – their bite and chomp attacks cleave. So if you can get a couple targets close together, the drake hits both.

I’ve seen other people use other pets really well, and I’ve only been playing ranger a couple of months. But I really like the drakes for roaming in WvW.

StickerHappy.8052:

Zenos Osgorma.2936:

eldenbri.1059:

I put together a quick video of what it’s like to use drakes taking a camp. I try to point out a couple of the things I’ve learned so far.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F1StrrseE4&feature=youtu.be

The build I’m using is a variant of the one you linked. My build looks like this:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fNQQNAnfVjEq0ua3KmrQ1aABhYVQ73wW2RZbp8jR82D-TFyCABA8AAO+QAAo+gw3fwT1fm4MAkoSwsU+FAABwRP6RP6RPazcmzcmzcmFCYxaA-w

I know people use the canine pets really effectively, but I never really got the hang of using them well. For sure, when I take a camp, I don’t want them to run away. And it’s usually no problem to get them all to stay in the same area.

Against other players, the drakes seem to do fine for me. They are easy to manage. And it seems like with the Agility Training trait, they are able to keep up with most players.

Have fun!

Nice camp cap, good idea though with the drake +trapper runes , you can always throw a trap away from the target , stealth swap pet to trigger KD on the drake Hug the drake so you can partly lure the target towards your stealthed location and KD them into the traps (if you get the angle of attack correct) or even plant 3 in a circle so ether way if the drake Kd’s into one or the other of the traps , its a good on point defence since Trapper rangers lack Stun breaks , i’d say its better than wolf because of the Aoe KD people cant circle you too easly.

Drake has a KD?

lol typo kb though i would of thought some of you would of noticed..

don’t forget you don’t need a KD to interrupt KB is enough to stop attacks, KDs should be used for control and for a trapper that is somthing you don;t want too much of , since it will lead to the target missing said pre-planted traps.

Zenos Osgorma.2936:

StickerHappy.8052:

Zenos Osgorma.2936:

eldenbri.1059:

I put together a quick video of what it’s like to use drakes taking a camp. I try to point out a couple of the things I’ve learned so far.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F1StrrseE4&feature=youtu.be

The build I’m using is a variant of the one you linked. My build looks like this:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fNQQNAnfVjEq0ua3KmrQ1aABhYVQ73wW2RZbp8jR82D-TFyCABA8AAO+QAAo+gw3fwT1fm4MAkoSwsU+FAABwRP6RP6RPazcmzcmzcmFCYxaA-w

I know people use the canine pets really effectively, but I never really got the hang of using them well. For sure, when I take a camp, I don’t want them to run away. And it’s usually no problem to get them all to stay in the same area.

Against other players, the drakes seem to do fine for me. They are easy to manage. And it seems like with the Agility Training trait, they are able to keep up with most players.

Have fun!

Nice camp cap, good idea though with the drake +trapper runes , you can always throw a trap away from the target , stealth swap pet to trigger KD on the drake Hug the drake so you can partly lure the target towards your stealthed location and KD them into the traps (if you get the angle of attack correct) or even plant 3 in a circle so ether way if the drake Kd’s into one or the other of the traps , its a good on point defence since Trapper rangers lack Stun breaks , i’d say its better than wolf because of the Aoe KD people cant circle you too easly.

Drake has a KD?

lol typo kb though i would of thought some of you would of noticed..

don’t forget you don’t need a KD to interrupt KB is enough to stop attacks, KDs should be used for control and for a trapper that is somthing you don;t want too much of , since it will lead to the target missing said pre-planted traps.

Wait it has a kb? Does the tail swipe has a kb?

StickerHappy.8052:

Zenos Osgorma.2936:

StickerHappy.8052:

Zenos Osgorma.2936:

eldenbri.1059:

I put together a quick video of what it’s like to use drakes taking a camp. I try to point out a couple of the things I’ve learned so far.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F1StrrseE4&feature=youtu.be

The build I’m using is a variant of the one you linked. My build looks like this:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fNQQNAnfVjEq0ua3KmrQ1aABhYVQ73wW2RZbp8jR82D-TFyCABA8AAO+QAAo+gw3fwT1fm4MAkoSwsU+FAABwRP6RP6RPazcmzcmzcmFCYxaA-w

I know people use the canine pets really effectively, but I never really got the hang of using them well. For sure, when I take a camp, I don’t want them to run away. And it’s usually no problem to get them all to stay in the same area.

Against other players, the drakes seem to do fine for me. They are easy to manage. And it seems like with the Agility Training trait, they are able to keep up with most players.

Have fun!

Nice camp cap, good idea though with the drake +trapper runes , you can always throw a trap away from the target , stealth swap pet to trigger KD on the drake Hug the drake so you can partly lure the target towards your stealthed location and KD them into the traps (if you get the angle of attack correct) or even plant 3 in a circle so ether way if the drake Kd’s into one or the other of the traps , its a good on point defence since Trapper rangers lack Stun breaks , i’d say its better than wolf because of the Aoe KD people cant circle you too easly.

Drake has a KD?

lol typo kb though i would of thought some of you would of noticed..

don’t forget you don’t need a KD to interrupt KB is enough to stop attacks, KDs should be used for control and for a trapper that is somthing you don;t want too much of , since it will lead to the target missing said pre-planted traps.

Wait it has a kb? Does the tail swipe has a kb?

doesn’kitten, or did that change? my brain fail sorry only blasts, note to self start using drakes again :p and less coffee.

I’ll just stick to topic;

2 drake pets is enough for a ranger to easily solo a fully upgraded camp + mercenaries (hylek/ogre/dredge) in 2 or 3 pulls, done before any of the guards respawn.

1 drake is enough for every other situation; those can even just be facetanked by a ranger without pets in under 1 minute.

I use wolf/spider or wolf/drake and don’t see any issues but it really depends on your build I guess. In WvW I’m running a trap/condie build with LB, axe, and torch.

Target a guard, lure them off to the side somewhere, whatever spot you like, gather up, entangle, move back, swap to LB, AOE, drop a trap or swap weapons, torce 5, axe attacks, drop another trap, etc.

Range guards first working through rest while saving super for last. I don’t really have any issues. Even if I swap to my pew pew zerk build it goes ok. I just start off with rampage as one, pew pew range guards, kite around until dead.

Zenos Osgorma.2936:

StickerHappy.8052:

Zenos Osgorma.2936:

StickerHappy.8052:

Zenos Osgorma.2936:

eldenbri.1059:

I put together a quick video of what it’s like to use drakes taking a camp. I try to point out a couple of the things I’ve learned so far.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F1StrrseE4&feature=youtu.be

The build I’m using is a variant of the one you linked. My build looks like this:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fNQQNAnfVjEq0ua3KmrQ1aABhYVQ73wW2RZbp8jR82D-TFyCABA8AAO+QAAo+gw3fwT1fm4MAkoSwsU+FAABwRP6RP6RPazcmzcmzcmFCYxaA-w

I know people use the canine pets really effectively, but I never really got the hang of using them well. For sure, when I take a camp, I don’t want them to run away. And it’s usually no problem to get them all to stay in the same area.

Against other players, the drakes seem to do fine for me. They are easy to manage. And it seems like with the Agility Training trait, they are able to keep up with most players.

Have fun!

Nice camp cap, good idea though with the drake +trapper runes , you can always throw a trap away from the target , stealth swap pet to trigger KD on the drake Hug the drake so you can partly lure the target towards your stealthed location and KD them into the traps (if you get the angle of attack correct) or even plant 3 in a circle so ether way if the drake Kd’s into one or the other of the traps , its a good on point defence since Trapper rangers lack Stun breaks , i’d say its better than wolf because of the Aoe KD people cant circle you too easly.

Drake has a KD?

lol typo kb though i would of thought some of you would of noticed..

don’t forget you don’t need a KD to interrupt KB is enough to stop attacks, KDs should be used for control and for a trapper that is somthing you don;t want too much of , since it will lead to the target missing said pre-planted traps.

Wait it has a kb? Does the tail swipe has a kb?

doesn’kitten, or did that change? my brain fail sorry only blasts, note to self start using drakes again :p and less coffee.

Fail. No more theory crafting for you.

The beauty of WvW roaming is that you can change your traits, utilities, heck, even your armor and weapons any time you want. Your build doesn’t have to stay unchanged everywhere you go. Adjust it depending on the situation you face.

A few tips:

1. Change pets for camps.

2. Stack NPC’s and use your heal at roughly 80% HP. Since you’re using Troll Unguent, it’s best to use it earlier rather than later.

3. Don’t send your pet in first. Personally, I find it best to keep my pet stowed any time I’m not in combat and I’ve made a habit out of doing so. Enter the camp with your pet stowed that way some of the NPC’s will attack you and some of them will attack your pet. It’s not a good idea to get comfortable with your pet being a meatshield. Your pet is there to help more ways than just soaking up damage.

4. Heal your pet! Just because you might have 100% health doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use your heal if your pet is dying. Your pet is an extension of you. Don’t let a part of you die.

I also roam as a melee trapper Ranger although I use a different variation of the meta. I find that with a drake and offhand warhorn you can melt NPC’s before you or your pet take significant damage. Drop a Flame Trap, swap to your drake so that it blasts the fire field for might, blast it again with warhorn, throw some more traps and proceed to spam axe #1 and 2. Your drake will cleave and your axe will ricochet. You’ll gain lots of might and NPC’s will die within seconds. Cinderella (my drake) and I are able to kill all NPC’s within only 25 – 30seconds. Over all, it takes about 40seconds to flip a camp. Roughly 30 to kill the NPC’s, 10 to capture the camp.