Guild Wars 2

Currently I’m running a power Longbow/Axe+Warhorn build for World content exploring etc. However as soon as I hit 100% Map completion I’m going to start focusing on doing dungeons and PvP. PvP at the moment you’re kinda pinholed into a trap based Condition Damage build I’ve already accepted.

But as for PvE Explorable Dungeons wise; generally what builds are accepted/very good.

I run full berseker’s shortbow build and works just fine so far, secondary weapon can be longbow or anything you like. I don’t really like condition builds because bleed stack is capped at 25 and some groups reach the cap quite fast.

I’ve tried GS, Axe, traps, condition builds and nothing compares with full berseker Shortbow, also longbow as secondary is ok coupled with QZ to throw a quick rapid fire + barrage every now and then.

I wouldn’t recommend full berseker. Tried it myself and you basically get 1 shot by pretty much everything which can get really frustrating. I’m currently running the same power/crit SB build but adding a good amount of toughness to the mix for extra survivability.

That depends on how you feel/play through dungeons, if you die a lot then yeah, stack vit or toughness.

ATM I’m really liking most berserkers with 1 or 2 Power/Vit/Thougness 42k pieces thrown in; I haven’t decided on my Rune yet; I’m considering Fighter but if I don’t need it Scholar seems like a fair option as well.

As for skills; QZ/Signet of Renewal/“Protect Me” Elite : Rampage as One.

I too like to run full berserker just for the damage output it brings and making sure to avoid/dodge and kite at the right moments. I’ve completed all explorable dungeon paths with the exception of 3 more for Arah (working on it).

Best advice I can give though is swap out jewelery (amulet, rings, accessories) to more Vit oriented ones if you’re running into survivability issues. I suggest these ones to swap, that way you don’t lose out on rune set bonuses on your armor.

Trait wise I tend to run: 30/20/15/0/5

Weapon 1: Shortbow with Superior Sigil of Strength
Weapon 2: Longbow with Superior Sigil of Perception

Rune set: Superior Rune of the Pack x6

Utility Skills: Healing Spring or Troll Unguent (depends on situation) Lightning Reflexes/QZ/Signet of Renewal/Entangle

For WvW i use full berserker with SB/LB. condition damage builds seem to be worthless on rangers because you have to be behind your target to make them bleed. that means they have to be running away and we all know you’re already dead when you’re running away.

In dungeons the condition damage build seems to work fine because you can find yourself a nice place behind the boss (I use TA gear with Prec/toughness/Cond DMG)
i use Signet of Stone for emergencies QZ for burst DMG and my 3rd slot is usualy sharpening stone for some extra bleed DMG and my elite skill is Entangle.

I’ve been running a lot of dungeons with my ranger using this DPS + combo field creator build. Here’s some pros and cons.

Pros

• Good single-target DPS against hard mobs and bosses in dungeon.
• Throwable traps + Healing spring let you place useful combo fields (fire, water, ice) on demand.
• Signet of Stone’s 6-second immune to attack and the elite Spirit of Nature is a nice oh-kitten button for the entire group.

Cons

• While good for burst survival, sustained damage from mobs is a problem.
• Lack of good direct aoe attacks can be problematic to some inanimate objects, such as the bugged burrows in AC.

Equipment

• Toughness/Power/Precision armor with 5 Runes of Fighter and a single Crest of Soldier
• Toughness/Power/Precision Axe and Warhorn with Fire and Accuracy sigil
• Precision/Power/Condition Damage shortbow with Blood sigil
• Power/Precision/Critical Damage Longbow with Force sigil
• Mixed jewelry

Final Stats

• Power > Precision > Toughness > Vitality
• 3200 Attack
• around +50% critical chance and +50% critical damage
• 2600~2700 Armor
• 16.6k HP

Traits

• Marksman Adept is a tough choice. Steady Focus is nice but in dungeons you have to dodge, a lot in many places.
• I think Marksman Master is the only trait worth changing around in the instance. The choice is between Eagle Eye (when using long bow) and Piercing Arrows.
• I admit Signet of Beastmaster is basically only useful for one skill (signet of stone), but that skill is kitten useful for keeping me alive.
• Skirmish line is straightforward. Needed for traps.
• I chose the last 10 points to split in Wildness Survival and Beastmastery as both minor traits are extremely useful in PvE.

How I play

• Know about each encounter to change utility skills. If it’s a boss, get more single target and survival skills. If it’s a group of dangerous melee mobs, get Frost Trap for control. Other useful skills include Search and Rescue, lightning reflex depend on situation.
• Shortbow is the main weapon. For multiple enemies, axe has better dps.
• Control distance between myself and mobs. Shortbow has good evasion skills, warhorn has aoe swiftness and single target chill.
• Use long bow when appropriate, such as taking down inanimate object at maximum distance where bleed from shortbow is useless.
• Use pets for their F2 skill and emergency meat shield. Swap them as often (and as smart) as possible for Quickness. Try to keep it alive by recalling and repositioning.

It’s kinda cool about this game, I have yet to find something that doesn’t work. I put away my shortbow after getting the 5000 kill achievement, and now I’m nearly done with longbow too. Gonna start on axes after that.

This also applies to traits and attributes, provided that you aren’t totally foolish with your matchups. I’ve tried both Berserker glass cannon and full Cleric with no real difference in difficulty.

I play a Greatsword and Axe/Warhorn primarily, and have had great success in Explroable Dungeons with my build.

Some specific things to remember about explorables are:
-dead characters deal no damage
-dropping to the downed state not only lower’s the damage of your allies who have to rally you, but can also put them in danger depending on the situation
-it’s important to support your allies more than simply doing “leet damage”

As a general rule, I don’t recommend doing Explorables in full glass cannon gear, whether it’s Berserker or Rampagers.

Knights, Carrion, Valkyrie and the luxurious Power/Toughness/Vitality set are all good sets for dungeons depending on your weapon sets, class, and traits.

If what I’m saying is making sense, and you like the idea of, not only using a using a Ranger as a durable Team-Supporter in Explorables, but also while using a Greatsword and being awesome, check out my guide for more in-depth analysis.

http://www.guildwars2guru.com/topic/66729-how-to-be-a-great-greatsword-ranger/