Guild Wars 2

I like the Greatsword. Probably my favorite Ranger weapon. In fact, it inspires me to trait into Wilderness Survival so that I can get the faster recharge on the GS skills.

But I’m not sure if that is really the best build. I’ve hit the level cap and I’d like to start running more dungeons and fractals. It seems fractals are the “end game” instances, so I need to get myself set up for them.

Is there a solid build around GS as a main that will let me hold my own in a fractal group?

When I read so much hate to rangers in groups, I tried rolling a warrior, but I really like the feel of the Ranger. So I’d like to make a good name for Rangers in Fractal instances. I’m not a LB/Bear player at all. Currently, I use a lot of traps. Since I’m jumping in with GS and sometimes using something like SB get out when needed, I’ll drop a couple traps to get some good conditions going. Seems to work really well in open world PvE.

Anyway. Thanks for the help.

GS is only useful if u can´t play the mainhand sword (PvE).

Thanks to all WvsW Zerg players…stupid evade for Zerg´s but still crappy dps in PvP, PvE and WvsW roaming.
Build? This is should do the job at best.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fMAQNBhYD7EoiqgjswqCWLDELF7Z/cGJ6QeGlyTA-j0xAYfBZyCMVIQJvioxWcLiGruGT5SEVDA-w

2 stacksigils are usually on a second (for stacking only) weaponset.
Axe is usefull if u want to reflect something. Keep 1 in your bag (it´s good for stacking too).

I didn´t do the math for fire vs 5% dmg on GS. Possibel Fire can be better because GS dps is low.
There is another “viable” build with 30 points in marksman, but i don´t recommand it because the benefit is small and only for trashmobs (20/25/0/25 is stronger vs bosses).

GS is only useful/needed in a few dungeons.

Fractals is a different story, there’s a lot of fights there where the delay before the evades on the sword will get you killed, so you have to gs.

20/25/0/25 full zerk with scholar runes is the best fractal build, but if you’re still learning I suggest 20/0/25/25 and runes of the ranger.

Your dps drops some, but the 20% cd helps you spike/vuln/block more with the gs, and you can evade more often with the sword, which makes it easier to learn. You also get access to more vigor

You can switch to the big boy build when you’re comfortable with the sword which will take a few weeks.

P.S. If you’re doing fractals bring /all/ the weapons. Both bows, both swords, two axes, horn, torch, dagger. Also you better like fighting underwater.

I’ve been running GS/LB in dungeons, and 30s fractals for several months. This is the build I use:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fMAQJARTjEVV1FWCWsWCi1DCt/B1FwZwfG5KUqUuzJe6F-jQxAklhol8KiGbboIas6aMlLRUNA-e

One of the key differences between what I’ve been using and the 20/25/0/25/0 builds the others have been posting is that I have 30 in Marks for Signet of the Beastmaster. That way I can bring Signet of Stone for a 6 second invulnerability to use as a panic button. (Also good if someone goes down at the boss’ feet and you have to res them.)

Certainly, my build is not optimal by any means. As people will tell you, mainhand sword gives better DPS and DPS is king in PvE. It’s not an optimal DPS build for greatsword, either — running 20/25/0/25/0 like what the others suggest will certainly give you better DPS. I’ve mostly stuck with SotBM/SoS to help keep myself alive. I’ve definitely been considering switching to 20/25/0/25/0, especially given that Two-Handed Training was buffed in yesterday’s patch.