Guild Wars 2

After playing around on some other profession and comparing them it came to my attention that the ranger weapon skills have odd damage synergy or more the lack there of. I have encountered that usually you can look at a profession’s weapons and go "That’s good for a condition build, but these are good for a power build’ but with the ranger 6 of the 9 non-aquatic weapons offer damaging conditions (7 of 11 with the aquatics included). Of the 3 non-condition damaging offering option are a two-handed weapon, and 2 offhand weapons.

I find myself carrying all the weapons I can use on my ranger and switching them around (like the pets I use) to make the best of a situation more so than just sticking with a primary set and trying to cover with the auxiliary set.

What about the rest of the community?

The good thing about ranger weapons is irrespective of what conditions a weapon provides, most of them are as good in power builds as they are condition builds.

Shortbow for examble is great in either it provides quick bleeds directly from your weapon and through your pet, adds poison and has movement mechanics too. However the damage strength of the auto-attack and its speed makes it perfectly viable in a power build as well.

Greatsword- ideally it is a power weapon, however Maul makes it a good excuse to carry it in a condition build. Given it functions best as a backup weapon for the block and Maul is a filler you use waiting for your weapon switch to cool off.

Axe- Mainhand works in both builds adequately (I am among the few that dislikes the weapon for its speed), offhand is specifically for a power build, it’s cooldowns makes it annoying though.

Longbow- Clearly a power weapon.

Sword- Can work in both with its 3 attack, however again best suited in a power build.

Underwater: I prefer spear gun though I’m in a power build, the 3, 4, 5 attacks are awesome.

And do not forget Sharpening Stone. It is under rated for its large cooldown, but can be used to inflict a lot of bleeds, specially if used with your secondary weapon.

It has a few bugs though.

http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Sharpening_Stone

Personally I run a power/pre/tough build with Greatsword as my primary weapon and Shortbow as my secondary using Feline, Drake, Devourer pets specifically, in PvP/WvW I pair a Feline with a Canine for the the knockdown and extra control.
Underwater I use Spear Gun exclusively.

I switch weapons and utilities outside of combat all the time—sometimes for fun and sometimes for necessity. I don’t find that I need to switch though. I just do for fun. Except a siege situation then it’s longbow no doubt.

Chopps.5047:

I switch weapons and utilities outside of combat all the time—sometimes for fun and sometimes for necessity. I don’t find that I need to switch though. I just do for fun. Except a siege situation then it’s longbow no doubt.

So you don’t find it necessary, except when you find it necessary? Just bustin’ your Chopps man.

I see everything (weapons, traits, utilities, pets) rangers have as containing a little bit of everything (DD, CD, CC, etc.) in different proportions. It’s a disadvantage in that you really have to find that special path through all of the confusion when making a build, but it’s an advantage in that you can layer a variety of effects to enhance or balance nearly any play style.

It’s weird compared to other professions because you are almost forced into being balanced and adaptable with the exception of the common/popular specs. It requires more personal skill to excel with a build that is 90% effective in all situations rather than 100% effective in a few. Probably why the extremes are so popular…