Hmmm, if you are going to use axe/longbow then use longbow as a starter because when mobs get close you do way less damage. You would benefit more by using a shortbow or a sword/anything if you only use your secondary weapon as a finisher.
Also note that you are using probably one of the weakest weapons combo we have, longbow does decent damage at max range, not so decent once you lose that range. And axe by itself is “imo” the most weak weapon for a power/prec build, it’s “ok” for condition builds.
Get a torch, and go for condition damage, and the trapper traits. With it combined with flame trap, you can keep flames on groups of enemies almost 24/7, which is equivalent to about 8 stacks of bleed.
I can’t say how strong it is in dungeons, but I know from experience that I could take on level 80 mobs at around level 70 with axe/torch sword/dagger. Flame/Spike Trap, and Protect Me.
Really depends on how you want to play but I do agree with Sleepy that you choose the worse weapon combination possible for a ranger. Both weapons are meant for CC imo and having 2 CC weapons doesnt help in damage. You need a set for damage and 1 for CC to be effective. I myself use shortbow for damage and greatsword for CC. Spec’ed right, I can use greatsword as dps also but at the moment, I’m using a Knight GS.
Sleepy is also right that you should start off with LB. LB fires too slow to be effective especially if you trait for piercing shot. Use it to whittle down enemies then switch to axe for AoE on mobs as you CC with traps and skill 3 for frost if solo enemy.
Also switch up pets depending on play style and weapon set. I myself use Fern hound for many reasons and River Drake. It fits perfect with my build and weapon set. Fern Hound has 3 abilities that makes my set shine,
1 – Regen F2 skill
2 – Knockdown/Interupt pet attack. It will use it 80% of the time when you swap to it and knockdown, and you’re in QZ with pet swap, more DPS.
3- Fire Aura with Fire combo field. Works well to add DPS/Burning AND even better with my GS’s Swoop combo effect adding 2 Fire Auras into a fight.
River drake is pure DPS and CC on its F2 skill. If you pop Rampage as one .and QZ, insane AoE Burst damage if controlled well.
He said he tells his bird to attack, so clearly he’s talking PVE… every ranger knows your pet would already be dead in WvW before you could give it commands
OP: The others are right, longbow as a finisher isn’t really it’s main purpose, it’s too slow to be an effective finisher(plus low damage at short range). Axes don’t hit very hard, but they are nice for the bounce damage and bleeds(condition damage).
I personally like the sword myself, it hits everything in melee range when you attack, and it’s a pretty solid finisher.
If you really like your axe, i’d recommend it as your 1st weapon, and have a sword/greatsword/shortbow as your 2nd if you are just using it to finish stuff off.
