Guild Wars 2

Hello folks!

I should first probably state that I know little about your class but in getting back into GW2, I’ve noticed that most of the battles in WvW tend to be more of zerg format where larger numbers on either side fight against each other and then move to the next point. From that point of view, isn’t the best class in ranged combat always going to be the most effective?

My main character is a duelist Mesmer using GS & S/P and while I do well in WvW, most of my damage is single target related with a few AoE abilities. My Zerger Guardian does great for taking points but when attacking a large group, it almost feels like I have this HUGE target over my head that reads “kill this guy first!” I enjoy both of my characters but I’ve really been struggling if I should try out the Ranger or not.

From what I’ve seen, the SB/GS Rangers that change over to LB during a large battle tend to just rain down hell on groups of players and should someone get through the line, they change over to the SB and gun them down. I don’t have much knowledge on how they do in 1v1 as I’ve never really had much trouble with them on my Mesmer but with how WvW is these days, is your class really the most effective?

The other night, I took my level 15 Ranger into WvW for a couple of hours and by just trying to provide ranged support for my team, I was amazed on how many badges I picked up. Is this typically what you all expect?

Anyways, I’d really like to hear from you all on what you think about your class in WvW. Right now I’ve been dinking around with a few alts trying to find one that I can stick with and really enjoy. The Mesmer is a keeper for me but as for the rest, who knows.

Thanks!

Break out the Anti depressants before the regulars start replying. = )

Kamata is correct in that a Glamour mesmer is quite powerful in WvW … though this is only due to there being an abundance of people too stupid to understand the confusion condition.

I have mained Mesmer since beta, but am now enjoying the heck out of my Ranger as well.

Mesmer has several unique things that make it quite useful. Large amounts of AOE is not one of them, but, if you look at the weapons and traits a bit more, you can figure out how to accomplish this.

Mesmer has the ability to control several things in fights. Boons/Conditions (null field), projectiles (feedback and/or traited focus), positioning (portal), targeting (illusions, mass invis, and/or veil). It is quite a powerful class. However, it does have to focus on one or more things to do well or you’re just going to fail. Listen to the Mesmerized podcasts. They are a good source of information.

Ranger has its own wonderful things that it brings to the battle and I’m still learning even more tricks as I play it more and more with a very organized WvW group busting zergs 2 to 3 times our size.

• A Ranger can attack siege without putting their self at risk (<3 pet)
• A Ranger can keep one player down while fighting another (<3 pet)
• A Ranger can crowd control front, middle, and back line of a zerg simultaneously (add more rangers for even better effect)
  • Traps, Muddy Terrain, Barrage, Pet, etc.
• A Ranger can be built to be extremely tanky while still able to dole out some solid damage … even better when pet is able to hit the target (then it’s simply sick).
• Entangle is awesome. Combine that with your party using conditions and stuns/dazes and your opponent’s can’t do anything even if they are pro as they have too many different kinds of crowd control to deal with.
• Healing Spring is the best water combo field in the game, with the highest up-time, and the best friend of an organized group
  • Blast finishers in it heal up the group … makes you love shortbow thieves!
• A Ranger can be extremely mobile. If you go all out melee, you’re just as mobile as the dagger+dagger ele or greatsword/sword+horn warrior … and you have a pet to help you get people off your back if they do manage to catch up to you.

I think some of the biggest mistakes people are making is trying to sit back as an archer. I spent most of last night charging into zergs with 9 other people and taking down groups of 20+. It was wonderful and my pet usually stayed alive (though I’m not sure why he does better with me in the middle of it than with me shooting from range, lol)