Guild Wars 2

Hi! I’m new to the game and slowly drawing nearer to level 80 with my ranger, and everything my friends have told me about the Fractals of the Mists sounds really cool but unfortunately they don’t really play PvE so aren’t able to help with builds or anything.

I was given the link to the MetaBattle Wiki and am preparing to roll myself into the meta dungeon build for rangers on the site for, well, dungeons, but I wanted to know whether that build would also be applicable for Fractals – or if rangers are even desirable there at all? I did a quick google search but all I could find were posts from seven or eight months ago which pretty much stated rangers as being one of the worst classes to take into Fractals in terms of what they can bring to the team but as I understand it they have been buffed since then?

I wouldn’t be opposed to making another character with a different, more suitable class for Fractals if need be, but if I can do it all on my ranger that would be convenient!

Thanks for reading.

There’s nothing wrong with bringing Rangers (or any profession, really) into Fractals. All that matters is that you have decent gear (ideally Exotics+, but anything Masterwork and above will do), and that you know what to do in the different Fractals. If you’re completely new to Fractals, then I recommend visiting the Dungeons/Fractals forum and ask for a teacher. There are several forum vets there who are happy to show you the ropes.

Oh that’s a relief! I’ll be sure to check out that part of the forums and start reading up on the various fractal instances. Thanks!

That’s the build for fractals. I highly advise you also have a warhorn and greatsword in your inventory, and you’re golden. The guild KING put out a pretty good beginners guide to fractals on twitch, you can probably google it or find it on the dungeon forum.

Also this: http://gw2dungeons.net/

Even after watching some guides, you might want to start out using the greatsword as you learn fractals. Some of them can be pretty unforgiving. After you learn them, use the 1-handed sword as much as you are able.

Like in every other dungeon, if you don’t control your pet, you can easily ruin the run through having the pet keep mobs far away when the party wants to pull (Cliffside, dredge fractal boss…).

Also, at Jade Maw, no matter what you do, the pet will be a nuisance and make it longer by being an additional target for the ray. This is basically the encounter in the game that would single handedly justify a perma-stow option.

That said, Search and Rescue may be handy against Mai Trin if you’re running with people that can’t dodge the aoe. And Rampage as One is wonderful for the far spirit in the swamp (but of course, if your fellow partners fail the first time, then it’s on cooldown for a while).

Zaxares.5419:

…and that you know what to do in the different Fractals. …

Honestly, this is FAR more important than what class you bring.

That being said I run my Ranger and Guardian in lvl 49 and 50s depending on party composition, what fractal we’re in, and experience level of the party.

cafard.8953:

Also, at Jade Maw, no matter what you do, the pet will be a nuisance and make it longer by being an additional target for the ray. This is basically the encounter in the game that would single handedly justify a perma-stow option.

Not really, just swap your pet when it is targeted and the maw will change targets.

Wayfinder.8452:

cafard.8953:

Also, at Jade Maw, no matter what you do, the pet will be a nuisance and make it longer by being an additional target for the ray. This is basically the encounter in the game that would single handedly justify a perma-stow option.

Not really, just swap your pet when it is targeted and the maw will change targets.

Immediately? Good to know. I had the impression that it was just the same as dodging the shot, i.e. you have to wait until the next target marker pops up.

cafard.8953:

Wayfinder.8452:

cafard.8953:

Also, at Jade Maw, no matter what you do, the pet will be a nuisance and make it longer by being an additional target for the ray. This is basically the encounter in the game that would single handedly justify a perma-stow option.

Not really, just swap your pet when it is targeted and the maw will change targets.

Immediately? Good to know. I had the impression that it was just the same as dodging the shot, i.e. you have to wait until the next target marker pops up.

If you do it before the animation begins, its almost instant. If you wait for the animation to start its the same as dodging. Keep your pet alive, if you can for max swap and enjoy.

Wayfinder.8452:

cafard.8953:

Also, at Jade Maw, no matter what you do, the pet will be a nuisance and make it longer by being an additional target for the ray. This is basically the encounter in the game that would single handedly justify a perma-stow option.

Not really, just swap your pet when it is targeted and the maw will change targets.

Or go into the corner with a cryatal afk and stow pet while the rest of the team does the dirty work.

Travis the Terrible.4739:

Wayfinder.8452:

cafard.8953:

Also, at Jade Maw, no matter what you do, the pet will be a nuisance and make it longer by being an additional target for the ray. This is basically the encounter in the game that would single handedly justify a perma-stow option.

Not really, just swap your pet when it is targeted and the maw will change targets.

Or go into the corner with a cryatal afk and stow pet while the rest of the team does the dirty work.

Are we not there to have fun? Anyway, off topic.. kitten kitten

Thanks for all the advice guys. I’ll admit i’m a little tunnel-visioned in encounters and keep forgetting about the passive button with the pet – i’ll need to work it into my play better. I guess at the end of the day it’s about individual skill with a class, compared to the class itself being good or bad for x activity – which is really great to hear to be honest!

Fluffball.8307:

That’s the build for fractals. I highly advise you also have a warhorn and greatsword in your inventory, and you’re golden. The guild KING put out a pretty good beginners guide to fractals on twitch, you can probably google it or find it on the dungeon forum.

Also this: http://gw2dungeons.net/

Even after watching some guides, you might want to start out using the greatsword as you learn fractals. Some of them can be pretty unforgiving. After you learn them, use the 1-handed sword as much as you are able.

Thanks for that link! That’s incredibly useful <3 And the advice too. I’ve levelled with the greatsword and love that evade. With the 1h sword i’m still trying to get used to the leap on the auto attack though, in terms of using dodges and disengaging enemies.

Would mixing in some Assassins not be a bad idea when looking a that metabattle build ? Notice that it’s all zerker. Whats the crit %?

Incidnetally, with that build in meta-battle, how are you dealing with mobility (speed) an important aspect for dungeons at times, stability, and condition removal?

I suppose you could swap out the quickening zephyr for the signet that does condi’s…. and the zephyr gives you a stun break… but still doesn’t seem to be enough condi removal / speed. I ususally main an engineer so I’m a bit spoiled in carrying my Healing Turrent and EG around with speedy kits.

Really depends on which fractal you’re in, and sometimes which fight you’re about to get into, which utilities you’re gonna take. At least, it’s that way for me.

I ran fractals all the way up into the 40s as a LB/GS ranger. The only ones who ever complained were bad pugs who couldn’t even run whisps successfully.

I never made it to scale 50, mostly because I lacked the motivation to grind out 70 AR. Also, because bad pugs, and the fact that I never once saw a fractal weapon drop. It all just killed my desire to keep running fractals.