Guild Wars 2

So what do you guys think of Read The Wind trait? at first I was actually not even thinking of unlocking this but after trying out my Survival of the Fittest builds and hybrid Poison Master I needed to try this trait just to see if it really is worth it with others. AAAnnnndddd daaammmnnnn… so worth it, matter of fact I find this better than other traits, cause its pretty kitten ridiculously invincible in player’s eyes pair up with eagle eye and that minor trait that gives 10% bonus damage.

Or maybe Im just impressed because I set my self up that this trait is a fail from the beginning, but for those Rangers who like to take out an important enemy on the line, this trait is very helpful in doing that, take note though that this is single target so positioning is the key IMO. ANEt did a great job with the accuracy of this trait, I really think its worth the GM. Let me know what you other Rangers think experimenting with this.

I just wished that we had more options to hone into what the GM trait is all about,. In WvW, when you realize that yes I am hitting that guy from this far away and it’s accurate and wow I am not missing at all, you just want to do all you can to maximize your DPS. That’s the problem because ranger zerker is too big of a drop in survival for me. I want to be able to hit hard without being overtly squishy and this trait only adds to the zerker factor without contributing to the survival factor. I however wished that the poison master trait would give my first hit (like opening strike) a poison damage. I get that it is useful when your pet is onto your enemy, but the fact is that in large scale WvW that’s entirely up to the pet surviving the zerg’s damage or not, it can be quite a waste under non-roaming terms. Other than that, poison master is a great thing to try to do before you think an enemy will try to heal, that reduced healing factor effectiveness is pretty strong.

@awge you could always take a Sigil of Doom, that’ll allow you to do exactly what it is you’re wanting to do.

I’ve tested it and I can say that it isn’t the worst trait we’ve got but nothing gamechanging for LB Ranger.

Yes, if you’re at max range there’s now little possibility that your target will avoid the arrow but really..
Once they get closer than 900 this trait becomes a worthless choice. It doesn’t adress any of major issues of LB.
If it crippled when you hit someone below 1000 range for a short duration and on short CD, It’d make sense.

Otherwise, meh

This is what I’m running currently after the patch: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vMAQJATRjEq0xaLLGsQ1aAY9Yv++rVgT3DU9k0C2UB-z0yAYsARUAILQJPl1EogYpsIas6FM1Zk1rJVFD4TY0qBA-w

There are a few alternatives, like switching to dual spiders with malicious training, but not really necessary. Really, it depends whether you prefer melee/ranged pets and immobilize or a mixture of knockdown and immobilize.

Also, you can switch greatsword to sword/warhorn for like, fury overkill (with procs, you will never not have fury unless it’s stolen/ripped) or you can keep the Greatsword and just use RaO and watch your fury last forever as long as you are actively using Muddy Terrain and proc’ing your runeset.

With only about 30% crit damage, I was watching my PvP version of this build proc fire and air on a single autoattack and hit people for like 4-5k total damage. On an autoattack. On a tank version of the build for WvW that has more crit damage than that.

I think Read the Wind officially gives us the most accurate projectile in the game, and if not, then it definitely is at 1200 range and farther (this obviously doesn’t count beams and AoEs).

I really like it honestly! though it’d be super awesome if I could keep that, eagle eye, and piercing arrows :s I think i’d prefer if it were on the skirmishing tree.

jcbroe.4329:

This is what I’m running currently after the patch: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vMAQJATRjEq0xaLLGsQ1aAY9Yv++rVgT3DU9k0C2UB-z0yAYsARUAILQJPl1EogYpsIas6FM1Zk1rJVFD4TY0qBA-w

There are a few alternatives, like switching to dual spiders with malicious training, but not really necessary. Really, it depends whether you prefer melee/ranged pets and immobilize or a mixture of knockdown and immobilize.

Also, you can switch greatsword to sword/warhorn for like, fury overkill (with procs, you will never not have fury unless it’s stolen/ripped) or you can keep the Greatsword and just use RaO and watch your fury last forever as long as you are actively using Muddy Terrain and proc’ing your runeset.

With only about 30% crit damage, I was watching my PvP version of this build proc fire and air on a single autoattack and hit people for like 4-5k total damage. On an autoattack. On a tank version of the build for WvW that has more crit damage than that.

I think Read the Wind officially gives us the most accurate projectile in the game, and if not, then it definitely is at 1200 range and farther (this obviously doesn’t count beams and AoEs).

Almost the same as mine:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vMAQJATVnEqQLLWyCuCCVLGAWP2rPAaF409A1OB4ilaSC-ToAg0CnI4SxljLDXSuscNoYRB

Been running with double bows lately, LB to tear down then switch to SB to kite around. Never had a problem so far, most of the scenario I keep getting when running this is: LB auto> Quickening zephyr> Rapid fire (by this time you are still untouch and if its medium armor or lower they should be popping their heal just by this combo, stealthing or death shrouding) its pretty ridiculous despite me running double bows. For sigil I run Force on LB and Air. For SB I run Air and Fire.

JC! Im actually thinking of running Lightning Reflex, Spirit of Frost and Sic em just to get that GW1 Ranger feel back in the days.

Wish I could share all your enthusiasm. I wasn’t really that pleased with it. It didn’t take long for the shine to wear off and I found myself going back to Piercing and EE. I just don’t find juking and obstruction to be a real problem with the longbow for anything but duels (not even in small scale roaming).

If it were an adept or minor trait I’d use it. But I just don’t see it competing with the alternatives. Sorry to rain on the parade and all that

Atherakhia.4086:

Wish I could share all your enthusiasm. I wasn’t really that pleased with it. It didn’t take long for the shine to wear off and I found myself going back to Piercing and EE. I just don’t find juking and obstruction to be a real problem with the longbow for anything but duels (not even in small scale roaming).

If it were an adept or minor trait I’d use it. But I just don’t see it competing with the alternatives. Sorry to rain on the parade and all that

It’s more and more and more common the better the player you’re fighting is, as one of my friends put it, this is one of those traits that is significantly more useful at higher end play than at lower end.

I can say that fighting AGAINST RTW is significantly more difficult than fighting against someone with EE and PA, not to mention it makes your hunters shot and knock back shot (our two most important abilities on LB) very hard to miss regardless of the range which makes the weapon significantly stronger in any form of PvP.

Atherakhia.4086:

Wish I could share all your enthusiasm. I wasn’t really that pleased with it. It didn’t take long for the shine to wear off and I found myself going back to Piercing and EE. I just don’t find juking and obstruction to be a real problem with the longbow for anything but duels (not even in small scale roaming).

If it were an adept or minor trait I’d use it. But I just don’t see it competing with the alternatives. Sorry to rain on the parade and all that

I understand. I just like this type of gameplay so I run this type of build. But there are times where eagle eye and piercing arrow would be better than running read the wind, like AI crowded players for instance like an MM necro would be hard to deal with. Different game plays for sure, but so far I find it fun to use in a range v range situation and like people are saying not being able to dodge them is an increase in dps if youre running read the wind.

I burned myself out on WvW so hard during the first couple weeks of the tourney I can’t even bear to think about trying the new trait. Unlocking it was literally the first thing I did when I logged in after the update, but I’ll test it in like 3 weeks, haha.

AEFA.9035:

Atherakhia.4086:

Wish I could share all your enthusiasm. I wasn’t really that pleased with it. It didn’t take long for the shine to wear off and I found myself going back to Piercing and EE. I just don’t find juking and obstruction to be a real problem with the longbow for anything but duels (not even in small scale roaming).

If it were an adept or minor trait I’d use it. But I just don’t see it competing with the alternatives. Sorry to rain on the parade and all that

I understand. I just like this type of gameplay so I run this type of build. But there are times where eagle eye and piercing arrow would be better than running read the wind, like AI crowded players for instance like an MM necro would be hard to deal with. Different game plays for sure, but so far I find it fun to use in a range v range situation and like people are saying not being able to dodge them is an increase in dps if youre running read the wind.

Lol then you get scumbags like me who say “I don’t really NEED more range…” And take piercing arrows + RTW because nearly undodgeable arrows that go through everything is great.

I posted this in the bow sigil thread as well, RtW plus Sigil of Ice (2 seconds of chill on 10 second cooldown) is incredibly powerful. First trip out into WvW I won a 1 v 3 using only a longbow(!!).

RtW solves any long range accuracy problems with the instantaneous hits, and sigil of ice keeps people from moving towards you when combined with lots of normal ranger soft CC. LB may actually be more than a close range utility weapon now. Really excited about this.

Fluffball.8307:

I posted this in the bow sigil thread as well, RtW plus Sigil of Ice (2 seconds of chill on 10 second cooldown) is incredibly powerful. First trip out into WvW I won a 1 v 3 using only a longbow(!!).

RtW solves any long range accuracy problems with the instantaneous hits, and sigil of ice keeps people from moving towards you when combined with lots of normal ranger soft CC. LB may actually be more than a close range utility weapon now. Really excited about this.

Slap on a Sigil of chilling and grab a frost trap as well, use your Knock Back just as they’re about to clear to trap so you get Ice Bolt finisher + push them back into the trap and then hunters shot for another ice bolt finisher and reposition as your pet tears them to shreds as they crawl towards you….

Also, pro tip, if you drop frost trap in stealth they can neither hear nor see the animation so you can set it up very easily and effortlessly.

If you’re feeling especially kitteny I’d also consider taking malicious training + an Owl paired with either an arctic wolf, polar bear, or snow leopard.

I’ve done this pre patch (minus Sigil of chilling) and it worked beautifully, pair this with Runes of Ice and you’ve got +7% damage vs chilled targets + more chill duration and more chill.

Happy Hunting my frost archers!!

PS: no traits are needed for the frost trap to be useful as long as you positions yourself and the trap well and abuse the trap while it’s up.

TRICK: place the trap away from them (so they won’t trigger it) and then lure them to it when the trap is off CD and double trap them, works best with Trappers Expertise so you can throw it so it overlaps with the previous one so they have to run through both to get to you.

It should be added anyway as a bug fix. We need better for us “unparallelled archers.”

I think it’s a complete and utter joke. We were weak before the patch and needed a huge improvement, now we’re even weaker and need even MORE of an improvement! Come on A-net pay attention, wake up and sort the professions uot properly instead of accross the board nerf.

This trait should be PASSIVE as standard regardless of traits!!! The Longbow needs to fire as fast as the Shortbow does and we’ll be doing “ok” damage. Please remove the range bonus to long range please, max dmg point blank.

Then maybe I won’t get kicked out of dungeons for simply being a ranger that can’t stack because he wants to use a Longbow.

And pets, don’t even get me started on just how utterly useless they are! Let me dismiss my pet permantly please, it just gets in the way. Or better yet, make them fully immune to damage.

Rentapest.6503:

I think it’s a complete and utter joke. We were weak before the patch and needed a huge improvement, now we’re even weaker and need even MORE of an improvement! Come on A-net pay attention, wake up and sort the professions uot properly instead of accross the board nerf.

This trait should be PASSIVE as standard regardless of traits!!! The Longbow needs to fire as fast as the Shortbow does and we’ll be doing “ok” damage. Please remove the range bonus to long range please, max dmg point blank.

Then maybe I won’t get kicked out of dungeons for simply being a ranger that can’t stack because he wants to use a Longbow.

And pets, don’t even get me started on just how utterly useless they are! Let me dismiss my pet permantly please, it just gets in the way. Or better yet, make them fully immune to damage.

Ahhh i see that is indeed constructive and have such a positive vibe. You have contributed well in this topic

AEFA.9035:

Rentapest.6503:

blah blah i enjoy contributing negative feedback and mounds upon mounds of complaining in a thread that is aimed at positive feedback for a certain topic

Ahhh i see that is indeed constructive and have such a positive vibe. You have contributed well in this topic

edited rentapest’s post for more clarity and accuracy.

For me, I love Read the Wind. I no longer have to deal with the dreaded “Obstructed” stuff if I shoot at a moving target, all my arrows hit (except for reflects and blocks of course) and I feel my DPS is a lot better now that all my arrows connect.

An even better feeling is when a wvw opponent starts strafing back and forth as you shoot them, hoping that all your arrows will miss and kinda insulting you for having slow arrows, but instead ALL your arrows hit (because of RtW) and they end up downing or running away.

I forgoed Spotter for Read the Wind, and the extra few arrow hits is more than enough to compensate for the precision buff of Spotter.

i really like the faster projectiles! i hit my target 90% of the time now!!!

it’s very obvious, no tester/dev really play the ranger to test these “new” changes

I think this trait can be used the right way when you’re in a group that understands you’re the spotter, basically the enemy you’re onto is the enemy they need to kill. For example you keep a thief or two in your party, then a warrior and guardian for melee enemies. Using a high DPS + crit damage build you can bring down most foe’s health down to 50% from a good enough distance. Using predator’s instinct you can force cripple on them, adding superior sigil of hobbling for added cripple duration, as well as superior sigil of doom to hinder their health regen (using Poison Master trait), you could easily become the ‘this guy is going down put an end to him’ spotter for your team. Plus with constant crippling going the enemy’s way you help to pin them down for your team by accurately hitting them with Read the Wind.

Just an idea, would like to read some thoughts.

after about 8 hours of testing tonight, i have concluded that RTW makes LB extremely powerful. i will also say, hands down, when properly built LB rangers can now (post patch) snipe better than GS/shatter mesmers, and way outclass rifle zerker warriors. it’s a trait truly deserving of its grandmaster category.

reason it makes LB so deadly has nothing to do with DPS. it has to do with APPLIED dps. LB always had very good dps, it just whiffed all the time. RTW arrows now travel the same velocity as warrior rifle bullets, meaning they dont miss unless target is dodging. in addition, even without eagle eye, arrows easily hit at 1500 range (roughly) because they track the retreating target better due to their high velocity. you cant AA though, you have to spam #1 for that effect. this is not a bug, just the result of velocity buff and game physics. meaning things cant really get away. you have to send someone after the ranger, otherwise your team WILL get sniped gradually. this is why it’s a GM trait. if it was just a default value, people could pull off ridiculous things such as 0/30/10/30/0 and make up the power with runes, sigils and gear in wvw.

mistsim.2748:

after about 8 hours of testing tonight, i have concluded that RTW makes LB extremely powerful. i will also say, hands down, when properly built LB rangers can now (post patch) snipe better than GS/shatter mesmers, and way outclass rifle zerker warriors. it’s a trait truly deserving of its grandmaster category.

reason it makes LB so deadly has nothing to do with DPS. it has to do with APPLIED dps. LB always had very good dps, it just whiffed all the time. RTW arrows now travel the same velocity as warrior rifle bullets, meaning they dont miss unless target is dodging. in addition, even without eagle eye, arrows easily hit at 1500 range (roughly) because they track the retreating target better due to their high velocity. you cant AA though, you have to spam #1 for that effect. this is not a bug, just the result of velocity buff and game physics. meaning things cant really get away. you have to send someone after the ranger, otherwise your team WILL get sniped gradually. this is why it’s a GM trait. if it was just a default value, people could pull off ridiculous things such as 0/30/10/30/0 and make up the power with runes, sigils and gear in wvw.

Yet we still have Rangers who are not satisfied with Ranger changes. Try running RTW with Quickening Zephyr when you open up from 1800 units away, its hilarious.

mistsim.2748:

Yet we still have Rangers who are not satisfied with Ranger changes. Try running RTW with Quickening Zephyr when you open up from 1800 units away, its hilarious.

Is that also with Eagle Eye trait? I recall reading RTW is also increasing the range of LB attacks, if that is true I would assume that’s unintentional (bug) and will get patched.

Elenire.7306:

mistsim.2748:

Yet we still have Rangers who are not satisfied with Ranger changes. Try running RTW with Quickening Zephyr when you open up from 1800 units away, its hilarious.

Is that also with Eagle Eye trait? I recall reading RTW is also increasing the range of LB attacks, if that is true I would assume that’s unintentional (bug) and will get patched.

Heres the build that I use personally. Read The Wind for MM and Survival of Fittest.

Sigils are LB: Force; Air
Sword: Force Warhorn: Hydro

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vMAQNBjYD7kHRaZxSWwVFoaxAw6xe9BQrAnuHleKAXcyJTA-TgAg0CnI4SxljLDXSuscB

It makes it go beyond that 1500 max range, some people say it can hit up to 1800 units away in the forums. Just look for it I read it here somewhere but you have to be attacking manual to go beyond.

It just makes LB power build more viable while roaming. Still sucks in zerg especially VS organized team. Tried a couple of hours with my rangers, still killed myself many times when pop barrage or piecing RF on a group of melees (coz the retaliation). QZ + RTW are just killing myself quicker…. :-(

RTW is completely pointless for zerg fights, no one is going to be side stepping your arrows there. Take EE and PA if you want to be near a zerg. RTW is only for roaming.

AEFA.9035:

Elenire.7306:

mistsim.2748:

Yet we still have Rangers who are not satisfied with Ranger changes. Try running RTW with Quickening Zephyr when you open up from 1800 units away, its hilarious.

Is that also with Eagle Eye trait? I recall reading RTW is also increasing the range of LB attacks, if that is true I would assume that’s unintentional (bug) and will get patched.

Heres the build that I use personally. Read The Wind for MM and Survival of Fittest.

Sigils are LB: Force; Air
Sword: Force Warhorn: Hydro

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vMAQNBjYD7kHRaZxSWwVFoaxAw6xe9BQrAnuHleKAXcyJTA-TgAg0CnI4SxljLDXSuscB

It makes it go beyond that 1500 max range, some people say it can hit up to 1800 units away in the forums. Just look for it I read it here somewhere but you have to be attacking manual to go beyond.

I can vouche for this build being very effective in sPvP, it really kittening hurts….. REALLY BADLY…

I freaking love the trait, my dps has increased a ton. But this should not be a trait, we should not have to trait all the way into a line to make a certain weapon useful for its intended purpose which is long range shooting. That aside though i love it. Ended up winning a 1v6(all level 80) in the edge of the mists quite quickly by using the networks of bridges and small platforms to funnel the idiots. I am currently running 30/30/0/10/0 with full zerk, sigil of fire and accuracy, QS,the movement increase signet(completely forgot the name), lightning reflexes and rampage as one along with a wolf and fern hound.

With food i have a 76% crit chance and the sigil of fire doing a large amount of aoe regularly with its 50% chance on crit. Rampage as one brings me up to 96% with almost a 300% crit damage so im regularly hitting for 3-6k every half second or so just with auto attack from up to 1800.

They simply kept walking up the bridge at me so i sent my wolf down, feared them which knocked one of them off the edge, then put barrage down at the start of the bridge then just alternated between auto attack and #2 which hits for around 14k if everything hits. Ended up downing 3 of them with barrage/#2, knocked the mesmer off with #4 then whittled the guard down so by the time he got to me i switched to my GS and finished him off with maul.

One of the best things about this patch was the ability to put 2 sigils on the LB which can greatly increase the dps, then mix that with almost if not all of our shots hitting now the bow is fantastic compared to what it used to be.