Guild Wars 2

Hi,

I am a bit new to Ranger at level 80 and am still working on grasping general concepts on the weapon choices for optimizing PvE and WvW.

They have the lowest auto-attack DPS. The weapon benefits are split by both power (#1) and cond. damage (#2). The issue is if I’m gearing for power, I’m definitely going to use Sword, GS, or even LB before picking Axe. If I’m gearing for cond damage, I’m definitely going to use SB + S/T or S/D before picking the axe. This is considering that every melee weapon cleaves and bows have AoE capabilities through piercing arrows, which lessens Ricochet’s main benefit.

So, I’d like to know under what circumstances do you use the axe.

Skyburst.4576:

Hi,

I am a bit new to Ranger at level 80 and am still working on grasping general concepts on the weapon choices for optimizing PvE and WvW.

They have the lowest auto-attack DPS. The weapon benefits are split by both power (#1) and cond. damage (#2). The issue is if I’m gearing for power, I’m definitely going to use Sword, GS, or even LB before picking Axe. If I’m gearing for cond damage, I’m definitely going to use SB + S/T or S/D before picking the axe. This is considering that every melee weapon cleaves and bows have AoE capabilities through piercing arrows, which lessens Ricochet’s main benefit.

So, I’d like to know under what circumstances do you use the axe.

Though Axe main hand is mostly condition. Axe auto attack on main hand is quite handy in PVE specially if youre clearing group of enemies. Thaumanova reactor fractals for example. I my self use all ranger weapon sets. But i run power ranger, usually my set up is sword/warhorn or axe depending on what im doing and longbow or short bow depending again on what im doing. If im in wvw i go sword/warhorn and longbow.

another use of axe in dungeon:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9WQTsXWwgw

At least axe is a great offhand weapon.

The autoattack is not quite as bad as it appears since it can hit several targets, or even hit the same target twice. I use a power ranger in PvP (not optimal, but I play it well ankitten ot stupid, [edit: no idea why this is bleeped out] so it evens out). I want a S/D most of the time, but I also want to have access to a warhorn and range. A/W is the only choice available, and it works well for team fights where I am near death and can’t heal up. Drop off the cap point and support teammates with the axe and warhorn from relative safety, and hopefully you can survive 8 seconds before you get back in to a more defensive and damaging S/D.

It’s also not bad for especially dangerous PvE like high level fractals. Again sometimes in those dangerous dungeons you need to drop back for a second and axe can be handy.

And as mentioned, axe offhand is excellent in the right situations.

The axe is a ranged cleave weapon. You can see how it differs from bows by bonus you can trait for it, honed axes (critical damage). The axe is best when its racking up critical hits. The other side of that is the bow bonus(cooldown reduction) encourages sitting on the same weapon for extended periods of time. The axe is meant to be swapped.

i like the main hand axe for blobbing situations to tag alot of things and get loot, and for lots of crit hits to proc companions might and sigil of fire/blood

I play solely axe/warhorn, dual axes. I geared them for crits, mainly because they seemed so otherwise mixed up, and the extra hits, as well as nr5 skill give more dice rolls for crits.

I run my axe with traps, the midrange of the weapon gives a nice ‘in-out’ option, that might well be comparable with the shortbow. Difference with the shortbow is that the axe is a bit more straight forward: no ‘hit from behind or the sides’ … which means you can keep a more of an ‘anchor’ point. Though due to the nature of gameplay you will still want to keep mobile a lot of times, if you value your uptime and reduce repair costs …

Still though, and I think that is the mix you want to get accustom to, the nr.4 skill on the axe ‘pulls’ foes to you, which can work incredible well combined with traps. Just make sure you have enough endurance to get away after doing so.

So main difference between axe and sb, the other midrange weapon, is the need to be moving to get the most out of it, due to the nr1. and nr5 skills with multiple hits, I personally geared it for crit. I myself combine the axe with traps, an in/out roll to place them, or a place/pull/roll out. The nr5 skill also works well in close proximity btw, hitting foes, while it defends from ranged attacks. And with a lot of hits its a crit- generator.

Obviously the axes can also be run with other skills, more passive, or with spirits. Both melee and ranged pets. Versatile and straight forward weapon(s), with a midrange semi-mobile movement need, due to it’s low condition and lowish damage output likely meant to be geared with crits.

Skyburst.4576:

Hi,

I am a bit new to Ranger at level 80 and am still working on grasping general concepts on the weapon choices for optimizing PvE and WvW.

They have the lowest auto-attack DPS. The weapon benefits are split by both power (#1) and cond. damage (#2). The issue is if I’m gearing for power, I’m definitely going to use Sword, GS, or even LB before picking Axe. If I’m gearing for cond damage, I’m definitely going to use SB + S/T or S/D before picking the axe. This is considering that every melee weapon cleaves and bows have AoE capabilities through piercing arrows, which lessens Ricochet’s main benefit.

So, I’d like to know under what circumstances do you use the axe.

The Axe is good for hitting multiple targets that are not in a line. The auto attack ricochet’s back and forth so you often hit more than twice. Splitblade at point blank range is a powerful spike if you have decent power and condition damage. Skill 3 adds ice and most importantly a long duration weakness to enemies. This is useful for softening the blow of some tough pve enemies that might otherwise one shot you and your teammates.

I find the best use is that you can hit enemies all around you while dodging though them as you can almost throw the axe backwards, initially, and then it will bounce anywhere a target is from there. So you can run and attack enemies all around you at the same time in close range. If you lead off with splitblade at point blank range, you can call it in a second time before switching back to other weapons set. This weapon has a natural synergy with bows as they will help you get in close for the initial attack or get out after the last one. In both cases you want to use it at point blank range.

Keep in mind conditions effects pass though targets, so if you put a bleeding sigil on the axe, you have a nice chance to paint a group of targets with bleed as the axes pass though them. If you are with a guardian or elementalist, you will be painting fire as well, which really boosts your damage output.