Guild Wars 2

I am currently playing sword/dagger in WvW and finding it a blast. To my mind it is like a thief or rogue, without the cheesiness of stealth.

However, it appears that the Ranger has exactly one gap-closer: the #3 skill on the Greatsword. Consequently I find it very difficult to get close enough to ranged classes to actually use the s/d.

I also have axe/warhorn equipped, which helps with swiftness. I am also using Survival mostly for utilities. But this doesn’t seem to be enough to close the gap.

Any advice on how to get close to ranged classes while using s/d as the main combo?

Using Muddy terrain, cripple from dagger, stun/cripple/kd from pets should be a viable way for closing the gaps.
Using the Jungle Spider that has Entangling Web and Paralyzing Venom is a good choice for you if you want to fight melee agains fleeing opponents.

Detargeting, 180 sword 2 then 180 retarget sword 2 again will close quite a gap. Takes a little practice to pull off though.

Try playing Greatsword and S/D.

I use Sword+Dagger defensively, or rather when they come to me – and they often do. I use a Shortbow to hit them from afar

I love the Sword and Dagger combo a lot, too. Kudos to you for wanting to main it! Perhaps instead of thinking about a gap closer, you consider a Shortbow (or even a Longbow) as a means of DPS while you close in with a sword.

If they get away, swap back to your Shortbow and hit them from behind. If they’re fleeing, you have a clear shot at the back of their heads and you’ll apply Crossfire’s bleed effect with ease!

Otherwise, Greatsword.

I use shortbow and sword/dagger and I feel like a thief too! Use the Master Wilderness Survival Off-Hand Training trait and that will increase #5 crippling talon to 1200. Combined with shortbot #4 crippling shot, you always have a 1200 range cripple to help close the gap.

But don’t forget we are rangers, use your pet to slow them. Loads of options here. I personally like the Owl, with Malicious Training, its about a 6-8 second chill!

Many thanks for these pointers.

I switched out my pets for the Krytan Drakehound and the Wolf, for the knockbacks and cripples. I also changed out axe/warhorn for shortbow.

So far it’s made a great difference. It’s not a straight gap-closer, but it’s a lot more fun. I can usually approach people with a combination of SB pressure and slows and knocks. The SB helps escape when things go wrong in melee range.

It’s been a blast in WvW.

How do you all pull sword off so well? I can’t dodge for crap when using sword due to the chain and it gets me in a heap of trouble.

s/d is a completely defensive setup. 3 evades, that’s all it’s good for. i see no reason to use s/d in wvw. it’s good in bunkering setups and smaller engagements. generally, it goes something like:

offensive power builds: GS, LB
condition: axe/torch, or axe/dagger, + SB
bunkering: GS/S/D

bunkering in wvw is kind of pointless (as is dueling to an extent), therefore s/d is of limited use.

Greatsword is even easier to kite than mainhand sword; what are people thinking? You have the entirely avoidable swoop and a longwinded sword throw that can also be easily dodged.

With the mainhand sword, you get double pounce, plus your autoattack chain keeps you on the target even should they snare you.

hm? GS is a utility weapon used to escaping, negating burst, or finishing someone off. sword…there’s just no reason to equip it unless youre bunkering.