Guild Wars 2

Last few days i’ve seen a hand full of s/d druids and they have either out tanked/ kited my damage of burst me somehow, and when i’ve asked them about there build they have pretty much said they run zerker, so my question is can someone explain why they are tanky, why s/d is op/good, what are they actually running because i want to try it
And thank you.

Well, S/D compliments zerk druid quite well, cause we can easily outheal most of the sustained damage dealt to us, and can evade basically all heavy hits, which we would otherwise be weak against due to the sheer amount of Evades S/D offers.

fair play, what kinda build would it be?

Not sure about others, but that’s how i currently run:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQNAW8YnUqA1CiVsCuCCctgFMBrZZV4CAP3gVVFDumuTLql480A-TFDFABA8AAaSJyCHBg00FkoKBXpEkgLAQR7Pgkyr20IUo6OVfQAIFgZatA-w

Hi, S/D is not the defining wapon set. Whtat was his other weapon? S/D is almost always a support wapon set (like theif SB).

Staff -S/D – the same build you know from meta PVP just offensive stats and not healing power, staff AA and pets doing most of dmage.

LB-S/D – common roaming build, S/D can be replaced with GS its more or less same build. Most damage coming from LB.

A/T-S/D – condi build, most of the time it will be A/D-S/T but some ppl use the other setup. Most damage coming from condi nukes with torch.

GS-SD – one of the versions of melee rangers/druids, most of damage coming from GS+ remorsless combos.

they were running staff, but mainly stayed on s/d, i always thought it was a supporting set, thats why i ve been confused on it

SuperHappyGrunt.2591:

they were running staff, but mainly stayed on s/d, i always thought it was a supporting set, thats why i ve been confused on it

Were you palying a theif/necro? S/D can do some nice damage if you dont need to chase the targat and its coming right to you. But i think what what actually killed you, probably was the pets.

I was playing theif, i couldn’t seem to cc them, pretty much had to stealth up most of time, weirdly felt like i was on the backfoot the second i started fighting them

SuperHappyGrunt.2591:

I was playing theif, i couldn’t seem to cc them, pretty much had to stealth up most of time, weirdly felt like i was on the backfoot the second i started fighting them

The build posted by @Hepatolith.6389 its a great example for a counter theif build.

*Bark skin counters the damage in and out rotations of the theif.
*S/D – lots of evades and good consistent DPS.
*Tons of condi removal and stun breaks and survivability.
*Sickem for burst damage and stealth reveal.
*protect me and GoE, both interupt theif damage combos.

Dont think you can win this with a theif. Go meta warrior with axe/shield -GS and you can destroy this build

okay least i know its a difficult fight for a thief, might try this build out tbh seems pretty strong and means i can dust off my druid

LughLongArm.5460:

The build posted by @Hepatolith.6389 its a great example for a counter theif build.

*Bark skin counters the damage in and out rotations of the theif.
*S/D – lots of evades and good consistent DPS.
*Tons of condi removal and stun breaks and survivability.
*Sickem for burst damage and stealth reveal.
*protect me and GoE, both interupt theif damage combos.

Dont think you can win this with a theif. Go meta warrior with axe/shield -GS and you can destroy this build

Nah ^^, i just tickle Meta warrior until it eventually drops at some point. It’s an unforgiving and long fight, but thanks to the constant poison they die as long as i don’t mess up and get stun locked.

so is this the best power druid build or is there a build that overshadows it, for roaming that is

well, it’s mine. I made it to compensate for the weaknesses in my gameplay, “Sic’ em” for condi mesmers or other druids for example as those fights never end otherwise, Refined toxins for constant poison applications vs classes with alot of healing, Druids (Pet swap afte they enter CA = guaranteed poison) or warrior (they got alot of resistance, but when they are done with it you severely cripple their sustain). Is it the best? Most likely not, but it does compliment my playstyle really good, and it’s the build i have mosrt success with

SuperHappyGrunt.2591:

so is this the best power druid build or is there a build that overshadows it, for roaming that is

This is build wars, there really isn’t a “best build”. If there was a perfect ranger build it would be insta nerfed.

SuperHappyGrunt.2591:

so is this the best power druid build or is there a build that overshadows it, for roaming that is

nah, no, that build is ok but is not like the “counter theef build”. Probably your thief build is not optimised and your are not used to fight this kind of build. Probably you fought against your betters which is very common for the roaming druid types.

Hepatolith.6389:

LughLongArm.5460:

The build posted by @Hepatolith.6389 its a great example for a counter theif build.

*Bark skin counters the damage in and out rotations of the theif.
*S/D – lots of evades and good consistent DPS.
*Tons of condi removal and stun breaks and survivability.
*Sickem for burst damage and stealth reveal.
*protect me and GoE, both interupt theif damage combos.

Dont think you can win this with a theif. Go meta warrior with axe/shield -GS and you can destroy this build

Nah ^^, i just tickle Meta warrior until it eventually drops at some point. It’s an unforgiving and long fight, but thanks to the constant poison they die as long as i don’t mess up and get stun locked.

Ya, you are right. You have the tools to outlast a warrior, but it’s a difficult fight after the healing buff to the warrior and the damage nerf to smoke and bristleback.

Another thing to keep in mind, there are lots of beginners rangers roaming in WvW and they’r easy kills for theives which make the appearance that druids are an “easy kill” . Sword/dagger was always the signiture weapons set that marked a ranger/druid as a “vetran”, as this weapon set is abit more demanding and difficult compered to other ranger/druid, weapon sets.

LughLongArm.5460:

A/T-S/D – condi build, most of the time it will be A/D-S/T but some ppl use the other setup. Most damage coming from condi nukes with torch.

Probably a noob question, but why would you go A/D-S/T?

I play a lot of the meta Staff-S/D bunker in sPvP so I know the benefits of that pairing, but I can’t seem to wrap my head around on that setup over A/T-S/D.

Thanks!

Starbreaker.6507:

LughLongArm.5460:

A/T-S/D – condi build, most of the time it will be A/D-S/T but some ppl use the other setup. Most damage coming from condi nukes with torch.

Probably a noob question, but why would you go A/D-S/T?

I play a lot of the meta Staff-S/D bunker in sPvP so I know the benefits of that pairing, but I can’t seem to wrap my head around on that setup over A/T-S/D.

Thanks!

so you have evades on both weapon sets.
I always ran the opposite when roaming in WvW since you aren’t trying to contest a small point and you can do hit and run attacks.

Jim Hunter.6821:

Starbreaker.6507:

LughLongArm.5460:

A/T-S/D – condi build, most of the time it will be A/D-S/T but some ppl use the other setup. Most damage coming from condi nukes with torch.

Probably a noob question, but why would you go A/D-S/T?

I play a lot of the meta Staff-S/D bunker in sPvP so I know the benefits of that pairing, but I can’t seem to wrap my head around on that setup over A/T-S/D.

Thanks!

so you have evades on both weapon sets.
I always ran the opposite when roaming in WvW since you aren’t trying to contest a small point and you can do hit and run attacks.

Doh…should have realized that.

Thanks for clearing that up.

druid has available to it everything needed to be god mode in 1vX’s atm.

Just look at how many Druid roaming videos flood youtube now if you filter search results down to most recent.

Furajir.3815:

I do just fine in 1vx situations, ill be uploading some roaming footage this week

lol

Jim Hunter.6821:

SuperHappyGrunt.2591:

so is this the best power druid build or is there a build that overshadows it, for roaming that is

This is build wars, there really isn’t a “best build”. If there was a perfect ranger build it would be insta nerfed.

This is my Power Ranger build I use for roaming/pvp. Enjoy killing everything with ease.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQNAsXRnUqA9Ci1CCuCCctglOBzpvFAKcwr0Y6O9pFMAWYA-TVSBQBXR5nZUCiH9AUS9HjdEAAwhAIhnAgO8AAoy+DBAOAs8yLv8yL3v/+7v/+bpACcrF-w

Furajir.3815:

This is my Power Ranger build I use for roaming/pvp. Enjoy killing everything with ease.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQNAsXRnUqA9Ci1CCuCCctglOBzpvFAKcwr0Y6O9pFMAWYA-TVSBQBXR5nZUCiH9AUS9HjdEAAwhAIhnAgO8AAoy+DBAOAs8yLv8yL3v/+7v/+bpACcrF-w

i can’t see how this build would work… Could you share how you manage?

Furajir.3815:

Jim Hunter.6821:

SuperHappyGrunt.2591:

so is this the best power druid build or is there a build that overshadows it, for roaming that is

This is build wars, there really isn’t a “best build”. If there was a perfect ranger build it would be insta nerfed.

This is my Power Ranger build I use for roaming/pvp. Enjoy killing everything with ease.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQNAsXRnUqA9Ci1CCuCCctglOBzpvFAKcwr0Y6O9pFMAWYA-TVSBQBXR5nZUCiH9AUS9HjdEAAwhAIhnAgO8AAoy+DBAOAs8yLv8yL3v/+7v/+bpACcrF-w

I’ve run full melee. It does good in 1v1’s, but not so great in outnumbered fights, especially after the last nerf to pets.
When I said “there isn’t a best ranger roaming build” I’m not talking about dueling. Roaming involves harassing zergs, being able to solo camps/towers/keeps, while fighting off enemy players, escaping bad situations, winning 1vX’s, chasing down players trying to reset, etc.

Honestly I’ve got a number of builds where I won’t ever die unless I get bored and overcommit. They will kill almost anything in a 1v1, and if something has too much sustain for me to put down I have the mobility to escape and move on. But none of them are perfect for every situation you will come across while roaming.

anduriell.6280:

Furajir.3815:

This is my Power Ranger build I use for roaming/pvp. Enjoy killing everything with ease.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQNAsXRnUqA9Ci1CCuCCctglOBzpvFAKcwr0Y6O9pFMAWYA-TVSBQBXR5nZUCiH9AUS9HjdEAAwhAIhnAgO8AAoy+DBAOAs8yLv8yL3v/+7v/+bpACcrF-w

i can’t see how this build would work… Could you share how you manage?

Which part are you unclear on? It’s a really strong build in 1v1’s because you can manage condi’s with the shouts/druidic clarity. Even though it is zerk you can handle most direct damage with protective ward, a really good amount of protection, taunt, blocks, evades, interrupts, guard, and stealth. And with sword, GS, stealth, and celestial shadow it is pretty good at escaping.

It just doesn’t work well against multiple opponents because they can overwhelm your condi clear, or stun lock you after you’ve blown your 2 stun breaks. Or simply stay spread out and range you down.

This build works if you are very selective about who you engage. My problem is I get bored easily and leeroy jenkins into groups of 5+ players all the time.

I do just fine in 1vx situations, ill be uploading some roaming footage this week

wow… Everything happen! I never ever expect that one day I’d see a thread with a title saying that ranger/Druid using Sword/Dagger would be Op.

Well, op, don’t panic usually the ranger dodger trend don’t last long.

Furajir.3815:

I do just fine in 1vx situations, ill be uploading some roaming footage this week

Looking forward to seeing that. Melee ranger is always entertaining to watch.

Hi @Hepatolith.6389, any change we duled tonight in Jade Sea server(EU)?
Was kinda long fight, I was on a GS build.

LughLongArm.5460:

Hi @Hepatolith.6389, any change we duled tonight in Jade Sea server(EU)?
Was kinda long fight, I was on a GS build.

If you happen to be the Gandara Druid (MM/BM/Druid) we did =), and you got me really bad once with that CC chain ._.

Heheh Ya it was me, GG m8:) Funny thing is that I recognised you from the build you posted here ^^

LughLongArm.5460:

Heheh Ya it was me, GG m8:) Funny thing is that I recognised you from the build you posted here ^^

Hehe x), you too =)
i on my end wondered what do you do vs condition builds? Are the shout (+ that delayed glyph) cleanses really aenough for all that condis at the moment?

Hepatolith.6389:

LughLongArm.5460:

Heheh Ya it was me, GG m8:) Funny thing is that I recognised you from the build you posted here ^^

Hehe x), you too =)
i on my end wondered what do you do vs condition builds? Are the shout (+ that delayed glyph) cleanses really aenough for all that condis at the moment?

Trooper rune and verdant etching. To be honest, this build sacrifice most of the druid awesome defence capabilities for some CC capabilities and burst combos, my defences relay on alot of movment and CC like taunt F2. Good condi mesmers will own me, necros are easy, warriors can be an issue. Its not meta at all, but its very fun when the you are able to land a big damage combo.