Guild Wars 2

ProxyDamage.9826:

Not this gimmicky kitten again…

You have no defense. You have no damage. You have a gimmick.

Every 24 (best case scenario) to 36 seconds you get a really obvious AoE that stacks up to 6/7 bleeds with under 10 seconds duration (if you’re lucky with procs) at up to 5 targets. More often than not it’ll simply spread out 1/2 bleeds across a larger group. This sitting at little over 1.1k condition damage.

For this you are built like a full berseker (i.e.: absolutely no defensive stats whatsoever), which will greatly outperform your optimal damage far less conditionally. You have basically no armor and a pathetic 15k health.

Your only form of defense comes from the semi-vigor and from the 2 seconds of protection on roll. While these things are good, they’re not nearly enough for someone with under 2.2k armor and barely 15k health.

You also have no condition removal whatsoever and no stun breakers. On a character as made of wet napkins and tissue paper as yours, this means any serious condition build will utterly destroy you, while anyone with a half decent burst and a stun can instagib you whenever they so choose, and there is literally nothing you can do about it.

You’re also running Troll Unguent, but you’re so very much NOT built for it. Troll Unguent is a slow but powerful regen. It’s built for very tanky builds, since it heals the most out of any healing skill we have, but does so much slower than any other. For a tanky build that’s receiving very mitigated damage, this is a very acceptable trade off. Your build, on the other hand, gets fragged by a gentle breeze. You need burst healing, cause if you’re under attack you won’t survive the time Troll Unguent takes to “kick in”.

Same issue goes for Signet of the Wild. Great signet, but you’re not running any healing power, and you have no toughness, so its effects are completely lost on you. You’re also not running Signet of the Beastmaster, so it’s not like you get any benefit from it, and you’re not running anything in BM, so your pet is hardly making the most of it either.

Hey, at least this is leagues better than Druzila (or whatever the name is)‘s build that was essentially a condition build with no condition, but it’s still a pretty bad idea.

A. Its zerging build, Not really going for the whole solo defense routine here… If you really want some defense, Throw on some Rabid gear and do it. I’m actually working on getting a set right now just to see how much the power drop will hurt my damage.

B. 6/7 Bleeds? Really? and 10 second duration? Have you even tried this build? Cause If you don’t move, You’re going to be eating around 15, and the ones from sharpening stone and keen edges are 13 seconds long…. not under 10.. If i’m behind you, I can apply a stack of 25 bleeds very quickly, as anyone who actually tried this build will tell you.

C. It really doesn’t matter what heal you run, Cause most of them are going to be pretty awful without healing power.. I tend to like Trolls a bit more cause it does offer the most healing without healing power.. Signet of the Wild, again this is preference, I’ve been trying to find a good secondary ability and have been using things like Protect Me for example (which isn’t that bad with this setup since Pets are not really major to its success)

D. Also Let me just say, If you’re getting attacked, You’re probably screwed either way, no heal will end up saving you…I mean it has no bloody toughness or vitality….Hence the Zerging Part.

ProxyDamage.9826:

Not this gimmicky kitten again…

You have no defense. You have no damage. You have a gimmick.

Every 24 (best case scenario) to 36 seconds you get a really obvious AoE that stacks up to 6/7 bleeds with under 10 seconds duration (if you’re lucky with procs) at up to 5 targets. More often than not it’ll simply spread out 1/2 bleeds across a larger group. This sitting at little over 1.1k condition damage.

For this you are built like a full berseker (i.e.: absolutely no defensive stats whatsoever), which will greatly outperform your optimal damage far less conditionally. You have basically no armor and a pathetic 15k health.

Your only form of defense comes from the semi-vigor and from the 2 seconds of protection on roll. While these things are good, they’re not nearly enough for someone with under 2.2k armor and barely 15k health.

You also have no condition removal whatsoever and no stun breakers. On a character as made of wet napkins and tissue paper as yours, this means any serious condition build will utterly destroy you, while anyone with a half decent burst and a stun can instagib you whenever they so choose, and there is literally nothing you can do about it.

You’re also running Troll Unguent, but you’re so very much NOT built for it. Troll Unguent is a slow but powerful regen. It’s built for very tanky builds, since it heals the most out of any healing skill we have, but does so much slower than any other. For a tanky build that’s receiving very mitigated damage, this is a very acceptable trade off. Your build, on the other hand, gets fragged by a gentle breeze. You need burst healing, cause if you’re under attack you won’t survive the time Troll Unguent takes to “kick in”.

Same issue goes for Signet of the Wild. Great signet, but you’re not running any healing power, and you have no toughness, so its effects are completely lost on you. You’re also not running Signet of the Beastmaster, so it’s not like you get any benefit from it, and you’re not running anything in BM, so your pet is hardly making the most of it either.

Hey, at least this is leagues better than Druzila (or whatever the name is)‘s build that was essentially a condition build with no condition, but it’s still a pretty bad idea.

rofl. yeah you got a lot of the weaknesses of this build right. if you play this as you would normally play whatever build you’re running, you won’t get to accomplish much. but that’s not how one plays this build.

to address some of your points, i use a gs on weapon swap to easily keep my distance on the other zerg//run from a thief who’s trying to burst me. i use lightning reflexes after i use my 2 dodges for an extra dodge and 100% vigor regen. i also use healing spring for healing and weak but functional condition wiper, which other people benefit from sometimes as well. for a build that’s supposedly easy pickins, i’m pretty hard to catch if i want to get away. i kill a lot more people than the number of times i die.

if you think of this build as a sniper that relies on condition damage and doesn’t engage in the front lines, it would make more sense. there is a very specific purpose for this build. not everyone wants to fight at the front lines or solo roam all the time in wvw, not me at least. there’s spvp for that.

The shortbow is useless in this build. It’s such a terrible weapon in WvW. With only 900 range, running a glass build is going to get you destroyed. I was out of range every time I used it, even when chasing people to run them down which is bizarrely what the weapon is supposed to be good at but with the range nerf it’s far too easy for them to get out of range (every build that is any good at WvW has at least one decent disengage) and then you’re stuck with a bow that can’t hit the target from behind (which is what it’s supposed to do).

The commitment to condition damage with the longbow feels off. Even with the barrage/sharpening stone gimmick you just don’t have enough bleeds to justify losing a third stat (and crit damage isn’t being used effectively with a one second bleed and the internal cooldown of sigil of earth).

I ran a similair set up with the shortbow last year and always felt like thieves just did it much better (running this much glass really needs some kind of disengage like stealth). In a zerg with this build I always feel like a third rate staff ele. I can influence a fight with the AoE snares a staff ele has (dropping frozen ground/static field/unsteady ground in front of a zerg circling your group is great for breaking their zerg ball up) plus all kinds of support and more spammable AoE.

I wouldn’t say the build is bad, but aside from one cool gimmick, it doesn’t feel like a very good zerg specific build. I can’t help but think you would get more out of running a strict crit damage build if you’re heavily focused on the longbow. I don’t think the shortbow is a viable ranger weapon for running with zergs any more. At 900 range with a glass set and no get out of jail free cards (like the thief has) it’s just not worthwhile any more, especially when the rangers best escape skill is on the greatsword and you can’t run that because you bring the longbow.

My feeling after trying this is that you can run it and have success, but it’s considerably worse than what other classes are doing well in WvW.

Xsorus.2507:

A. Its zerging build, Not really going for the whole solo defense routine here… If you really want some defense, Throw on some Rabid gear and do it. I’m actually working on getting a set right now just to see how much the power drop will hurt my damage.

You need defense in a zerg too. Especially with all the AoE being thrown around. Last thing you should want to be is a walking rally machine. Go in, tag everyone, maybe even do good damage, then go down and rez everyone. In fact, good zerker builds tend to focus on surviving more than just doing flat out damage.

Xsorus.2507:

B. 6/7 Bleeds? Really? and 10 second duration? Have you even tried this build? Cause If you don’t move, You’re going to be eating around 15, and the ones from sharpening stone and keen edges are 13 seconds long…. not under 10.. If i’m behind you, I can apply a stack of 25 bleeds very quickly, as anyone who actually tried this build will tell you.

You’re right, I miscalculated your bleed duration because of food buffs. You’re still assuming an absolutely perfect scenario of 5 guys staying in your very obvious AoE, not moving, and at least one of them going under 50% health in the meantime. Even then you stack 13 bleeds on 5 targets max. Given how paper thin you are, how much you’re burning for it, and how ridiculously conditional it is, not really… impressive, is it? How often have you seen anyone of any relevant skill (i.e.: things that wouldn’t die anyways even if you were completely naked) take a full barrage to the face? Exactly. And how often are those bleeds going to run 10+ seconds on any target in WvW? Exactly.

And yeah, shortbow can stack crazy bleeds if someone is running away from you… why would anyone run away from you though. And with 900 range, and since you have very little mobility, this weapon is really unreliable in WvW now.

Xsorus.2507:

C. It really doesn’t matter what heal you run, Cause most of them are going to be pretty awful without healing power.. I tend to like Trolls a bit more cause it does offer the most healing without healing power.. Signet of the Wild, again this is preference, I’ve been trying to find a good secondary ability and have been using things like Protect Me for example (which isn’t that bad with this setup since Pets are not really major to its success)

That’s just flat out wrong. Your heal matters, a lot. You’re running the absolutely worst build for your heal, so no wonder you think it doesn’t matter. Both of the other heals offer something Troll’s cannot: burst healing. It’s a nearly instant extra lease on life. If you’re low on health, you pop the button you instantly receive an extra ~5/6k of health with the other 2 heals. Troll Unguent just slowly regens ~900 hp a second. It’s the difference between surviving 1-3 extra attack and being a loot bag/rally machine.

Xsorus.2507:

D. Also Let me just say, If you’re getting attacked, You’re probably screwed either way, no heal will end up saving you…I mean it has no bloody toughness or vitality….Hence the Zerging Part.

That’s the build’s problem. You’re not a “zerger”, you’re a rally machine. As soon as someone hits you you melt, and every enemy that ever tagged you with anything is up on their feet again. I hope you’re not seriously expecting not to get hit at all in WvW.

If you really wanna maintain the longbow + sharpened edges gimmick (which honestly I find pretty bad, but hey), I’d at least do something like this

What did I change and why:

First: Drop Troll Unguent for Healing Spring.

This somewhat mitigates two of your problems: No healing burst, and some modicum of condition cleansing. It also does this in an AoE, so it helps your allies AND grants a water field, which greatly helps your team.

Second: New utilities.

Can’t move Sharpened Edges because you wanna build around it, so at least let’s fix the other two:

Signet of the Wild goes out. Lightning Reflexes in: Stun breaker, evasion, and vigor. Why even run Signet of the Wild? You have no toughness, no survivability and no healing power. Those 62 hp a second were really saving your day were they? It had no synergy with your build. If you’re a glass cannon at least have some “spike” survivability to at least not be completely vulnerable if anything touches you.

Other alternatives are Signet of Renewal (a little extra condition clearing and a stun breaker) or protect me (stun breaker and extra “damage absorption”). However since those rely more on your pet being alive, and yours is completely untraited, I’d take LR instead. Also, LR is a survival skill, so it gets extra cooldown reduction from your traits.

(1/2)

(2/2)

Signet of the Hunt out. Traps in: In your own words, this build is for “zerging”, so move speed won’t be a big issue, since you’ll get swiftness by proxy. Meanwhile, your build could really use some more defense and/or AoE, particularly if it is condition oriented. Traps are the perfect answer. Ranged (see bellow), AoE, and can be switched around to fulfill many roles offensive or defensive. Personally I’d run Spike Trap more often than not in your build since it’s a good compromise of offense (AoE bleeds) and defense (hidden mini-immobilize and cripple) with a good cooldown, but Fire Trap is also a good option if you just want more AoE damage (15 seconds cooldown and AoE fire).

“But, ranged traps” you say? This brings us to some trait changes:

Skirmishing: Quickdraw (X) out, Trapper’s Expertise (VIII) in: Your main use of longbow is going to be auto-attacking and barrage with Sharpened Edges. It’s well known that Longbow’s #2 sucks, #3 is just there for vuln (not that important in PvP, especially in a more condition oriented build), and #4 only gains 3 seconds total, so not a big deal. The biggest change is in barrage, which goes from 24 to 30 seconds, but that’s mostly irrelevant as Sharpened Edges is still stuck to 36 seconds of cooldown even after traiting. In return, you get to use ranged traps, which give you much greater versatility, ranging from damage to utility.

Wilderness Survival: Soften the Fall (1) out. Vigorous Renewal (IV) in: Why even have this trait? 50% fall damage reduction traits are incredibly situational as is, and even the only marginally useful for roaming builds. In your own words: you’re not roaming. you’re zerging. Why in the world would you take that over one of the best adept traits a ranger has? Vigor on heal means more rolls, more complete damage avoidance, more survivability, less “rally machining”, more enemy tagging. More loot bags you collect, and less loot bags you become.

You might have also noticed I didn’t mention the Shortbow. That’s because it went out in my version: Previously I would have seriously considered keeping it just because it was 1200 range and had a fair share of defensive options, but at 900 range, you simply have better condition options. Yes, you can stack a lot of bleeds on someone running away, but if they’re not running away your condition damage is pants.

Instead I picked up axe and torch.

Torch is arguably the best condition weapon a ranger has now. A targeted, nearly instant, and quite strong, burn and a very long fire field that acts not only as a melee deterrent (you can walk in, but you’re forced to fight in fire), but also as additional burning for your projectiles. Throw it down, and start auto-attacking, and watch people burn. You can even do it for the longbow (drop Bonfire, switch to longbow, 1500 range fire arrows!) giving it, and your build, much needed extra condition damage.

Since you’re mostly zerging, and you should be avoiding melee with your build, I went for a ranged option for the mainhand: Axes. Axes are decent condition weapons. Their auto-attack bounces between targets, they have a decent bleed “burst” at close range, and a pretty decent chill (and your pet a pretty long weakness attack), all on small cooldowns, and all projectiles that go well with your combo fields.

Also did some minor adjustments in your gear: traded about 10% critical chance (50% is the magical number for me – half of your attacks) for a little more HP, but honestly your gear could be changed a lot depending on what you prefer to do with it.

Anyways, that’s what I would do given the restrictions of longbow and sharpened edges. My 2 cents.

Actually i would take zephyr, LR, SS and entangle . And the 20% cooldown in wilderness and 20% sword cooldown , and run LB and GS . Probably even a mix of rabid and rampager . At least get that armor up to 2500

The sad part is a necromancer can do this better and more consistently while also applying burning and pulling off an epidemic plus dropping a well of corruption for extra aoe damage.

The ranger as a class is pretty useless. The only use I’ve found for them is running muddy/frost trap/spike trap specs for ground control plus entangle on team fights. Bring a longbow for the extra aoe cripple and a greatsword to get out/block projectiles.

All pets outside drakes don’t cleave, so 40% of your damage is single target and therefore useless in teamfights. Pet f2 abilities are also for the most part weak.

You want to know a condition longbow? Look at warriors. With Rampagers Arcing Shot+ Combustive Shot is a ton of damage and you can run double sword with that for the bleeding.

Proxy I have to ask, How often are you getting killed in a zerg? Usually when I die in a zerg, Its because i’ve screwed up, or we’re just flat out over run. You have 1500 Range with Longbow, You shouldn’t be getting mascaraed that much unless you have virtually no situational awareness.

Its the same thing with Shortbow, Believe me when I say the Shortbow Range Reduction BLOOOOOWWWWSSSS….. I still can’t believe a lot of rangers don’t think this is a big deal because i’m assuming they play god awful SPvP….However the Weapon is incredibly powerful even with the range reduction for killing people who actually push into the lines. People who end up extending past the lines I generally swap to Shortbow and Murder with lots of Bleeds….Axe will never be able to do that…nor will Torch.. They’re amazing Bunker Ranger Weapons…But for bursting someone they’re so so at best.

For Heals, Again I generally pop it going into the fight to cover the small amount of damage that gets to me cause i’m hanging in the back..I’m not a front line person with this build… i’m very cautious usually.. If i was going to use any other heal it’d probably be Heal as One.

I’ve tried Lightning Reflex, it works pretty decently, I’ve also tried SoR and Protect Me, All are good choices…I actually don’t run Signet of the Wild much anymore.. and generally stick more to Protect Me now.

Never dropping Signet of the Hunt, ever…..

Traps are 600 Range, I’m not running 600 Range into the fight to throw down Traps..Also there are times when you do use Barrage without Sharpening Stone (When Keen Edges are up) but you are right it isn’t that much of an improvement..May play around with it and see what other talents i can use.

Soften the Fall…Really? I have to be honest…This talent has saved my life more then any other talent in WvW……It’ll be a cold day in hell before I give this up for Vigorous Renewl

Swapping Gear, I’m actually trying a full Rabid Build right now to see how much the damage drop is on Longbow…. Its not to bad…and the bleed damage is picked up.. but I have to spend some more time on it.

Zenith.7301:

The sad part is a necromancer can do this better and more consistently while also applying burning and pulling off an epidemic plus dropping a well of corruption for extra aoe damage.

The ranger as a class is pretty useless. The only use I’ve found for them is running muddy/frost trap/spike trap specs for ground control plus entangle on team fights. Bring a longbow for the extra aoe cripple and a greatsword to get out/block projectiles.

All pets outside drakes don’t cleave, so 40% of your damage is single target and therefore useless in teamfights. Pet f2 abilities are also for the most part weak.

You want to know a condition longbow? Look at warriors. With Rampagers Arcing Shot+ Combustive Shot is a ton of damage and you can run double sword with that for the bleeding.

you’ll come no where near a Necro….I have a Necro…. if Ranks were account based vs character based, I’d play my Necro 100% in a zerg..