Guild Wars 2

Sorry if this has has been discussed or if I’m missing something. I’m relatively new to GW2, and totally new to Ranger, but here goes:

I have seen some discussions around here about how untenable either longbow or shortbow is. Now, I see that the damage for the Longbows tends to be higher, but unlike in some other MMO’s, they don’t express the damage in DPS, but in a range. Is that the ranger per attack or is that in actual DPS?

If it is just damage per attack, then Shortbow has to win out every time as it’s twice as fast as the Longbow.

Thanks for the input guys.

All displayed damage is per attack.

Damage per attack.

SB does more at < 1000 range, LB does more at > 1000 (rumours of a SB nerf not withstanding).

Cufufalating.8479:

SB does more at < 1000 range, LB does more at > 1000 (rumours of a SB nerf not withstanding).

I’m not sure this is still true – it certainly was at release though. I think LB breaks even with shortbow between 500 and 1000 range now.

Ralk.7106:

Cufufalating.8479:

SB does more at < 1000 range, LB does more at > 1000 (rumours of a SB nerf not withstanding).

I’m not sure this is still true – it certainly was at release though. I think LB breaks even with shortbow between 500 and 1000 range now.

Even at middle range now, yes.

SuNin.3514:

Sorry if this has has been discussed or if I’m missing something. I’m relatively new to GW2, and totally new to Ranger, but here goes:

I have seen some discussions around here about how untenable either longbow or shortbow is. Now, I see that the damage for the Longbows tends to be higher, but unlike in some other MMO’s, they don’t express the damage in DPS, but in a range. Is that the ranger per attack or is that in actual DPS?

If it is just damage per attack, then Shortbow has to win out every time as it’s twice as fast as the Longbow.

Thanks for the input guys.

Both the Longbow and Short bow are most likely still the worst weapons for ranger’s to use since we do more dps with 1 handed sword and 2 handed sword. (1hander>2hander I believe) The reason for all the talk about the longbow now being viable is because it’s stacking fury which is helping with the output of the damage. I know I read somewhere someone saying that it’s almost in par damage-wise to 2handed sword but not as good as the 1 handed sword. Either way, this makes longbow viable for us. However, this is a bug according to Anet and will be patched. Once it is patched the longbow, like the short bow, will become a situational weapon. Some people might not agree with the short bow being situational but in my books it is. In order to make the short bow work to it’s full potential you have to be traited and geared towards condition and you have to be flanking the enemy at all times, otherwise it’s useless.

Once the “bug” is fixed, then short bow will beat out longbow again. until then, the longbow will do a little more damage then the short bow but not by much and at >500 range. Just remember when you see rapid fire, you do not add all the number’s from the attacks, the final number at the end is the total amount of damage rapid fire did.

Hope this helps.

If playing WvW or PvE, longbow for group/zerg content. Shortbow for solo content.

Things to ALWAYS carry as a ranger:
1x SB
1x LB
1x WH
1x GS

Prysin.8542:

If playing WvW or PvE, longbow for group/zerg content. Shortbow for solo content.

Things to ALWAYS carry as a ranger:
1x SB
1x LB
1x WH
1x GS

You forgot the most important weapon…. main hand sword.

You’ll also want to carry an axe and torch.

TurtleDragon.3108:

Prysin.8542:

If playing WvW or PvE, longbow for group/zerg content. Shortbow for solo content.

Things to ALWAYS carry as a ranger:
1x SB
1x LB
1x WH
1x GS

You forgot the most important weapon…. main hand sword.

You’ll also want to carry an axe and torch.

AND MY DAGGER!

I run longbow-sword/dagger(or warhorn) in group and I change my longbow for my shortbow in solo or small group(avoke squad). I cant imagine running without a sword and the dagger is the cherry on the sundae.

Akisame.9508:

Both the Longbow and Short bow are most likely still the worst weapons for ranger’s to use since we do more dps with 1 handed sword and 2 handed sword. (1hander>2hander I believe)

Against a single target, 1h sword is the #1 DPS ranger weapon. Flanking shortbow is #2. If you have a heavy condition build, SB becomes #1 and sword #2 (unless you include torch as your OH weapon). Pet damage excluded (sword gives your pet might stacks).

That was one of the stupid things about the range nerf. SB was already a decent substitute for a melee weapon. Reducing its range just pigeonholed it more into that role. SB’s skills need to be reworked to give you more reason to use it from a distance instead of at melee range. Something more creative than LB’s damage reduction at close range (which from a RL physics standpoint is just silly).

The reason for all the talk about the longbow now being viable is because it’s stacking fury which is helping with the output of the damage.

For most power-centric builds, the fury bug just increases LB’s DPS by about 15%. Less if your build already generated a lot of fury (e.g. red moa, weapon swaps).

Solandri.9640:

Akisame.9508:

Both the Longbow and Short bow are most likely still the worst weapons for ranger’s to use since we do more dps with 1 handed sword and 2 handed sword. (1hander>2hander I believe)

Against a single target, 1h sword is the #1 DPS ranger weapon. Flanking shortbow is #2. If you have a heavy condition build, SB becomes #1 and sword #2 (unless you include torch as your OH weapon). Pet damage excluded (sword gives your pet might stacks).

That was one of the stupid things about the range nerf. SB was already a decent substitute for a melee weapon. Reducing its range just pigeonholed it more into that role. SB’s skills need to be reworked to give you more reason to use it from a distance instead of at melee range. Something more creative than LB’s damage reduction at close range (which from a RL physics standpoint is just silly).

The reason for all the talk about the longbow now being viable is because it’s stacking fury which is helping with the output of the damage.

For most power-centric builds, the fury bug just increases LB’s DPS by about 15%. Less if your build already generated a lot of fury (e.g. red moa, weapon swaps).

Moa + Warhorn + RAO + swap was already close to perma fury anyways…. Its simply redundant to have the bug…

Akisame.9508:

The reason for all the talk about the longbow now being viable is because it’s stacking fury which is helping with the output of the damage.

No, the fury bug is not the reason we’re talking about longbow being more effective.

Prior to this patch, but since release, longbow has received the following buffs:
– faster arrow travel (good for hitting other players)
– 20% autoattack speed reduction (1.25s -> 1s, which amounts to 25% more damage)
– faster #2 rapid fire channel
– faster knockback with #4 (I think? correct me if I’m wrong here)
– stealth with #3

Now, mid range autoattack damage has been increased by 15%. So, mid range autoattack damage over time has gone up 44% since release. This, combined with all the other buffs, are why people are viewing the longbow in a more positive light. It’s still situational, but it’s come a long ways.

Wow, this has given me a lot to think about. Thanks everyone for the responses. I was originally preserving space in my bags, but I have no worry of that anymore, so I’ll carry a more robust selection of weapons. Truth be told, my favorite animations is when they character is spinning and flipping like a ninja.

So that brings up the question: How do you build your ranger? What traits should I be going after. I was built up through the the Marksmanship and Skirmishing paths, but I guess Marksmanship is useless if you aren’t using a bow.

Also makes me think I wasted my time with the Huntsman crafting path… hmmm.

SuNin.3514:

So that brings up the question: How do you build your ranger? What traits should I be going after. I was built up through the the Marksmanship and Skirmishing paths, but I guess Marksmanship is useless if you aren’t using a bow.

I run the current max dps meta build 20/25/0/25/0 in PvE and dungeons, Sword/Warhorn(could be changed to Dagger)+Shortbow. In no way is Marksmanship useless if you aren’t using a bow. The 20 point trait Spotter is one of the reasons to take a Ranger to a group. Spotter gives you and party members ~7% crit chance increase.
Combined with traited Frost Spirit (gives 70% chance for 10% more dmg per attack, ~7% dps boost) you are set.

So always when starting to make a build for dungeons, take 20/0/0/10/0 as your base of the build and people will be happy.

Thanks for the advice! I’ll try it out. I had read of a similar max DPS build, but it makes more sense coming from you than that website I found it on. You guys have been a big help.