Guild Wars 2

Hey folks I would like to present to you my Signet builds. I have run these builds with slight variations in WvW, PvE and sPvP. It is successful in all three and I will detail variations for each.

Ranger Signet Build

Power Based Build:
http://www.gw2db.com/skills/calc/ranger#19|0|1242|333|3875|465|1888|30|2344|826|2342|20|1307|1301|0|0|0|0|0|20|2392|2166|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|28047|28047|21055|53499|21055|21055|21055|21031|48788|0|0|0|0|

Condition BAsed Build:
http://www.gw2db.com/skills/calc/ranger#19|0|1242|333|3875|463|5799|30|2344|822|2342|0|0|0|0|30|2351|1356|1381|10|2392|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|28013|28043|49957|49957|49957|49957|49957|25903|48790|0|0|0|0|

Type: Signet based damage builds. You can run a Power or a Condition based build using Signets. I have linked both variations above.

Theory:

High survival or high damage based builds built around the use of the Ranger’s Signets.

The Power based build offers high damage, burst, decent CC and decent survival from lots of vitality. This build also relies on stacking a lot of Might for increased damage. It also has a higher learning curve due to use of signet actives and weapon swaping on a very frequent basis to get the most out of the Might boon.

The condition based build offers even more CC, Survival and better mobility at the cost of burst and high damage. This variant still offers good sustained damage and better AoE then the power build. The build lastly has better mobility with Warhorn then the power build.

So choose your poison wisely both work well and I have tried each and had fun with them with good results.

Weapons:

Power Build: Shortbow & Longbow w/Spear for preferred underwater
Condition Build: Shortbow & Axe/Warhorn w/Speargun for preferred underwater

Shortbow – this is the preferred weapon to use for the condition based build for applying bleeds and poison however it is also the best CC weapon the Ranger has. Consequently this is the better bow to use when skirmishing in close range of an opponent as your damage is not nerfed due to lack of distance.

Longbow – the best bow for burst damage. In the power build you want to swap to this weapon to unload a Rapid Fire or Barrage. Rapid Fire is your one source of burst and you would want to use this after getting a good chunk of might through use of the Signets, Rampage as One and Lynx Pet (stacks 5 might). Do not use the Longbow for sustained damage thru use of Long Range Shot (#1 spam) unless you have distance.

Axe/Warhorn – Best combo for mobility and damage on multiple targets as Ricochet (#1 Spam) will bounce and hit multiple targets. Axe also has a chill for CC from Winter’s Bite. Warhorn offers mobility and utility from Call of the Wild by stacking Swiftness, Might and Fury on you and your Allies. Always make good use of Hunter’s Call as well, it hits hard and fast with many crits to stack bleeds and also has a bonus effect from the graphics causing enemies to get pysch’d out.

Optional Melee - If you would like to use a melee weapon then I would suggest to replace Longbow in the Power build and Axe/Horn in the Condition build with Sword/Horn. You will gain more mobility in the Power build and additional buffs from the horn. However you lose the burst from Rapid Fire. Overall I like Sword/Horn better then Greatsword for damage and evasion tactics. Sword hits faster and almost as hard as the Greatsword. Greatsword is well rounded with good AoE but is underwhelming for damage. Beware with Sword as the #1 spam attack is bugged and locks you in place while performing the animations, so it takes very smart use to get best results atm. When A.Net fixes this then Sword will be far far better then Greatsword.

Pets: For WvW I prefer to use the Devouver pets. They are tanky, ranged, have CC and apply conditions. They are honestly the best pet imo for WvW as they stay alive the longest! For PvE you can use Bears or Devouver’s to tank mobs. In sPvP you want to use the Black Widow and Jungle Spider for the 2 second stuns, immobilizes and conditions. I do like to swap out a Spider in sPvP for a Lynx to give me 5 more stacks of might when running the Power build.

Healing: I use healing spring because of the group regen, combo field, condition removal and it has good synergy with the Adept traits I choose in Nature Magic. Imo this is the only Heal any Ranger should ever use.

Utility Skills: As this is a signet build you will use all signets. Preferred Signets are as follows:

Signet of the Wild – gives more survival from passive regen and more burst from the active. I tend to use this in sPvP and PvE. CD on active is long so maybe worthwhile to forgo this in sPvP for more survival or mobility up to you really. In WvW I swap this out for Signet of the Hunt.

Signet of Renewal – removes 1 condition every 10 sec (passive) and removes all conditions from you and your allies (active). Also has a stun break on use. Mandatory signet for both builds in sPvP and WvW. I do not bother with this in PvE. I swap it out for Signet of the Hunt.

Signet of Stone – more survival from passive toughness and complete immunity from damage for 6s from the active. I use this in WvW and PvE. It is optional in sPvP depending on what you want be it more survival or more damage/burst.

Signet of the Hunt – 10% increased movement speed passive and 2 stacks of might on active use. I use this in sPvP, WvW, and PvE for the mobility. Tends to go better with the Power build and burst then condition build were you would want more survival.

Elite Skill: For the power build I use Rampage as One for the Stability/Swiftness/Might/Fury which lasts 20s. Vital for burst, finishing a opponent, running through a zerg in WvW etc…. Very awesome elite. I use Entangle in sPvP or PvE if I am running the condition build for high condition damage and CC.

Runes: For the power build you must use 6x Rune of the Adventure for the might stacking/duration incrase this is key! For the condition based build I suggest 6x Rune of the Afflicted for increased condition damage and duration of bleeds & poisons.

Sigils: For the power build you must put Sigil of Superior Battle on both bows to get might when you swap, again this is key! For the condition build you should use Sigil of Superior Agony on the Shortbow and Axe for bleed duration and Sigil of Superior Geomancy on the Warhorn.

Accessories: For the power build I use Knights Amulet & Jewel for more damage and health. I use Carrion Amulet and Jewel for the condition build.

History of use:

I am currently using the power build at max level with great success in PvE, WvW and sPvP. I have also played with the condition build in WvW, PvE and sPvP to great success. Which build to use is up to you, I like both equally and tend to switch off on them. Depends on my mood and how I want to play. Also can depend on team comp, as the Condition build could be a good node holder at near or mid. The power build is built better for damage at mid or roaming (albeit not as fast).

Strengths and Weakness:

Strenghts

Power Build
- Lots of damage both up close and sniping from afar.
- Good burst from smart use of weapon swap, sigils and pet.
- Good CC
- Good survival

Condition Build
- Decent consistent damage from conditions.
- Condition pressure!
- Fast, mobile and can kite like a mother F@#$#%
- You are a tough little son of B$%&* to kill.

Weakness
- Condition removal for the condition based build
- Both builds lack decent AoE.
- Power build can be weak against glass cannon melee.

Rotation:

Power Build:

Use of Signets, pets and weapon swap are key to stack might and keep it up. You want to be swapping ALOT. Swap to Shortbow when skirmishing at close range or to kite melee. If your safely at range use Longbow for better spam damage. If faced with a melee opponent in your face use your Shortbow to get range, swap to Longbow use Point Blank Shot to knock back then pop signets, elite then Rapid Fire shot to blow him up.

Condition Build:

Use Shortbow to kite and apply conditions. Swap to Axe when you can hit multiple opponents. Also make sure to frequently use Hunter’s Call and Call of the Wild for the buffs and damage! So you should be swapping between these weapons a lot.

Thank you for taking the time read this. Feedback and discussion are appreciated.

Thanks for the indepth explanation! I have been trying sword/torch and axe/torch for the additional burning condition and I like it so far. Of course, I’m only 40 so I’m sure that will change as I level up. I’m running all signets and my sylvan hound/lynx in pve, they’re not the greatest tanks but I like the knockdown and extra bleed. Haven’t had the guts to try pvp in any form as yet, so can’t comment on most of the post.

Tsiya Ama, level 41 Norn Ranger

Tsiya.6913:

Thanks for the indepth explanation! I have been trying sword/torch and axe/torch for the additional burning condition and I like it so far. Of course, I’m only 40 so I’m sure that will change as I level up. I’m running all signets and my sylvan hound/lynx in pve, they’re not the greatest tanks but I like the knockdown and extra bleed. Haven’t had the guts to try pvp in any form as yet, so can’t comment on most of the post.

Tsiya Ama, level 41 Norn Ranger

Thanks for the feedback! Glad your enjoying the builds. Hope to see you enjoying some PvP as well soon. WvW is very fun as a Ranger, although make sure to have at least one bow equipped for the range.