Guild Wars 2

I liked the Hunter in WoW, and I want to try a bow class in GW2 but from what I’ve read Longbow is hated by everyone in dungeons and I don’t want to be “that guy”, so is shortbow viable?

In dungeons no.
Shortbow is a condition weapon and conditions doesn’t work in PvE currently.

MrH.2591:

I liked the Hunter in WoW, and I want to try a bow class in GW2 but from what I’ve read Longbow is hated by everyone in dungeons and I don’t want to be “that guy”, so is shortbow viable?

Longbow is hated by people who have no idea what is it used for and that it’s the meta “boss opener” … As well as hated by people who die to it.

So you can probably guess what is happening.
Ranger is one of the meta Dungeon classes with the PvE Frost Spotter build.
But beware that Longbow is used for nothing but opening a fight. After that – melee is the answer for everything concerning both PvE and PvP.

If you are looking for a full Longbow build – the only option for you is small-scale WvW roaming. That’s the only competitive and effective environment you can use it in.

Tragic Positive.9356:

MrH.2591:

I liked the Hunter in WoW, and I want to try a bow class in GW2 but from what I’ve read Longbow is hated by everyone in dungeons and I don’t want to be “that guy”, so is shortbow viable?

Longbow is hated by people who have no idea what is it used for and that it’s the meta “boss opener” … As well as hated by people who die to it.

So you can probably guess what is happening.
Ranger is one of the meta Dungeon classes with the PvE Frost Spotter build.
But beware that Longbow is used for nothing but opening a fight. After that – melee is the answer for everything concerning both PvE and PvP.

If you are looking for a full Longbow build – the only option for you is small-scale WvW roaming. That’s the only competitive and effective environment you can use it in.

So in short I should skip the Ranger then. I already have an 80 Warrior and Elementalist, so I thought an “archer” would fit nicely.

When people tell you about dungeon meta, they are talking about for the speed runs where people are trying to be like the current record holders.

There is nothing keeping you from running Longbow in dungeons. Another ranger and I run longbow plenty of times in 49 Fractals and do great. We do switch to melee for areas that stacking is the best tactic though.

Longbow is good. Just don’t expect to always use it. Sometimes it’s better to cleave.

MrH.2591:

So in short I should skip the Ranger then. I already have an 80 Warrior and Elementalist, so I thought an “archer” would fit nicely.

Hard to say …
… There is no environment that would promote ranged combat in guild wars 2. None.

Which means that you could swap the whole idea of “archer” as such (if you intend to play it competitively). There are some viable Longbow Power builds for sPvP, I guess… Not strong, but viable.
For open PvE – Longbow is my most common weapon. For dungeon runs – I don’t use longbow for anything else but opening a fight, and for Fractals, I use it around 50/50 of the time.

You see – if you enjoy the weapon as such, I’m positive (see what I did there?) that you could find a suitable solution for playing it your way. It will never be the record or the best one available, but if you are a casual player – you can very easily go for it.
Just bring the Frost Spirit, Spotter, and the rest is up to you.

Games are supposed to be enjoyed. Don’t let opinions of others let you down if the only thing you search for is the fun factor.

I use the longbow for:
- various buids in pvp and wvw
- open world content (LB/GS)
- living story content (LB/GS)
- personal story content (LB/GS)
- map completion (LB/GS)
- dungeons (LB/S-A)
- Fractals (LB/S-A)
- and for any content that i don’t know what is coming next

The only justified way that you can be disliked for using LB is if you only use a longbow (and only use bears “bearbow”)

http://dulfy.net/2014/07/05/gw2-ranger-pve-class-guide-by-lorek-and-cell/

Pew pew from a far without any risk? If you like that then ranger with LB might be for you.
More fun and active is the melee ranger but that is my opinion.

Longbow is perfectly fine weapon for some of the game modes, even dungeons. Just because some record-chasing hardcore nuts hate it doesn’t mean you won’t get in. Just pick some more casual team, or join a guild. Concerning shortbow viability, I am sure you can play world PvE using it, it’s just that the weapon is single target and, skill-wise, much better suited for PvP or WvW.

As for whether is Ranger worth making, there are plenty of people disappointed with current state of the class, and they might discourage you to play it. However, a lot of complaints in this sub are exaggerations born of frustration of (seeming) dev neglect of Ranger. The Ranger is still enjoyable to play in all game formats, even though there are professions which are more effective in individual roles. But that’s curse of being true jack of all trades.

You said you liked hunter. Give Ranger a chance and make your own picture. Maybe the class “clicks” for you and you will like it. Or maybe not. It’s up to you to find out.

MrH.2591:

I liked the Hunter in WoW, and I want to try a bow class in GW2 but from what I’ve read Longbow is hated by everyone in dungeons and I don’t want to be “that guy”, so is shortbow viable?

Yes, it is worth rolling a Ranger.

Don’t worry about what everyone else may or may not say if you choose to use a long bow. You are the person who bought the game or is playing it, not them. Just one way to look at it.

If you are interested, give it a try. No harm, no foul. Personally I found it rather enjoyable after rolling an alt. I now play it more than I do my Guardian.

Don’t listen to Belzebu.3912. You don’t use the shortbow.

Just did the catacombs solo with my ranger. Longbow and axe/warhorn. NP.
My main was a Guardian, now I use my Ranger all the time except when I refarm some maps with my alts.

You can play ranger with longbow + Sword/axe in dungeons and be a useful and productive team member. It’s a great class due to it’s unique party buffs and good opening burst + vauln app when running the meta build.

Here’s the build in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZtHTmXRBsk

You can see for yourself whether that’s something you want to do.

Here is the build itself with explanations on what and why:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgWGLMXvKAk

Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

Blude.6812:

Don’t listen to Belzebu.3912. You don’t use the shortbow.

Firstly, my answer was to the question:

MrH.2591:

so is shortbow viable?

Secondly, who are you to affirm that I don’t use shortbow?
I used to use, when I had a cond build, when I moved to a power build I changed to other weapons.

Also, are you saying that shortbow isn’t a cond weapon? If so, can you elaborate?

Crapgame.6519:

Don’t worry about what everyone else may or may not say if you choose to use a long bow. You are the person who bought the game or is playing it, not them. Just one way to look at it.

…

Excuse me … Wat?
=D

Apart from this strange statement… Are you aware of the unwritten law?
Freedom of a man ends where the freedom of the other one begins.

If you are supposed to play a useless bearbow just because you are a selfish kitten, than you are considered a negative contribution to the game community.
Fortunatelly, this game is made so creative, that you can make a viable build out of any combination as long as you involve a bit of brain to creating one.

Which means that you are free to play whichever way you want and suits you, as long as it provides the benefits of a viable character (which is basically only a Frost Spotter for PvE and Jungle Stalker as a pet)

ranger is not a ‘archer’ class.

no to shortbow in dungeons; yes to LB as opener vuln builder (then swap to Sw/x).

i think all classes are worth leveling to 80, because enjoyable playstyle doesn’t always equate to “most powerful/efficient”……..but if you only care about speed clearing dungeons, then yes, playing an “archer” ranger is not ideal, and thus “not worth it”.

as for longbow……i love it in open world /solo……given that w/ axe/warhorn and jaguar (skipping mobs)/jungle stalker, and ranger easily became my favorite open world class. everything is dead before it gets to you due to 1500 range, aoe cripple on barrage, and KB shot……if a mob does get to you, stealth shot away and repeat. LB 2 is an instant mob kill…autos are 2-3 shot kills. it’s a great single target weapon w/ tools to deal w/ groups of mobs

i prefer axe/x to s/x or GS as a second set……tags mobs well, builds up might very quickly in maps with concentrated mobs (a few seconds and you’re pushing 20 just w/ axe autos and a jungle stalker, which will last long enough to swap back to pop LB 2…useful in those occasions where a strong mob is surrounded by weaker adds)…. and allows me to stay at 900 range. offhand axe for damage/projectile block..offhand warhorn for mobility/blast finish my fire trap.

also…..its worth lvling a rnger just to play w/ a sw/dagger combo in wvw

Belzebu.3912:

Blude.6812:

Don’t listen to Belzebu.3912. You don’t use the shortbow.

Firstly, my answer was to the question:

MrH.2591:

so is shortbow viable?

Secondly, who are you to affirm that I don’t use shortbow?
I used to use, when I had a cond build, when I moved to a power build I changed to other weapons.

Also, are you saying that shortbow isn’t a cond weapon? If so, can you elaborate?

OK you entirely misinterpreted my sentence, which is my fault on the phasing, sorry for making you go crazy ballistic. ‘You’ wasn’t meant as to be taken as a personal attack, it was generic ,I meant it as just don’t use the shortbow, I put mine away along time ago for any dungeon. I use it every every now and then in PvE—no problem.

I think a ranger is a great choice for an experienced player who wants to play a class that has potential that directly correlates with the skill of the player. Rangers are great for theory crafters and min maxers who like to see their builds succeed or fail in a clear cut manner. ( I feel that unlike most other classes the smallest change in builds can be felt in combat which is great for theory crafters)

On the other hand I think ranger is a terrible choice for new or sub par players.as its easy to fall into the bear bow mentality.

This is imho of course.

. jaxx

Blude.6812:

OK you entirely misinterpreted my sentence, which is my fault on the phasing, sorry for making you go crazy ballistic. ‘You’ wasn’t meant as to be taken as a personal attack, it was generic ,I meant it as just don’t use the shortbow, I put mine away along time ago for any dungeon. I use it every every now and then in PvE—no problem.

Oh I see.
I still don’t really get the “Don’t listen to Belzebu.3912” part but totally agree that shortbow is a really bad weapon for pve

I’d just like to say I made a Ranger and tried it out in sPvP and I absolutely loved it, so while it may not be what I want for PvE, it’s certainly going to serve me well in PvP.