Guild Wars 2

Seems to me like it possibly could be but I have no real experience with spirits, which I’m told are not very useful. I was wondering what others here felt…

Can be useful but not having it move along with you (unless you waste traits to enable it) and the fact it seems to have about 2 HP make them a bad option in wvw most of the time (except when you park it inside the keep).

Spirits can be good, if you know how to place them correctly (out of harms way, but still close enough to affect you). However, in situations where there’s a lot of AoE, they are a wasted utility.

If you want to play a support role with the Ranger, I would suggest going with Healing Spring, Signet of Renewal, “Search and Rescue”, Quickening Zephyr (mostly for increased revive speed), and Spirit of Nature, instead.

Spirit build used to be very, very strong. But because of PvP back after release it took a big nerf. Its not worth it now.
2 Reasons…
1. Just like all pet class pets they get insta killed in Aoe. They should have a AoE reduction trait rather then the HP boost they gave to them.
2. Is a combo of things, U have to have them following you (build) But for example weapon choices can ruin it. For example Bow where range changes your damage. E.I You end up being to far out and no one in party receives bonus. This allows you to manually keep them out of AoE but like I said your then out of range for their buffs to hit all of party. With how Hectic a dungeon can be, being in the sweet spot and staying isn’t gunna happen. And of coarse being in the midst of things with the party manes they will die on first Aoe. Ideally if you have range and melee will be between both of them; so You keep your range dmg up. Unless u use SB. But anyway then it ends up going back to #1. Its pretty much impossible to keep them up for the buffs now :/ Anet over did it. Is very fun imo though; if they bring it back to how it was.
I only mention bows (axe same idea range..) because anything else (closer) you will always lose Spirits.

Kasama pretty much gave your the best alternative atm.

Thanks guys, useful info.

I love my Stone and Sun Spirit.

As above have mentioned the spirits are extremely squishy and go sploot with ease. Being as such in there current state, the one trait you should never take is Spirits following you, you are asking them to be demolished by AoE which naturally will target you. You just placed your utility in the kill zone. good job.

the key with Spirits is placement, place them before rushing in or sending your pet in. And more importantly, move away from them, so that when you are targeted they don’t get caught in the hell storm. The range on the passive buffs is huge and covers most areas you will fight in.

I rarely ever lose spirits that I took the time to set behind lines, and I recieve the full benefits. You don’t even have to trait spirits to get the full effect, the 20% activation will go off in no time during the Cool Down between procs.

They take smart playing to use, I have greatly enjoyed my spirits, and I know there are others out there who do as well.

3s damage reduction every 10s makes a huge difference the longer battles drag out. with dodge rolling I can keep protection up 7+s every 10s. Once I drop Healing Spring, 100% uptime. Pair that with my regen, I am an insanely tough cookie to eat.