Guild Wars 2

So, this will be a PVE thread, specifically FOTM at level 30 or higher.

Now because opinions are based on what you’ve experienced, I’d be grateful if only players in this FOTM bracket or higher are replying. There won’t be anything constructive if a person leveling his ranger to 80 in open world starts arguing his case against another player who’s already done most of the content GW2 has to offer. The motivations for their opinions would be entirely different, thus, no meeting of minds.

‘Theorycrafting’ only goes so far.
ie. Warriors do more damage than rangers. But rarely do you see anyone retort by saying rangers deal a bucket load more sustained dps on a high movement fight. Not every fight is a tank and spank mind you.

My ranger is in FOTM 10 range, with my guardian and warrior already far up ahead. I currently run a 30/30/5/0/5 setup.

The reason why I didn’t go for faster pet swapping is because, it’d merely egg you to constantly swap for quickness but when situation calls for it, it’s on cooldown. So I’ll just stick with the 20 and swap when pet health is low.

Now, the reason why I made this thread is this.

I’ve been trying to explore an alternative viable build. Not a ‘fun’ build. But an optimal build which maximizes a ranger’s potential. Specifically one that makes a ranger more ‘survivable’.

I looked at the spirit build. But seeing how ‘companion’ AI is absolutely horrible, spirits would drop dead pretty quick before their time is up in FOTM. So I wrote it off.
The druid spirit also takes too horribly long to cast.

Other misc traits. If you’re familliar with the traits there are some here and there which gives some pitiful regen. You don’t ‘feel it much’.

So, ever willing to look for new angles on a build, what are some of you running in higher level fractals?

I run a trapper build, with 0/30/0/20/20. In terms of items, it’s a mix of Cleric and Knights with various foods to improve power. You can find the full build here: http://bit.ly/WdGm4E

It might be seen as a little unconventional, but it works exceptionally well. I have amazing survivability, heal for lots when buffed with regeneration and still deal tons of damage. There isn’t a single player in WvW or monster in PvE I can’t demolish.

I use healing spring, signet of the hunt, two traps (fire and spike) with rampage as one. In terms of pets, I use a wolf and raven which are both fantastic especially when you go out your way to actually manage them properly.

As far as the longbow is concerned, people really give it a hard time when it’s actually really good. It could be better (and fire faster) but its really wonderful with pet swapping and if you’re good at positioning.

My rotation tends to be:

Hunters Call > Change Weapons > Hunters Shot > Flame Trap > Spike Trap > Change Pet > Rapid Fire > Point Blank Shot

It deals massive damage.

Lewis Burnell.2493:

As far as the longbow is concerned, people really give it a hard time when it’s actually really good. It could be better (and fire faster) but its really wonderful with pet swapping and if you’re good at positioning.

My rotation tends to be:

Hunters Call > Change Weapons > Hunters Shot > Flame Trap > Spike Trap > Change Pet > Rapid Fire > Point Blank Shot

It deals massive damage.

for what you rly need the trapps? Oo
your conditions deals about zero dmg and when you want the cc/snare use muddy terrain.
yes you get much survivability but for what you need 23k hp?
he asked in this thread is specifically for fotm and much hp is not the best way to get their.
you get heal power thats helps to trade with the agony dmg but if you have less hp the agony dmg is lower.
maybe you can trade with every trash mob with this build, but what your team mates got from that build?

What does my “team” get?

1. Almost constant regeneration from healing spring + fern mastiff, that heals for a significant amount.
2. Group AOE condition removal from healing spring.
3. Two or three traps (I do sometimes use Muddy Terrain instead of Signet of the Hunt when in dungeons) as a combo field and form of control (whether Frost, Snake or Fire).
4. High single target and area of effect damage. Even without condition damage fire by default still deals a significant amount (330/s).
5. Long periods of fury when I use Warhorn + Moa rotations.
6. High control when I swap in Entagle.

Please note this build doesn’t have 23,000 HP – it has 17,000 HP. It’s “effective” health is 23,000 when factoring in the heals.

The only change I feel I could make, to work better in FOTM is piercing arrows – that’s inevitably an individuals choice.

wtf where you deal high dmg? Oo
59% crit dmg and 1900 power is not much dmg..even for a ranger and sorry for the mistake with the hp

Bambula.3649:

wtf where you deal high dmg? Oo
59% crit dmg and 1900 power is not much dmg..even for a ranger and sorry for the mistake with the hp

I tend to sit around 2250 Power with 70% crit chance when Bloodlusted. Considering my pets deal high damage (a minimum of 1000+ autoattacks) it is unquestionably a good damage build when combing trap + weapon + pet. Is it paralell to a warrior? No. Is it good for a ranger? Yes – especially considering the fact I’m not squishy.

I’m always a bit suspicious if I see ppl stating they can effectively manage two squishy pets (such as a Moa and a fernhound) in a high lvl fractal dungeon. The pet rotation is borked because, inevitably, these pets die too fast. You need at least one bear to keep the pet swap cooldown in check. You can manage to keep both these pets alive, it IS possible, but your damage will suffer considerably in doing so.

Honestly speaking?

Spec doesn’t make much of a difference as you’ll see very little real damage difference in your abilities. Gear also isn’t a big deal as you aren’t getting hit often and you can wear magic find with power or the condition sets.

Pet you don’t have a choice with, you’ll be using the devourer. You need a ranged pet. Pet also doesn’t matter once agony hits as it will die regardless of pet and you’ll switch.

Weapons you don’t have a choice either as you’ll be using Shortbow. Shortbow has no rotation. You just auto attack from the side for bleed damage. Off-hand makes no difference. I use horn for movement or greatsword for swoop for even more movement. Never use it for anything unless bored.

Now as for my specific build, it’s just the condition/trap build with spike and fire and signet of movement with AE root. Fractals 36. Haven’t done them in a month. No reason to bother at this point since no new gear until they decide to do something like add amulets to the loot table for 40+. Most of this was done with a crit build (still used shortbow) though, but again.. only because it’s the build I used for PvP.

Full glass cannon all the way. lvl 50 exp. Jungle stalker / red moa are my favourite pets. I use pets with aoe slow / fear / root pretty often. 30/30/5/0/5 traits.
Weapons i use : Shortbow, axe/sword – torch.
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