Guild Wars 2

Greetings fellow Rangers!

I’m so delighted to have this chance to share the list of most successful builds I’ve been testing for the past few weeks all thanks to your help and feedback. Please, do think of the builds as templates and feel free to adjust them to your play-style.

I’ll keep updating this thread as much as possible, so new builds might appear as well as adjustments on the already existing ones will be made. My priority will be testing around and adding different Weapon sets that people might like to play (e.g. double bow or full melee).

This list is supposed to serve as an overlook of what everything is the Ranger capable of doing out there in both PvE and PvP with peak efficiency and results for everyone to choose from. So, without further ado – Here’s the list:

Thanks for posting, Tragic. While the healing builds you list seem to be split between healing and damage…I would like to see this added for those of us that enjoy pure max-healing (self and ally) and almost foolproof survivablility.

https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/external?l=http%3A%2F%2Fgw2skills.net%2Feditor%2F%3FvNAQNBmOD7keVomVskVwgVgoVsgJYw30e6Q1Jx14qZNLrBQAoi3eA-TBSDABOcRAMUJYWK%2F0T3wlq%2FgxRAAgHAgK7PEAABYjbMNWjBjckjckjckNyROyROyRWKgv1bB-e

@GussJr
Thanks for your suggestion. I will definitely list some of the builds like yours into the “other builds” section.
The builds that I posted belong to the category of something that people call “meta” but I like to call it efficient since stuff that becomes “meta” isn’t usually the best a player can find (from metabattle). It’s just as you said – Those builds naturally bring as much healing while bringing as much damage at the same time. DPS is one of the most valuable forms of support, after all. The faster your target dies – the less damage all of you take.

Thanks for doing this. I hope this gets stickied.

Question on the DPS Healer build: Why Glyph of Unity? is it just for the CA version? I would have thought SotP would be a better option with Rapid shot on the LB and the Bristleback’s F2. Or the Spirit of Nature if you are looking for more group heal. The range of both weapons puts you outside the range of GoU as well.

Also surprised you didn’t take Windborne Notes and Verdant Etching on the Max Healer one, or two-handed training on the Daze Healer one (no greatsword, what’s the point?) but I know you have reasons.

@bearshaman
Glyph of unity is a solid choice for DPS healer. I haven’t found myself (not even for 2 seconds) in a position of AA-ing with LB and Staff doesn’t have restrictions for melee. So the glyph is perfectly usable in melee range; even though the most important use is GotL distribution.
In a party scenario – it’s not Ranger’s duty to bring 25 might or fury. Warriors and Revenants come with this primary role – that makes SotP redundant.

At dedicated Healer build there already is 100% regen uptime (no need for windborne; blast is used on Quick Draw anyways). It doesn’t use glyphs because damage mitigation > healing (that also explains why AoE vigor is better than overcapping regen that is over 100% uptime already). And it’s not worth taking any glyph instead of either AoE 90% Protection Uptime or emergency 50% damage reduction for the party (that can prevent wipe from Green AoE of VG).

Yep, I tilted about the Daze build… Thank you very much for correcting me. Going to make it right in a moment.

That makes sense. I’m not the best at calculating uptimes, so thanks for explaining. I’m also used to pugs, so I find I’m bringing most of the might to the party and myself, even with revenants and warriors around. Take that for what you will. (Mostly in fractals and dungeons).

How does the Perma-Daze work? (possibly my last question lol)

On a PvP Beast Master build you run “Verdant Etching” trait for some reason though the build itself doesn’t utilize any glyphs.

Unfortunately it looks like crusader amulet is going to get hit before the upcoming season. Probably have to go paladin.

Miles Smiles.8951:

On a PvP Beast Master build you run “Verdant Etching” trait for some reason though the build itself doesn’t utilize any glyphs.

Thank you so much for the notice!
I guess I’ll have to go all over the builds again since it seems I made some mistakes… And here I really tried my best. <sigh>
But your help with these notifications is amazing. Thanks a lot.

Fluffball.8307:

Unfortunately it looks like crusader amulet is going to get hit before the upcoming season. Probably have to go paladin.

Yeah, having lotta fun with Paladin’s GS/LB currently; feels like that gay scrapper re-stealthing far point pester play style.

Tragic Positive.9356:

Thank you so much for the notice!

And thank you for your work, good man!

Thank you for the builds

I’ll most probably be adding new builds for the “other builds” section in a few days.
So if you guyz have any preferences of favorite game-styles of something that you really really like but it’s not competitive (e.g. Water Spirit <heh>), please let me know so I can probably squeeze the most out of it to find it a viable role.

(to be removed later: Some builds that I plan on adding is full-evade troll, full melee, Open World tagger, open world Chill-out Saver inspired by GussJr…)

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQNAT8XjEqQLL2wCmsAXLGYEKOcP6AoH3OPE+WfYT9S+wZA-TZRBABTcRAivMAAPAgg2fgjjAAA
I use this build to get to diamond (completely solo) last season. It still holds up now especially because tempest got nerfed and the build got buffed – vigor stacks with natural vigor trait for a 70% endurance regen.

Not sure if you’re gonna fit in WvW builds?
I find this a decent hybrid WvW zerg midline-build.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQNBHhZ6kSFogVsiVwmVgrFsUIYPdhoVAAurOWPrMvr21DoEn/A-TVCBABip8LP9AA8AAie/hNODAJcIAeUJ4gaCsU9HSBExeL-w

Thanks for posting this, I just started a Ranger and was looking for some updated builds.

You’re going to have to remove the crusader build from the PvP section, it was confirmed by a red post that the Crusader amulet will be hotfixed out this week (along with the Vigilant amulet).

Personally for this PvP season, I’d run:
Paladin GS: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQJAWRnUqAlsiVsCOsActglOBDelOT3pOBuAQh7pFMAWYlMtzA-TZBGABBt/w+lBA4BAgwRAIhLBAA
Paladin LB: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQJAWTnUqAlsiVsCOsActglOBzJwFAKcPtgQ1CDelOT3plMtzA-TJBGABA8EA2vMQQ7PkwlAAA
Mercenary Sword/Torch: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQNAW8fnUqAFsiVsCOsActglOB7pFEqWYOBuAQhDelOT3pl480A-TJRHAB1XGgn9HC4JAAwFBAA

Mender is too squishy, SoS can be replaced with a shout (SnR, Guard, Protect Me) for utility over tanking, and in general, I’d be surprised if anything else really gets all that popular this PvP season that isn’t just a variation of one of these builds.

I prefer full shouts + Celestial Shadow over Glyphes + Verdant Etching. Sure, glyphs offer better team support, at least on paper, but often the heal/cleanse is wasted because of the delay and tiny radius and because you have to move arround to avoid more dmg/condis. With shouts you can take SnR and Celestial Shadow allows stealth rezzing or better disengaging.
Also the glyph as only stunbreak beside Druidic Clarity can be detrimental, if there is a rev with the taunt trait nearby …

jcbroe.4329:

You’re going to have to remove the crusader build from the PvP section, it was confirmed by a red post that the Crusader amulet will be hotfixed out this week (along with the Vigilant amulet).

Personally for this PvP season, I’d run:
Paladin GS: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQJAWRnUqAlsiVsCOsActglOBDelOT3pOBuAQh7pFMAWYlMtzA-TZBGABBt/w+lBA4BAgwRAIhLBAA
Paladin LB: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQJAWTnUqAlsiVsCOsActglOBzJwFAKcPtgQ1CDelOT3plMtzA-TJBGABA8EA2vMQQ7PkwlAAA
Mercenary Sword/Torch: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQNAW8fnUqAFsiVsCOsActglOB7pFEqWYOBuAQhDelOT3pl480A-TJRHAB1XGgn9HC4JAAwFBAA

Mender is too squishy, SoS can be replaced with a shout (SnR, Guard, Protect Me) for utility over tanking, and in general, I’d be surprised if anything else really gets all that popular this PvP season that isn’t just a variation of one of these builds.

Thanks a lot for these templates. I’ll definitely use the GS one.

Since season has started I’ll now have easier time keeping an eye on meta and which role a Ranger can take up on.
I’ll be updating the builds in near future.

I don’t think LB is worth using without quickdraw. If I’m not taking QD, the movement on GS makes more sense. With QD, LB becomes incredibly useful for decapping or holding, and it doubles up for mediocre damage on mid from a cliff or something.

UmbraNoctis.1907:

I prefer full shouts + Celestial Shadow over Glyphes + Verdant Etching. Sure, glyphs offer better team support, at least on paper, but often the heal/cleanse is wasted because of the delay and tiny radius and because you have to move arround to avoid more dmg/condis. With shouts you can take SnR and Celestial Shadow allows stealth rezzing or better disengaging.
Also the glyph as only stunbreak beside Druidic Clarity can be detrimental, if there is a rev with the taunt trait nearby …

I’ve tried multiple times with multiple builds to make a full bar of shouts work and I personally just can’t do it unless the enemy team lacks a condi Reaper. Fyi this is meant to be a constructive discussion about a difference of playstyles, because I know that there are people that are making shout builds work better than I can work them.

Just personally, “in the heat of battle,” all of the shouts seem super situational. You can’t spam Guard or the pet will die, Sic’ Em has a long cooldown and is generally not slotted anyhow, and SnR is obviously also highly situational, leaving Protect Me as the most spammable per situation shout but also the most detrimental to spam since it’s your stunbreaker.

If anything, that’s why on my templates, I’m suggesting that a hybrid of shouts and glyphs is the best route if you are confident/capable in playing without SoS. Individual shouts are incredibly strong now, and considering half the utilities (including the heal) I’d recommend using are shouts and half are glyphs, I wouldn’t really consider it “not a shout” build anyhow lol.

Celestial Shadow would be my only other gripe if you teamfight heavily. The AoE aspect of it can lose your team valuable capture point ticks. I’ve seen games where enemy rangers decapped mid for their team just by running Celestial Shadow, so it’s something that in general people that run it need to be much more mindful of than they sometimes are, and I’m not going to be the person that runs it and costs my team a close game (which I almost did a few times when I tried it).

Anyhow, yeah, I’d have to see how players on a high skill level perform with a more oriented should build to see what I’ve been doing differently than they do, or if that’s just how the build is expected to perform. I’m still finding the control aspects of Tides/Equality invaluable, and the cleanses and heals are easy to use once you get comfortable with the build. Equality particularly has a ton of “tricks” you can use because it’s insta-cast that makes unslotting it alone extremely difficult.

It’s good to see you guys are still around to have these sorts of discussions

I’ve been lurking, studying how dead the forum is, while playing lots and lots of BnS and enjoying it much, much more than I’ve enjoyed GW2 in a very long time, but the changes to this season are just enough for me to grind out the leagues to onyx (last season I stopped at diamond because of bad matchmaking and balance).

Fluffball.8307:

I don’t think LB is worth using without quickdraw. If I’m not taking QD, the movement on GS makes more sense. With QD, LB becomes incredibly useful for decapping or holding, and it doubles up for mediocre damage on mid from a cliff or something.

I’m in general agreement, really I only swap it into my build when I want to sidepoint decap, and I think the staff/melee set holds much more value and performs more roles and more consistently, but I’ve seen the continued popularity with staff/LB and it doesn’t necessarily lack anything and I can perform consistently well with it, so I figured I’d include it.

jcbroe.4329:

I’ve seen the continued popularity with staff/LB and it doesn’t necessarily lack anything and I can perform consistently well with it, so I figured I’d include it.

Oh I agree, I prefer LB, I just don’t like it without QD. The build you listed has PW, which I would consider for a GS build. LB I play “fancy” and GS I play “smashy” for lack of better terms. With the LB, like you I prefer a shout glyph hybrid for maximum CC annoyance. I also use a wolf. That will decap a point from nearly anything except a GS druid.

jcbroe.4329:

I’ve tried multiple times with multiple builds to make a full bar of shouts work and I personally just can’t do it unless the enemy team lacks a condi Reaper. […]

So far i don’t have many issues against condi reapers. It can’t fight them on point (1vs1) but if i kite them, i can win. However, most matches i had were very onesided and the enemys usually not the best, so i can’t say how well a full shout build will perform at higher levels.

I’m mostly experimenting with merc amulet and staff + s/t currently, just swapped to lb (and double generosity sigil) for a match against 4 reapers. And i’m testing Lingering Light instead of Ancient Seeds, because the roots just don’t last long enough to do anything in 99% of all cases. LL isn’t great after the nerf, but at least it is never completely wasted and i think, i will stick with it.

And even so i actually expected Guard to be a “kill pet button” in teamfights, it works surprisingly well for me so far. Pets die very rarely.

UmbraNoctis.1907:

jcbroe.4329:

I’ve tried multiple times with multiple builds to make a full bar of shouts work and I personally just can’t do it unless the enemy team lacks a condi Reaper. […]

So far i don’t have many issues against condi reapers. It can’t fight them on point (1vs1) but if i kite them, i can win. However, most matches i had were very onesided and the enemys usually not the best, so i can’t say how well a full shout build will perform at higher levels.

I’m mostly experimenting with merc amulet and staff + s/t currently, just swapped to lb (and double generosity sigil) for a match against 4 reapers. And i’m testing Lingering Light instead of Ancient Seeds, because the roots just don’t last long enough to do anything in 99% of all cases. LL isn’t great after the nerf, but at least it is never completely wasted and i think, i will stick with it.

And even so i actually expected Guard to be a “kill pet button” in teamfights, it works surprisingly well for me so far. Pets die very rarely.

I like lingering light as well, but ancient seeds has been a life saver for me by buying time for me to stealth and disengage. I ran full shouts up until a few days ago and I’m starting to see that I need at least the 3rd stun breaker. I love “guard” but I can’t seem to justify that over protect me, GoT, and SnR.

I don’t know if you plan on listing any wvw builds but here are the two main builds i use for wvw (with everything upgraded to ascended because I’m cheap and use mostly exotics). Note that these are the most common variations and I will often switch out stats/utilities/weapons as desired. I don’t really know what the current meta build is for ranger in wvw but these builds have worked for me.

Zerg – Shout Heal Druid
This build focuses on providing strong healing sustain and support to allies as well as Aoe control.

• Can substitute more dps or survivability in stats as needed: Berserkers > Zealots > Cleric/Magi > Nomads/Minstrels.
• GS can be replaced with Sw/Wh for more boon support and another blast.
• Can replace monk runes with soldier for condi cleanse on shouts.
• Alternative utilities: WHaO and Protect me (in this case drop the glyph trait), Lightning reflexes or glyph of equality if you need another stun break.
• Swapping NM for WS is viable as you can maintain 90% hp and regen uptime fairly easily and empathic bond is nice to have.

Roaming/Havoc – Survival Trapper Druid
For smaller scale fights or solo roaming and camp capping i prefer a condition based build.

• Sword and/or dagger can both be used with this build if preferred.
• Replace apothecary trinkets with dire if you need more damage.
• trailblazers armor can be replaced with dire if you do not wish to spend the gold on crafting.
• Some alternative utilities: Flame trap, SnR, healing spring

PvP—Berserker’s LB & Staff

I’m not at all fond of the current meta, so I decided to fool around with something that better suits my style. This is a high-risk build with only a small amount of control and condition removal, but it’s served me well thus far. The trick, as with the old Power Survival builds, is positioning and knowing when to get the hell out of Dodge. Or when to dodge. That too, I suppose.

I also can’t stand dogs, so I don’t use those. But it’d probably be a good idea for the extra control. You can swap Spike Trap with Search & Destroy if you want something more team-oriented. May also want to consider Beastly Warden if you’re using pets that aren’t ranged.

Vulnerable to focused fire, heavy conditions, and heavy CC.

salogel.1869:

Snipped

Thanks a lot salogel.

Since I do not really play WvW at all I don’t have any knowledge about that particular area. I decided to use your builds for the list since both seem like good choices.

My particular guess would be the GS+Staff since the glorious mobility it offers.

I’ve already updated some of the builds I posted and will continue to do so in future. Thank you all for your suggestions and feedback. It really helps me keep the list updated and correct.

So after playing around with shouts a lot more, I’ve started swapping between 2 builds depending on the enemy team comp and how condition heavy it is. Basically, Glyphs for condi heavy teams, shouts for power heavy teams.

Glyphs: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQJAWRnUqAlsiVsCOsActglOBzJwFAKcPtgBwCDelOT3plMtzA-TpBFABE8AA+vMQR7PwwRAohDBAAXAAA

Shouts: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQJAWRnUqA9Ci1CCOsActglOBDelGT3pPtgBwCzJwFAKclMtzA-TpBFABFt/ADHBg/LDQwDAohDBAAXAAA

They both work outside of the situations I mentioned, honestly I’m trying to figure out which in general is better for more situations.

But yeah, had to give shouts another go. The real issue I’m having with the build is that it doesn’t “feel” like it has any impact, but I can’t tell whether or not that’s a placebo due to the nature of the skills or not.

jcbroe.4329:

Snipped

With the shouts you have to know why did you pick them. You need to pick utilities for a reason. If the reason is “they counter Power” that’s good enough.
But that’s not a role – that’s why you don’t sense any of it.
Being a Disruptor of CC is a role. That’s why the difference.

Shouts’ role would mostly be:
Protect Me = Skirmishing 1v1 advantage (really weak in TF)
Guard =Anti-power (most efficient on Healing Power builds)
S&R = Counters TF cleave (most efficient on Ranged Builds)

Tragic Positive.9356:

jcbroe.4329:

Snipped

With the shouts you have to know why did you pick them. You need to pick utilities for a reason. If the reason is “they counter Power” that’s good enough.
But that’s not a role – that’s why you don’t sense any of it.
Being a Disruptor of CC is a role. That’s why the difference.

Shouts’ role would mostly be:
Protect Me = Skirmishing 1v1 advantage (really weak in TF)
Guard =Anti-power (most efficient on Healing Power builds)
S&R = Counters TF cleave (most efficient on Ranged Builds)

Well Guard on my linked build is a lot like Engis running Bulwark Gyro on their meta build, or so I would assume. Actually, out of all of the shouts, I think Guard is probably the least replaceable the more I play around with it.

I might try it on my glyph build over SoS at some point.

jcbroe.4329:

Well Guard on my linked build is a lot like Engis running Bulwark Gyro on their meta build, or so I would assume. Actually, out of all of the shouts, I think Guard is probably the least replaceable the more I play around with it.

I might try it on my glyph build over SoS at some point.

I was once actually thinking to hit in a Bear just to maximize this shout.
It really makes a difference.

I don’t think it’s worth sacrificing an entire pet slot just to use a bear in team fights. Guard works really well with normal pets in 1v1s and 2v2s (or even 1v2s to an extent.)

Fluffball.8307:

I don’t think it’s worth sacrificing an entire pet slot just to use a bear in team fights. Guard works really well with normal pets in 1v1s and 2v2s (or even 1v2s to an extent.)

Yup, that’s what I found out, too.
Especially when you can just swap pets.

Fluffball.8307:

I don’t think it’s worth sacrificing an entire pet slot just to use a bear in team fights. Guard works really well with normal pets in 1v1s and 2v2s (or even 1v2s to an extent.)

Get out that black bear aoe weakness !

Justine.6351:

Get out that black bear aoe weakness !

There was a time when things like weakness or fury or whatever meant something, not in this meta. Everyone has all the boons and all the condi cleanses and everyone gets everything and everyone is a Greek God.

Actually, I’d have to say that while it’s a broad category, the meta is already well defined as a Stability meta, where the vast majority of the builds are maximizing their sources of stability, and the most picked classes (Reaper, Revenant, Scrapper, Tempest) all have multiple sources of stability and can access it easily, with Reaper maybe being the most outlying of the group, but they just pump out so much damage and corrupt so many boons and are so obnoxious to fight and kill that every team comp will have a Reaper.

But yeah, I guess theoretically, we should also be trying to maximize our stability sources/uptime, but it won’t nearly be the same as what a Scrapper/Revenant/Tempest can do.

jcbroe.4329:

Actually, I’d have to say that while it’s a broad category, the meta is already well defined as a Stability meta, where the vast majority of the builds are maximizing their sources of stability, and the most picked classes (Reaper, Revenant, Scrapper, Tempest) all have multiple sources of stability and can access it easily, with Reaper maybe being the most outlying of the group, but they just pump out so much damage and corrupt so many boons and are so obnoxious to fight and kill that every team comp will have a Reaper.

But yeah, I guess theoretically, we should also be trying to maximize our stability sources/uptime, but it won’t nearly be the same as what a Scrapper/Revenant/Tempest can do.

But how do we max stability when everyone already runs sotp? I suppose sig of the wild could be useful but at the cost of a stunbreaker, or a great utility like SnR.

rummy.4102:

jcbroe.4329:

Actually, I’d have to say that while it’s a broad category, the meta is already well defined as a Stability meta, where the vast majority of the builds are maximizing their sources of stability, and the most picked classes (Reaper, Revenant, Scrapper, Tempest) all have multiple sources of stability and can access it easily, with Reaper maybe being the most outlying of the group, but they just pump out so much damage and corrupt so many boons and are so obnoxious to fight and kill that every team comp will have a Reaper.

But yeah, I guess theoretically, we should also be trying to maximize our stability sources/uptime, but it won’t nearly be the same as what a Scrapper/Revenant/Tempest can do.

But how do we max stability when everyone already runs sotp? I suppose sig of the wild could be useful but at the cost of a stunbreaker, or a great utility like SnR.

Yeah, that’s the problem. You could pick up the passive Enlargement trait by dropping NM for MM, but you lose a tad bit of boonstacking and duration, not to mention defensive traits, and while Signet of the Wild could semi-negate the boon aspect of it, the Enlargement trait will cancel out Astral Form, and thats all before getting to the utility bar.

Hmmmmm, maybe since we lack stability source, loading up on stunbreaks would be the better option? I’m honestly not sure myself, it’s something that requires theorycrafting and testing.

I do run with 3 stun breaks as my default set up (CA, GoE and PM) as well as SotP. Giving up GoT is not something I would consider, it is just way too versatile.

My personal advice against CC would technically be that SotP will do. There’s no need for enlargement neither Signet of the Wild. Both have long-enough cooldown to be considered as a skirmishing source of stability.

Instead, I find Lightning Reflexes a must-have for most builds, traited for Wilderness Knowledge or not. It’s the best reposition tool we currently have while being a stun-breaker.

On skirmishing 1v1 builds – Shared Anguish is your best friend. It changed the whole outcome of the fight for me countless of times.

So unless you intend to play in a teamfight, I’d say going for 2 stun breakers and Shared Anguish/SotP should be fine on most builds there are.
Rangers do the best job with positioning and repositioning in a fight (since SnR is the real value the Ranger can bring and others can’t) which means all you need to do is drag the attention from the real fight away while resetting. So stun-breakers like Zephyr, Protect Me, LR should do. All give you chance to create distance.

jcbroe.4329:

You’re going to have to remove the crusader build from the PvP section, it was confirmed by a red post that the Crusader amulet will be hotfixed out this week (along with the Vigilant amulet).

Personally for this PvP season, I’d run:
Paladin GS: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQJAWRnUqAlsiVsCOsActglOBDelOT3pOBuAQh7pFMAWYlMtzA-TZBGABBt/w+lBA4BAgwRAIhLBAA
Paladin LB: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQJAWTnUqAlsiVsCOsActglOBzJwFAKcPtgQ1CDelOT3plMtzA-TJBGABA8EA2vMQQ7PkwlAAA
Mercenary Sword/Torch: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQNAW8fnUqAFsiVsCOsActglOB7pFEqWYOBuAQhDelOT3pl480A-TJRHAB1XGgn9HC4JAAwFBAA

Mender is too squishy, SoS can be replaced with a shout (SnR, Guard, Protect Me) for utility over tanking, and in general, I’d be surprised if anything else really gets all that popular this PvP season that isn’t just a variation of one of these builds.

Do you mind telling more about the LB rotation , especially on 1 vs 1 ?

Tarhana.3561:

jcbroe.4329:

You’re going to have to remove the crusader build from the PvP section, it was confirmed by a red post that the Crusader amulet will be hotfixed out this week (along with the Vigilant amulet).

Personally for this PvP season, I’d run:
Paladin GS: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQJAWRnUqAlsiVsCOsActglOBDelOT3pOBuAQh7pFMAWYlMtzA-TZBGABBt/w+lBA4BAgwRAIhLBAA
Paladin LB: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQJAWTnUqAlsiVsCOsActglOBzJwFAKcPtgQ1CDelOT3plMtzA-TJBGABA8EA2vMQQ7PkwlAAA
Mercenary Sword/Torch: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQNAW8fnUqAFsiVsCOsActglOB7pFEqWYOBuAQhDelOT3pl480A-TJRHAB1XGgn9HC4JAAwFBAA

Mender is too squishy, SoS can be replaced with a shout (SnR, Guard, Protect Me) for utility over tanking, and in general, I’d be surprised if anything else really gets all that popular this PvP season that isn’t just a variation of one of these builds.

Do you mind telling more about the LB rotation , especially on 1 vs 1 ?

There’s no real set rotation, the LB is mostly for using Rapid Fire to burst down targets and Point Blank Shot to knock people off of points, followed up with another hit to root them off of points for decaps.

So ideally, you swap to Longbow and depending on the situation, either lay down a barrage where the fight is happening or Point Blank Shot a person off point and root them (in 1v1s this can get you a decap), and you want to Rapid Fire them whenever you can guarantee damage (count dodges, watch for defensive abilities to be used, etc).

The one thing you want to try not to be doing is camping Longbow autoattacking, because regardless of any of the discussions you may see happening on the forum, the staff autoattack actually does more damage (especially with more hits occurring while using proc sigils) than the LB autoattack, meaning that much like the way the GS builds work, you want to swap to the LB only when you are looking to use its utility or put some damage on something (for instance, you can just poke a person at 100% health with staff and pet attacks until they burn cooldowns, and then swap to LB to do some real burst damage).

Ultimately though, the biggest damage source comes from the Bristleback, so the perfect combo would be Point Blank Shot into autoattack to proc the root, use Heal as One and pet swap to Bristleback during the cast, then F2 and Rapid Fire. This only ever works when the enemy doesn’t have any defensive cooldowns, but really, you’re always trying to setup bristleback bursts.

By the way, for those interested, I’ve totally 180’d as I ended up casually queuing (as in I’ve played only about 3 days of the new league so far and solo only) to sapphire (not that it’s a big deal, I definitely don’t think so, leagues still =/= skill) and I’ve completely changed my stance to be using an entirely shout oriented build.

My initial worry with the prevalence of Reapers wasn’t helped by running a glyph build, and as I mentioned earlier on with calling this the “Stability Meta,” the glyph’s functions are negated so often that I really ended up only using them for their traited effect (and the stunbreak of course), and honestly, Guard is just so kitten good in itself that I feel obligated to run it on every utility bar now, so I ended up with just running this: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQJAWRnUqA9Ci1CCOsActglOBDelGT3pPtgBwCzJwFAKclMtzA-TpBFABMcEAI4BAAwFA4/yAFt/QDHCAA

I’m still skeptical of using Celestial Shadow, not because it isn’t valuable, but because at times you have to be incredibly mindful of how you use it in PvP, especially if you are skirmishing sidepoints in a close game, but still, it’s disengage/safety net is so strong, and it really helps avoid common anti-druid strategies since most organized teams or smart players know to focus you down when you go into celestial form or when you drop out of it, but celestial form allows for a quick positioning reset and target drop, which is super helpful in high pressure situations.

Sorry about the full 180 guys lol, I haven’t really been invested in playing and testing all these things in the preseason, but this right here will more than likely be the build that I personally stick with, and I’d imagine that a shout based build will be gravitated towards by other players, with maybe only Glyph of Equality being subbed in for Protect Me or SoS because I know people really like it (it’s hard dropping it myself, but the damage reductions and utility from that combination of shouts and SoS is ultra strong).

jcbroe.4329:

I’m still skeptical of using Celestial Shadow, not because it isn’t valuable, but because at times you have to be incredibly mindful of how you use it in PvP, especially if you are skirmishing sidepoints in a close game, but still, it’s disengage/safety net is so strong, and it really helps avoid common anti-druid strategies since most organized teams or smart players know to focus you down when you go into celestial form or when you drop out of it, but celestial form allows for a quick positioning reset and target drop, which is super helpful in high pressure situations.

That’s one of the reason I prefer LB over GS. Both are great builds, but a quickdraw’d hunter’s shot goes a long way towards making people call a new target, and it doesn’t cost you the cap (kitten scrappers be careful with your stealth gyros!)

Never thought I’d be advocating LB in PvP…

Fluffball.8307:

jcbroe.4329:

I’m still skeptical of using Celestial Shadow, not because it isn’t valuable, but because at times you have to be incredibly mindful of how you use it in PvP, especially if you are skirmishing sidepoints in a close game, but still, it’s disengage/safety net is so strong, and it really helps avoid common anti-druid strategies since most organized teams or smart players know to focus you down when you go into celestial form or when you drop out of it, but celestial form allows for a quick positioning reset and target drop, which is super helpful in high pressure situations.

That’s one of the reason I prefer LB over GS. Both are great builds, but a quickdraw’d hunter’s shot goes a long way towards making people call a new target, and it doesn’t cost you the cap (kitten scrappers be careful with your stealth gyros!)

Never thought I’d be advocating LB in PvP…

I mean this so sincerely when I say that literally the only reason I don’t run Longbow is because I solo queue. I find the GS a little more self sufficient, especially if you have to be the person that makes up for bad rotations coming from the rest of your team, and the high mobility lets you play the map a little more aggressively.

If I had a dedicated team with VoIP though, the LB all the way for the easier and more on demand damage, utility, and CC tools.

Ya I hear you. I keep switching back and forth between the two builds. LB just feels so much more toolbox-y, but then GS calls me back with the mobility.

Thank you for this! Immensely helpful!