I’m kind of a new player (low level off and on since release, getting more serious as some RL friends are playing now), just getting started with my ranger and I’m trying to figure out the path I want to take with him. I’m only really interested in PvE and maybe some WvW in small groups (like 5 people) with some RL friends of mine.
I’ve familiarized myself with most of the weapons now and sort of have a general idea of what I want to do.
I really like the axe, both MH and OH (not necessarily Axe/Axe on same set but I like both). I also like the sword and dagger for the evades. had some good fun just playing around with Sword/Axe and Axe/Dagger and dodging around. I’m not super into either of the Bows but i could see each having their uses. Greatsword I got bored of really fast and don’t really find it appealing.
As for traits I’m having a hard time seeing anything to like in marksman. I don’t see the appeal of a bunch of stuff geared towards the 1st strike (not going for huge first hit maul type builds). The only thing I really see that might be interesting to me is the signet grandmaster as the signets have some really OP effects that are awesome on yourself. Am I missing something?
I like Skirmishing to a certain point, though I haven’t tried traps that much and I might be more into it once I get more experience with them (why do traps which are mostly conditions, under the crit tree!?)
Wilderness survival I absolutely love as a tree. I found in the mists practice area I was easily killing stuff in full berserker gear with all the dodge and protection stuff.
Nature magic I see the potential but not sure healing and spirits is what I want to focus on.
BM I understand it’s importance but nothing really stands out for me. I’m not really into full pet builds either. Not that I don’t appreciate the pets importance, I just don’t like pure beastmaster type play.
Should i go with a condition build since I like MH axe? Drop sword for shortbow if I do that? I’m weary of trying full conditions as I’ve done the math and see a lot of shortcomings with the way conditions work in this game. I also tend to run with my friends doing world events and they have a habit of killing stuff really fast.
Condition builds for rangers are all about bleeds with axe and shortbow, and possibly burns from torch, correct?
I do find the RRR condition build with high toughness and regen appealing though as a concept.
Is something like sword/axe and axe/dagger (or warhorn maybe) viable for a power build? It seems to me that other than sword/LB/GS everything is a mix of conditions and power on the weapons. I don’t mind doing a mix of both but the math seems to indicate that you have to pick one or the other to focus on for stats. Maybe longbow with Axe/axe for closer skirmishing (and to tag more stuff before my friends kill it… haha)?
Sorry if that’s a lot but I appreciate any advice anybody has.