Guild Wars 2

So. With the new Feature Pack us Rangers got a HUGE boost. I’ve been toying around with builds the past few days and here is what i came up with:
4/5/0/5/0
(Marksmanship: Steady Focus, Spotter).
(Skirmishing: Pets Prowess, Honed Axes,)
(Nature Magic: Vigorous Spirits, Two-Handed Training.)

This is traited for Greatsword/Axe Warhorn with a damage increase of up to 35%. As well as sharing boons with your pet through Fortifying Bond. This gives ranger a little more survivability that comes with the increase to vitality. The buff from sharpening stones is increase as well.

On the other hand, Sword Warhorn /Axe Torch is also a valid combination now traited as such. 6/5/0/3/0

(Marksmanship: Steady Focus, Spotter, Predator’s Onslaught).
(Skirmishing: Companions Might, Honed Axes)
(Nature Magic: Vigorous Spirits)

This allows for might stacking through Axe/ Torch then switching to Sword/ warhorn for auto attack. I dont know if the new 3s of might from ricochet is worth the effort, only time will tell. Your pet should maintain any boons you get. This allows for a damage increase up to 40% with the extra power that comes from being fully traited into marksmanship.

Longbow Ranger is just as powerful now with the buff to it. Running 6/5/1/2/0 allows you to spike for massive amounts
(Marksmanship: Steady Focus, Eagle Eye , Predators Onslaught).
(Skirmishing: Companions Might, Quick Draw)
(Nature Magic: Vigorous Spirits)
Use longbow 5 then 2 the switch to sword/ warhorn

Thoughts? Opinions? I’m open to suggestions and criticism.

Sounds like you are talking about pve?

In that regard I think our best DPS is now 6/5/0/3/0 sword/warhorn with predators onslaught.

The might duration on axe is too short to weapon swap as you propose. Also your pet will get might from sword auto anyway.

Also frost spirit is nerfed, so no point training for spirits.

The ranger weapons depend anyway on situation. Yet aslong as you can go melee you’d stay on sword/warhorn or axe and greatsword. If you need ranged, it depends on aoe or single target wich will be the bow or axe. Piercing arrows may be better than the axe but harder to use.

It’s funny how everyone has a different opinion on what has the best dps on the ranger right now LB burst into Sword/Axe seems to be the highest to me :P

Dropped vigorous spirits for strength of spirit for that extra power gonna see how it works.

Apparently one dev has admitted that Frost Spirit is bugged and that they’re looking into it.

sword/axe is greater damage than sword/horn. The blast finisher on horn isn’t really worth it when other party members can usually bring much more might stacking power. Axe 4 is a pretty brutal burst, and axe 5 can do some clutch reflects.

6/5/0/3/0 with vigorous spirits and sword/axe/greatsword/longbow with axe/axe on hand in inventory would be my build once frosty gets fixed. until then, strength of spirit is the better option.

3 in nature magic is important because Fortifying Bond lets your pet have an insane amount of boons and contribute very good damage.