Guild Wars 2

I haven’t played GW2 much since about the time the Revenant came out, I leveled it up with tomes and played it sparsely in pvp. I plan on coming back to the game and want to play a heavy class either the Rev or Guard. Firstly, what are the broad changes that have happened to the Rev? I don’t want to go through 2 years of path notes, I read somewhere that Shiro got nerfed, so anything like that. Secondly, how does the Rev compare to the Guard in terms of tank builds and damage(either burst or sustained) builds? I’d appreciate any answers.

Long Story. In no particular order

Shiro’s had its base healing cut down and Daggers consume charges regardless of being blocked, reflected, missing, ect.

Also, Shiro’s Phase Travel had its energy cost increased AND has a 5sec CD. Riposting Shadows also has a slightly higher cost and recovers less Energy for evading. (25 from 50)

Unrelenting Assault had a slight nerf in number of impacts, but still bugs out and triggers confusion for every one of them… Its also still crap for damage if more than one target comes within range

Infused Light got nerfed slightly in terms of duration and needing to be cast (first skill)

Retribution’s Dodge Roll for Stability was nerfed to evading an attack for Stability with an ICD of 8s. No reliable access to Stab exists without Jalis now. Versed in Stone also had a CD increase.

OH Shield had its healing decreased in Crystal Hibernation

Natural Resonance got cut down from 50% to 33% boon duration, and in tandem with Signet of Inspiration nerfs, we got kicked out of the Raid meta for a good while

OH Sword got some small buffs

OH Axe got some small buffs somewhat recently

Surge of the Mist and Equilibrium (PVP) were weakened.

Maniacal Persistence and Pulsating Pestilence got some changes that are mostly improvements.

Sigil changes have had an effect on Power Revenant regarding sigil triggering Hydromancy+Equlibrium and overall commonly used power sigils being removed

Precision Strike lost some range and the ability to track stealthed targets while still flying absolutely everywhere when more than one object/target is around it

Condi Rev got some buffs that actually makes it kitten out a ton of Torment from our regular access to Chill with Sword/Axe/Mallyx

Jallis got a small buff recently (Hammers suck more HP, Get Stab on using Inspiring Reinforcements). Previously had some energy costs lowered but ALSO had CDs added to the taunt chains and Inspiring Reinforcements I think.

Ventari got lots of buffs from lower energy costs to somewhat better healing scaling, to the elite sucking away all your energy to AOE condi clear for every 10 energy spent per condition.

Thats all that immediately comes to mind.

1) Most of the skills have now larger coodowns, bigger energy cost or both (albeit there’s some exceptions).

2) Power Rev lost ~1/3 of its damage at both range and mele; still, is the most effective 1 vs 1 and roaming build available, albeit does have a lot of disfavorable matchups and in PvP is used more as +1 and decapper.

3) Condi Rev was recently enhanced and is viable in small skirmishes, but lacks pressure at range; heal/support Rev was both nerfed in terms of boon sharing but the Ventari legend was buffed, so can somewhat work in Conquest.

4) In WvW Mallyx Rev is still crucial for raids because how can cleanse conditions and null its damage, albeit both as range damage provider and as bot boonsharing is weaker that with the HoT expansion; is also arguably one of the weakest roamers in the game because after the nerfs has no answer vs enemies poking at range or abusing stealth (which happens to be the most valuable tool in the current roaming landscape).

5) In PvE works, but after the Naturalistic Resonance huge nerf (-34%) this class is no longer required for an optimal team class distribution in raids so most of the pugs won’t want a Rev in their grup since any aspect of the game (dps, cleansing, support…) can be provided by other classes with either better damage or stronger support.