Guild Wars 2

So…
Since i returned to GW2 I am an avid reader of this forum… Unfortunately, a lot of topics are just out of my reach since they are HC PvP topics. Im afraid to write anything there cause of L2P and gitgud answers…
So i decided ill just ask my questions in my own topic…
Since i have 2 year old twins and 8am to 8pm job i dont have a lot of time to play… But i reserve at least one hour when everybody goes to sleep to get into Tyria, albeit very casually… I dont have a specific goal (although i just play PvE, either meta events on HoT maps or FOTM – my favourite), i just enjoy playing and communicating with my guildies (although im in not so communicative guild ).
I play warrior, berserker spec and enjoying it (DPS FTW)
I have some questions that maybe people here could answer:

1. Im using something like phalanx strength build (still gearing up)… Is that still meta for PvE? Not that i care to have a cookie cutter build but sometimes LFG insists on strict builds for FOTM
2. I would also like to have Viper gear (enjoy condition damage builds)… Cause of the effort, should i even start collecting recipes (i dont even know where to start)?
3. Only way to add AR is to have ascended gear?
4. Is there any good gearing guides (how to get recipes, where to buy what…)?

So, once again, sorry im not interested in PvP

Thank you, good forum people

1. Yes, Phalanx Strength is a MUST have in your build for Group PvE content, like, FOTM. Your also going to want to have the two banners that give, Power and Precision, and maybe even Battle Standard elite banner, for reviving downed party members.

2. Viper gear is quiet hard to get or make, you get the recipes from Auric Basin (Both the Inscription and the Insignia are sold by the NPCs that trade stuff for the tokens you get from doing events there.) You then make it, it is costly though, since the recipes call for Black Diamonds which the last time I looked, went for over 2G a piece. Also if you do all of the Act 4 Achievements in HoT Story, you get an Ascended Amulet that you can select the stats you want, in your case, Viper, all other trinkets could be Exotic, since, there are no other Viper ascended trinkets, and the backpiece isn’t able to be Vipers either, so, your stuck with using like a Rabid one from a Karma vendor.

3. Yes, if you plan on doing high level fractals, you are going to want to get your hands on Ascended gear, and infuse+attune your rings and backpiece, also I advise you have the Fractal mastery line maxed out, to get the most out of fractals, plus there is some neat things you get from the bonus npcs, ect.

4. Most things your going to need can be bought from the TP, or from a Karma vendors in Orr, or like I said, certain achievements.

- Side note -

If your able to only play for an hour a day, and you only typically play PvE events and FOTM, I advise you to go with the typical Berserkers stat gear or even Marauders, and run something like.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vJEQNAR3ZjMdQfHW7BefAdIGKCqMI+hnX7ioPLsB4BCAA-TRSCABipEEgDKwUK/W4BEAxFQAm9HgU9nDOSA0p75bwAwIIEiIiZmZmGRERIFQgjBA-e

I only say this, is because, getting all that Viper stuff together, is going to take a toll on when you can expect to be doing something else, like playing playing, lol. With your time restraints, it might be best to go with something like the above, and gradually work at getting what you need to swap to vipers, plus, if you get ascended, you can swap the stats to vipers on the weapons/armor in the Mystic forge, following the recipe. (Item+Anthology of Heroes+5 Ecto+Viper Insig/Inscrip.) doing this however will, remove what is in the armor. (Runes/Infusions.) so be careful.

Hope this helped!!!

First of all thank you for a detailed response…
I already have full berserker exotic gear with some ascended parts (whatever i could buy with laurels/karma)…
So i need some carrot in front of me, and thats ascended gear…
I have fractal mastery maxed so thats not a problem…
Its just i feel like im “stuck”… I did all fractals up until level 32 (cant go higher casue AR and i dont like being carried by others), i need some luck to find an organised HoT map, dont have knowledge or time to get rich so im a bit confused where to go next….

I’m sure you will get other advice but even if you do not take everything with a grain of salt. The best answers come from a combination of advice and personal experience. With that said let me add that when I am on, which may not be at the same time that you are, a few of my guildies and I run fractals and if we have a slot open you are always welcome to join. No AR or experience necessary. So, on to the questions.

1. Is PS Warr still meta, yes and no. PS Warr is still welcome but there are other builds for warr emerging thanks to the boost the profession received in the realm of condi. A good place to check is at http://metabattle.com/wiki/MetaBattle_Wiki. Personally I run a build I developed for myself but the stuff at MetaBattle is wonderful. It is community vetted. My only complaint is we cannot see the number of votes a build received, or whatever method they are using to rate them.

2a. Yes, Viper is valid for a condi build and, yes, you can go for it if you want but let’s be honest. This is warrior, the elite isn’t called Berserker by accident or coincidence. With that said Berserker gear is still going to be the best. I happen to run all Berserker except my rings which are both Celestial but that is another story.

2b. How do you get Viper gear? There are really only two ways because it is a bind to account item. One, buy the recipe from one of the vendor’s that sale it listed here. Or two complete the Battle in Tarir meta-event and hope it drops for you. If you are going for ascended armor or weapons there are a few other steps you have to do before crafting. If you are talking about trinkets, well, I’ll be honest and say I do not think they are available in PvE. At any rate you only need to get the insignia and/or inscription recipe once to craft two, twenty, two-hundred items so it’s not as bad as my reply may make it sound. Once you have the recipe for the insignia and/or inscription the rest of the recipes you will need can be bought from the BLTC.

3. Yes, the only slot that accepts AR is in ascended gear. That is a rather long discussion that would warrant a whole other message. It would actually be easier to get you in game and explain it so I can link my gear for you to see, break it down for you, and take enough time to answer questions you will have. I know you will have questions because I teach my guildies how to gear up and it is a bit of a confusing process until you “get it”. Anyway if you want I can write it all out here in a reply message or you can hook up with me in game and I can take the time to go it over with you.

4. There are gearing guides, good ones? Well, that is a matter of opinion. I have been playing for over two years and back then we didn’t have a lot of the resources that are around now. I have run into a few gearing guides but didn’t pay them much mind since I am already geared up and know what to do if I want to craft new gear. With that said start with your trinkets first. Trinkets are easy to get since they don’t require crafting. Fractals will drop some trinkets, Laural vendor will sale others, and if you do guild missions those guild commendations you get will buy you yet other trinkets. Since you do not need to craft trinkets you can work on them while preparing to craft your gear. You will want to craft your armor first since it will take about a month to finish a full set of ascended armor. That is because some of the items are time gated. When you build your armor start with your chest first, then craft your legs, then your helm, then you can do the last three in whatever order you want. Finally you can craft up your weapons. Again, I stress that this is my opinion and I am sure someone else will be able to share their knowledge. We have a lot of really great and vastly more knowledgeable members of the community than me.

Getting sort of long winded here so I will wrap this up. I just want to stress that there is a lot of good advice and a little diligence in searching Google will net you some of it. Additionally if you would like to chat more I am usually on between 7pm and 10pm CST and would be happy to share what limited information I have with you. If you want to make a fractal run you are welcome to join in if we have a slot open too. My point is please feel free to message or whisper me as I make my best effort to help others when I can.

Edit: And you did get some other great advice that covered a knowledge gap I had in trinkets too boot. Also, slow fingers make for a slow reply. ;-)

And once again, thank you a lot for this detailed answer…
Regarding the viper gear, i really dont need the “best” build… I need one good wnough to be in lfg but the one that is fun to play for me… And since i like condition damage, ill go an try to make viper gear…
Also, ill have to make berserker ascended gear so thats there also…
Ill definitely look you up in game but we have a bit of a time difference im +7 from you.
One more question, is there “the best” or “the fastest” way to get ascended armor and weapon?

I really enjoy the viper/condi S/T+Bow build; while it’s not ‘meta’, it is an enjoyable playstyle and good in a variety of situations (solo, story, groups, fractals, wvw, etc.) It’s also fun to gear up: doing the achievements for sinister gear, building your viper set. It’s something to work towards.

So, for viper gear i need AB meta event… And for sinister?