Guild Wars 2

style.6173:

What it needs is a point nerf. I never understand why people think a PvE event on a PvP map is a good idea. It shouldn’t be worth more than 75-100 points.

This could work for me.

Make him worth 100, and add in a downed state the same as Stronghold Lords and that should be enough solve the brokenness.

Here’s me.

I only started playing ranked half way through season 1.

Bizarrely, my win rate is actually lower in unranked (between seasons 1 & 2) than it is in ranked, but I guess that’s because all of the higher skilled players are in the mix during that period.

If you’re going Marksmanship to trait for Longbow – you might want to consider Clarion Bond over Predator’s instinct for the extra Swiftness/Fury/Might on pet swap (further stacked by WHAO).

Most of your DPS is coming from your pets (I imagine you’re running classic Smokescale/Bristleback?) so maximising boon stacking helps their burst.

The usual alternative to Marksmanship is running Nature Magic to increase you (and more importantly your pet’s) boon duration considerably – something like this:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQJATWnUqA9sg1CC+CCctglOBDelGT3pOBuAQh7pFEqWYlMtzA-TJBFABAcJAEvMABPBgi2fAA

With virtual perma-swiftness from your combined shouts, I’d personally drop Natural Stride for Celestial shadow. Celestial Shadow = you can pop in and immediately out of Celestial Avatar to res team mates invisibly after a successful Search and Rescue which can be game changing.

Seeing as you’re running 5 shouts, I’d definitely consider going with Rune of the Soldier for the regular Condi-Cleanse. I also prefer Paladin over Mercenary ammy for the extra toughness, but this is subjective.

This vanilla ranger boon stacking build has been working well for me in Unranked PVP pre-season:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQNAT8XnUqA1Ci9CCOsActghFhav8A4o9QvES9PKK2XukpdG-TpBFABOcEAEvMADHEAAeAAEcBAaf/BA

I’m particularly enjoying well timed retaliation from O/H axe 5 (13.5 seconds of it with WHAO). It really screws up bursty classes like thieves in the current meta (even with the -33.33% PVP modifier)

Stand The Wall.6987:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQNAW8XnUqA1Ci9sA+CCctglZBD+fWQfoPBg603ypqNnyan480lC-TZBFAB0v/ABXAAgPIANcEAA4BAAA
paladin
you get 2 procs of prot from the rune (shh)

Your build inspired me to try this: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQNAR8XnUqA1Ci9sA+CCctgBGh6fiSol5w9oDAf0HhT/kpduUA-TJBFABEcRAEvMAAPBA63fAA

Basically it’s more of a melee orientated Non Druid version utilising Quick Draw – giving nice Retaliation uptime (Axe 5 – WHAO). The retaliation + the ridiculous Protection uptime is great versus thieves especially. You could go Paladin for the extra toughness, or even Longbow instead of Great Sword if melee’s not your thing.

Thanks for sharing Waveguider:

I’ve tried running a similar build. I personally prefer Protect Me over SOS for the extra (group) stun break and boons.

I want to like Leadership rune, but I have a hard time going with it over Soldiers – even with the additional boon duration you get from it. Taking it feels like a slightly more selfish choice imo.

Tragic Positive.9356:

Plenty of “wrong” here.

You are using crusader stats with a condition based weapon and zero precision.
You do not have enough condi clear (neither use Druidic Clarity).

Also, with no burst weapon on your own, you’d better be off with Axe/Dagger for might stacking with NM/BM on your 1st build. The 2nd well … It doesn’t really have damage with your setup.

Tragic’s right. I’m afraid this simply isn’t an optimum build…for bunkering or anything else.

Crusader is the wrong amulet to run with your build as highlighted above – your best (and only) option would be Sage, as it’s the only PVP amulet available with both Healing AND Condi Damage stats (after the death of Cele).

And Ferocity is useless with a 4% crit chance – you’ll never feel the benefit of the extra damage because it will RARELY land.

Hope this helps you understand how you can make your build better Dragonzhunter.

lucabuccia.3795:

Ok, so, I tried up the GS build, suggested by Brokencaps. Really nice heals and survavibility.
Mobility improved a lot with GS #3.
Damage increased thanks to GS #2.

I survived alone for 2 minutes of costant fight against a power ranger and a warrior.

Last thing: I found very problematic to survive Dragonhunter burst. I really got oneshotted by a trap. Advices?

Glad it worked out for you.

Re:Dragonhunters
There is an animation ‘tell’ just before the trap closes – dodge immediately if you can and you’ll escape most if not all of the damage.

In general – if you see a Dragonhunter camping on a bunker, send your pet in first and attack from distance before closing in. That way, your pet will activate the trap and not you. And remember – you’ve got some good disengages running Staff & GS.

Best of luck.

Ghorman.1368:

You build is pretty close to the one I’ve been running for the past couple weeks. I have a hard time getting away from Traveler Runes. I use those pretty much on every class

I wouldn’t think you’d feel the need for Traveller with perma-swiftness from traited shouts?

So, what’s everyone running in PVP that they’re finding working well so far post patch?

Here’s what I’m trying (but with Menders Ammy in place of Clerics): http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQJATWnUqAtsg1CCuCCctglOB7pFEqWYwr0Y6O1JwFAKcl480A-TpRBABiVGAgHAA/7P8wFAAjjAQGHCAA

Seems to work well in unranked. 3 Stun breakers, tons of healing and a fair amount of damage to boot.

I’ve tried Soldiers runes with this build too, but I quite like the extra boon duration.

Share your PVP build successes. Let’s discuss.

Looks ok in general.

I think you need another stun break (your only one currently comes from druidic clarity which won’t always be on demand). Consider swapping ‘Glyph of Tides’ with ‘Protect me’ (it’s awesome) seeing as you’re traited for shouts and are using soldier runes.

Try Menders ammy over Paladins if you want to fulfil more of a healer role – this will make your 4 shouts heal for 3360 each…pretty sweet.

I’d take Smokescale over wolf every time.

You may want to consider Great Sword over Sword/Torch – as you’re not really maximising the condi from torch (you’d want condi damage ammy and quickdraw trait for that). If you do go Great Sword – swap Wilting Strikes for Two Handed Training.

Also – if you drop a glyph for another shout, you may want to consider swapping Verdant Etching for Celestial shadow or natural stride.

Hope this helps.

Just made it to Ruby last night after playing ranked casually (a couple of night’s a week) since beginning of January. Played entirely SoloQ with my vanilla ranger.

Some frustration along the way with occasional team mates disconnecting/not playing, occasional landslide defeats and general one step forwards two steps back progress.
But overall I didn’t find it too annoying, although I will be pleased to see the back of this Bunkerish meta (I’m looking at you ChronoMesmer and Diamond skin Tempest).

Menzies The Heretic.3415:

Title is misleading, change to; “Where can I find patch notes?”

Apologies…done.

Have they been released yet?

If so, where can I take a look at them?

I was hoping to hit ruby before season 2 (I’m currently T3 Sapphire) but I only get to play a few evening a week – so i don’t think I’ll grind it out in time.

I actually found Emerald more frustrating than I currently find Sapphire in terms of advancement speed. I always seemed to get 4 pips, to then be placed on completely clueless teams the same as you’re finding.

Ultimately it’s a lottery, just be thankful that you can’t actually lose tiers in Emerald.

I don’t think the next meta will be bunker, but I agree that there will still be a fair amount of sustain and general tankiness with some classes. But I think they’ll need it with the proposed damage buff changes to thief.

I for one have my eye on a Paladin as a replacement for Marauder on my ranger to give me a bit more toughness at the expense of crit damage.

I only have time to play casually a few evenings a week on my vanilla Ranger.

I started playing soloQ ranked after Christmas and have cruised easily into Sapphire without any issues or feeling like I’m letting teams down. My play style is roamer, to +1 and offering support where needed, as well as decapping far and making a general nuisance of myself. I can usually hold my own on point against most if needed.

Here’s the boonstacking build I’ve been using: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQNBjYDbkSFaZxKWwhF4axwiQ1lbHsB7lHAHtH6neqXi0PD-TpRGABdXGAgLAQCHBADOIAgs/QxPAAA

I am however now considering running a more ‘meta’ Druid build from here on out to compare notes versus my vanilla ranger build to try and become even more competitive in the upper echelons.

I’m not keen on the idea of a Druid bunker role however, is there any viable Druid build that will offer the same ‘roamer’ playstyle?

Thanks in advance.

I only have time to play casually a few evenings a week on my vanilla Ranger.

I started playing soloQ ranked after Christmas and have cruised easily into Sapphire without any issues or feeling like I’m letting teams down. My play style is roamer, to +1 and offering support where needed, as well as decapping far and making a general nuisance of myself. I can usually hold my own on point against most if needed.

Here’s the boonstacking build I’ve been using: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQNBjYDbkSFaZxKWwhF4axwiQ1lbHsB7lHAHtH6neqXi0PD-TpRGABdXGAgLAQCHBADOIAgs/QxPAAA

I am however now considering running a more ‘meta’ Druid build from here on out to compare notes versus my vanilla ranger build to try and become even more competitive in the upper echelons.

I’m not keen on the idea of a Druid bunker role however, is there any viable Druid build that will offer the same ‘roamer’ playstyle?

LordOtto.2650:

I deleted this game yesterday, feeling much better

Why are you still commenting in the forums of a game that’s made you so disillusioned that you’ve had to deleted it?

I genuinely want to know.

Ranger

We’ll be looking into all of those ranger’s traits that you no self respecting Ranger would touch with a barge pole and will fiddle with them in an attempt to make them slightly less pointless. In the first quarterly update, we’ll be messing around with shouts but completely ignoring all of the crucial things that Rangers have been shouting out for like Sword AA and short bow reworks. In the future, we’ll continue to scratch our heads regarding ways to make any pet that’s not Smokescale or Bristleback semi-viable. And those Druid hippies? They’re getting hit over the head with the nerf staff.

Ranger – main hand sword is pretty bad, as is shortbow.

I don’t mind offhand warhorn personally.

Kudos Leeto.

Would you care to share some of the Necro builds that got you there, or is it bad form to ask?

(I’m not suggesting that most mere mortals have the skill required to achieve Legendary/SoloQ by merely copy/pasting your build, but I think a lot would be interested to see what you ran)

That Druid staff looks OP. And that crow is looking at me funny.

Anet – can we nerf them please?

Hello and welcome.

In the current meta, Revenant seems to be a kind of hybrid of Thief/Warrior – one that pretty much does everything better than either of those classes currently.

If you enjoy playing a high damage output class in PVP you might consider rolling Revenant. They’re not too difficult to learn the play basics of either.

The build that you played against may have looked something like this:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQNAnYWn0rCVsitsAmrAUtgFDBDurGWTrNvrUXLgJAM6aAFsqB-TZRAwAAOBAdeCAlLDw5QA0b/BA

Staff + Traited Primal Echoes & Ancient Seeds = 5 second immob on staff weapon swap (every 18 seconds)
Glyph of Equality/Spike Trap/Entangle = all 5 second immobs (the first 2 due to Ancient seeds again)
Staff4 – 1.5 second immob
And both Wolf and Drakehound have knockdowns = 2 × 5 second immobs (Drake hound f2 also has 2 second immob)
And he/she may have popped into Celestial Avatar and used skill 5 for another 5 second immob

So basically in melee it’s immob central v.s this kind of druid…so staying at range would help (Not ideal with D/D Ele I know). I’d imagine the reason that you didn’t inflict any damage was that your damage was targeting the immobilising roots…

Agree with the above, you don’t really need more boon duration.

It’s subjective, but I prefer Strength over Hoelbrak for the extra 5% Damage modifier. I also go Hammer over Staff for the extra damage – here’s the build I’m having most success with:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vlAQNAS8un3guNSuQ7JRboVlsP0rS4IaWJ4EdsklNFSNG54HtB4APwOgHchA-TZBFABFcQAEvMQJ7PQwkittennAAA

I’m very much still learning to play my Rev, but enjoying the learning curve!

What’s everyone thinking of running build-wise in PVP for Druid during HOT launch weekend?

I’m thinking of running a maximized lockdown druid build based around cripples and Immobs from dazes, taunts and knockdowns: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQJATWnEqAtsglrAWsCUtgl8AD+u2XHsLBgSwp7JEE9eelsguA-TpBFABiXGQhjAABPAgEOEAAcBA8Z/BA

If I feel I need more condition removal I’ll lose BM and invest in WS to balance it – swapping in Smokescale and Wolf for the birds.

Would be great to hear thoughts, feedback and see other Druid PVP build ideas you’re all considering for launch weekend.

My Sweet Lily.1952:

BROKENCAPS.4561:

I was thinking something similar, but making the 5 healing skills on staff synergise with Rune of Grenth:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQJATWnEqAtsgVsCOsAUtgl8AD+u2XHsLBgSwprJhFE+BpsmKAHM-TpxAABDcEAmvMQHHCAe2fAgLAQEPAAA

Druid Staff with all 5 healing skills + Rune of Grenth (+20% Chill Duration, when you use a healing skill nearby foes are chilled for 3 seconds) Sigil of Chilling and Hydromancy on staff. Plus traited Predator’s Onslaught and Ancient seeds = Gives staff/LB loads of Immob/Chill.

I’m pretty sure all healing skill related runes refer to the skill 6 healing skill.

Ahh..k, thanks.

I was thinking something similar, but making the 5 healing skills on staff synergise with Rune of Grenth:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQJATWnEqAtsgVsCOsAUtgl8AD+u2XHsLBgSwprJhFE+BpsmKAHM-TpxAABDcEAmvMQHHCAe2fAgLAQEPAAA

Druid Staff with all 5 healing skills + Rune of Grenth (+20% Chill Duration, when you use a healing skill nearby foes are chilled for 3 seconds) Sigil of Chilling and Hydromancy on staff. Plus traited Predator’s Onslaught and Ancient seeds = Gives staff/LB loads of Immob/Chill.

Only played 1 night of PVP, but it’s all about Natural Stride and Ancient Seeds for me…loving it so far.

Tried the staff build last night and found myself rarely using it, so am going to try this Daze/Immob/Cripple build tonight:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQJATRnEqAtsgVsCOsAUtgl8ADeu2XHsLBgCwprJhFE+BpsmKAHM-TpxAABRt/w8lB64QAAwFAgjjAQEPAAA

runeblade.7514:

Tired of being a druid healer? Try the Power Druid.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQJATRjEqQLLWyCOsAVLWyEM4aaPdo6k4SANumkVA4AA-TJxHAB1s/w1lBC4QAAwRAAA

The difference between Power Ranger vs. Power Druid is Ancient Seeds.

Ancient seeds will immobilize any target that has been knocked back, launched, dazed or stunned. This lets Ancient seed be synergetic with Point blank shot and Hilt Bash.

I ran ran a similar build last night in PVP hotjoin to great effect: http://gw2skills.net/editor/vNAQJATRjEqQLLWxCOsAVLWyDM45afdwuEAKBrtmEWQ4HkyaqAcwA-TpxAABRt/w8lB64QAAwFAgjjAQEPAAA

I took the Black Moa for the extra Daze, and with Ancient Seeds traited this build was full of immobs and long cripples (which synergised great with Natural stride making me feel untouchable)

My Sweet Lily.1952:

Heimskarl Ashfiend.9582:

runeblade.7514:

Heimskarl Ashfiend.9582:

Can anyone say if you need to be in combat to generate AF?

Nope. I can generate AF by spamming staff auto out of combat.

If that is the case, you can use TU before the match and be at 100% AF as soon as the match begins.

Wanna try dual melee too…

You can pre load the Astral force in HotM too. Just go stand next to someone spamming 1 to get it to full. Going in to a match doesn’t remove any Astral force, nor does the ’’reset’’ before the actual match.

Is this true? Must be a bug…

Here’s my Power Sustain Ranger (LB/GS) build:

http://intothemists.com/guides/5652-power_sustain_ranger

It’s been pretty sweet for soloQ roaming and skirmishing.

Not quite the same blitzing damage output of the old power ranger builds (not far off) but LOADS more sustain and condi-clear.

I very rarely seem to go down!

Am loving Mauruader over Zerker too…

flow.6043:

BROKENCAPS.4561:

By my calculations I’m stacking as follows:

Hemophilia: +20%
Lingering Curses: +33%
Rune of the Krait: +20%
Sigil of Agony: +20%

Krait runes give +45% bleeding duration.
You also get +30% from having 6 points in Spite.
If you add Sigil of Agony and Hemophilia you get +115%.

Lingering Curse is a different story.
First of all, the tooltip is completely misleading. There is not a single skill on the scepter that is increased by exactly 33%. Not only that, but a percentage value all too often makes people believe that this trait somehow interacts with other duration increases, which it doesn’t.
What really happens is this:
Auto Attack (bleed/bleed/poison): 5/5/4 seconds. With LC: 7/7/6 sec.
Grasping Dead: 7/5 sec. LC: 9/6 sec.
Lingering Curse simply extends each skill by a fix amount, and that new base duration can again be extended by 100%. So an unmodified 5 sec of bleeding on Blood Curse can be turned into 14 seconds without violating the 100% rule.

So like I said, +100% is as good as it gets. If you have +115% your 30 seconds of bleeding on Blood is Power will still only tick 60 times. With one exception: if you face someone with for example Melandru runes (-25% condi duration) you’d still do +90% against them.

BROKENCAPS.4561:

I take your point about longer bleed times = more chance of condi cleanse, but I’ve made it part of my strategy to pressure certain vulnerable classes to blow their condi cleanse or risk bleeding out fast.

I know what you mean, but different traits might add more pressure than the extra duration.

Thanks for taking the time to explain Flow. Maths never was my strong suit!

As you pointed out, I’d completely forgotten to include the +30% condition duration for the 6 points in Spite.

And I had no idea that the Krait runes stacked bleed duration cumulatively! (+10% + 15% + 20% = +45%) I thought it just bumped duration up to a max of +20% based on the 6th slot of Krait being filled. It’s great to know this.

And from the way you described how Lingering Curse works (separately from other condi duration) helps me understand bleed stacking much better – so thanks again for taking the time to go through this.

Based on your comments I’m thinking of trying the following 2 builds out:

Hybrid amended 1:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fRAQRBLRdG2IHNd22Yj1Nc4moXomqIgOAKzjN6HoDyAA-TpRAABA8AAi+EA0xRAgsyAccQAeZ/BA

This is a quick fix – swapping out Rune of the Krait out for Rune of the Afflicted – bringing my bleed duration down to the magic +100% to avoid waste (and increasing poison duration slightly for scepter & Signet of Spite)

Hybrid amended 2:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fRAQRBLRdG2IHNd22Yj1Ns3moXomqIgOAWhjN6HoDyAA-TpxFAB7eCAO4IA4UZAAeAAGcQAOZ/BA

This is a bigger overhaul. I’m going to swap out Lich for Golem, and replace Reapers Might (Spite V1) with Training of the Master (Spite 1X) to maximise the Golems damage. I’m also replacing Sigil of Agony on Scepter to Sigil of Ice (my thinking is that applying an additional condition for them to clear may help me maintain my bleed stack).

The bleed stacking on this build will now clock in at +95% duration – so no unnecessary waste.

Will let you know how I fare.

Thanks again!

flow.6043:

BROKENCAPS.4561:

Bleedtastic – Lingering Curses/Hemophilia/Rune of the Krait/Carrion Amulet all add up to long bleed times and huge DOT.

You are overstacking your bleeding duration. You can’t get more than +100%.
And except for Barbed Precision, all of your bleeds have rather long base durations. So chances are you will not get the full duration before they are cleansed anyway.
My suggestion: change Hemophilia to Weakening Shroud, Lingering Curse to Path of Corruption, Sigil of Agony to anything else.
Also, I’d take Flesh Golem with Krait runes, or a different rune if you want to keep Lich.

Forgive me for sounding NOOBish Flow, but I don’t understand how I’m overstacking my bleed duration. Can you explain please?

By my calculations I’m stacking as follows:

Hemophilia: +20%
Lingering Curses: +33%
Rune of the Krait: +20%
Sigil of Agony: +20%

So with Scepter equipped, I’m stacking +93% bleed duration (just below the +100% cap, right?)

I take your point about longer bleed times = more chance of condi cleanse, but I’ve made it part of my strategy to pressure certain vulnerable classes to blow their condi cleanse or risk bleeding out fast.

After posting this build yesterday, I noticed a similar build being tested on Metabattle:
http://metabattle.com/wiki/Build:Necromancer_-_Blood_Bomb

First post I’ve written (please be kind!)

I’ve been PVPing with my Necro for around 5 months now, nothing serious – just SoloQing. Completely hooked, I haven’t played anything but PVP since.

I tried a power build initially with some good success – traited axe (30/10/0/0/30 build)
I also tried a traditional Terrormancer Condi build – but it didn’t fit my play style.

Finally I thought I’d try a hybrid build (it’s essentially a version of Dhuumfire).

Here it is: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fRAQRBLRdG2IHNd22Yj1Nc4moXomqIgOAKzjN6HoDyAA-TpRAABA8AAi+EA0xRAgsyAccQA6Z/BA

It’s been very successful for skirmishing – dashing from point to point and maintaining a constant pressure on the opposing team by making a general nuisance of myself. I seem to win most 1v1 point encounters – and more often finish top of my team points wise (I’m currently level 39 – pvp)

Build Overview:

This build is all about manoeuvrability and bleeds. I go Scepter/Dagger & Axe – Warhorn with Rune of the Krait & Carrion Amulet. Sigil of Agony on Scepter – Sigil of Bursting on Dagger with Sigil of Geomancy on Axe and Sigil of Doom on Warhorn (to maintain Condi pressure whilst weapon swapping for burst damage.

All this adds up to a nice balance of Power (2056) Condi Damage (1407) and Health (25972). Crit chance is pretty poor, but this build isn’t built around maximising this.

Build Highlights:

Banshee’s Wail – gives me almost permanent SWIFTNESS (minus a 1.5 second cooldown wait). This is crucial to the effectiveness of skirmishing and getting from point to point – with manoeuvrability usually being a huge drawback for Necros.

Bleedtastic – Lingering Curses/Hemophilia/Rune of the Krait/Carrion Amulet all add up to long bleed times and huge DOT.

Signet Mastery – This is underrated. I pack both Signet of Spite & Plague Signet (my stun breaker) so accessing them more often and stacking MIGHT on activation is priceless.

Mark of Evasion – I’ve tried putting the 10 points in various places, but I personally find a dodge mark that bleeds for 3800+ every 10 seconds pretty nifty.

Play Style:

I aim to mainly 1v1 and apply pressure on group skirmishes from the sidelines.

I usually open by activating Signet of Power – (applies 6 conditions and kicks like a mule – can throw a lot of classes off their game – 8648 DOT) After this I go Blood is Power – (a devastating slow burner – 16,855 DOT) Then I dodge into them activating Mark of Evasion (4448 DOT). Then Scepter 2 (Grasping Dead for 4916 DOT) Dagger 5 (Enfeebling Blood for 5618 DOT) then spam Scepter 1 for more bleed/poison stacking.

If I need to burst them down a bit, I either assume Lich Form and blast them or pop into DS and Dhuumfire them.

Works pretty well, but please feel free to suggest how I may optimise it.