I’m a new player to Guild Wars 2 and watched reviews and such about the game before purchasing. The profession that caught my eye was the Elementalist which I had no qualms about starting as my first character. So far I’ve only played PvE as my elementalist is only level 23. Being a new player, I am in no way an expert but find one thing puzzling. Allow me to explain.
Until today, I’d never been on the official Anet forums while researching the game’s mechanics or how to play my Elementalist. Just looking at the first page of posts I was amazed to see so many complaints about the profession being “underpowered.”
Before playing GW2, I came to understand that the game was “difficult” through reviews and such and accepted it as such. That being said, I found playing my Elementalist challenging and instead of complaining about the profession or wanting to give up (because I had nothing else to compare it to) I went to do my “homework” about the profession and found some useful information and adapted my play style to it. While surviving pretty well on my own without it, to my satisfaction the “homework” I did helped! This brings me to my point that I don’t think the Elementalist is “underpowered” in PvE but rather “challenged.”
I have my Elementalist running S/D with 10 trait points in fire and the rest in arcana. I’ve previously prioritized power and toughness as my main stats but will be switching out power for condition damage and think it will work out fine. I run around spending most of my time in fire attunement while switching to earth when things get messy and the occasional air attunement, never touching water attunement. I can typically survive pulls with a few mobs but cannot adequately solo a veteran but I have no complaints. It is my understanding that the game is supposed to be “difficult” and play like it is meant to be.
After getting a few levels into the Guardian I started yesterday, I understand that Elementalists may not be able to take down a group or even one enemy with the same level of efficiency or the greatest of ease but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. My Guardian can stand in one place with 5 mobs soak up all the damage and not drop below 90% health, so far. However, I like the challenge of my Elementalist because it keeps me on my toes. As an Elementalist I’ve accepted the fact that I can’t just stand there and soak up damage like other classes may be able to or roll over enemies as easily as others.
I came into the game with little knowledge of it and literally no knowledge of how “challenged” the Elementalist was as opposed to other professions. Instead of complaining, I adapted to the way the class is intended to be played. I personally think the Elementalist is a lot of fun. Forgive me for not having a question or concern that I’d like answered. I just wanted to take a moment to point out my view as a “new” player. So for those wishing to delve into the Elementalist I encourage you to stand strong, adapt, and accept the challenge. You too can appreciate the challenge of the Elementalist!