This forum post got me pretty excited! Frost ranger is one of my two ranger builds, and I feel it is rather effective.
Here is my build: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fMUQNAnYVjEVZ25V2VsWCiVBB1Ukp+zeYIH9IXhRdwuTO-jUCBUFQEIgkBApnFRjtEaaslYBRdDTHjIq2guIa1SBsowI-w
As a warning, it is not fine tuned by any means. So don’t straight up copy it thinking it’s a “tried and true” build. I probably have less than 10 hours playing this build, but so far, it works nicely. I just haven’t crunched the numbers to see if my condition duration/chill outlet is way over the top or not.
First off, it’s meant to ensure perma-freeze on an individual target, while still giving partial freeze to nearby foes. I feel like the ranger axe is actually pretty bad, but it is the centerpiece of this build. Winter’s bite along with frost trap are our main outlets to freeze. We also have two pets that deal freeze. The owl does so quite often, and the drake can inflict to multiple targets, or can be swapped to stack freeze duration. Our sigils and runes also have an occasional outlet to freeze.
Another important factor is the condition damage, primarily from bleed, but you can count the burn damage from the flame trap, or the poison from the shortbow. Ideally, you will try to stay with the axe though, to continue freezing, but can switch to the shortbow for a very short period for additional bleed or poison. A key part to inflicting bleeds is in the synergy between ricochet (axe skill) and the utility sharpening stone (as well as the keen edge trait). It bounces for a total of three hits, each dealing a stack of bleed. With this, sharpening stone can easily stack 15 bleed to a group in a matter of seconds. You can point-blank with split blade as well, for an additional 5 stacks.
Overall, it’s meant to be a support build. It’s great for long fights, group versus group, and anti-kiting. I think a power build could work in its stead, but my idea of chill is to draw out a fight by limiting their speed and skill cool downs – that’s why I went condition.
As a final note, in 1v1 situations, you may have a hard time with glassy/burst raw damage builds. Bunker-type builds are kind of a toss up. The closer to the middle of these two spectrums, the more likely you are to win them. But again, stick with friends. It’s mean to be in group fights.