Guild Wars 2

VideoGamermike.5813:

sorrow, my issue isn’t with using or not using reflect, thats up to the individual. My issue is someone being called useless or pathetic for not following someone elses build and having their priorities. A mesmer without deflection is still a mesmer, people have various priorities, or heck, different skills unlocked if your in the AC area which would have lower levels.
Selfish or not, its not irony or a ‘waste of space.’ Selfish depends on the situation(as it isn’t -that- critical in most places), but selfish in certain situations is somewhat fair, calling someone worthless for not having a certain skill at all times is just dumb.

In the situation your are talking about (kholer), you are useless if you don’t bring reflects. There’s nothing else you’re providing except mediocre dps – there’s no boons to strip and no use for portal. So if you aren’t going to reflect your are better off bringing any other class for that fight – that’s what they mean.

also slotting feedback=/=build. I don’t know why its such a burden to slot one skill that makes the fight 100% easier for everyone.

Don’t take things so personally. They aren’t calling you worthless, they are saying in that situation, the way you are playing is not contributing. Instead of doing the one thing your class can do well, you choose not to for no reason other then #iplayhowiwant

VideoGamermike.5813:

Laar.5476:

VideoGamermike.5813:

Case in point on my earlier comments of arrogance. “You can’t do this one thing I expect you to do, your worthless.” get a life man

It`s like you have never played a mesmer

You’re still showing the twisted logic. Mesmer does not -need- to have reflect, nor should one be expected to have one skill out of a list of 30, thats not good design, for Arenanet or players. I main a mesmer, I enjoy spamming shatters and phantasms more.

This smells like trollbait but ok…let me make an analogy. Say there is a boss that spams knockdowns, almost constantly. You’re playing a guardian, and someone in your party asks you to provide stability. “No” you say, “I want to do something else. I don’t feel like giving you stability, I like spirit weapons.” You can see how that would be selfish – your class has the perfect tool for the situation but you refuse to use it because “i don’t want to”.

Very nicely done!

Here and in the recent SE p3 record, the mesmer is used to run and portal while the 4 other members stay back and fight. In that situation, the mesmer isn’t being used for dps, and that’s all that got nerfed in the feature patch. If you have 4 fgs, boss fights are trivialized and skipping sections are where you can buy time. You will only win records by a few seconds if you are focused on boss kill times – creative use of utility is where innovations come from and that’s where mesmer shines.

My new favorite set up in pugs is runes/sigil of strength, sigil of battle. I can generate a decent amount of long duration might myself to give to the party with signet of inspiration.

Make your post as everyone suggested. Then when someone joins, tell them this is a no-skip run (explain exactly what you mean by that – clear every single mob, or only optional bosses, etc.) and ask them if that’s ok. If they say nothing, kick them. If their response is vague, kick them. Maybe that sounds harsh, but as you’ve seen the alternative has it’s share of frustration.

At first it will be slow and tedious to get a group. But eventually, you will find like-minded people. Add them to your friends list. Slowly, you will build up a list of contacts that you can call on instead of having to play pug roulette.

One piece of advice – and this goes to everyone in the no-skip crowd. Try to express your preferred style of play in positive terms instead of negative. Tell us what it is, not what it is not. When you express yourself in the negative, it creates a them-vs-us mentality that isn’t helpful for anyone. When you claim to know the dev’s intentions, belittle other styles of play, you just engender resentment. Instead of anti-skipping/stacking, try “full clear, out in the open fights.”

30/30/0/0/10 as dub suggested. Burning precision, pyromancers alacrity, persisting flames / bolt to the heart, air training, fresh air / vigorous precision. You can put the 10 in earth for stone splinters for easier stuff.

I tend towards staff for the anomoly, since he stands relatively still and you can spam lava fonts / meteor showers on him. And as iris suggested, icebow is also strong.

From some testing -
It definitely works on the berserker abom in arah p2. It works on imbued shaman’s agony arrows, though it would take someone with a lot better twitch skills then me to do it consistently. It also works on the molten berserker, tho his main flailing attack seems to count as multiple little attacks, so I saved my interrupts for his jumps. I’m pretty sure it works on mossman – but again he attacks pretty fast, so it will take someone with more skill then me to confirm.

Sanderinoa.8065:

SorrowsEmbrace.8120:

I didn’t see any wardens spinning even though they seemed to be in range of the asura. But I’ll have to test it in a non – pug environment.

I’m counting on you to do what I can not

After further testing, wardens will spin if they can hit the raving asura. I assume this means that the golems are technically summons of the asura and thus suffering the bug of summoned minons. just pull the golems to the asura with TC and all is good.

I didn’t see any wardens spinning even though they seemed to be in range of the asura. But I’ll have to test it in a non – pug environment.

Sanderinoa.8065:

Soooo, the warden trait needs to be reslotted at every mapchange, that’s okay. But how about their not spinning? That’s still broken right?

I just did harpy fractal with a pug, and they definitely still bug on the last boss. They seem to more consistently spin on the harpies – instead of going full kitten they just have a bit of a delay. That delay is sometimes long enough to get them killed tho. :S

jportell.2197:

They can remove boons but they can’t change em to conditions…. Lets just say dredge on my necro is easier than dredge on my mesmer….

1. A bit more weakness, a few more random conditions

or

2. Portal, perma or near perma reflect uptime, better condi cleanse, better boon stripping, group stability…

As someone who mainly does dungeons and fractals, I struggle to get dragonite as it is. My prime-time window is taken up dungeon running with my guild. I depend on guesting to different servers to temple hop and squeeze out what ore I can in an hour or so.

The lack of api for the temple events and the new schedule are both a big nerf to dragonite farming. This, along with the fact that we wont be able to easily guest to uncontested dungeons looks like it will make life as a dungeon runner much more frustrating.

I don’t believe the megaserver system will make the highly challenging world bosses easier to organize either. The guild upgrade is nice, but the megaserver algorithm takes the control out of the players hands. You won’t be able to find or generate an empty map to make sure your full group is in the map. There won’t be empty maps, the megaserver will merge them. And as the blog post pointed out, if a map is full, its full. The algorithm will put you with your friends and guildies if it can, but if a map is full it won’t kick people out to let you in.

The only pro of this system I see is that it makes leveling less lonely, and you will be more likely to get in a overflow with your friend then a random one. But from my perspective at least there are many more negative trade-offs.

Maybe there’s a reason it’s not possible, but I would have preferred to have direct control over which instance of a map I entered, and able to see how many people are in that instance. World event organizers and RP’ers could find some privacy, and solo levelers could find full maps to meet up with random people. I could decide what map I needed to be in, rather then the server trying to figure out for me based on my friends list and guild. All the API would be kept in tact, nothing major would change. I’m sure there are reasons Anet chose the direction they did, but it does not seem optimal to me at all.

I haven’t joined an RP community, but I chose TC as my home because I love casual, spontaneous RP and being around dedicated roleplayers. I chose TC not only to be with RPers, but to “get away from” non-RPers, for lack of a better phrase. As people have pointed out, it’s not just about finding new people, its about finding a private space to build the fantasy and immersion.

The concern is there because in the blog post, and in the dev reply, it doesn’t sound like anet has taken into consideration that people might not want to be lumped into a highly populated map. In a way, it sounds like we are getting less control over what map we are sorted into – the algorithm will decide for us. I definitely think this is a plus for leveling/map completion and world bosses, but I do wish there was a way to directly control which instance of the map you entered, rather then having an algorithm trying to blunt some of the annoying randomness of overflows.

IrisTheCasual.3742:

Zoiii, it’s here!!! https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/game/dungeons/Lilith-s-Fashionable-Springtime-Run-Challenge/first#content

Post here for the prizie.

XD well that picture wasn’t in a dungeon, it was in Rata Sum. And I’m not sure I’m lyrical enough for that contest O-O

My boyfriend was telling me the other day how my asura looks like E.T. ~_~ So here she is being beamed down to earth. It was a while ago but I’m still stoked I got my minstrel + light of dwayna + halo combo. Meteorlogicus here I come!

Dat merge…why is the first page about stacking sigils. @-o

What I’ve found works is logging in and out, but when you change maps the bobble head comes back and you’ve got to re-log again. I’ve been doing some map completion because that keeps me on a single map.

I think I know what people mean by motion sickness, though its not that. It just really creeps me out, it churns my stomach. I feel sick looking at it. But even if there wasn’t a work-around disable, its only for one day! Just taking the day off isn’t so bad.

maxinion.8396:

Never Deceptive Evasion (X in dueling) as it is a straight DPS killer. II always instead. Other than that g’s post is correct, I think.

I think he meant in the case of lupi solos, maybe there are some other specific cases that it would be useful. But DE is definitely a good trait to have for lupi to stack up vuln for reflect damage.

The life drain stills gives me trouble, but in general I find I dodge too early. You need to dodge just has his hand reaches its peak as it goes over his head. The best way I found to practice is to let your self get hit by the first tick and immediately dodge, watching the animation closely. Eventually you’ll get a feel of it, though I find it incredibly hard to do it consistently.

We did it today, so it wasn’t before the change. but yes, definitely some polishing to do.

I’d also throw in the pure damage 30/30/0/0/10 variant. I don’t think this would have been viable before the new heal, but with the ability to pump out wardens back to back, I think you can squeeze out enough absorbs for many situations. The grandmaster in the power line gives you one more mantra charge, which helps keep them up for the damage bonus. You can also trait signets which brings your heal down to 20 seconds and signet of inspiration to 36 seconds.

The dungeon subforum is a tough crowd sometimes- congrats on your duo. But i have to admit I shut off when I saw a s/d ele with signet of air slotted instead of lightning hammer. :P

15 in acro is a compromise decision, much like putting ten in arcane for vigor on crit on an ele. Feline grace gives you some of your energy back when you dodge. It makes running without an energy sigil a lot less punishing.

It seems to be like 1 in 10 thieves that know about blasting smoke fields. I really enjoy when you finish up the ice ele in the snowblind fractal, and the thief happily sb’s ahead giving everyone back agro. I tried to get a thief to blast smoke screen in arah p2 once, in the first tunnel. He had no idea what I was talking about, so i explained the mechanic and asked if he had a short bow. “no, i use p/p”. I asked if he wouldn’t mind me sending him one, and he left party. I looked on the lfg and he had posted a new ad – “p2 NO ELITIST SHTHEADS”.

AnnieGYG.6842:

speed run guilds don’t appeal to me as I need to learn and thirst for knowledge along the way and I find running in pugs I tend to pick something up along the way

Let me say this as someone who shares an unreasonable love of pugging – you still might think about joining a speed running or elite guild. You can still pug, but I find it keeps me more sane if I have a group of like minded people to share horror stories with. Also, I find discovering new strategies is more meaningful if I have a team to share it with.

I also think you’ll find that you can learn a lot in a speed running guild. The kind of people invested in pve are often people who, like you, are interested in experimenting and finding new strategies. While it can be cool to run accross the occasional pug who has a new strat, you might discover more by experimenting with guildies. Guildies will probably be more patient if you want to try “non-meta” strategies, and you may have more freedom to not only discover new tatics but develop some of your own.

As for pugging – for normal dungeons I’ve all but given up on asking for anything. Even if people aren’t set up properly, the meta strats for the on-farm dungeons are so well known at this point, that it almost always takes more to gear check then it would to just run. For fractals, it may be more worth your time. I’ve had 2 hour runs which ended in the instance owner rage quitting on mai trin. That said, I’ve had a rampagers staff ele show me a number of blink spots in the cliffside fractal. I may be less tolerant when I get into lvl 30 and 40 fractals, but for now I see pugging as an excessive in open-mindeness. That’s not to say I throw logic to the wind – I have yet to be convinced of the efficacy of anything other then full offensive physical damage – but new metas always seem bizarre when they are first proposed.

I would say, use pugging as a time to practice Bhuddist non-attachment and self mastery, and join a speed running guild for the times when you need the company of more like-minded people.

Thaddeus.4891:

Are you speaking to me? Because i have no problem with any LFG post. I’m saying the same thing as you btw.

Ah, I misunderstood, looking back I see how i misread your post.

So…you admit that there are plenty of non-descript lfg posts to join, but you are still bothered that some small percentage of people (as you admit yourself) ask for zerker? You think that everyone should just get a guild, and only ever just put the path number in lfg?

I have 1.5k ap. Does it annoy me when I see “5k+ only” posts? A little. But honestly it doesn’t effect me at all. They could say “Read: Purple weapons= auto kick i hate purple” and it would be fine. It’s an “unreasonable” requirement by some standards, but it only effects the people who choose to join. If it is easy to get a group for any path (which having just pugged the most annoying paths at ungodly hours of the morning, I can say for sure it is) then there is nothing to complain about.

LordByron.8369:

SorrowsEmbrace.8120:

II really smh at how people get the idea that pugs wont except certain classes.

i can help here…
Log into the game open lfg and start reading…

In few seconds you will realize how they get that idea…

Yes, and has been pointed out before, the posts that linger the longest are the ones that have the strictest requirements – so that is what you are most likely to encounter any time you open the lfg. Open up your own post with just the path number and you will have a group in a few minutes.

There are people who require certain classes. But you will have no trouble getting a pug group on any class if you are even a tiny bit patient. If you are upset that strict groups exist at all…that’s a bit unreasonable.

I think I can fairly accurately counter the OP on this – I’ve been playing for about a month, give or take, so I don’t have nostalgia for the game at launch.

I’ve recently been finishing up my dm title and have been pugging some of the less trodden dungeon paths. Almost all of my runs had a necro, half or more had rangers, and I saw a few engis. I think over all engi is just an underplayed class – most that do roll engi stick to wvw/pvp, afaik. There was almost always a warrior, but rarely more then one. Guardians were about as common as any other class.

Also, unless you are talking about the heavily farmed dungeons (AC, CoE), stacking is not really the norm. I ran d/f ele through CM 2, TA aether, SE 2, CoF 3, HotW 2/3, and arah 1. It was essential, because pugs wont stack, they wont bring reflects or aegis or blinds, they just run in and dps. Ironically, a lot more like the zerk elites you describe then what actually goes on in organized runs.

I really smh at how people get the idea that pugs wont except certain classes. The only thing I can think is they spend a lot more time on the forum reading qq then they actually spend pugging.

Thank you for the kind words! I know when I started practicing, watching some of the more “perfected” solos was disheartening at times, so hopefully my rough solo can be inspiration to those just starting. I’ll try out the heal, but I think as I go for a non-wall solo I’ll keep my training wheel vigor and energy sigil.

I wanna piggy back off this a bit -

I managed my first solo today, tho the time was pretty pethetic. I’m not using FGS but I’m really struggling to do part 3 without the wall. The biggest barrier for me is learning how to properly double dodge the life drain. I can’t quite nail down the timing, and I was wondering if anyone had any tips. Also if there is a no-wall ele solo someone could link me to, that would be awesome.

I think he was only suggesting it be removed from story mode, since the difficulty seems a little out of proportion of the rest of the story mode bosses.

That said, it’s good to learn early on that there are some fights which are possible, but aren’t worth your time in a pug group. Knowing how to skip mobs with high damage and CC attacks is an important skill for arah.

I know there are also complaints that the jump from story to explorable is “too much” for a fresh level 35, so having one optional boss which introduces you to the more unforgiving nature of explorable mode is probably for the best.

The issue isn’t rolling, its how disproportionately short swamp is, such that its worth spending 5 minutes rolling for it. If people were re-rolling the first fractal based on which one they had the most fun with, I guarantee this would not be an issue. People would play and let play. If you want to “fix” rolling, make swamp longer.

People throw around the word exploit in this forum like its nothing. An exploit is an offence that will get you banned. From the feedback here we know the devs know about the practice of re-rolling, and they are open to discussing the pros and cons. There’s no need to use loaded language to try and bolster your argument.

Really amazing job.

I just started practicing soloing and this is simultaneously encouraging and discouraging U_U;

Dunno if its fashionable, but my little monk is ready for anything.

Speeking as that 900 ap ele (up to 1k now) – I will say its very hard to play at 80 for long before hitting 1k AP. I can definitely understand people being weary of pugs under 1k ap. After hitting 80 with around 750 ap, I was insta-kicked from a number of explorable dungeon groups with non-descript LFG post which is why I started looking for a guild to run with.

The game has been out for nearly a year and a half now. If you use your brain and figure out who to listen too, there are plenty of thorough guides that will help you know what to do before you even set foot in the dungeon. Obviously I’m not perfect yet – i have a lot of polishing to do and it will take me a while to adjust to trusting my party in speed runs after some of the god awful pugs I’ve been in. But from my limited experience, I think pinging gear and quizzing about spec is a much better way to judge the type of player you’re dealing with.

This build is more specifically built for using lightning hammer – most conjure heavy builds make use of piercing shards for 20% damage while attuned to water. Since there’s also a 10% modifier in water, the base of a conjure build is 10 in fire and 20 in water. 30/10/10/20/0 is a common varient, as it provides persisting flames and 3 more damage modifiers.

That said, you can use conjures with 30/30/x – but i think generally a LH focused build will make use of piercing shards.

Rerolled as an asura ele – couldn’t be happier