Guild Wars 2

starlinvf.1358:

The game doesn’t really want to rely on “clutch skills”, because you’d need something so powerful, Overwatch would be jealous. A few exist, but they only do so under very specific conditions… and nearly all of them are purposed with PvP in mind.

PvE, ironically, doesn’t lend well to these types of skills, because enemy attack patterns are too slow. You usually end up in a situation where a single hit is so big, you may as well just use your dodge roll….. or is multi-hit, which tears through single triggered defenses like they didn’t exist.

What proves to be more effective is normal skills being leveraged in clutch situations due to circumstances. Shield of Judgement, Mesmer distortion, most Blowback skills, Rejuvenating Tides, group stun breaks, and many more. They’re not explicitly designed to work in a clutch, and are just as effective in normal situations to either gain control, or regain control of a situation. What would make them “clutch” is using them at the right time to avoid a bad situation.

Compare to Rebound, which only “saves” you against one blow, only IF it would otherwise kill you, and restores HP to a set level. The only time it beats Aegis is if the attack is unblockable; and against condi, it could maybe buy you a half a second, where as a strong condi clear could avoid most of that damage in the first place.

So if you want clutch in PvP….. those happen all the time. Just make the other guy regret his choice of attack. But for PvE, the more projected attacks of bosses is much better mitigated through the multitude of general mechanics at your disposal. Or in a worst case scenario, rapid recovery of a screw up by bursting skills made for recovery.

Thanks for the well thought out and informative answer.

Yea i guess that’s something i didn’t factor into my thinking – getting downed is prob fairly common. Preventing that from happening, the way I’m thinking, is prob not that important.

DeanBB.4268:

Look through the Traits to find things that trigger under certain conditions. Heals when health drops to X%, or condition cleanses when you get X number of condis on you, or X happens when you are stunned, etc.

These sound more like passive effects. If so that’s not what I’m looking for. I’m looking for active skills that require quick reflexes and are support oriented. Thanks though!

dace.8019:

The Reaper elite shout “Chilled to the Bone!”

The Warrior shout “Fear me!”

The Dragonhunter’s virtue Shield of Courage

Are pretty good examples, too.

Fair enough. Good examples.

The concept of aegis, in general, sounds very much up my alley. I just wonder how often it gets used reactively – when u see a fireball flying at u and u scream like a little girl and press aegis as fast as you can just before it hits you. that’s what I like.

nottsgman.8206:

so… like rebound?
https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/%22Rebound!%22

Exactly. So yea, that’s the sort of skills I’m looking for. Is there anything else?

I’ve read through most skills on the gw2 wiki, but sometimes its hard to tell how a skill really works in game just from reading the skill text.

Inculpatus cedo.9234:

I’ve never heard of those terms. Are they from another game?

I just made the terms up as I was going haha. But take wow for example, the resto shaman has abilities that would be considered reactive and kinda life saving…. maybe the skill ‘spirit link totem’ is a good example. you pop it when kittens the fan and it stabilizes the group and basically no one can die for several seconds.

Hi. Does this sort of thing exist in this game – Supportive, clutch, reactive, moments of greatness? I’ve looked through all the elite skills and couldn’t find anything really like the above mentioned.

Thank you for your time!

Jethro.9376:

Play guard for that “clutch” Aegis maybe?

Ok thanks. I guess that does count indeed!

Maybe this game doesn’t have anything that quite fits the description.

Hi. I am looking at playing a profession that has big support cooldowns available (one or more). Like, when its popped its highly effective and activates quickly!

Basically, I love gameplay that is supportive while dealing damage. But when kittens the fan I can come up big and react to the situation for a clutch save.

The closest thing I could find myself is the elementalist skill “Rebound!” :
https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/%22Rebound!%22

Maybe I’m missing some. Thanks for the help!

Hi. I am interested in playing a profession that is mostly reliant on reactive gameplay. I generally find that clutch style of gameplay more stimulating. I enjoy using ‘oh sh**’ buttons and having to react to situations quickly. What would you consider to be the most reactive profession?

Thank you! Heres to the new expac!

pdavis.8031:

Elementalist
Warrior
Engineer

These might best fit what you are looking for.
But it might help to know a bit more.
Are you just starting out in GW2? Are you coming from other MMOs?
Which profession appeals most to you, from a play standpoint, and not mechanical?

Thanks for your advice.

Coming from WoW primarily. Several 90s and 100s already, I’m very much done with it lol. However, I did enjoy it while it lasted (of course).

Yea, I am pretty much just starting in GW2 although I have a few lvl 15s. Haven’t gotten deep yet.

From a play standpoint, I have always liked mages. I enjoy AOE stuff mostly. But for me, I like most to play a class (prof) that I can naturally excel with and reach its skill cap easier than other classes. In other words, I like mages usually but tend to suck with them haha

-requires fast reflexes (may require the use of many skills in short period of time)

-may have many skills

-little or no micromanagement of pets, etc (I have pretty bad situational awareness)

-little or no “boon/condition skills” that you have to keep using every minute or so (because i always forget to use them)

-not support oriented (more-so strong dps, I plan on soloing more than anything, maybe a little dungeons and stuff later)

Thanks!!!

I understand that each prof (depending on build) kinda fits into a category of support/buff/tank (I don’t know if these are correct but you get my point). That being said, I also understand that the nature of the game doesn’t generally put each prof into a distinct role.

So my question is: What classes would best fit into buffing. Also, how many different sub-roles are there?

Thanks!

Thanks all for your input!

Thanks for the suggestions. Also, I feel like what I’m asking for is a very easy-mode version of the game… I’ll have to think about it more.

WHat about thieves? I would think that they fit my description. Esspecially the part about planning ahead.

Hi. I am struggling to find a profession that suits me. I’m looking for a prof that requires little micromanaging (ie: I’m bad at games like starcraft and league of legends). I am the type that likes to focus on a specific task and practice to do it very well and continue to improve.

I think I would like a prof that requires some planning beforehand so I can prepare how to execute my attack, then do it.

That all being said, I don’t mind having a lot of skills at my disposal, as long as I don’t have to be adapting too much to each individual situation.

I will mostly be doing casual pve (leveling, dungeons, etc). I don’t have much interest in the pvp aspect atm.

Thank you all for reading!!!