Guild Wars 2

So It’s been a long while since I’ve played GW2 but I’m getting an itch. I don’t have an endgame character, I can’t say that once I was there I’d be interested in much more difficult game-play that “normal” dungeons. My question is, is the game still melee focused? Are there any ranged classes/builds worth investing time in? I had the most fun playing a GS/Staff Mesmer and shattering alot, but the more I would read into the forums about the viability of that at “endgame” (which was probably a mistake) the more discouraged I became to play at all. Gosh, this sounds so whiny, that’s not my intention…I’m just looking for input from those “in the know”. Thanks!

I’m on my Bi-annual Summer OMG-Will-the-Next-Expansion-Pleeeease-Come-Out WoW Break and when that happens I always start sniffing around GW2. However, when I read the forums I get discouraged (which I am asking for, I know). So, before I hop back in I just wanted to ask some questions to see what the community has to say:

1. When people say “the game is heading in the wrong direction”, “…away from their manifesto”, is there a consensus on what that actually refers to?

2. Is combat still strongly melee based, in regards to the best performing builds? Are condition builds still nonviable? For example, there was this Axe/WH and SB Ranger Condition build I enjoyed in open PVE but apparently would have gotten me kicked out of dungeons.

3. While that subject is up, is the dungeon community still as…ahem…unforgiving? One of the reasons I came to GW2 in the first place was in hoping to get away from the Hardcore Raiding mentality of WoW. But in seeing how people talked about dungeons and the community playing them, it was wishful thinking. Any reassurances or opposing experiences?

4. What does “kitten” and “hambow” refer to?

Thanks for your input!

So I wanted to let you all know I truly appreciate the constructive advice and I’ve made changes accordingly. I’ve given up the search for a pure ranged build ankitten ow playing with the Greatsword/Longbow Power Build and Am starting to get the hang of it. Also, I really appreciate the Flame Trap/Frost Spirit/Spotter recommendation. Thank you all very much!

Actually no, this was great advice and exactly want I wanted. It is very hard to get a consensus. I have also heard GS/LB is feasible. Would that be recommended for a zerker build (which I understand is a power/precision build)? Now forgive me – you are correct, I am relatively new – but what is “spotter”? I’ve seen it mentioned alot without explanation. Thank you for your response.

Okay, so after my initial posts I have come to a conclusion: I need to ask the question differently, by making an observation and seeing if it is feasible by peer review.

If I have deduced correctly, if I want to run my sb/a+wh condition build in a regular speed explorable dungeon I should be okay. I won’t be top DPS but I won’t reeeeally drag anyone behind. I should bring a couple of high damage pets (such as a bird or feline) and be sure to switch them regularly. I need to make sure that I drop my spirit, warhorn 5, and springs close to melee so that the most people can benefit. There is a condition cap of 25 stacks on bosses which will hinder me but not destroy my DPS. Fractals may not be possible with this build, but for the most part I can enjoy my Ranger the way I want to play him with a little bit of consideration for my group and having the correct spirits and pets with me…Right?

Please some notes before you reply:

1. I am not interested in speed runs.
2. I am not interested in PVP.
3. I am not a competitive gamer, I play this game for simple enjoyment.
4. I understand the merits of Melee. I just cannot stand the playstyle. With that in mind, I would be interested in ANY ranged build that you have had success with regardless of class.

Thank you for your time and input.

EDIT 10/17/2013: So I wanted to let you all know I truly appreciate the constructive advice and I’ve made changes accordingly. I’ve given up the search for a pure ranged build ankitten ow playing with the Greatsword/Longbow Power Build and Am starting to get the hang of it. Also, I really appreciate the Flame Trap/Frost Spirit/Spotter recommendation. Thank you all very much!

Okay, so after my initial posts I have come to a conclusion: I need to ask the question differently, by making an observation and seeing if it is feasible by peer review.

If I have deduced correctly, if I want to run my sb/a+wh condition build in a regular speed explorable dungeon I should be okay. I won’t be top DPS but I won’t reeeeally drag anyone behind. I should bring a couple of high damage pets (such as a bird or feline) and be sure to switch them regularly. I need to make sure that I drop my spirit, warhorn 5, and springs close to melee so that the most people can benefit. There is a condition cap of 25 stacks on bosses which will hinder me but not destroy my DPS. Fractals may not be possible with this build, but for the most part I can enjoy my Ranger the way I want to play him with a little bit of consideration for my group and having the correct spirits and pets with me…Right?

Please some notes before you reply:

1. I am not interested in speed runs.
2. I am not interested in PVP.
3. I am not a competitive gamer, I play this game for simple enjoyment.
4. I understand the merits of Melee. I just cannot stand the playstyle. With that in mind, I would be interested in ANY ranged build that you have had success with regardless of class.

Thank you for your time and input.

So I am coming back to GW2 after a while and I am still a relatively new player. I don’t have a max level character and I have not done a dungeon yet. I’ve heard a few times the “no one runs dungeons until max level” and so I figured I’d just explore the world.

Before I took a break I was enjoy a SB + Axe/WH Condition Build that I’m not seeing mentioned in more recent forum posts. What I am seeing is a lot of harsh criticism and claims that the class is broken. So far though my build is still working fine, if not great, in world PVE.

What I don’t want to happen is to get to max level and not be able to do anything. I like Ranger, its a class I’ve played in most games I’ve ever played. I see some forum posts supporting a sword-based melee build, but I prefer playing a ranged DPS class.

I understand the concerns over pets/spirits having damage mitigation, and that concerns me as well. I understand about pet swapping and healing. I understand about what pets to bring to a fight. I understand the dodge problem in sword builds. I am not a “bear/bow ranger” that apparently has become GW2’s “huntard”.

But I have some questions:

1. In what context is the class broken in as far as PVE endgame is concerned? Do you mean it is impossible/unviable to play a Ranged Ranger in any Explorable Modes or Fractals, or is this a Speed Run or PVP concern?

2. Please remember I am a relatively new player before I ask this: What exactly is a Speed Run? I mean outside of the context clues, is it an actual game mode or is it something that was created to simulate Hardcore Raiding for Hardcore Raiders?

3. Is my favored SB + Axe/WH condition build completely unviable, or just not optimal? Am I just better off sticking to my Mesmer or can I stick with my Ranger, playing him well enough to get by until ANet fixes the problems?

4. Concerning pet management: are we talking about situations where its one-shot-dead then swap then one-shot-dead then wait for the cooldown? Or is it a matter of dropping a heal to your pet at the occasional cost to yourself, and swapping before they get downed?

I don’t want this post to go any longer than it has, I think you can see where my mind is on the subject. I am just looking for some objective if not optimistic advice over the viability of a class I truly enjoy. Thank you for your time and response!

Thanks to everyone so much for their responses! I am so surprised and encouraged at how on-topic this thread has remained. There have only been a few GW1 vs. GW2/Easy vs. Hard scuffles! If this were the WoW forums this would have derailed into a 25 page sniping match without any regard for the original intent by now. I truly appreciate all of your time and advice. Obviously there is overwhelming support and I believe this game is one I need to invest some time in, but I’d still like to hear from anyone who is willing and I do have another question to add.

In regards to builds, is this a similar system to WoW’s (old) talent system? In other words, is it a cookie cutter system where if I want to complete content then I HAVE to use certain builds/weapons, or is it really up to me and the builds are there for current optimal results but ultimately won’t make a difference in the long run, so long as I play the profession well?

Thanks again!

So I did a search on “Sanctum of Rall” and boy, did I get a surprise on the story behind that Server name. It was very touching, shows what MMOs can accomplish, and made me wish I had been a part of it. (http://sanctumofrall.com/about/)

Any other server recommendations? I must say the tone of the responses to my OP is VERY encouraging, please keep the conversation going. Thank you!

So here’s the thing, I really enjoy GW2. I’ve come back and forth from it a couple of times since buying it last year, I’ve rerolled characters dozens of time just to get a feel for it, and well, I find myself coming back to it over and over. I’ve played WoW for a long time and still do, but occasionally I need a break from that, and GW2 is so different and inviting that I stay longer each break from WoW I take.

I love the art, I love the DE’s, I love the lore (I’ve read a couple of the books). I love the open and cooperative nature of the game system and combat mechanics. I love the exploration aspect of the game, and the many QoL implementations it provides. BUT, I haven’t even gotten close to the endgame. And as I peruse the forums I keep seeing posts talking about the decline of the game, unfulfilled promises, cash shop dependence, boring-to-nonexistent endgame, bad design concerning the “living story”, two founders leaving ANet, NCSoft calling the shots to attain a lower-quality cash cow grindfest, etc. That makes me a little scared to invest my time into a game that bears the air of possibly not having much of a future.

But before I go further, I need to describe the gameplay I enjoy. And forgive me, but I’m going to use WoW as my reference point. I am a casual player. I am a PVE’er. I like dailies. I like LFR and the Dungeon Finder. I don’t mind running the same thing over and over. I typically get a couple of hours in the morning to play. I am a capable player, and can be very sociable, but unfortunately I just cannot meet the scheduling needs of “organized raiding” outside of LFR. I am a married man in my late 30s with a home to maintain and a job that does not afford me a consistent schedule in regards to gametime. I play to be a character in a fantasy world, not as a competitive sport.

So what am I getting at? I would just like some honest input from people who enjoy/don’t enjoy GW2 on how they think I will fair (given the information above), or if GW2 is a game for me at all. I am not expecting it to be WoW, quite the opposite. I know there is no amount of opinion that will make up for actually playing. I know there are probably many threads in the forums I could go to for this information. But if you will humor me, I’d like to hear what you have to say…

1. I hear the dungeons are hard from some sources, and then I hear from others that they are facerolling zergfests (which I essentially take to mean “easy”). What is your take?

2. I hear that populations are decreasing, making older or lower level content difficult to group up for where grouping is required. Have you found this to be true? (If not, what server are you on?) Does this even matter seeing that an LFG tool is being developed?

3. Is it true that this game does not require gear grind to enjoy the content, or is that a myth and I will most certainly be expected to have a certain level of gear before I can enjoy certain content? (and I mean outside of level-appropriate gear: I read the terms “exotic” and “ascended” alot.)

4. How strong an impact does the cash shop have on gameplay? I read accusations of pay-to-win mechanics sneaking their way in: fact or fiction? Is it really just a collection of RNG vanity items and leveling boosts or is it an absolute necessity that will end up costing me more than a subscription would?

5. Is all the nay-saying just impatience, and GW2 is simply going through its growing pains? Is it a game with great potential that failed to deliver and will ultimately fail? Or is it just a themepark that offers tons to casual players but nothing to hardcore players?

I’m gonna stop here as this post is more than long enough, but I’d appreciate any bits of advice or things I need to be aware of that you care to pass along. Thanks for your time!

EDIT – Thought of another relevant question: In regards to builds, is this a similar system to WoW’s (old) talent system? In other words, is it a cookie cutter system where if I want to compete/complete content then I HAVE to use certain builds/weapons, or is it really up to me and the builds are there for current optimal results but ultimately won’t make a difference in the long run, so long as I play the profession well?