Guild Wars 2

Can’t say “Merry Christmas” anymore, it offends some people.

Zintrothen.1056:

All of them. Seriously. Every profession has a meta spec right now, and all can succeed if played properly. However, some can succeed significantly more easily. The most notable one is Guardian (Dragonhunter). The ones that players generally hate seeing on their teams are Necros (Reapers) and Thieves (Daredevils) because they’re difficult to play well, and if played poorly, are basically a waste of space that could be used for two more DHs! That’s one thing that makes DHs so amazing is how good they are when stacked. Being spammed by traps used to be one of the most annoying thing in the game, but now they don’t daze (Thank you Anet!). But being knocked through Several Tests of Faith can be painful, and it’s something that so many players aren’t careful about. The main issue with DH is that once you know how to counter them and can get through their sustain, they actually die pretty easily, especially at lower ranks. DHs are less popular at the highest ranks for this reason; players know how to deal with them, and they have such a low skill ceiling that even a lower ranked player can almost master one. Still though, any level below the very top, DHs can have a tremendous impact on a match.

There are two support specs that are almost must haves to win against a good team, Ele (Tempest) and Ranger (Druid). These two can provide unmatched support and can keep a competent teammate alive for far longer than without support.

Previously, Rev (Herald) was just about the most OP of all the professions, but recent nerfs have brought them in line a big better. They’re still incredibly strong, but difficult to play and so aren’t nearly as popular as before.

Warrior (Berserker) is pretty easy to get the hang of and are quite popular because of that. Though they are easier to counter than DHs, so they won’t have an impact on a match as much as a DH. But if players don’t know how to deal with a Warrior, they can literally be killed in 2-3 hits, or condi bombed with no way to survive.

Mesmers (Chronomancers) are popular and extremely powerful, but is probably the most mechanically difficult profession to play well against good players.

Engis (Scrappers) are still a great asset to a team, but strong nerfs a few months ago hurt their popularity, and they can difficult to play.

If I would rank the top three most impactful professions on a ranked match when played welled, overall (meaning all levels of play in general):

1. DH
2. Chronomancer
3. Tempest

DHs are just powerful, Chronomancers provide powerful utility (though portal is generally wasted on uncoordinated teams) and Moa, and Tempest has unmatched healing and other supports.

If you care about my thoughts, don’t run DH because it’s easy and popular. Everyone loves having support, so try out Tempest or Druid. Both are extremely powerful and useful. If you want an easy DPS profession, Berserker is probably the next easiest from DH. If you just want the most powerful power damage, DH, Scrapper, Thief and Rev are your friends. (Recently a power Reaper build has been showing up, using Axe. It does some monster power damage and is more survivable than the condi specs.) If you want powerful condition damage, Chronomancer, Reaper and Berserker all have great condition specs.

In WvW? Can’t help you there!

Awesome detailed answer thank you for putting in the effort.

Thanks for the completely irrelevant answer.

Which professions are currently the strongest performing in PvP/WvW?

How did they “fix” the train? I don’t play any more and only come to the forums once a blue moon to see what’s changed.

I’ve stopped login in due to boredom, but trinity was not the reason I was bored. The massive grind and lack of PvP focus is what killed this game for me. The devs keep listening to the WoW crowd, instead of their loyal GW fan base.

Mark Katzbach.9084:

As has been mentioned in this thread, the policy is one click or keypress per action. Anything beyond that is a violation of our rules.

I’ll make sure I spam 1 from now on instead of letting it auto attack for me. As clearly it is against the rules.

Pleurodesed.7625:

Add a tick for “I want to combat”

Those who want to combat can combat.
Those who don’t want to combat can’t combat.

No new server, 2 lines of code.

I don’t see how ANYONE could nay this.

This is a good idea.

Nope, anet does not care for PvPers. No dueling and no open world PvP. Only a small amount of sPvP maps, with the same modes for how long? And WvW is a joke. It’s obvious anet is abandoning us the PvP players. Sad because I really like this game.

sirsquishy.8531:

hellsmachine.4085:

SLI is more hassle than it’s worth. And more of a gimmick to sell more cards. You get about 30%-50% more performance (most games) for 100% more of the cost. If you want good performance with minimum problems, get an OCed version of the card, preferably by gigabyte, MSI or asus.

Sorry that no one here can help you.

Dont be condescending. If we have the info I requested we can probably help him better.

SLI is a ‘gimmick’ in some areas, sure. But you do get performance gains from it, and it DOES work with this game.

I wasn’t being condescending, I geniunely feel sorry for the guy. Yes I know that it does give a boost, I’m just saying that it isn’t worth the cost and hassle. Every MMO I have played I hear of SLI problems. Mainstream games like CoD not so much.

Like I said, you pay 100% more, but don’t get 100% better performance. = gimmick.

I don’t even zerk and I think this would be a good idea, those that want to zerk can zerk and those that don’t want to don’t have to. No more getting kicked from groups.

+1

Increase both PvE and PvP damage by 50%. Maybe more for PvE.

I use sword/shield in my offset, mainly for the block and maneuverability. Definitely not useless. Shield bash after leap, is real handy too.

I’m power build BTW, I use Axe/Mace as main weapons.

Necros can facetank whilst doing a tonne of condition damage. I avoid necros if I can. I find warriors easier to kill.

Apparently nothing but berserker gear is allowed for PvE. Power, precision, crit damage. Anything else and you’ll make babies cry. Just a little warning if you plan on doing dungeons.

Yeah, I definitely would say every gear set has it’s uses.
Saying PVT is useless and for “noobs” and bad players is just not true.

SLI is more hassle than it’s worth. And more of a gimmick to sell more cards. You get about 30%-50% more performance (most games) for 100% more of the cost. If you want good performance with minimum problems, get an OCed version of the card, preferably by gigabyte, MSI or asus.

Sorry that no one here can help you.

kitten useless HTC phone >:[

All good Voidwalker.

EDIT: Voidwater grrrr

Voidwater, you make some valid points. I have tried many different stat combinations especially after this thread, but I still find PVT works best for me. I’m not saying the damage with PVT is good, because I know it’s not, but it’s still enough to kill other players 1v1 because of all the power you get. Maybe it’s because I use the axe. With hammer, PVT will be doing next to no damage.

Also I don’t use bow, so I have no easy way to consistantly condi clean. Vitality helps there.

Again I think it all depends what your goal is, if you wish to be very tanky and hard to kill, whilst still dealing better damage than defensive guard (depends on weapon) then PVT works great there.

And Kaga I’m not even going to dignify what you said with a response, lest you have something more intelligent to say.

Voidwater, you make some valid points. I have tried many different stat combinations especially after this thread, but I still find PVT works best for me. I’m not saying the damage with PVT is good, because I know it’s not, but it’s still sufficient to kill other players 1v1 because of all the power you get.

And Kaga I’m not even going to dignify what you said with a response, lest you have something more intelligent to say.

blakdoxa.7520:

I guess you guys want to break PvE too.

Yeah go ahead break conditions without realizing how it affects just about everything else about combat.

It’s fine.

Are you trolling?

You do realize that PvE and PvP abilities, damage, etc work differently right?

And condition damage is not good for PvE anyway.

Mad Queen Malafide.7512:

The whole point of conditions, is that they are an effective counter against high toughness and armor. Vitality is the stat that counters conditions.

The OP apparently doesn’t understand the game’s rules. But that’s not the game’s fault.

I understand the rules just fine, that’s why I’m complaining about it, because it’s unbalanced. It can still be an effective counter just needs a major nerf.

It will definitely get nerfed, just have to wait maybe 6 months, after everyone in WvW has switched to condi after the crit nerf. Rapid cycle of nerf/re-gear/rinse/repeat to maximise sales of transmutation crystals.

Axe 5 needs a buff in damage and AoE to make it more useful than axe 1. Coz ATM there’s no point in using it over auto attack. Even in PVP the damage still is meh.

Mace offhand has a block? Must be invisble for me… Offhand axe just needs a damage buff to axe 5 so it is higher than axe 1, maybe increase the AoE aswell. Fixed.

I get plenty kills in PVT, if you had trouble killing players in PVT then I pity you.

Zagerus.8675:

It could be argued that the more you rely on raw damage the more you are affected by condi’s like weakness and cripple, especially if you have no ranged weapons.
Pen/Paper stat-ing does show big numbers, but it still has to be taken into account that once in a while someone will pop up that doesn’t just run around in circles, use 3 skills and then die. Raw damage would destroy someone doing that for sure.

I think that is where the miss-conception about armor sets comes up. Anything would kill someone who wastes their dodges inappropriately, even this pre-historic shout build I never see any warrior running anymore, which by the way I am aware of how awesome full on support warriors are. The OP already said what gear he has chosen, but I cringe when I see pen-paper stat-ing as validation that a certain gear set is better than another. Edit: * I should rephrase that I cringe even more at the fact that this guy was asking for advice on gear, and then his thread turns into an argument full of bashing when he simply wanted to see what people thought about various armors. I enjoy absorbing different ideas that everyone throws around in these threads because it helps me become better at the profession. The negativity is seriously off-putting when it comes up though. Sheesh.

I agree with what this guys says.

Voidwater no, you’re wrong. The name of the ability is irrelevant, sure I could google every skill name in the game, before I post it, but I assume people are smart enough to decipher what I’m talking about. Good to see you are smart enough. Comparing what I said to “Vitality is a useless stat” is, um, just, /facepalm.

He keeps trying to convince me that with my stats, I’m a free kill for the enemy when the truth is I hardly ever die.

And second, I found PVT to be more successful than any other set it worked in every situation I threw at it. Jack of all trades means it works anywhere, note how I said master of none.

And finally I do respect the math but, just because something looks best on paper, doesn’t mean it works best in practice. The math doesn’t take into account individual variables, like lag, individual skill, individual playstyle, what classes the player is teamed up with etc etc. There’s just too many variables in this game for only damage to be the deciding factor.

For example: I play from Aus, so there is a half second delay from the time I push a button to the time it takes action on the server side. So in my situation defensive build helps a lot more than offensive one as it is more forgiving. Or another example is individual player skill, what’s the point in giving the player the best damage numbers if the player doesn’t have enough skill to stay alive to make use of that damage. This isn’t WoW where only numbers matter. The majority of players lack the twitch reflexes required to be the best killers.

I’ve tried many many meta builds and none of them worked for me because of individual variables. I found I was having more success in actually winning 1v1 in PVT and a build that I came up with. For me defensive is better than offensive.

And if you could have a rebuttal without using insults that would be great.

EDIT: I noticed you said you’re full zerker. Full zerker is by far the easiest for me to kill more than any other combination.

Like said figures =/= actual outcome

a t s e.9614:

Alright, you guys want proof . I dont have the proof for the armor scaling but i have my stats. 2800 armor 3,8k attack , 50% crit chance , 111% crit dmg, 20k hp.

Note very important : 2800 armor = 33% dmg reduction
3500 armor > full PVT guy= 45% dmg reduction

Somebody in PVT and a shout build lose nearly 100% crit dmg and 40% crit chance and 2 good utitlies to gain only 12% more dmg reduction and 9k hp. Here’s the screenshot.

Proof of what? Proof of vitality being useless? I don’t think I see your logic…

a t s e.9614:

Well okay, play how you want and waste your stats. I never said ‘’x’ build is better than ’’x’’ build but I know for sure that some stat combinations are far Superior , also for the traits.

Wasting 30 pts in tactics, 2 utlities, 6 runes for absolutly nothing. Cleasing ire removes 3 condis every 8 sec. a shout build removes 2 condis every 20 sec. Simple maths we dont even need to discuss , its a fact. .

PVT is part of some Bunker (mine anyway) builds so in a way yes you did say that x build is better than x build.

And ewww, that’s not my build at all. Mine is my own custom build. I don’t follow meta. That’s the point of GW2 set up anything can work, especially with warrior. Be creative and you might learn that yourself.

My custom build is effective in helping the team so therefore no points are wasted.

I don’t get why you guys just don’t invent your own build, be original, respecs are free, no need to copy/paste.

Why are people still stuck in WoW mentality? I had a commander issue me with an order… in a demanding way… (wanted me to log off so his guild could log on) Bahaha!!! I said “Or what, you’ll kick me from raid? Your powers don’t work here panda boy bahahaha!!”

Anyways I digress. I’m not saying you’re wrong, to be an efficient solo killer your build probably is more efficient.

EDIT: And I’m not saying you don’t contribute either, you’re role (DPS) is just as important as my roll (hybrid/bunker/tank/support). We all play our part. That’s why it’s called a “role playing game” after all. just because they’re not predetermined (trinity) doesn’t mean we don’t have roles.

Infact OP, just try out different stats in sPvP and decide for yourself. I’ve tried them all and PVT works best for me and my goals. What works for someone else may not work for you.

Julie Yann.5379:

a t s e.9614:

Do you really think I have time to argue with somebody who is using a shout build .. Just saying that you’re using shouts takes away all your credibility in terms of efficiency .

Depends on what you are doing.

This is the key phrase here. Not everyone has the same goals. There is no one build to rule them all. Everyone plays differently. I like to focus on support, when you’re down in WvW, I’m the guy rezzing you whilst taking hits from multiple enemies. Whilst you might be busy in sPvP chasing that thief that got away, I’m busy capping the orb.

My build works for me, your build works for you.

Ranting and raving and trying to convince people your build is the one true build and any slight deviation will result in failure, is pointless.

I don’t mean you as in you Julie Yann, I mean people in general.

You guys can stick to your meta, which inevitably gets nerfed and I’ll stick to doing what I do best. Winning as a team.

Last time I played a game where the end game was focused on hitting rocks (AoC) I quit and many others did too… I know it’s not exactly the same idea, but just sayin…

a t s e.9614:

Do you really think I have time to argue with somebody who is using a shout build ..

You kind of answered your own question there…

voidwater.2064:

hellsmachine.4085:

Shouts? Who mentioned shouts? Try Axe 2 mace 4 = 8 stacks of weakness. . I’m going to stop replying now, because I don’think you really know what you’re talking about. No offense.

Low damage multiplied by 1.08 is still low damage. Also, the condition is called “vulnerability”

I never claimed it was high damage, I said “Jack of all trades” master of none.

Thanks for the lesson but I really don’t care what it’s called.

KarlusDavius.1024:

Ok, here we go.

1. Source that says armor over 2,800 scales poorly?
2. PVT armour gives me 3,150. Dolyak signet gives extra. More on this later
3. Yes 20k HP in WvW is not enough. If your roaming it’s different, I am assuming of course that the OP won’t be roaming.
4.. Claiming that you giggle at my damage, yet you think a shout build takes 3 shouts is hilarious. Well known that FGJ and SIO are the two you take, followed by a stability source. GG.
5. You are amazing to think that you loose little to none survivability in zerk gear. Roaming I would agree, however again, I’m assuming it’s not for roaming.
6. You can get very high damage whilst still in PVT gear. Again, pots give damage increases based on % of toughness and vitality. So you get the best of a balanced world.

So much of your statement is based on misinformation. I have both ascended Beserker and PVT sets. My survivability goes so much higher in PVT with any build, which is used for group warfare. Yet if I roam, beserker is most certainly the way to go. Armour actually has little effect on most builds, it’s your trinkets that are key to a builds success.

I wouldn’t get too worked up about it if I were you. His statements hold very little weight.

Shouts? Who mentioned shouts? Try Axe 2 mace 4 = 8 stacks of weakness. . I’m going to stop replying now, because I don’think you really know what you’re talking about. No offense.

After that great big wall of text I was expecting a video. Because you know, experiments usually have some sort of evidence to validate the claims.

Just sayin.

The majority of players will jump to condition build = more money from transmutation crystals. Once enough people have coughed up more doe, than condition damage will get nerfed and the cycle continues. That’s my prediction.

Kept happening in D3.

I’m starting to think Jay Wilson is secretly working for Anet.

KarlusDavius.1024:

Tom Gore.4035:

Well obviously I do have several exotic sets. One zerker for dungeon speedruns, for example.

I think I’ll still go PVT on the ascended, because I’m getting it mainly for WvW.

Very well, I find PVT to be very much “Jack of all trades” master of none.

Damage isn’t nearly as bad as they make it out to be as long as you keep “Fury” and “Weakness” up. (I use Axe/Mace Evis crit for up to 7k , more often I crit 4-5k)

PvP wise I win the majority of 1v1. When I can’t win I simply walk away.

My Charr is one tough beast to kill. (usually takes 3 enemies to actually down me)

And best of all, we won’t be hit that hard with the upcoming nerf to crit.

Hope this helps.

And as for PvE, I don’t venture PvE much, though I have run Frac 9 with full PVT and we cleared it fine. Though it would have been faster if I didn’t have to stop to rez my fallen team mates that kept dying in their “Only viable zerk gear”

KarlusDavius.1024:

OP asked about WvW, so take your elitist spvp attitudes somewhere else.
PVT is still go to for front line hitters. You will be using pots that give % damage based on vitality and toughness so it’s a direct damage increase to use PVT.

Knights doesn’t give a massive boost in damage, only the chance to deal extra damage. Even then, if you have no critical damage, then knights means bugger all.

PVT armour is go to for front hitters. Combine that with berserker trinkets and you will have a very good mix of survivability and damage. I still hit like a truck in my shout build and always survive big hits. If it’s WvW you do, PVT is your choice.

Even for WvW. Some players want to be as tanky as possible. We want to be the last man standing so we can rez our fallen comrades. It’s working fine for me.

And OP didn’t specify much at all.

OP can you be more specific?

FrownyClown.8402:

Lower condi durations. Make longer cast times or animations for necros. Have phantasms disappear after they bleed you or zerk you.

I don’t agree with nerfing necros only. This is an issue that effects every condition spec class.

Flissy.4093:

KarlusDavius.1024:

OP asked about WvW

He asked about everything BUT WvW.

ROFL!!! Someone needs to get their specs checked… thumbs up

FrownyClown.8402:

Tough people dont burn as much either. Nor do they feel the affects of poison.

I agree!

I don’t understand how condition damage ignores toughness… A tougher person doesn’t bleed as much. This is just common sense. No reason for it to ignore toughness.

Please Arenanet. Condition damage is our of hand! At least for PvP.

Hambow warriors are harmless. Melandru + stability = useless warrior. Condition warriors though. Well we all know that condition damage in general needs a major nerf.

a t s e.9614:

How does PvT works for you explain to me ? You are 20% more tanky than a balanced build but deal 100% less damage . It must be fun to hit for 700 and still take a 10k backstab in the face .

PVT warriors are a free kill unless they are stun lock but even then the burst isint high enough to finish somebody . Not claiming to be an expert but I’ve tested so many things with my warrior already . I’ve noticed that in spvp I had more survivability with zerker amulet than a soldier amulet . Since I could eliminate enemies faster that they would not even have time to attack me . In wvw I found that with ~2800 armor I was tanky enough to get that 33% reduction to not get one shottedby thieves.

You realize that most of the defense comes from traits and utilities ? Cleansing ire alone is better than having 30k hp to deal with condis . Endure pain is better than 4k armor to survive a thief’s burst . Etc…

The only dangerous tanks in the game are condi tanks . Since they have tank stats + damage at the same time . A power tank is a punching bag , you damage him but he does nothing to you .

There is no one size fits all approach, different players have different roles.

Not everyone wants to be as 1337 as you.

You do realize that winning sPvP is not about scoring max kills right?

If I wasn’t in a guild, my guild shield, would look rather bland…

There’s so many of these “experts” that tell us something is not viable, when many of us are using it effectively.

“NUP DOESN’T WORK, MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY!”

Where did all this come from?

I don’t use a meta build. I use axe/mace sword/shield. Made it up myself. It’s very effective in PVP, plenty of CC and decent damage, whilst being very tanky.

Most people just want something that wins without experimenting. There is actually a lot of things that are viable with warrior.