Guild Wars 2

Warx.8495:

So as a warrior I should switch to a ranged weapon and start doing damage? There’s a reason I picked a Warrior…

You may have to reevaluate WHAT a Warrior means to you, because I think what you are thinking is not what you are actually playing or trying to play. On my warrior I use my rifle a LOT. When the distance closes, I go melee (usually greatsword), and get down and dirty… the ability to change on the fly and adapt to the battle is the hallmark of being a true warrior.

The problem it would seem, would not be in the game’s lack of healing classes, but in the people playing’s lack of adjustment to the change. What is so wrong with taking responsibility for yourself? Having been in quite a few MMOs as the “dedicated healer”, I am actually relieved that ArenaNet took this approach. Everyone has a heal, everyone can use their heal, everyone can take the responsibility for keeping themselves alive… those of us who used to be the dedicated healer classes who have taken professions that can aid in healing, still can feel that sense of accomplishment keeping the group alive, as well as switching roles on the fly.

I have seen enough boss fights in this particular game in the last couple of weeks that indicate to me that most folks are starting to “get it”. Fighting is fluid. Instead of relying on ONE person who does nominal damage but can hold the aggro indefinitely, then to be supported by one other person whose sole job is to keep the first person alive long enough for the others to whittle the enemy down, we have a system where you can bounce in and out of aggro. No one says you HAVE to stand there and take all the punishment. Move like ocean water, ebb and flow with the tide of battle. If you are taking too much damage, dodge back, and let someone else step in to hold the mob’s attention. As you are regaining strength, if you happen to have heals that can be used on others, USE em! Revive people if needed… then hop back in there so that the other person or persons can roll out.

You would be dying if you are simply expecting someone to keep you healed up. You cannot think that way in this game. It does not work.

In the dungeon runs I have done, it is usually with a guild (mine or my friends), and we practice this method a lot. Your first line of defense is yourself… And for the record, I have seen thieves and rangers take up the mantle of tanking (holding aggro), and be quite successful at it, using their dodges. This is quite an achievement considering both use MEDIUM armor, not heavy.

I am sorry that you had that particular experience with a dungeon run, but what you experienced was NOT “the norm” for THIS game.

I would suggest rethinking what it means to be in the group setting. The holy trinity may be “the norm” for other games, but it does not, and will not work as well here. Think outside the box, and you may find that this system that has been set up works quite well. If it is not working for you, or you cannot adapt to the different style of playing, perhaps you might reevaluate playing this particular game, because I highly doubt ANet is going to change the crux of their combat system, just to keep up with “the norm”.

Change is not always a bad thing my friend…

I expect (but not holding my breath) that what would be more likely would be server sub-forums, then in there you may have the option to guild recruit. I am not sure if they would actually make guild recruitment boards.

Matrix.3786:

Well, for starters, you don`t have any class that`s specifically a “melee class”. Every class aside from Engineer has melee options, and every class has ranged options. As for survivability, well, what sort of survivability are you looking for? Killing the enemy faster than they kill you? Having lots of health and armour? Having various abilities to heal or negate damage? I think you`ll find that every class options for all of them.

So, I think you really should be more specific in what you`re looking for.

Actually, the engineer’s toolkit utility IS a melee based option. It’s the only “real melee” we have, but it is effective, if you like to bash stuff.

It depends. Did you make the same story selections as they did? Meaning if they are on a story part that you are also on normally…. at the end of it you will get progress on the story as well. If their story path is different from your and you are just helping him, then your rewards are the xp and loot you get while helping them kill mobs.

Just saying here… but imho, engame STARTS the moment you get out of the tutorial. Everything else is just a number attached to your name that means nothing when you go back to a starting zone, since you can still get xp, skill points, karma, etc.

We have to get out of this mindset that “end game” is what a game is worth buying. What other game allows you to max level your character, then go back to the starting zone and have challenging story content, and events?

It’s all in how you CHOOSE to look at it, if you ask me. I started endgame the moment I killed Issormir.

I have to admit I am a LOT biased here, since from the first announcement that engineer was going to be in the game, I jumped on that bandwagon. I also was not let down when I got to play one on the three beta weekends and the various 1-4 hour stress tests.

Because engi does take some time to master (while easy to pick up), it is not a class I recommend for everyone. We are definitely limited by our regular weapon selections, but the utility kits are our stock in trade, and learning how to mix and match is what gives us the best chance at viability.

I HAVE seen engineers dominate in WvW, but like all other classes, they have moments where the profession shines, and moments they were not cut out to be in.

One thing I will say about our viability, since we are highly dependent on gear, definitely make sure your gear is top notch at all times. Even in PvE I have noticed it does make a difference. It’s all part of the strategy that is playing the engineer.

Do I wish some of our toolkits had auto-attack on by default? Sure…

Do I wish we had more of a melee option than the actual tool kit utility (bombs to me do not count as melee since you can drop and run)? Sure. I mentioned in feedback during the beta that we should be able to use a hammer I think. (Makes sense right, since we can build with one)

I too would love to see rifle have more range, and I suspect when ANet starts doing profession tweaks, that might actually get looked at for some of the skills, but I can also trait my turrets to have greater range, then set them away from the action.

I think one of our best “builds”, would be a condition based one with either pistols and/or elixir gun/flamethrower/grenades. I can usually take down same level or slightly higher enemies pretty quickly with that kind of set up. You have to admit, grenades and flamethrowers are boss when it comes to aoe/cone attacks.

Personally I do not feel sub-par, and am proud to have my main be my engineer.

There’s my 2 copper anyway… Carry on.