Guild Wars 2

Hey GW2’rs

I’ve been away for a good 6 months and just started logging in.

What needs doing on a daily/weekly basis?

What currently are important items/currencies to look for?

What do I need to do to progress my toons, I’ve got some ascended weapons but not much equipment.

Basically looking for a refresher.

Mostly concerned with PvE Dungeons and WvW.

Much appreciated,

Blood~

Well that sounds pretty good! TY for the input, looks like I’ll be messing around with some stuff tonight.

Blood~

Hello Engi’s

Been away from game for a while and just started logging on again. How is the class doing currently in both PvE and WvWvW?

What builds are good for each?

Has FT found any love in the last 6 months?

Have conditions found any love PvE wise?

I ran a lot of zerker Bomb, Grenade and SD builds. Always wanted a viable FT build but never found a real one.

I quit just after LA was invaded n destroyed.

Thanks much,

Blood~

I used to run a Rifle SD burst build that was a lot of fun and quite effective. I haven’t been in sPvP for a while so things may have changed but if you’re interested its;

0/30/0/10/30 – Rifle/Medkit/Rifle Turret/Toolkit/PBR/Supply Drop with Zerker amulet and Scholar runes. Low survivability but.. 1v1 its got good control and burst. Lock um down and unload basically. You’re squishy but not helpless. Switch out PBR for a Stunbreak if you want.

Blood~

Despite its damage output I love FT in open world PvE zergs. Easier to deal with groups and when things die so quickly it helps you tag stuff. I’ve honestly enjoyed the LA invasion mostly because I’ve thrown on my FT and burnanator in classic Trogdor fashion…

If we could only get even a 10% FT autoattack increase I’d be playing this game a lot more.

Blood~

Do you like running in zergs or roaming in wvw?

PvE 30/30/0/0/10 is pretty much the PvE dmg build with Bombs or Grenades or both.

You have a lot of options. What kits, weapons or play styles interest you?

Blood~

I’ve been running FT with Modified Ammo in the LA invasion. It works quite well, showing some decent numbers. Bombs do more damage but if you really want to run FT somewhere then this is the place to do it. Its a viable setup here as mobs can go down very fast and FT can get some aoe dmg down almost instantly.

Pairs very well with Necros and other Grenade Engi’s.

I really wish they’d bump up FT auto damage to be competitive though.

Blood~

Hello Necros,

So my little necro is in his 50’s, I’ve leveled mainly by zerging and glory twinking. Took a small break but am back to take him to 80 now. I’m looking for some advice on a good build to help level in the LA event. I was running Staff and Wells but not sure if thats the best way to go.

Any input is appreciated.

Blood~

Before Modified Ammo there was a 0/30/0/20/20 build that was somewhat competitive in PvE. Since the update it was left in the dust.

HGH is really tough, the DPS gained by might is lost on the time it takes to use/activate the elixirs while doing no damage. It does have its place in PvP/WvW but I’m not a fan.

As others have said, its good utility and FT2 hits pretty hard but don’t camp the kit. Bombs will get you much better results.

Modified Ammo did nothing to help build diversity but it did help us catch up to some other classes DPS wise.

Blood~

Kill stuff faster in PvE. 0/15/30/21/0 isn’t DPS even if you gear that way.

GS + 20/25/0/21/0 at 76. Faster GS cooldowns, some vitality and the traits that give you 25% damage increase. Sword/Focus and GS like Natabot said. Blind and DPS um down. Go with Zerker gear and get Omnomberry Pie or a lower level food to restore health when you hit.

I was clearing 4 and 5 mobs at a time constantly while leveling. Just gotta kill them before they kill you.

GL
Blood~

Altruism are nice with Med Kit because they trigger off the activation of your #6 skill. Which means that each time you equip Med Kit it can trigger unless the runes are on cooldown themselves. Healing Turret works but you’re on a 20 sec cooldown vs a 10 sec on the runes with Med Kit half as effective. Plus with Med Kit you can have almost full Fury uptime. I’d suggest running Altruism if you run Med Kit, if Turret go Orbs or Scholar.

I run Ruby Orbs and Scholar depending on the gear set.

GL
Blood~

I ran that build for quite a while. Had a lot of fun with it.

I like 30/30/0/0/10 a bit more. Not so great for WvW but perma swiftness isn’t as needed in PvE. Modified Ammo with Grenades is pretty awesome.

Either way, if you can get ontop of your target try Throw Mine’s toolbelt. Activate and detonate it right away for some big numbers. Use after Grenade Barrage. Toolkit in this situation is great for the pull>Barrage>Mines should down a lot of players.

Blood~

I tested with 2x iSwordsmen vs 2x iZerker to keep things fair in weapon to weapon comparison as scepter will eat one Phantasm.

Even with this they are even DPS wise.

PU is Prismatic Understanding trait. Makes you pretty durable and you utilize your stealth with it. I tried a build that Osicat published, power based 20/20/30/0/0. It worked amazingly well roaming in wvw. I was able to take out up to 3x 80’s with very little experience in the build. Try it, love it, frown when they take it away…

GL
Blood~

In a 25/30/0/0/15 Mantra/Phantasm build GS at mid range(2x dodges from target) tested the same as Scepter/Sword. Both using 2x Phantasms. Illusionary Counter crit and average Torment damage on cooldown factored in.

In this build they are pretty even DPS wise. In any situation where 3x phantasms could be maintained or AOE is available or GS max range, GS would win out.

Blood~

Shatter is decent on trash but terrible on anything that you can sustain even one phantasm on, DPS wise.

GSword isn’t as kittenome say. Its our strongest ranged option and with the right build isn’t too far off the top DPS wise, don’t be afraid to use it but try not to sit in it too long. For pulls with 3+ mobs I start off the fight with GSword’s iZerker and switch to Sword/Focus for the rest of the pull. Gives you good AoE damage. Do what you can not to sit in GSword longer then you have to and you’ll be fine. As you get more familiar with all the content drop GSword for /Sword n /Focus. I won’t fault a Mesmer for using GSword unless thats all he uses.

I generally don’t have an issue, just got squished on a couple runs. All my toons are mostly Zerker.

My dilemma was dropping 10% crit damage from Tools to gain Vigor trait as I want to keep as much DPS in my build as I can.

An extra dodge would have made the difference in each of my floor mat moments, not my only idea of damage mitigation. I think its all I need though.

I’ve since looked at running some different kits and skills. I generally don’t like Elixirs but I may have room for one. I usually don’t run Bombs and Grenades together but I’ll switch um and traits as needed through out a dungeon.

Lastly, more testing has given me closer results on AA bomb and Dodge bomb, I think I was just seeing RNG messing with me.

Thanks much,

Blood~

Hey Engineers,

I had two bad runs in a row last night with my bomb build. Mobs just kept targeting me and I hit the floor more times than I’m comfortable with. I am looking at a 30/30/0/10/0 for vigor in combat and I thought that dodge bombing may mitigate the 10% crit damage loss while helping me stay on my feet easier.

I tested the damage of these and it seems a bit lower than bomb auto but not too bad. It seemed when auto attack crit for 2.6K dodge bomb was around 2.1k, solo w/no buffs.

Any thoughts?

Thanks
Blood~

Kaineng.9374:

I have no idea what all these folks are on about, but you can run a 0/0/30/30/10 build with Knight’s gear, and get the job done for all three.

I’m not going to argue that you can ‘get the job done’ with that build but it wouldn’t fit into the OP’s request for a DPS build.

A hammer build for example. Even with full Zerker gear you’ll lose 25%+ DPS by running the build you posted vs a build using DPS traits like 25/25/0/20/0. Drop that down further by running Knights. Also, Hammer drops Light fields that cover up Fire fields and may upset other players that want to blast for Might stacks..

I don’t know if there is a build that will cover everything but I did OK with a 10/30/0/30/0. Gives you some options, has % Dmg boositing traits and can be semi-optimized for most weapons you wanna use. Gear wise you’ll get increasingly less dps the farther you move from zerker.

IMHO
Blood~

I switch up all the time but Zerker Bombs is one of my favorite builds for PvE.

I believe each class has at least 1 build that is competitive DPS. Ele’s break this curve a bit though. As in every MMO different classes/builds will be better in different encounters. DPS tends to drop quickly if you don’t build/gear for it though. If you have a Soldiers, Knights, etc.. in the group he will definitely be lower DPS.

We can be competitive on Alpha with a good DPS build and Phantasm management. With this, even with a Sword and a single Phantasm up you are doing respectable damage. Throw on TW like Xyonon said and we’re sitting in a good spot.

IMHO.. aside from my comparative tests I don’t have empyrical data to support this though so take it for what it’s worth.

Blood~

Show me the validation on these and I’ll gladly accept it. I have yet to find that. I’ve worked with a number of spreadsheets and built my own. None of them validate any others nor do they correlate directly to what I’ve seen in game. If I’ve missed something though I’m happy to reassess my tests.

Blood~

We’ll never really know who has the best and worst DPS unless we get an accurate comprehensive DPS meter. Until then its all speculation and conjecture. The best I could do was test some builds and classes on a single target. If I rank the best tests class by class its Ele>Mesmer>Guard>Engi>others*. This is enough for me to say that we’re in a pretty good spot.

*All dependent on gear, build, rotation, skill, boons, conditions and encounter obviously.

Blood~

I rarely pulled groups while leveling, but with multiples yes GS n Focus. I didn’t learn how to use focus effectively until later so I had better luck with /Sw n /P.

Blood~

Mesmer has some of the highest DPS if you have 3x phantasms on the board and you are built for DPS. Even maintaining 2x phantasms brings you on par with ‘average’ zerker dps that most classes can push. With practice and experience maintaining 2x phantasms is not hard in most cases. I’ve done the in game testing, I am basing my conclusions off of that.

The problem is if you run the meta focus reflect builds you’re not optimized for DPS even with full Zerker gear. Your missing 5% to 18% damage increases through traits.

I won’t argue the the damage output or utility of reflects, they’re great but you need someone shooting at you to utilize them for DPS.

iZerker is quite good if you multiple targets. If not your strongest options are iSwordsman and iDuelist.

Unless you have focus traited n need reflects. Even then iSwordsman n iDuelist out perform iWarden for DPS.

Seras.5702:

Lolnut.9812:

… I also absolutely love the flamethrower, but as things would have it, the flamethrower is a condition based kit …

Actually, Flamethrower is a power weapon. Yes, it dishes out burning. But that’s 1 condition that stacks duration, not intensity. And the burning it dishes out is designed to boost the damage of your autoattack and stack might (napalm).

The problem with FT isn’t that it’s a condition weapon, it’s that it doesn’t deal enough damage to make it a primary weapon kit. It has great utility though.

^this

If they could boost the FT auto attack up by 15% or so, it would be a much better weapon, on par with some of our other options.

I agree though that there needs to be a condition rework with PvE.

TurtleDragon.3108:

Single target is the only DPS that matters. Unless you’re in fractals, no one cares if you can do “40k+ dps” on trash when you run past most of it in this game anyways, or fight 2-4 targets at a time most of the time.

The whole point of my response was to call out your BS on saying engineers do as much damage as elementalists in single target. (ie. boss fights)

I’m not gonna argue that Ele’s are really strong with single target. Especially Fire Staff with 2x Elementals. Engi’s, depending on the build, are definitely one of the better DPS though. On par or higher then a lot of DPS builds.

AoE does matter in PvE, I used to think otherwise but I’ve since changed my mind. Trash that you don’t skip can be just as time consuming as boss fights and in some cases harder. Even Rifle/SD is competitive with a majority of classes if others are applying Might and Vulnerability. I’ve tested a number of builds across almost all classes and Engi’s do quite well and can bring a ton of utility to the group.

People that refuse to bring an Engi are simply ignorant.

I consider condition damage in PvE extra damage when I can get the ticks, I don’t rely on it though. In testing Rampager’s Grenades ranks highest, in practice Zerker will out perform it simply because of the crappy condition mechanics.

Blood~

I’d try Sword/Sword and Sword/Pistol to start. 20pts in Dueling for Blade Training and Duelist’s Discipline for faster recharge on your Phantasms with Sword and Pistol. And 15pts in Illusions for Iluisionists Celerity for even faster Phantasm/Clone cooldowns. Take Compounding Power in Illusions tree also.

Hit your target first then throw your phantasms. Let them do the work. If you get into trouble Sword 2, Sword 4 and Pistol 5 will help keep you alive.

Get Signet of the Ether as soon as you can or use Ether Feast for heals. Signet of Illusions will keep your phantasms alive for longer. Blink is nice to get outta bad situations or just move around the map. Mantra of Resolve or Null Field will help with conditions.

I run
- Knights (SE) w/Travelers set for Mantra/Phantasm build and WvW build.
- Zerker w/Ruby Orbs for Meta Phantasm Reflect build.

In both sets I run Soldiers Back and Neck.

Adamantium.3682:

Bloodgruve.6038:

Sitting Duck is a good trait with Bombs/Rifle, it applies on Net shot and Glue Bomb.

Blood~

I have only been disappointed by this trait except in specific 1v1 encounters (rare). It has a cooldown and if your Glue Bomb hits 5 targets it’s only proccing on 1 of them before it goes on cooldown.

It’s not awful, but when a good chunk of our immobilize is AOE this trait doesn’t really add up IMO.

Good to know, I usually only run it in PvE and only pay attention to stacks on bosses.

I run a couple different builds in PvE

DPS – Mantra/Phantasm Sw/Sw Sw/P GS 25/30/0/0/15 -or- DPS with a bit more mantra support 30/30/0/0/10

Reflect Support – Sw/Sw Sw/P n Sw/F 10/20/0/25/15 -or- Sw/F GS 20/10/0/0/25 (if you like GSword) Has decent DPS if you run zerker gear. These are a lot more forgiving and may be a good place to start.

*To do good damage keep as many Phantasms on the board as you can, watch the encounter, you can time them for max board time in most cases. 0 phantasms = crappy DPS no matter the build.

*Sword main hand will give you the best DPS. GS is lower, some like it some hate it. I run it when I want a solid ranged option.

*As you’re a guardian I’m not gonna talk to you about the awesomeness of reflects, you already know. Focus and Feedback in x/x/x/20/x FTW

*Never had issues with clones/phantasms aggroing in dungeons less you target the wrong thing.

*Shatter does low sustained DPS. Good on trash, bad on prolonged fights. But its really fun. Doesn’t support reflects well.

*Time Warp FTW

*Deceptive Evasion isn’t good for these 2 builds. You have much better options that don’t eat Phantasms.

*Toughness effects Phantasms. Knights is a decent set for Mantra/Phantasm. Lowers DPS but I can tell my guys stick around longer.

I run with a couple guardians most of the time so I’ve been running 25/30/0/0/15 lately and I love it. Its really geared for DPS and I get some surprisingly nice numbers. With might i’m seeing 10K+ auto chains and 12K Blurred Frenzy with Sword. Phantasms hit hard too. Guards take up the reflect duty though.

Some people will expect you to run Focus/Reflects though so be aware if you pug.

I’ve been playing Engi for a while, decided to level and gear a warrior. Warriors are so easy compared to Engi that its rediculous. I rarely run warrior though because Engi is just so fun to play even if you have to push twice as many buttons than a warrior to do the same things

Its worth it though,
Blood~

Kaiyanwan.8521:

I would go 25/30/0/0/15 for open world PvE.

It is actually the current installment of my Go Go Power Ranger Build, which I have to update at one point:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fgAQNAR8cl4zioHSTlGa9IB6DYnMDVn6SPwNvlNA-jgBBYfCyJPFRjtMsIas6aYKXER1mxFRrGA-e

I ran this last night in PvE. I had 2x might stacking guards with me and was getting some 12k Blurred Frenzy with 2x phantasms up a lot of the time. Zerker, 3x mantras and Signet of Illusions. Gotta be proactive about staying alive but its quite fun.

Phobia.9651:

Thanks for clearing a lot of things up for me. No more gear with condi as main stat then. I guess a combination of zerker with a few rampager seems like a solid choice then.

Conditions are still useful in WvW. Rabid is a good set for that.

Last I checked Poison Grenades drop a field that ticks multiple times. Each tick applies vulnerability too. Its a good way start off. I think other grenades/bombs that give multiple ticks do the same. The Vulnerability from Grenades is the major strength of the kit IMHO, along with good damage. If you have others in group applying Vulnerability run Bombs, they’re higher scaled DPS but less Vulnerability. Sitting Duck is a good trait with Bombs/Rifle, it applies on Net shot and Glue Bomb.

Blood~

I would really love it if Shatter pushed DPS like Phantasm. When I was testing Shatter was only doing something like 70% of what Phantasms/Mantras can do in sustained damage.

Good for ‘trash’ and such but not good on prolonged fights. I really wish ANet would give us something here for PvE but we prolly will never see it because of PvP/WvW :/

Guess its Phantasms for me, and the occasional F3 n F4..

Blood~

I sorta recall some posts talking about Phantasmal Haste being bugged. If it’s working both iDuelist and iWarden would benefit. Pretty sure it’s never worked with iSwordsman. Wonder how a 10/15/0/25/20 Sw/Sw/F would work..

Blood~

Rampager will give you the highest damage output with Grenades. Rabid is pretty low but has defense. I’d go Carrion over Rabid personally if you don’t want Rampagers.

In group PvE Zerker and Rampagers are almost equal due to how conditions work. On world bosses conditions are terrible so Zerker/Knights is much better here. I think of conditions as extra added damage when they work, I won’t count on them as my main damage source in anything PvE.

GL
Blood~

Frifox, good numbers. With shorter tests, 240000 HP, I see a 22.4% increase from 10/20/0/25/15 Sw/F // Sw/Sw to 30/30/0/0/10 Sw/Sw under those same conditions. GSword and Sw/P 30/30/0/0/10 are both 16.4% increase. No Timewarp used.

Blood~

Ran some 25/30/0/0/15 last night. It does feel like it would have higher dps then 30/30/0/0/10 just because its easier to maintain phantasms. Lose some utility with Mantras but its still doable…

I like DPS so I usually run these builds. But I agree with Xyonon “the build has to fit you”. 10/20/0/25/15 is a very strong build, great survivability and utility but lower DPS. In the DPS heavy meta as it is today either should be acceptable IMHO

Blood~

Lys.8621:

wanted to add that if you are looking to pure dps… change class. mesmer dps sucks, mesmer is meant to have a support side, if you don’t wanna use it, don’t use mesmer at all :p

That depends on how many Phantasms you can maintain. With Sword and 2x Phantasms up you are doing pretty well, easily on par with most other Zerkers. 3x Phantasms yield some of the higher DPS I’ve been able to test. No phantasms, then you’re pretty low. At least this is the case with 30/30/0/0/10 solo testing. 10/20/0/25/15 is lower but can still be competitive with 3x Phantasms running.

Blood~

Lack of DPS meters solve some of the acceptable build diversity problems which is great. There are some things we just wont get passed though like this.

I like to see Mesmers with Focus but if they aren’t running one and have some Mantras up I’m perfectly fine with that. I won’t fault anyone for playing the build they want. I can say that with either Mantra Phantasm or Meta Phantasm build I’ve been on runs where I wished I had brought the other build.

frifox, Harmonious Mantras I guess. If I’m not optimized for reflects then I like to at least have some more support with condition cleanse or stability. But thats my own opinion. IC is very tempting though.

Blood~

If you’re looking for top DPS 30/30/0/0/10 Mantra/Phantasm will do it. It’s noticeably higher than 10/20/0/25/15 but you lose your Focus and Glamor optimization. You also lose Illusionists Celerity but its an effective build if you know the content. I run this build with Knights armor and Runes of Traveler for Phantasms and quality of life. I also have the luxury of running with two WoR Guardians so reflects are less of an issue for me.

I pug in 20/10/0/25/15, I enjoy GSword and I don’t care what anyone else thinks

GL out there
Blood~

*Basically what Bumbler said.

Ichishi.9613:

Wait, engineers actually do damage?
Good (piano keyboard player) engi barely outdamages thief auto with occasional skills.
That is why I went for support engi.
If anything, engi needs a drastic damage increase (don’t forget grenades were already nerfed by 30%)

I’ve done a fair amount of in game testing with a lot of classes. After the Modified Ammo/Thief Initiative update a solo Rampager or Zerker Engi can out DPS a thief. At least in my tests. This though comes from Vulnerability stacks. Subtracting the stacks brings Grenade damage lower then the thief. So if a Thief had an Engi in group with Vulnerability stacks the Thief would do more overall DPS.

Grenades can bring a lot to the table, but the DPS isn’t crazy like Fire Staff Ele or anything.

Again, from in game solo testing. Damage Coefficients and Scaling could change things. Realistically though, I feel most classes will do good and competitive DPS if built correctly for it.

Blood~

For leveling I liked Rifle with Med Kit, Rifle Turret, Tool Kit and Rocket Boots. Get Speedy Kits trait first and switch it to Static Discharge when you’re working a heart. Static Discharge is great damage while leveling especially with low cooldown Toolbelt abilities of those three skills listed.

I struggled a bit until I started running this, then leveling was a breeze.

Along the way experiment with everything, most of Engi’s skills are useful for something. I keep finding new things to do with all the different skills and kits. Some that I previously dismissed as not very good are finding homes on my bar now…

Blood~

Start with Speedy Kits for WvW, swiftness is necessary at low levels or you’re gonna get caught and killed..

Your uplevel damage isn’t that good but you can still support a zerg quite well. I’d suggest Pistol/Shield with Healing Turret, Rocket Boots, Bomb Kit and Elixir Gun. This will give you a Water Field, Fire Field and Smoke Field with 5x blast finishers. Blast Shield, turret, BoB and EG4 > Rocket Boots for massive healing, invis or might stacks. EG has a lot of utility. Rocket Boots help you get into or out of bad situations quickly. Grab larger AOE explosion trait for fun zerg v zerg bomb battles and large Glue Bombs.

Gear Condition and Vitality to start and work towards Rabid or Dire gear at 80 with Grenade support.

If you like to help with Might stacking go for 2x Runes of Strength, Fire and Hoelbrak each.

Finally, nothing beats a good commander in Team Speak if your server or guild plays that way. You can help a zerg stay alive or deal some serious damage.

Your goal is to get to the zerg and stay with it for caps.

GL out there,

Blood~

GK, I would respectfully ask, how have you validated your calculated DPS values? I’ve seen your spreadsheet, its impressive and you have a lot going on, but what can you say for its accuracy?

I personally don’t get the opportunity, nor do most people I would suspect, to run in an organized group that makes these numbers possible.

Appreciated,

Blood~

I’ve got mixed feelings about this. Mostly I have limited time to run dungeons and skipping allows me to get a few in. I love Arah but rarely run it due to the amount of time it takes a non optimal group. I would love to get rid of skipping and have some of the dungeons sizes reduced a bit. It would also be nice to see better rewards for full clears.

IMHO
Blood~

Guanglai Kangyi.4318:

Grenade DPS is around 10.5k now with the buff to Modified Ammunition, possibly more if you have a good variety of condition stacking. That’s on top of still being able to maintain 20 stacks of vuln and 12 stacks of might with absolutely zero tradeoff, and being able to push that up even more with fairly minimal tradeoffs.

By comparison a DPS guard or warrior is pretty much exactly the same DPS but with about half of the buff/debuff output. And that’s not even counting the loads of area stealth, condition removal, healing, and CC that an engineer can fit onto one bar with no DPS loss. Oh, and the fact that it’s all doable at 1500 range whereas pretty much every other class has to be in melee.

Honestly, the fact that a Rifle/Bomb setup does exactly the same DPS as a grenade/pistol setup but loses out on might and vuln and is stuck at melee range clearly indicates the problem more than anything.

Realistically to pull top end DPS we have to constantly switch kits/weapons around which results in less might/vulnerability stacks. 100% grenade spam is a personal DPS loss. Also, 10.5K compared to the top DPS numbers is a pretty big problem on its own, if I recall your numbers correctly. Other builds need DPS nerfs before I’d take a grenade nerf.

I think the complexity of Engi coupled with grenade skill shots balance out the ability to stack important boons/conditions. I agree a good player can gain a lot from the kit and build though, more so then a lot of other classes/builds but it takes a hell of a lot to pull off.

IMHO
Blood~

Guanglai Kangyi.4318:

I should also mention I’m talking about PvE, not lolPvP. Was late at night, my fault.

Guys n gals, this topic is directed at PvE not PvP/WvW.