Guild Wars 2

Been doing some testing in game and :

1) Scepter + Focus > Mace+Focus
2) Torch is complete and utter garbage, I mean its worthless beyond any value what so ever I can’t believe it even made it to live the way it is…yes it IS that bad.

Though Mace has a place in the meta game, while leveling I am pretty sure Scepter+Focus is far a better option as a 2nd weapon. Actually I will change what I said, Mace is AMAZING in any form of group play like a Champion for example.

Question: Larger Symbols, shed some light on your choice to not include it into your build? Thanks

The question revolves around mitigation / survivability for a leveling Guardian who wants the 2nd set to specifically increase survivability in the open world. Which achieves that the best and why?

Could you add music description plx!

Great stuff guys thanks, much appreciated insight.

Even if they don’t stand in the Symbol, you can for big amounts of regen!

Thanks for your build it looks good.

What do you think of this build:

http://www.gw2build.com/builds/simulator.php#1.3.12.5.0.18.4.4.0.4.54.74.72.69.76.8.8.37.0.0.0.167.0.0.181.0.0.198.205.204.216.218.0.0.10.10.30.20

GS / Mace+Focus

Idea is keep regen rolling and use Symbol healing as top offs. Damage is focusing on burns from virtue of Justice. Though I suspect using a rune with +Might duration might also work.

Went into the mist and did some PvP, every death was due to conditions, I also had 0 points in Zeal.

Would do you recommend as a ‘theme’ to a GS build? Symbol healing, meditation, conc or shouts? Or Signets!

I just tested it and I need to cast a healing ability for retaliation to pop so you are correct its a weak ability.

Symbol healing is nice even now and even with just 300 healing, against 1 attacker I mitigate well but I am no tank.

Would GS healing proc Healers Retribution (Radiance I) which gives 3 sec of retaliation? Other wise I see your point, in other words 100% up time for Retaliation as long as GS is doing damage.

http://www.gw2build.com/builds/simulator.php#1.3.12.7.0.18.4.4.0.4.54.74.69.68.76.8.8.6.152.157.162.0.0.0.0.0.0.198.205.204.216.0.0.30.0.0.30.10

Hi,

The above is a GS build that revolves around 2 things:

1) Symbols are bigger and heal
2) GS attacks heals

Stats:

Power : 2199
Precision : 976
Toughness : 1620
Vitality : 1920
Attack : 3316
WeaponDamage : 1117
ConditionDamage :0
CritChance : 11.86
CritDamage : 12
Armor : 2831
Defense : 704
HP : 20845
Healing : 300

Is this enough to keep me up in dungeons and PvP? How would you improve on it? More healing and less HP?

http://www.gw2build.com/builds/simulator.php#1.3.12.7.0.18.4.4.0.4.54.74.69.68.76.8.8.6.152.157.162.0.0.0.0.0.0.198.205.204.216.0.0.30.0.0.30.10

GS Build, did this after some hours of playing the class, not sure if it works though.

Bob wanna share some insight about the build, HP and why you like it?

If you are curious what a Scepter DPS build would look like:

http://www.gw2build.com/builds/simulator.php#1.3.2.7.17.0.5.5.5.0.54.72.73.75.78.2.2.6.152.0.0.169.172.176.181.186.191.0.0.0.0.0.0.10.30.30.0.0

I came across a post that tested Guardian DPS by weapon:

http://www.guildwars2guru.com/topic/70080-guardian-effective-dps-tests/

Tests were done on a heavy golem in Mists with Berserker’s Amulet and Divinity Runes. Traits are as listed for each weapon. I went with Force sigils for everything. Raw damage numbers are hard to measure so I went with percentages of the health of the golem. That’s what the numbers refer to, percent of the heavy golem’s health inflicted. Skill damage is calculated by subtracting the damage the auto-attack could have done.

1H Sword: 10 Zeal (Fiery Wrath), 30 Radiance (Right-Handed Strength, Powerful Blades), 30 Valor (Retributive Armor)
- Auto-attack chain kills golem in 8 seconds = 12.5/sec
- Zealot’s Defense does not increase damage.
Overall DPS = 12.5/sec

Scepter: 10 Zeal (Fiery Wrath), 30 Radiance (Right-Handed Strength), 30 Valor (Retributive Armor)
- Auto-attack kills golem in 12 seconds = 8.33/sec
- Smite is nearly instant, deals about 30-50% every 6 seconds = 6.67/sec
- Chains of Light does not significantly increase damage.
Overall DPS = 15/sec

Mace: 10 Zeal (Fiery Wrath), 30 Radiance (Right-Handed Strength, Mace of Justice), 30 Valor (Retributive Armor)
- Auto-attack kills golem in 10 seconds = 10/sec
- Symbol of Faith deals 20% more than auto = 2/sec
- Protector’s Strike does not signifcantly increase damage
Overall DPS = 12/sec

Greatsword: 10 Zeal (Fiery Wrath), 30 Valor (Retributive Armor), 30 Honor (Writ of Persistence, Two Handed Mastery)
- Auto-attack kills golem in 10 seconds = 10/sec
- Whirling Wrath deals 10% more than auto = 1.25/sec
- Leap of Faith does not increase damage
- Symbol of Wrath deals 40% more than auto = 2.5/sec
- Binding Blade deals 30% more than auto = 1.25/sec
Overall DPS = 15/sec

Hammer: 10 Zeal (Fiery Wrath), 10 Radiance, 30 Valor (Retributive Armor), 20 Honor (Writ of Persistence)
- Auto-attack kills golem in 10 seconds = 10/sec | Note: Symbol of Protection inflicts damage on a “lag”, that is, the full damage from the symbol is not inflicted until after the second chain has already started. Based on eyeballing the damage from the auto-attack chain, I believe the hammer should be able to inflict enough damage to kill the golem in 8 seconds, which makes DPS 12.5/sec.
- All other skills do not increase damage
Overall DPS = 10/sec or 12.5/sec

Staff: 10 Zeal (Fiery Wrath), 30 Valor (Retributive Armor), 30 Honor (Writ of Persistence, Two-Handed Mastery)
- Auto-attack kills golem in 20s (lol) = 5/sec
- Orb of Light deals 5% more than auto = 2.08/sec max (depends on orb flight time)
- Symbol of Switfness deals 35% more than auto = 2.92/sec
- Other skills do not increase damage
Overall DPS = 10/sec

As a point of reference, warrior axe is about the same as sword (8s kill time on golem, no other skills add damage) and warrior GS is 10s kill time on golem and 60% on HB (9.375/sec) for 19.375/sec.

Looking to understand Scepter and how it ‘should’ be played. I have no issues playing in melee range and as far as I can tell this class needs to always stay near its target and team.

So, keeping in mind that I will always be near my foe, how should the Scepter be played?

The reason I ask is even though Scepter range is 1200 I realize now that the designers NEVER ever intended that this weapon be used further than say 400 or 500 (600 if pushing it) which coincidentally -or more likley intentionally- is the optimal Staff range. What that says to me is Scepter+X / Staff played between 0-400….But how should I spec? Healing or DPS…or better yet can I spec DPS?

between 2 levels and 3, I also used a Focus off hand. The main feature would be regeneration that I got from Mace+Focus. I literally can ‘tank’ mobs.

Also note that I have next to no +healing and all of my gear is DPS focused.

Going up against higher level Veterans and Skill Point Challenges I struggled, badly. I tried GS, Hammer, Sword+X and it was all the same, it was rough and tough and filled with frustration.

Then…I said why not try this Mace and could not believe the healing kept me up and all I needed to do was move out of red circles and huge abilities the mob makes, didn’t even need to dodge that much.

Seems that Mace is a solid weapon for Guardians, is it this way all the way to 80?

http://www.gw2build.com/builds/simulator.php#1.3.12.7.0.0.4.4.0.0.54.72.74.73.77.1.1.7.0.0.0.167.0.0.181.185.191.196.204.0.214.0.0.0.10.30.20.10

I took a stab at it and assumed he is using a full complement of Meditation abilities though he may not have the teleport.

Also note that if he is using crafted/dungeon gear he will have more stats.

ArtemisEntreri.4138:

Trungalung.7850:

Guardian has at least 20 points in Honor. Pretty sure on it since he has Selfless Daring and using a GS so he should have 2-Handed Mastery. His Adept Major trait seems to be Superior Aria. He seems to be heavily geared toward healing as Rayya pointed out. At 11:00, you can see that his Selfless Daring heals for quite a chunk. My guess is that he’s a Virtues staff support (0/0/0/30/30 for example) with GS on switch for some extra offensive power.

Pretty sure he is running something like this. Disregard the runes and gems. Copy and paste.

_http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fUAQJARWlYgqCnFyvDfIFSmiVCBtKQQYKwoP6ShDRRA;TgAgzCvo8y0loLbQOvkBB

I timed his healing signet use so he has at least 10 into Radiance for signet mastery. Valor I threw in there for grins and giggles but it’s pretty necessary. Honor for larger symbols and shout cd redux(could be Write of the Merciful instead). He can cleanse like a boss so that made me believe he has at least 20 into Virtues for Absolute Resolution.

It fits I just can’t get over 12k HP !

Mesmer if you want GS

I just started a fresh Guardian with the intent of using GS so I don’t have any of the bias of those who had been playing it before the changes, my 2c:

As some one with over 300 hours of GW2 game play it is very clear ANEt does nto intend for GS to be a stand alone weapon because the CD’s are far too high.

Staff or Scepter damage is so low its not even worth trying to kill anything with it -early on it seems ok but as you level they hit like wet noodel.

In short I have disappointed at the long CD’s because I end up using auto auto attack so much I stopped having fun.

As you reproach 60 you will notice a drop in kill time, rifle just dose not do it and I have the best gear available for that level.

To test this is simple, change traits and play melee and compare. Also if you have another character around the same level that is ranged you should already know that Rifle warrior works just not as well as any other ranged.

Rayya.2591:

i do need
my hp pool on wvw is over 20k without any orb

Do share

12 min into the video Matale goes up against a Staff/GS Guardian who will not die, seems the Guardian is running a heavy defensive build but not sure, any idea?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=f6RtnSyz62A

JPapa.6325:

I have a well geared lvl 80 Guardian and I have been using a GS almost exclusively (except when ranged was needed). I can’t really comment on the number crunching because it’s not how I play games, but I can say the GS has worked very well for me in dungeons (story and all explore paths). I agree that it’s unwise to go for full dps builds, but my build is pretty much full survival and I am rarely ever defeated in dungeons. It’s much more important to stay alive and keep damaging your enemies than to do more damage quicker and end up a corpse on the floor.

Having said that, if you don’t wish to have much in the way of toughness and vitality from traits or gear, then I really can’t agree with using the greatsword. It’s a complete AoE/control weapon with a multi-target draw-in that should be used by someone who can take more hits than the rest of his team. I’m sure many players can make it work, but I see it as a more effective front line weapon than pure dps. It’s a weapon that gets a lot of enemy attention, so you have to build your character accordingly. I can only assume this is why you die so much, and maybe your chosen traits just aren’t defensive enough to counter the target on your back when you use the GS.

Can you please share your build + utilities? I assume 30 in Vitality for 2h specialization and 30 in Power?

Why can’t they add 90% AE mitigation and have the pet a;ways move behind the target?

0
30 Pistol 20% Recharge Faster / 50% for 5sec Swiftness / Pistol Range
10 Invis when Immobilized
30 20% faster Elixir / 20% elixir Duration / Elixir removes conditions
0

Elixir H / Elixir B / Elixir S / ? / Supply Crate
Shaman Amulet / Rune Undead

Power :916
Precision :1216
Toughness :1989
Vitality :1216
Attack :1961
WeaponDamage :1045
ConditionDamage :1172.8
CritChance :18.29
CritDamage :0
Armor053
Defense :1073
HP :18082
Healing :744

http://www.gw2build.com/builds/simulator.php#1.4.6.0.20.0.1.0.7.0.79.87.89.88.102.6.6.29.0.0.0.246.243.244.261.0.0.272.278.280.0.0.0.0.30.10.30.0

Is the spec kittened because it does not use Bomb/Grenades/Elixir Gun or Flame Thrower?

Indeed the pet needs to better survivability inside dungeons not sure how that can be done.

LB under 2sec quickness from pet swap, and more currently the LB #2 which channels a barrage of arrows!

That’s how it shines! Use Sigil of Rage!

Now compare LB against SB considering Sigil of Rage and pet swap quickness.

Vecuu.2018:

My take on Greatsword Rangers:

http://www.guildwars2guru.com/topic/66729-how-to-be-a-great-greatsword-ranger/

Please note that is was written with PvE in mind primarily, but I have had solid success in casual SPvP with it. Specific things to note is that I pair up the Greatsword with a Shortbow and two Canines, focusing on wearing down opponents to about half health, then swapping pets, at which point the new Canine will knock them down, I pop Zepher, and proceed to Daze their much needed heal with one weapon, then swap to the other weapon and do the same. Double knockdown. Double daze.

Pretty deadly.

This is one of the best GS builds I have seen though I can’t seem to get GS to work it does do really well when you are able to use pet swaps for 2sec quickness and time that burst with fire trap and using GS combo finishers.

A 77 ranger friend can and does regularly solo champions with bear+wolf using LB+SB but it takes him a long time.

Leveling you will noticed kill speed is slow as ranged when compared to melee and even more noticeable if you have another class, say Necro condition based. I think the reason is the high HP+durability of the class is a tax on our ranged damage.

Axe+Torch+Fire Trap OR Mud AE Bleed+Cripple

River Drake + Polar Bear and Vets melt in seconds.

PvE solo questing kill speed and solo ability is powerful.

Tried PvP and played Power+Toughness build with SB+S/D and the build is powerful.
Tried GS but can’t seem to get in any kind of rhythm, must be me.
LB is amazing if you open from range+Pet Swap for 2sec quickness things die fast.

In general once I got 5 points into BM just about any weapon melts my targets with quickness -I still don’t have Zeph.

We have one change that would go a long way to revitalizing the core class mechanic which is the Pet, that change end result is increasing the pet survivability inside dungeons.

Passive AE damage mitigation.
A dedicated pet heal on a very short CD.
Pet always places it self behind the target.
Pet can attack while moving.

In the over 300 hours of GW2 game play I have had it has become clear that Ranger in PvE kills at the lower ends of the ‘speed’ spectrum. Is it how players spec or something else?

I started a Ranger alt and noticed that as early as 11 kill time started to slow down. I noticed that Fire Trap was the only way to maintain the kind of kill speed other classes have that I have played which means going melee.

River Drake / Krytan Drakehound

Both now take the #1 DPS spot and both have the exact same stats.

River Drake will lead if you have more than 1 mob
Krytan Drakehound will lead if you have 1 target because the massive chain control of cripple—→immobilize—→knock down.

GS to take the #1 DPS spot requires fire trap, now I know that is 2 abilities and I know you can use Fire Trap with any weapon but I am talking untraited so cant throw it and it has a very small radius.

Why I like GS+Fire Trap is both are AE and GS syncs incredibly well with Fire Combo Filed which Fire Trap produces. For a detailed list of combo and combo finishers look at: http://www.mastodonte.fr/outils/tool-combo#en

Shortbow kill time is better than any weapon even Longbow at +1000.
Raven has best kill time.

Would like to hear what you guys have experienced?

I just went to Iron Marches as a level 8, I did not come across 1 Red mob within range from the entrance to the Carrion! It seems game developers planed for it…or not

What is the lowest level that a non Charr can get a carrion devourer? Is it the best ranged pet?

With feedback from this post and others I have come up with what seems as a good Ranged Ranger build:

http://www.gw2build.com/builds/simulator.php#1.6.10.3.0.21.35.4.0.4.132.142.145.144.152.9.9.29.381.383.0.392.400.0.411.410.416.0.0.0.0.0.0.20.20.30.0.0

ConditionDamage :1451.8
HP :21522
Toughness :1266

Any feedback?

Looking at posts on Long Bow I am surprised to find data and information that show LB is better than ShortBow only if talented and only +1000 range which is not practical in any way or form in GW2.

What that says is Short Bow is the best chocie regardless of Power build or Condition build Oo

So a Ranged Ranger needs to scrap the LB completely because talent(ing) it is a huge investment and just go for SB spec and then spec condition or power depending on preference.

My research also shows that Toughness+Power+Vitality+Short Bow is still a solid build!

Now could some one tell me what are our ranged pets?

We already know pets can’t really hit moving targets, they are designed that way.

I do not consider the +1000 #1 damage as realistic because its so high, but lets compare the damage of Longbow with other weapons:

Longbow: +1000: 219 / 500-1000: 158 / 0-500: 122
Shortbow: 97 + 128 Bleed
Great Sword: 147
Axe: 122
Sword: 146

Nothing is stopping me from switching to short bow once the knock back on Long Bow is on CD and the ‘Warrior’ is on top of me. Moreover; I keep reading on these forums Ranger is a great kiting class, would be great if some one could fill me in on what utilities to use?

http://www.gw2build.com/builds/simulator.php#1.6.9.10.0.0.35.35.0.0.131.145.144.143.151.8.8.36.381.385.0.0.0.0.411.414.416.0.0.0.441.0.0.25.0.30.0.15

I want to start a Ranger but I ’can’t’ start a new toon until I have a full build in mind. Looking for a Ranged build that would work well leveling, Dungeons and PvP. Any thoughts on what I linked above?

Thanks

Can Engineer produce as high DPS without a bundle as with a bundle?

I was thinking P/P but did not want to use any other ‘weapon.’

http://www.gw2build.com/builds/simulator.php#1.8.12.3.0.20.35.35.0.4.180.191.192.196.204.2.2.6.528.535.0.542.0.0.560.0.0.576.0.0.0.0.0.20.15.15.15.5

GS+S/P
20/15/15/15/5

Its hard to do timing wise but it can be done up to 2minutes or more. The guys must have super quick fingers.

I started Thief as my first toon, could not make it past 15 it was horrible. Parked it and leveled Necro to 80, Warrior to 60, Mesmer and Engineer to varying mid levels and then I went back to Thief. Now Thief is a power house, that very same Thief.

Just changed to S/D and got used to Element swap, it works and works really well BUT is so hectic, no way I can do 80 levels with this intensity. Some guildies tell me they never swap, and if they do its into water for a heal and then back to fire!

On my necro used S/D and just drop AE that snares and kills stuff.
On my Thief spam C&D and if its AE spam dagger throw and strafe.
Mesmer is about as hectic as ele.
Ranger send pet and kill stuff lol.