Guild Wars 2

AoE nerf… would there even be a point to play the Engineer then?

Capitol.3248:

ridiculous amount of mobility i have

- Get to level 80
- Play other classes to level 80
- Realize how worthless the class is in PvE (Dungeons) and WvW

Yay more Zerg vs Zerg!

phantomFury.9168:

Jay.3284:

Warriors really need to stop using Axe Offhand if they’re not farming…

Show me another skill that can heal a Warrior for 13,000+ in a matter of seconds…

Go solo the Champion Risen Giant and let me know how it turns out for you. I know a dual axe Warrior who makes it look easy and whirling axe was a key component. Offhand axe has a place and it isn’t just farming.

You mean the Champion Risen Giant that has very noticeable attacks and isn’t much of a threat if you know how to dodge? I solo Kholer daily on my Warrior with Axe/Mace.

Axe auto-attack is good enough.

Chopps.5047:

Jay.3284:

The point isn’t that people don’t know how to play this already brain-dead and simplified class. The point is you’re going to be FAR more useful and efficient on any other profession than Ranger. Stop deluding yourself and the rest of the Ranger community

No, you’re flat out wrong because “FAR more useful” is a huge exaggeration and based on your signature, you should know that. The balance between classes isn’t that far off. And for the record, I primarily play dubs, have tested dozens of ranger builds there, and only avoid sPvP because of a lack of gametypes right now.

ANET has done a superb job balancing classes and you know it. Yes, there are problems and tweaks. The point I tried to make (and you probably still don’t agree with because clearly you know everything) was that rangers aren’t nearly as gimped as is commonly perceived.

And, by the way, “brain-dead”? Give me a break. Go say that to the developers that worked long hours making this profession. You don’t have a clue. Here’s some news for you: you simply don’t know it all.

Since you know it all; let’s play a scenario, I’m doing to do a dungeon, let’s say Arah…

Why would I take a Ranger over any of the other 7 classes? Solid and direct answers please.

- Ranger
- Engineer
- Ele
- Necro

That order. The rest is fine

GoZero.9708:

I’d really like to see gameplay videos and data that ANet bases their standards on.

This x100. Their patches seem to be abysmal and feel like they don’t play their own game. It’s getting a bit absurd now.

Really powerful build. Though it is early to jump to great conclusions, I’ll be running this build most-likely knowing the track record of Anet

No. Because that means buffing a class and Anet doesn’t like to do that unless it’s a Warrior.

NERF IT ALL TO THE GROUND

But seriously this isn’t a new idea. People have the been suggesting more pet control since BWE1. Don’t expect anything.

Warriors really need to stop using Axe Offhand if they’re not farming…

Anet needs to really sit down and think what they should do. Instead of knee-jerk nerfing everything, why don’t they BUFF and FIX mechanics/traits/utilizes all that jazz.
Laziness maybe? Or inexperience?

Also Anet needs to be patching stuff more often, 1 major patch a month is pathetic.

The point isn’t that people don’t know how to play this already brain-dead and simplified class. The point is you’re going to be FAR more useful and efficient on any other profession than Ranger. Stop deluding yourself and the rest of the Ranger community

If the damage goes down, the amount of players/enemies hit needs to go up. That being said Anet doesn’t have a clue what they’re doing

fragnot.8073:

Jay.3284:

Im going to assume that you like to DPS, so that said:
P/V/T armor w\ 3 solider Crest and 3 Beryl Orbs, with Knight’s Jewelry and Sapphire exquisite slotted

Edit: It would also help which weapon you’d like to main. And Superior Runes of Divinity are more expensive and WORST than Crest/Orbs.

Thanks for the answer. But the question was if its good to start with 3x Valkyrie parts, and 3x Knight parts – since i cant buy the PVT gear on AH.

Might aswell grab a staff and hop into AC then with those gear choices if you want to run D/D

What are you exactly complaining about? Or did you come here so people can rally with you? I don’t understand you.

30/30/5/0/5 Would be better in that situation.
IMO, 5 in Wilderness survival is a MUST for any Ranger build.

Edit: What Esrever said what spot on. And if you really wanted to HURR DPS HURR, you should use Signet of Beastmaster and use Signet of the Hunt

cesmode.4257:

Jay.3284:

So anyone going to tell this guy that trying to find a BACKSTAB build in PvE is not worth it?

PvE (especially dungeons) are about sustained damage… backstab is burst. Stop trying to play PvE like PvP and you’ll find more out of your class.

5-7k damage every few seconds(when revealed is off) is still considered burst? With a few auto attacks in between

I find that popping synergetic abilities to get one big hit every 30 or so seconds is called burst…

Yes it’s considered a burst. And regardless D/D is not very optimal for PvE. You’d be better running off S/P if you really want to melee.

Im going to assume that you like to DPS, so that said:
P/V/T armor w\ 3 solider Crest and 3 Beryl Orbs, with Knight’s Jewelry and Sapphire exquisite slotted

Edit: It would also help which weapon you’d like to main. And Superior Runes of Divinity are more expensive and WORST than Crest/Orbs.

While I do not have a Mesmer I can share my input with Guard vs Ele

Pros Guard
-Great survivability
-Great support
-Great DPS
-Lots of Boons
-Lots of options when it comes to situations
-You can build your class almost anyway you want
-Very efficient and a class that makes dungeons easier

Cons Guard
-Lack of ranged options
-Class can get boring at times
-Aggro machine

Pros Elementalist
-Amazing Support
-Great DPS
-Tons of versatility
-Lots of options when it comes to handling certain situations
-Very entertaining and fun class
-Efficient and can make dungeon runes easier
-Healing Power stacks amazingly well with them

Cons Elementalist
-Pigeon-hold to run 20/30 Water and 20/30 Arcane
-Arguably the class that takes the most skill
-Have to have P/V/T gear
-Terrible survivability if you don’t have P/V/T gear
-If you’re a bad Ele, you’re as useful as a Ranger’s Pet

FLFW.3105:

Its all about preferences. I’ve tried every single class in game until i came to Ranger(was my last choise because i rarely play ranged classes ) and i was about to quit gw2 because any of them wasnt interesting to play but ranged got me playing again and im still in game.

I even got several classes to lvl 80 and dropped then instantly because.. i dont know, i have tendency to drop things i guess. But on ranged i worked my way out with full exotics,ascendent and such.

Warrior,Guardian,Thief is really way more boring than Ranger can ever be and i tried them all , one of them to lvl 80 also.

Also as ranger you cant rely on one weapon set. Switching beetwen SB and GS for me is constant in PVE, PvP SB/Axe+Warhon and WvWvW SB/LG .

Ranger has way more to offer than eye meets first.

Cheers,

Get to level 80 and start doing the higher level dungeons. Come back and say that again.

So anyone going to tell this guy that trying to find a BACKSTAB build in PvE is not worth it?

PvE (especially dungeons) are about sustained damage… backstab is burst. Stop trying to play PvE like PvP and you’ll find more out of your class.

Ya, play a rifle warrior.

-Muddy Terrain
-Spike Trap
-Frost Trap
-Lighting Reflexes
-3 on shortbow
-4 on longbow

On a serious note, dude real your utilities and skills. Go to heart of the mist and try some stuff out. Posting stuff on the forums shouldn’t be your first thing to figuring out something. Take the initiative and do some kitten research

dreztina.4820:

Unfortunately, elementalists are really lacking in stun breaks. The only util we have that’s a stun breaker is mist form. So I was thinking, maybe anet could make it so lightning flash and armor of earth broke stun as well. I think that’d be a really positive change for the class.

WHAT????

This is a troll right??!

So you use Hammer and Staff and compare it to Greatsword and Axe/shield.

Ignorance is bliss.

My Sweet Lily.1952:

I play a glasscannon Ranger in fractals (lvl27 currently), and it’s quite easy to survive. We have many evade skills so learn not to waste them. I recommend every fractals ranger to take LR.

Dungeons? Piece of cake. Just learn the mechanics in the dungeon and it will become a breeze.

That doesn’t mean you’re more useful than a player of equal skill playing a different class. Just sayin’

You mean videos made to showcase skill and someone being superior and better in situations?
You bought into the hype.

Edit: I’m not saying Thieves are bad and I’m not saying you’re bad. Just learn to adapt and adjust. I too went from the transition of playing Rangers/Wa to Thieves and Eles. Just learn the play style and find what suits you. You’ll start to have fun, even if that means NOT playing a thief

I find it very hard to build for PvE and PvP. That being said, I like to play more of a DPS’y tanky build for my Warrior in PvE.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fIAQNAneUjcOJvBPOPMxBA0DruaLjiiCKpgM0A;TMALKGWMxA

My build is all about getting the attention, while still being one of the top contenders with damage. With 70-90% of the mobs on me, my partners have free reign to do whatever they want (hopefully supporting me and/or killing the crap that’s hitting me). Axe provides great sustained DPS, while my shield enables me to survive.

I personally run 20/0/30/20/0. While some will argue healing shouts are great; I don’t think it’s completely beneficial, it feels like you’re pigeon-holed into always running shouts while I think the Wa excels in versality in PvE. With that said, I have every exotic weapon the Warrior can wield, and constantly switch up my 2ndary weapon (IE: Rifle in this case) to whatever calls for the situation
Example: If I need AoE, ill switch to Longbow… If i want more sustained DPS ill grab a mace offhand, or mace main-hand for defence.
This build (Like almost any other warrior build) Has 100% fury + Might up-time and for traveling ill switch the shout trait for the warhorn for 100% swiftness… Oh plus extra condition removers.

I run Knights on my Chest/Legs/Head (They provide the best bonuses) while the rest is Berserker with 3 Emerald Orbs and 3 Ruby Orbs. I also have Knight’s jewelry with ruby exquisite jewel.

Edit: My utilities always and constantly change when it comes to certain situations. Like for example i’ll easily change one of my Tactics traits to banners when it comes to us stacking on a boss, like Subject Alpha. Switching to Endure pain when there’s certain mobs who hit harder ETC ETC.
(Note this is what every class should be doing)

LOL!
- Chat with your group
- Try a different build
- Play more support oriented build
- Have something on in the background (Not music, like a discussion or something)
- If hungry, have a snack/drink something while playing

One of my guildies experience the same thing while running with him. Kinda hilarious and infuriating at the same time.

At lvl30 you won’t be able to duo; on the same case, you can duo it while you’re lvl80.

I don’t recommend doing dungeons just yet. Not to sound like a prick, but you and your friend don’t fully have a concept of the game. Play it more, read more guides, read more stuff about the elementalist and just figure it out. When you truly feel comfortable (like not going on the forums for advice) then give it a take. Until then, you keep learning more about the game.

Use SoR (Signet of Rage)because your build is more damage focused. FGJ + SoR + Forcefield swords = 100% Might + 100% Fury up-time… PLUS your partners get 100% might also. You can also switch to a warhorn and get 100% swiftness up-time for traveling purposes.

The 10 points in discipline is just your preference. You can switch it over to 30 in tactics for healing shouts and put all shouts on your utility, or you can put your SoR on short cooldown for more DPS potential, or the extra critical chance. Do whatever you think feels right

Kurow.6973:

Jay.3284:

Kurow.6973:

The issues with thief in PvE is simple.

To be relatively on par with some other classes, you must constantly change your weapon sets, utilities, and traits before certain specific encounters.

That’s all I needed to read to come to the conclusion that you have no idea what you’re talking about. EVERY class should/does this, so this is completely invalid.

Also Thieves don’t special in anything? Thieves are fail-safe class in dungeons. If someone screws up and gets down, guess who revives? Thieves. Stealth is also powerful skill in PvE and you need to utilize it a lot better.

Pro Tip: Get 10 in Shadow Arts + Master of Deception Adept Trait. Smoke Screen and Shadow Refuge. You’re welcome.

I’m not even going to bother arguing with you considering what I said flew right over your head.

All I’m going to say is look up an item called “Ash Legion Spy Kit”.

Pretty sure that’s going to get removed in the coming months. Also I wasn’t aware you could move while using a Spy Kit, and it affected the whole team when you using one. And it also stealth’s the person you’re trying to revive. Didn’t know it could do all of that.

6: Heal as One/Healing Spring… More so Heal as one. Healing spring IMO is more situational. When I don’t have to be constantly strafing and if it’s safe enough to run to my partners and drop it by their feet
7: QZ. 2nd Best reviver (Beside thieves). Also it works wondering with Barrage + Rapid fire… Or anything as a matter of fact
8: Situational. I run Signet of Renewal if I’m running Heal as One, or Protect me when it’s Healing Spring. Conditions are a pain. Signet of the Wild also helps with your Pets survivability, so if i’m feeling compassionate (usually am not) I’ll run that too.
9: LR. ’Cause stun breaker + extra dodge. Damage mitigation is nice.
10: Entangle. Such a powerful skill (when it works) In PvE.

Mesmer is the best scholar burst.

Divinity runes are not worth it.

You’d be better off using crest/orbs. Much cheaper and more efficient

@Archer

Warrior’s have defenses that last seconds. Guardians have plenty more defenses tribute, the class that can provide protection the easiest, also many regeneration utilities, and not to mention 5 in honour grants vigour on critical hits.

Also if you’re trying to burst as a guardian you’re doing it wrong. Guardians are EXCELLENT are sustained DPS, and outlasting their opponents (Look at how many retaliation up-time they have).

Go play a Warrior and truly experience the class before you theory-craft. It will really help broaden your view on the “favorite” class of Anet

Jshway.7623:

Thank you very much for the information.

I will use that skill setup, seems like a much more efficient option.

Also I was thinking of 20 in defense purely because of the toughness and toughness on cc that it would give me, and in every dungeon I seem to be cc’d to death. Is it really not useful unless I am using shields and maces?

If you feel like you’re getting CC’ed to death, you can switch out Endure Pain for, Shake it Off! 20 second Stun-breaker cooldown. Really nice

Personally, I use longbow; because it’s the most exciting(IMO) thing the Ranger has to offer when it comes to weapons. I generally run 20/25/10/0/15, so I wouldn’t personally sacrifice the utility of my pet and my piecing arrows + longbow cooldowns.

You can still run a 10/30/15/0/15 build. You might be losing your piercing arrows, but the traps will make up for the lack of AoE your bows will dish out.

Nekroseth.5186:

“Every class is “viable” in fractals”
Yes whell. I do agree. Everything is viable for anything. But not as moch as some are -_-

Basically i asked in this way because there is a big Difference between a Run and a normal dungeon.
You see a normal dungeon team is happy if it can bring down an instance without any real difficulty, or more ten 3-4 full wipes.
A run is not only supposed to has less then 1-2 wipes, but is also fast. Might as well call them speedruns.

And those teams are not kind if you have a class or build that is unviable for it.
I do agree, almost all classes have builds that are good for speedruns, but some are still even better.
Though i am not so familiar with all this. Thats the reson i am asking. I dont want some underdog class to play again.

If you’re an avid dungeon runner like I am, stay away from Ranger. Don’t even touch it with a 10ft pole.

If you’re specced for conditions and love AoE, yeah why not.

Oreoginal.1580:

Jay.3284:

Oreoginal.1580:

Jay.3284:

PvP or WvW?

Can’t make a proper assessment unless you clarify

This build is mainly for WvW.

For sPvP, I just change the Rifle to a main-hand Mace or an off-hand Mace depending on the situation and what classes I’m against. I also switch out [VII] to either [IV] or [V] in the Arms trait line.

Roaming or Zerging? Because if it’s Roaming; rifle is pretty obsolete

It is mainly for roaming.

I use the rifle for enemies that try to run away as well as enemies that are charging in with my Kill Shot and my Volley. I use Superior Sigil of Bloodlust on my shield which greatly increases my power, which in turn increases my rifle’s Kill Shot and Volley damage.

If I see an enemy from far away, I’ll harass them with my rifle until the fight gets close enough for my axe and shield to come into play.

The rifle makes them bleed which gives me 10% additional damage from Arms ²⁵. Volley + 25 stacks of Bloodlust deals a ton of damage as well. Very helpful for incoming as well as fleeing enemies.

Sword would be better.

Only an engineer can spit out random bolts of lighting

oh wait…

Trapper’s Potency and Trapper’s Expertise

Why? Because shortbow is incredibly situational and if I’m using a Longbow on a trap build; would just be stupid.

You want a Backstab build for PvE?

That makes 0 sense.

Kurow.6973:

The issues with thief in PvE is simple.

To be relatively on par with some other classes, you must constantly change your weapon sets, utilities, and traits before certain specific encounters.

That’s all I needed to read to come to the conclusion that you have no idea what you’re talking about. EVERY class should/does this, so this is completely invalid.

Also Thieves don’t special in anything? Thieves are fail-safe class in dungeons. If someone screws up and gets down, guess who revives? Thieves. Stealth is also powerful skill in PvE and you need to utilize it a lot better.

Pro Tip: Get 10 in Shadow Arts + Master of Deception Adept Trait. Smoke Screen and Shadow Refuge. You’re welcome.

Oreoginal.1580:

Jay.3284:

PvP or WvW?

Can’t make a proper assessment unless you clarify

This build is mainly for WvW.

For sPvP, I just change the Rifle to a main-hand Mace or an off-hand Mace depending on the situation and what classes I’m against. I also switch out [VII] to either [IV] or [V] in the Arms trait line.

Roaming or Zerging? Because if it’s Roaming; rifle is pretty obsolete

20/20/20/0/10 is a pretty solid combination for GS/rifle build, but I would personally use 20/20/0/20/10 for that boon duration and infinite fury and might up-time. Also Defensive is more a trait-line used with defensive weapons such as Mace/Shield/Hammer

That said, under NO circumstance should you ever run 3-5 signets (3 is stretching it, but I digress), including Signet of Rage. But I strongly suggest Signet of Stamina. Dodging (damage mitigation) is very important, especially in the harder dungeons

FGJ is a MUST for any lvl80 Warrior, it’s way too efficient to not have it on your utility bar.

So with FGJ, Signet of Stamina you need one more, I’d go with Endure pain for the “Oh crap” situations.

PvP or WvW?

Can’t make a proper assessment unless you clarify

Adaneshade.2409:

It’s not so much a question of “play” better. But more “build” better. You can be the most awesome glass cannon ever, but the moment you meet content that requires some defense, you are SoL. This applies to PvE and even moreso to PvP.

So, knowing your class, knowing how to build and gear properly, and to adapt when the situations call for it?

IE: Getting better.

It doesn’t matter. You should be mainly dodging, and when you’re in the higher level fractals, you get 2-3 shot regardless anyway. Just learn to dodge

Put your character on the wall, then face your camera to it. You can now see the lines from different perspective making it easier to jump over.

The more you know