Guild Wars 2

Liewec.2896:

i hope they let ancient seeds trigger from spike trap, i posted a bug report but i think it might be more of a balance thing,
imagine immobilizing and causing 5 stacks of bleed on someone while they’re on top of your traps? pretty epic XD

Welcome to DH traps world.

Nice, I really enjoyed this video.

mistsim.2748:

Dojo.1867:

With this build you might even try to run vipers nest aswell, drop spring for TU. This way you have a frequent celestial form which is condi removal and stunbreak.

Thanks I’ll try this. Not sure how it will work out without a stun breaker though… they really gotta given us one on one of the traps. only then will this build be fully viable. if only condi damage built up the AF bar faster, we’d have druidic clarity up all the time. but this is not the case

LughLongArm.5460:

Just an idea, This versions meant to be played with the dragonhunter rune set. Its a celec verssion with might stacking(could be fun).

thx…this was one of the first builds I attempted after launch, and the damage just wasn’t there. so not only was I vulnerable all the time, but I also wasn’t really doing any damage. at least with the carrion build, you get 1525 condi damage at all times, no strings attached. so it’s easy to bomb and actually do some damage, then get out. the getting out can be tricky at times, especially since the trapper rune nerf which was only really meant for dragon hunters.

Ya I had a feeling its not that viable, might stacking fever ^^

Firelysm.4967:

Eurantien.4632:

For the general population smoke assault on F2 is the better decision. For top tier PvP either is situational. It is a real shame we can’t control every pet skill.

Exactly opposite, F2 smoke field you meant to say, while majority even expressed that in poll.

He meant to say exactly what he said , and Eura is actually the creator of this thread and top level PvP player, So this coming from him says a lot.

Earix.5684:

LughLongArm.5460:

Players that claim otherwise are welcome to “control” smoke field not on F2 with the same methods they ask as to control assault.

Please go tame a smokescale and come again in this thread. Your post only shows that you have NO clue how it works.

LughLongArm.5460:

The drama was created by players asking for the roll-back, creating this topic 5 min after the patch released, probably before even giving the new version a try. The other players that liked the change only started to react only after Irenio CalmonHuang said he will look into it, getting overwhelmed by the amount “drama”.

That’s your opinion and again, very wrong.

LughLongArm.5460:

Among the players the supporting assault staying on F2 are some the most veterans rangers on this forum, top pvp players and twich streamers, I’m sure they have a very wide view of the ranger profession.

LOL, worst argument ever. Who are the most veteran rangers? We all started on headstart. But obviously some learnt more from the game that others #teamsmokefield. You might consider spending less time on this forum and playing more Guild Wars 2.
Top PvP players? Ranger? Really? Who? lol
Twitch streamers? Was it some cleavage on cam? Seems like a huge… expert lol

This thread is getting more and more ridiculous.
I know you don’t want to lose your might stacking exploit but come on lol

Obviously, you are not a very mature judging by your “LoL” adding to every sentence.
Probably also not suited to appreciate a valid argument.
But its all good, its not you I’m trying to convince, you are actually very much irrelevant.
I’m here just to give A.net the support to maintain the situation as it is , you are the one trying to change it so the convincing and making good arguments is on you.
So by all means, go back to the game and enjoy your tamed smokescale with assault on F2.

Firelysm.4967:

On the other hand, why do we even discuss where is F2 smoke field viable or not?

• Since it’s proven that if F2 is smoke field we can control assault.
• And if F2 is smoke assault, we can’t assure us controllable smoke field efficently.

The End.

To much drama, from people that don’t care about wider view on the class then just dmg.

Nothing was proven nor it can be proven, assault on F2 is always better than assault not on F2, players that claim otherwise are welcome to “control” smoke field not on F2 with the same methods they ask as to control assault.
When F2 was a smoke field, assault also had OP damage so controlling it was unnecessary, and asking control on something so imba was unthinkable.

The drama was created by players asking for the roll-back, creating this topic 5 min after the patch released, probably before even giving the new version a try. The other players that liked the change only started to react only after Irenio CalmonHuang said he will look into it, getting overwhelmed by the amount “drama”.

among the players the supporting assault staying on F2 are some the most veterans rangers on this forum, top pvp players and twich streamers, I’m sure they have a very wide view of the ranger profession.

The End.

You are also welcome to try the action combat camera.

Tragic Positive.9356:

Heimskarl Ashfiend.9582:

LughLongArm.5460:

Heimskarl Ashfiend.9582:

Tragic Positive.9356:

…
if they went for real reasons why to bring the Field Back I would definitely go with this:
“We need a pet with on-demand damage mitigation for pet-tanking options”
Yes – that is an amazing argument that clearly shows how having field on F2 is more useful because it gives something that Assault does not.

Assault gives evade, cloud gives condi immunity. Assault would be the better choice for a mitigation on-demand.

Exacly, the insta cast 2-3 sec evade is superior for damage mitigation compared to 3/4 cast time smoke field. Don’t forget that in PVE pets got now 90% damage reduction while not being focused fired .

Yeah, that’s the reason you don’t want assault on F2 for PvE, the smoke field is far better utility and the pet does not need the mitigation anyway.

You are misunderstanding the use that promotes the Smoke Cloud F2.
The only use of the tanky pet in PvE is that he has high Toughness and is a subject for Boss Aggro. Which means you can potentially use the pet for tanking. Where the pet receives 100% of the damage.

Plus:

• Smoke Cloud
  Create a cloud of smoke for the smokescale to hide within, evading and becoming immune to incoming conditions.

Cloud gives both evade and condi immunity.
The only use of PvE for your Cloud preference is that you intend to tank with the pet and have the control of damage mitigation. Not for the “utility”. And that is again a matter of preference.

Even for that, most agree that black bear is superior, but like I said, if your pet is being focused fired, you can F2 assault to minigate the damage.

Heimskarl Ashfiend.9582:

Tragic Positive.9356:

…
if they went for real reasons why to bring the Field Back I would definitely go with this:
“We need a pet with on-demand damage mitigation for pet-tanking options”
Yes – that is an amazing argument that clearly shows how having field on F2 is more useful because it gives something that Assault does not.

Assault gives evade, cloud gives condi immunity. Assault would be the better choice for a mitigation on-demand.

Exacly, the insta cast 2-3 sec evade is superior for damage mitigation compared to 3/4 cast time smoke field. Don’t forget that in PVE pets got now 90% damage reduction while not being focused fired .

Just an idea, This versions meant to be played with the dragonhunter rune set. Its a celec verssion with might stacking(could be fun). quickdraw with horn 4 will give you all the boons you need + 6 might(which can add up to 12 might on pet so after WHAO its 18 might on you and 25 on pet). Same can be done with traps or SOTP combos.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQRBMfdG2IlKUuitrg3Kw1iFGBDupOV7qOjuS3pjpAc5CAn8s0MB-TZAZAAQZAA

Your only condi removal/breack stun is your F5 so use it wisely.

Hammerguard.9834:

There’s no reason knockbacks wouldn’t be included if all those others are. It’s just another name they forgot to throw into the list.

Or maybe they just consider knockbacks the same as knockdowns since they do technically knockdown at the end of the animation.

Fine by me, but I don’t find any reason for spike trap not to work. Even with this combo, its not as strong as DH traps. Lots of break stuns are also condi removals anyway.

Tragic Positive.9356:

@kevvy
The whole problem is that you want yet another lackluster use of pet for nothing else but a single smoke field. And never use it again outside of parties.
Which means pet-swapping in and out and back again and repeat. That’s bad designed. Stealth in PvE is mostly for ooc skipping. Which would make it the same poor design as former warhorn before Call of the Wild buff (Now warhorn isn’t that bad even in combat).

And for PvP as I keep repeating:
It doesn’t really matter. It’s a matter of preference.

What I keep saying over and over is that both sides are correct. Regardless of how many options I’d have with the smoke field – I wouldn’t use it because I can relog to my engineer.
And regardless of how nice of a burst I could do with having it on F2, I can do the same having it as “random” assault.

Both sides are nothing but “options”. Field gives options for utility. Assault for burst coordination (because controlling it from random bar means you cannot send him to attack until you go for the burst).

P.S. sorry I didn’t reply to most of your last message but I believe we would only go in circles and I would suck up too much of a space (while only the 2 of us would read that). I can go with private chat not to derail the thread, if needed.

Without any control over it, auto-casted Smoke Cloud IS COVERING OTHER FIELDS. It MUST be the F2 no matter what people think.
#inb4 Smokescale won’t be allowed by groups in its current form

Bump, we need the swap ASAP.

If it were me – I wouldn’t allow SmokeScale in group, either, regardless of F2. It’s a tank pet that does his job worse than Black Bear. Bringing it into parties means a burden by itself – which means you shouldn’t use it in combat for PvE anyways. If you mean solo-content – no one gives a snap and pet doesn’t overwrite anything. If you meant PvP – even druid overwrites the fields. And he is wanted in the party.

The PVE players that want to change the F2 to be a smoke field, probably thinking on using it out of combat and replacing it with another pet before combat starts(not swapping- replacing), that’s how lame of a use they have for smokescale, smoke field and back to the kennel.

All of the “wanna be, play arounds” on how to use assault without it being F2 ability is a jock, exactly like me saying, you still ave a smoke field on demand just use it as pet first attack, if you want it out of combat kill an ambient, use staff 3(“druid/pet synergy”, lol) use items that get you in combat now press F1 on a blank sopt, BOOM, smoke field “on demand”.

Hammerguard.9834:

Those aren’t launches, and yes it does work with them.

Well, the descriptions says: “Striking a stunned, dazed, knocked down, or launched foe summons roots to entangle them.”

So,knocked downs launches are included, But nothing on knockbacks. If anything, spike trap should wrok and LB 4/Glyphs shouldn’t?

ATM its working with LB 4/glyph of tides or not? It supposed to work with it?

Should be combined with the other post pro keeping assault as the F2 ability.

Frigoris.7853:

I know, but at this point i can either despair or remain stubborn.
So I’m just gonna make suggestions and let them be ignored regardless.

Staff skills

1. should burn and have some sort of aoe, whether its a radius around the target or bouncing between multiple targets.
2. really doesn’t feel like it does much. At this point i don’t know what it needs but i hardly use it at all because it feels lacking.
3. Is prettymuch the main reason i use staff. It is fantastic.
4. Is slow cast slow animation. If it’s going to stay that way it needs to at least pack a punch. Up the damage and make it deal heavy bleeding.
5. is really situational and not often used. I kinda feel like they made it as a way for us to deal with RF without reflect. It would be more useful if it also acted as a boon/condi converter. Convert boons to condis on enemies that run through, and condis to boons for allies that run through.

CAF
I’ve only had the chance to really use it since they stopped the degen and the only thing i don;t like about it is the #1 skill. It has a super small radius and by the time it’s cast the target has usually rolled away.
They should change it entirely, make it an inverted solar beam. Call it lunar ray, target allies (make it so tab would target allies instead of enemies in CAF) healing them and slowing any enemies that pass through the beam.

regardless to you suggestions(which i don’t agree with most of them) I think you made some errors/overlooked some things.

1# Solar beam got base piercing attack so basically its got aoe damage and healing.
2#AW not only does damage with a fair power coefficient, it heals your pet/you/any other ally(if in melee range) and build AF very fast. If you don’t use it, start using it.
3#True
4#Herre I must to agree, it needs to be more rewarding or easy to land(no bleed plz).
5#Its also a small radius water field, I;m sure you can find a use to a water field. Try to combo it with staff 3 for a big aoe heal.

CAF
Each heal on caf has a specific use. A.net designed a great feature as part of the action combat camera system, especially for skills like CAF 1, try it.

Both mistsim and Skullface? Team assault pulling out the heavy guns

Haven’t tried it so I cant say for sure. but from the looks of it, this build is weaker compared to other druid builds which are posted on this forum.

Why did you take soldier over cleric /crusader/celec?
With almost no offensive stats and BM trait line, how do u push for damage?
Your build offers no speed bonus.
Instinctive Reaction over allies aid ?

Gabriell.4856:

LughLongArm.5460:

Gabriell.4856:

LughLongArm.5460:

The answer is simple:
1) The defensive stats are irrelevant as ranger and pet dont share life pool and you only need to kill the ranger to win. So its realy not about the stats, its about the damage.

2) Ranger got reduced damage coefficients on weapons, very few burst abilities and limited might stacking capabilities compared to other professions .

1) Basically, you ignore, power, prec, condi, vit, etc. Bias I must say.

2) I gave an example…LB does more damage any any other 1200+ range weapon. Please respond and stay on topic.

1)I really don’t ignore anything and i will gladly respond. If I were to explain any aspect of game balance it would take me days and several pages. In short, ranger weapons/utilities/traits are designed to a bit weaker compared to other professions. also every profession has some build that “cheat” the game to get advantage in stats. For example lets talk two old “meta” builds" dd ele and LB ranger. DD eles are effective with celec amulet due to might stack stacking capabilities (3920 stats, 700 stats more compared to marauder LB ranger uses) add to that the 900 worth of stats they can get out of maintaining 15 might in average , that’s 1600 worth of stats, 50% of the maraduer total stats. This advantage is not part of the ele class mechanic or weapons coefficients, its just exist.

2)warrior rifle does much more damage, mesmer GS does much more dmage, but why limit this to only range weapons? LB only damage is rapid fire, the auto attack is kinda weak unless u’r 1000+ range.

1 – You’re implying ranger and its pet have no access to might which isn’t true.

2 – Warrior rifle doesnt do more damage then LB ranger plus pet. That is a fact. Even mesmer GS is questionable. LB damage is rapid fire, barrage, and AA. Last time I checked, the AA hit harder than warrior rifle even below 500 range.

Point is, ALL ranger weapon including LB should do 30% less damage than their mirror. Traits are balanced separately.

1)The meta build for ranger i was referring to had no effective way to stack might for long duration. Even if they had, this build cant take advantage from the extra condi damage, nor from the condi damage and healing power from celec amulet(the reason why rangers mostly don’t use celec amulet).

2)Not true, warrior rifle does more damage, and it pierce base(LB need to get traited), sating traits/utilities/mechanic etc should are balanced separately is a false statement. Professions are being balanced as a whole. If something is getting out of hand, the balance team are looking for immediate suspects . Greatest proof to counter all your arguments is that ranger for the last ~14 mounts wasn’t played at all in high level PVP, wasn’t played in high level fractals wasn’t played in dungeon runs, almost never got played in originated GVG battles.

HtFde.3856:

Lazze.9870:

Tiger is great. Another cat, with 100 % aoe fury uptime.

Hm … build is working great so far – when I went through my equiment I found I’d also put on a mix and match of things and didn’t even get the 6 rune bonus … strange … can’t remember why and when I started to switch stuff …

The one thing I don’t quite get … how is pet associated with fury uptime? I mean … yes … I get fury when I swap pets. But why does it matter what KIND of pet … I know I am missing something here … probably something important

You are probably not using the mentioned cat.
https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Juvenile_Tiger

Which makes sense as this pet is only available at the end of HOT personal story.

Sadly, this trait took a hit for the changes to AF degeneration out of combat. I believe that in the original design of the druid we were meant to build AF each encounter. The reason it was unsuccessful was because they looked for an easy (even lazy)system to make AF regeneration work(base to proc and not % amount with specific coefficients) . Truth is that ATM druid feels OK in pvp even with the butchered LL, but it does feel bad to speck into an unrewarding GM trait. This trait triggers out of heal, so its annoying you trigger it just before an encounter(with like staff 3) and now the skill is on 12 sec CD.

Druid is not yet defined as D/D ele so there are lots of variations but I think it will be very boring fight between 2 sustain builds with no clear winner, eve after several min.

Heimskarl Ashfiend.9582:

LughLongArm.5460:

Heimskarl Ashfiend.9582:

LughLongArm.5460:

Heimskarl Ashfiend.9582:

Irenio CalmonHuang.2048:

Going to be investigating this. It may require some change to Smoke Assault, since the active skills are intended to be a little stronger than the passive skills.

Irenio, this is the mentality that is holding Ranger back. Instead of nerfing Smoke Assault, why not just buff the F2 so it blinds as well or something?

The passive skills are often far stronger than the active skills anyway and in those cases where they are, its always because there is a utility skill on the F2, exactly what a smoke field is.

jewishjoyride.4693:

…As others have suggested creating a second completely unique smokescale pet would end this argument. One pet would have a bursty f2, the other a smoke field. Players could then actually tailor pet skill load out for builds.

They will not do that, unless the Smoke Assault is removed from the other Smokey, since you could just F2, then when its over, swap and get another Smoke Assault automatically.

The pet uses the #3 skill immediately after swap, i don’t get why people cannot use this the same way we have swapped to dogs for KD and drakes for tail swipe or birds for swiftness for the last 3 years.

1)Because is not as flexible /reliable.
2)Because smokefield F2 feels clunky with taunt.
3)Because players like to combo assault with SOTW/sicem for the extra damage, and SOTP/WHAO for might stacking.
4)Because it prevents players to try and focus fire the pet(assault can be used defensively)
5)Because it can bring the pet back on the target when pet AI get “confused” in path obstacles as such.

1) It is exactly as reliable as it is now, the same reliability as all other pets.
2) Can’t speak directly to this, cannot test, but feels clunky?
3) You can still do exactly that, since its the 1st skill the pet will use when entering combat, you just leave it on passive, cast the skills and send it in. It works exactly the same.
4) Smoke Field is far more defensive for both Ranger and Pet. With far more utility and intuitiveness to have control over.
5) Same as if it was skill #3.

Leaving this here in case anyone has not voted as yet.
Smokescale F2 preference Poll

1)reliable as all other pets is not reliable, that’s why drakes blast finisher combos were never a thing, nor moa heals etc… Dogs are just good regardless.
2)It feels clunky, still usable but not as good as with assault.
3)Ya, making your pet not attack between rotations is huge loss of damage, also if you play with staff u really want the pet on target so you can regenerate AF.
4)How is it more defensive for the pet compared to insta cast 3 sec evade?
5)True, but this way you can it and use when pet actually losing his path and not be based on RNG, like I said more flexible /reliable.

1) Drake Tail Swipe combos have been a thing for a long time, I just about always ran/will run with drake for melee because of the tail swipe. There are so many videos of this getting around. Either way, that is how you use it. Fyi, the moa heal is not skill #3. Also, a Bear on swap with Protect Me is a great combo.
2) …
3)Most PvPers and WvWers will leave the pet on passive and only use it to burst when needed, rather than have it path around mindlessly. But, yeah, you are correct that you need it to be attacking if you are using staff. It’s not really a loss of damage, take a look at https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/ranger/This-are-ranger-pets-PETS-TEST-2 to see how well pets actually do against moving targets. It’s not a great pet for PvE, unless it had the smoke field on F2, then it would be a great option for us to provide stealth.
4) SA is only 2s evade, SC gives 5s of immunity to condi and the opportunity for both you and the pet to become invisible.
5) I’ll agree that it is more reliable for dps, but not more flexible. No way its more flexible.

Fair points, we’ll have to agree on not agreeing as its very based on play style. At least I hope that if they change it back, assault will get the smoke cloud CD as a passive skill and SC will get assault CD. I can agree to that

Heimskarl Ashfiend.9582:

LughLongArm.5460:

Heimskarl Ashfiend.9582:

Irenio CalmonHuang.2048:

Going to be investigating this. It may require some change to Smoke Assault, since the active skills are intended to be a little stronger than the passive skills.

Irenio, this is the mentality that is holding Ranger back. Instead of nerfing Smoke Assault, why not just buff the F2 so it blinds as well or something?

The passive skills are often far stronger than the active skills anyway and in those cases where they are, its always because there is a utility skill on the F2, exactly what a smoke field is.

jewishjoyride.4693:

…As others have suggested creating a second completely unique smokescale pet would end this argument. One pet would have a bursty f2, the other a smoke field. Players could then actually tailor pet skill load out for builds.

They will not do that, unless the Smoke Assault is removed from the other Smokey, since you could just F2, then when its over, swap and get another Smoke Assault automatically.

The pet uses the #3 skill immediately after swap, i don’t get why people cannot use this the same way we have swapped to dogs for KD and drakes for tail swipe or birds for swiftness for the last 3 years.

1)Because is not as flexible /reliable.
2)Because smokefield F2 feels clunky with taunt.
3)Because players like to combo assault with SOTW/sicem for the extra damage, and SOTP/WHAO for might stacking.
4)Because it prevents players to try and focus fire the pet(assault can be used defensively)
5)Because it can bring the pet back on the target when pet AI get “confused” in path obstacles as such.

1) It is exactly as reliable as it is now, the same reliability as all other pets.
2) Can’t speak directly to this, cannot test, but feels clunky?
3) You can still do exactly that, since its the 1st skill the pet will use when entering combat, you just leave it on passive, cast the skills and send it in. It works exactly the same.
4) Smoke Field is far more defensive for both Ranger and Pet. With far more utility and intuitiveness to have control over.
5) Same as if it was skill #3.

Leaving this here in case anyone has not voted as yet.
Smokescale F2 preference Poll

1)reliable as all other pets is not reliable, that’s why drakes blast finisher combos were never a thing, nor moa heals etc… Dogs are just good regardless.
2)It feels clunky, still usable but not as good as with assault.
3)Ya, making your pet not attack between rotations is huge loss of damage, also if you play with staff u really want the pet on target so you can regenerate AF.
4)How is it more defensive for the pet compared to insta cast 3 sec evade?
5)True, but this way you can it and use when pet actually losing his path and not be based on RNG, like I said more flexible /reliable.

Redemer.2601:

LughLongArm.5460:

Heimskarl Ashfiend.9582:

Irenio CalmonHuang.2048:

Going to be investigating this. It may require some change to Smoke Assault, since the active skills are intended to be a little stronger than the passive skills.

Irenio, this is the mentality that is holding Ranger back. Instead of nerfing Smoke Assault, why not just buff the F2 so it blinds as well or something?

The passive skills are often far stronger than the active skills anyway and in those cases where they are, its always because there is a utility skill on the F2, exactly what a smoke field is.

jewishjoyride.4693:

…As others have suggested creating a second completely unique smokescale pet would end this argument. One pet would have a bursty f2, the other a smoke field. Players could then actually tailor pet skill load out for builds.

They will not do that, unless the Smoke Assault is removed from the other Smokey, since you could just F2, then when its over, swap and get another Smoke Assault automatically.

The pet uses the #3 skill immediately after swap, i don’t get why people cannot use this the same way we have swapped to dogs for KD and drakes for tail swipe or birds for swiftness for the last 3 years.

1)Because is not as flexible /reliable.
2)Because smokefield F2 feels clunky with taunt.
3)Because players like to combo assault with SOTW/sicem for the extra damage, and SOTP/WHAO for might stacking.
4)Because it prevents players to try and focus fire the pet(assault can be used defensively)
5)Because it can bring the pet back on the target when pet AI get “confused” in path obstacles as such.

well Smoke Assault isnt better they mostly completly ignore the pet during the 2 sec taunt now the smoke field atleast could taunt and hold

It still interrupts, set off targeting and open your foe to take good portion of the assault attack.

HtFde.3856:

LughLongArm.5460:

Keep the zerk gear, LG/GS. Change build to:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQJARTjUqQLLWyCOsAXLG4EK/vHgD/fhFvh7htvDAA-TBBXgAAK/C1F0r+zjSQA-e

Still having hard time? Change the easy trinkets(don’t bother with back piece) to celec, its only laurels and some WvW badges.

With this setup, you are tanky enough to solo everything outside group only content like some hero challenges.

Good Luck.

Celec = celestial?

Interesting choice of traits there … gonan try this out. I just soloed a group event on my mesmer – never got belo 90% health during the 4 fights (recapture camp, 3 times defend) … it is so unbalanced class wise.

ya, Celec = celestial. But only if you need it. Its just an easy way to MinMax.

“I just soloed a group event on my mesmer”
It will be the same with this build, this trait setup(with small modifications for pve) used to serve high level pvp players pre HOT release. Its very tanky, got condi removal, prema swiftness and regen, long duration fury and might stacking.

Keep the zerk gear, LG/GS. Change build to:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQJARTjUqQLLWyCOsAXLG4EK/vHgD/fhFvh7htvDAA-TBBXgAAK/C1F0r+zjSQA-e

Still having hard time? Change the easy trinkets(don’t bother with back piece) to celec, its only laurels and some WvW badges.

With this setup, you are tanky enough to solo everything outside group only content like some hero challenges.

Good Luck.

What are we talking about? 1vs1? group contribution in team fights?

Heimskarl Ashfiend.9582:

Irenio CalmonHuang.2048:

Going to be investigating this. It may require some change to Smoke Assault, since the active skills are intended to be a little stronger than the passive skills.

Irenio, this is the mentality that is holding Ranger back. Instead of nerfing Smoke Assault, why not just buff the F2 so it blinds as well or something?

The passive skills are often far stronger than the active skills anyway and in those cases where they are, its always because there is a utility skill on the F2, exactly what a smoke field is.

jewishjoyride.4693:

…As others have suggested creating a second completely unique smokescale pet would end this argument. One pet would have a bursty f2, the other a smoke field. Players could then actually tailor pet skill load out for builds.

They will not do that, unless the Smoke Assault is removed from the other Smokey, since you could just F2, then when its over, swap and get another Smoke Assault automatically.

The pet uses the #3 skill immediately after swap, i don’t get why people cannot use this the same way we have swapped to dogs for KD and drakes for tail swipe or birds for swiftness for the last 3 years.

1)Because is not as flexible /reliable.
2)Because smokefield F2 feels clunky with taunt.
3)Because players like to combo assault with SOTW/sicem for the extra damage, and SOTP/WHAO for might stacking.
4)Because it prevents players to try and focus fire the pet(assault can be used defensively)
5)Because it can bring the pet back on the target when pet AI get “confused” in path obstacles as such.

Talking “Meta” one week after the release of the expansion when you have almost a daily balance patching is unrealistic, this is the time to experiment . I really liked Hitzer attempt to replace survival utilities with glyphs , ditching The WS traitline for NM which was recently got buffed due to might stacking possibilities making cele amulet much more lucrative for rangers. We barely scratched the surface of the new options we have right now with the new armor sets,sigils/runes/pets etc… Even old school ranger builds can be twiked to be much better right now. Waiting for http://en.gw2skills.net/ to get updated so the real theory crafting can begin.

IDK, on moving golem it works surprisingly well, it even change directions during channeling. Can be really nice to combo his F2 with fire field, as this pet got base condi damage of 1000.

Welcome back @Prysin.8542.

Gabriell.4856:

LughLongArm.5460:

The answer is simple:
1) The defensive stats are irrelevant as ranger and pet dont share life pool and you only need to kill the ranger to win. So its realy not about the stats, its about the damage.

2) Ranger got reduced damage coefficients on weapons, very few burst abilities and limited might stacking capabilities compared to other professions .

1) Basically, you ignore, power, prec, condi, vit, etc. Bias I must say.

2) I gave an example…LB does more damage any any other 1200+ range weapon. Please respond and stay on topic.

1)I really don’t ignore anything and i will gladly respond. If I were to explain any aspect of game balance it would take me days and several pages. In short, ranger weapons/utilities/traits are designed to a bit weaker compared to other professions. also every profession has some build that “cheat” the game to get advantage in stats. For example lets talk two old “meta” builds" dd ele and LB ranger. DD eles are effective with celec amulet due to might stack stacking capabilities (3920 stats, 700 stats more compared to marauder LB ranger uses) add to that the 900 worth of stats they can get out of maintaining 15 might in average , that’s 1600 worth of stats, 50% of the maraduer total stats. This advantage is not part of the ele class mechanic or weapons coefficients, its just exist.

2)warrior rifle does much more damage, mesmer GS does much more dmage, but why limit this to only range weapons? LB only damage is rapid fire, the auto attack is kinda weak unless u’r 1000+ range.

surviving as ranger shouldn’t be a problem at all. If you enjoy the ranger stick with it.
PLZ share your build.

I agree, Keep it this way.

I love druid even after LL nerf (but I do think it could be on 8sec ICD with 4s duration).
Ranger got tons of buffs with HOT people are taking for granted. Condi stats on pets ,the new pets are very strong( not sure about wyverns, haven’t play enough with them) and new buff for WHAO opened so many new possibilities for might stacking and therefore celec builds, ETC….

The answer is simple:
1) The defensive stats are irrelevant as ranger and pet dont share life pool and you only need to kill the ranger to win. So its realy not about the stats, its about the damage.

2) Ranger got reduced damage coefficients on weapons, very few burst abilities and limited might stacking capabilities compared to other professions .

kevvy.5081:

You and the 99% of the shouters that created this post before even giving the cahnged smokecale a chance. screaming loaud doesnt make you a majority nor does it makes you right, Comparing tiger to smokescale is ridiculous. Smokscalre is a tanky pet that can survive almost everytnig with the best burst of all pets, it will always land, works with tount, great combo for might stacking with WHAO, and a takedown. I know about pets atleast as you do if not much more, I have played with tiger alot, its good but it doesnt come close to fill the smokescale role as the second hitter with burst on demand that always lands and godly survivebility. Also, the smoke fields during battle helps alot, 5 sec smoke field every 16 sec.

You do realize that you just made a good case to nerf smoke assault more.

Not really, the F2 got a long CD , that’s why I called it a second hitter. I use it after a raven F2 to put a lot of pressure. Also I said its got a role, I didn’t say its the best pet always. For exampke, Tiger can be amazing on GS remorseless build(hit bash+F2+maul). Bristleback can be amazing in might stacking condi build. Put him on a fire field with 25might , F2 and c what happens.

Firelysm.4967:

LughLongArm.5460:

Irenio CalmonHuang.2048:

Going to be investigating this. It may require some change to Smoke Assault, since the active skills are intended to be a little stronger than the passive skills.

PLZ don’t change, lots of rangers like it the way it is now.

Who is that lots?
I and 99% of other rangers want a skill that would make quality of ranger better, having F2 smoke assault does bring nothing but burst. Ranger need fields on demand as frequent as they were before the swap! I don’t know why we don’t just swap back and it’s done. Dmg is already nerfed and weak, and that’s it…

Tiger can hit 4k dmg, and no one says anything. My topic is clearly showing how little people know about pets.

You and the 99% of the shouters that created this post before even giving the cahnged smokecale a chance. screaming loaud doesnt make you a majority nor does it makes you right, Comparing tiger to smokescale is ridiculous. Smokscalre is a tanky pet that can survive almost everytnig with the best burst of all pets, it will always land, works with tount, great combo for might stacking with WHAO, and a takedown. I know about pets atleast as you do if not much more, I have played with tiger alot, its good but it doesnt come close to fill the smokescale role as the second hitter with burst on demand that always lands and godly survivebility. Also, the smoke fields during battle helps alot, 5 sec smoke field every 16 sec.

Irenio CalmonHuang.2048:

Going to be investigating this. It may require some change to Smoke Assault, since the active skills are intended to be a little stronger than the passive skills.

PLZ don’t change, lots of rangers like it the way it is now.

8 sec icd, 4 sec duraiton.

Druid is not the topic here, Minstrel is. Try to bring down Minstrel Chronomencer with shield, Minstrel Ele, Minstrel revenant etc… Almost any profession can create a super tnky build with Minstrel that can hold on point vs 2-3 playes for good amount of time.

I love the staff. Heals are not good? Try using staff 3 on staff 5, that alone is like ~4k aoe heal. Ticks for 100 hp on AA, which activate the trait that give you another ~100 hp and every heal activates lingering light. Not to mention the movment cability on this baybe. The evade of staff 3,The piercing attacks of staff AA. Love it.

Remeber now its also light field for the blooming duration(and also blind). Light field+projactile = condi remove. This got very good potential for condi remove. Its very good.

With HOT, A.net introduced some very very tanky builds for most professions, I hven seen 3 playes in PVP tring to kill tank Chronomancer with shield for like 5 min. With druid is kinda the same, they can eat alot of punishment but most of the time if you cant kill them, they cant also kill you.
The template of the build u were facing ( lots of variations) is probably:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNAQFAmiUqAXLUmFMYaoPBgumRkG-TZAZAAQZAA
The missing info is room for the variations.

I suggested after BW3 that the “natural healing” trait would change the “+450” healing part to something like – pets heals are considered as ranger heals based on the ranger healing power. This OFC includes the passive healing pets are getting from it(only the pet will get the heal, but it will be based on your healing power) and ya, with this trait, it should build AF together with the pet heals. Also many other ranger heals like regen, spirit of nature, sotw, sigils.runes etc…. should build AF.
In order to balance it, the AF build to be based on % of the total amount healed/damage and not per tic like it is now. They can add coefficients for AF build to make some heals to stand out compared to others(like TU/staff) .

@infantrydiv.1620, thanx for answer, sounds good.
I kinda like you @Justine.6351

You play PVP and caping base, someone is coming to spoil your paln. It tends to happend. My druid build is made to be effective both solo and group play.

Actually there is no weapon/trait line for ranger that utilise so much synergie as with druid and the pet. Most staff/druid skills/traits reqiers an ally, when u’r solo your pet is your only ally and functions as one.

Like that you ditched WS for NM and took glyphs over the survival poular utilities. Your weakness OFC are Condies and your boons are reapers food. Even If you change primal cehos to druid calirty(which you should), it takes time to build AF and not sure the 2 seeds of life+EP can carry you up to that moment(unless the 2 glyphs realy help out in building AF).