Guild Wars 2

Kellnor.5428:

So what I’m wondering….are there any other rangers out there who take pride in the fact that they are Rangers?

Of course!

:)

As of the last few days, I’ve been running a 20/20/0/0/30 build, and I love it so far. I swap traits, skills, weapons (I use them all!), armor and jewelry around a lot depending on what I’m doing, but generally, this is my “normal” setup, for regular pve/dungeons:

http://goo.gl/g78BM (for spvp, I trait more into WS)

I have 3 armor sets (magic find set, Lyssa’s armor and one berserkers set) that I swap around depending on situation as well, same goes for jewelry, which means I can swap easily between high power/precision sets to a more tankier setup with decently high armor and healing power.

DPS setup:
3200 power / 56% critchance / 2178 armor / 324 healing power

which can easily be replaced by

Survival setup:
2889 power / 32% critchance / 2608 armor / 923 healing power

Or anything in between. For a good allround armor set, I can really recommend Lyssa’s armor.

*

The general ideas of the build are:

- Maximum dps and survivability for my pets, due to regen, high stats, +30% crit damage and health gain on crits
- Decent to high survivability for me due to signet of the wild + natural healing
- Moderate to high dps from power/crit traitlines

In all my previous builds, I have always put at least 5 points into WS beacuse of the 5 point minor, and thought I would miss that particular trait too much to run without it, but tbh, I don’t miss that trait at all.
I also used to run builds that would grant protection, but I can’t say I miss that either.

Never thought of doing that tbh, not in this game. Aggro works a lot different in GW compared to most other similar games.

Split pulling in Vanguard for example was an artform in itself, in this game I’ve yet to see the need for split pulls.

Agree again!

I always loose track of that kitten mouse cursor when I need it the most. That this even happens points to a flaw in the design – I have never noticed this being an issue in any other game I’ve ever played, and I’ve played thousands of games throughout the years…

WD is fine. Ability to move is all I ask for that skill, if anything. Axe 4 on the other hand…

xfighteveryonex.1852:

Also im still really new to Gw2 but is there a way to check connection to a server before entering it?

Only way I know of, is to use software like pingplotter to check the status of individual maps (each map has a unique ip address, can see which ip it has by typing /ip in the chat window).
That’s what I use anyway.

rglaredo.9467:

I think Anet needs to implement build swapping because you need one build for teams, one for pvp, one for pve , one for wvwvw ..etc etc etc …you cant have a one shoe fits all built. they need to give us the players an option to swap without penalty between builds depending on situation ..pve, pvp, wvwvw.

I agree with this, and it’s been suggested several times already.

Agree with most that has been said here about camera issues. It boggles the mind they could let this slip through to release. Imho, they got the camera right in GW1 – how they could mess it up this bad in this game is just… astonishing.

Everyone I play with have major issues with the camera on numerous places in the world, dungeons and some jumping puzzles of course being the worst culprits. There are so many places, especially in dungeons, where you can’t see what’s going on – at all.

I would suggest the devs go back to GW1 and check out how a camera could/should work. I can’t remember any issues with the camera in that game. In GW2, that have been in development for so many years, they utterly failed with one of the most important aspects of the game, and it seems they won’t address it anytime soon – if ever (they need to acknowledge these issues in the first place).

Another thing that needs some improvements, would be the ability to tone down effects – the combination for bad camera controls and effects going off all over the place seems like a bad combo for sensitive people, possibly triggering epilepsy.

If the devs don’t add agony resistance/immunity to our pets in the next patch, I seriously have to question their competence.

It’s just Anets vision of balance.

Well, if this only happens to you and not your friend, when indeed you’re playing on the same map, connecting through the same router, and thereby, the same ISP, at least we can conclude that there’s nothing wrong with your internet connection.

Have you tried “switching seats” – changing computers with each other but logging in with your own accounts? That would be interesting to know as well, because if you would continue to lag on your friends computer, running your account, while (s)he would play on your computer, with his/her account and everything would run normal, you could exclude this being a hardware issue on your part as well.

It would then point to the fact that different accounts somehow gets different network priority.

CellFishy.3896:

Extreme lag for almost a week now. While I can freely chat with friends/guildies/parties, I cannot use any kind of combat skills or interact with objects. Still, everything around me seems normal, not laggy, except for the fact that I can’t do anything at all. Also, keeps getting disconnected almost constantly. Definitely not an ISP problem, nor a router issue, a friend can play next to me, on my wireless network without any kinds of problems while I practically am doomed to shout and scream in terror.

Are you on the same map when this happens? This would point to issues with some accounts – do they run some ugly form of performance throttling on specific accounts?

If you ppl have the same issues that I experience, you’ll see that only some of the maps in the game lag (mostly highly populated ones), while others plays just fine.

This clearly points towards serverside lag/performance issues, and has nothing at all to do with my hardware or my isp, since I don’t even have to run the actual game to see that a map will be unplayable – I just use pingplotter to check up on things before starting to play:

• Start collecting the ip addresses of the different maps by typing /ip in chat – each map has a unique ip address
• Use pingplotter and check the status of the maps/dungeons you’re interested in playing
• Maps that shows high packetloss, just forget about them

Yeah, packetloss is back with a vengeance, after a good couple of weeks. Business as usual again then.

I’ve had lots of issues some weeks ago, reported about them in several threads here, contacted Anet support as well as my ISP. Then all of a sudden I could play without any issues for about two, maybe three weeks.
Yesterday, and more so today, the problems came right back – lagspikes and disconnects.

Some official statements from Anet would be nice to see.

I wish they (Anet) would focuse a lot more on bug fixing, balancing and quality improvements, and not focusing so much in bringing in new content. Unless of course they can add more content without taking away focus of those other stuff.

typingofthedead.5614:

it’s just how it was designed. otherwise, there are probably better things to take (like lightning reflexes perhaps)

All of the shouts seems they were last minute work to give us something. They are all lackluster – something that’s been comfirmed by the devs. Question is, do we have to wait for years before they go ahead and change crappy things?
Remember in GW1, how many years were you not forced to bring both charm animal and comfort animal in order to bring a pet along, and make that pet somewhat useful?
I just hope they would speed things up a lot when it comes to fix things like this, and not wait for several years.
Learn from your mistakes, devs!

This skill favors high vitality pets like the bears, but I hate to run bears in pvp. I would like to suggest this:

- For 10 seconds, half of any damage you take is transferred to your pet instead [and pet will not stop attacking like it does now, and can be used no matter the range to your pet]

In it’s current state, Protect me = sacrifice pet = cut dps/utility in half. A big sacrifice for 1-6 seconds of invulnerability (yes 1-6 seconds, since some pets will die way before the 6 seconds have passed).
Changing it to work like this would make it much more useful, with some drawbacks still, but not such a big drawback as to sacrifice your pet totally.

Thoughts?

There are a lot of things missing from possible keybinds if you think about it. I’d love to have a “clear target” key for example, other than ESC. Would make things easier when it comes to jumping around with the sword…

Inkubus, you need to do your homework better.

Fury? Yeah, why do you think I mentioned “Red Moa / Hunter’s call”? Also read up on how to calculate crit, and the different types of nourishments, ok?

Thanks.

Red Moa / Hunter’s call and voila – another 20% crit chance.
Master Maintenance Oil for another boost to precision.

pahldus.1678:

The difference between the thief’s Dagger Storm and the warrior’s Whirling Axes is that they do nothing against ranged attacks and Dagger Storm is an elite with a 90 sec cooldown. Do you want to give up the projectile reflection for movement or the cooldown for more damage? Do you really want that?

If I had to give that up in order to get the ability to move while using the skill – absolutely not!

But Dagger Storm do reflect projectiles and throws daggers around. Whirling Axe I see more as a pure melee skill, not really comparable in this category of skills (defense oriented skills, even if they can be used offensively).

In general, I’m not a big fan of skills that roots you in place when using them – for all classes.
Still, WD is my favourite offhand skill for the ranger, a skill that indeed have many uses if you just think about it for a while!

A reduction of the cooldown would be worth considering though, if we can’t get the mobility.

Yes, this is still a major issue, even after the improvements that were made last patch. Perhaps our pets should have a shadowstep ability?

Just a quick tip – whirling defense reflects all kinds of projectiles, even from siege weapons, which, imho, is quite hilarious – bounce that 500 kilo stone right back to it’s source for some decent damage!

Haven’t tried this yet on the spvp map with the trebs, would be interesting to see if it works there as well – talk about surprise counter attack!

I would suggest either being able to move when using it, or reduce cooldown by at least 5 seconds.

:D

1. Bloodtide coast, in the water just north of Merchantman’s Strait
2. Gandara
3. Today, now!

I’ve seen lots and lots of the teleporting/hacking bots/players, not sure which it is. Can’t this be blocked somehow? The tools are out there for anyone to download, if they search for them. When will this exploit be fixed? I can’t even understand how the game code allows for this in the first place.

Thanks gimmethegepgun, that was exactly the one I was looking for!

In my journeys through this game, I once stumbled upon this very deep, underwater cave filled with risen. Now I’m trying to find that location again, but have no clue where it was!

If anyone have a feeling they know what I talk about, and can share some knowledge where this place is located, please post here – thanks!

:)

Depends on the situation:

• pve vs mostly single targets: jaguar, due to the high dps and burst from its stalk ability – the only pet that you get the full benefit from quickness swap+instantly activated F2 if in melee range. Most likely complemented with a second feline of some sort

• pve vs tightly clustered groups of enemies: river drake/reef drake for their aoe abilities, both the regular attack and their F2 special ability. A shame their special is so kitten slow to activate though…

• sPvP/WvW: felines, canines, birds or ranged pets… depending on build, situation and opposition

• Dungeons: river drake/reef drake, devourers or spiders, jungle stalker/red moa/blue moa (moas are pretty nice in a group both for their buffs and for their Harmonic Cry ability)

I tend to use most of them a lot, but if I had to select just one pet it would definitely be the jaguar.

That’s 100% spot on, awe extender.

You got that list exactly right, and I agree on every point, and I think the majority of ppl playing rangers agree as well – how could they not?

Anet have said that they like to take small steps when changing things, but with stuff that are more or less flat out broken, small steps won’t do, because then we’re looking at getting the list above fixed sometime in the year 2015/2016, if we’re lucky.

If they don’t even acknowledge these issues, I don’t know what to say…

firebreathz.7692:

i dont think you have even read the description properly here it is for you reading pleasure..
Fire a quick shot in an evasive retreat. Gain swiftness if the shot hits. This can be used while retreating. link

I also took the time to show you how this skill works here

the skill is working as intended..

I use that 360 ‘spin-shot’ all the time, it’s rather cool and many times more useful to rush through your enemy and use it, than to slowly walk backwards and use it!

Not that I’ve really noticed this in regular play, but it is still a rather strange mechanic that the passive effects of signets has a timer when it comes to pets. Why is this? Any devs out there care to spill the beans?

Guard does not bring 100% crit chance, not even on the first attack, not even for the jaguar, I’ve tested it enough to be sure of this.

Also note that the jaguar doesn’t have the regular “stealth” skill, but it’s called “stalk” (stalking), which is a special ability unique to this pet, not seen anywhere else. The regular stealth mechanic does not come with a 100% chance to crit for anyone, afaik, only “stalk” has this ability bound to it.

Guard has it uses for sure, but boosting damage is not one of them. In pvp we’ve seen many examples what it might be good for, in regular pve I’d only use it for its 10 seconds of protection, which may have it’s uses for sure. You could for example have a build that gives 10 seconds of protection from guard, then 2 + 2 (4 + 4 with fortifying bond, even more if you have lots of + boon duration) seconds from Companion´s Defense for a total of 14 (18+) seconds, which could be very useful.
That, or to “auto-farm” an area with fast spawning mobs!

There may be even more useful things guard could be used for in pve, haven’t played around with it that much yet.

Durzlla.6295:

Guard gives you 18s of 100% crit rate when used with the other stealth, and the other cats can still gain stealth you know… smoke field leaps, guard, etc. and i prefer to use Guard if i’m using a jaguar because it means that i have a longer duration for keeping him stealthed, thus longer crit rate

Hm, not sure what boosted guard ability you have, but my pets comes out of stealth as soon as they land their first attack when using guard. Do you mean your pets are still in stealth mode for the full, what, 10 seconds, even after they’ve landed an attack?

I think they should consider increasing the duration of the quickness buff on pet swap, for pets only, to 3-4 seconds, and keep the 2 second duration as is for the ranger, since quickness on pets that aren’t already in melee range are wasted (unless using a ranged pet).

Durzlla.6295:

I still think they should completely abolish the pet family requirements for those traits, and just make it so if you take intimidation training ALL pets F2s cripple, or if you take the vigor one whenever ANY pet is pulled out it grants vigor, or whenever ANY pet crits it bleeds etc.

That would make those traits a hell of a lot more useful than they currently are.

Yes, this is a better suggestion than mine above, so +1 indeed.

From my tests earlier, these traits do work now. If you don’t have remorseless, you need to get out of combat to apply opening strikes again to a new target. All in all, a decent trait vs pve trash IF you also have remorseless. At all other times, these are rather useless traits because of the limitations, and are in a dire need of an overhaul.

I made a suggestion in some other thread that you should regain opening strikes on pet swap as well, would be a nice improvement compared to current state.

Nice tips, Ursan – keep’em comin’!

It’s a bug. This happens all the time when you press forward and press F to pickup something (not only items from our pets), without releasing the moving forward key.
Hopefully it will be fixed within a year or two.

Jaguars F2 sucks? It’s the best pet ability in the game for quickness burst, at least when you’re in melee range a lot like I am with sword. I would love other pets being as responsive as the jaguar, and not attack the air when doing a quickness swap with activated F2 ability right away.

That video on the other hand is painfully clear when it comes to another issue – pets still sucks @ hitting moving targets.

First hit from pet occurs @ 10 seconds, next attack that hits occurs @ 23 seconds – WTF!

Ethics.4519:

Most people are strongly for it

Most? I think not.

Please tell me how you came to the conclusion that most people favor this idea? Did you make a poll to ask all players?

Go sword/x, use jaguar/whatever, spec BM (x x x x 30), up toughness and to some degree healing power (comes “free” when going BM-spec), use Signet of the Wild.

With high dps pets like the jaguar, in combination with quickness on pet swap, you’ll burn mobs down really fast, and can take on several at once with no major issues.

Lately, I’ve mostly used 20 0 5 15 30 or 0 20 5 15 30.

Pets sharing boons with you is great for both survival and to up their damage. Mighty Roar from the Jungle Stalker grants 10 stacks of might for the stalker if you’re within range from it when activating that skill, combine that with the leap attack in sword #1 chain, and the might stack will go up fast (also consider Sigil of Strength to up might even more).

zone.1073:

After 8 seconds have passed and no stomp, a Ranger will 100% revive for sure.

Is this a joke?

Shameless bump to get an answer on this – are these bugs something you acknowledge as bugs, or working as intended?

If the latter – please change your intentions on the matter!

Well put, agree on all points.
Signet of renewal probably could do with a shorter internal cd, like 6-8 seconds or so.
LR at the very least needs to remove immoblize, but preferably also remove cripple and chill like you said. Remove the damage part from LR, since it’s useless anyway. Reduce cd.

Bug: When you swap pets, and immediately press their special skill (F2), most pets will miss the selected target with that skill. This goes for all pets that have an attack as their F2 ability, except for birds (their F2 is so darn slow, that’s the reason they land their attack I guess).

Drakes will fire their attack straight in the air in the direction they are facing when summoned, same with lynx, snow leopard, devourers and spiders.

They should immediately use their attack skill on selected target, you shouldn’t have to wait (and thereby wasting quickness from pet swap) before using the F2 imho.

This has most likely been reported numerous times before, but would you please look into this. Thanks!

wtbingbongbadbear.1245:

Apoth Gear

What is that? Link please?

Casey.9687:

Aveneo.2068:

Casey.9687:

There’s a bug with the rangers pets underwater where the pet will keep using lick wounds on his owner even after the pet is dead. This has happened on my ranger many times and has ticked off alot of invaders lol

No, the bug is that Lick Wounds doesn’t work at all at times and your pet just sits down next to you and watches you die.

So I’m happy that it seems to work underwater at least, as on land the pet flips a coin first.

I know it doesn’t work all the time and it frustrates the heck out of me cause it seems to never work when i most need it. I was just stating the bug underwater, i know there is a bug with it on land also but they are completely different bugs

Again, it is not a bug. Pets have always been able to res you or other players (through search and rescue) even when they are downed. It’s been stated by the devs that it is working as intended.

Dante Dragonhand.2538:

Solid Gold.9310:

Dante Dragonhand.2538:

Yea, having to swap so much is stupid and non efficient. We should only have to swap once in awhile not every fricken time we fight.

Yeah this is stupid and I hate it.

I don’t want to micro manage my pet, and even if the pet recovers to 80% health it still stands there doing nothing.

I would like the option (Like GW1) of not having a pet, and a buff to compensate for not having it.

Been wanting that, having a perma stow option in and out of combat, and when pet is stowed having us gain a flat 40% damage buff to compensate for lack of damage and utility and cc pet brings. There are times I like my pet, like when lickwounds works, or when Im downed, or when Im in the water, or when Im hitting a stationary target in a flat open field. Othertimes I hate it, like when Im sniping on a perch and pet either cant path down there or takes a long time to run down and then gets hit with an aoe so I gotta swap. sigh I wonder what game Ill play if I quit, any suggestions of gaves with good archer classes, prefereably act like snipers? Gonna be hard playing something that wont let me dodge.

I think noone would use their pets (especially in s/tpvp) if we were to get a 40% damage increase by stowing them.
Stop asking for that. We should ask for fixes to the pets, not asking to get rid of them. In GW2, ranger = beastmaster (more or less), like it or leave it.

MeGaZlo.9516:

Remove hunters shot to hell and replace it with a such cool thing like a sniper shot ( http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Sniper_Shot_%28Snowball_Mayhem%29 ) with huge damage, like a scout on Snowball Mayhem have. For those who do not know – the damage of this thing is proportional to the cast time. The exact maximum time I can not remember (about 8-10 seconds), but it gives almost 1shot (15-20k). For me, it fit perfectly with the archetype of “powerful sniper”. Increase the damage of rapid fire by 20% and give vulnerability to each hit. And it will be just fabulous.

No. Hunter’s shot is there for its usefulness in groups, with 10% more damage dealt to the enemy from your entire group.

This game doesn’t need more extremely high burst damage abilities, but less. Running around oneshotting ppl, can’t understand why some of you want that type of game – it sucks.

Rangers are decently balanced. Most of the other classes? Not so much.