Guild Wars 2

Zaxares.5419:

As your own post says, ignore the forums and play what you want. Yes, speed clear groups exist, but you don’t need to join them. There are plenty of “all welcome” groups available for doing dungeons/Fractals etc.

Good job missing the point, which is any group make up that is properly geared can do speed runs. This meta garbage the community has adopted, is just that, garbage. So new players should ignore posts that refer to “the meta”, as it all changes in about a month.

Never. Next question?

Group comp doesnt matter. At all. A bad group is just a bad group, snd fraction 10 also is where the challenge level rises, so most people are not gear ready for it when it comes available. I also ran a Guardian at one point and was told they were weak in DPS so not asgood as a warrior. That was about a year ago, but it fits the argument. All professions have group heals. All of them do damage. Most have buffs/debuffs on abilities that damage. So no. This speed run garbage is just that. Any group that works well together and knows the map can clear quickly. Stop pushing this lazy meta garbage.

So when I rolled a Ranger, I was told I would never be in a instance group because I lacked DPS. I changed to a Necromancer, and was told I would never be in a instance because I lacked utility. Made an Engineer and was told it was now because I lacked the right kind of utility/debuffs.

This community is kinda silly at times. These speed run elites and PvP/WvW heroes that seem to set the standards for everyone are such a waste of every new players time. So here’s my good lesson learned for any new players:

Find a class you like. Play it your way. Ignore the forums and anyone who tells you to clicka link and look at their build. WvW and PvP are no ddifferent then PvE. It’s all hitting the right button at the right time, and yes, any build works. Don’t worry about the Meta, it will change next month.

Mine is level 80, has over 95% of the map cleared, and is in exotics with a few purps after that. So why have I been spending less time on him than my Necromancer? Because since patch, when Engineers were judged to be the FotM, I chose to stop playing it. That’s right, out of shear counter culturism.

I know, it should be for a really good reason, like a love of turrets or something. Yet honestly, as awesome as this class is, I don’t want to play what 75% of the player base has decided to play.

Opinions?

Bad at PvE? That’s like asking who is the best breather. But, if you are asking if we DPS, bring utility, and debuffs the enemy all at once in a group play scenario, then it is a resounding yes. Yes, we are the best at that. My current build is 20/30/0/20/0. I run with elixir gun, healing turret, bombs or grenades, supply crate, and an elixer of my choice. Dual pistols. I dps with a condition build rotating between explosives, elixer gun, and pistols. Elixer and the #5 elixer gun help my party while everything else is dps.

Engineer is the best pve group profession. Hands down.

I did a SD build that was pistol/shield (extended range on pistol and added toughness with shield). Add wrench and bomb kit and you have a really good melee engineer.

Been on my Engineer for quite a bit. Decided to go back to my Necro for a bit. I keep hearing Necro is useless as a wvw roamer. Is this true or is there a simple fix that people keep missing? Is DS heavy Reaping spec the way to go? Please help.

I haven’t leveled an alt in the new trait system. In the old system I would say it flourished around level 40. Seems with the new trait system, about the time you open the second tier it should get more lively. Also if this is an alt, then shuffle any knowledge scrolls you can, to the engineer. This will give you more toys, allowing you to play more with the different styles. I level alts with power/fortitude builds until about level 60.

I run 30/20/0/20/0. Power, Crit, and Elixers. My weapons are Grenades, Elixer Gun, and an Elixer of my choosing. I use healing Elixer or Turret depending on what I’m doing. Rifel is my stand by weapon. Open with grenade, follow up with rifle, work in Elixer Gun for support and DPS. I run Rampager’s gear for Precision and Condition Damage.

For PvP, I would say Ranger, Warrior, Elementalist, Thief are your best bet. For PvE Engineer and Guardian offer the best in DPS + Utility. Personally I’m sitting just over 60% Crit and 73% crit dmg. I hit often and have some good Condi Dmg to go with it. Add either the Healing Turret or Elixer Gun and you have good DPS with some quick heals as well.

Heck. Even if not mobile, let them be trained dowb to a 10 sec CD. That way I could pick up and move and still be viable.

If they made a trait allowing them to move like Ranger Spirits Trait, then I would use them. This shield trait coming out is just dumb.

LB is perfect. If anything its auto attack just needs speeding up. Everything about LB is perfect at long range. Want a better short range weapon? Then usebthe SB or other weapon set. But LB is our long range weapon. Like the GS for Mesmers or staff for necros.

I’m sorry, all I read here was “I wish I’d rolled a ranger and now exclude them from my group out of jealousy at not being able to level one and play it effectively.”

I mean seriously. I run 30/30/10/0/0 and can Dps as well as providing vulnerability and condi dmg. Support? My little healing circle is just fine. Want buffs? Get a guard or banner warrior that will just slow you down.

You’re not speed running, lmfao, you’re gimping your face to spite your nose.

It’s legit. Too Legit in fact. Too legit to……quit?

You people are mad because we got a faster LB skill? That has yer panties gnarled? What about Engineers? They already are considered useless by the majority of the player base. Now they get…A BUBBLE FOR THEIR TURRETS THAT THEY NEVER USE! Seriously, gain some perspective folks.

Decided on axe/horn and sword/torch. I like the bounce of axe and the range is just right for all the spirit buff/debuffs in combat. Sword/ torch is for when I need to be close and want the fire shield.

If you’re in a zero wtf do you care about escapes? YOU’RE IN A ZERG! stay with the group and lay waste. Lol, kids these days. Zerg =/= Roaming.

Why only 2 traps? Go snakes, fire, and spikes with vines in the epic. The reap away.

Traps, in my opinion, is an awesome spec. Short range AOE Condi Dmg with a short bow and sword+torch or dagger is amazing. So much constant damage, and it works just as well in a group or solo. WvW, PvP, PvE, its amazing all the way around.

Even if LB gets a speed buff making it as fast kitten auto attack, SB still has a bleed on its auto attack, and several CD abilities attached to its interrupts and escapes. SB will always be the bow of choice for PvP and WvW.

Is it worth going axe/offhand for both weapon sets as spirit spec (20 pts in crit tree for bonus crit dmg with axes) or should I use something like sword or bow in other set?

Skitz. If I go 30/30/0/0/0 with the last 10 pts wherever I want, I can then go traps, axe, and shortbow. Im now hitting very hard with even auto attack, and critting for double damage (I gear high perception and crit dmg, so I crit around 70% with 98% crit dmg). Granted, health is kinda low and toughness is almost nonexistent but the things I fight die quick.

Why is Natures Voice not a Beast Master skill? Wouldn’t it make more sense to put an ability that gives a healing benefit to shouts, in the tree where shouts CD is reduced?

Honestly I have done very little with the Animal Forms, as I prefer the Elite Survival Skill (can’t remember its name, lol) for Ranger. I find Class skills to usually be better than racials, except for my Asura Engineer, whose racial skills are on par with his class skills.

This class is awesome. It is my 4th level 80. Necro, Engi, and Guard are all my others. Ranger has more DPS potential than any other class, save Thief. The utility is all sorts of amazing, and both our crit values (Chance and Damage) are in the same tree! This class is just like any other, in that it is only as good as you make it.

Also, I’m not much for Warhorn in any scenario. It seems under powered for any kind of DPS build, and marginal for any kind of support build. I would rather have Axe or Dagger in my offhand, hell even torch!

Sword is a fun weapon, I just dislike that I can’t evade or break the constant stream of movement when I want to. Yes, I know 2 of its abilities have an evade to it, but when those are on CD, I still would like to be able to break away without having to wait for the end of an autoattack round.

I like Zoids suggestion, but would go SB and S+Dagger. Traps ground targeting and 20% reduct CD. Survival Skills 20% less CD.

I run GS/Axe&Axe in WvW, PvE, and PvP. I have traps traited for ground targeting. I have no issues and kill pretty quickly. I find Spirits to be a bit weak for my tastes but that is just me. I tend to be unorthodox. Enjoy!

I always thought it humorus that they were called Norn. The Norn are the 3 women who tend the tree of life, Ygdrasill, and are equivalent to the Greek Fates. Even the Aesir gods such as Odin and Thor, revere the Norn, for they weave the Wyrd and know all beings fates.

I agree turtledragon. However, I think when someone on forums asks “this is the weapon set I like, how can I maximize efficiency?” It reflects poorly on the player base to see responses (like most of those in this thread) of “Those weapons suck, no player should use those, I wouldn’t even take a ranger into fractals anyway.”

Why not instead say “well those aren’t the best weapon set, but if that’s what you like, then get X gear and spec X style for best DPS.” Seems to me everyone is so set on being the accepted spec and less interested on trying new things or challenging themselves by making the best of a style they prefer.

This reminds me why I only run instances as a casual or play WoW. The “you must be this class and this spec to run with us” mentality that permeates most MMOs. Don’t know why Devs bother making classes for the game. Should just have a set group of characters with preset builds for instances. That seems to be the mentality of people like the majority posting in this thread. IT’S A GAME! YOU’RE NOT BEING PAYED TO PLAY IT! Just grab folks and have fun.

OR you can do like me. Wear Assassin’s gear, trait 30/30/0/10/0 and go LB/SB with traps traited for ground targeting. Tear up everything in sight from long range to short range and just have a dandy of a time.

Want to help the group and be less awesome on DPS? Go straight spirits with LB/GS and Clerics gear for giggles. Heal, buff, and do some minor DPS as you rock through the instances.

I tried the “For the group” style of play. Know what I learned? No one cares. Unless the mobs are dying quick, the Mesmer will compete for highest DPS against the Warrior and Thief. All while telling you how bad you suck. So if you like Ranger, pick a style you enjoy, and rock out with that. Because none of these keyboard bashing monkeys will care about your enjoyment, that is up to you.

Peace.

This all reminds me of when retaliation was the big skill to have. Lol. Too funny.

I’ve read most the responses. After leveling 4 characters to 80, I have an opinion that has not been suggested. At about level 30 content begins a steep challenge climb. Most classes have skills that enable them to work through this time with little trouble. Engineers have traits which do not support their skills as much as in other classes of the same level. As such it is easy for a new engineer player to believe the class is weak and give up. Obviously, the class is not weak. It just takes a bit more time and effort to learn to play well. As such, those who learn early how to adapt, become far better and go further than those who give up to play a warrior.

I keep getting these memos late. PvE no good for Necro? Daggers bad? I run daggers and Signets, with scepter and focus/focus as a second set and I kill in waves. Add the new healing signet and spec for shroud and you almost never die (I had a veteran and 6 reg mobs on me, while being constantly interrupted before my first death).

Sorry guys, but I’m rocking PvE and WvW with no issues. shrug

I disagree on Spirits being useless in WvW. Solo roaming, yes you are weak and will probably die a lot. But in a group, roaming about capturing nodes, you stand towards the back, use a bow and buff your team. Especially with the new healing spirit, very potent.

RyuDragnier.9476:

Not a good idea. They’d farm the champions and not kill Teq. Frostgorge Sound and Scarlet’s Invasions have proved this.

Maybe, but something in the way of a “Runner up” prize would be nice.

Black Gate server has done it, so it can be done. I think a Nerf at this point would be useful if applied correctly. Increasing turret stats/Dmg or reducing Teqs output Dmg would be good suggestions. The fight is very hard, but should scale to the number of people at the fight.

I would also like to see some drops from Veterans and Champs that you fight while defending the turrets. Seems like it would draw more people if there was more reward to the activity.

So your ISP failed and you think Arenanet has to compensate you for this? I hope you understand that your connectivity is not their issue. As such, they are under no obligation to give you anything. In other words, suck it up buttercup.

Don’t listen to the haters, wasters, and burn outs. Ranger is fun! Our skills are sweet and our DPS is on par. Find a build that works for you, find the pet that works for you, and have fun. I’ve had no issues finding groups for instances. I WvW as well as anyone else. I don’t PvP, but friends of mine say a Ranger is just fine in PvP. As for not being popular, the last report I saw showed Rangers as one of the most played professions in game.

I almost always use Healing spring. Even in WvW. I know many will say the mobility needed for PvP and WvW should suggest Troll Ungent, but I like being able to heal myself and anyone in the zerg that may need a few points.

Thanks to all who replied. With your aid, as well as input from Rangers on my server, I was able to secure a build that works for me. 20/30/20/0/0 with shortbow and Sword/Axe. Traited for traps and survival skills. Very effective in both PvE and WvW.

Merry Meet to all who take the time to read this. I have a quandry and wonder if the gurus of Rangerdom could scratch their noggins and find an answer for me. The task is a simple one: Suggest a WvW spec that works well for both WvW (duh) and Instance/questing.

I tried the Spirit traiting, and found it lackluster.

I’m also interested in anything that uses either longbow or short bow, or both! Thanks for any help you fine folks can give.

Pets could definitly use a buff to help them live longer. Heck, the entire Pet Trait tree could use a revamp in my opinion. Still, I run mostly with Polar bear and Arctic Wolf. The bear is a good tank for the most part and doesn’t die easy, the arctic wolf has that cool howl and knocks mobs down. So both are pretty cool imo.

I have had no issues with my pet. Make sure it is on aggressive and if you want to make sure it attacks your target, click the crosshairs under the pet portrait. If there is another issue, I would put in a ticket via the game. As I said, I have had no pet issues (other than my Ranger saying “I choose you” when switching pets, too much Pokeman for me).

Longbow is a LONG range weapon, hence the range requirement for additional damage. If you don’t like it, why not just stick to Shortbow? Personally I’ve been running Longbow/shortbow with traps and survival for a time now and find the combination remarkable.

Really, there is nothing wrong with Longbow from what I have experienced. Even Barrage is one of my favorite AoEs. So, there is my 2 coppers. I like it and see no issues with it.

I don’t PvP, but why waste the slot? I would rather have Rampage as One and use the Survival skill that muddies the ground, slowing people. Especially if I am rolling with axes and/or shortbow.