Ok, let’s sum this up.
Yes, it is clear the Greatsword is used defensively for Rangers. Your pet will likely be doing as much if not more damage than you are. The Greatsword’s defensiveness comes from it’s utility, and skill from timing the skills;
Auto) a simple damage mitigation chain. If timed right, you can sync it with your opponents power attacks. The evade’s duration is pretty decent, allowing you to simply ignore many attacks without having to spent endurance. That being said, the evades are less precise than the Sword/Dagger. It would be nice to have another effect in this skill’s second swing to buff the pet in some way, but that’s unlikely to happen. Would be nice if the damage was buffed somewhat, since this really is the only damaging attack next to Maul.
Maul) this is likely the skill that needs the most work. It’s simply sub-par. The vulnerability needs to be buffed to 10 stacks, and it would be awesome if it was a blast finisher. Giving this skill the ability to apply fury to your pet would be nice too, but not at the cost of a longer CD. Bottom line: needs work.
Swoop) generally positively viewed skill. It is one of the best gap closers in the game, has decent damage for its purpose, and is a leep finisher to boot. Its long range also makes it equally amazing for escapes. Lighting Reflexes shares good synergy here. Because the auto’s evades aren’t always reliable, having that extra active evade makes all the difference. Swoop allows you to immediently re-close the gap created. Much like Monark’s Leap re-closes Hornet’s Sting on Sword #2.
Counter Attack) while many may not find this skill to their tastes, it is actally very versatile. It’s primary function is to disarm and riposte with an unexpected knockback. This can be used to counter pesky thieves, raging warriors, and determined guardians from doing anything tricky. In PvE, many newer enemies have big wind-ups, which this counters nicely. As a bonus, it can be used for near immunity to damage at ranges out of melee. It can allow you to dust off the initial volleys from engineers, elementalists, and pistol thieves. Even AoE is nothing to this skill. Furthermore, when necessary, it can be changed to a ranged cripple with decent damage. This is often a big help against kitting eniemes. Thankfully, a recent patch now allows us to move while tossing — a great change.
Hilt Bash) this skill is similar in purpose to Counter Attack, but more pro-active in use. It is used to stop skills before they happed [such as a heal], or momentarily root an enemy in place. While not much, it is also worth to note that this skill can function as a mini-mini-gap-closer. The 50% damage boost on next pet attack can be synced with some nice pet attackd as well.
To be clear, yes: the weapon does need more buffs. However, many fail to see the versitility of the weapon. From my experience, it works even better when you are coupled with high amounts of regen. And taking the Martial Mastery trait from the Wilderness Urvival line makes the CD’s, and the number of situations you can counter, much better.
