Guild Wars 2

Uninstalled the game for now…..gonna try Tera FTP for a while and see if the powers that be at ANet change their perspective…as its the Devs perspective that is ruining what is fundamentally a pretty good game….the constant disappointments in how they handle us only amplifies the frustration…

Sorry to hear it Xsorus, you are one of the better theory crafters here and with you throwing in the towel the community is that much poorer for it.

ANet is justifying a game with only 3-4 functional classes with their actions. I would have thought the squeeky wheel gets the grease but Devs seemed to have all but phased out the squeeking on the Ranger forums.

To continue the on the Ranger is to accept we are the Red Headed Step Child of this game and not to expect anything going forward…kinda sad actually because from a Theme perspective the Ranger looks so much fun on paper, just doesnt play the way it looks….

This is coming from a guy that was very supportive of the class when other dumped on it, that was 3 patches ago…..we are no better off now than we were in December…each step forward has come with a discreet step backwards…net gain ZERO

Got the drop first run this morning…

Got it first Run this morning!

I solo Farm the Ascalonian, the Mobs after the Gate all drop and you have the NPC’s helping you.

Zorby.8236:

Sarlack.4096:

A Guildie on his Necro got not one but two of these drops in his first 3 runs….but nobody else got one yet besides him.

Ah the joy of RNG, ain’t it grand?

Well I looked at the positive, at least he got one in the SAME fractal and difficulty level I was doing solo….which I found encouraging as I can farm it in about 25 minutes

But yeah, RNG based rewards kinda suck lol

I don’t work on Fridays and often wake up early. I prefer not to Pug without voice coms so early Friday mornings I will log on and do it several times solo until peeps log in.

Prefer to go for the fractal drop to waste time solo than straight Farm gold…

This post is more about maximizing my chances in the above context.

Yes I was referring to the Vial of Condensed Mists to make my Quiver in the Forge. A Guildie on his Necro got not one but two of these drops in his first 3 runs….but nobody else got one yet besides him.

I will continue to solo the dungeon but was hoping to maximize my chances at the drop if at all possible…hence my questions

I will continue to run it grouped with guildies when available.

No comments whatsoever? Anyone? It would be appreciated…

Thanks,
Kaloria

So finally got around to doing some fractals with guildies in hopes of getting the Fractal Drop for my Quiver. So far no luck grouped. BUT that being said…I have managed my strategy to complete the Ascalonian Fractal up to difficulty 3 Solo on my Ranger.

My Questions:

- Does the Fractal drop on all difficulty levels?
- What is the frequency of the Drop?
- Does Magic Find increase the likelihood of Drop?
- Do any specific Mobs have a greater chance at dropping the Fractal Mist?

Simply want to be sure that if I am soloing the Dungeon that I am not wasting my time, but if I can get the drop solo under the circumstances described I will continue to solo the Dungeon..

Thanks All

Nothing wrong with Longbow, not the first choice out there but certainly has its strengths…..find a style that suits you and if it includes the longbow then run with it. I have run a LB/SB spec since 80 with a little dabbling in other weapon/specs and I have no issues in either PvE or WvW play with Longbow as one of my weapons.

Longbow is viable, its simply a different skill set that needs to be used to its strengths. I use my longbow in WvW defensively often, QZ+Barrage at feet means if an enemy wants to stay in close range (melee) and hurt you there is a price to pay…otherwise they need to clear barrage and be vulnerable while doing it.

Yes, certain weapons will provide better DPS but its really about finding a weapon that synergizes how YOU want to play.

Though I heard it was gimp time and time again I WANTED to be a LB/SB Ranger so I set out to find a style that was conductive to it…I will never be the best Ranger but I certainly do not embarrass myself using this “underpowered” combo and have left a few people scratching there head with my setup.

I run a LB/SB Build in Full P/T/V in WvWvW and find it very effective. My 2 cents…

Entangle: This skill’s bleed effects now properly scale with condition damage and duration.

This is BIG…..

Congrats, for finding my build. (At least Gear Wise)

except I use Curry Butternut Squash instead of Mango Pie and I don’t use Healing Spring as I am always moving. Besides that…gear wise you are IDENTICAL to what I have run for a couple of months other than Weapon Selection, which I chose the 2 bows.

With the exception of a few, most of the rants here want to see massive damage numbers and one shot kills. There are a many who like the class but as the saying goes “The squeaky wheel gets the grease” and the squeaky wheels tend to make more noise than the rest of us around these parts….

Class is what you make it, nowhere near as bad as those “squeakers” would have you think. Yes, the class needs tweaks but it doesn’t need an overhaul as some would have you think…

Barrage at your feet or in between you and enemy (QZ’d) is a great defensive move, QZ’d Rapid Fire is a great Burst, Knock back is valuable utility, Vulnerability Arrow helps everyone’s DPS vs Target. Like anything else the LB skills have its particular uses like any other weapon. It is not useless per say, if anything the Skill 1 needs evaluation as its too slow an option….

Agadar.4931:

It seems to be mostly glass-type Rangers who get ravaged by Thieves. Rangers who at least partially focus on vitality, toughness and/or healing power do a lot better, myself included.

Agreed, I think the classes who glass cannon in WvWvW tend to be fodder for Thieves or any other high burst classes. I play by the adage “You can’t kill if your dead” and so far so good ; )

My Roaming Ranger 1vX noobstomping Vid =D (see signature)

Any class is what you make it, theory crafters will always find ways to win even when going against the grain….

Pick Class
Exploit Strengths
Cover Weaknesses
Gear Up
Profit…

Ironic as I had the opposite experience.

I was screwing around in WvW not a week ago and got into a very drawn our fight with a D/P Thief, we took turns putting a dent in one another and I finally caught him with a SB rear stun and swapped weapons and tracked him with a Quickened Rapid Fire (I’m gimpy LB/SB spec’d) finally dropping him while he was stealthed

A moment later I had a group invite from “Stormbluff Isle Invader” and he asked about my spec saying he had a level 80 Ranger and he could never of survived the fight we just had, he asked a few questions about spec/Runes and then we exchanged pleasantries and went on our way….

I have been Ripped by a couple of thieves but in general don’t find them all that difficult with my current setup….

But that being said, I do run 22-23.5K hits, 3K+ Armor, 2K+ Toughness so I don’t tend to get 2-3 shot much if ever by anyone…

Kellnor.5428:

Sarlack.4096:

Though not a One or Two button WIN class there is a lot of good to be said about the class. Steady and consistent if not spectacular damage from range while constantly moving has its merits.

I run a completely ranged Bow Ranger (AKA Gimp spec) and have a ton of fun with the class regardless of role..PvE, WvW, Dungeons. I have never been denied participation in any game content based on my class. In the end its about having Fun and like anything else…it will be what you make it….

As far as WvW I dare say I enjoy as much if not more success than the regular friends and guild mates I play with who all are playing “vastly superior classes” if I were to use feedback on the Ranger boards as a benchmark.

Do yourself a favor, play the class the way you want to. If you enjoy it then disregard all the feedback you see here and don’t look back. If you don’t enjoy it try something else. Don’t allow all the negative spin on these boards to discourage you from playing the class as it’s no where near as bad as many here would have you think.

I think the adage “The Grass is always greener…” has taken root on the Ranger boards..

This is poetry.

Thank you Sir!

I <3 my Ranger….that is all. =)

I like that you can be grouped and exchange with an enemy. I was running on my Ranger on JQ and got into a nice long 1v1 with a thief….after a pretty drawn out fight I finally dropped him. Once stomped I saw a group invite from “Stormbluff Isle Invader” and I accepted.

First message I got was “how are you spec’d, I played a lvl 80 Ranger in WvW and I could never of beaten a Thief with a bow spec” (I’m Gimpy LB/SB spec’d)

We exchanged spec ideas for a few minutes, un grouped and went on our separate ways. being able to interact with enemies kind of humanizes the person across from you and makes the game a little more engaging. At least from my perspective.

As a former DAoC player I always liked getting to know the guys you fought regularly, sadly VN boards were the only medium to do it. Having the option to do it in this game adds to it as long as its not abused for other purposes which are legitimate concerns.

Though not a One or Two button WIN class there is a lot of good to be said about the class. Steady and consistent if not spectacular damage from range while constantly moving has its merits.

I run a completely ranged Bow Ranger (AKA Gimp spec) and have a ton of fun with the class regardless of role..PvE, WvW, Dungeons. I have never been denied participation in any game content based on my class. In the end its about having Fun and like anything else…it will be what you make it….

As far as WvW I dare say I enjoy as much if not more success than the regular friends and guild mates I play with who all are playing “vastly superior classes” if I were to use feedback on the Ranger boards as a benchmark.

Do yourself a favor, play the class the way you want to. If you enjoy it then disregard all the feedback you see here and don’t look back. If you don’t enjoy it try something else. Don’t allow all the negative spin on these boards to discourage you from playing the class as it’s no where near as bad as many here would have you think.

I think the adage “The Grass is always greener…” has taken root on the Ranger boards..

Small man and Solo Roaming will net you more badges….I only Zerg surf about 10% of the time and that’s if we happen to be going in the same direction…

5500 career WvWvW Kills and ~ 1500 badges earned so far (Gift of Battle, 2 Accessories and 320 of so banked)

It’s a little too random for my liking but competing with 30 guys on the same target wont help your chances

Adric.6824:

Vid works now; disputing notice must’ve done the trick (I’m in Western US, btw).

Great vid. Nice harmony between SB/LB (the barrage bombs are cool).

Cool it worked

Glad you enjoyed the Vid.

I run a very tanky build (no button pressing for defense, static tankyness)

Some have liked it, check out video in my Sig to see if it’s something you would like to try.

It’s not a FoTM condition based build and uses both bows…and has been pretty fun thus far.

Adric.6824:

For some reason, YouTube gives the following error message: "This video contains content from WMG and Warner Chappell, one or more of whom have blocked it in your country on copyright grounds. "

It uses Led Zeppelin for the Soundtrack, if you’re in Europe it may be blocking you. I know of both Americans and Canadians who had no issue viewing it with the soundtrack.

Bummer = (

Try now, I disputed the Copyright notice and I dont have the warning now…might work.

Agadar.4931:

Nature’s wrath is horrible for a bunker build. There are far better traits out there suitable for a bunker build.

Nature’s Wrath is the passive 25 pointer on your way up, it’s not spec’d but you get it by default if you go 30BM

Thats’s odd. Link should work

Click link in my Sig.

If you like the idea of Full bow non-condition Damage I run a very tanky setup…3K Armor 20K + Hits

Check Sig for Vid and Build info in vid description.

You are not the only one, I for one run a non FoTM spec/setup and enjoy playing my Ranger quite a bit. Have plenty of success in PvE and WvWvW…

Instead of asking for what you don’t have….try and make the best of what you DO have….learn the nuances and limitations of your class. accentuate the positive and minimize the negative and simply go have fun….after all, having fun is the end goal, AMIRIGHT?

Quote from a guildie who plays a Guardian “I don’t see why everyone on the Ranger boards cries so much about the class. you don’t seem to have any issues from my perspective”

….and I run LB/SB. =/

LB/SB is viable, play what you enjoy, if you find a way to make any weapon combo work for you why not? There will always be FoTM specs….does that make them the only spec? No…..do what you have fun doing..

see Sig below for Full Bow Ranger Solo Footage…

Or you can be a sucker for punishment like me and run….WAIT FOR IT….BOTH BOWS!

For those PM’s asking exact setup, I finished my suit completely last week and have run steady as follows.

0/20(I/X)/30(III/IX/XII or XI)/10(VI)/10(VI) Spec. All 12 Slots (except weapon) P/T/V including jewelry, Runes of the Ranger in Armor and Exquisite Ruby Jewels in all trinket slots. Zerker Weapons with Sigils of Flame.

For the 30 WS traits if I run Signet of the Wild I have the 30 Empathic Bond spec’d, If I run Signet of Renewal I run Barkskin.

Raven/Owl Pets.

Master Maintenance Oil and Curry Butternut Squash Soup

Gourry.3951:

I liked the video. Led Zep is a great choice, though I woulda gone with Kashmere or Immigrant Song.

Thanks man, The Remix I posted this morning is Led Zep (Can you really pick a bad LZ Song?!?) but the guy who flamed the music was talking about the original that had A Perfect Circle for the soundtrack…my kids listen to the Dubstep stuff, I’m a middle aged Rock n Roll fan =)

vitigis.4160:

He doesn’t know good music. Maybe you can put out an alternative version with Kattie Perry or something….

Gratz on doing well with that horrible combination of weapons though. nicely done.

Appreciate the response, especially regarding the music, for a moment I thought I was gonna have to hit up my 19 year old daughter for some of her WUB WUB music.

Yeah, it’s not the best weapon combo. But! I wanted to make it work as it’s how I saw my Ranger in my mind’s eye and I’m kinda stubborn. =)

EDIT: I need to delete my Fraps footage so I have decided to Remix my first two Vids into one and show only Xv1 and put some simple editing to it. Will update the link for the composite Vid shortly. All the footage within the last 30 days.

Music is subjective Sir….

I run a non FoTM spec, no condition/healing/BM/Sword/GS. So what if a 1v3 are not all lvl 80? All 1v1s in the Vid are Full 80….

For the record I have seen your previous posts and took note that you rarely if ever have anything positive to say…

I personally find the Bow Ranger a fun way to play, I synergize with raptors as best I can for spike DPs and concentrate on my own survival. There is a lot to be said for constantly dishing out damage at range while moving.

Just some WvWvW footage from the last month or so of various 1vX fights while I roam waiting for guildies to log in.

Full Archer Long Bow/Short Bow Ranger. Full credit goes to my faithful raptors Bish Slap and Donkey Punch

As the title indicates, Gimp but Determined…..hope ya enjoy it.

Cheers,
Kaloria

HD YouTube Stream: http://youtu.be/eRb1GK4Gt6M (edited to compilation 1vX Vid)

Spec/Setup: http://tinyurl.com/c7rqmab

• EDIT: I need to delete my Fraps footage so I have decided to Remix my first two Vids into one and show only Xv1 and put some simple editing to it. The new link above is for the compilation Noob Stomping Vid and has repeat footage from my first Vid. All the footage within the last 30 days.

I run a LB/SB survival build. Mostly because I am stubborn and its how I envisioned my Ranger from the beginning.

Spec Varies but constants are 30WS-20MM…the remaining 20 points are in NM/BM while I figure out which combos I prefer.

I run Soldiers Gear from Head to Toe (including Trinkets and weapons) I use Runes of The Ranger and have Zerker Jewels in all Trinkets.

Approx final totals: 19xx Power/40% Crit Rate/53% Crit Damage/19xx Toughness/21,500-23,500 hits contingent on spec in NM. (With Curry BNS, Master Maintenance Oil)

~ 3000 Attack
~ 3000 Armor

Pets are Owl/Raven or Eagle/Hawk for their burst.

I have put a video together of some clips over the Holidays, first song just some 1v1 and the second song is all 1v2s

Gimp But Determined – Trials of a Bow Ranger: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL243RilUGA

Not the easy road but being a Full Bow Ranger in WvWvW has worked for me and I enjoy it…if you are looking for 1 button Wins it is NOT the build to do, if you like being able to deal with adds and not crumpling like paper you may enjoy this =)

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fMAQJAVTjIVR2BWKWs2Bili90n2jMJpzzUcIGVyuKA

With a little variance as I try out different trait combos.

Use Eagle and Hawk for 6 second F2 Timers since I swap em out often.

Gear (trinkets as well) is all P/T/V with zerker Jewels, Dolyak Runes, Sigils of Flame and simply outlast my enemies as they ignore my Birds who are doing consistent if unspectacular damage on them.

I chose Signet of the Wild over Sick Em as I gain the Regen when its not active and the enlarged/stability buff for the pet does “almost” as much damage.

That bad huh….

= (

= )

LB/SB here and though not optimal it works if that’s the playstyle you want to pursue

Nice work Xsorus,

it works quite well with Eagle/Hawk (6 second F2 timer) using Sick Em/Signet of the Wild and Sick Em/RaO rotation as well. ; )

Sigil of Fire on my LB and Sigil of Earth on SB

Eagle/Hawk for DPS….6 second F2 Cooldowns make me happy as I swap out pets often for Quickness so allows a couple of F2 attacks per swap.

You can always use Karma to buy a full P/T/V Armor (only legs need dungeon runs, Ascolonian IIRC) and use Knights Jewelry then season to taste with spec/weapon/orbs and Sigils

My Ranger is at 2000 Toughness/3000 Armor with Attack ~ 3100 and Crit Dam ~43% using above gear setup, Crit rate is a little low but when I use Nourishment (Master Maintenance Oil/Curry Butternut Squash Soup) Crit rate becomes respectable (46% or so) and Crit Damage goes to 53%

…though I have recently bought an Emerald Pendant and 2 x Nightmare Coils which give me P/T/V…not going more tanky but it allows me more spec flexibility without losing survival

Shiftnox.4957:

Haha! I wish my shark had his f2 move that would be awesome. I name him Landshark and people wanted to know where I charmed it at.

“Honest mamn, I’m only a dolphin”

DUM DUM DUM DUM DUM DA DUM DUM!

=)