Guild Wars 2

Agree with unspecified.

I am hoping for a complete overhaul of ranger shouts.

It will get chosen in its current position since its only competing with bleeds on crit and spike trap on rez…

The might duration is too short.

You’re not going to spend a long amount of time below 50%, especially with the change to Bark Skin.

You’re either going down, or healing back up. I honestly don’t see this proccing more that once. Why would you even want it to proc more than once?

I do see some synergy with zephyer’s speed, beastmaster’s might, brawler rune, and battle sigil though.

-50% HP → MDG → Heal → pet swap → weapon swap → burn SotH → Maul

That’s an instant 14 stacks of might for your 150% damage Maul.

Bran.7425:

I almost forgot the mention the issue of the ranger is kind of stuck design wise as the illegitimate love-child of warrior and thief that they left in the wood and who’s only friends are the pet and those weird elemental tree ghosts.

The ranger overlaps too much with archetypes of thief and warrior and so it kind of feels like the ranger can’t have nice things as because of the existence of warrior, thief, and the pet.

Lolololol

Rangers are getting access to more blast finishers, and more might stacking.

I would say it is incorrect that we can’t provide boons as well as other classes. Seems to me that with the new traits a celestial ranger can operate in a similar way to ele.

Yeh seems like a bad place to put it.

http://www.guildwars2guru.com/news/960-class-balance-philosophies/

It was said a long time ago though, so its probably not the official stance any more:

http://dulfy.net/2014/06/13/gw2-june-13-balance-philosophy-dev-livesteam-notes/

Regardless I think that role is better suited to ranger/BM than warrior.

mistsim.2748:

so buff IB by giving it a condi cleanse too and leave in Nature Magic, remove EB, problem solved?

I like this. I think something like 2 conditions removed for you and allies, plus the heal. Or even remove the heal.

This combined with SoR would make ranger a stronger condition remover than Shoutbow War.

Shoutbow goes against ANETs own design philosophy for the class (warriors have to rely on others for condi clear) so I would like to see this role move to Ranger.

Because it is perceived that ppl pick thieves over rangers because they have boon strip.

Its currently our fastest acting heal, so any nerf to the cast time would be a nerf to our healing overall.

However if the cast time on heal as one is shortened on account of it becoming a shout, then I can live with it.

This might actually be good for build diversity.

The fact that you can currently take zerk ammy and still have 1500 toughness is the reason things like knights and cavalier are useless.

This should make make other amulets viable by giving you no other way to get the stats you need.

How about just less crap?

In current meta melee rangers would compete with thief as a side-point fighter.

You would be equally/more mobile on the ground and be slightly less glassy.

However thief has vertically mobility, boon strip/sharing, stealth, and more damage.

It doesn’t have any place in the current meta. Who knows what will happen with HoT though…

With inconsistency of pet attacks landing I would prefer current EB over that.

But I don’t want EB either, I want another on demand option. Remove 2 on pet swap would do the trick. That plus evasive purity and healing spring is all you would need.

mistsim.2748:

Peters said to the pet, tooltip said to the ranger.

regarding offhand range, that’s probably going to become baseline buff.

That would be the new, worst gm trait that we have.

A number of the traits they didn’t change are the ones no one ever takes…

Pretty much all consistent damage modifiers are pve skills.

borya.2964:

Levetty.1279:

borya.2964:

protective ward give protection to your pet only.

Did they say that? the pic of the trait doesn’t mention pet only.

Well, its pretty fuzzy right now. Also did someone notice that all our new off-hand weapons traits loose the increase range from the actual off hand training ? dagger and torch with no range anymore, really ?

I haven’t seen anywhere that it only gives protection to your pet.

That would also be inferior to the guard skill which already does this. I would be amazed if it doesn’t give protection to the ranger.

TheFantasticGman.9451:

According to that interview Jon Peters gave it’s going to be a CC/Support weapon, not DPS… So, I expect the Druid utilities & traits to also be CC/Support… So… Unless the Druid mechanic does something wonderful with the pet mechanic, like replace it with a not-pet mechanic, I won’t be using the Druid elite special at all.

Toxsa.2701:

10% damage is overrated.
I’d rather take Quick Hand for 8 second cd barrage for more Aoes.
In none dungeon situation, double RF is more useful than consistent 10% damage because mobs die fast.

Sure, 10% more damage is overrated if your goal is not to kill something.

Again, in open world PVE it doesn’t matter what you run, virtually anything is viable and works given enough time.

They already confirmed that pet will still be druids class mechanic.

Vigorous spirits is baseline, so its not gone.

I agree tho, spirits that can’t move just sound like crap turrets.

So far it sounds like a nerf to traps when what they needed was a utility buff…

People have been saying it for a long time now. Traps need some sort of on demand stun break or utility…

LughLongArm.5460:

nagymbear.5280:

I’ve seen some 6-6-6 builds, but the specs are a bit unclear to me. Does this mean, that you can trait only into 3 lines in the future and spend 18 intead of 14 when this is introduced? The Ready up didn’t talk about it (at least the parts I’ve seen so far).

Yes it does. You can now pick 3 different trait lines but you must invest fully in thouse trait lines. No more – 2-4-2-4 builds, only -6-x-6-6-x .

OK that actually makes it easier.

I’m thinking 4/0/4/4/0

Call of the wild
Oakheart Salve
Companion’s Defense
Wilderness Knowledge
Windborne Notes
Protective Ward

Perma might, swiftness, regen, fury, protection.

Zenos Osgorma.2936:

Sube Dai.8496:

Seems that with only 2 points in Marks, 1 in WS, 4 in NM, and warhorn – you can have perma might, fury, swiftness, regen, and protection…

Yes please!

Biggest downer for me is the position of 2 handed training. Seriously WTF?

Please just give GS AA some love, and trait it in Skirmishing where it belongs.

dont forget the new remoresless only refreshes on every Fury application not Duration extention so going perma boons might be a bad thing if you want a Remoreseless trait line.

That’s ok, predators is a good alternative.

So hang on, do you just pick 3 lines and have to go all the way to GM trait? In other words do you get 12 trait points or 3?

Double call of the wild will be nice for stacking too.

Concussion shot → maul → hilt bash → maul?

rpfohr.7048:

Here are some trait synergies I’m seeing that I’d like to bring into the light.

---

Oakheart Slave – gives regeneration but also -% damage when having regeneration
Combine with Windborn notes so that call of wild gives regen + Call of wild = perma regen and 5% reduced damage

---

Protective ward + Lingering Magic = 9.6 protection + 1 dodge every 12 secs is 2.25 prot + lingering magic = 2.7 Prot 9.6 + 2.7 =12.3 = perma prot

---

Remorseless combos
Weapon swapping for fury or switching pets for fury from call of wild.
Maul combo = hilt bash + moment of clarity + pet swap for fury and OS proc for 25% more damage = mega maul

---

Beastly warden for taunts + hunters tactics and shortbow pew pew for bleeds

---

Oakheart slave -5% damage + Resounding timbre ( regen from shouts )

---

Wilderness knowledge + remorsless

Anyone seeing any more? Right now I’m finding the most synergy with Oakheart salve, I’ll definitely be incorporating that.

Yeh bountiful hunter should work with beastmasters bond, windborne notes, and protective ward.

5 boons = another 5% damage.

So many damage modifiers…ranger pve damage will be very high.

Levetty.1279:

Don’t like Two-Handed training in Beastmaster and I don’t like Survival of the Fittest in wilderness survival as we are now back to having to trait wilderness survival for condi remove just like when we only had Empathic bond.

Also I really don’t like they changed Survival of the fittest’s name.

Yeh that seems like an odd choice. Maybe they have done that for all classes though? Forcing condi removal on one line.

Well, got to complain about something right?

mistsim.2748:

Gotejjeken.1267:

Shortbow is still going to be useless.

you do know that poison now stacks in intensity? and what’s SB #2? you also know that SB has the most ezmode stun/daze in the game, and that you’ll be able to cast it twice consecutively with Quickdraw?

Hmm thats a good point, GS/SB could turn into a stunlock of sorts.

Oh but wait, GS had no buffs and SB is more of a condition weapon that ever

Seems that with only 2 points in Marks, 1 in WS, 4 in NM, and warhorn – you can have perma might, fury, swiftness, regen, and protection…

Yes please!

Biggest downer for me is the position of 2 handed training. Seriously WTF?

Please just give GS AA some love, and trait it in Skirmishing where it belongs.

This change will you give you more control over your stats, because you won’tbe forced to take stats you dont want just to get the traits.

Between food, arm or, weapons and trinkets you will also be able to get the exact same stat combo you have now.

How can someone who has played enough to get 4 sets of ascended armor not realise that?

I’m excited. The trait merges, extra gm trait, and stat point changes should have a big impact on balance.

Nothing like the period straight after a big change like this. Lots of new builds to try.

Pretty much all you need for a BM build is mainhand axe and 3pts into NM for Fortifying Bond.

That means that every time you hit something you are granting your pet 10 seconds of might. Using this you can easily get your pet up 10-15+ stacks of might in a fight. 24 if there are multiple targets.

IMO the only two pet choices are dog/wolf, for AOE CC and knockdowns, or owl/raven for single target burst. A might stacked owl/raven can hit for 5k+ easily.

The Beastmastery line isn’t really worth the investment. Apart from Mighty Swap the traits are terrible, and the stat bonus is very minimal. Might stacking will give way more damage than the stat bonus.

Also invigorating bond is one of the worst GM traits in the game. A 2k heal every 20 seconds is pathetic. Natures Voice by comparison offers a 3k heal every 13 seconds, and swiftness, for your entire group…

Try running 0/0/6/6/2 and you will have both a harder hitting pet, and your own survivability will be much better.

One thing I would just like to say to everyone is after you come up with some crazy A/A power build, go back and try the standard condi survival just as a benchmark.

I did this last night and disappointingly, I was reminded that condi survival is our strongest build by far :|

Eurantien.4632:

I just can’t help but cringe when I read a/a. I can just foresee -> rolling into a team fight -> focus swap to ranger -> ranger dies.

Now now you’ve got a reflect on a 25 second cd that roots you in place…what more do you want?

S/x isn’t too bad for the defensive set. You can always S2, LR, S2 away if you need to.

I’m finding the problem is single target damage in melee range.

Durzlla.6295:

Sube Dai.8496:

ItIsFinished.9462:

@Thread:

I have been following along and taking plenty of notes in regards to what you guys have been discussing. This thread has a lot of solid advice that benefits all players of any skill level.

There isn’t much for me to add in regards to knowledge as everyone has pretty much covered everything. I hope this thread doesn’t die out either. A sticky would be nice too.

The build I discussed with Eura has been changed slightly from the second variation I messaged him in case anyone was wondering.

My final build for solo Ranked is this build: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fNAQNAR8fjEq0yaFLOsQ1aABhaVA0uGS2WwdTcDfdKXqCPFB-TZRHwADOCAp3fIwFBAwDA4YZAA

It has raw damage, condi damage and huge bonfire for extra point pressure and Combo fields using your two leaps. Your Wolf will often get the Fire field Combo off using his leap as well.

It has:

- Mobility
- 1v1 capability
- Team fight capability

When combined with Might stacking through team sources that’s when this build really shines.

I look forward to trying out some of the builds posted earlier in the thread as well.

Like Fluffball I don’t see the wisdom of GS with celestial. A/A would be a much better combo IMO.

Hell GS is so weak I’d take A/A over GS in a zerk build…

A/A is actually extremely satisfying in zerker, sure split blade isn’t as strong, but my god is everything else.

Yeh those might stacked ricochets and PoS at mid are awesome. They also eat mezmers and turrets for breakfast.

The problem I’m having is the alternative set. I’m currently running sword/warhorn but even with air/fire the “pressure” from sword feels low.

I’m actually tempted to go GS for the utility…but wait I hate GS!!!

Rangers need a new mainhand melee…

Sebrent.3625:

Honestly, I’m with Sube Dai, I still am not likely to take it if it was changed to apply more often instead of having the longer duration.

I was just throwing in support for condition re-application being better than longer condition duration.

It would not be a “huge buff” … just a tweaking of numbers.

It would probably have more synergy if predators instinct and predators onslaught were both in skirmishing, so that you have an additional way to proc PO when using a longbow, and you dont have to sacrifice eagle eye or rtw.

ItIsFinished.9462:

@Thread:

I have been following along and taking plenty of notes in regards to what you guys have been discussing. This thread has a lot of solid advice that benefits all players of any skill level.

There isn’t much for me to add in regards to knowledge as everyone has pretty much covered everything. I hope this thread doesn’t die out either. A sticky would be nice too.

The build I discussed with Eura has been changed slightly from the second variation I messaged him in case anyone was wondering.

My final build for solo Ranked is this build: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fNAQNAR8fjEq0yaFLOsQ1aABhaVA0uGS2WwdTcDfdKXqCPFB-TZRHwADOCAp3fIwFBAwDA4YZAA

It has raw damage, condi damage and huge bonfire for extra point pressure and Combo fields using your two leaps. Your Wolf will often get the Fire field Combo off using his leap as well.

It has:

- Mobility
- 1v1 capability
- Team fight capability

When combined with Might stacking through team sources that’s when this build really shines.

I look forward to trying out some of the builds posted earlier in the thread as well.

Like Fluffball I don’t see the wisdom of GS with celestial. A/A would be a much better combo IMO.

Hell GS is so weak I’d take A/A over GS in a zerk build…

Even with the proposed changes I still see this as the weakest adept trait in marks.

Right, back off to reddit then…

Liston.9708:

Already said they weren’t supporting a 4th game mode – so best you can really ask for is a eotm style OS…..

Judging by the state of wvw and PvP I’d day they’re not interested in supporting more than one game mode…

Ahh its like the Spartans declaring war on the helots. Got to show them whose boss every now and then.

They’re idiots. They should have been in os if they want an uninterrupted duel.

Kolly.9872:

I’d like to propose the idea of removing foods from wvw instead

Agree.

/signed

Ascended armor is account bound. You only have to do it once if you want.

Try anonymity hood
Warden’s shoulders
Heritage arms
Heritage chest

Boon removal for pets is nice, albeit a bit unreliable…

Would make a support/bm ranger pretty handy though.

Separate queue!

Marcos.3690:

The main problem with matchmaking in GW2 is that as you improve your MMR instead of fighting with and against better players, you play with worse teammates against the same players.

It does this to try and keep your win rate around 50%, and stop groups of good players from stomping noobs when there aren’t many people online.

I like the supply suggestion.

I think stronghold will give it a good chance, as the existing lol/dota audiences will already understand the game mode.

They just need to give it separate queues and tournaments…