Guild Wars 2

I think this skill deserves new condition on it!

I did it on my ranger with LB/GS without any problems. Why do you need evades on LB? O.o Endurance is totaly enough for this fight.
And when I got caught in bubble 2 times in a row: first one I just left thanks to CC redirect to my pet, and 2nd one I stood inside just using block on GS.

Aden Celeste.3650:

Im pretty sure some wise-guy will say Im playing ranger wrong, and although I was the last to survive the fight, I wasn’t able to contribute much to the team other than count as another target for bosses like lupi.

So yeah, you wrote topic to just whine, and anyone who give you advice/diagree is wrong?

Guanglai Kangyi.4318:

That means that, yes, when you are in WvW shooting a guy from the walls with a longbow and you see a warrior running at the zerg with an axe, you’re actually hitting for more than he is.

What about our pet, wasting time on wall? The stupid bag of fur won’t help there, and even if it could, it’d die in few secs.

Just give it like 5 or 10% chance to refresh on crit and I’m happy.

Paz Shadow.9715:

3-4k auto longbow attack at 1500 range.

At 1000+ actually.

Personally, I don’t like glass cannon builds, because in WvW they are free rally. Usually when I meet GC rangers, I kill them faster than they kill me, so I’m not sure if the tradeoff is good.

Tbh in many games there was no need to make ranged simply weaker. In some MMOs it was actually harder to stay at distance than follow and bash and for more dmg you paid with lower defences (logical imo).
Ofc, this discussion won’t change anything – GW2 design is what it is, and even if we don’t like it, we can only accept it or search for other game.

SynfulChaot.3169:

Class balance is not handled by the Living Story teams. More story content should not be held back until all classes are perfectly balanced. If that were the case they’d never be able to do more story content.

And this does come from someone who still does main a ranger.

Then I’m afraid we’d never see new content. In GW1, even with no new gear tiers or increasing lvl cap, they were doing balance changes till the end. Some of them were very big, like totally changing effects of elite skill (and elites there were “cores” of builds).

Nope Chopps, I just gussed :p You know, it was 50% chance

Ryan.8367:

It’s a zerg weapon at best and has no place in a 1on1 situation at all.

http://youtu.be/qkfnMd3yreg
Depends who you fight

darkace.8925:

Thanks for the results. I wonder what the disparity between GS and LB times would have been had you spec’d for greatsword instead of longbow.

Not that big I guess. 5% less dmg with LB and 5% more dmg with GS. Maybe 1 more maul.

Ryan.8367:

won’t be used by anybody except people who are delusional enough to take it out into a 1on1 combat situation or go zerg with it.

So, everyone who uses weapon because it gives him most fun (and that is the only reason most of us play this game) is delusional? I played WoW for 6 years and had fun with constant race to top DPS on recount, now I kitten it and I have same fun, does it make me less valuable player? You can watch my movie (first few mins is boring) linked in sig and try to understand not everything is about gaining edge. Beating average and some good players (who underestimated LB ranger) is enough for me, tho I’m aware of my weaknesses.

I just made some tests (for myself, but why not share?). Used my build (coz, as I said, this test was for me), divinity runes, sigil of fire on both weapons, zerk ammy with soldier gem and kept flanking and endurance bonuses. 5 test per weapon. Pet on passive. Trairs on screenie. Target: stationary heavy golem.

weapon (skills used) times – avg.time

LB in melee range (1., 2., 3.) 14/13/12/15/11 – 13,0 s
LB 1000+ with 2. (1., 2., 3.) 10/10/11/12/12 – 11,0 s
LB 1000+ no 2. (1., 3.) 11/11/10/10/9 – 10,2 s
GS (1., 2.) 9/13/10/9/8 – 9,8 s

As I used 5% LB dmg, GS advantage would be slightly bigger. Also, stop saying LB needs "1200" or “max range”. For max dmg it needs 1000+ and it’s huge difference (especially considering why ppl say about SB nerf ).

So yeah, GS deals more dmg. It’s sad considering it’s more defensive weapon. On the other hand, the results leave LB in “meh, ok” place as a ranged weapon imho. It needs buff (asap! lol) but it’s not as tragic, as some ppl want others to belive.

And yeah, I’m going to continue running my LB/GS build, waiting for buffs. I’m used to being in such position (my luck to MMOs…)

@edit
Why is part of my post underlined, when there is no tags for it? O.o Can’t remove it wtf…

Holland.9351:

Yes I think everyone agrees that the shortbow change was very wrong. You might expect it to happen in Open Beta, but not 1 year after game release. Either they have to tell us that Rangers are still in the Open Beta phase or limit their sPvP nerfs to sPvP.

I take it you never played GW1…

Stooperdale.3560:

There is no need to turn the longbow into a skirmish weapon. The shortbow is the skirmish weapon. The longbow should be there for big warfare and the design suits that.

This.

Also:
- Fix the current animation bug (using autoattack, the ranger no longer picks the arrows).
- Fix the nearly-one-year-old-bug with the missing/obstructed/invulnerable attacks.
- Upgrade arrow speed a bit more.

This too. Just really fix animation, not like SB one :/

What I’d want:
1. – Max dmg at all distances, but some other reward for keeping range. Maybe cripple or some boons? Just imagine giving might to all allies around target when you shoot from 1000+. Finally reason to use ranged in PvE!
2. – I know how weak it is, but I can’t imagine losing my stealth-tracking skill :/ Maybe make CD bigger and casting time 2x faster? Then it’d be proper burst skill (and something to shoot fast is useful for LB when you want to get rid of some defensive stacks, or force sigil proc).
3. – Look down
4. – Add effect so it only KDs (not KB) enemies that are at 750+ range (make max ranger 1200/1500). Add effects of Hunter’s Shot.
5. – More dmg, longer cripple (so it can stack some serious duration). Cast on move. Shorter cast. Maybe shorter CD?

New 3. – Some blast finisher. Naybe a “power shot” that you aim like warriors GS whirl attack (“arrow” targeting). That pierces everything on its way and blasts all fields it passes?

Good idea. 100% on SB 1. would be too much imho, but 50 or 75% should work. I can’t imagine them adding blast finisher to bow (and we are speaking about bows/axes here), so any buff to our ability to participate in combos is good idea.

Maybe your mail box is full?

gawker.8340:

Rangers died on June 25th 2013.

I hear this sentence every update…

Considering how many ppl said they are leaving ranger/game since I’m watching it, I expect to be the last ranger soon Would be fun.

Onshidesigns.1069:

Hall of Monuments still exists in GW2. So why not update it for GW2 players also.

Because it still can make ppl buy GW1

On topic: YES PLZ PLZ PLZ!

No LB? It’s not like last update made it fully working weapon in all aspects of game :o (actually, it’s still far from optimal everywhere, but WvW).

stale.9785:

Fade.1743:

What I don’t get is why people are complaining that melee>ranged. In EVERY MMO that I raided and did PvE in, ranged>>melee in terms of DPS. Besides bringing one or two for specific buffs that were needed, there was rarely any need for melee.

This is a better system. Melee is SLIGHTLY ahead. Yes, SLIGHTLY…not the dam lightyears people make it out to be. In my Longbow build, there are a lot of fights where my ranged does more damage (but I have to have full endurance, be at 1000+ range, flanking and have Frost spirit out). I did finally get to see a lovely 13.5k crit today on a Jade Maw tentacle without the Frost Spirit…mmm

50-100% more is “slightly”? Dude. The only way my ranged damage approaches my melee damage is if I’m 1) at 1200+ range, 2) have full endurance, 3) flanking, and 4) attacking an ambient creature.

Lonbow attacks in my build, at max range, are ~800-1500 damage. Swap to greatsword, and suddenly have 1200-2100 damage. No change in stats (all weapons are berserker) not like I’m suddenly eating food before whacking away with my greatsword. It’s flat out more damage. Significantly so. The weapon skill coefficients guarantee it will be.

This applies to all melee vs. ranged weapons, mind you, but is far, far worse on the ranger, where our damage is kitten in the first place.

Something is wrong with numbers or you compare them on other targets. While my GS deals dmg like yours, my LB makes 2-3k dmg.

stale.9785:

Fine, 27-32% reduction on auto attack, up to 50% reduction on skills. It doesn’t change the fact that the pet produces 40% of our damage. That means every ranger, regardless of build, now does 30-50% less damage than they did a few days ago.

No, because the pet (cat) that got 50% nerf on 1 skill, didn’t get nerf on auto attack. Some pets even got dmg buffs, so not every ranger does less dmg and surely not “30-50%” less (actually, even with dead pet you wouldn’t do 50% less, coz, as you said, they are up to 40% of our dmg lol).

If you ever played any MMO (esp. first GW), you should know everyting can change. They can (and one day surely will) nerf your build, weapon, whole class. Other time they will buff. If making some item gave guarantee it will never be changed, then ANet would never make ANY balance. (for example I could cry LB buff destroyed animation and I’m unhappy with Kudzu).

darkace.8925:

Einlanzer.1627:

You realize the reduction to the aftercast and increase in arrow flight speed alone means Longbow is doing about 25% more DPS than it was before.

Which is immediately offset by the 50% damage reduction given to my pet.

Only ONE skill, on 20 sec CD, got 50% nerf. Rest were a lot less. Stop behaving like bad journalists -.-

The problem isn’t ranger (ok, it is problem too lol), but whole stupid design of melee dmg > ranged dmg. I know there is no split between melee and ranged classes like in most games, and the system rewards changing between two, but it’s still stupid I cant go full ranged without losing dmg.

Still, using LB/GS and it works. LB makes up for lower dmg with 100% uptime on moving target, while melee weapons (GS in my case) lose some against kiting enemies.

Thanks to 4 [Hot] from 4 [MM] for fight near south sentry at Dzag BL

Fury and swiftness on weapon swap got 9 sec CD ( added 2 updates ago iirc).

Great idea OP! But I’d prefer to see as GM trait in skirm tree.

Einlanzer.1627:

Aioros.4862:

Einlanzer.1627:

Lol at how my second post addressed the flood of loons citing the description and they’re just incapable of reading/processing it.

Don’t brag, you’re no Nostradamus, it’s only natural that when people are right they mention the one irrefutable evidence that they are right.

Oh, it’s totally refutable. Unparalleled means unmatched. And Rangers are unmatched in archery because they are the only class that uses both bow types, and each type has a different role and skill-set, giving rangers greater tactical options with bows than any other class has by far.

Ok, assuming I’ll follow your way of thinking. Ranger is the class with best options for ranged combat (best = most, nerf/buff can happen anytime). So why isn’t it THE archer class? It’s not like being dedicated marksman cripples your melee (outside of balance issues).

Einlanzer.1627:

Lol at how my second post addressed the flood of loons citing the description and they’re just incapable of reading/processing it.

All classes have similar offensive potential at any range they have access to (all classes have access to 900 and all but Thief at 1200). The difference between the classes in terms of specialization is in versatility, not power. And Rangers are the clear winner there.

You people have no idea what you’re talking about.

And why do you think you interpretation is the right one?

Anet shows ranger as archer class → ppl looking for archer class play ranger.

What’s the problem? Because someone on forum connected profession name with range? I’d understand if you were GW1 assassin and someone wrote the 3 first letters define your class, but here idk what’s your problem.

Einlanzer.1627:

Terkov.4138:

WTF AGAIN?!
GW2 is made by ppl who made GW1. In GW1 ranger was only class using bows. If GW player wants to play archer, he will roll ranger. Is it so kittening hard to understand?
Thieves SB shooting funny spirals or warriors napalm launcher aren’t interesting options.

Yes, again- We’ll try one more time. Rangers can be archers, but they can also be things besides archers, and other classes can also fight at range. The statement “unparalleled archers” refers to their flexibility at range, not their power.

And? Then why do you feel some need to teach ppl? If they rolled ranger to be archers, they will be archers, and will cry for buffs for archer-like builds. Should I also make topic “Ranger doesn’t mean zookeeper”?
Not to mention, ranger class in GW2 was supposed to be 2 classes earlier: marksman and warden – it clearly shows the archery part of it.

WTF AGAIN?!
GW2 is made by ppl who made GW1. In GW1 ranger was only class using bows. If GW player wants to play archer, he will roll ranger. Is it so kittening hard to understand?
It doesn’t matter what it means in lore. What matter is that, ranger is closest to archer archetype and it’s the only choice for ppl, like me, who always play bowman/archer/marksman/etc.
Thieves SB shooting funny spirals or warriors napalm launcher aren’t interesting options.

Agree with most of above. My share:

• Longbow in small scale PvP. Do they plan to make it better for it?
• Ranger in groups. Any plans for some easy accessible group support, without making whole spec for it, and still being ‘meh’ compared to other classes?
• Pets. Any plans for new kind of pets? Like support ones, more ranged ones, etc.
• Bow trait merging. Why didn’t they merge some of: Eagle Eye, Piercing Arrows, Quick Draw?
• Overall dmg. Any plans to make ranger deal more dmg? After pet nerf, maybe ranger buff?

Blobs? More numbers? Better nights?

Who the kitten cares? If you want equal fights go s/tPvP. If I want, I can gank, build 20 golems or bunker with ACs. Coz I can. This is how this game is designed, and if it’s not fun for you then don’t play it. Crying and raging here won’t help.

Don’t understand me wrong: I really like WSR and BT also surprised me (in a positive way), but that doesn’t mean I won’t answer to a kitten, with a kitten.

About [Lion] recruiting on other servers… I guess saying “sorry for them” doesn’t help much. As server/community, we don’t have any options to deal with such behaviour. Hope you guys understand :/

Sure, but then I’ll need another thing: a way to make my pet perma dead.

Hi. Quick question: If I hid my infinite gathering tools in bank and then deleted character who is “owner”, would they become usable for other character?

irishhaf.1692:

I do not have an answer but… last I heard our pets were 40% of our DPS (roughly) and the best dps pet just took a 50% dmg nerf… I dont see how you can reach the conclusion to effectively nerf ranger dps by 20% that seems like wild over kill.

I guess it has something to do with increasing LB autoattack speed by ~20% (so also it’s dps). After all they moved dmg from pet to ranger IN SOME WAY xD

But yeah, bad joke.

Shiren.9532:

Toby.2357:

OP is clearly not a ranger, no ranger in their right mind would say that. I bet there are no devs who actualy play a ranger class, Id like to see them keep a pet alive in pvp or dungeons.

The balance devs should be required to pug as a ranger through a random dungeon each day before they can do anything else in game. We might see some decent PvE patches after that.

No, they’d just nerf others

Yes, I’m happy as ranger.

Yes, I’m aware of ranger problems compared to other classes.

Yes, I’m going to play ranger, no matter if they got buffed or not. In worst case scenario I’ll get interested in other MMO that will have better options for archer-like class (tho, other MMO would need to have some other advantages over GW2 first).

Tumult.2578:

Trying to be positive but I don’t really expect there will be any rangers left by July.

I’ll stay on my ranger I use LB and pets only for CC (yes, and I don’t give a kitten about being UP – I play for fun, and I have fun with my build), so todays update was nearly pure buff for me.

This buff is not enough, but I surely wouldn’t call it “worthless” O.o

Bear was always useless

This is not topic to say how you hate nerf to pet dmg.

Hi.
As we all know, nearly all pets got their dmg nerfed. Has anyone already tested it? From my quick tests (I just got back home from 12h at uni, so I’m not able to do anything more :p ), it seems spiders (they got small boost, but more importantly, they weren’t nerfed) are very close to dog or drake (without F2) dps. Does the fact that spiders are ranged, make them somehow more useful now? I tested it on stationary golem and I belive their dmg would look even better against “normal” targets. Don’t forget it’s still CC pet!
Another topic are birds. F2 got heavily nerfed, but the auto attack looks interesting now. Need more tests on it, as I never used birds, and I don’t know if long animation is problematic or not (on the other hand 300 range )

Any more ideas?

Chopps.5047:

Ya they really nerf longbow hard right now. You can’t even use longbow on the clffside fractal. I’m not joking: every single attack bugs out and goes invulnerable. So if you can hit a harpy, but a harpy can’t hit you: invuln. Even if you close the gap so you are in range of harpy: invuln.

What the hell is the point of having 1500 range on longbow if you can’t even use it on cliffside? And now they want us to use longbow more? Shortsighted if you ask me. Fix bugs then change weapons IMHO.

Yeah! AC burrows are “obtructed” since… always xD

Btw. cliffside is one with colossus, harpies are in asura fractal. Unless I forgot sth?

I’m not going to prove anything. Sorry I tried to help. Just remember about me when update is out.

Answer about ranger traps: they don’t trigger on downed enemies.

@Durzulla
They are real. Some things can change just before 25th, but mostly they are true. Trust me

Did you, oh masters, even try to immob downed ele? I don’t know what’s your condi duration, but with +30% my immob (muddy terrain) runs out before his mist form ends and if he has at least half of brain, he dies close enough to doors so this time is still enough to get inside. Not to mention CAST TIMES on immobilizes (at least all ranger ones) that make it simply impossible to hit ele who presses 2. as soon as he notices he is going down.

Inverted.7439:

Actually playing>doing the math. You could say LB is stronger then SB but in game, i’m sure your minds could be changed. I do appreciate all the work you’ve put into making this though.

I actually agree on the first part Now all calculations show SB is stronger, but somehow I’m doing better with LB.

Add that Eagle Eye also adds +5% dmg. Not big, but every bit matters.

Aylpse.6280:

Rangers aren’t getting buffed. Every other class is. If you consider the LB a buff, you are a fool. Arrows fly a little bit faster.. woo… so helpful on a class without a viable power build.

BUT! My “LB spirits and bear” build will at long last be top dungeon spec! And they said I was bad! HA!

They also reduced aftercast on 1. from 5. to .25s, that means ~20% dps boost on spamming 1.

@topic: what 50%?! ONE skill got 50% nerf, others were less, so don’t try to behave like journalist.

Dardamaniac.1295:

It alls comes down to personal choices..You dont know how the meta will evolve since we are just geussing now..You can stop playing Ranger,i wont.I wont cause i really like to test a support build,i really want to test Longbow,i really want to test Axe 4,i really want to test new traits,i really want to test spirits…All these things were bad for a long time…
Pets getting nerf?I can live with dat

+1

I have mixed feelings about the notes.
On one hand, I’m happy with some LB love and making pets smaller % of our dmg. On the other hand, LB buff isn’t exactly what I hoped for (tho if I’m right spamming autoattack will deal 20% more dps now) and the dmg we lost due to pet nerf didn’t come back anywhere, so we will (mostly) deal less overall dmg.
Trait changes are good, but the only one I really wanted – merging some of bow traits – didn’t happen.
SB nerf is bad balance-wise, but imho it fits this weapon. It was stupid short bow had max range in game (only traited LB has higher).

My only problem is, what pets use now. Who knows, maybe now even spiders dmg will be “ok”? xD

Speaking about BM being OP: it was. Not as much as some ppl think, but it was stronger than it should.

And what about engi? Mesmer? Necro? Guardian? The only skill I really like is ele 2.
Rangers have some advantages: our 2. has no LoS or range limits, so you can use it to tag enemies anywhere (few times rallied this way). Lick Wounds is good… when it works.