“Observe, learn and counter.”
Search and Rescue doesn’t need to be a res as we already have a brilliant one, it should be revamped into something that prevents deaths. Something like the guardian meditation, your pet (or you) teleport to a nearby player who is low on health and you give them protection and heal them.
Guild Wars currently does not support “target=ally” abilities. Even though the idea is nice – the game is not programmed for it, yet.
My idea would be “Intervene!” that would charge your pet to a selected AoE radius (let’s say… 200?) and apply protection to allies (4s?), weakness to enemies (4s?) and provide a blast finisher. Cooldown could be anywhere between 30-45 seconds.
How does it sound?
The guardian skill does exactly that, you don’t select who you go to but it picks the one with the lowest hp.
Oh… Sorry… My bad.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
Search and Rescue doesn’t need to be a res as we already have a brilliant one, it should be revamped into something that prevents deaths. Something like the guardian meditation, your pet (or you) teleport to a nearby player who is low on health and you give them protection and heal them.
Guild Wars currently does not support “target=ally” abilities. Even though the idea is nice – the game is not programmed for it, yet.
My idea would be “Intervene!” that would charge your pet to a selected AoE radius (let’s say… 200?) and apply protection to allies (4s?), weakness to enemies (4s?) and provide a blast finisher. Cooldown could be anywhere between 30-45 seconds.
How does it sound?
“Observe, learn and counter.”
Greetings, fellow players.
A few days ago, I had an idea of trying out seemly nonviable Melee Power Ranger. (Truth be told, I was bored to hell and wanted to try something new). I didn’t expect anything out of it, I just wanted to have some fun in hotjoin.
But after I was able to win against a DPS guard, a d/d ele, a Fear spam Necro, sometimes even cought at 50% hp – my head melted and I felt the urge to try it in unranked arenas. With very similar results.
This is my 3rd day I’m testing it and of course I have my good and bad match-ups, but I see the potential in it.
I started with Berserker Amulet, but then felt like swapping to Barbarian was more viable. Here is the build I’m currently using (unranked):
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fNAQNBMhFakRlGWLZxlFqWDkHUrCg2HxO0tu/ikIuPY1nH-TZBFwACODAy3fAbZgFHCAAPAAA
Pros:
~Powerful Roaming possibilities
~Extremely tanky
~Can escape with little health
~Huge Healing spike (3 leaps, 1 blast; leaps do not hit the field all of the times tho)
~Loads of on-demand condi-cleanse
~Team-fight viable
~High Tunnel damage potential
~Pet is more effective since he’ll stay next to your target even on passive – easier control
Cons:
~Almost everything is on-demand (no more faceroll passive cleanse or regen spam), track off cooldowns is mandatory
~Doesn’t have a true burst spike
~Doesn’t have stability
~Needs smart use of abilities for situational purposes (e.g. Sword *2 for enclosing the opponent)
______________________________________________________
So while I know the build has flaws, I really do amazingly well with it and felt like I’d share the build with the community to hopefully find and perfect a viable Power Build into the PvP environment.
I’d like to encourage any Melee Ranger Fan to try it out and help me improve it. Any criticism, ideas, opinions are very welcome.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
(edited by Tragic Positive.9356)
This is not necessary, neither sounds balanced.
In reality, you already have 2 traps that do fulfill your expectations. If you are using Spike Trap and Ice Trap – than you’d experience less problems with this matter.
Me myself have been using a Glass Cannon variation of trap ranger in WvW for a while. Using utility instead of Signets. And it payed off a million times. I simply run SotH for roaming, Ice Trap + Spike trap for utility. And believe me.
It’s really rewarding to play smart as Ranger. You don’t always have to request new mechanics. The way of game you seek is already there, it’s just hard to be found.
Of course, Ice Trap deals no damage whatsoever and Spike Trap can be avoided whole, but if it is the stealth you seek – than there are no better traps for this role. You can’t even imagine how Ice Trap is underestimated.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
Your english sucks and you’re also completely missing the point, not surprisingly.
Analyzed as arrogant. No valuable response. Check
That there are more ways to play the game than by the meta and that you can bring a lot of self-support without lacking group support.
There are. But unlike your build – they are not selfish. PvE DPS boost is what rangers are for. Probably the only class with 2 unique party DPS boosters, and you’d go for personal DPS with self-boosts that other classes provide by default FOR THE WHOLE PARTY. Pathetic in it’s sense…
If you want proof try it yourself. Why do I have to provide the facts?
Because I’ve disproved your build ages ago. If you want to claim your results to be better – it’s your turn to actually prove something but I’m afraid →
Probably, you seem naive enough to do so
or how did you try to respond to my statements…?
I could say anything I want and claim it’s “fact” are you going to believe it because I make it sound believable? Probably, you seem naive enough to do so.
Probably. But how is it possible that you are the only one who’s facts are not trustworthy and neglected? Isn’t it because your statements are based on selfish fun and not on maths? A-ha? Ba-dum-ts.
You could have been at least a bit right about my view of facts if you knew that I never blindly back up a statement if I haven’t done my personal research. After all, that’s what scientific schools are trying to teach.
I guess I’ll just have to pay attention to the names and posters. Sometimes I forget that even in GW2 community rude players who do not accept solid arguments show up. It’s discouraging to see people verbally assault anyone who does not agree. But well, it’s not like the game is for mature people only.
Also, it would be nice if you didn’t change most of the subjects of the topic into verbal abuse of how no one but you is perfect.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
I doubt I meet any of the requirements, but if I can be of any help, my theorycraft and experience are at your service.
Are you looking for a Condition based spec (definitely better at survival) or possibly a close-to-viable Power Longbow Specialization? Also, stating your gamestyle (aggressive, patient, safe) would be appreciated, so we can help you with the build that might possibly suit you the best.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
@SpellOfIniquity
The headlight said that the topic is providing tips for dungeons.
Tips that are incorrect for results, are not tips to be either trusted or followed.
With all due respect, not only your build is not efficient enough in comparison to the meta, it doesn’t even fulfill a role that any other class/build could do better.
Which, sadly, means that your build and tips are for nothing else but casual players that play for fun and therefore do NOT NEED any tips whatsoever.
Unfortunately, the 95% of this category are called … How was it … Oh ye, BEARBOWS.
If you want to provide a tip for fun, classify it that way. If you want it to be on par with other “up to date builds” (see how I didn’t use meta?), then you have to bring a proof that supports up your statements.
On the other note, maths is a language that the mature people use for understanding each others’ findings on a TRUSTWORTHY, UNDERSTANDABLE and COMPARABLE basis. If you can’t accept this nature (or understand it), than I sincerely have no idea how do you dare to insult our community fun-less.
If you find fun in literally bothering other players’ lives, using up their precious time, encouraging the rest of the community to copy this behavior, then I hereby declare the wise and friendly part of the community not fun at all.
Because I will not stop helping people get better. And I will keep my eyes wide open for any build or idea that is trustworthy (at which, sadly, maths is the language).
Sorry Sir, but being impolite (mostly rude at that) will not help you raise your reputation. Because being rational is definitely more fun than being an arrogant freak that insults everyone who … Is actually right and provides correct statements.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
(edited by Tragic Positive.9356)
Try this build.
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fNAQRAnY8fnEqQvgWxC+rAVLGQQoWFAtfhktFcPE57PfxPVBB-TZRHwAQLDE4IAI4kAA4BAoe/BA
There’s a heavy condi bombing damage pattern, it has very high survivability, has some nice utility thanks to Entangle, but the problem will always be FearLock Necromancers.
You have limited fear clear and limited condi cleanse. But you are Armor Heavy, and have very high sustain.
Try that build. It worked quite well. It’s almost immortal in the right hands thanks to the bonus Vigor, High Endurance regen, very high healing, and several evade options.
Also, if Axe is not comfortable for you, you can swap Axe+Dagger for Shortbow. It’s more comfortable but has less potential.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
(edited by Tragic Positive.9356)
Ranger has only 1 reliable blast finisher and it’s on a support weapon that very few people use in PvP.
IMO only maul and entangle could be blast finishers.
With Maul as a Blast finisher, GreatSword would immediately become a top tier weapon in every scenario. PvP, PvE… Every power based spec would include one.
And why I say it is because it has Burst Peak potential, and with a 4,5 second cooldown on a blast finisher (everyone would trait it on default, no more off-hand mastery), with almost 25% objective evade uptime and only around 8% damage loss on a single target against 1h Sword – is just way too much to ask for.
This is yet another idea to buff up an already viable way of playing Ranger. But unlike Entangle idea, Maul would be broken.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
isn’t entangle already plenty good anyway? i mean, the reasoning behind this buff would be “it matches the animation” not “it’s weak and needs it”? doesn’t sound like a solid ground for a buff.
i’m sure ranger has utilities that need much more love than entangle.
About this, I agree.
Rangers could use bonus utility in other part of the gameplay than already viable Condi-based spec. Especially Warhorn is … Meh. Damage is low, CD for AoE buffs is long (Blast finisher sticks along with this), and the utility it provides is not even that great.
I’d definitely buff that part of the ranger.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
(edited by Tragic Positive.9356)
Can I safely assume that you are a professional player in very high competitive scenes? “Professional” players don’t even use the builds that “Amateur” players use.
I used to be a high level competitive PvP player in a different MMO. Also a Class Leader of the server’s top guild that held record of over 75% realm first achievements, just as numerous PvP titles, if it’s any important at this topic.
While I do not have that much time to dedicate to it, nor do I have the rank, I still have the theory-craft, statistics, brainstorming and fact formula that can be applied regardless of my rank or experience in this game.
Still, my opinion is that a bonus blast finisher on a 48 (60) second cooldown is not game breaking at all. If it was game breaking, then the Healing Ranger would have to be viable today, even without the blast finisher. Yet, it is not viable at all. Proof? There is literally no ranger playing it, even though it has been considered by several of us.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
Sadly, even though Rangers possess an incredible amount of healing attributes, they have zero viable builds to support this idea.
While we have access to 3 leap procs and 3 blast finishers – that would require GS / Sword+Warhorn build. Which means POWER ORIENTED. One way or another, Power builds are NOT VIABLE for PvP. And for PvE – you want to kill stuff, not to outheal them while NPCs die out of boredom.
So in both PvP and PvE concepts – the build is not viable. Even more so, to make something out of the healing, you’d either need to go for Toughness or Healing power (or both) that takes out any viability in Power Builds even for PvE (Rangers do not have a burst damage. They only have continual sustained damage that is drastically reduced by stats as such – Rangers do not have the active support pattern unlike other Bursty classes that are useful for buffs or utility while their burst is on CD).
A bonus blast finisher would not make the skill overpowered. In PvP you have to use the ability with your IQ, not on cooldown. Which means… You’d really have to think twice about using it for Combo blast. It would really make a difference in very high competitive scene for professional players that would definitely deserve it, or a bonus utility feature for regular rangers, that are playing for utility supportive builds – that does not use entangle for survival or key moments of the battle.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
(edited by Tragic Positive.9356)
Well, I actually tried to do it a few times, usually ending up mid fight where my teammates already begun. Leaving me in a position with the “buffing” traits loosing the whole point of the boost at all.
I found out that keeping my Drake and Warhorn options up my sleeve was perfectly enough. You usually have an Ele for fire fields in your zerk group anyways.
But yep, that’s how Rangers are currently doing. Fitting the meta after all those years.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
Am I the only one who starves for a Raptor Pet?
“Observe, learn and counter.”
Hmmh, I’m not sure.
Well, the video describes the potential very nice. But it shows how you re-equip different weapons, how you retrait post-buffs…
Practically said, it describes neither “raw” unbuffed version of your Burst, it doesn’t show out full potential with full buffs.
It’s a mashup of the highest burst you could show in a video, but then again, you didn’t even flank the NPC – where 10% got lost.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
@mistsim
Some points taken. But I still don’t think that ensuring your attacks to hit the right target has any greater value then having the ability to 1500+ range your target from safety. Since every 100 range in PvP counts as a threat. If they see you – you are dead. That’s what LongBow is about.
- But I do agree that on some maps it’s just not possible to take advantage of such a range. I give you that.
On the sigil of Intelligence – you constantly forget that it makes 3 HITS a guaranteed crit. Not 3 attacks. So if you are against a mesmer – the sigil will disappear on the very 1st autoattack or Leap you make (Sigil will make the 3 numbers you see a crit, so if you’d hit 5 targets, only 3 of them will be hit with a critical strike). Also, if you are fighting a 1v1 and you are using Greatsword (Thief is a legit argument, tho), you are playing the Power Ranger wrong. Also, the maul would miss because of the Blind most of the time against thieves anyways. Counterattack is what kills thieves. Not Maul alone.
I’d still say that a roulette that can make my Maul literally instakill a thief (If maul Crits-usually even the Sigil of Air Procs-usually critting, too) is superior to 100% make a thief almost die and allow him to stealth away again.
If they survive the Maul, they’ll reset and fight you back. And you don’t have anything till your Maul comes on CD again. So it’s basically the same as not critting with Maul and letting them reset and fight you again.
But you know, all these are matter of preferences. Some people prefer pressure to power of probability. While I had better results with my build (tried both) – you guyz might have better with yours.
But I still think that sharing as much opinions might potentially come helpful to someone who tries and finds out for himself =)
“Observe, learn and counter.”
The biggest con:
- You’ll never feel as a hunter.
Ranger is not an Archer. Not for PvP, not for PvE, only viable option for competitive Longbow is WvW.
Biggest pro:
You can be effective at everything you do. You can build a specific PvE way, that boosts your party damage by 14% in unique way (so Might / Fury stacking scales with that buff) and has very potential Tunnel Peak damage.
Biggest con:
You won’t be even close to “good” if you don’t follow those build orientations, or at least their core basis. You won’t even be half viable to other classes.
For PvP – Power is a no-no. But we have plenty of Condi based builds that are more than fine. Immortal Condi Regen, Support Spirit, Heavy Condi bomber…
So ye…
… The pro is that you can do amazingly well, given the time to learn the class.
… The con is that you’ll utterly suck and everyone will hate you (including us) if you stick to the BearBow category.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
(edited by Tragic Positive.9356)
Bow/Hunter/Ranger classes are hated in general. Nothing special out there, go take a look at us WoW forums.
Hunters in WoW have always been hated because they required a very unique counterplay that was different against any other class.
And it was to get under his feet and stay as close to him as possible (if you wanted to stay safe). Which sounded like a braindead idea – and people didn’t do it – so they usually lost to a class that was the weakest in WotLK & Cata datadisks and called it faceroll (Vanilla and TBC used lots of AutoAttacks as damage source. Also, most of the damage came from pets, you just had to run).
Also, Hunters in vanilla were supposed to “pull” the mob fights, and every single hunter wanted to do it, even though they literally sucked at it. Not to mention they draw aggro from the tank, feigned death and boss killed healers 1st.
The reason for hate to Rangers is absolutely different than their fellow class – Hunters.
Rangers are hated because of Bear Bows – which is literally a comfortable way to play a useless class, and also because of Rangers that can’t calm their urge to hit the freaking *4 (Point Blank Shot) that makes elites go far away from the Hit-Range, often wasting most vital or damage dealing abilities.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
@Mistsim
I think the Sigil of Intelligence is a huge waste on a Zerk Amulet build.
Sigil of Intelligence looses most of it’s potential if you already have the Crit Chance.
Also, piercing arrows are not needed for PvP. You’d be better off with Eagle eye. Simply because no.5 is for AoE. Your job in PvP is to force a target down. Not to AoE damage the enemy team. That’s what condi and melee classes are for.
Apart from that, that’s basically one of the very few viable builds that Power Ranger is played into unranked PvP. Some people swap into Runes of Ranger – but as a LB Power Ranger you are supposed to Burst’n’roam. You can’t really stomp a downed player. So the Traveler runes are a very good choice, actually superior to runes of the Ranger.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
I used to rely heavily on spiders, like Sol mentioned, i had to move away from them due to cleansing. Iv’e swapped to devourers for a grace period, and found that their ability to maintain poison (maybe i am just lucky with those 10% procs) is very good. They get 2x 10% chance every auto attack (that is 2x 10%, not 20% incase people wonder. Each hit has individual proc chances). It may not seem like much, but i find that devourers deal decent damage, they maintain exceptionally high poison uptime and their seriously tough. Low crit chance means that Pet’s Prowess is a waste, but Companions Might is very good if using crit heavy build + devourers.
What people constantly seem to miss is that Devourers proc on hit effects with better efficiency. Which means double the might for the Ranger out of RaO than a spider would provide.
Always keep that in mind.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
I’d actually say that the power builds are not that much viable. Frankly. Well, they may be fine, but I wouldn’t say it’s viable for TPvP. For solo queue, it might just work, but against any organized team – you are literally a good-for-nothing target.
Power Builds do NOT support the TPvP objectives by any means. It doesn’t bring CC (you are forced to keep them for staying alive, which is miles away from the real fight), it doesn’t bring buffs, it can’t save (rally) your teammates, it doesn’t soak up damage… It doesn’t do anything except dealing damage, and the damage is not the best of it’s kind, either. And here I’ll mention that to be effective – you have to be in the middle of nowhere – which means NOT defending the points.
Power builds are definitely not a superior way of playing ranger into TPvP. Fun? Maybe, but definitely not efficient.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
Cleric’s is only for bunking right? I mean you’ll never kill anything with it.
Depends. There’s a build that goes into BM and focuses on GreatSword Maul (2) paired with Sigil of Intelligence.
That way you can crit for some nice pressure amounts while also being almost immortal thanks to the Water Field (3 leaps + X blasts depending on Warhorn/Drake choices, which are all viable), nice Condi Cleanse, and sick amounts of evades on both GreatSword and Sword itself (dagger for more utility is also viable).
So basically, ye. You can kill your opponent in a Cleric’s build. It will take time, and it will require rotations and cooldowns – but it’s definitely a viable way to kill people. It’s basically a way to wear people down by staying alive longer than them. Your pets deal stable DPS by themselves anyway.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
How did she get WORSE as she got more experience? This Caithe isn’t the one I remember from the Personal Story.
You mean THE Caithe that you had to constantly resurrect and in the end decided to do the without her?
“Observe, learn and counter.”
Warhorn
- Hunter’s Call – 50% damage increase or applies Vulnerability with each hit.
- Call of the Wild – Reduce the CD to 30, improve the might to 3 stacks.
Axe (Offhand)
- Whirling Defense – Make the skill usable while moving.
Greatsword (The damage out of this weapon is sub-par even in a full Berserker build)
- Auto-Attack, 10-20-30% damage increase.
- Maul – Improve damage. (Even with full Berserker and Hunt+Wild both used with int rune it still hits less the Rapid fire, that’s massive investment for a skill doesn’t even hit hard.
- Swoop – Change the evasion duration to 3/4.
- Counterattack – Improve the damage by 50%, this skill should punish its foe, highly telegraphed so it’s easy to see coming.
Sword
- Auto Attack – 10-20-30% damage increase per attack.
- Monarch’s Leap – 100% damage increase.
- Serpent’s Strike – Improve the range of the attack. If you use this skill it puts you so far out of range of the target it won’t land the poison. The only way is fix the range of the skill.
Traits
- Tail Wind – Should work outside of combat. This will give rangers better mobility which is badly required.
- Trap potency – Also Removes Boons per pulse.
This change is a must, currently Trap Ranger is forced to take 3 traps and loses any type of survival (Stun breaks, condition remove, invon).
- Invigorating Bond – Reduce to 15 seconds CD. Improve the heal to scale up to 2k with Compassion Training traited.
- Strider’s Defense – Change to Reflect’s projectile rather then destroys or this skill will never be used ever.
Totally Agree with Warhorn. I feel like it lacks both support and damage. It only gives a blast finisher on… 35 second cooldown? That’s a disgrace.
Off-hand Axe is clunky. The improvement on no.5 would definitely help. and not make it OP. The DPS is low regardless. I’d be fine to trade Vulnerability Stacks for mobility on this one.
Greatsword is not that bad in damage for the utility it brings. It gives roughly 30% damage mitigation… And Maul has a 6 second cooldown. Damage boost would be fine, but don’t forget that for a semi-hard hitting ability it has a short cooldown. Not sure if it needs that much of improvements.
Onto the sword: Mostly the Monarch’s Leap damage increase is needed. You really feel especially punished for using it offensively. You really should be rewarded for using it in another way than detarget-escape. The no.3 evade is clunky. Needs polishing. I don’t feel the exact need of boosting it’s passive DPS.
Traits suggestions sound fine. The trap Ranger is too vulnerable for the AoE he brings. More offensive or utility power is surely needed. Not the defensive. It must have it’s trade offs.
To sum up: I believe that Power Ranger builds are still kind of fine. Rangers possess tunnel damage. Not Burst Damage unlike other classes. In a long run comparison – Rangers might even outshine other classes, but will not get the chance since the enemy will not live that long in a Zerk Meta (PvE… Power Ranger in PvP is just a no-no).
The steady passive increase on damage might evaluate number problems in maths and stuff, but the quality of life improvements like reliability and Especially Monarch Leap rewarding pattern should step into the world of Rangers.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
(edited by Tragic Positive.9356)
lets assume arenanet would give maul bleeds back and maybe, highly unlikely imo, a blast finisher (would fit the animation tbh) it would have a very good synergy with a celestial hoelbrak build.
Blast finisher is a very bad idea.
Greatsword is one of the best survival oriented weapons even now. With Water field, you get 2 Leap finishers on your no.3 ability, combined with an evade at the end of it, not to mention that no.1 autoattack spam provides roughly 30% damage mitigation with evades by itself.
Could you imagine another 2 Blasts into your water field for a real immortality?
I would really like to give rangers another way of providing Blast finishers, because 1 on a 35 second cooldown is not enough, at all. (Drake pets are unreliable, can’t be counted as a reliable blast finisher).
If some blast finishers were paired into pet abilities like Wolves’ howls THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY USE – that would be a way to go.
But definitely not giving the Maul a blast finisher.
To one more topic issue: I think the Greatsword is currently at a bright position. I don’t think the bleed is needed back. Even more so – the greatsword should give you the “BOOM” feeling. Not the “popcorn wait phase” necro syndrome.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
I can imagine Fire trap to be out of the picture, but the spike,ice and snake traps could stay.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
Nice plays again =)
… The build is definitely better from versatility point of view. Also, tons of times more reliable.
Pet choices are good too, they won’t die much.
There’s only one thing I observed that might help you in future. When you use your “Block” on Greatsword and no one triggers the counter-attack – just throw it at the end of it. The cripple and bonus damage is never a bad thing to have. Especially when you have to close the gap between you. I usually saw you interrupt the block with other ability like Swoop or Maul.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
I actually tested it with my fellow Ranger friend – racing each other with and without the signet. Worked.
(Both with Signet of the hunt and Without)
“Observe, learn and counter.”
@Haematic
I’ll definitely be looking forward to it. Your gamestyle I really do like. Moreover, the whole point of the game is to have fun. It’s not a shame to admit.
I’m playing weird setups from time to time, too =)
About the chasing… I was just wandering, since the video is mostly around 1v1 duels, where loosing your target might as well feel ridiculously discouraging. In XvX you literally don’t care – you simply swap as you said =)
You might, however, feel horrible in XvX since your pet will die more often and you are forced to swap pets on CD mostly.
For the build I typed you in-game… You know I’m lazy, so the stats are not there, but those are already in your mail =) All the strengths and weaknesses will be there, too =)
http://en.gw2skills.net/editor/?fNAQNAR8XnEqQrg2vCOsAXLG4QoYHAHQC8uYX2b21QkxVlIrC-TFDHwAFeAAAuAAKVaMRXQUlgpUVxoyMDHEgAHBgS7PIStCNaEIDAzYA-w
“Observe, learn and counter.”
Weren’t a lot of the rangers ranged auto attack 100% finishers in either a beta or early into launch?
Correct.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
Well, the idea is that traps are offensive abilities.
The SotF basically boosts your defensive potential by even more defense via condi cleanse. The offensive abilities that give you a huge AoE advantage (that has to be considered) would be a no-brainer if they provided a survival trait in one of the most used trait lines.
When thinking of a change from your perspective, always think of it from the enemy’s perspective, as well. If there was a build of AoE condi bomber (this name wields a lot of power by itself) that would have access to lots of removal mechanisms, it could anyday get out of hand.
The condi build needs only 1 stat for the damage, so the others are left for Toughness, Vitality or Healing power – all especially powerful since you have lots of evades in this build (you don’t need to deal damage through weapons – you prioritize on traps thus giving you lots of defensive weapon options).
If trappers should get some attention – it definitely is the utility. Not the defense. And the utility can be obtained through various ways, from which the runes are one of the ways to go.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
I really do like your build and especially your Warthog pet choice.
Earned my appreciation.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
Traps are powerful for AoE scenario even in a tPvP. The sacrifice for it is in the utility. Traps as such are pretty fine as they currently are.
Powerful with an obvious counter. If the enemy can outplay you – you’ll die. If they don’t, you’ll basically force so much condi bombing pressure that there’s no way they’ll trade you out.
An immense condi cleanse on the traps would be too much to ask for, in my humble opinion. They already give the upper hand in teamfights.
I’d actually welcome a Warhorn reconsider.
- ability 4 is coded horribly (can fail as a whole due to obstacles etc. and can also fail part of it due to obstacles… The second part should just go)
- the damage is way too low for the cooldown on it
But as I’m thinking of it – the only thing that traps need is the Superior Rune of the Trapper option in PvP environment. Nothing else is needed.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
I found twice the effective BM build.
No link to a build or anything helpful whatsoever, so good.
I would think it obvious that such a powerful build (created by someone who is clearly a tier 1 player) would be a closely guarded secret!
It stays the secret for passively-aggressive players with sarcastic comments that didn’t ask for any. This thread in particular was created about the build given – and so was my comment and share of knowledge. I was never asked to share any build at all. Nor was I morally responsible for any.
If anything, you are not interested in it. It’s basic knowledge that people with sarcastic or offensive comments like to feel superior and that’s why they target other players. The subject of their topics in those comments is mostly irrelevant.
If you want me to share one – ask for one. Playing smart the wrong way is not always time efficient. My intention was to give insight and provide constructive feedback and criticism that might or might not help the OP.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
To share the general idea.
Every weapon and every pet has it’s use. I use bear in specific situations, and yes, he helps with it’s condition removal. But I don’t use it more than at a specific Dungeon section.
Bear should NEVER be a default pet. Ever. Full stop.
The same goes for the longbow weapon. It has it’s uses, but should never be the only weapon you use.
Expression “Bearbow” stands for rangers that don’t feel the need to be active in the game and get stuck with Bears only and Longbows only, with a build that is self oriented and comfortable, but with pitiful results.
However, I agree that a Bearbow variant is pretty much effective at solo leveling up. But the use of it ends then and there. No place for it in PvE, PvP, WvW, anywhere else.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
Didn’t read most of the comments. Sorry about that.
To get to the point:
Bearbow is an expression for Rangers that are selfish who*es. No exaggerating. Bearbow brings literally NOTHING into the group. No boosts, no utility, no mobility, and not even the damage.
Truth be told, Longbow is still the lower DPS class weapon, BUT has immense tunnel burst through Barrage and Volley. That’s why most meta Zerk builds include Longbow to open on boss fights with Rampage as One through these 2 abilities – deal nice damage, stack pet’s might into 25 immediately, and THEN every ranger swaps to his melee weapon regardless of it being a Greatsword for survival or Sword+Axe/Warhorn for static DPS.
BearBow stands in the middle of nowhere, autoattacking for negative damage almost healing the target, Doesn’t soak up damage that distributes into the party (projectiles and stuff), doesn’t help with water field, and the pet does absolutely nothing. Well, it actually dies to be honest. Also, the Bearbow doesn’t benefit from any melee traded boons.
Bearbow has always been horrible, and always will be. There’s no debate over this topic. Bearbow is something that made people hate us respectable Rangers – just as it made Rangers hate their fellow Bearbow class-mates.
And how did a Bearbow come to life? It’s comfortable. You don’t have to do anything and you feel like you are doing fine (even if you are horribly mistaken).
“Observe, learn and counter.”
(edited by Tragic Positive.9356)
I found many drawbacks in this build, actually… I would play it only for fun. Nothing else.
Any decent tactician will deal with this build anyday.
But well, the play is nice. I give you that.
The things this build lacks:
-condition removal (1 minute CD that basically destroys your pet AS BEAST MASTER is very contra-productive)
-weak chasing potential, weak roaming
-lackluster Axe (fails it’s purpose often)
-cannot compete against groups
-has obvious counters (will get outplayed on high lvl play)
-has a very high cooldown Stun-Breaker that is needed for other purposes, too
All things that a PvP build needs for competitive environment. I wouldn’t build for it this way myself. I found twice the effective BM build.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
(edited by Tragic Positive.9356)
Actually, if we are talking about maximizing the damage output, Sinister is definitely a way to go. It currently has the potential for the highest damage output so far, since the meta Weapon for rangers is Sword (not in every scenario though. Some encounters do not let you flank your target with the SB).
Actually, if you take SB into sinister armor – it deals a huge lots of damage, especially if you pair the build with either a torch or Flame Trap. You also get Fire field this way. (taking both is a waste, you can get perma Burning from either of those alone)
Celestial is just waaaay too comfortable in it’s versatility. For the damage – Sinister is the answer. For the overall WvW,PvP, non-Zerk runs : Celestial is just fine.
And most of Rangers are lazy kitten =D That’s why you see so many celestial oriented SB ones.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
I believe the Mesmer’s focus ability Temporal Curtain is currently bugged.
The ability creates a line field, that applies <Cripple> on enemies reducing their movement speed, and applying <Swiftness> boon on allies that cross this field.
However, the <Swiftness> is not applied if the target had Swiftness already in his boon panel (was affected by the boon) from any other source. This way, the curtain is almost pointless in larger groups, especially at the place where it should be helpful the most.
Based on my researches, it was once made this way to prevent an exploit of this ability in a way of multi-passing – receiving the buff multiple times, which was not right. However, this ability loses most of it’s potential in it’s current state, and I do believe it should be looked at.
If the swiftness can be applied just once (like it can now) there is no reason to be coded as a unique swiftness that does not stack with any other swiftness in the game. It just shouldn’t stack with itself.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
To be frank with you, I can see many drawbacks of this build.
1st of all – you don’t specialize in anything. You have all bits and bobs, but you do NOT excel at anything. Moreover, your stats and abilities do NOT have synergy with each other. Also, your pets are held for passive-low&safe DPS (which is not bad – but you’ll miss the benefits of the real pets). Moreover, you do not bring anything besides passive autoattacks, which are lackluster in this build.
Problem no.1: Your presence is not required (maybe not even welcome) at most of scenarios. Anyone could do the proposed job or could fulfill the goal better than you.
Problem no.2: Your build includes most of mechanics that have absolutely no synergy with each other. If you went for this build because you like a specific feature – you should have orientated around a specific strength. You are wasting most of potential.
Problem no.3: You lack lots of things. 1st of all – your build is not tanky at all. And canNOT by any means be considered reliable. Most of your damage requires you to pin yourself to the target – where you are vulnerable. If you want to avoid – you stop 65% of your damage. Also – you are easily killed.
Problem no.4: Your traits are once again totally random. You have not even chosen your specialization – which makes you only a weak version of anyone else out there.
To sum it up: You do not deal enough damage, you are not tanky enough, you do not have enough utility or CC, you do not have enough mobility, you do not have enough evades or condi cleanse… But you have a tiny bit of all.
If you enjoy playing it in solo WvW – and it entertains you – go for it. This game is supposed to be fun, after all.
But this build is by no means competitive at all.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
(edited by Tragic Positive.9356)
It does.
… All of it.
Tested
“Observe, learn and counter.”
“If you see us, don’t try to run… You’ll needlessly die tired.”
The rangers will hunt your soul!
… It’s funny because it’s not true =D
“Observe, learn and counter.”
Well, Rangers are now kinda viable on their own in Dungeons, with the right build.
… I suppose the Frost Spirit Nerf won’t hurt us that much anymore.
By the way, for all those who don’t know about the changed stuff:
http://www.reddit.com/r/Guildwars2/comments/2fyi34/feature_patch_2_undocumented_changes/
“Observe, learn and counter.”
The thing is: We already bring Perma AoE Fury, 5 AoE might and +7% crit for the group.
You can’t buff the support offensive power in rangers THAT much.
Compare to warrior that can give your party near permanent 25 might, permanent fury, indestructible dmg bonus banners that are roughly 8% dps increase for strength banner and well over 10% for discipline banner.
…
I might be wrong about this one… But being able to do that… Don’t they sacrifice almost all their damage? Isn’t might stacking through the Sword, which is condi based?
(I haven’t played much of a Warrior myself, but my friend have and he used to tell me about the builds)
“Observe, learn and counter.”
The thing is: We already bring Perma AoE Fury, 5 AoE might and +7% crit for the group.
You can’t buff the support offensive power in rangers THAT much.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
Greetings, community.
I believe we all (or at least the better part) suffer from the hotfix that was actually more of a straight nerf all across the board.
From the calculations that could be done, I’ve come to conclude, that from a rough 7% damage increase, this Frost Spirit Dropped the damage output to mere 0,4% – 1,2% damage increase.
As it is now – the spirit is useless for anything but his active (that can be replaced with Frost Trap for even bonus Frost Field).
I’d like to suggest and Propose a new tweak for this Ability, that could make it just like A-net wanted the spirits (on-hit passives), but still be viable.
The suggestion is:
30% (70% Traited) chance on hit to activate
“Attack of Opportunity (10s): +150% damage on next attack”
It would practically be the same mechanic, with better results (could bring the damage increase from 1% to 3% roughly) that could be “misused” in form of mastering the trait. Since the Recharge and duration of the buff are the same. You could practically charge it and blow 2 AoO one after another, maximizing the burst effect which can be helpful to dungeon runs. It wouldn’t practically boost the group, but will make the group feel like the Ranger is useful (if they see a big number splash only thanks to Rangers and no one else. People don’t care about statistics). It could bring the Ranger hate down a little.
I did my best to come up with an idea to make Rangers in a brighter spot, without making them too good, since they actually have a viable Zerk Build with lots of Self-oriented DPS burst post patch.
Ideas, criticism and feedback is very welcome.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
Standing still is advice suitable for rank 15 players. You can’t expect experienced players to SIT DOWN in order to play PvP.
Moreover, while I agree that it’s not only the Ranger’s problem, I believe that Ranger is the one suffering the most.
Ranger’s Ranged damage is stable > meaning no burst damage > meaning no reliable damage source in PvP. LongBow is used purely for the utility it brings > Which is PushBack and Invisibility. #5 cannot be relied on, #2 doesn’t bring enough damage and is easily countered, #1 probably doesn’t need mentioning in PvP.
And if the only reason for which LongBow is being picked doesn’t work IN SITUATIONS IN WHICH THEY ARE NEEDED (Point-Blank shot is designed for melee combat, it even improves with reduction of range between you and your target).
And you usually want stealth to reposition yourself if the enemy came to melee range.. You should be able to win a 1v1 fight on range anyway.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
It’s a hint for Arena Net’s plans for removing Rangers from PvP content.
If the conspiracy theories are put aside > It’s because that NPC was quite bugged. My guess is that they felt like removing it was a better solution than trying to fix it.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
I’ve no problem kiting melees with longbow. Paired with gs you can keep them off point in spvp. My guess is you have problem with the skill not firing if the enemy goes through you/walk past you.
The skills do auto-track, but moving and controlling the camera(to not face your opponent) will cause it to fail. So release movement key and left mouse button while firing the skill. You will auto-face the enemy while firing the skill – even if they went past you.
Wrong.
If the enemy goes through you, you are supposed to “fail” the ability. By failing the ability, no effect is made, and the ability is supposed to go on a 3 (if I recall correctly) second cooldown.
In cases like this The abilities like the ones of longbow DOES NOT fire ANY PROJECTILE (It should fire one in straight line of sight if what you say is correct and the only problem was the inability to follow target’s movement because of you forcing the camera to a wrong direction) > but that does not happen.
The cooldown is blown AS IF the effect occurred, but none in reality did. You are robbed of your ability and even the chance to re-apply it.
And that’s the problem.
And this happens even to skilled players. You won’t persuade me about that one.
“Observe, learn and counter.”