Guild Wars 2

Xyonon.3987:

You guys really are never happy about changes, now are you? Don’t be so demanding. It was a massive step into the right direction, even if it meant to make major changes. If you balance things you shouldn’t do everything alltogether or every Engi would have to relearn the profession anew. I’d like to see some changes to gadgets and turrets too, but I’m glad they had their priority on the thing that made Engi worth a pick in a team. The ppl at ANet are only humans too.

Agreed. I hope they continue giving the kits more purity of purpose, and I look forward to changes with the other utility skills as well.

Also, good point on the Anet being people too.

Wondrouswall.7169:

bearshaman.3421:

I would like it to be a KD instead of a KB. I hate having a skill I can’t use in group content.

Nah. Change the knockback to a launch instead and alter the values. 600 (0-300), 400 (300-600), 200 (600-900), 0 (900+). Start bowling groups out of boredom and kinda get a knockdown at 900+ range since they’ll just flop. That and we’ll be able to get downed people off points.

That can be the pvp version. Launch and KB are looked down on bigtime in all pve content since you don’t want to knock enemies out of your group’s AOEs.

I would like it to be a KD instead of a KB. I hate having a skill I can’t use in group content.

Obtena.7952:

Just out of curiousity, what is the best PVE condi build for Mesmer, regardless of how poorly it performs?

I would like to know this as well.

Genesis.8572:

leviathan.2148:

Kits were never supposed to be become the core class mechanic. That’s what the tool belt was for.

Never? 1) Engineers do not have weapon-swapping because of the assumed use of kits as a form of pseudo-weapon-swapping. 2) ANet initially developed the toolbelt as a means of partially offsetting the cost of equipping kits in the utility slots. Both these points suggest that kits were always considered the core mechanic, if not central assumption, of the engineer.

1) I’m pretty sure that is due to the toolbelt skills, and not the kits. Leave out kits, and we have 15 skills at any one time. the kits just make our skill options even more numerous.

2) source please?

leviathan.2148:

Kits were never supposed to be become the core class mechanic. That’s what the tool belt was for. Unfortunatelly kits offer so much in comparison to other skills that they’ve become the “must have” skills. We need a rebalance of other utility skills to bring on par with the kits. We need more build diversity. When 90% of the builds need to use kits then the skill balance is nonexistent.

Or we can go the other route, redesign the tool belt so that it automatically includes kits and make them the class mechanic because currently the most of the other skills are barely used. And no, we don’t need other kits. We need other different viable utility skills.

Agreed.

Pride.1734:

bearshaman.3421:

I know that kits get used heavily in the meta builds, and I think that’s because we have a basically zero cooldown on switching between kits. If the kits had the cooldown of the attunements for ele, I think we would see more build diversity in engineer (and yes this would require a massive amount of rebalancing). I like the idea of kits, but it is an overwhelming skill, to the point that all other utility skills are only used for niche situations.

Personally I prefer getting new types of utility skills, leave toolbelt as the class mechanic, and diversify and rebalance things so we have more build diversity beyond “load all the kits and the healing turret”.

Please go play ele.

The gameplay of having access too all your tools is as integral to engi as kits and toolbelt themselves.

The only place where you load up all kits and healing turret is viper engi in raids. And there are many more builds, gamemodes and ways to play engi. The reason for that specific example is only because all of our other utilites offer nothing in a PvE group setting. That is not kit’s fault for bringing damage but the fault of turrets, gyros, and gadgets for not offering anything.

First off, I’ve played all the classes in the game, and will continue to play whatever I want.

Second off, I know I can play whatever I want, but when I look at the builds listed as meta, it’s typically 4 kits and healing turret, and not just in raids, and not just for condi. There may be some variation on this, but kits figure prominently every time. If you don’t know this, you haven’t been paying attention.

Ah thank you for the link.

DreamyAbaddon.3265:

bearshaman.3421:

But yeah, definitely work your way up, learning your class, and doing some of the starting content, dungeons, and low level fractals, as well as the personal story. Then stick your head over in the HoT zones and season 3 areas (in that order, or the story won’t make sense).

Also this confused me so remember this: chronologically it’s personal story, (season 1 which isn’t available to play, but you get directed to someone that gives you a cinematic of what happened and the people you were running around with during it), season 2, HoT, season 3.

Since Season 1 is NOT replayable and you only get a short in game cenimatic that only covers bare-bones, I made a 3hour and 20min video on my channel called “Guild Wars 2 – The Complete Season 1 Movie” which has ALL the cutscenes, Lore narrations and dailugues I was able to salvage accross the internet to tell a full, complete and coherent story of all you have missed.

Watch this video After you have completed your Personal Story / Main Campaign.
Enjoy!

Here’s the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joLmVI5URak

I’m glad I opened this thread. I’m definitely gonna watch this! Thanks!

I don’t believe in having a main. Each character fills a different gaming role for me, so I play whichever one I’m in the mood for. The idea of a main (to me) is very limiting, and I don’t feel the need to constrain myself unnecessarily with it.

I also will sometimes set up particular characters for specific game modes. Like having a character that is made for fractals specifically as opposed to one for WvW. Typically one that fits my playstyle for the particular game type.

Malice.8439:

As of the recent announcement regarding changes to Ascended gearing (and not having done much of crafting) I do feel rather stressed about getting the vendor ascended things in a timely manner.

What was this recent announcement?

Shaogin.2679:

I prefer something a bit different. Kits are so mandatory in pve due to each kit having some sort of high damage skill. For instance with the condi build, you have flamethrower for the napalm and incendiary ammo, bomb kit for fire bomb and concussion bomb, grenade kit for just about everything in it. For power build we have grenade kit again for just about everything in it, flamethrower for the #2, elixir gun for acid bomb.

Point is, each kit doe not have it’s own purpose really. We have to take multiple kits for a skill or 2 that each kit has. What I feel they should do is give each kit a more defined purpose. Elixir gun should be purely for buffing and removing conditions. Med kit should be for pure support, just better than it does it now. Flamethrower could remain a hybrid weapon. Either grenade or bomb kit should be changed to pure power damage, and the other should change to pure condi damage. Then mortar can take the role as our long range hybrid.

Maybe flamethrower and mortar shouldn’t be hybrid though, I dunno. Perhaps it should just be more set up to where we have one kite for ranged power, one for ranged condi, one for melee power, one for melee condi, one for buffs and condi removal, one for healing.

However they change it, I just feel kits need a more defined purpose rather than spreading out skills that fill the same role across multiple different kits. This way, we’d only need a kit or two, and could take other utilities without sacrificing so much damage.

I like this idea. You’re right that it feels like you have to swap between multiple kits to be effective, and that is generally a pain in terms of gameplay, and also lacks any coherency in terms of your character concept or identity. It would be amazing if Grenadier was its own unique thing from Bomber or Firebug or Doc or Mortarman or (whatever you wanna call the elixir gun using guy). If you could stay in one kit and be effective, that would be awesome.

Yes, a rebalancing of the class would accompany any changes (like it always does), but at the same time, the core mechanics of the class wouldn’t be changed at all (toolbelt is still toolbelt). If you want to use all the kits you still can, but it wouldn’t be mandatory in order to be truly effective or accepted in group content as it is now.

I’ve heard the argument about not using defensive stats so that you get better at active defenses like dodging, kiting, general positioning, blocks, blinds, dazes, interrupts, etc. I will say this…

Using Berserker is no guarantee someone will learn how to do all of those things. Using stat sets with some defensive stats is no guarantee that a person WON’T learn those things either.

On the flip side:

If someone wants to do competitive or highend content (pvp, wvw, raids, high level fractals), they will likely learn these things or not get very far, and in the case of group content, find themselves dumped from the group.

Likewise, if you play everything else, no one is gonna care really (maybe on low level fractals and dungeons, but you have to be really really bad to kitten off people in those enough to drop you).

Mainhand Dagger.

Commander gear is the meta for support tank Chrono.

I know that kits get used heavily in the meta builds, and I think that’s because we have a basically zero cooldown on switching between kits. If the kits had the cooldown of the attunements for ele, I think we would see more build diversity in engineer (and yes this would require a massive amount of rebalancing). I like the idea of kits, but it is an overwhelming skill, to the point that all other utility skills are only used for niche situations.

Personally I prefer getting new types of utility skills, leave toolbelt as the class mechanic, and diversify and rebalance things so we have more build diversity beyond “load all the kits and the healing turret”.

I know that kits get used heavily in the meta builds, and I think that’s because we have a basically zero cooldown on switching between kits. If the kits had the cooldown of the attunements for ele, I think we would see more build diversity in engineer (and yes this would require a massive amount of rebalancing). I like the idea of kits, but it is an overwhelming skill, to the point that all other utility skills are only used for niche situations.

lol my mesmer is a female charr, but your point stands. light armor charr are a rarity (largely cuz light armor looks so bad on male charr).

I haven’t missed having those pets. I would like to get the lightning wyvern, but since it’s locked behind a map event in DS (which no one is running anymore… ;-;) I don’t think I have a prayer of getting it.

BumboJumbo.1308:

http://qtfy.enjin.com/ranger

Full list of Ranger/Druid PvE meta builds

While a good list for meta RAID builds (which work just fine in PVE usually), keep in mind that unless you are doing raids, you have more flexibility on your build choices than this. You should be fine to continue using a power build in open world.

narcx.3570:

RoidRage.1325:

I see a lot of complaints on the ranger forums too though on how rangers are better off power than condi, is that also true? Is condition damage really not optimal in the game?

Mmmm, I think maybe they only prefer power > condi when using a Druid build for healing… Even then that’s debatable and really comes down to having stat choices with more healing power/the utility on S/A/WH. I dunno tho, I don’t really play ranger too much, but I can tell you that I’ve never seen someone play Power RANGER in a raid nor a group looking specially for one.

Yeah there are some people who play power exclusively, and thus may not like ranger too much because its stronger build is condi.

One thing I will tell you now, every forum is gonna have someone complaining about pretty much every aspect of the profession. That is just the nature of things. Most people who are enjoying the class are too busy enjoying the class, so you end up with all the unhappy people doing the bulk of the posting. So don’t base anything off of that.

That said… this site is referenced pretty heavily for dps rankings for raids.

http://www.qtfy.enjin.com/dps#Ranking

I would suggest checking that out if dps is your biggest concern. I’ve been told it’s maintained by one of the more serious raiding guilds, and they maintain the information and the builds for all classes. Have a look.

Edit: You will note that ranger’s strongest dps build on there is the condi build. This is largely because they have several skills that dump a high number of stacks right off the bat, so there is less of a buildup phase like is often the case with condi builds.

kakumbien.8047:

bearshaman.3421:

Shaogin.2679:

Actually, just watched a wooden potatoes video about a support build that uses that trait, and in it he explains several flaws of that trait. The trait only procs on enemies that grant xp (there are many enemies in dungeons/fractals that don’t reward xp to prevent from being farmed), if you kill something while using one of the channeled skills, the trait won’t affect that skill, and it will work poorly in fights where there are not alot of mobs to kill. There is also the issue that you have to be camping in reaper’s shroud to make use of this trait, which would be a dps loss from camping greatsword.

So in all actuality, the trait doesn’t really help much at all. The OP is right, the trait definitely needs some improvements.

Those are all fair points. I think then it needs some behind-the-scenes changes to fix these particular issues, but aside from that, I’d want this trait to remain.

Also, many people use Deathly Chill on power builds as a straight up dps increase, since you blast out chills by simply existing (i exaggerate, but not much). You don’t have to trait for condi to make use of that trait.

Are you serious about using deathly chill in power builds ? Seriously ? What ?

Aside from the support for this already stated, I will state that you need to not limit your thinking on the potential usefulness of traits. Saying “well that trait is obviously for X type of build” keeps you from seeing some of the possibilities out there. Deathly Chill is a pure dps increase, even without condi damage stat, because you are already pumping out chill anyways. It just takes something you are already doing and adding damage to it. No break in rotations, no change in skill use, here’s some extra damage for zero effort.

Also, RS is actually often used for the #5-#4 combo (to whomever said RS is useless aside from #2).

Shaogin.2679:

Actually, just watched a wooden potatoes video about a support build that uses that trait, and in it he explains several flaws of that trait. The trait only procs on enemies that grant xp (there are many enemies in dungeons/fractals that don’t reward xp to prevent from being farmed), if you kill something while using one of the channeled skills, the trait won’t affect that skill, and it will work poorly in fights where there are not alot of mobs to kill. There is also the issue that you have to be camping in reaper’s shroud to make use of this trait, which would be a dps loss from camping greatsword.

So in all actuality, the trait doesn’t really help much at all. The OP is right, the trait definitely needs some improvements.

Those are all fair points. I think then it needs some behind-the-scenes changes to fix these particular issues, but aside from that, I’d want this trait to remain.

Also, many people use Deathly Chill on power builds as a straight up dps increase, since you blast out chills by simply existing (i exaggerate, but not much). You don’t have to trait for condi to make use of that trait.

This advice is perfect for any of the 4 stat sets (like Viper), and some of the late game 3 stat sets (Settler, Nomad, Sinister). The only other option for these is behind achievements or raids.

If you ever need other stat set ascended trinkets (like Berserker, Cleric, Rabid, etc), you can get accessories with guild commendations earned from doing guild missions and rings with fractal relics earned from doing fractals. Laurels can be used for amulets, as well as rings and accessories. I think the easiest to get ascended backpack (aside from the aforementioned ones) is probably crafting the spinal blades backpack.

Only throw the rocks when he starts doing the whirling suction thing where he’s sucking everything in to himself. specifically then.

Sorin Noroku.5342:

bearshaman.3421:

Trailblazer/Wanderer/Commander/Vigilant/Crusader

Trailblazer is meta for WvW condi classes I hear, Wanderer is easy to acquire baby mesmer tank for raids, commander is very meta for chronotank. Vigilant and Crusader I don’t know of those for builds.

I know Crusader has been used for some necro/reaper builds, since you can use traits to make up for the lack of precision. Vigilant is one I’m really curious to use. Expertise and Concentration? There has to be a build that would make very good use of that.

I went with a human necro as a priestess of Grenth, and a norn reaper who narrowly escaped corruption by the sons of svanir, and had his life saved by the necro raven shaman you can encounter in the norn personal story.

I personally don’t like the bow on guardian at all, but that is personal opinion and headcanon. I freely admit I hated this elite spec. I can see a place in the lore of the game for it, I just don’t play. it.

If you want use the lvl 80 boost to test out the professions to see which you might like, but don’t actually boost the character. Just use it as a way to test stuff out. Wish I still had mine… ;-;

But yeah, definitely work your way up, learning your class, and doing some of the starting content, dungeons, and low level fractals, as well as the personal story. Then stick your head over in the HoT zones and season 3 areas (in that order, or the story won’t make sense).

Also this confused me so remember this: chronologically it’s personal story, (season 1 which isn’t available to play, but you get directed to someone that gives you a cinematic of what happened and the people you were running around with during it), season 2, HoT, season 3.

(for some reason, I initially though the fight with zhaitan happened after Scarlet, not before. oops.)

AntiVenomm.8154:

Thanks for the tips i will look into how to get that gear, also gonna just run dailies and try to join some dungeon runs, i cant even remember how to play my character lol

If you haven’t finished or done the personal story, that’s a good easy way to get experience and relearn your profession. Also working on world completion and hopping on a world boss train will help you relearn the maps, where stuff is, etc. Once you feel comfortable with that, dungeon runs and fractals will help you relearn playing as part of a group, and if you like that and have HoT, you can try to find a raid group to join. Also once you feel comfortable with your class, the major end game pve OW areas right now are the HoT zones and the Season 3 areas (lots of map specific currencies that give access to some really really nice stuff).

I can’t advice on pvp or wvw.

Mikali.9651:

Odokuro.5049:

Well I want to be a Hero, rush in and save people in WvW, just want to be able to turn the tides on the enemy and be able to be that, “Superman” or whatever.

So I was thinking Guardian or Ranger or something, that can help people win and protect them and ensure a victory.

I am sorry to destroy your dreams, but it doesn’t work like that at all

Well he won’t be superman flying around with a red cape, but both of those classes (along with ele) have the ability to heal a group of people pretty quickly (especially with the druid and tempest elite specs), and to give signifcant buffs and boons and auras (depending on which one you are talking about).

Basically I read this as you want to play a support and healing build, probably midline or backline?

Which require time-gated farming in Bloodstone Fen, which requires that you have HoT.

A trick to reduce the cost is to forge ascended gear of some relatively cheap stat set, and then make the exotic insignias and inscriptions that you actually want and use the mystic forge to change the stat set to the one you want. Much cheaper than forging some of the HoT stat sets from scratch, particularly the ones that require linseed oil.

Most of the builds I’ve seen that are considered “meta” use berserker (big shock). However, celestial is a good set as it allows you to make use of everything the class can do (damage, condi damage, healing, being a bit more tanky, etc.). I’ve been using celestial for a while, and now I am trying to tear myself away from it to try some other stat sets on my ele, but it’s really hard to give up the versatility for more focus in a particular area.

reikken.4961:

bearshaman.3421:

probably fire/earth/arcane or water, and Rabid stats I’m guessing. (toughness for tankiness, condi for burns and bleeds, and precision to proc additional conditions.

ele’s crit procs are weak and on long cooldowns, so precision isn’t very useful. I skip it in favor some some vitality. Ele’s low health pool makes vitality really nice. and if you’re running water, throw in some healing power too.

So Dire or Trailblazer then?

Kodama.6453:

bearshaman.3421:

I’ll inject with a bit of lore here. Remember how Asura see magic in everything? That’s cuz it is. Anet has stated in the lore that everyone in the world of GW2 uses magic to some extent, including engineers (how else does a pistol shoot fire, lightning, poison, glue, and shrapnel?) So tech as we understand it, not so much, but the technomagic of GW2? Anything is possible.

That said, I would probably go with mace, and skin it to look like throwing hammers.

While this is true, I prefer if I am possible to imagine my engineer not using any magic at all. So if there is the option of giving us a pseudo-logical explanation how that weapon is able to do that without magic involved, I would prefer they go that way.

My wish for the next weapon: Axe. I really want a new alchemy based elite spec. We had some acid related traits in the past but every single one got removed (Acidic Elixirs, Acidic Coating….. I will miss you….) and I would like the acid theme to have a comeback.

Axe would be my weapon of choice. I would like it to be a melee weapon with acid covered blade, but when you attack something you spill some acid and everyone in a cone behind the target gets damaged.

Or just make it spill acid on auto attack. Will do too. But please do it. Q__Q
Imagine how cool an axe with hidden flask to fill in acid could look like.

Headcanon away. Personally I like the combination of the two. Makes engineer more believable to me, if that makes sense. <shrug>

EdwinLi.1284:

Lahmia.2193:

Well it wouldn’t be the first time a traditionally melee weapon was used as a ranged weapon. Mesmer Greatsword and Revenant Hammer both fit the profile. I would say axe too but there are actually more ranged versions of axe than melee.

Engineer opens up a bit more unique way to make melee base weapons into Range weapons.

Other Profession can easily BS it by saying they use Magic to make that weapon ranged but engineer needs to have a proper tech explaination why the melee weapon is range and how it functions.

With magic you don’t really both questioning how that magic works because that what Magic just is.

I’ll inject with a bit of lore here. Remember how Asura see magic in everything? That’s cuz it is. Anet has stated in the lore that everyone in the world of GW2 uses magic to some extent, including engineers (how else does a pistol shoot fire, lightning, poison, glue, and shrapnel?) So tech as we understand it, not so much, but the technomagic of GW2? Anything is possible.

That said, I would probably go with mace, and skin it to look like throwing hammers.

I was gonna suggest elementalist. Each weapon slot basically has 4 skills in that slot depending on which attunement you are in. With tempest, they have some good party support and utility. Good damage, can be tanky, it’s really a class that is what you make of it.

The other suggestion I’d consider is engineer. Nothing has more utility than that class in my opinion. With the kits and the toolbelt skills, you have more options of what to do than any other class.

Ayrilana.1396:

Commanders is meta for chrono, isn’kitten At least with the exception of trinkets. May have changed since a year ago when I last checked though.

I think that was the set I was thinking about as a second set for my mesmer (my current being Viper for a condi build).

reikken.4961:

my go to recommendation is a tanky burning build. does excellent damage without being squishy. Use tanky condi gear, runes of balthazar, and glyph of elemental power. easy mode

probably fire/earth/arcane or water, and Rabid stats I’m guessing. (toughness for tankiness, condi for burns and bleeds, and precision to proc additional conditions.

I saw the post in the necro thread for your character Eneldiar, and Mr. I’m not gonna try to type that, I’ve considered that stat set along with the Vigilant one for that engi build! Glad to see I’m not the only one. Any other ideas?

Also a good question…

Also alot of the heals are PBAoE. So they work well if you’re stacked or at least close by the druid. Not so much of you are all over the map.

Rashagar.8349:

Sigfodr.9576:

Easy go full magi for raids. Get the tinkets from the new maps, and armor from the dungeon AC, from AC you can get exotic magi armor with monk runes directly. So its the fastest and cheapest way of getting a full sett of really good healer gear. A full run will net you over 300 tokens a day. And the cost of a full sett (+ staff) is about 1500. So 5 days worth.

For fracs/dungeons and open world, go berserker or viper. Both setts can also be used as off-healer in raids.

I’m going to have to keep this little tip in mind for myself I think.

Addendum about the new map stuff: you can get ascended backpack, amulet and ring from bloodstone fen that can be given ANY STAT SET in the game, and for 100 unbound magic, CAN BE RESET so you can choose again! Changeable trinkets!!!

You can also get the rest of the trinkets from Ember bay and Bitterfrost frontier, but theirs can’t be reset.

Sister Saxifrage.7361:

I recently broke away from the meta to learn my way around staff and greatsword, and I’m having a ton of fun wisping and swooping across maps with those, and sprinting the rest of the time with Natural Stride. Freeing yourself to experiment with your build instead of adhering to the meta is really rewarding, IMO.

The other thing that can really perk up open world: switch pets all the time. Try all the pets. The hybrid Destroyers in Ember Bay are weak to chill, so take some of your white pets from the norn areas and use their F2s to put the hurt on. Every mob has knockdown or a freakin’ breakbar like a boss? Sounds like a job for Flappy and Zappy, my adorable pair of clumsy wyverns, both of whom spam double knockdown on summon. Did you know that tamed smokescales retain that rapid pinball skill that makes the wild ones so stressful to fight? Or that the treasures dug up by pigs are actually useful? Or that elegant little birds are the burstiest DPSers of them all and may even outshine cats for mowing down trash, and also sing while they fight? Explore your pet collection. Learn your pets. Love your pets. We’re the pet class; own it.

Good advice. I’m also currently breaking out of the meta and trying new things with my ranger. Best suggestion: Don’t throw away or salvage old gear, you may want to come back to it.

I’m currently looking at some of the lesser used HoT stat sets to think of interesting ways they can help me have fun with some of my characters again. Just an idea.

Trailblazer/Wanderer/Commander/Vigilant/Crusader

These stat sets don’t get used much in meta builds. Whatever, that’s fine. However I have found situations where being a tank is helpful to aid others in being the more active defense, bouncing around, dps types they like to play. So the question I have is this:

What professions (and builds if you want to be specific) would work well with each of these stat sets and why?

Disclaimer: I know they won’t be meta, and they may not be the most optimal. I’ll be happy so long as they work well and are fun (to me) to play. Think of this as a thought exercise or experiment if you like.

Spacial.1683:

2. To be a half decent player you really need to keep playing about 23 hours a day. I suggest you get a load of bottles and some wet wipes. Plus glucose drinks, caffeine, and anything else you can think of.

But remember, that will only make you half good.

Please don’t take that suggestion seriously lol….

altermaven.7385:

Rather, the line of application is this:

Base equipment condition damage + sigil of bursting benefit = new condi value

new condi value + might, food, banners, extra buffs etc. = final condi value

So yes, sigil of bursting modifies base condi value from your equipment, and the buffs will modify the value AFTER sigil of bursting is accounted for.

What about runes of the undead? Does the slot #6 effect happen before or after?

So any equipment is included but food and boosts from skills and traits are not. Got it.