Guild Wars 2

I am relatively new-ish. I started this game because a friend of mine asked me to join her. I joined her small but helpful guild and started dungeoneering on my first toon around level 50. We wiped few times doing it but it was fun since we were all on vent or skype. I went to different dungeons, Cof, SE, AC.. ect. I don’t think that I would have enjoyed dungeon pugging it and might have turned me away from it for a long time.

The thing is that new players have options to join guilds who would probably be more helpful to newcomers. And there are people out there who don’t care what level you are. I have had low levels on my dungeon parties and it has all gone well.. so it’s not a biggie to me. However when I want a faster and smoother run or the higher chance of it, I do ask for level 80s. I do think that lower levels are being carried by the party due to the fact that the equipment, stats and utility isn’t maximized.. no matter how good of a player you are. So it’s really depending on someone’s generosity in terms of time and the extra effort needed to put in to finish it.

The thing about dungeon is that it’s a five man/woman team. It’s not a massive zerg so each person has to contribute something to make it work. I know dungeons can be soloed or can be done with less people, but I am speaking in terms of an average (or pug) dungeon team. Some people choose not to help new players because their time is limited or maybe they just don’t feel like helping. They absolutely have the right to form a group that they want.

That being said, I have met some great people on this forum who have been more than willing to teach me and take me to Arah to show me the path. I met random puggers who don’t mind taking newbies. Those lfgs do fill up much quicker. The helpful people are out there.. but I don’t see this post being constructive.. the intent of it being helpful doesn’t come across, rather it seems a bit sanctimonious.

Twilight Arbor Up/Up [sometimes forward/forward depending on the group] path and I prefer the look of it. HoW is a pretty easy dungeon to me and you can get Rabid gear from there as well.. CM can be fast and easy if you have the right group.

I mixed that with some karma armor [Dwyana] and W vs W tokens to outfit rest of the rabid gear.

When you are looking for lfg.. stay clear from anything that states: experienced, speed, or quick. More than likely you would get kicked and those are for the full zerker gear peeps who would expect you to know the path already.

If you tell people in advance that you are new to the path/dungeon, most are likely to be give you instructions on how to clear the dungeon. There’s mechanics and things that you would need to know and it’s easier if the party knows ahead of time. Just listen to the instructions or read up on some guides beforehand. Some may just kick you but don’t take it personally, just keep looking for a group that is willing to teach someone who is new and be patient with you.

You do not need a full zerker gear if you are just exploring the dungeon in the beginning. It’s something to invest in if you decide to keep at it. I started with knights armor and switched over to zerker when I realized that I was going to spend majority of my time in dungeon/fractal as my endgame content. But I would also avoid the clerics, support, tank build because DPS does matter in dungeon. The quicker you kill the boss, the less chance the group has of wiping. And yes it does take longer to kill the boss if you are not zerked out- this is true. So be prepared to spend more time in the dungeon if you decide not to go the zerker route.

Joining a small to medium size guild might be helpful. That’s how I started dungeoneering in GW2. Some of my guildies took me to AC path 3 when I was only level 50 or so on my first toon and 3 weeks into the game. Being on a voip also helps. It made it fun for me which helped me in the long run to keep plugging at it. Had I used the lfg for my first dungeon experience, that might not have been the case.

Best of luck on your dungeon adventure. There are a lot of good people out there who are willing to guide and instruct you if you are willing to listen and put in the effort. It can also be a disaster at times but just learn to shrug/laugh it off.

As for what utilities to use on each dungeon will depend on class and you will learn that in time. I would check out some of the guides that some of the pros have linked here and go over them. Since you have multiple professions in your kitten nal, I will say that it is easier to pug in certain classes more than others which previous posters have mentioned.

Username: Layzoe.6035
Server: Maguuma

Mina Aries: Level 80
Profession: Guardian
Traited: DPS guardian with full zerker gear, exotics and ascended
Weapons: GS, Focus, Sceptor, staff [working on acquiring sword] 20/25/0/5/20

Santoki Tokiya: Level 80
Profession: Mesmer
Phantasm & Condition build- based off of Blackwater Mesmer
Rabid Armor and weapons [exotics] sword, focus, staff and gs
Traits 20/0/20/0/30

Experience: I am just starting on Arah. I have explored all paths/story of dungeon [except TA Aetherpath] and Arah is for completion. I would love to learn the path and spend some time getting the most of out this dungeon.

Time: it’s erratic but I am in game a lot..

I am also a big Skyrim lover and was my main game for quite awhile. I think that you might really enjoy the personal story and quests. The Sylvarian one, oddly enough, reminded me of the Skyrim main story.

Crafting is also something that is overlooked but can be quite enjoyable. I know that was something I enjoyed in Skyrim.. it’s also one of the quickest way to gain xp in GW2. Also exploring and clearing maps is something you might consider as in Skyrim, that is a similar aspect of the game. You can choose to engage in nearby activities or solo the map clearings by doing the hearts and unlocking point of interest, vistas, and skill points. As a bonus, you get a chest after each map clear.

I do think you should try out various professions and see which one you like playing with the most. I tried out a few before I settled with the Guardian as my main. Each profession has different aspect to it and I think it takes time to find the one that fits you Although there are 4 other slots to play with as well.

GW2, I was not impressed with at first.. I signed up on behest of a friend and the trial week was introduced. I played casually during it and didn’t think much of it.. but decided that what I have seen, I liked enough, to purchase it. I absolutely love this game and it’s a time sinker for me. There’s so many aspects of this game, there is something that anyone can get out of.. w vs w, p vs p, quests, living stories, dungeons. I just think it takes time and a bit of effort to find it because there are so many options and ways to play.

Finding a small guild to do activities with and guide you on GW2 Journey might be for you. Even having a friend to join you to play together might make it more fun.