Does everyone use a specialization now?

Curious if people still run the vanilla classes and builds, or does everyone run with a specialization?

Not everyone.

Especially those with no access to either expansion, I'd wager. :wink:

I had a lot of fun on my core condi trap ranger. Granted, I was using vipers which is a HoT stat combo I think. Also, my favorite pet was a PoF pet.

I have both expansions and still run the vanilla classes on just over half my characters. I'm not really interested in running the most powerful build I can so if what I like is under-powered then that's what I run.

@cesmode.4257 said:Curious if people still run the vanilla classes and builds, or does everyone run with a specialization?

I only play core specializations. It's probably due to how much time I've spent playing them from 2013. I play core engineer in PvP to this day and I reached near platinum 1.

I've been playing a core build on my warrior. Lots of fun.

If it is strong like roaming core warrior in WvW.

I can't say I find any core professions as interesting as the elite specs that are available.

Nope, I like to try new stuff. The last core I played was Condi Ranger before PoF dropped.

A lot of my characters are still using core specilisations because I haven't gotten enough hero points to train the elites yet. When I do get enough I'll decide if I actually want to use them or not. I'm not going to use an elite just for the sake of it, there has to be something I actually want to do on that character.

But even when I do use the elites it tends to be only parts of it. For example my ranger is technically a druid but I only use 1 glyph and the celestial form as a back-up heal. And the traits of course, but I was using Nature Magic before, which is the core healing/defense line so that's not a big change. Although my enelemtalist changed a lot once I had Tempest unlocked, but I'm still experimenting to find a final build for her.

Guardian -> DragonhunterWarrior -> SpellbreakerEle -> TempestMesmer -> MirageThief -> DaredevilRanger -> Core

I unlocked all PoF specializations about 10 minutes after it went live. I haven't even looked at any of them.

I'm not crazy about Druid or Soulbeast, I always played a Ranger like a WoW Hunter with a Longbow. Keep in mind I lost interest in Ranger after I got one to 80 (I did like the idea of a Power Glypher but then I heard it was a junk build so I said oh well).

Occasionally I'll run a Core Bunker Guardian Build; although after playing ESO a lot I found my self really good at using Dragonhunter Active defenses (my only gripe with Guardian is the rediculously low hit points).

Warrior I've screwed around with a Phalanx Stength build that replaces Berserker with Defense but then after playing Reaper for so long it really irritates me that Warriors can melt like butter with out self healing on a Reapers level.

Prior to Path of Fire the only Meta build for a Renegade was a Core Condition Build.

Other than that I use Heart of Thorns Elite Specs even though I have Path of Fire. I shift between Reaper and Dragonhunter.

I created new characters to run some of the new specialisations. My original characters still mostly use the core specs.

In most cases but a few, i see no need to not use an elite specialisation.Mainly because they only add and don't take from the core builds.The only one of few reasons i can think of is for example the necromancer who loses 5 skills and gains 5 other

I still run core on my warrior axe/axe.

I only do open world PvE though, so what do I know.

My guardian is core spec

@Sinful.2165 said:I had a lot of fun on my core condi trap ranger. Granted, I was using vipers which is a HoT stat combo I think. Also, my favorite pet was a PoF pet.

Just curious... Which PoF pet? I really like the Jacaranda. (Sylvari Soulbeast with Jacaranda and Iboga... Plants all round...)

I main core Guardian because I lose trait synergy with Dragonhunter and Firebrand has too many cooldowns that delays between tome juggling. There's a point where there's too many abilities.

Speaking about PVE, I have switched over to an Elite spec to most characters that have unlocked them:War -> Spellbreaker : unlocked berseker too, bot not tried yet, as SB is really goodMesmer -> Mirage, it's great, probably will unlock Chrono, tooEngi -> Holosmith, great elite, for sure I keep it, don't think to unlock ScrapperNecro -> Scourge, it's just so much better than coreGuard -> Dragonhunter, although I am not sure I like it so muchRanger -> Core, even tho I have unlocked Druid and almost finished Beastmaster, I will probably mingle with them in the future, but I am happy with core LBEle -> Core, haven't unlocked anything, don't play it muchRevenant -> Core, I use it so little that I am still running the power build suggested after boost

Not everybody but most of people yes.

Yeah! I typically run core on most classes, though renegade has a special spot in my heart. :3

There isn't really a reason to use core builds for me anymore, since I have all elites fully trained for all professions, and they simply do everything better than vanilla builds. And it's not just about efficiency and dps, I just like the elite spec playstyles more and find them more enjoyable. Core professions just feel like they... lack something.

@Steve The Cynic.3217 said:

@Sinful.2165 said:I had a lot of fun on my core condi trap ranger. Granted, I was using vipers which is a HoT stat combo I think. Also, my favorite pet was a PoF pet.

I used the jacaranda for the AoE lightning that it casts almost immediately on swap which helps pressure a stationary target like someone trying to stomp. I also used the iboga to occasionally pull people on to my three traps. <3 the PoF pets.

I only have specs in 4 of my 9 professions. So I have 5 characters I only play core. Although they are the least played, evidently.