Brand New Player: Help with classes

[Profane.2165]

Hey all,I bought GW2, when it first came out and have not played since. I honestly almost don't even remember what the game is like so bear with me if I make some assumptions in regard to comparisons with GW2 to WoW. I did not buy any of the X-packs, although I would buy them now if that's something that is needed for for a specific class of it I enjoy the game enough.

The ask: Looking for help finding a class for me: I am looking for a class that will do decently in World PvP, both in a group and solo, and can also solo (PvE) world content with no issues. (I would prefer some desirability in PvE content

Play style: I like ranged, but do not like glass cannons. I just want to be able take a few hits and not have to kite everything to survive. (in both PvE and PvP) I enjoy healing, but not something I want to do full time. Do not mind pet classes as long as there is not a ton of micromanagement. I also have some issues with my ability to bond a ton of keys, so I need to keep it someone limited.

Thanks!

[mercury ranique.2170]

A few remarks to consider.GW2 doesnt use the trinity (tank, healer, dps). So ranged dps is most often less then melee range and all classes can fight melee and ranged. Basically, ranged is a valid option for specific fights or situations. But as there is no trinity, it is not bunkertype melee either.

GW2 uses 10 skills for each class where you have the option to swap in combat to replace skill 1-5 with different ones. Out of combat you can swap the others. Further you have max 5 class specific mechanics. These can be skills, but also the mechanic to controll a pet. so 16 skill is the max you have to bind.

The xpacs bring elite specialisations that really improve classes, but also change the mechanics of a class

So a few thinking remarks based on this.Ranger is an excellent class both ranged and melee (although the ranged is better then average, the melee is still somewhat more powerfull).However...If you want to do high end content like raids and fractals and have the HoT xpac, most people want you to go druid (ranger elite specialisation) as it has the best group heals in game. So going for that class, you might feel pushed in that direction later on.

I think elementalist is what you would call a glass canon.Necromancer is not really good without the elite specialisationsThief, warrior and guardian focus more on melee then ranged combat.

This leaves the ranger (see above) the mesmer and the engineer.Mesmer: Uses clones and deception magic to fight. It is light armor, but due to the clones it has a good amount of protection. Excellent dps based elite specialisationsEngineer: The oddball as it can do almost anything. It doesn't have a weapon swap, but uses kits. Most common core game playstyle uses the riffle or pistols as the main weapon, but also a kit to throw grenades or a flame thrower. But it can also turn into a healer with a healing kit. Both elite specialisations are excellent dps based.

[Khisanth.2948]

Some mobs also pay attention to range which causes them to use certain skills they wouldn't otherwise. This can make a fight drag on for much longer.

[Profane.2165]

Huge thanks for the info! so looks like Engineer or ranger for me (at least for now) as they they are more aesthetically appealing to me. Do races matter at all here? or just find what I like and then role with it.

(In regards to the Ranger and then the druid with elite specialization, is it something where I can be a DPS spec most of the time, then swap to the druid spec when I want to do heals, or is it a case where once you spec down that path, your future as a healer is pretty much cemented?

and thanks again for the help... This is awesome!

[Khisanth.2948]

You can change any of the specs while out of combat.

[MrMojoRisin.7364]

I think soulbeast is pretty highly regarded too - the POF ranger specialty.

I’ve also just come back to this game recently - seems to be a lot of threads like this in here lately. Which is awesome.

Welcome to the game! The community here is so much nicer than wow. If only I had spent my money and time here rather than wow subs and stuff...

FYI, engineer looks to take more key binding than other classes - maybe elementalist compares(?). But yeah, it’s a called a piano class for a reason.

[Sabre.8251]

I'd have suggested Revenant, when you owned Heart of Thorns at least. With it you have decent range and melee damage, but also can spec it for heals (up to 10-11k heals, or spam 5-7k heals every 4-5seconds). You also can turn pretty tanky and would be able to solo most PvE content, but are also participating well in a group. In WvW you are for sure allways welcome as Revenant. But it's required to buy Heart of Thorns to get access to Revenant.

[MrMojoRisin.7364]

that is.. probably the only endorsement for revenant i have seen in these forums... i was under the impression it was in a bad place right now(?)

[Khisanth.2948]

@Sabre.8251 said:I'd have suggested Revenant, when you owned Heart of Thorns at least. With it you have decent range and melee damage, but also can spec it for heals (up to 10-11k heals, or spam 5-7k heals every 4-5seconds). You also can turn pretty tanky and would be able to solo most PvE content, but are also participating well in a group. In WvW you are for sure allways welcome as Revenant. But it's required to buy Heart of Thorns to get access to Revenant.

Both HoT and PoF gives access to revenant. The difference is in the elite spec. HoT gives herald while PoF gives renegade.

[Sabre.8251]

Yes, but i think Dragon Stance and herald traits are better. Personal opinion tho.

[Oglaf.1074]

@mercury ranique.2170 said:A few remarks to consider.GW2 doesnt use the trinity (tank, healer, dps)

While technically true for 99% of the PvE content, keep in mind that Anet decided to build raids (which is the end-game PvE content) around this.

Something I think was a mistake, personally. That freedom from the trinity was always the best feature about GW2, IMO.