Need help picking Profession

[Lotusplop.5617]

Hello, new-ish to the game. I played a few months after vanilla launch, then quit PC gaming for an extended period. Returned about a month ago. I've narrowed my choices down to three.

Guardian (soldier), Ranger (adventurer), Mesmer (scholar).

What my playstyle is mostly about roaming open world, "farming", doing open world events, with eventually perhaps doing some dungeons (fractals? w/e they are called). Not really into PvP, and most of my play time is solo (except for when events spawn and people show up). I will probably join a guild at some point, but for now I am just trying to get my feet under me and choosing one profession as a main. Oh and will also be doing item crafting as part of end game activities (but really not relevant to the choice I guess...)

I am looking for a character that I can mold into the "wizard" style (think classic, like Gandalf/Merlin...not new style like Jaina Proudmore/ D&D [the standoff fireball throwers]). My primary weapon choice will probably be sword/torch. Not really concerned about armor as I will be using the transmogrification and/or outfits to achieve a desired appearance. And a secondary weapon of either Staff or Longbow, probably staff (a walking stick is always helpful for long journeys). Oh, I'm also not a min/maxer, as long as I can make it work so I'm not getting slaughtered.

Advice is appreciated.

[Omnicron.2467]

I would say ranger is easiest for open world if you want to go solo. Mesmer also great and fits your wizard preference a lot better, good burst and good at everything you need, but can be a hard class to learn as your 1st profession

[Ezzechiel.8906]

I would say you already have your answer since there is only one wizardly class from those 3. Mesmer excels in every aspect of the game from roaming the world to the pvp, it´s one of the most exciting classes to play with its illusion system. When you get to lvl 80 you can do almost everything with him since mesmers are needed in most of the content, in raids as tanks, supports or condi dealers. In open world roaming, you can use your portal skill to help you with jumping puzzles or other tricky situations.And as a class that gets lots of love from the devs you dont have to worry that they will make it weak in the upcoming patches.

[Lotusplop.5617]

Hm..yeah. I liked the idea of having a pet for utility/distraction help (but mostly having a raven follow me around it cool). The mes does offer a great variety of armor transmog options. Also, the clone/phantasm offers a more glamore type of magic of the fae in old fairy tales.

[Lotusplop.5617]

...also purple butterflies ftw. /snicker ;)

[Lotusplop.5617]

After some discussion both here and in-game. I've picked mesmer. Thank you all for your help ^.^

[AliamRationem.5172]

@"Lotusplop.5617" said:After some discussion both here and in-game. I've picked mesmer. Thank you all for your help ^.^

Good choice! Mesmer is a really unique class and is among the most generally useful picks across various game modes. I'll share a video of Mirage (PoF mesmer elite spec) so you can see one of the ways you might go later on!

If that looks like something you want to look into, check out this thread in the Mesmer forum where we've been discussing and evolving open world builds for the past few months: https://en-forum.guildwars2.com/discussion/30394/open-world-domination-mirage#latest

[Lotusplop.5617]

oh thanks =D

[Ashantara.8731]

@"Lotusplop.5617" said:Guardian (soldier), Ranger (adventurer), Mesmer (scholar).

What my playstyle is mostly about roaming open world, "farming", doing open world events, with eventually perhaps doing some dungeons (fractals? w/e they are called).

I would recommend Guardian to a relatively new player, if you are also into dungeons and fractals. Ranger would be my second choice. Both are high damage professions, but the Guardian has much more self-sustainability (damage reduction, blocking, CC etc.). Mesmer is pretty much a support profession with mediocre damage compared to other professions (although Mirage provides a buff in that regard); it also requires a good amount of practice.

[Leodon.1564]

Mesmer fits your criteria but keep in mind its the least beginner-friendly class. Guardian and Ranger are easy mode in comparison and you can play these two classes semi-afk. Also, leveling will take longer on the Mes since they generally kill at a slower pace than the other two professions.