Looking for advices from veterans

[HeavyMetal.2730]

Hi everyone.I'll cut it short, I honestly can't decide by myself which profession to level up, mainly because I'm new to the game and I don't really know how the professions are with the elites specs and all that stuff involved.

Can someone tell me what's my best bet, based on those points?

1-I don't like anymore specs that are ''hunterlike'', so bows, rifles, and everything that resemble the world of warcraft hunter really just annoy me. So Ranger is a no.

2- I like melee and ranged both, but I would like to be able to use them in the same build, at least to pull the mobs.

3- Keeping in mind that I've played WoW for a long time, a class that's completely different from WoW's one would be awesome.

4- I like big weapons. So I would like to be able to use them, at least with some viable builds.

What do you suggest? I just tried some classes but at lower levels, so I really don't know how they feel at 80, but Ranger is a no go, Thief feels too weapon limited, Necromancer is unwanted in groups (that's what I've read) Warrior seems like a little too simple imho...Should I try Mesmer maybe?

[Ardent Heretic.8216]

This is very much a matter of preference. Some of this will depend on the type of content you would like to experience.

From what you've said so far, I think Mesmer could be a great deal of fun, but the builds for high-level Mesmer play don't support your "big weapons" preference.

Guardian makes a good case for big weapons, though their most ranged builds use Scepter and Longbow, so these may not be what you're looking for.

Revenant is a great choice. They throw hammers as a long-range weapon, use staff in melee, and have some impactful skills that feel good to use.

Engineer is my personal recommendation (specifically scrapper). It could provide you with some very enjoyable and fairly complex play which if mastered can give you much of what you're asking for. Big old hammer for melee and mortar/grenade kits for ranged. Play on engi largely revolves around mastering the use of combo fields/finishers.

For context, my mains since GW2 began have been Mesmer, Engineer, and now Revenant. I would argue that none of these really feel like any of the WoW classes I've played.

[Cyninja.2954]

Mesmer fits your selective desire best.

Revenant might work too.

[Doctor Hide.6345]

I was about to say Mesmer myself. It is totally different from any WoW class. It has big weapons, and you also fight at range and melee.

[Lily.1935]

Are you on a free account or did you buy the expansions? Because this matters for your decision. Are you interested in supporting or damage? Do you prefer damage over time or up front?

Let's go through a few. Guardian has large weapons that are viable in a few builds and their scepter is a fairly decent weapon. The core profession leans more on field control and support although it's dragon hunter is a heavy damage dealer and the fire brand amps up the support along with heavy burning. The ability to pull everything in is something they can do with great sword. Guardian is user friendly and offers deeper play when you begin to master it.

Mesmer is a bit tricky. One of the harder professions to start with as it is not as straightforward as the others. It doesn't have great damage as its core spec but offers great control and great defenses that make them difficult to read and hit. They also have a powerful pull and better ranged options than guardian. Their chronomancer elite spec is fairly defensive and a heavy support spec offering massive damage boosts to your allies. Although it still lacks damage on its own though it shouldn't become a problem for you. Mirage is also exceptionally defensive but doesn't sacrifice it's offence to gain that defense. It has the benefits of core while also enhancing it's dps output.

Engineer isn't one I'd suggest for newcomers unless you really like its design and style. It is one of the most complex professions in the game. Although with that said they are a bit of a Jack of all trades and you'd likely find a build you like on them. They are also one of the few professions that offer viable builds that don't require an elite spec. With that said their elite spec scrapper is pretty good in pvp and offers some unique defensive utility. Holosmith on the other hand takes their life into their own hands making one of the most risky high damage play styles in them game. This isn't to say it isn't fun it absolutely is. Engineer is my second favorite personally.

Revenant isn't something I'd suggest as a main. A secondary sure, but the profession is the most limited in the game. Your experience with it will be controlled and you will feel it. If weapon skills feel limiting than legend swapping is more so. It's a cool concept but the profession stagnates extremely quickly. With that said it does have decent support on both it's elite specs. Heard is great for providing boons and give g a bit of bulk. Renegade has a fee unique buffs that allow it to aid their allies and gives them better ranged options that they'd lack otherwise.

Elementalist might seem like an odd one to suggest but it could also be quite fun for you. They conjure weapons like great swords, bows and hammers which can be used in combat. With that said melee is probably their weakest area. They have fantastic damage and support but lack a real solid melee option. Tempest offers some more support and damage and the weaver can finally put you into a decent melee spot with sword and fusing elements. The major flaw with even weaver though is how squishy ele is. So it might be difficult to get the right feel for it.

Now I know you said not necromancer but I feel you shouldn't write them off just yet as they are what you described. And what other people say about it's viability shouldn't be the only deciding factor for you. If you only have a free account than yes it probably isn't going to be a good time for you. However both expansions offer a very unique spin on the profession. The reaper is a pretty tanky and very self sufficient. Their greatsword is slow but hits hard with a strong pull. The reaper is built like a wall which makes them tough to knock out. With that said they lack party support and the damage that other professions offer. They are quite strong in wvw and open world pve. They are also quite stable in fractals although not for speed running they are still solid. As for scourge they go the opposite direction. They are rather difficult to use but offer very good damage along with good utility. Unlike core and reaper which are both simple and easy to use, scourge requires energy management and field awareness. If used right you can control the flow of battle.

With all this said I'd say try all of them. Even the professions you wouldn't think you'd like because you never know. And what's more important is finding a guild that wants to do Content and doesn't care what profession you play. Pugs can be unforgiving no matter what you run. Even with that I'd suggest leveling multiple professions and getting a feel for them before doing something like raids.

[Lanhelin.3480]

@HeavyMetal.2730 said:2- I like melee and ranged both, but I would like to be able to use them in the same build, at least to pull the mobs.

There are two main sources of damage, direct damage (white numbers) and condition damage (various debuffs like bleeding, poison, burning etc. that do damage over time) you can build for. Each weapon focuses either on direct or condition damage, but they grant different weapon skills depending on the profession wielding them. E.g. the Greatsword on a Guardian has skills mainly designed for melee combat, while the same GS on a Mesmer mainly has ranged skills. Thief and Revenant can use a Staff in close combat, while a Staff on Elementalist, Necro and Mesmer supports ranged and ranged AoE attacks. So to be able to use ranged and close combat skills mainly depends on equipped weapon sets and chosen utility skills.

Most fights end in close combat, because there are only a few mob types that stay in range or try to - it's mainly the player who creates a distance by dodge-rolling away or using certain skills -, but in GW2 you also can use ranged weapons in melee without big dmg loss, like e.g. Engineer with Pistol+Shield or Thief with dual pistol.

[MyPuppy.8970]

Mesmer or Engie i'd say.

[Ghostt.1293]

As a NecroI can say that rangers can wieldaxes: wich are used mid ranged,1 handed: sword close range with roll back leap and dodge attack work great with off hand dagger (also close ranged)Greatsword: close ranged weapon with a long leap, block and throw skill, stunand i don't know what you really don't like about ranged classes or rangers, but with the new soul beast you can absorb your pet and adds main hand dagger (optional) and you can hide your pet if you click the eject button.

but no matter what class you choose 1 ranged weapon is sometimes mandatory like thief with shortbow

[HeavyMetal.2730]

Thank you guys, I'm probably gonna roll a Necromancer because I love the class fantasy, I hope that with the Scourge specialization it is useful for raids and end game content

[Sir Vincent III.1286]

@HeavyMetal.2730 said:Thank you guys, I'm probably gonna roll a Necromancer because I love the class fantasy, I hope that with the Scourge specialization it is useful for raids and end game content

I think you'll find that Necro has a lot of similar characteristic as Warlock. The only real profession original of Guild Wars is the Mesmer.

[HeavyMetal.2730]

@Sir Vincent III.1286 said:

@HeavyMetal.2730 said:Thank you guys, I'm probably gonna roll a Necromancer because I love the class fantasy, I hope that with the Scourge specialization it is useful for raids and end game content

I think you'll find that Necro has a lot of similar characteristic as Warlock. The only real profession original of Guild Wars is the Mesmer.

I agree, but I watched a Reaper video and I can't not roll a necro. That elite specs is all I've dreamed in years lol

[Sir Vincent III.1286]

@HeavyMetal.2730 said:

@Sir Vincent III.1286 said:

@HeavyMetal.2730 said:Thank you guys, I'm probably gonna roll a Necromancer because I love the class fantasy, I hope that with the Scourge specialization it is useful for raids and end game content

I think you'll find that Necro has a lot of similar characteristic as Warlock. The only real profession original of Guild Wars is the Mesmer.

I agree, but I watched a Reaper video and I can't not roll a necro. That elite specs is all I've dreamed in years lol

lol yeah. Reaper is still my preferred Necro spec.

[otto.5684]

I would go based on "different than wow." Mesmer is your class. It is unique in style and interesting. It is also viable in all end game modes.

[Lily.1935]

@Sir Vincent III.1286 said:

@HeavyMetal.2730 said:

@Sir Vincent III.1286 said:

@HeavyMetal.2730 said:Thank you guys, I'm probably gonna roll a Necromancer because I love the class fantasy, I hope that with the Scourge specialization it is useful for raids and end game content

I think you'll find that Necro has a lot of similar characteristic as Warlock. The only real profession original of Guild Wars is the Mesmer.

I agree, but I watched a Reaper video and I can't not roll a necro. That elite specs is all I've dreamed in years lol

lol yeah. Reaper is still my preferred Necro spec.

My preference is Scourge. But I'm a GW1 Veteran so we literally haven't had classic necro play style in GW2 ever. And Scourge is the closest thing to that. Although the shades are new, they're a welcome twist on necro play style.

[Cyninja.2954]

I guess since you decided to roll necromancer linking this is fine, even more so should you decide to play repear:

Enjoy. :)