Returning player, class help

[Vaux.7502]

I'm coming back to the game after a 4+ year hiatus, and looking for some feedback on which class to play.  I like playing the highly mobile and bursty role of a roamer (both in WvW and PvP), and I've narrowed down my options to GS/LB Ranger (Core or SB?) or power Mirage.  I really enjoy both of these class fantasies/playstyles, so it's really down to these to classes and builds.

 

Please don't give advice on recommending thief or a different mesmer build, etc. - I'm the kind of player that plays one character in MMOs and typically focus on a single build and I want to play one of these two.  I know Ranger is much more meta right now and Mirage is a bit nerfed, especially in PvP, but just looking for people's overall pros and cons of each.  I keep going back and forth between the two and am really struggling to pick one over the other, so looking for something to nudge me in a direction.

[XenesisII.1540]

Well I mean you narrowed down quite a bit on what you want, no thief, you roam, you want power, mirage was nerfed to the ground with one dodge, so go with SB?

 

If you want to add some zerging in there you could go mirage and then switch to chrono for that. But rangers have a lot of tools for roaming and burst.

[kamikharzeeh.8016]

please just don't go ranger. you will regret it.

 

and zerg busting does just not exist. it's not "zerg busting" if u have a 50ish cloud against a 30ish zerg @XenesisII.1540 , just saying

[Vaux.7502]

7 minutes ago, kamikharzeeh.8016 said:

please just don't go ranger. you will regret it.

 

and zerg busting does just not exist. it's not "zerg busting" if u have a 50ish cloud against a 30ish zerg @XenesisII.1540 , just saying

 

And why is that?  I have no interest in zerg busting.  I play mostly sPvP, but also like to roam WvW for smallscale outnumbered fights.  

[XenesisII.1540]

Imagine answering someone directly with what they wanted, an opinion on two "roaming classes".

Who said anything about "zerg busting"? I said "if" "they" "want" "to" "add" "some" "zerging" then mesmer.

Not a wonder I have them on my block list. 🙄

[Vaux.7502]

7 hours ago, XenesisII.1540 said:

Imagine answering someone directly with what they wanted, an opinion on two "roaming classes".

Who said anything about "zerg busting"? I said "if" "they" "want" "to" "add" "some" "zerging" then mesmer.

Not a wonder I have them on my block list. 🙄

I mean, even I can tell the kind of person he is, responds with 'don't go ranger' with zero context.  Probably just another kid that hates anyone playing a meta spec and thinks everyone should be running around in off-meta experimental garbage to make him feel better about himself.

[kamikharzeeh.8016]

i read that part wrong. happens after u're awake longer than 24 hours. 😜

 

then again, for smallscale, every single class can be played. there is no important "meta" that you'd take care about. any spvp build performs like 10 times as strong in wvw, bc u can use infusions + ascended gear.

[witcher.3197]

Longbow Soulbeast is a more bursty core ranger, but core longbow tends to have more sustain and a more "balanced" playstyle. Power Mirage is even more of a glass cannon than Soulbeast, really minimal sustain and barely any damage outside of big bursts.

 

Non-longbow Soulbeasts can be extremely tanky however and there are tons of ways to build this spec.

 

Ranger is just easier to play than mesmer too so as a returning player I think you're better off with that.

[Magnuzone.8395]

On 8/2/2021 at 11:39 PM, Vaux.7502 said:

I know Ranger is much more meta right now and Mirage is a bit nerfed

Ranger is not, will never be and have never been meta in wvw. And is really not wanted in any type of group play. And Mirage is not bad at all atm, both celestial build and shatter works fine. 

If you are smart you choose a class that can do both group play and roaming. Go to Metabattle and take your pick. Then tweak it to you liking.

Edited August 4, 2021 by Magnuzone.8395
spelling

[Vaux.7502]

3 hours ago, Magnuzone.8395 said:

Ranger is not, will never be and have never been meta in wvw. And is really not wanted in any type of group play. And Mirage is not bad at all atm, both celestial build and shatter works fine. 

If you are smart you choose a class that can do both group play and roaming. Go to Metabattle and take your pick. Then tweak it to you liking.

 

Honestly I'm not worried about group play.  All of my time is either spent in sPvP or roaming WvW solo.  I know Ranger isn't meta in WvW as far as groups go, but it's a monster 1v1/1vX class which is why it appeals to me.  I'm leaning more towards Ranger, not because it's easier to play, but because it seems like (from the content I've watched so far) it has better 1vX potential than shatter Mirage.