kappa.2036

> @"Infusion.7149" said: > @ OP: https://gw2mists.com/builds/ranger/power-soulbeast > I already run that build in gvg's, sadly it's good only in coordinated play, in general rangers gets kicked out of wvw squads no matter how you try to be useful. The class just needs a "meta" build. Thanks anyway :)

> @"Za Shaloc.3908" said: > A similar thread was created back when the big balance patch hit earlier this year, but since quite a bit of time has passed, I figured I'd start a topic on this again. > > For anybody who has been running support Druid in WvW, what have your experiences been like? I took about a 4 month break from the game but since coming back I have been playing Druid a lot. So far it has been a mixed bag for me and I don't feel like my opinions on it have changed too much: > > * Celestial Force is totally trivialized in some fights (siege-heavy ones especially), but a struggle in others. I have found the best way for me to optimize my Celestial Force gain is to try to maximize allied regen uptime. Sometimes though, there just isn't enough required healing and I can't get CA back up for when I really need it. To try to remedy this, I will at times refrain from even going into CA despite my team needing a certain degree of support, which feels really bad. Also sucks to be desperately autoing with staff to try to get CA back up while your team wipes. > > * Seed of Life cleansing 3 conditions is nice and honestly kinda nuts when you can maximize its value, but it still suffers the same issues of being a small radius with a delay. I can spike to the top of the cleanse meter at times, but in the long run, I can't really compete with the effortless cleansing of Scrapper/Tempest. > > * Glyph of the Stars is still my favorite skill in the game, hands down. CA version gained a lot of value ever since Warclaw stomping was removed, but with all the Burn Guards running around, it makes it harder to always get value from since CA GotS doesn't stop condi damage. Still though, the skill just feels amazing when you use it at a good time, both in and out of CA. Not sure which version I like better. > > * Support outside of CA still feels bad. Staff is my biggest pain point with support Druid, especially Staff 2. I don't think I really need to say much on this matter. > > * I would love a buff or rework to Invigorating Bond. It feels horrible to have a GM trait that has absolutely no scaling attached to it, and no other secondary function. Feels amazing on Soulbeast (ironically), but like total booty on Druid. > > * The healing numbers still feel amazing. The spike healing potential is totally unmatched IMO. It feels incredible to insta bring someone on the brink of death to full health. > > I mostly play with pugs, and I feel like the build excels its best in this setting since there are a lot of holes in comps. I know you can't really take pug v pug fights to prove a build's legitimacy, but at the very least I have an absolute blast playing it. I don't feel like I am playing some useless snowflake spec, I feel like I am playing something that has a strong impact on fights despite not being meta. I still have my share fair of complaints about it, but I greatly enjoy its niche nonetheless. > > Just wanted to share my thoughts here and hear others' experiences as well. Who else is playing support Druid out there? I don't see too many out there. This is my opinion. I think Immobbeast is better in organized gvg's and small fights because you can coordinate your immobilize skills with bubbles and wells, preventing your enemies from running away during the bomb. This is the role basically. I also think this "role" kinda becomes less and less effective when playing in biggest groups, especially pug ones, because: 1- Generally commanders will put you in a party without any kind of support and eventually kick you if the squad is full and meta classes are needed; 2- Your team support is lackluster. Bear stance duration on allies is 2 seconds (which means max 4 condi cleansed in 2 seconds, that's it), and Dolyak stance is the real ONLY good support skill of the build - but its also your only stunbreak and the radius/duration on allies is kinda laughable. 3- Its very difficult to go melee with axes and greatsword since you are very squishy and with 0 invulnerabilities, not optimal when you are against 40+ enemies. I think Longbow/Greatsword has better impact than axe-axe/greatsword in bigger fights, just for Barrage, but beside that you can't do really much with the longbow cause of projectile hate and retaliation. 4- Immob is still good in bigger fights, especially when you are on public discord and can coordinate immobilize with warrior bubbles, shade spikes, and wells. Problem is, the majority of the immobs on the Immobbeast build are melee, which means you have to push with your frontline, and considering group sizes, you will just land your 3 or 4 immoblizes on that push then you will become useless for the rest of the engages. THIS IS WHY i think druid is still better than soulbeast in big fights, just because you can still immoblize your enemies on bombs with Vine Surge + other skills, but also rotate beetween staff and CA every 10 seconds, cleansing conditions and healing allies. If druid had a glyph with AoE stability that would be perfect. Also pets are kinda a downgrade, but i dont think Anet will ever remove them on this specialization. Yes it is not meta and probably will never be, but atleast it can be considered useful. Your healing and condition cleansing can compete with fb and scrappers, and you can also have a lot of immobs. Lately im running something like this: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?POwEYiNssBGDbhxxKxiV6vtWirTD-zRJYjRN/pkpQIVJQvigqVA2cW6fzC-e You can maximize your CA generation with Signet of Renewal (more CA ticks) intead of Muddy terrain, or Healing Spring instead of the healing glyph (more AoE regen - more CA ticks), the important thing is that you NEED CA READY EVERY 10 SECONDS to maximize your support. Staff #3 with Primal Echoes and Quick draw refresh the entire cooldown of the skill if you heal someone so you can basically spam it to blast/heal and reposition yourself. If you feel you need an invuln just pick Signet of Stone (you will lose 1 support skill, but an alive druid is better than a dead corpse). Also Glyph of Unity can grant a lot of healing, just use the skill ONLY in CA. This is my experience, sure its not meta, but its definitely enjoyable.