For those who haven't extensively played Ritualist, what do you view them as?

LumpOfCole

LumpOfCole

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2006

Orlando, FL

Rt/

Meaning, if you're gathering a group for a mission and you see "Ritualist LFG" in chat, do you consider taking them? Do you see them as a poor man's healer?

Leveling both a Monk and Ritualist to 20 (and particularly focusing on and tricking out the Ritualist), I have realized that the Rit makes for a superb monk supporter. They're passable as primary healers, but if I want a primary healer I'd definitely give the edge to the monk. However, if I had the choice of two Monks in a group or a Monk and a Rit, I'd choose the later most definitely.

I did not realize how much pressure it takes off of me as a Monk having a "Ritual Lord" Rit there spamming Union and Shelter over and over until I played a Monk extensively myself.

Are there generally experienced players out there that basically see the Ritualist as a "well, we can't find a monk so lets just take the rit" class, or even as another kind of offensive casting class? How do non-rit players see rits?

Theus

Jungle Guide

Join Date: May 2005

W/Mo

The Ritualist can never be an offensive caster until they're Channeling magics also have Armor Penetration.

The amount of damage a 16 Channeling Ritualist can do to a Ranger/Warrior is absolutely pitiful.

Count to Potato

Count to Potato

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Feb 2006

Imagination Land

I Swear She Was Eighteen [Gwen]

W/

I would take em, especially for sprit spam

LumpOfCole

LumpOfCole

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2006

Orlando, FL

Rt/

Yeah, I'm the first to laugh at the Channeling tree like it's a complete joke, because it is I just wonder if others who don't really know a lot about the Ritualist assume that they can be an offensive caster if they just spec that way.

And they can spec that way, sort of. Except the damage would be comming from 4-5 Communing Spirits

Defiled Corpse

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Aug 2006

Auckland, New Zealand

Reapers of Oblivion

N/

One of if not the best solo farming characters in the game. Excellent for support in groups, and excellent as dmg dealers its just finding someone that knows how to use a rit properly is the problem.

LumpOfCole

LumpOfCole

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2006

Orlando, FL

Rt/

Usually bashing on noobs is boring, but I must say, when I'm playing Random or Team Arena, and I set up Pain, Bloodsong, Shadowsong, and Dissonance all in a horizontal line against the enemy line, then an opposing Warrior decides to move in, I giggle every time.


Speaking of Dissonance, I'm surprised that skill isn't Elite.

Sekkira

Sekkira

Forge Runner

Join Date: Apr 2005

Canberra, AU

Why the hell would you use elemental damage on a ranger?

Anyway, I see them as anti-pressure/damage mitigation. When I look for people, I ask for a healer and a prot monk or damage mitigation rit. Although I played a ritualist when I first got the game, I never played it for too long as it was definately not my play style and of course didn't learn too much about it.

Theus

Jungle Guide

Join Date: May 2005

W/Mo

Quote:
Originally Posted by LumpOfCole
Usually bashing on noobs is boring, but I must say, when I'm playing Random or Team Arena, and I set up Pain, Bloodsong, Shadowsong, and Dissonance all in a horizontal line against the enemy line, then an opposing Warrior decides to move in, I giggle every time.


Speaking of Dissonance, I'm surprised that skill isn't Elite. Jesus.Shadowsong is such a bitch.I hate being on team as the only warrior against it..I have to at least hope that a caster can go in and become its target before I go in.

sinican

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2006

SAW

D/

Rit is a major must imo when it comes to high dmg mobs such as in the elite missions... the ritualist spirits have the upper hand in mitigating dmg...

i good spirt rit can keep a party of 8 alive with a single healer... major leverage in Alliance battles...

all that dmg goes poof up to ritualist spirits... and they do have one heck of a solo farming build with many variations for adaptability...

yea i have a rit but i guess u cant view a rit the same unless youve played one... they seem to be able to do almost anything

LumpOfCole

LumpOfCole

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2006

Orlando, FL

Rt/

Well, I guess they aren't very good for running

And soloing shrines in AB is quite fun as a Rit. It takes a few seconds to build up the spirits, but it's pretty nifty that I can cap a shrine by my lonesome. Being a support class, it usually isn't a good idea, but in a PUG on AB, it's hard to keep together as it is...

ZomgZergRush

Academy Page

Join Date: Jun 2006

Altrumm Ruins :o

Swarm of the Zerg [ZERG]

Rt/Me

Quote:
Originally Posted by LumpOfCole
Well, I guess they aren't very good for running Lies! I can do the Ascalon -> cay run on my rit

Former Ruling

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Oct 2005

Cedartown, Georgia

R/

I wouldnt take someone going "RIt LFG"

Because I know from my experience in PvE that they'd be some stupid Channeling Rit or something.

sinican

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2006

SAW

D/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Former Ruling
I wouldnt take someone going "RIt LFG"

Because I know from my experience in PvE that they'd be some stupid Channeling Rit or something. a channeling rit really isnt that bad up to half way through cantha...

good secondary allows them to be a rather nice preasure build or spike build even a nice AoE build... but alas not many folks can unlock their potential well...

really though there is no alternative until the rt can cap Ritual Lord Elite...

i had some really good success with a single spirit channeling rit definately more so with a good tank in the group can set up from really nice AoE dmg... and believe it or not they do wonderfully as a weapon spell rit supportive role especially on an assassin... allowing that assassin to kd poison blind daze all whilst keeping him alive its a massacre

Tobias Funke

Tobias Funke

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Mar 2006

The Following of Xanthar

Me/N

The Rt/N mm build works well too.

lg5000

lg5000

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jul 2005

Australia

I dunno, I'll accept anyone into the group, but do answer my question when I ask what you're playing, it gives me a chance to add to the team as necessary. I'm not assuming you're a restoration ritulist, but if you are, tell me so we can get more damage. If you're playing communion, let me know, that way, i can add a prot monk.

I really haven't played a rit or looked at rit skills much, so you'll find that I'm not inclined to add a rit to a group of 7/8 when I'm looking for a monk, unless you can assure me I don't need a monk but a rit.

Dawgboy

Dawgboy

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Dec 2005

Ohio

Antisocial Misfit

As long as they KNOW they're monk support, they're great. If they think they're some kind of mini-nuker it means trouble.
With a good rit, I don't have to worry about double-casting healing spells like I would with a second monk.
And a lot of those Canthan monsters do big damage. My healer can only try to keep up with it, but a rit can keep the damage to a reasonable level.

I'm not sure if I'd rather have a ritualist or a protect monk in my party, though. I've rarely seen a prot monk in a pug, so I guess it doesn't matter.

Scavenger Rage

Scavenger Rage

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Apr 2006

Brazil

dTe - Do The Evolution

N/Mo

Ritualists unlike assassins are a versatile class that can solo places (vengeful), be an EXCELENT secondary class for a huge number of other classes (warriors with weapons, rangers with spirit skills, necros with communing...), be a descent primary healer with restoration, be THE ULTIMATE monk support with rit. lord (which btw, its NOT the only build in existence...it saddens me that 9 out of 10 ritualitst don’t know anything other then shelter + union combo...) and even deal MASSIVE dmg (not relying only on channeling spells since the "no ap" makes them useless in most cases, i actually meant spirit spam).

After playing one for a long while now on PVE, and a little bit on pvp (ab, ra, ta and gvg...never tried hoh with it) I find the class the best addiction factions gave to the franchise (I am seriously considering deleting my assassin like MANY other had simply because its such narrow minded class that have absolutely no diversity in game play...OOOOO yes, and it sucks a whole lot on PVE ^^).

Latter.

Shadow of Light

Shadow of Light

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jun 2006

Australia

Mo/

You people think Channeling Ritualists are a joke?

I beg to differ. A little more exploration into chaining skills might be of use to the doubters out there. A Channeling Ritualist in the right hands can dish out enough damage that it won't *matter* if their spells have no armour penetration.

Morganas

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: May 2005

When I see a rit in pvp, I'm annoyed, knowing that the battle will be stupidly drawn out.

I wish Anet never added them.

Across The Battle

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Feb 2006

Jersey

W/

Personally I find rits to be not quite as good as monks, but for a hard mission, say thk id perfer 2 monks and a rit to just 2 monks. Rits are more versitile then monks, but monks are stronger at healing IMO

Gwmaster

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Sep 2005

Canada/Quebec

N/

i started playing the ritualist since factions came out, and i love it.
wen im set to spirit spam, the team never goes below 75% of theyr health most of the time.and for farming heh....tell me what other class can kill 12 onis in less than 20 seconds.

Former Ruling

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Oct 2005

Cedartown, Georgia

R/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shadow of Light
You people think Channeling Ritualists are a joke?

I beg to differ. A little more exploration into chaining skills might be of use to the doubters out there. A Channeling Ritualist in the right hands can dish out enough damage that it won't *matter* if their spells have no armour penetration. Explain your godlyness on the Channeling Rit lol.

Ancestors' Rage - Good Dmg for AoE. Best done off a Warrior. Its decent.
Channeled Strike - Decent dmg, but cast time is meh, and its conditional...
Clamor of Souls - Shouldn't even be elite. There are nonelites IN CHANNELING ITSELF that are better dmg...
Cruel Was Daoshen - Recharge is so ridiculous this is....god.
Destruction - One of the blossoms, this with like a rupture soul is good. Range is lower than I'd like.
Essence Strike - I can see its reason for being there..basically free cheap dmg. But...like said Ele has these types that have AP too..
Gaze from Beyond - Conditional, but good dmg. Its decent.
Grasping Was Kuurong - Why is this Elite?
Lamentation - No. Decent dmg on a 30 recharge.
Nightmare Weapon - So-So. but I guess for 5 energy you cant expect much, looking at balance.
Painful Bond - LEET SAUCE. Not. Its like Barbs, awesome, cause everyone loves and uses Barbs.
Signet of Spirits - Linked to the wrong attribute...and it really requires spirit spamming to be effective...but OPPS Spirit Spammers already have to use Twisting or Lord..
Spirit Boon Strike - Novelty spell. mid-range dmg on less than decent cast/recharge, this is of course balanced by it healing your spirits...yea.
Spirit Burn - Its like the Flare of Channeling alittle more dmg for a longer recharge.
Spirit Rift - Reminds me of Stoning, except alittle more dmg, a 3 sec wait for the foe to leave, twice the cast time, and no Good Side effect to justify it.
Spirit Siphon - At max Channeling, this gives 9 energy, a net of 4. This sounds awesome on a 3 recharge...but the rewards are only noticable if you keep it up - meaning new spirits every few secs to siphon from, good luck with that.
Splinter Weapon - Decent AoE on bunched up groups
Wailing Weapon - Interupt Rangers, Assassins, and Warriors with other Assassins, Rangers, or Warriors

Nothing just SCREAMS out at me that would make me take this line. The line as it is now is just some /Decent/ Dmg on less than decent Cast times and Recharges, and no good extras except 2-3 mediocore Energy management spells.

Shrouded Waffle

Shrouded Waffle

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jul 2006

Professional Henchway [pRo]

Let's just hope ANet buffs the Channeling line...

You may start to see Channeling spikes in halls if the buff comes. xP

Shadow Dragon

Shadow Dragon

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: May 2006

Harrismith, South Africa

[SAGA]

W/Mo

Very useful when going rit lord build. combined with a bond monk your party can take insane amounts of damage.

Yanman.be

Yanman.be

Banned

Join Date: Dec 2005

Belgium

[ROSE]

A/

I first try to full my team with 8 assassins, but they're pretty extinct, so I might take in a rit or a mesmer.

Sir_Zammic

Sir_Zammic

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2005

Where all the fluffy Pomeranians roam free... <3

The Nephilim of Grenth [Neph]

E/Mo

In my opinion, Ritualists are more of "healing encouragement", meaning that they use different types of healing spells that don't so as much excessive healing as monks do. However, I agree that Ritual Lords are very effective in some missions or quests. However, I would much rather have a monk healing than a ritualist. Sometimes they are helpful, sometimes not. I would give a ritualist a 8/10 for healing...

mega_jamie

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Apr 2006

UK

Warlords of Ruin

A/Mo

I was playing ritual lord form a very early point, it took about 2 months after the game being released for me to see another "Rit Lord LFG FoW" in ToA, when I was there in a week and a bit.

I have to say it is very appreciated build, with its own variations, I've never had a party that didnt appreciate the value of the build, and I dont think ive ever been in FoW with more than 1 monk in the party since then.

Unfortunatly many people there don't seem educated in how a rt can work properly, personally I would think of myself as better than a bonder monk, especially for 5 man parties, but some people just dont seem to get how well Rts can work.

Oh well, I think rts will really begin to be appreciated in Nightfall as the only way of keeping prot-esque spells on a dervish.

pork soldier

pork soldier

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2005

I see Ritualists and I think "gee, this gvg is going straight to VoD isn't it?" then I think "I wish I could remove all ritualists from guildwars forever."

Ghull Ka

Ghull Ka

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2005

Seattle, WA

Grenths Helpdesk

N/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Across The Battle
Personally I find rits to be not quite as good as monks, but for a hard mission, say thk id perfer 2 monks and a rit to just 2 monks. Rits are more versitile then monks, but monks are stronger at healing IMO You can do THK with one monk and no ritualist -- we did it this weekend.

With a ritualist, you can darn well do THK with one monk. One very bored monk. :-)

B Ephekt

B Ephekt

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Feb 2006

Team Crystalline [TC]

Mo/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Across The Battle
Personally I find rits to be not quite as good as monks,
Rits are generally more useful than a prot monk in pve, simply because most pve prot monks are bonders or really bad active prots. A rit spammer can negate way more damage than even an active prot, imo. For pvp, I'm still undecided since an on-demand Prot Spirit is very nice, but Displacement is also a life saver.
Quote:
but for a hard mission, say thk id perfer 2 monks and a rit to just 2 monks. Rits are more versitile then monks, but monks are stronger at healing IMO THK is hard? I always thought it was just long and boring, but anyway. 2 monks and a rit is just a waste, 1 healer and 1 rit is more than enough for any mission. You're better off using that other spot for an offensive character.

Numa Pompilius

Numa Pompilius

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: May 2005

At an Insit.. Intis... a house.

Live Forever Or Die Trying [GLHF]

W/Me

Quote:
Originally Posted by LumpOfCole
Meaning, if you're gathering a group for a mission and you see "Ritualist LFG" in chat, do you consider taking them? Do you see them as a poor man's healer? I'd assume it was a spiritspammer, as spiritspamming is so godly. Half of the time I don't know what the spirits do, but it's pretty obvious they're doing something good.

Would I take one? Yes, of course.

Carth`

Carth`

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by LumpOfCole
Meaning, if you're gathering a group for a mission and you see "Ritualist LFG" in chat, do you consider taking them? Do you see them as a poor man's healer? I love ritalists. If I see one LFG I take him/her of course. However, I see many, many party leaders refuse them, for no apparent reason. I think they just don't understand what a ritualist does or can do.

I spend most of my time in PvE Tyria, and ritualists are hard to find there, although there are a few creeping into ToA now. But not enough to have one on demand if you say "LF ritualist".

Btw, I play a monk, and yes monks are better healers, and better at protecting one character, but ritualists are so great for protecting the whole party, and makes my job as a monk so much easier because people hardly get hurt.

Edit: btw, I haven't played a rit myself, so I don't know exactly what they can do apart from being a rit lord. I've had ritalists in my party who spammed other spirits that blinded, interrupted etc, and that person was just as useful as a protecting spirit spammer. Love those spirits.

Amity and Truth

Amity and Truth

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jun 2006

W/N

I'll ask the ritualists what kind of build they're bringing and then decide to let them in or stay in the outpost. Though my answer doesn't really count as i've finished the game on a ritualist even though i somehow rushed it (as soon as i capped Ritual Lord the whole thing became extremely boring... hitting 4 keys again and again and again. A 5.th and a 6.th key now and then and back to hitting 4 keys again. Bleh).

Stemnin

Stemnin

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Nov 2005

Mo/Me

Almost 800 hours of PvE (and a bit of pvp) monking, and 150 hours of Rit, love em both, for different reasons , I can heal 7 ppl with my monk on alot of quests/missions, but restoration on 7 peeps can be very difficult . I've Been using the weapon spells combo with attuned was songkai lately, instead of the Rt lord (got bored).

I still have yet to get protector of cantha for my monk (did both campaigns), but got that on my Rt


It wasnt too difficult finding groups with my Rit, prob a lil' easier than it was with my warrior.. 1 war is more than enough

SpeedyKQ

SpeedyKQ

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Dec 2005

E/Me

I play a rit all the time too but I'll answer anyways.

I don't assume anything when I see "rit LFG". If I'm in desperate need of a healer I might whisper them and ask them what type they are. But their failing to advertise their role makes me hesitant to trust their skill. (Kind of like I'll gladly take "SS LFG" or "MM LFG" but "necro LFG" not so much.)

If someone says "restoration rit LFG" or "ritual lord LFG" I'll pick them up in a heartbeat unless I already have my two healers. When I'm making a group I want to have a healing monk, and 1 out of prot monk, ritual lord, and restoration rit. Much better than 2 healing monks.

LumpOfCole

LumpOfCole

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2006

Orlando, FL

Rt/

I love doing missions in Tyria because Rits are so rare there. Ritual Lord is one fantastic Elite once it is attained, that's for sure. Forever Union+Shelter=Pwnage.


Now here's a question for some of you out there. When you're playing the as a Rit Lord "Monk Supporter" with Union and Shelter being your primary crutches, do you have your Communing at 16 and Spawning at 13 or vice versa?

TGgold

TGgold

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2005

Flying Gophers

Rt/P

Quote:
Originally Posted by pork soldier
I see Ritualists and I think "gee, this gvg is going straight to VoD isn't it?" then I think "I wish I could remove all ritualists from guildwars forever." When I see a Rit in PvP, I like to divert them. Or have a ranger interrupt them. And then they don't really matter anymore

LumpOfCole

LumpOfCole

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2006

Orlando, FL

Rt/

Rangers >.>

Cambeul

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Aug 2006

N/Me

I use Spawning 16, and communing 13. So Rit Lord recharges 79% faster I think? and gives spirits more health. Plus I also use Feast of Souls for a Spike 400HP heal to the party. People have asked how I get Heal Party that high =D =P

Servant of Kali

Servant of Kali

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jan 2006

Me/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carth
btw, I haven't played a rit myself, so I don't know exactly what they can do apart from being a rit lord. Get a good Rt with dmg spirits in your party, then do last mission in Factions and Prophecies, and visit the areas with monsters whose level is above 20 Have fun