What is a fun primary/secondary class to start with?

Hi everyone,

I'm just starting Guild Wars again after a long break. I'm pretty competitive in online games so even though I want to play casually I want to pick a primary/secondary class combination that won't suck in PvP in the long run. My wife is going to start also and was planning on trying a Monk/Warrior (we only have the original game), and I was thinking something like Warrior/??.

Anyone have a suggestion on a fun class combination that I could try? I am open to almost anything but would prefer that it had some viability in PvP and would like my primary class to be Warrior. Is Warrior/Elementalist an option?

Thanks for any help!

Since you've played other games, realize this. A warrior does not a tank make. There is no agro-magnet skill, and warriors can't be paladins (a Warrior/Monk is not what paladin is in other games). Playing a warrior will for most part require you to learn how to manage agro and how to direct the flow of combat.

PvP is another beast altogether. In GW, you don't level up to play in pvp. If you want to be competitive, you have PvP-only characters that are equipped for free. Also, being competitive in PvP will require you to have at least Prophecies and Nightfall. All chapters and all unlocks never hurt. You can play without, but you'll find yourself very limited. Competitive, but limited.

As for what is fun, that's just for you to decide. Any class can counter any class, and any class can dominate any other class. It's just a matter of build.

But above all, grind doesn't define you. The only thing you do lock yourself in is primary class. Everything else can be changed. There is no long run in GW - you are not locked in with grind. It all comes down to choice.

Classes used in pvp vary heavily depending on type of pvp. While Ritualists and Necros are rarely seen in GvG, they are common sight in random arenas. And so on....

Warriors are common in pvp, but most players know that, so melee hate is strong, and finding yourself completely shutdown for the duration of the match isn't uncommon.

Monks are welcome in most pvp types, with exception of arena or two, where they aren't absolutely necessary.

Thanks for your help, that was very informative!

Play mesmer, it's a good profession to own every other professions

You can change the secondary class of a PvE character before he reaches normal PvP areas, but you'll be at a small disadvantage compared to PvP-only characters.

Warrior/Elementalists are very popular in PvP, although kind of specialised in PvE. A lot of people (most people) start with Warrior/Monk, and they're pretty popular in PvP, too.

make a ranger--they are the easiest class to learn, are extremley versatile and are always wanted. like all classes, they have their callenging aspects but in my opinion they are very easy, fun and effective to play.

warrior may sound easy but they are one of the harder classes to play in the game. you have to change your build constantly to fit your surroundings and you need to find a right balance between offense and defense.

the top four hardest classes to play in the game in my opinion would be assassin, mesmer, monk and warrior...out of them i think assassin is hardest to play, but most fun.

Rangers are always wanted? You have got to be kidding. In PvE people want 1 tank, 2-3 monks, SS and/or MM necro and fire eles. Well, that's about it No dervish, no paragon, no ranger, no ritualist (unless you can't find 2 monks), no assassin (BIG NO-NO in PvE ), and no mesmer (unless leader has some PvP experience).
The most wanted profession ever is monk, end of story...

My favourite team of 8 for most parts of PvE would be
1. Warrior (Tank/DD)
2. Domination Mesmer
3. Interrupt Ranger
4. Healer Monk
5. Prot Monk
6. SS Necro
7. Fire Ele (nuker)
8. Earth Ele (warder)

Go Necro!! always wanted and can play offence or defence and they do it well.

Necros are ideal for farming as well. Most farm groups involve a Necro build.

Get in a good guild and they accept whatever you wish to play.

Really any 2 human players can do well together regardless of what they choose to play. It doesn't take long to level a toon so try out the various professions and pick one you enjoy playing, that is the most important point.

Pick a 2nd that you want to unlock skills for in PvP for when you get there but as stated you can always change it later in the game.

i guess youre bad ranger because i can get into any group in any mission in under a minute....my idea of a good group is 2 monks, 2 warriors(or 1 derv), 1 nuker, 1 mesmer, 1 mm(if there are corpses)/curse or blood necro and a ranger/paragon/ritualist.

rangers are a great utitity to have on your team. they can spread conditions and interupt key enemy skills. they can blind and cripple any melees going for your casters and do a ton of damage-either aoe with barrage, or single out with a skill like burning arrow. rangers pets can also take some aggro as well as spread conditions and damage.

also, ill take an assassin on my team an day...as long as they ping their build so i know they know what the hell they are doing. assassins are a great asset to have. they can shadow step in, kill an important target like an enemy monk or another backline enemy and get back to safety fast...this is what makes assassin a hard PvE profession. they need to wait in the back behind all aggro so when when the rest of your team aggros, the enemy is distracted and the assassin can kick some ass.

There are two parts to guild wars. PVE and PVP. They are completely differently from each other.

PVE in Guild Wars prophecies:
Play any professions that you enjoy playing. They are all very good and fun. Try each one at the tutorial area using the profession changers. (Only exception is: do not play as a mesmer primary)
If you are intent on playing a Warrior, Warrior/Monk is the most popular and best for PVE. It will allow for solo farming.

PVP
You really need all 3 campaigns, lots of skill unlocks, teamspeak/ventrilo, and huge time commitment for high level PVP. For most players, PVP will mostly be limited to Random Arena and Team Arena. You can play as a shock warrior in these arenas, and you should do fine.

Remember, the most important thing is to have fun.

Define fun please. Different people have different play styles. Here are some generalizations. If you want an overview of a class, you can usually just look at the elite skills.
Melee with high defense: Warrior
Enchantment reliant melee: Dervish
Blowing mobs up: Fire elementalist
Healing people: Monk
Countering (Shutdown): Mesmer
Interrupts: Mesmer/Ranger
Conjuring dead/spirits: Necromancer, Communing Ritualist
Damage + Support: Non-fire Elementalist, Tactics Warrior, Ranger, Restoration Ritualist
Buffer: Protection monk, Paragon, Ritualist
Debuffer: Necromancer Blood and/or curses, Mesmer
Ninja-style melee attacker: Assassin
Trapper: Ranger

Personally I wouldn't choose Mesmer as a first class to play because of the intricacies of playing it. It requires a semi-decent grasp of the game before it is really effective. Other than the mesmer, everything else is mroe straightforward, if you will.

http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Primary_profession_guide