Please explain me which class/second class would do best for a Barrage build, Ranger or Assassin, or even another class. Thanks.
EDIT: I play PvE only.
Barrage Assassins > Barrage Rangers?
Windf0rce
The question is pretty simple. I play Elementalists for a long time, but now I want to make a Barrage based character and I'm undecided if I take a Ranger or Assassin. I heard Assassins can deal better damage than Rangers, with their Critical Strikes and use some bleeding for degen. Is that true or not?
Please explain me which class/second class would do best for a Barrage build, Ranger or Assassin, or even another class. Thanks.
EDIT: I play PvE only.
Please explain me which class/second class would do best for a Barrage build, Ranger or Assassin, or even another class. Thanks.
EDIT: I play PvE only.
Vexed
I've played both and they're both viable.
Ranger prime will get you better raw damage due to maxed marksmanship and guaranteed e-management through expertise.
Assassin prime can get you better conditional damage if you get lots of foes bleeding, but spamming barrage without expertise can suck if you're missing critical hits (and don't forget, you have a hard time landing crits against high level foes).
Also, for Assassins, you have a lot of upkeep to do (sharpen daggers, critical eye, etc) to make the build worth running.
As for secondary class, well, the Assassin doesn't have any choice, and can only run a Barrage build one way. There are dozens of variants on Barrage for Rangers (Judge's Insight, Conjure spells, GfTE, etc) that Assassins simply won't have access to.
I like the ranger Barrager better than the 'Sin Barrager myself, but if you're having trouble getting your sin through some areas of the game, playing as a Barrager instead of using your daggers can be a good way to go.
Ranger prime will get you better raw damage due to maxed marksmanship and guaranteed e-management through expertise.
Assassin prime can get you better conditional damage if you get lots of foes bleeding, but spamming barrage without expertise can suck if you're missing critical hits (and don't forget, you have a hard time landing crits against high level foes).
Also, for Assassins, you have a lot of upkeep to do (sharpen daggers, critical eye, etc) to make the build worth running.
As for secondary class, well, the Assassin doesn't have any choice, and can only run a Barrage build one way. There are dozens of variants on Barrage for Rangers (Judge's Insight, Conjure spells, GfTE, etc) that Assassins simply won't have access to.
I like the ranger Barrager better than the 'Sin Barrager myself, but if you're having trouble getting your sin through some areas of the game, playing as a Barrager instead of using your daggers can be a good way to go.
pingu666
probably ranger, as theres still sin discrimination :/
Sqube
For what it's worth, it's a little easier to get into PuGs sometimes if you advertise yourself as a critical barrager, so I don't think that's as big a consideration.
Amy Awien
Quote:
Originally Posted by Windf0rce
I heard Assassins can deal better damage than Rangers, with their Critical Strikes and use some bleeding for degen. Is that true or not?
No, a primary ranger has a better Barrage, but it's a close call.
There was a thread on the Assasin forum a while back where we did some damage calculations.
There was a thread on the Assasin forum a while back where we did some damage calculations.
XvArchonvX
An A/R barrage 'sin isn't a bad choice, but is simply lesser than a primary ranger using barrage. The biggest reason for this is that the bleeding that a 'sin barrager might inflict doesn't tend to do much damage at a -3 health degen when the target will likely die long before the bleeding will live out it's duration. The barrage from a primary ranger will likely kill any targets before a -3 degen could make much of any difference. This being said, I don't think this is a bad way to run a 'sin. I do however thing that the following build is probably better for a 'sin in PvE (although I will admit to being pretty inexperienced with 'sins in general):
http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Build:A/E_Signet_Spiker
Too bad Blinding Surge can't be capped until late in NF.
http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Build:A/E_Signet_Spiker
Too bad Blinding Surge can't be capped until late in NF.
Darkpower Alchemist
I've played both Crit Barrager and Barrage Ranger in various forms, and tend to agree that it is a close call if the builds are similar, but the rangers natural variety as a primary ranger just outshines the sin's secondary barrage usage.
However, if your critical strike is high enough, e management isn't as much of an issue until the battle drags on for too long, which is the case in areas where a mob is nearly continuosly replenished. Cantha, for example has a few situations like this, but shouldn't discourage you from making the attempt of experimenting with either ingame.
However, if your critical strike is high enough, e management isn't as much of an issue until the battle drags on for too long, which is the case in areas where a mob is nearly continuosly replenished. Cantha, for example has a few situations like this, but shouldn't discourage you from making the attempt of experimenting with either ingame.
Yanman.be
I'm a sin myself, and played both barrage classes. Go ranger, you can play other builds too then.
Sir Mad
Quote:
Originally Posted by Amy Awien
There was a thread on the Assasin forum a while back where we did some damage calculations.
Yeah I remember this thread, but as usually there was a bunch of numbers to make it look really objective despite the fact it didn't take into consideration many aspects of the game. Comparing the damage dealt by a sin and a ranger is impossible, since even if you try to include every variable, make charts for the different kind of bows, for foes immune to bleeding or that who ain't, include the time spent for casting sin enchants, the probability for a sin to run out of energy and have to use normal attacks till he gets energy back with a crit, make different charts depending on both the hp and AL of your opponent to measure the length and therefore the damage taken from bleeding, etc, there is still one more variable that is not clearly known: the probability of doing a critical strike - it's known it depends on both your level in the weapon attribute nd the elvel of the opponent, but last time I checked no one had figured how it works exactly. So in this case, I really think that personal experience > "math".
Now to answer the OP, this is very subjective, but IMO, sins are better than ranger in low level places: crit barragers are deadly in Consulate Dicks for example, better than rangers. But I find rangers more efficient in high end places where many foes can't bleed, and where their high level lower the probability of doing a crit strike.
Now to answer the OP, this is very subjective, but IMO, sins are better than ranger in low level places: crit barragers are deadly in Consulate Dicks for example, better than rangers. But I find rangers more efficient in high end places where many foes can't bleed, and where their high level lower the probability of doing a crit strike.
J3mo
Well since there is "Go for the eyes!" now, rangers outdamage assasins anytime.
Orange Milk
Yeah, cause GfTE is up ALWAYS, uh huh.
Anyway, Zealous Bow will solve the Sins E issuses, but thats about it. A Sin can sharpen Blades/barrage, not much else.
The Ranger can add/change what he puts on his barrage to adapt to whatever part of the game he is in, which is why I love Rangers, they are versitle and adaptable morre than any other Prof.
Anyway, Zealous Bow will solve the Sins E issuses, but thats about it. A Sin can sharpen Blades/barrage, not much else.
The Ranger can add/change what he puts on his barrage to adapt to whatever part of the game he is in, which is why I love Rangers, they are versitle and adaptable morre than any other Prof.
anshin
Quote:
Originally Posted by Orange Milk
The Ranger can add/change what he puts on his barrage to adapt to whatever part of the game he is in, which is why I love Rangers, they are versitle and adaptable morre than any other Prof.
yes... gotta love rangers....
to the OP... why not try both... and keep the one you enjoy more... simple as that... we don't have to tell you what you like best...
to the OP... why not try both... and keep the one you enjoy more... simple as that... we don't have to tell you what you like best...
Coloneh
if your worried about damage, it is pretty balanced. rangers do more damage per arrow, but sins have a high chance to critical, and the critical arrows do more damage than ranger arrows.
I prefer a critical barrager myself
I prefer a critical barrager myself
Maria The Princess
you wanna make a 1 elite based charcter??? what a waste
anyhow, make a ranger and you will see how great they are. they can do tons of other funner things then barrage. rangers can add tons of damage on top of that +17 arrow, and they have one of the best energy managemnt of all classes.
unless a sin is using daggers a ranger will outdamage a sin
and dagger sins are not barragers
anyhow, make a ranger and you will see how great they are. they can do tons of other funner things then barrage. rangers can add tons of damage on top of that +17 arrow, and they have one of the best energy managemnt of all classes.
unless a sin is using daggers a ranger will outdamage a sin
and dagger sins are not barragers
XvArchonvX
Even if A/Rs could out damage a primary ranger using barrage, they are as mentioned quite a bit more conditional since they are reliant on enchantments and the ability for the enemy to bleed to be able to do decent damage. Also, when I ran my 'sin as a Crit Barrager, I encountered energy problems often when I attacked only one enemy. Also interupting was a bit more inneficient since Savage Shot is really energy heavy with no expertise and Distracting Shot is often less practical for PvE with the longer recharge time.
Vexed
Totally agree with Archon, a barrager should be able to interrupt here and there too, and 'Sins just can't keep up with that part of the equation at all like a ranger can.
If you really want to barrage all over the place, make a ranger so you can adapt the build. An assassin using barrage, while it works, just doesn't have the same versatility, and versatility is what makes Rangers fun.
If you really want to barrage all over the place, make a ranger so you can adapt the build. An assassin using barrage, while it works, just doesn't have the same versatility, and versatility is what makes Rangers fun.
Windf0rce
Very informative thread; thanks much for the replies.
I have decided and I've created a new Ranger! Still far from getting the Barrage skill, can't wait.
I have decided and I've created a new Ranger! Still far from getting the Barrage skill, can't wait.
Maria The Princess
hurray for a new young ranger!
you will enjoy him/her alot!
you will enjoy him/her alot!
ZephyLynx
Don't make a character based upon one elite skill. Barrage will get very, very boring if that's all you are planning on doing. I used to think that Barrage was t3h uber 1337 skill and played it all the time. Just hitting 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1....
Then I got very bored and went to monking. After a while, I came back to ranger, played many other builds, and now it is my favorite class to play. There are many builds with other elites that are fun to play. Barrage is good every once in a while, but will quickly get boring if you just use that skill. Have fun, experiment with other builds: spiking, traps, conditions, running, crippling, and many others (just don't play touch ranger...). Ranger is one of the most versitile classes, a "jack of all trades."
Then I got very bored and went to monking. After a while, I came back to ranger, played many other builds, and now it is my favorite class to play. There are many builds with other elites that are fun to play. Barrage is good every once in a while, but will quickly get boring if you just use that skill. Have fun, experiment with other builds: spiking, traps, conditions, running, crippling, and many others (just don't play touch ranger...). Ranger is one of the most versitile classes, a "jack of all trades."
Sir Mad
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZephyLynx
(just don't play touch ranger...)
Why not? <insert something here to meet the minimum number of characters requirement>
Dr Strangelove
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sir Mad
crit barragers are deadly in Consulate Dicks
Best typo ever. 
I generally feel that rangers are a bit better, not because they're vastly better while spamming barrage, but because the ranger has 6-7 other slots to work with, and a lot more energy to play with. Those can be filled with spirits, interrupts, self healing, defensive skills, pets, hard rezzes, or anything else that comes to mind. Assassins are more restricted, both in terms of attributes and skill slots.
I generally feel that rangers are a bit better, not because they're vastly better while spamming barrage, but because the ranger has 6-7 other slots to work with, and a lot more energy to play with. Those can be filled with spirits, interrupts, self healing, defensive skills, pets, hard rezzes, or anything else that comes to mind. Assassins are more restricted, both in terms of attributes and skill slots.
jesh
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZephyLynx
Don't make a character based upon one elite skill. Barrage will get very, very boring if that's all you are planning on doing. I used to think that Barrage was t3h uber 1337 skill and played it all the time. Just hitting 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1....
QFT. Please try more builds than just Barrage. A ranger can do so much more than that.
Maria The Princess
Quote:
touch rangers are good green farmers in Cantha, so u can play touch ranger, just not in PvP plz >_<
Sir Mad
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr Strangelove
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Maria the Princess
touch rangers are good green farmers in Cantha, so u can play touch ranger, just not in PvP plz >_<
Meh, farming Mending warriors is nice too - too bad they never drop their FDS.
Lykan
Go ranger and then once you have capped barrage never use it again then realise that they can actually play other builds that are much better and more fun.
FoxBat
Quote:
Originally Posted by J3mo
Well since there is "Go for the eyes!" now, rangers outdamage assasins anytime.
GftE only works on one arrow of barrage like splinter weapon, I posted my test results in the latest GftE barrager thread.
Kais Unduli
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maria The Princess
*putting flame shield on*
touch rangers are good green farmers in Cantha, so u can play touch ranger, just not in PvP plz >_< Yes, emphasis on the not in pvp, please. I've tried running a Barrage ranger even in missions where I know the mobs will be clumped together, but I found myself wishing I had a Punishing Shot or Choking Gas build instead to focus on that one caster in the group making it hard for the rest of my group. Barrage is fun to play, but I don't play my rangers (Yes, I have more than one. I like rangers.) as a Barrager all the time. It's not that fun.
Sir Mad
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kais Unduli
Yes, emphasis on the not in pvp, please.
I've tried running a Barrage ranger even in missions where I know the mobs will be clumped together, but I found myself wishing I had a Punishing Shot or Choking Gas build instead to focus on that one caster in the group making it hard for the rest of my group. Barrage is fun to play, but I don't play my rangers (Yes, I have more than one. I like rangers.) as a Barrager all the time. It's not that fun. Funny, I've never been a reg of RA but I went there a few times with a rit lord back in the days. People were like "oh great, a rit", etc. With a Touchie, most of the comments (mainly of the players I killed actually - I never had a mesmer talking that way after having killed me) were like "noob toucher, learn how to make a build", and other comments about how cheap this build is since it doesn't require to have a PhD Guild Wars to play. Yet they never asked themselves which build was easier to play: rit lord or touchie... Concerning the shut down builds, if you wanna shut down one caster in PvE, Concussion Shot or BHA (or even Magebane Shot) are IMO much better choices than Chocking Gaz or PunShot. PunShot is not a spamable interrupt and you can't catch everything with it. I actually see it more like an attack skill with a (very nice) side-effect that is the interrupt. PS/CG build is efficient in a few places, but its main strength is the AoE interrupt. Beside that, it's pretty weak damage-wise, and in most of the areas (emphasis on "most", it is in a few) potentially interrupting several catsers at once is not needed, and taking them down quickly with another damage dealer instead is preferable. The advantage of BHA/Concussion is that you need only one skill to completely shut down a caster, and can fill your skillbar with other attack skills to combine both interrupting and damage dealing.
Marverick
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sir Mad
Woops
Meh, farming Mending warriors is nice too - too bad they never drop their FDS. Ew, the +3 hp regen/-1 nrg regen greens they drop are disgusting =P |
