Fine Tuning a Barrage Hero Build

I'm a ranger at heart. I love the class for both PvE and PvP. I decided to start the former after taking a break and noticed that things have changed since six years ago. The last ranger group quest I remember doing was Temple of Primeval Kings. Oh how I miss those Ranger Barrage groups that were formed back then. Great times.

Enough chatter, though! Things have changed with the addition of heroes ... and I was hoping I could get some help fine tuning this Hero Barrage build. I don't claim that this build is innovative, because to be honest I found what I liked on GWPvX and took unique ideas from Khomet Si Netjer and Leberecht Reinhold (Burning + Scavenger Strike for E) and slapped them together. There are comments within the respected class builds.

--------------------------------------------------

1. Ranger / *
OgATY17lZ6xYxoVamUmE3gzg2A

Beast Mastery: 10
Expertise: 8 (7 + 1)
Marksmanship: 15 (12 + 1 + 2)

o Distracting Shot
o Barrage {E}
o Needling Shot
o "I Am the Strongest"
o "Dodge This!"
o "Scavenger Strike"
o "Call of Protection"
o "Comfort Animal"



COMMENTS:
How does this look for the main ranger? What would you change? The goal I was going for was low E (energy) skills so I could Barrage more often. Each skill is 5 E and of course the ranger ones are dropped to 3 E due to Expertise.

I find myself using Barrage first then hitting 4, 5, and 6 before opening up with another Barrage (rinse and repeat). I then use Needling Shot for survivors that are below 1 / 2 health.

Would you use Ebon Battle Standard of Honor instead of "Dodge This!"? I found that with the former I would run out of energy quite often. What about Needling Shot? Yay or nay?

--------------------------------------------------

2. & 3. Ranger / Paragon
OgkkYpXXGbSzjZx0KxNcmdMtBHD

Beast Mastery: 10
Expertise: 8 (7 + 1)
Marksmanship: 15 (12 + 1 + 2)
Command: 4

o Distracting Shot
o Barrage {E}
o Needling Shot
o Scavenger Strike
o Call of Protection
o "Fall Back!"
o "Comfort Animal"
o "We Shall Return!"



COMMENTS:
Same concept as above. The heroes don't use it in the same combo as I do (heh). I noticed that Needling Shot works awesome with them when used right. They sometimes use it before 50% health though. Perhaps Keen Shot?

I put the resurrection skills on these heroes since I figured they would have the energy for it.

With these heroes the build has 3 versions of the skill "Fall Back!" Too much? The constant speed boost is fun I must admit.

--------------------------------------------------

4. Paragon / Monk
OQOjUimMqOKYLc9GF3j3xmRcMA

o Blazing Spear
o "Go for the Eyes!"
o "Find Their Weakness!"
o Burning Refrain
o "They're on Fire!"
o "Fall Back!"
o "Empathic Removal {E}"
o "We Shall Return!"



COMMENTS:
I consider the Paragon the main hero in the group. Without her the concept sort of falls apart. The Paragon is inspired by Khomet Si Netjer.

I tried the damage anthems but I wasn't feeling them for some reason. So I saw Khomet's post and fell in love with the Burning Barrage concept.

--------------------------------------------------

5. Mesmer / Necromancer
OQREAmwjd6kBoBTvlPRwSYH+EA

o Power Drain
o Panic {E}
o Mistrust
o Waste Not, Want Not
o Drain Enchantment
o Mark of Pain
o Enfeebling Blood
o Weaken Armor



COMMENTS:
Your standard Panic {E} mesmer.

But this is where I'm confused. Should I use this hero for Curses as well? I feel that - at least for hard mode - I need a hero with interrupts and something in Curses.

--------------------------------------------------

6. Necromancer / Ritualist
OAhjQwGYoOGiJxQzkNOlmTuhJA

o Order of Pain
o Dark Fury
o Blood Bond
o Cultist's Fervor {E}
o Life
o Mend Body and Soul
o Spirit Light
o Protective Was Kaolai



COMMENTS:
Your standard orders with healing.

The elite doesn't sit well with me for some reason though. What would you choose? Would you change this hero to use Curses instead and use Spiteful Spirit {E} for hard mode?

What of the healing? Perhaps change him to Channeling for another Splinter Weapon?

--------------------------------------------------

7. Necromancer / Monk
OAhjUwGYoSVBoBLVKgbhSTTODTA

o Animate Bone Minions
o Death Nova
o Jagged Bones {E}
o Putrid Bile
o Masochism
o Shield of Absorption
o Protective Spirit
o Aegis



COMMENTS:
Your standard minion bomber with protection.

--------------------------------------------------

8. Ritualist / *

o Splinter Weapon
o Ancestor's Rage
o Bloodsong
o Signet of Spirits {E}
o Spirit Siphon
o Mend Body and Soul
o Spirit Light
o Protective Was Kaolai



COMMENTS:
Your standard Signet of Spirits {E} ritualist with heals.

--------------------------------------------------

NOTES:
Some of the heroes don't have attribute points posted. I change them often to see what suits them better. If you could recommend attributes for the ones that are missing that'd be awesome!

From using this build as-is I've come to the conclusion that I'd be happier if it was optimized. I don't know the current meta and what works or not thus I could use all the help I can get because I do like the idea of Barrage groups. I'm going through the storyline on normal to catch up but afterwards I want something to do missions, dungeons, and vanquishes fast - or at least painless - in hard mode (utilizing Rangers and Barrage). If it works out I also want to provide a clearing / running service if this build is up to the task.

I noticed that this build falls apart when mobs aren't balled up. Thanks to Wenspire's videos I learned proper lessons in pulling. Bombarding packs of mobs is so fun! Soooo fun! *EVIL GRIN*

Thanks for your patience in reading this.