Let me start by saying I have not played the game yet. But I have been reading a lot. I came up with this build and welcome suggestions and criticisms of it.
Classes:
--------
Warrior (primary)
Ranger
Attributes:
-----------
[] Swordsmanship: 11
[] Strength: 10
[] Marksmanship: 10
[] Beast Mastery: 1
Skills:
-------
Gash
Sever Artery
Seeking Blade
Endure Pain
Pure Strike
One Hundred Blades (elite)
Concussion Shot
Pin Down
Here is the thinking behind the build:
Gash, sever artery and seeking blade work well together. Two of those can cause bleeding and the other can do extra damage and have an effect if they hit a target that is already bleeding. So I like those three as a package against single targets.
Endure pain is a quasi-heal for when I get low or need extra health.
One hundred blades is my elite skill selection. It does a lot of damage and has an area of effect. So it is my multiple target offense.
This build does not have any stances, but it takes advantage of that by choosing pure strike as another offense attack which only works if you aren't using any stances.
Concussion shot is for interrupting/dazing casters until I can run over and get to them. Pin down is for any foe that is trying to kite me or get away. That, btw, is a major factor in this build - I wanted long range potential and I wanted to be able to stop people from running away/kiting me.
Anyway, this build is my own little quirky thing by someone who has yet to play the game. But if you more experienced folk comment on it maybe I can make it better.
Odd little Warrior/Ranger build for critique
Redfang
fawgre
I'm not a huge fan of this build because you're trying to multitask, but I'm a healer and I don't know anything about melee so I could be very wrong. But think about when you are in close combat--wouldn't you rather have 8 skills availible (especially something with healing, you're going to need it unless you want to become very dependant on a monk) than facing two skills completely worthless to you?
Just out of curiosity, what is "kiting"?
Just out of curiosity, what is "kiting"?
Kityn
Quote:
Originally Posted by fawgre
Just out of curiosity, what is "kiting"?
"Kiting" Staying out of attack range of a mob or player.Snaring/slowing victim and then using damage over time spells till victim is dead.Rinse and repeat
O and a few nukes as well or by using a bow,works as well.
"Kiting" Staying out of attack range of a mob or player.Snaring/slowing victim and then using damage over time spells till victim is dead.Rinse and repeat
O and a few nukes as well or by using a bow,works as well.
worthless
i think its a fun build, but you'd probably need a pretty good monk on your team since you are 99% offensive. but it looks like an enjoyable build to play, and thats the point of the game... for most 
but, if you dont want people running awy from you, you could have just used "hamstring", but then again, theres thousands of ways to make a build, and i dont want to change what you want
but, if you dont want people running awy from you, you could have just used "hamstring", but then again, theres thousands of ways to make a build, and i dont want to change what you want
Redfang
I appreciate the input so far! To answer some of the points people raised,
1. Yes, although I do have an emergency type heal with this build, it is not a warrior/monk. I like warrior/monk, but that class has very little ranged ability (which is something I want a lot).
2. I would rather fight an enemy face to face with only 6 useable abilities than face a ranged enemy with nothing.
3. I took a good look at hamstring, and it is great, but you have to be in melee range to use hamstring. I can stop people from running with this build without having to get in melee range first.
4. One thing that was on my mind was me covering ground to get to ranged attackers and them running away (while still attacking me) , that is, kiting me, or worse nuking me to death as I try to cover the ground between us. With this build if I see a caster casting at me zap concussion shot ends that. By the time they can cast again I am up close and personal.
5. I liked warrior/elementalist but I feared I would have an itty bitty energy pool that would make many of the elemtalist spells hard to use much.
1. Yes, although I do have an emergency type heal with this build, it is not a warrior/monk. I like warrior/monk, but that class has very little ranged ability (which is something I want a lot).
2. I would rather fight an enemy face to face with only 6 useable abilities than face a ranged enemy with nothing.
3. I took a good look at hamstring, and it is great, but you have to be in melee range to use hamstring. I can stop people from running with this build without having to get in melee range first.
4. One thing that was on my mind was me covering ground to get to ranged attackers and them running away (while still attacking me) , that is, kiting me, or worse nuking me to death as I try to cover the ground between us. With this build if I see a caster casting at me zap concussion shot ends that. By the time they can cast again I am up close and personal.
5. I liked warrior/elementalist but I feared I would have an itty bitty energy pool that would make many of the elemtalist spells hard to use much.
fawgre
Wow. That's actually pretty clever, then. I'm sorry for doubting you.
Scaphism
If you really want a profession that can do ranged, damage, warrior is probably the wrong choice for you.
Your build has no way to manage its energy.
You've focused mainly on sword skills, with 2 bow attacks thrown in.
Pin down costs 15 energy.
Concussion shot costs 25 energy.
You start with only 20 energy, and as a warrior, you recover 2 energy every 3 seconds, or 20 energy every 30 seconds.
On top of that, Concussion shot is used as an interrupt- to use it properly you have to camp a spellcaster target with your bow, ready to interrupt their long casting time spells. If you miss, well, you've wasted 25 energy, and you only have 20 to start with. (There are ways to pump up your energy above 20, but most of them require using a spellcaster focus- an item you use in your off-hand, impossible to use with bows since they are two handed)
To answer your question, Warrior Rangers are pretty bad.
Your warrior skills are fine, and if you want a warrior that can shut down spellcasters, at least to some extent, then bring along Savage Slash and look at Skull Crack (it's elite, so it will need to replace hundred blades). Skull Crack does the same thing as Concussion Shot, but it works on adrenaline, instead of energy.
Forget marksmanship and your bow. If you really want to do some ranged damage, try a Warrior/Elementalist. Water Trident + Stonefist Gauntlets is a nice trick, same thing with Gale + Stonefist Gauntlets. However you still have to keep a careful eye on your energy if you want to use elementalist skills. You could also try a Warrior/Monk with Banish, it's a very effective ranged attack that's limited by its long cooldown, but you wont have the energy to use it all the time anyways, so the cooldown is less of a factor. Outside of those options, a warrior just doesn't have a way to deal ranged damage. Look for a different profession combination if that's what you're after.
Your build has no way to manage its energy.
You've focused mainly on sword skills, with 2 bow attacks thrown in.
Pin down costs 15 energy.
Concussion shot costs 25 energy.
You start with only 20 energy, and as a warrior, you recover 2 energy every 3 seconds, or 20 energy every 30 seconds.
On top of that, Concussion shot is used as an interrupt- to use it properly you have to camp a spellcaster target with your bow, ready to interrupt their long casting time spells. If you miss, well, you've wasted 25 energy, and you only have 20 to start with. (There are ways to pump up your energy above 20, but most of them require using a spellcaster focus- an item you use in your off-hand, impossible to use with bows since they are two handed)
To answer your question, Warrior Rangers are pretty bad.
Your warrior skills are fine, and if you want a warrior that can shut down spellcasters, at least to some extent, then bring along Savage Slash and look at Skull Crack (it's elite, so it will need to replace hundred blades). Skull Crack does the same thing as Concussion Shot, but it works on adrenaline, instead of energy.
Forget marksmanship and your bow. If you really want to do some ranged damage, try a Warrior/Elementalist. Water Trident + Stonefist Gauntlets is a nice trick, same thing with Gale + Stonefist Gauntlets. However you still have to keep a careful eye on your energy if you want to use elementalist skills. You could also try a Warrior/Monk with Banish, it's a very effective ranged attack that's limited by its long cooldown, but you wont have the energy to use it all the time anyways, so the cooldown is less of a factor. Outside of those options, a warrior just doesn't have a way to deal ranged damage. Look for a different profession combination if that's what you're after.
Redfang
Ok, keep in mind I am not trying to be a ranged damage dealer. I am looking for a way that I can disable foes from a distance while I close in on them, and a way to avoid being kited. 
I looked at water trident as you suggested and it is interesting because it only takes 5 energy. However, it knocks people down, not pins them down. Not having played the game I can't tell how fast one recovers from being knocked down. If the answer is quicky that may not work for me.
I looked at skull crush and it does not seem to be a ranged attacks, so far as the descriptions I am reading show anyway. There are lots of attacks that keep people from getting away once you are in melee range of them. I was wanting ones that keep them from getting away while I am running toward them and am not yet in melee range.
The gale spell causes exhaustion. So I am not sure I want to put my eggs in that basket.
The 25 energy cost for concussion shot is troublesome though. So I may deep 6 that in favor of something else, like savage shot for interruptions (like you suggested) or hunter's shot to cause bleeding.
But I still like pin down. 
I looked at water trident as you suggested and it is interesting because it only takes 5 energy.
However, it knocks people down, not pins them down. Not having played the game I can't tell how fast one recovers from being knocked down. If the answer is quicky that may not work for me.I looked at skull crush and it does not seem to be a ranged attacks, so far as the descriptions I am reading show anyway. There are lots of attacks that keep people from getting away once you are in melee range of them. I was wanting ones that keep them from getting away while I am running toward them and am not yet in melee range.
The gale spell causes exhaustion. So I am not sure I want to put my eggs in that basket.
The 25 energy cost for concussion shot is troublesome though. So I may deep 6 that in favor of something else, like savage shot for interruptions (like you suggested) or hunter's shot to cause bleeding.
But I still like pin down.
Fenix Swiftblade
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scaphism
To answer your question, Warrior Rangers are pretty bad.
I played a ranger/warrior and it was actually really good once I got all the skills for it. (great PvE, the build isn't the best on PvP, relys on stances, the AI fights me a person would ignore me for a healer, easy to convert though)
If you're saying that specifically warrior/rangers in that order for primary are bad, then I can see where you're coming from; same thing if you're just making a point on how using both marksmanship and swordsmanship (or any other double weapon attribute), isn't the best idea.
However, even a warrior/ranger done right (I wouldn't know how to make a good one, my guess would be Strength/WeaponofChoice/WildernessSurvival, maybe throw in tactics) could be good.
The biggest thing is to avoid having to switch weapons to use your skills. I, in my infinite wisdom ( ), think your build would be playable(not great, but playable; good with a competent balanced team) in PvE, but wouldn't work too well in, PvP same as mine.
My Ranger/Warrior: Expertise/Swordsmanship/Tactics, uses stances to both avoid and deal damage (Bonetti's Defense for energy and recharge time, then Gladiators Defense/Lightening Reflexes/Whirling Defense to deal extra damage), and expertise at a high enough level to keep my energy up. And if I wanted to PvP using the same char I'd just have to switch some of the defense skills to a few of the sword attack skills.
P.S. Sorry for the abundance of parentheses, but that's how I write.
If you're saying that specifically warrior/rangers in that order for primary are bad, then I can see where you're coming from; same thing if you're just making a point on how using both marksmanship and swordsmanship (or any other double weapon attribute), isn't the best idea.
However, even a warrior/ranger done right (I wouldn't know how to make a good one, my guess would be Strength/WeaponofChoice/WildernessSurvival, maybe throw in tactics) could be good.
The biggest thing is to avoid having to switch weapons to use your skills. I, in my infinite wisdom (
), think your build would be playable(not great, but playable; good with a competent balanced team) in PvE, but wouldn't work too well in, PvP same as mine.My Ranger/Warrior: Expertise/Swordsmanship/Tactics, uses stances to both avoid and deal damage (Bonetti's Defense for energy and recharge time, then Gladiators Defense/Lightening Reflexes/Whirling Defense to deal extra damage), and expertise at a high enough level to keep my energy up. And if I wanted to PvP using the same char I'd just have to switch some of the defense skills to a few of the sword attack skills.
P.S. Sorry for the abundance of parentheses, but that's how I write.
Redfang
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fenix
The biggest thing is to avoid having to switch weapons to use your skills.
Uh oh. I just got this sad little feeling in my tummy. Are you saying that I would have to switch weapons in some time consuming way to go from sword to bow, as opposed to just pressing the sword attack skill or the bow attack skill?
Say it isn't so ...
Say it isn't so ...
Davion
It is so. It would only take a second to switch them out..(F1-4) being your hotkeys obviously, but a second would be all that matters for someone to put you off your pace if you are caught unawares. (most assuredly so in PvP)
Redfang
Not good. 
Ok, with concussive shot being a road apple because of energy cost, not wanting to put all those points etc into a secondary profession for one ability, and the need to switch weapons on the fly, this build looks like a loser.
Back to the drawing board.
Stay tuned for my next silly build.
And here it is:
Same as above except Warrior/Mesmer not warrior ranger.
Substitute Illusion magic for marksmanship
Replace the 2 bow skills with:
Ethereal Burden (slows people for 10 seconds and gives me extra energy when they stop being slow who hoo)
and Fragility (which would dovetail nice with the conditions imposed by my sword attacks, no?)
Ok, with concussive shot being a road apple because of energy cost, not wanting to put all those points etc into a secondary profession for one ability, and the need to switch weapons on the fly, this build looks like a loser.
Back to the drawing board.
Stay tuned for my next silly build.
And here it is:
Same as above except Warrior/Mesmer not warrior ranger.
Substitute Illusion magic for marksmanship
Replace the 2 bow skills with:
Ethereal Burden (slows people for 10 seconds and gives me extra energy when they stop being slow who hoo)
and Fragility (which would dovetail nice with the conditions imposed by my sword attacks, no?)
Davion
Yeah. I'd say that pretty much repaired it for you. Take your fragility and throw it on your target. Start nailing target with adrenaline based skills stacking up conditions. Re-cast fragility when it ends and start nailing again.
Nicely done.
Nicely done.
Redfang
Thanks
Scaphism
Warrior/Ranger is really a non starter.
Ethereal Burden is ok, but it has a 3 second cast time, and if I remember correctly, costs 15 energy. Again, remember you only have 20 energy to start with, and you regain it slowly.
It sounds like what you're really looking for is a snare.
Warriors get the next best thing: Speed Boosts.
IMO, Sprint should be in every primary warrior build unless there is a compelling reason for something else.
In PVE, you never have to worry about snares- monsters come charging at you all the time, and they never run away, even when nearly dead.
In PvP, you generally have to rely on other people to snare targets for you.
They're simply better at it- make friends with a Ranger using Pin Down or a Water Elementalist with their multiple snare spells. Or Meet up with a primary Mesmer who has fast casting to get off Imagined Burden quickly.
Otherwise Sprint up to the target to close quickly, and sprint after running targets. You can try and use Hamstring or Axe Rake to snare targets that are in melee range, but Hamstring is expensive (10 energy) and Axe Rake requires the target already have the Deep Wound condition on them. They're both usable, but in general, snaring is best left to the professions that do it best.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fenix
Ethereal Burden is ok, but it has a 3 second cast time, and if I remember correctly, costs 15 energy. Again, remember you only have 20 energy to start with, and you regain it slowly.
It sounds like what you're really looking for is a snare.
Warriors get the next best thing: Speed Boosts.
IMO, Sprint should be in every primary warrior build unless there is a compelling reason for something else.
In PVE, you never have to worry about snares- monsters come charging at you all the time, and they never run away, even when nearly dead.
In PvP, you generally have to rely on other people to snare targets for you.
They're simply better at it- make friends with a Ranger using Pin Down or a Water Elementalist with their multiple snare spells. Or Meet up with a primary Mesmer who has fast casting to get off Imagined Burden quickly.
Otherwise Sprint up to the target to close quickly, and sprint after running targets. You can try and use Hamstring or Axe Rake to snare targets that are in melee range, but Hamstring is expensive (10 energy) and Axe Rake requires the target already have the Deep Wound condition on them. They're both usable, but in general, snaring is best left to the professions that do it best.
Quote:
My Ranger/Warrior: Expertise/Swordsmanship/Tactics, uses stances to both avoid and deal damage (Bonetti's Defense for energy and recharge time, then Gladiators Defense/Lightening Reflexes/Whirling Defense to deal extra damage), and expertise at a high enough level to keep my energy up. And if I wanted to PvP using the same char I'd just have to switch some of the defense skills to a few of the sword attack skills.
I've commented on a lot of R/W builds in this board. I think it's an interesting idea, and looks like it would be fun to use in the Arena, but ultimately it looks like a trick build, You can make it work about as well as a primary warrior, but you get to wear ranger armor so you look different. Props to you if you've made it work well in tombs or GvG, the last one I commented on insisted on using Wild Blow and 0 adrenaline skills, even though Wild Blow is bad with swords. You get 2.2 DPS from Wild Blow and 6 DPS from a simple sever artery.