Current Profession Perspective

So I've been reading the forums and been involved in discussion on various levels with regards to how professions are viewed in light of the current meta.  Below I've composed a very simple chart to represent the "perceived" effectiveness and desirablity of having a specific profession in a given situation.  The presumptions going into this are: 

a) Professions are viewed in generality.  Meaning that there are of course in GW2 are several ways of building out any profession.  There are certain builds that are played for a particular arena for a reason. For example a bunker build Guardian may be more desirable for holding a point in sPvP whereas a Save Yourselves shout build more in WvW.  

b) There are always exceptions to the rule.  I really believe that a skilled player is greater than any one profession.  So in this chart once again the presumption is based off how often you see a profession in that given arena and how effective or desired they are in the broadest of sense of the class.

c) This chart was simply an experiment to see if views expressed on the forums and in game have any validity or resonance to them.  So please feel free to express your thoughts if a class should be adjusted one way or the other.

Ratings

To keep it simple I rated the profession in a given arena as Strong (efficient & desirable), Nominal (can be used will little impact on group/game play) or Weak ( not desirable or if played requires more effort than other classes to achieve results)

Arena Descriptions

PvE Farming - Open World and/or General Dungeon Running

PvE Fractal - High End Fractal Dungeons

WvW  Zerg - Coordinated Open World Zerg usage

WvW Roam - 1v1 situational

sPvP - High end Tournament competitions

Lastly just want to add that this is not a personal attack on any one class.  As many of you know I would like to main/play a mesmer.  Have from the beginning. There are times I struggle trying to find my place as that profession. My hope is to see if we could have a healthy discussion and possibly increase awareness of professions strengths and weaknesses with the intention of making our group dynamics stronger.  What are you thoughts?

As a mesmer The chart looks fairly accurate to me.
I would like to say 2 things, mesmers though not great in a Zerg are still
needed at times by the zerg, For several of the utilities they bring.

I know ranger have there downfalls but they have to be in a better position then what is stated on the chart.


» Edited on: 2013-08-22 10:59:18

I Rock at WvW what you talking about! :P

I have over 2900 hours played in GW2 (even been on hiatus since early July) , I have several 80's, 12 characters in total and have been active in every aspect of the game, except for sPVP.  (sPVP is a separate game for all intensive purposts, so it's not going to be relevant to what I discuss below.)

This kind of class comparison and assessment might work for another game, but its highly inaccurate (flat out irrelevant tbh) for Guild Wars 2.  Each and every profession is capable of performing the exact same roles, they just do it differently and require a good understanding of not just how to build, but how to play that profession for the desired role.  Player knowledge, skill and experience with their chosen profession and build is a huge factor.  Stress "huge" strongly.

In Guild Wars 2, there are literally thousands of ways to build a profession and personalize it to a player's particular and unique style of play.  Its simply too complex of a task to attempt an accurate comparison and assessment of professions.  That's not even taking into account any difference in player skill and experience.  

It all actually does come down to the skill of a player and if they have a good understanding of how to use the mechanics of their chosen profession, to achieve their goals.  When you find that build and profession that fits you like a glove, I can guarantee that no one else can play your character, as well as you can.

Group dynamics are relative to build types, not professions.  If you run several bunker support builds, then naturally your group is going to do very well in just about every arena.  If you run several DPS builds with no support, then your group might do poorly, but that really depends on player skill and how well the group can work together.

That's pretty much all I have to say.  The complex profession build mechanics is one of the things I love about Guild Wars 2, its the only game where a player has the freedom to play 100% their way and become that unique little snowflake that they always wanted to be.

I was going to add that Fog does rock at WvWvW and I think a lot of it has to do with your individual build.

Both my Eng. and Necro are pretty good in WvWvW and pretty great at PvE and I wouldn't want to farm with anything else and honestly I would never think of roaming with either of them.  My ranger does decent in PvE and WvWvW and can farm in a zerg either PvE or WvW - but that is how she is built - for AE damage.  Ele is the same way.

I am now working on a thief but not for roaming - for supporting groups with the poison build.  She isn't high enough yet to have the poison trait to apply it to others around her - but I'm not going the super stealth type - it seems with proper traits the thief can be a great group support participant which goes largely ignored.  I've been running her with the zergs in the Scarlet conquests and using my "house" to rez people that are downed.   There are times that I get very few kills - but generally I get hits on quite a few targets and have gained a 1/2 doz levels the last two days.  Not sure how she'll fair in WvWvW, but in PvE she's doing better than I expected.

Back to the Ranger... if they would give the Ranger's pet a better CC for maybe off tanking - so that the pet would stick to the mob you order it to attack - it would help rangers and not just in dungeons.  I tend to use spiders on my ranger because they do some AE and CC and they also stay at range so they don't die as quick with the massive AE's by some of the boss mobs when running in PvE groups.  But speccing into traps and using either 2 bows (short and long) for weapons or one bow and Axe main hand (I prefer the torch in off hand but warhorn or 2nd axe is good also) can get you a lot of AE for PvE zergs.  

The auto attack with axe in the main hand bounces it around to multiple targets and if using the torch you can get flaming axes bouncing around.  They also need to give ground targeted traps a bigger range - the 600 is just to short to be very effective when you consider the AE distances other classes get.  Not to mention that my ranged attacks are between 1500 and 900 depending on my traits - that 600 requires me to get too dang close for comfort on a "ranged" character.  If my Necro can drop wells (which do a heck of a lot of damage) at 900 the Ranger traps should be at least at 900.

... and I agree with Sek - I've noticed this just recently when working on the Thief.  I think you can trait a profession to be about anything you want - I prefer support builds.  It's why my necro uses the healing well and the one that takes away conditions - it's why my engy uses elixir gun so much and why I'm trying to develop a thief that gives might/fury to the group and spreads poisons for their use.  It's just the way I play and until I really studied the thief and found I could do her as more of a support build - I just toyed with her on my own - now I run her in groups.

Just some thoughts....

@Fog I would have to say you fall under the presumption b)  I really believe that a skilled player is greater than any one profession :) or guild leader/commander in your case 

@Sekkerhund  I fear that you may have just straight to the chart and missed the presumptions about it.  You can still be the special little snowflake as you say.  That's the great thing about GW2.  But I don't think that there is any denying that certain classes are in a better place in view of the end game meta than others.  And in this case there are perceived views on the roles of various classes depending upon the arena.  Hence it is valid to have some discussion about it.

@Morigana I agree as well.  Multiplicity in builds for Guild Wars 2 is it's definite strong suit.  There's also some challenges in the build dynamics that like you mentioned can pigeon-hole a class.  I encourage you to keep going with the ranger if you enjoy it.  In the end that's really what's it all about. ;)

Great discussion so far!  Keep it up.

think the chart is mostly usefull for more casual players,  if I know I don't have time to extensively leanr builds and traits for a class this chart will give me a clue of a class that might be easier to play for certain aspect of the game....

and then I also agree that a good player can make any class work, I've proven it with my engy to random ppl more then once

Sairesh,

My Ranger does ok - but I don't have that much fun on her - I'm afraid that I desire more out of a class than just doing a good job.   I put her into the same category with my necro - who is outstanding at living and doing damage - but I find myself doing the same things ... in a repetitive manner with both of them.

Now the Engy is so multi facetted that she keeps me very busy which is what I like.   The way I play the thief also keeps me hopping and not because I even attempt to do 1v1 - it's all about weaving in and out - dropping caltrops, black powder, inflicting poisons, stealing.... and not to mention that I absolutely hate short bow - so I don't have that weapon for AE's.   I find I have to use the weapons that excite me and I like for "me" - not that are necessarily the best for the class.  I'm kind of an odd duck - but having fun is more important than being the best.   :) ... and I totally realize that being the best is a heck of a lot of fun for most people (remember I'm odd) but the looks and feel of my character is what I enjoy.   I just wish the thief had tomahawks :) 

Ohhh - and I totally agree with your one statement about weak = "requires more effort than other classes to achieve results".    I think that there are several in our family that put that "effort" into their professions to get the most - and in some cases far exceed what others may get out of the same profession.   I might go put that effort into my ranger - just for the challenge.   But a few changes to that class would be nice.

I dont comment on them but tell you what any class can rock by players even in the greatest fights all class can be great for any type of game play.

Nice list. I'm currently trying to figure out which alt I want to pick for my scroll of experience, as I like doing a balance of PVP and PVE. Currently thinking about thief or engineer, but I've heard thief is really bad in PVE.

Wait - hold on - stop the train.... Thief is not bad at PvE - I have totally leveled a thief to 78 just in PvE as with all classes it depends on how you spec.  My thief was never intended to be a one target stealthier and as such she does just fine in PvE with up to 3 mobs and even if there is a veteran included.  I use poisons and a lot of dodge roll/stealing and do invis quite a bit since I traited it in stealing.  I primarily use dual pistols and have Ricochet  traited

so I get a 50% chance to bounce bullets to an additional target - this just isn't off the original target - it also comes off a secondary target hit.  When firing Unload on a target I have seen 4 or 5 targets end up getting hit so firing into a group of mobs does a lot of damage and you get a lot of hits on several targets when with a group or running in a zerg - I was getting several levels a day running against Scarlet's hordes.

I additionally slot Uncatchable which leaves behind the caltrops when you dodge.  Soloing a group of mobs with Uncatchable and Ricochet becomes an effort  of constant movement - actually dodging into them so they all start taking damage and then Unloading on them and rinsing and repeating - and since I apply Torment when going stealth (Sup Rune of Tormenting - lvl 60 req)  I actually dive into the middle of mobs before I stealth.  

I guess what I am attempting to say - in a very long winded way - you can trait a Thief so that they aren't a single target assassin which attempts to pick off one straggler WvWvW or one mob in PvE - but can kite a group of mobs in PvE or be a support role in WvWvW - there are several traits that you can apply to comrades around you to help the raid.

Now I have an 80 Engy also - and once you get to 30 they are huge fun and can also be traited for single target dps or AOE - and even support to a group by healing and applying elixers.   Just don't sell the thief short because most people tend to spec as a single target DPS - which is astounding as single target DPS - but they can be traited other ways.

My friend plays a thief and can nearly solo some of the bosses in Arah. That class requires more proficiency by a player to produce those kinds of results, I believe, while Warriors and Elementalists are somewhat simpler to use, in my experience. I find my play style suits Warrior the most, as my Guardian is no where near what she can do in PvE. 

Wow, a lot of ranger-haters out there. I don't care what anyone says but I love my ranger in fractals. Having great range and kiting ability is quite useful for many of the bosses. 

Ouch!  My Ranger isn't getting any love.  It must be easy to make a bad Ranger build.  Xensa, my main, can dish-it like a Warrior and take-it like a Guardian.  She's a high DPS/Crit Ranger with a lot of survivability.  I've held my own with her in every game type.  I'm often one of the last alive in WvW fights.  It's a bag fest.  Her bags also fill-up quickly while farming.  Anyhow, I guess it must be one of the more challenging professions to play.

Xensa -

I don't need to know everything about your ranger - but what's your trait spec?  And what have you found as the best way to remove conditions?

Thanks.

I confess that I haven't given this thread munch thought since posting several weeks ago. A lot of this info I have taken from a couple reddit and forum posts. So no personal hate here against ranger or thieves. I think the great thing about the same as I mentioned earlier is that every class can succeed in pve.  Some classes have just an easier time doing it or probably more to the point farming pve. 

Morigana -

I'll let you know that info. once my PC is running again and I can get in game.  My vid card died a couple weeks ago and my new one is on its way from Newegg, so for now I'm using my laptop to stay active in our guild.

Would have to disagree about Mesmers being Weak in a WvW Zerg. In raw solo damage against an enemy zerg perhaps, but overall Mesmer abilities are game-changing in WvW. "Veils", "Temporal Curtains", "Null Fields", "Time Warps" and especially "Portals" are all often decisive tools in determining victory in a large scale WvW engagement.

The biggest evidence though, are the WvW commanders themselves. Almost every time I step into WvW, I hear commanders ask "Do we have any Ele's/Mesmers with us?" I don't think I have ever heard a WvW commander ask "Do we have any Engi's*/Rangers with us?"

*Which as an Engineer player is a shame. I'd love to see what 3-4 Engi's could do working together with 3-4 Mortar Turrets at a choke (they wouldn't even need to man the Mortars - other players could man them, freeing up the Engi's to rain Grenades or cause other mischief), or 3-4 overlapping Healing turrets around point of last stand.

IMO, some of the professions were really designed as being better in wvw than others. Guardians and necros seem like they were made for wvw. Rangers and engi's just don't have any mission critical skills that make them desired in zergs. My first 2 toons were ranger and engi (i should have read the forums first, huh?) and as much as I like them, playing wvw made me realize they just don't have that one key skill that makes them indispensable. I have long thought that engineers should do more damage or have longer range when operating siege engines. Come on, they are engineers! Rangers really need a pet dolyak that can pick up and carry additional supply. I heard the other day that ranger pets may be getting a passive ability to detect thieves. Seems reasonable to me considering how weak rangers are against them. 

Morigana, you have to tell me your DPS like a warr/tanky as a guardian build because my ranger is not that good. I can do nice DPS at long range, or be really tanky, but not both at the same time.

I'm trying to make a better ranger - that's why I asked Xensa for some pointers... but I can tell you that I run sword/axe swap axe/torch an awfully lot.   I swear the axe hit likes a Mac Truck and the bounces get me a lot of hits. And Path of Scars (off-hand Axe 4) disrupts targets and pulls the closest one to you if they don't have stability or aren't immune = great fun if you have a trap at your feet with bonfire going :)   If I'm in a group I rarely go with longbow as I hate standing still for barrage.   Spartan once said "if you're standing still - you're probably dying."   Now axe in off-hand also requires me to stand still - but if I put down bonfire  I started shooting out flames in all directions and also get retaliation for a brief moment + reflect any projectiles - I use it as a breather or if there is a downed enemy player.   I prefer short bow if I'm going to run with a bow - but I seldom do.   I also widh there were more things like "Sharpening Stone" to apply to Ranger's arrows.   Sharpening Stone with Barrage is very deadly.   Flaming arrows would be awesome - and as an addition - not the ones I can shoot though bonfire.

But as Dargron stated - I think that sometimes we under utilize  some professions - Engy and Rangers most.    I would love to see a group of Rangers working together with traps and barrage to slow down zergs and maybe when the new WvWvW maps come out choke points we will see this.  Also a group of Engys specced into flamethrower would absolutely devastate a Lord's Room - and defend it also.

Some of the most fun I have had is standing next to Fog in a Lord's room spewing forth flames and dropping bombs (I so wish there was a trait for ground targeting bombs).   A group of 5 engy's would so rule.

But a group of 5 rangers who would focus fire - and sic their pets all on the same target would so rock my world.  As Xensa stated - I have little problem with any profession when I'm in a group even my little ranger ....  it's only my Necro that I roam well with though she is just a beast.

I think a lot of underutilization comes from misusing the class in the scenario. For example, an Engineer in a WvW zerg really only has one great option for damage: Grenades. And you have to use almost all of your trait points to make that great. But a lot of people ran grenades for a long time and got bored with them so they make other damage builds, but none are good in a WvW zerg.

I suggest adapting play style instead of adapting builds. The Engineer is a very effective condition stripper and healer in a WvW zerg. You lay down your water and light fields in the enemy front line and fire super elixir and Elixir C and you can keep conditions off a lot of people.

Yeah, engi's can be sick tanky healers, but thanks to the anet policy of "you have to HURT someone to get credit" i never considered running in wvw with that build. I usually run a grenadier build in wvw for keeping defenders off walls. 

I guess the more you think about it, a fundamental reason engi's and rangers are considered weak is the speed of their attacks. Arrows and grenades both move SO slowly that you don't even need to use a dodge to evade them. Increasing the velocity of those ranged attacks would do a lot to level the playing field.

I have spent the most playing time on my ranger and found that for pure DPS, Pierce + Longbow is the way to go. I just aim for a clothie on the back side of the zerg and zip arrows through 3 or 4 other enemies on the way to the target.

People! People! I have a simple solution. All of y'all just need to roll elementalist (the superior class)and pare that with the Asura (the superior race) and you will have the deadliest combo on the battlefield. Now you may be thinking "Hey that's not fair" or "My class is good too! you silly asuran!", but deep down in your heart you know I'm right. Happy hunting! :D

I am rerolling an Asura elemelementalist right now!!!!   or not....  I have my human and I will roam with her with scepter/dagger and I can be quite a nuisance to invaders attempting to take a camp.  And if with a few others I have quite a good time.

My engy does a fair amount of healing - and is quite tanky with the flame thrower spec and does a huge amount of damage.   I get as many - if not more bags dropping for her as I do any other class... switching between flamethrower (which I run with to build up might) then to dual pistols - then elixir gun - and dropping in a supply crate traited for the "extras" - then back to FT gets me huge numbers and I get to be up close and personal without being too close.

OK - my real problem is I like to play all of the classes I have (almost) - if I had to pick one I would have a tough time.   The only 80 I don't play in WvWvW is my thief - and that's because I suck at it - but I still take my low lvl ranger in and enjoy her, too.  But I like to run and gun - like the Outlaw Josie Wells - and if I can't run and gun, I have less fun.  So I'm not fun of any skill that makes me stand still. 

...AND that my friends and family is the whole trick to it.... have fun with what you play.  If you're having fun, all the rest of it makes little to no difference regardless of all the tables - ultimately it is your opinion that matters the most.

If you have ever run with that little asuran elementalist then you will totally realize what I am saying... never heard someone have as much fun dying as they do killing (not that you die that much Pookha - but dang it is a FUN time running with you know matter what character I am on.)

Yeah, you definitely have to work the damage in to get the bags. But I find there's plenty of time in between cool downs. Plus the Elixir gun does good things and bad things at the same time!

I would like really much to use an ele, but I just couldn´t find either the toolkit or the grenade kit in their utility skill list. :(

It's funny. I once thought that Flamethrower did decent damage. Then I rolled a warr and saw what REALLY BIG numbers looked like. 

I like elixir gun for the #4 panic button but the rest is not that impressive. I eventually dropped it for rocket boots, but will got back when I'm in a big zerg. Had to keep the toolkit. The #5 magnet is just too much fun in wvw. Don't know how many times  I yanked a poor BG back from his tower's front door at the last second. Always makes me laugh.

I should really roll an Ele. I think the complexity of the multiple kits of the engi teach some transferable skills for playing an ele.

My human male ele is just way too cute to re-roll into Asuran.

I think Mesmer really comes into its own after about level 40 or so. Null field+chaos storm=great fun! I like playing my mesmer ranged, so I run greatsword/staff. I know it's not the 'perfect' build, but it's what works for me and deals out a nice bunch of dps. And have I mentioned null field + chaos storm? :D I use a fair number of phantasms and clones and have the timing down on them for shattering to get that nasty bit of damage for the final killing blow. It did take me awhile to get a good feel for that timing, and I still am not perfect at it, but it can be very fun. I think this play style works well when someone runs around, gathers up the enemies, and then I throw down the staff AoE skills on the center of the group and then shatter phantasms/clones for more AoE damage.

Just not sure how you were traited as an engy - but I get really decent numbers on the FT  - with burns lasting 33% longer, 6 stacks of might from holding it - 15% extra FT damage (as well as 15% more on elixir gun) all traits.   FT and Elixir gun have to be traited to do anything decent.  Elixir gun is for heals - gives the extra heal on the toolbelt and the AE heal from #5 which has saved many lives of group members and is good for chasing people down as the #2 slows enemies it hits.   I can't take any target 1v1 on my engy unless they suck - but as support in a group I do decent heals and lots of damage if I add up all the numbers floating off all the targets.  

... and you're right - the complexity of kits does transfer well to ele - and changing attunements.  If you aren't constantly switching to gain max potential of cooldowns then you can't get the most out of either of them - imho.  That is why I get a tad bored with other classes they don't keep me busy enough. - but, again - that is just me.

As I stated - just enjoy what you play.

ps.  I am having way too much fun playing my necro in WvWvW again - and my ele is right there with her.   Both are much more offensive in nature.  I can't wait to see the changes in WvWvW tomorrow and see what class I like to play then :)

I finally rolled a necro and leveled her during the Scarlet invasions. I am starting to lean towards her for wvw. Fearing people off cliffs is hilarious, and there is nothing like stacking 20+ bleeds on someone and hit them with Epidemic when they run back to the safety of the zerg. Mwahahaha!

That being said, I am less than impressed with necros for roaming in wvw. The complete lack of mobility traits makes them rather weak when they get separated from the zerg. Of course, I already knew that from all the time spent in wvw on my ranger, where necros were my preferred prey. 

TBH - when things are hot and heavy in WvWvW - I've been running my necro also.  After all these months I just learned I can dodge roll while in Plague Form. :)   This week I've been using my low level Ranger to level her since there aren't that many zergs - well except us ;)

As someone who has played a Thief/Rogue-like class ever since I started playing RPGs, the Guild Wars 2 Thief being my main character, it is also the character I really dislike playing.  I just don't enjoy playing my Thief at all, Guild Wars 2 and Warhammer Online were the only MMO's out of about 15 or so that I have played where I do not enjoy playing a roguelike class and it really bugs me.  What bugs me more is seeing constant nerf after nerf with no balance to compensate for losses.  I'm currently levelling a Warrior to 80 to replace Elthuzar, I've tried Guardian (Easy mode), Ranger (Boring) and Engineer (Fun) all at 80 now but I just cannot seem to find my niche any more.  I love melee rogue-likes, but Anet has gutted the class with every single patch and given crumbs in return.  What's worse, is with the future Ascended Armour & Weapon grind, I'm going to have to choose one and stick to it, because I just do not have the time, patience or will to grind ascended gear for every single alt.

Elth,

Have you tried playing a Ranger without using a bow?  At least for me - they became far less mundane.  And before ranger fans start sending me cards and letters - it is just my opinion - just not much flash with a bow ranger.   I feel about my ranger like Elth does about his thief.  I wish we had flame arrows, lightning arrows, ice arrows, sniper shot - I mean even the warrior has flame arrows - why did the warrior get flame arrows?   The only way I can get flame arrows is to shoot through fire - but anyone can get burning by shooting through a fire field.   I was so excited when I first unlocked "Sharpening Stone" in the trait line - marvelous trait.  But alas, that was the only trait I would find that would affect my arrows. 

If we are the "premier" archer in GW2 - why don't I feel like it?  And the pet is just a dot - I can't force it to attack and off-tank since it will always change to my target.  Now they haven't "nerfed" the ranger but they haven't shown her too much love either in the first year - and I want to love my ranger.   But alas, I am left to suffer the slings and arrows of this outrageous misfortune - to die; to sleep no more.  But in a sleep - perchance to dream, at least I can dream..... of what might come which will change this sea of troubles and by so opposing - end them.

safe journ... I'm off to dream

*and yes, I altered a quote from Hamlet to fit my own ramblings :)

Morigana, I've tried melee ranger but the class really doesn't do it for me.  It's partially fun but really hate playing pet classes, the Ranger would be great if I could trade the Pets and Spirits with a thief's tricks and Deception skills.

Gotta admit that making pets a smidge more useful would do a lot to making rangers a more equal profession. Ranged pets can't hit moving targets to save their life and melee pets spend most of their time running around because you changed targets. IMO, you should be able to target lock pets and their special abilities should be automatic or based on preset conditions. Those drawbacks make pets less useful in pvp, but they are fine in pve. The bear pets are so tough i can stand behind mine for most of the battle with Old Tom in the asuran fractal and never get hit.

Spirits are kinda sad for pretty much everything. The only way you can really make them viable is if you waste half your points to buff them, make them move, etc., all of which should be standard IMO.

I compare the spirits to the engy's turrets.   Turrets may be somewhat useful in PvE - but not near enough to make up for FT, Elixir gun, toolkit, or even Rocket Boots.   Pets, Spirits and turrets are just too easy to kill and do too little - imho - unless you really buff them up in the traits and there are just so many other things to get in traits that are more useful, again imho.   But at least the pets are always there and you can swap them out easily.    

Without fail, I *always* pick the wrong class. :)  My main is a Ranger.  (I thought I was doing alright, until I saw the chart above).

Garyc

Please don't get discouraged by a "chart".    I see a lot of rangers in WvWvW and all over PvE - and they, we, do just fine.  The most important thing is fun - if you are having it - you are doing great. 

Sorry, wasn't ignoring this thread, just forgot about it.  The differences between classes for the end game meta are insignificant.  There is no "better class", and any perceived differences are just personal opinion.

So yes, I think its a waste of time for folks to try to generate class issues were there are none.  A lot of players come into this game with pre-misconceptions of what each class should or should not do, or that one class is better at than the other.  When I see someone doing that, I instantly think of the line from Men in Black: "Don't start nothing, won't be nothing." 

For example, the fastest COF1 run that I've ever done, was with 2 Mesmers, a Ranger, a Warrior and a Guardian (that time I wasn't on Tabitha, I was on Nelfaar, my crit/confusion build Mesmer).  We finished in 6 minutes.  One of our group commented that he runs it often w/5 warriors and that we totally surfed it compared to any of his all-Warrior runs.  But folks insisted (and still do I think) that 5 warriors = fastest COF1 speedrun group.  >_>  What contributed to such a quick run, was skill and understanding of the technical details of our respective classes and when to utilize them.

I would love to have a class balance discussion, if I truly believed that there were enough valid points to generate one.  I will however, always engage in any discussions to help someone understand their class better.  There are certain classes that I have excellent insight on, but there are also others that I haven't even scratched the surface in understanding their capabilities.

THAT would be a worthwhile discussion to have.  :)

Rangers and Pets...

First tip:  Pet target lock.  Yup, it is possible, I use it all the time.  Target what you want your pet to lock on to, then press F1.  That's it.  Pet will stay on that target until you call it off.  If you want complete control of your pet, set it to Avoid Combat.  That way it won't wander off on you and possibly die before you need to lock it onto something/someone.  

edit: I need to clarify that your intended pet lock target needs to be something that you are not currently attacking.  Not sure if its a bug, or AI design "feature", but if you are attacking a target and want to switch to a new target, but still keep pet on your first target, using F1 will not lock your pet on that target and it will switch with you.  

My workaround is to switch to my next target, start attacking it, then once pet switches, I re-target my old target, press F1, which locks pet onto it, then go back to firing on my 2nd target.  However, if you kill your 2nd target and switch back to the 1st, then switch away to another, the pet will not switch with you and remain on that 1st target until it dies or you call it off.

tl;dr: F1 pet lock only works on targets that you are not currently attacking.  You'll have to play with it to learn how it works.

Second tip:  Pets are more than just a "dot".  Very useful tools, especially if you build for pets.  If someone has decided to play a ranger, then pets are a part of your class, so I recommend always putting some points into making them useful.  If you just want melee or ranged DPS, you should choose another class.  Pets are very much a part of any successful Ranger build, so to ignore utilizing them is to gimp your Ranger.

3rd tip: Ranged pets work fantastically in WvW.  You may think that they're missing moving targets, but its just a graphics glitch.  Ranged pet skills work no differently than Ranged class skills.  GW2 isn't TERA or Dragon's Prophet, targets need to dodge roll or move out of range to avoid taking ranged skill damage.

If anyone wants tips on Ranger, you are welcome to PM me.  My specialization is with a custom "Bunker Beastmaster" support build, but I have experience with the skills that make up other builds and roles.  You won't find me in game, I'm not active and therefore not guilded, but I am sometimes around for SORC night on Tuesdays and may show up to a ClubG now and then, since they're making some changes to WvW, I might come check those out.