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Ele build~ need updated information

Ban Lorgaire de na Faolchu
Malyss
Ban Lorgaire de na Faolchu
Posted On: 05/28/2016 at 05:13 PM

I am a babe in the woods here, as I have only been playing this game for about a month, and am having a difficult time finding updated information concerning builds for elementalist (well most classes, really, but that's another post) and have a few questions. Bearing in mind that I am NOT a calculator/formula type player, I need straight-forward guidance.

I am a mostly solo/PvE player, so I need to be able to handle mobs on my own. Because of this, I do not want to be directed to yet another support build, please. I don't want to be the best in the game, I don't strive to have all the best gear, and will probably avoid PvP as much as the game allows me to.

~Right now I am going all Power (using Staff) but I have been reading the debates on Toughness v. Vitality, and whether Tough is even necessary as much anymore. What do you think? 

~Is there a combination, like defense on accessories and power on armor that will help me balance out being a marshmallow with wanting a bit more oomph?

~How bad is it that I have no desire to change elements, and stick strictly with Fire right now? It will probably change as I get more comfortable with the character...but if I stick with Fire only, am I holding myself back?

~I could use D/D for my alt weapon, but do you have a better suggestion for my playstyle?

I think that about wraps up my questions for ele build...thank you for any help and tips you can give me. I honestly appreciate it!

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Caomhnoir de na Aracos
PuaHone
Caomhnoir de na Aracos
  • GW2: monk seal.8079
Replied On: 05/28/2016 at 06:12 PM PDT
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Take a look at the elementalist raid build on metabattle.   Although designed for raids but should serve you well for other PvE content:

http://metabattle.com/wiki/MetaBattle_Wiki

There are recommendations for armor, weapons, and consumables.

The Usage (DPS rotation) section has tips and meets your requirement for staying in Fire attunement.

At this point, you can ignore the information on the specific raid bosses and focus on learning how to use the build.

 

If you do not own the Heart of Thorns expansion which has the Tempest Elite specialization, you can try this build:

http://metabattle.com/wiki/Build:Elementalist_-_Staff



» Edited on: 2016-05-28 18:16:16



» Edited on: 2016-05-29 12:48:47



» Edited on: 2016-05-29 12:51:30



» Edited on: 2016-05-29 12:52:11



» Edited on: 2016-05-29 12:55:17

E lawe i ka manawa e hanu i na pua loke. Take the time to smell the roses.
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Bandraoi de na Griobhta Dubh
GmaFog
Bandraoi de na Griobhta Dubh
  • GW2: GmaFoghladha.1853
Replied On: 05/28/2016 at 09:06 PM PDT
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Switching between elements has advantages. I am a new ele so this is from another beginner. Water is a good healer. I personally switch between fire and water. If you would like to chat about it on discord, I'm in there most days. 

I have used the same site Pua Hone gave you above. It is a good place to go. 



» Edited on: 2016-05-28 21:08:50

When life throws you a curve ball, hit a home run! - Gma Fog
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Caomhnoir de na Fhiaigh Buí
Cyvil
Caomhnoir de na Fhiaigh Buí
Replied On: 05/29/2016 at 05:09 AM PDT

Meta  battle is a good place to start, Dulfy also has decent class guides, with a bit more explanation: http://dulfy.net/category/gw2/class-guides-gw2/.

If trying out Meta Battle builds for PvE, and you are finding that you are having a bit of difficulty with survival, take a look at either the PvP builds, or the WvW roaming builds (no PvP required!). PvE builds tend to be high damage, low defense. Although I resisted for a while, I have found the glass cannon PvE builds to be best, in most cases. In my opinion, that is where you will ultimately want to be. 

As for toughness versus vitality, I won't add much that isn't already out there, but there is one item that tends to be left out of the "calculations." Toughness, in GW2, is a taunt. If you stack toughness, you will tend to draw aggro from others. If your toughness is the highest in your group, you are likely now the defacto tank. This is one of the reasons I have found that heavy damage builds to be more survivable, at least for me.

If you have access to HoT, and the Tempest specialivation, you may find that D/WH and auras, help with survivability. I prefer tempest staff, myself but I tend to participate in the meta group activities.

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Laoch de na Iolair Dearg
Lakshmi
Laoch de na Iolair Dearg
  • GW2: Lakshmi.5941
Replied On: 05/29/2016 at 05:44 AM PDT
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What Cyvil said :)  When I'm first trying out a new class I often go to metabattle and look at the PVP ("conquest") builds.  Not because I want to PVP, but because these tend to be more durable than the PVE builds, which are about max damage for raiding.

Toughness is a counter to direct damage, so it's no help for damage over time ("conditions").  As Cyvil mentions, it's favored by tanks (and frontline melee in WvW).  

Vitality increases your total health, so it's an indirect counter to all types of damage. 

Two other things to keep in mind for Elementalist.  First, it's sort of designed to be a marshmallow. :)  You can counter that a bit with gear but mostly you'll need to MOVE.  Avoid standing where you can get hit, DODGE, and use your mobility skills to avoid damage.  Fire staff #4 (Burning Retreat) is fabulous for this.

Second, those attunements.  There are some pretty awesome skills on the other elements, so even if you mostly damage in Fire it's worth getting to know the other attunements for their utility stuff.  For example, Air staff #4 is a nice Swiftness buff.  Air #5 (Static Field) will stun enemies, and Earth #4 (Unsteady Ground) creates a line they can't cross.  Great stuff for a marshmallow who needs to keep one step ahead of the bad guys. :)

Finally dagger/dagger (or another offhand).  All Ele weapons are quite good, and some are better in certain situations -- if you are min/maxing.  You've said you aren't that type of player, and staff is quite a good weapon -- you aren't gimping yourself.  So if you prefer staff, stick with it. 

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Ban Lorgaire de na Faolchu
Malyss
Ban Lorgaire de na Faolchu
Replied On: 05/29/2016 at 09:10 AM PDT

Thanks everyone! This is some good stuff, and happy to say I finally found Zoryi's PVE Guides with great links in the guides section, too. Very helpful.

@PuaHone, Although the first link is broken, the second one provided great advice on specializations and equipment, gracias. I will admit, I got totally lost when I started reading the stuff on the bottom....I get anxiety just thinking about having to remember all those rotations for buffs and such. 

@GmaFog, with this toon I intend to progress fairly slowly...I am going to do all 5 starter areas before going on to the next, jumping puzzles and all. I think this will give me plenty of time to practice switching attunements. Thank you for reminding me that I really do want to take this one slower and learn the class better this time. I rushed through my ranger and don't want to repeat that mistake.

@Cyvil, Finally! Someone explained toughness in terms I could understand, lol. I will be passing on that now, thank you very much! I don't have HoT yet, but I did tell my hubby that I want it for my bday coming up =)

@Lakshmi, I forgot to mention that this is my first real squishy...I tend to play warriors and assassins, so it's a whole new game in more ways than one. I am definitely going to learn to incorporate those attunement suggestions into my repertoire. To be truthful, I haven't even really studied the other elements yet. I appreciate the heads up! 

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Caomhnoir de na Aracos
PuaHone
Caomhnoir de na Aracos
  • GW2: monk seal.8079
Replied On: 05/29/2016 at 12:59 PM PDT
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I changed the link so it goes to the metabattle home page.  You can select the elementalist build I originally linked by going to the raid section.  You can also look at other elementalist builds for PvP (Conquest), World versus World, or Fractals.

E lawe i ka manawa e hanu i na pua loke. Take the time to smell the roses.
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Caomhnoir de na Ulchabhan Donn
Gaspara112
Caomhnoir de na Ulchabhan Donn
Replied On: 05/31/2016 at 10:29 AM PDT
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Because soloing content is not something most players really care about since open world soloing is not really profitable or needed once level 80 you will not find any guides or builds for it on most sites especially metabattle.com. The Metabattle builds are designed for specific content that is always group centric (with the exception of WvW roamer builds)

 

As far as a self sufficient build Dagger/Focus or Dagger/Warhorn (Tempest) are probably your best bet as they over the best range of options for dealing with things.

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Ban Lorgaire de na Faolchu
Malyss
Ban Lorgaire de na Faolchu
Replied On: 06/03/2016 at 03:50 PM PDT

It's all good...I deleted the elementalist and re-rolled my ranger. I just wasn't having any fun with the ele. 

What's really odd is this is the first game I have EVER thoroughly enjoyed playing an archer....weird huh?

Again, thank you all for the advice, hopefully it will benefit someone else =)

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Caomhnoir de na Aracos
PuaHone
Caomhnoir de na Aracos
  • GW2: monk seal.8079
Replied On: 06/03/2016 at 11:58 PM PDT
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As I play both ele and druid (ranger), I would have recommended that you keep both.  Elementalists are in demand for all the game modes:  PvE, raids, WvW, PvP.

Since you have only been playing one month, I take it that you have not yet purchased the Heart of Thorns expansion which introduces elite specializations.  For the ranger, you will find the Druid elite specialization to have a completely different playstyle.  When you do get HoT, keep an open mind on the Druid and you will be rewarded.  I don't want to spoil the fun of discovering how the Druid works so will not say anything else.

E lawe i ka manawa e hanu i na pua loke. Take the time to smell the roses.
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Ban Lorgaire de na Faolchu
Malyss
Ban Lorgaire de na Faolchu
Replied On: 06/04/2016 at 09:46 AM PDT

I am hoping to get HoT soon, just waiting for my gut to tell me it's worth it and for that guilt to go away {family of 5 living paycheck to paycheck doesn't allow for frivolous purchases =) }

I promise to keep an open mind about it, too. 

At the point in time I get it, I will just be thrilled to have more than 2 character slots and hopefully it comes with more bank slots? 

 

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