16 replies to this topic

[Fenice_86]

Hi guru's!
The question is simple, i've played Ele till now but i'm not having fun with the class anymore, i wanted to switch to a medium wearer class and i'm thorn between ranger and thief.

I'll usually do Dungeons (with guildies, seldom with pugs), random farming DEs and i'll probably lvl up soloing.

I know that atm Thief > Ranger but AFAIK Anet is going to nerf Thief and buff Ranger (they did not do this patch but i guess it's just a matter of time...)

So, considering that lvl'ing will not be a problem i'd like to know which one of these 2 classes would perform better in Dungeon's organized group and in DE tagging/farming.

I like the Stealth mechanic of Thief, I like the Range allowed by the Ranger.
I dislike the poor support capability of Thief, I dislike the pet's mechanic of Ranger.

So... which one would u suggest me? (if you can, counter my "dislikes" and show me i'm wrong)

[Coren]

I'll answer that the same way I answered myself when I asked myself the question you are asking. Thieves are more interesting a class than rangers, harder to use effectively, and since you're using eles, you'll want something more... Profound than the easy ranger.

That's my thought anyway.

[Fenice_86]

yes well, i'd like to play something "challenging" AND rewarding at the same time, ele atm is missing the 2nd part eheh

Edited by Fenice_86, 21 November 2012 - 10:30 AM.

[Coren]

Well then maybe neither profession fits I'll be biased here and suggest the engineer. It has a solid versatility while being useful in all situations, be it tanking, dps, support, and of course a mix of all three. It's usage isn't straightforward so you'd like it.

Otherwise, the mesmer is a solid choice, but it's support role is limited to the use of glamours in PvE dungeons.

[brokerib]

thief.  one word...SPIN-TO-WIN...

http://www.guildwars...by-right-round/

though on a more serious note:

thief stealth and blind mechanics are excellent, as is their mobility

ranger range is of no use in dungeons, though rangers skills are better that thief for tagging in DEs

thief support isn't great, but they have a number of combo fields (stealth/blind/poison), can trait for group boons/transfer boons and group heals, and have some excellent combo triggers

ranger pets really suck...

so on balance, thief FTW

[Fenice_86]

Thx both for ur responses, no i wont do engi cause (call me stupid or say me "lol what a noob reason" i dont mind )
Because i really find awuful how their backpack look and, in games like this, my char MUST look awesome and that thing on my back just doesnt allow me to be (i have an exactly armor mix in mind and i just cant do it with engi, it would look ugly at best)
Sry for the nab reason about engi, but Hey! that's it and i'm not going to change my mind. afterall it's just a game

edit: @brokerib: awesome video there, LOL

Edited by Fenice_86, 21 November 2012 - 11:04 AM.

[Coren]

Fenice_86, on 21 November 2012 - 11:01 AM, said:

Thx both for ur responses, no i wont do engi cause (call me stupid or say me "lol what a noob reason" i dont mind )
Because i really find awuful how their backpack look and, in games like this, my char MUST look awesome and that thing on my back just doesnt allow me to be (i have an exactly armor mix in mind and i just cant do it with engi, it would look ugly at best)
Sry for the nab reason about engi, but Hey! that's it and i'm not going to change my mind. afterall it's just a game

Lol you do what you want those backpacks are one of te reasons I love engineers, but they look awesome on asura, more than charr I admit. I was thinking of making my thief a charr too.

[Fenice_86]

Coren, on 21 November 2012 - 11:04 AM, said:

Lol you do what you want those backpacks are one of te reasons I love engineers, but they look awesome on asura, more than charr I admit. I was thinking of making my thief a charr too.

eheheh i see
Naa my lil thief will be a veeery sexy lady!
Hope i'll remember u and this topic once i'll hit 80 and get the armor set, i'll send you a screenshot

[XRay]

Coren, on 21 November 2012 - 09:34 AM, said:

I'll answer that the same way I answered myself when I asked myself the question you are asking. Thieves are more interesting a class than rangers, harder to use effectively, and since you're using eles, you'll want something more... Profound than the easy ranger.

That's my thought anyway.

ranger and easy, easier than thief? what huh *rubs his eyes*

[Heart Collector]

XRay, on 21 November 2012 - 11:07 AM, said:

ranger and easy, easier than thief? what huh *rubs his eyes*

I find that the thief is easy to play in general - but not as easy to play with genuine effectiveness in terms of contribution to groups. Because it's kind of restrictive I find actually harder to actually feel like I'm truly and meaningfully contributing to a group except in terms of damage, even though I can down 4-5 ettins solo in the open world in seconds just by means of DB, HS, stealing, dodging and a couple of panic stealths if the crap hits the fan.

So IMO thief is easy to play, but hard to play to maximum effect in terms of group utility.

Edited by Heart Collector, 22 November 2012 - 02:34 PM.

[Ojikes]

Coren, on 21 November 2012 - 10:40 AM, said:

Well then maybe neither profession fits I'll be biased here and suggest the engineer. It has a solid versatility while being useful in all situations, be it tanking, dps, support, and of course a mix of all three. It's usage isn't straightforward so you'd like it.

Otherwise, the mesmer is a solid choice, but it's support role is limited to the use of glamours in PvE dungeons.

Coren, on 21 November 2012 - 10:40 AM, said:

Well then maybe neither profession fits I'll be biased here and suggest the engineer. It has a solid versatility while being useful in all situations, be it tanking, dps, support, and of course a mix of all three. It's usage isn't straightforward so you'd like it.

Otherwise, the mesmer is a solid choice, but it's support role is limited to the use of glamours in PvE dungeons.

I would say engineer also, i like to run dungeons more with my engi then my thief because you can do so much more, Thief feels limited. But Shadow Refuge helps alot in certain situations.. And no i usually dont get downed to much as a melee thief.

[Coren]

Ojikes, on 22 November 2012 - 02:25 PM, said:

I would say engineer also, i like to run dungeons more with my engi then my thief because you can do so much more, Thief feels limited. But Shadow Refuge helps alot in certain situations.. And no i usually dont get downed to much as a melee thief.

Damage wise we are a bit limited compared to other professions, but we compensate with our overall party contributions, from kiting, CC, conditions, combo fields etc...

[Kurosov]

You want a medium armour profession that offers decent support, ranged options and doesn't rely on pets?

uh, Engineer.

[BreadBuddy]

Kurosov, on 22 November 2012 - 02:44 PM, said:

You want a medium armour profession that offers decent support, ranged options and doesn't rely on pets?

uh, Engineer.

OP doesn't like how backpack kits look on engineers.

I agree though. Can I assume OP that you used a female character for your engi? It looks really clumsy and clippy on them except Charr and Asura but that's just me.

[Dahk]

If it's any consolation, you only see the backpack when you're using a kit.

As for ranger, it's an easy class to pick up, but is more complex in the hands of a good player since so much of what makes the difference between just getting by leveling and performing well is from good positioning.  I.e. flanking with short bow and getting close for Splitblade and Poison Volley to get max stacking of conditions.

[Fenice_86]

Yes, going to make a human female, i agree with engi's users about its usefullness... but sry, ain gonna make it cause of the reason i stated above

[Stellarthief]

Dahk, on 23 November 2012 - 04:34 AM, said:

If it's any consolation, you only see the backpack when you're using a kit.

As for ranger, it's an easy class to pick up, but is more complex in the hands of a good player since so much of what makes the difference between just getting by leveling and performing well is from good positioning.  I.e. flanking with short bow and getting close for Splitblade and Poison Volley to get max stacking of conditions.

Would have to say ranger is quite good, in dungeons.  Ranger guild mate of mine saved us in Dredge FotM when we all but him wiped at the step where you have to blow open the doors.  He pulled effectively and even at one point had vets and normals on him and was in no danger of dying.  

I have seen some other rangers play much less effectively than him and i don't quite think I could have done that with my thief (2 ranged vets + mobs had prot, regen).