12 replies to this topic

[Berry2012]

I wanted to make an alt and was wondering, which profession would be the most active, i.e
would need the most reflexes, the most movement and reaction.
I would really love to get rewarded for getting skilled with a class and like enjoying learning it.

[Limbo]

Pretty sure the correct answer is Elementalist.

[Heart Collector]

I'd say thief and elementalist, as far as a feeling of activity is concerned. The thief has a lot of movement involved (if you stop you're kind of dead), and the initiative system means you're constantly doing something. However I find it easy to play when you get the hang of it if anything due to the sheer amount of "get out of jail free" stuff it has (blinds, evades, stealth etc). However in terms of skill the elementalist wins hands down, simply because of the crazy amount of abilities at its disposal at any given time. Sure you can stand around and fire/lightning everything to death in the open world most of the times, but optimum play requires learning a vast amount of combos, attunement switching, learning all the different weapons... It's a very challenging and rewarding class I think.

I should give a special mention to the mesmer too. Whilst less mobile than the thief and with less to do at any given time than the ele, it still requires skill and finesse to play, as one needs to manage their illusions, shatters, plan ahead, and generally be very alert to survive. At least at early levels.

My 2 coppers on the matter

[dawdler]

I'd say its a *spec* that fits your description - namely glass cannon. The skill involved in various classes on a fundamental level isnt much different. Dont see how a glass cannon Warrior is much different from a glass cannon Elementalist when it comes to reflexes, movement and reactions. You'll be zipping about like a bunny on crack either way. You might argue that say an Engineer involve a ton more movement than a Guardian, but then I'd ask what you get more reward from when you get skilled - its unquestionably the Guardian in every department of the game. So its also conflicting demands.

And of course you'd have to define what you mean by for example "reaction". Dodging? Any class does that. Active blocking? Warrior win. Doing the proper combo finishers? Any can do that once again. Etc and so on.

Edited by dawdler, 22 January 2013 - 08:18 PM.

[Berry2012]

dawdler, on 22 January 2013 - 08:16 PM, said:

I'd say its a *spec* that fits your description - namely glass cannon. The skill involved in various classes on a fundamental level isnt much different. Dont see how a glass cannon Warrior is much different from a glass cannon Elementalist when it comes to reflexes, movement and reactions. You'll be zipping about like a bunny on crack either way. You might argue that say an Engineer involve a ton more movement than a Guardian, but then I'd ask what you get more reward from when you get skilled - its unquestionably the Guardian in every department of the game. So its also conflicting demands.

And of course you'd have to define what you mean by for example "reaction". Dodging? Any class does that. Active blocking? Warrior win. Doing the proper combo finishers? Any can do that once again. Etc and so on.

I think for me it means using a lot of skills actively, dodging and doing the proper combo finishers, doubt I'd care for blocking

I guess I've nailed down my decision on two classes:

Elementalist and Thief.

What would be the key differences and playstyle depending on what I said I wanted to have in a character.

Edited by Berry2012, 22 January 2013 - 08:38 PM.

[dawdler]

Hence you can pick pretty much any class as they all fit the part. Well except possibly necro.

[lmaonade]

Elementalists, for them to perform at or above par when compared to other professions they need to make smart use of their attunement system, a ton of potential there.

[Virdiana Sovari]

Elementalist (every build, but mostly close-range ones aka melee), engineer (with toolbelt and grenades and some other skills), thief.

Edited by Virdiana Sovari, 22 January 2013 - 08:47 PM.

[matsif]

many engineer builds utilize a damage kit, the elixir gun for support, the med kit for healing, and the 4 toolbelt skills heavily, along with other gadgets or elixirs.  swapping between a damage kit and elixir gun for the jumpback/heal field is quite active to me, especially if you are circle strafing with a flamethrower.

ele, just because of attunement switching to get the most out of the class while stuff in fire is on cool down.  but honestly in easier content like AC you can sit in fire the whole time with a staff and have no problems.

thief for all the shadowsteps and movements taken to the skills, but other that than honestly not hugely "active" imo.  the activity comes from you having to run away after your burst so you don't get insta downed due to how squishy the class is.

I find guardian AH and meditation builds to be quite active as you use virtues, use your utility skills for heals and support/damage, and swap weapons depending on what you are doing, but maybe that's just my play style.  knowing when to pop a skill that gives stability or aegis can swing a battle if you aren't doing well otherwise.

[Fenice_86]

Elementalists, NO WAY, massive Attunement Switch with 20/30 points in Arcana, you'll get all the action you want with Dagger/Dagger

[rukh]

Elementalist and Thief.

[Fenice_86]

Thief only because of its squishyness, for sure not because it has a wide skillbar like ele does

Go ele

[Ojikes]

Yep.. must say that ele is probably the most active profession. Thief is actively dodging etc.. but that is mostly it.. and glass cannon warrior is easier then thief and other classes because of their huge hp pool.. almost the double if you compare with ele and thief.. base hp pool that is. And warrior you can just face roll with gs.