Question on classes in WvWvW

Hey all.

Just wanted to ask a quick question here regarding classes in WvWvW. I got a late jump on GW2 and am finally settling in here. I have played around with a few classes (Thief, Guardian, Mesmer and Engineer). All are pretty cool and I like how different they play.

I am very much a PVP person and am really looking forward to getting more involved in WvWvW. i know I need to get my characters leveled up fairly high to unlock some great abilities.

I have dabbled a little bit in WvWvW with my level 15 Engineer. It is fun. I like it. Right now, I play more of a support role, throwing down healing turrets and elixirs, while trying to do damage. I also have a level 17 Thief which is cool and level 10 mesmer (still trying to get the hang of the mesmer play style).

My question: In WvWvW, is there a class that excels more than others? Is there a class that is really lacking? I am curious to see how Necro's do in WvWvW. 
Engineers feel like they can be big contributers.
What about other classes? Are there any classes that really shine in WvWvW? I defiintely see how important it is to have folks working together in WvWvW so I want to contribute as much as I can.

Just wanted to see the thoughts here and what people have seen so far.

I appreciate it.

TCG 

I've not noticed any one class being better off than any other class in WvW. I think this is because WvW is not PvP, it's group-vs-group. If you're caught by yourself, you're dead no matter what profession you are, because there's no amount of gear or skill that will let you take out a 60 person zerg. I enjoy playing my 80 Engineer in WvW. You're right, we can be contributors. We shine at attacking and defending keeps/towers. It's one of the few places I'll use my weapon kits, because they're actually useful. Grenade kit is great for keeping people off the walls, or for bombing people when you're on the walls - nice AoE, some of which has no cooldown. It's got one of the few ranged AoE blinds, which is really good for area-denial (on bridges and whatnot), because people freeze or backpedal when they're blinded, and when one person stops advancing in a zerg, everyone stops. The Flamethrower kit fires through keep doors, which is amazing when you're on defense. It also makes loud noises and large, bright animations, hits AoE, and randomly inflicts burning. This makes it really good for sowing panic in the enemy ranks. When you're in a zerg-vs-zerg situation, a single insane Engineer charging through the enemy's ranks, being bright and loud and burny, screaming "hey look at me! I'm hurting everyone, and I'm going to set your squishies in fire!" can really shake things up. If you happen to be that insane Engineer, you're going to die, horribly. But, with any luck, while the enemy is busy breaking ranks to chase and atomize you, your zerg is rolling over them, so you'll get a rez.

I'd encourage you to play a bit of sPvP. You get access to all the gear, all the skills and traits of a lvl 80, and freely swap and configure at will. Some classes shine a lot brighter after they have a full set of utilities and traits. For example, my guardian playstyle centers on 30-point and 15-point traits (so you gotta be at least lvl 60 to use it). Presumably, most of your characters' lives will be spent at lvl 80, so it makes sense to base your decisions at least party only how they play when they're leveled. Plus sPvP is a kick in the pants. XD

every class can be good in WvW , however people saying it isn`t pvp are wrong lol . It is pvp but not in the wow type arena format small instanced 5 man vs 5 man set up . It is large scale RvR which is pvp however you are raiding supply camps, sieging towers, keeps etc , but yu are still fighting other players . That said yes there can be large zergs , but if your side is just running as a zerg you are doing it wrong and while you will win some , you`ll win more by actualy using tactics . Ie . small rearguard group patroling your back lines recaping your supply camps, sentry etc in your backlines . Small skrimsh groups ie raider groups using hit and run tactics attacking the enemy back line , using diversion tactics hitting towers etc to confuse and divide the enemy . 2 or 3 main attack groups , doing the main fighting as well as diversion to draw troops away to a fake target while another hits the real target etc . All classes can be good in WvW just need to decide what type you want to play and build your traits to reflect it , like if going for skrimsh groups , set up for mobilty, and some surivablity /support options . since you won`t have the zerg to hide in . like go dps if you want but not glass gannon but toss in some ooo sh options hehe . Rangers are great skrimsh class , as are eng, mesmer and guard /warr should be too supposedly rangers can crit for up to 12k which is crazy lol highst i`ve ever got on my eng was 4900 with big ole bomb . Don`t look for which class is the most op , or fotm class find one that you enjoy instead that suits your playstyle and you can always lvl up more then 1 as getting to max lvl is stupid easy in this game ,almost no challenge in lvling up even casual playing you can get 2 or 3 lvls a day easy .

Trying out each profession in sPvP is a great suggestion, even if you don't even enter a scenario, you can still mess about with all the skills on the training golems. However, keep in mind that some classes play much differently from sPvP to WvW and even PvE. Some play more similarly though. For example, on my Engineer (which I spend 90% of my time on) I always run with Grenades and a Flamethrower in WvW but never in sPvP. They just aren't nearly as useful there as an elixir build or a rifle or shield. So what you may like while messing around in sPvP may not be very fun in WvW.

I just registered here today...and I am very excited and thankful to have an opportunity to join your community btw :) What's so nice about GW2 in WvW is that when you travel in groups...even small groups you can really contribute even if you're not close to max level. I just turned 21 yesterday w/ my guardian and I love how I can really have a viable support role even though I have a long way to go to reach 80. I felt the same way w/ my mesmer and ranger too.

Mesmers excel more than others in WvW, not only do your clones become more effective and misleading with more people around, the skill portal has many uses from sneaking around to quick supply gatherings; the AoE haste can also easily turn a tide of battle. Don't feel much for any other classes, if anything I rather they have blueprints on them, always.

I usually always play a support role. I have an 80 Bomb Heal Engineer and am currently working on a Banner Heal Warrior. I know even in 1 vs 1 encounters even with another engineer I almost always lose. There is a certain degree of individual skill involved in everything. But most of the time in WvW it's a group effort, but at this time with the extensive ques and player cap, it is not really about who brings more skill to the fight, it's more about who brings more siege weapons. In terms of a pure support aspect, here is my analysis of each classes contribution to a group spec'd for it. Warrior: Shouts or Banners. Banners only effect a certain amount of players so while the bonus doesn't stack, the more around the more effected. When spec'd they can be out endlessly, heal allies, and do damage when summoned. Shouts can also be spec'd to heal allies along with their bonuses. Guardian: Too many possibilities. I went for an Aegis build. A Mace Symbol build also works really well. Ranger: This is the one class I haven't played, hate pets. In beta I heard the Spirits + Warhorn was the best for support of any role. Engineer: I roll Bomb healing, with a full set of Dwayna Runes and healing power. Bombs don't seem to have a cap on players effected, so I'm healing around 400 HP/sec for an entire zerg on top of tower/keep lords. Thief: Can Cloak and regen to allies...prolly the profession least able to support a group. Elementalist: Water has a couple healing skills, but they are rather weak. Passing Aura's to allies seems to be popular. Mesmer: A Staff Mesmer is a boon machine. Chaos storm your friends to get one of everything. Necromancer: Tricky one, Wells seem to be the best route. There are a few other life leeching tricks but they are lacking in effectiveness.

» Edited on: 2012-10-29 20:37:26