Curse

no woman no cry · Mar 02, 2009, 11:08 PM // 23:08

Did the developers basically say, "You chose the wrong profession, try again" when players who love using the ritualist find out that they're not wanted and ANYTHING can fill their place?

I know the Rt isn't the only class to feel this, but it seems as though the Rt and paragon are the ones left to do solo NM pve and crappy pug pvp. Both professions have extremely limited playability when it comes to pvp. From what I’ve seen neither profession is welcome in either RA or TA and only gimmick builds use paragon in HA or GvG. Rits are welcome in both high-end pvp, but now they've got something else besides Soul Reaping to compete with... Energy Storage. SF flag-runners were first which further reduces the usefulness of Rt's and now we got Ether Prism Resto builds running around in HA that plain and simple say, sorry Rt your not needed anymore.

I wish the developers would've just stuck with the original 6 from the first game. Everyone who chose their favorite profession was welcome ANYWHERE in the game. I think then they added two huge mistakes, Assassin and Ritualist, both of which were unbelievably imbalanced at the time. Now it seems HA reeks of PS sins and... Oh wait rits see play in HA!!

, Nevermind, it’s only because they can handle the energy demand of [Convert Hexes] using Oos and have good party heals, but now PnH and Ether Prism steal even more of the spotlight

.

Rit runners are still very powerful flag-runners and the nerf to MoI was a good thing as it was undeniably awesome. HC still is playable and I would prefer that over any other runner, but I don't think ArenaNet had it in mind when they created a profession who's only talent is taking an object, running halfway across the map, placing that object on a stand, doing some minor heals with the inferior restoration line then running back to get the same object again.

I know I'm not the only one who feels this and I know there are other professions (Dervish obviously, maybe Mesmer in some cases) that see limited play-time in the game because of some form of misbalancing, but I would like to hear your point of view. Correct me if I'm wrong and thanks for reading.

MasterSasori · Mar 02, 2009, 11:36 PM // 23:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by no woman no cry

... Rt and paragon are the ones left to do solo NM pve and crappy pug pvp.

In RA, I feel rits are quite welcome as healers. Paras on the other hand are hated.

Quote:

Originally Posted by no woman no cry

Both professions have extremely limited playability when it comes to pvp.

Maybe rit in high end PvP (not counting flagrunners), but I thought Para's shouts and unremovable buffs were awesome in GvG.

Problem with buffing rits is that since they do everything relatively well as a "jack of all trades, master of none," buffing any one of their lines, particularly in Restoration and Channeling, will cause profession imbalances.

Joseph Spiritmaster · Mar 03, 2009, 02:24 AM // 02:24

Well, with rits you need to get a feel for how to play them, they arent a get up and go proffesion... Spawning Power has its uses, good support builds are out there (i think... i have a few) that can buff up party physical damage, or help monks heal as a support... soo really in theory, they are masters of support =P...

Splinter Volley = pwnage, just btw...
Im a rit, and love playing it =P

Ariena Najea · Mar 03, 2009, 02:44 AM // 02:44

I'll cover the classes separately for clarity.

Although Ritualists have been hit hard by a long series of nerfs, they are still viable in many PvE and PvP formats. Channeling Magic hits hard in PvE, with skills such as [[Ancestor's Rage] and [[Splinter Weapon] taking center stage. Restoration Magic does wonders as far as Healing and Damage Mitigation goes in both PvE and PvP. Communing and Spawning Power are somewhat limited outside of specific builds, however, there are some key skills such as [[Boon of Creation] that work wonders on MM builds and the like. I have played Ritualist in RA, TA, HA, and GvG scrimmages all to great effect.

Paragons have also been hit repeatedly by the nerf bat, however, they too still have their uses. You can't deny, whether you like the build or not, that the popular Imbagon build doesn't bring powerful support to a party. There are certainly other PvE builds that work well, and Paragons can also make good use of their secondary profession for many applications. As far as PvP goes, Paragons are vastly underrated. Many of its key skills have been nerfed for PvP, yet, people seem to forget the utility Paragons have that the other martial professions do not meet. Sure, a Pew Pew Ranger with its quick recharging attack chain may out-damage a Spear Paragon, but the Ranger lacks any other support for the party. Maintaining Shouts, Chants, and Echoes such as [[Mending Refrain] help to support a variety of teams, from the four-man to the eight-man formats. Paragons are viable in RA, and possibly TA, but are most useful in the eight-on-eight settings of HA and GvG.

It's interesting that you mention Dervishes at the end of your post, because they see almost no use outside of RA. They have been replaced in HA due to repeated nerfs by Assassins, and I cannot recall a ranked team bringing a Dervish in GvG. I am currently playing around with a variant on an Orders build for HA, however, it is unlikely that Dervishes will see much PvP action in the near future. As for Mesmers, they are invaluable in RA with a [[Visions of Regret] build and can utterly destroy Monks in all PvP formats. They are viable for every format (except possibly Hero Battles, but I don't play there and can't tell you about it), there just aren't as many Mesmer players as there are for other professions.

street peddler · Mar 03, 2009, 11:10 PM // 23:10

youre right about dervishes seeing almost no use outside of low-end pvp and gimmicks, but nobody seems to complain. though theyre probably the most popular PvE class just because they look cool.

the problem with rits is that they have awesome support skills but no primary to back them up. spawning power only supports one attribute line, and its the most underused (communing). right now the only advantage a primary rit offers is runes and the capability to fully invest in two attributes (unlike a necro who pretty much has to be fully invested in his primary at all times, a rit barely needs his primary).

zwei2stein · Mar 04, 2009, 07:44 AM // 07:44

8 player teams. 10 professions. Someone is gonna be left out.

Anyhow, if it comes to PvP, you can pretty much roll any profession without penalty, so your Favorite class being left out does not mean you get left out.

In PvE, noone really cares. There is spot in party for everyone.

riktw · Mar 04, 2009, 02:10 PM // 14:10

rit with splinter barrage is fun, healer rit is always nice in PUG when monks are gone.
its true that my little brother is doomed to henchman groups and me, but that is becouse of time difference.

MasterSasori · Mar 04, 2009, 07:21 PM // 19:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by riktw

rit with splinter barrage is fun, healer rit is always nice in PUG when monks are gone.
its true that my little brother is doomed to henchman groups and me, but that is becouse of time difference.

I often take the rits over the monks. Why? Because 90% of the PvE nubs that run the WoH hybrid are simply pushing red bars and have no idea how to prot and the fact that they hate energy. At least rit's spamming of heal and lack of prot makes it easier on them. Not to mention you can ask them to run something and they won't throw a hissy fit for suggesting them to change their bar.

Bargamer · Mar 05, 2009, 03:41 PM // 15:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by street peddler

the problem with rits is that they have awesome support skills but no primary to back them up. spawning power only supports one attribute line, and its the most underused (communing).

I argue that Spawning Power supports the Death Magic attribute line, particularly those tasty, tasty minions.

Endrance · Mar 06, 2009, 01:31 AM // 01:31

Ritualist

* Ancestors' Rage (PvP) Ancestors' Rage (PvP): increased duration to 3 seconds; decreased damage to 1...25...31.
* Weapon of Warding (PvP) Weapon of Warding (PvP): functionality changed to: "For 5...9...10 seconds, target ally has a Weapon of Warding, granting that ally +2...4...4 Health regeneration and a 50% chance to block. Weapon of Warding ends if that ally attacks."

Well isn't that just dandy? Nerf the two skills I probably use the most in PvP. Are they just trying to get rid of this profession?

Endrance · Mar 06, 2009, 02:10 AM // 02:10

I'm currently searching for a new build since those two skills are my most used in PvP. >_>

infamous16 · Mar 06, 2009, 02:23 AM // 02:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endrance

I'm currently searching for a new build since those two skills are my most used in PvP. >_>

this one just popped up on pvx

http://pvx.wikia.com/wiki/Build:Rt/A_Siphon_Runner

just change out WoW for something else.

Endrance · Mar 06, 2009, 02:26 AM // 02:26

I saw that, but that's for flag running, not general PvP. :\ I'm actually going to try this out:
http://pvx.wikia.com/wiki/Build:Rt/A_Spectral_Blast

Seems pretty good for PvP even though I HATE PvX Wiki Builds. x.X

infamous16 · Mar 06, 2009, 02:32 AM // 02:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endrance

I saw that, but that's for flag running, not general PvP. :\ I'm actually going to try this out:
http://pvx.wikia.com/wiki/Build:Rt/A_Spectral_Blast

Seems pretty good for PvP even though I HATE PvX Wiki Builds. x.X

yeah in pvp lately I've either been running some hybrid OoS build, or a WoR build...

MasterSasori · Mar 06, 2009, 08:59 PM // 20:59

OK, Rits are just screwed. As if Ancestor's didn't suck enough now, they decide to screw over WoW, arguably the BEST Rit spell?

I'm thinkin of just putting my rit to the side now. The only reason I'm not deleting it is cuz its the first toon I ever made in GW. And WoR is still awesome.

-Makai- · Mar 06, 2009, 10:17 PM // 22:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Thrasher

Yeah I think I'm pretty much done playing Ritualist with just the sight of the new nerfs. First it was PwK now weapon of warding... what were they thinking?

I agree with Endurance, they hate the ritualist. Now its basically useless in GvG and HA.
Time to pick a new favorite profession... or just stop playing entirely.

I'm definately not buying GW2, because 1) these kind of updates are bound to happen again where they beat down the overy-nerfed ones and 2) the game just sounds like a World of Warcraft clone, I've never played World of Warcraft, but just from hearing and reading about it, no thank you.

R.I.P. ritualist

Sadly, I must agree. There was no reason to nerf PwK and WoW in PvE whatsoever. I loved playing as both my Ritualists, especially maining them, but now I just don't see much of a point any more.

Perma-Sins = fine.
SY and TNTF = fine.
PwK = apparently overpowered in PvE.

It's sad how unpopular, yet unique, classes are always ignored and abused just because they aren't vanilla RPG stereotypes. The same thing happened in DAoC quite often.

Edit: Looks like the description of WoW (PvE) is inaccurate, but the skill still works the same. Regardless, I'm still pissed about PwK and Anet's attitude towards Rits in general.

Nightow · Mar 06, 2009, 11:50 PM // 23:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sante_Kelm

Perma-Sins = fine.
SY and TNTF = fine.
PwK, Old school [Ritual Lord] builds using Defensive spirits = apparently overpowered in PvE.

It's sad how unpopular, yet unique, classes are always ignored and abused just because they aren't vanilla RPG stereotypes. The same thing happened in DAoC quite often.

Sorry but it was too tempting to add that bit in. It really is getting lame. It's like Anet is saying, "Oh, sure you can help your parties defense by playing this profession, using a basic mechanic and spamming 1 or 2 skills. Oh, but you can not do the same while playing that profession using an alternate mechanic with different skills." I know arenanet threw out the idea of player skill in pve a long, long time ago but at least make more options viable for us. With the PvE/PvP split you can't just say, "Those skills must remain nerfed due to a PvP balance issue."

Come on Arenanet, just level with us already. :|

zling · Mar 07, 2009, 12:12 AM // 00:12

ancestor's required a nerf, but not this harsh. now it's entirely useless like so many other skills in this game :\
WoW is still very much usable, just less powerful cause it cant protect front liners and NPCs any longer.

time to dust of the [weapon of remedy] runner of old people, Rits are not dead yet!

and ANet really needs to buff some skills for PvE to let Rits back in the loop. right now the only farm with VwK...

Zahr Dalsk · Mar 07, 2009, 12:47 AM // 00:47

ArenaNet:

SY+TNtF Paragon = Oh awesome.
Spirit Ritualist = OH NOES!

Nightow · Mar 07, 2009, 01:05 AM // 01:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zahr Dalsk

ArenaNet:

SY+TNtF Paragon = Oh awesome.
Spirit Ritualist = OH NOES!

Basically? Yeah.