Getting into raids in Guild Wars 2 can be a bit daunting, especially if you are new to the game. But don’t be intimidated, because raids are actually really fun, can be very profitable, and you can make some lifelong friends in the process.
In Guild Wars 2, there are seven different raids, four of which are from the Harder Phones and three from the Power Fire. All these raids are still relevant, as the level cap and gear cap stay the same over time. The Harder Phones raids are generally considered the easiest and are great for beginners, while the Power Fire raids tend to have more complicated mechanics.
Before you can join a raid, you’ll need to pick a role. Unlike other MMORPGs, Guild Wars 2 doesn’t have the typical DPS/Healer/Tank roles but instead has its own unique roles. Healers are responsible for healing the group and giving them buffs, while DPS players simply need to hit their buttons as fast as they can and do as much damage as possible. There are also Boon DPS players, who sacrifice some damage to buff their teammates.
There are many effective builds available online, so do your research and find one that best suits your playstyle. Once you have a build, it’s time to equip yourself with gear. You don’t need the best gear to get started, but the exotic gear is usually a good starting point. For power builds, berserker’s stats are a good choice, while DPS builds should opt for Viper’s, and healers should go with Harriers. If you are getting into raids, it is also a good idea to get yourself ascended weapons and trinkets. You can get these from collections, raids, or Guild Wars 2 Gold.
You should familiarize yourself with the different raid wings and how your build works. If DPS rotations seem intimidating, look for beginner builds with simple rotations that can get you 90% of the way. For example, a power Rifle build can be played by pressing all your weapon skills and mech skills and using grenades when skill 2 is on cooldown.
Training groups are a great way to learn raids, and you can find them in guilds, streamers’ channels, and groups like Ray Training Initiative and ToRAISe Academy. If you don’t want to join a guild or go outside the game, you can try the Looking for Group (LFG) tool. Look in the Training category for people willing to explain the mechanics, or the Experience category if you already know the basics. Alternatively, you can create your own group and ask people in guild chats if they want to join. Strike missions are also a great way to ease into raiding, as the LFG groups tend to be more chill and friendly.
With the right gear, build, and group, you can conquer raids in Guild Wars 2 with ease. Good luck!
