Tier List

Guild Wars 2 Class and Specialization Tier Lists for PvP, PvE and WvW. Ordering within each tier is random and is not set in stone due to the nature of how Tier Lists work.

PvP Conquest

DISCLAIMER: This list is meant to help (mostly newer) players get a grasp on roughly what they can expect from each specialization in sPvP, especially in ranked. The rankings should be indicative of what the best builds of a core profession and its elite specializations are generally capable of. Success with them may vary based on personal skill, experience, ratings, and team comps. Even some specs seen as lower tier could be capable of pushing high ratings in the right hands.

S	Tempest
A	Scrapper Catalyst Chronomancer Guardian Reaper Daredevil Untamed Berserker
B	Spellbreaker Vindicator Willbender Herald Harbinger Necromancer Specter Holosmith
C	Dragonhunter Deadeye Holosmith Weaver Soulbeast Renegade Mirage Warrior Ranger Virtuoso Druid Thief Bladesworn
D	Mechanist Scourge Mesmer Revenant Elementalist
F	Firebrand Engineer

Fractal & Dungeon

Condi and Power builds form two distinct groups in fractals, so ratings must be taken in the context of the group type you're playing with. Only viability in CMs are considered as regular T4 fractals have too many variables to consider, and frankly for most groups, anything works. The efficacy of power builds is not considered at Sunqua Peak, nor the efficacy of condi builds at Arkk, MAMA or Siax.

A specialization's rating is based on its strongest build, though having multiple strong builds may earn it a higher rating. See the build pages for more details on the available builds.

Detailed tier breakdown

S-tier builds are the peak of fractal classes. Soulbeast is simply the best DPS class for fractals, with both power and condi builds to cover all encounters.

In the right situations A-tier builds can be every bit as strong as those in S tier, but lack the versatility to earn them the higher rating. Bladesworn, Dragonhunter and Weaver are leagues ahead of other power DPS specs, with only Soulbeast reliably besting them. Holosmith is a strong all-rounder with a power build that excels in less organised groups, and an impressive condi build if you're able to pull off the rotation. Renegade has the best access to Stability in the game through Jalis, and can also handle boon stripping with Mallyx. It can also supplement its Alacrity with strong Might generation. Scrapper is a great option for more experienced power groups that don't need the extra utility of Firebrand and want the highest burst possible. Like other thief builds, Specter brings all the power of a venom precast, and can deal a huge amount of its damage from range as well as providing incidental group support in the form of barrier and boons.

B-tier builds will perform very well in less organised groups and can easily rival builds in the higher tiers, but they will usually start to fall behind the better the group is.

C-tier builds are still strong builds in their own right, but are usually outclassed by other specs, or their use is too niche to justify a B-tier ranking.

D-tier builds are able to perform their respective roles, but have some specific drawbacks that mean they struggle in fractals and generally shouldn't be taken if other options are available.

F-tier is reserved for specs that don't have viable endgame PvE builds.

S	Soulbeast
A	Bladesworn Dragonhunter Holosmith Renegade Scrapper Specter Weaver
B	Berserker Catalyst Firebrand Harbinger Mechanist Reaper Virtuoso Willbender
C	Daredevil Deadeye Herald Mirage Scourge Spellbreaker Vindicator
D	Chronomancer Druid Tempest Untamed
F

Open World: Exploration

Open World is a game mode that encompasses dozens of different activities, each with builds that can be more or less successful depending on many various factors. The "Exploration" category includes builds meant for story, gathering, and "solo" farming. Builds in this category are ranked by their versatility, solo strength, and out of combat utility.

The Exploration tier list does not factor in a specialization's ability to solo group content, as this is not how the game was designed and should ultimately not be considered when constructing tier lists as this is extremely niche content. The "X" Tier below includes specializations who are extremely adept at this, in no particular order. (X Tier is pending)

S	Willbender Deadeye Daredevil Scrapper Firebrand Specter
A	Reaper Chronomancer Spellbreaker Vindicator Herald Druid Virtuoso Soulbeast Dragonhunter Tempest Holosmith Mechanist Renegade Weaver Guardian Thief
B	Bladesworn Ranger Catalyst Harbinger Berserker Elementalist Mirage Mesmer Untamed Revenant Engineer
C	Scourge Necromancer Warrior
X

Open World: Farming

Open World is a game mode that encompasses dozens of different activities, each with builds that can be more or less successful depending on many various factors. The "Farming" category includes builds meant for farming open world in a group, typically a large Zerg. Builds in this category are ranked by their ability to contribute to a group, their DPS, and their versatility.

The Farming / Zerg tier list only goes from S to B, because there are no specializations in the game that are actively bad at zerg farming, only some that struggle in zergs due to something they are severely lacking, which is typically good ranged AOE application but may also be movement, damage, or utility related.

Specializations are rated based on their most effective build and variety of build options.

S	Mirage Daredevil Deadeye Firebrand
A	Reaper Berserker Tempest Herald Virtuoso Chronomancer Specter Scrapper Druid Soulbeast Dragonhunter Harbinger Willbender Renegade Weaver Guardian Untamed Ranger Catalyst Elementalist Mesmer Thief Vindicator Holosmith Mechanist Engineer Revenant Bladesworn Spellbreaker
B	Scourge Necromancer Warrior

Raid & Strike

Due to the wide range both in what roles a specialisation can fill, and the relative strength of any given specialisation depending on the encounter and skill of the group, any list is going to be very subjective. The tiers below represent a class's viability both across different encounters and across different groups.

A specialization's rating is based on its strongest build, though having multiple strong builds may earn it a higher rating. See the build pages for more details on the available builds.

Detailed tier breakdown

For a build to land in S-tier it must have multiple exceptional builds. Mechanist not only has a very strong DPS option, but is the most well-rounded provider of Alacrity, able to provide Might whether built towards DPS or healing.

Individual A-tier builds are just as strong as those in S-tier, but lack the variety to push the spec itself up a rank. Not only will they excel on the right bosses, but they are versatile enough to be taken almost anywhere without feeling underpowered.

B-tier builds may still be meta on certain bosses, but suffer more noticeably on suboptimal encounters.

C-tier builds are typically only great when performing specific roles, but have the potential to outperform higher-ranked builds in the hands of an experienced player.

D-tier builds are those that should only really be used in very niche cases.

F-tier is reserved for specs that don't have viable endgame PvE builds.

S	Mechanist
A	Berserker Bladesworn Catalyst Deadeye Druid Firebrand Harbinger Herald Holosmith Reaper Soulbeast Spellbreaker Vindicator Weaver
B	Chronomancer Daredevil Dragonhunter Mirage Renegade Scrapper Specter Virtuoso Willbender
C	Scourge Tempest
D	Untamed
F

WvW Roaming

Roaming builds are created mostly for solo WvW players who enjoy smaller fights like 1v1, 1vX or flipping camps on their own.

S	Deadeye Daredevil
A	Renegade Vindicator Harbinger Mirage Scrapper
B	Catalyst Specter Willbender Necromancer Soulbeast Chronomancer Untamed Herald Dragonhunter Weaver Virtuoso
C	Spellbreaker Berserker Mechanist Druid Mesmer Holosmith Ranger Elementalist Tempest Reaper Thief Warrior
D	Revenant Guardian Firebrand Scourge Bladesworn
F	Engineer

WvW Zerg

List is for large zerg sizes (50+), some classes belong at different places for other group sizes

S	Firebrand
A	Scourge Tempest Chronomancer Dragonhunter Berserker Vindicator Druid
B	Herald Weaver Scrapper Spellbreaker
C	Virtuoso Reaper Catalyst Willbender
D	Holosmith Renegade Daredevil Soulbeast Guardian Necromancer
F	Untamed Revenant Elementalist Harbinger Mirage Mesmer Bladesworn Mechanist Engineer Specter Ranger Deadeye Warrior Thief

WvW GvG

List is for 15v15. Anything in A tier has ~100% usage, anything D tier or below is basically never played

S
A	Firebrand Vindicator Reaper Renegade Spellbreaker Chronomancer Daredevil Catalyst Druid
B	Tempest Willbender Specter Virtuoso
C	Scourge Untamed Holosmith Soulbeast Dragonhunter Scrapper
D	Necromancer Herald
F	Bladesworn Harbinger Guardian Weaver Berserker Revenant Elementalist Mirage Mesmer Mechanist Engineer Ranger Deadeye Warrior Thief