Tier List

GW2 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	Mechanist Guardian Vindicator Harbinger Specter
A	Necromancer Daredevil Holosmith Willbender Reaper Renegade Untamed Herald Tempest
B	Thief Bladesworn Ranger Soulbeast Mirage Weaver
C	Dragonhunter Catalyst Spellbreaker Warrior
D	Deadeye Scourge Scrapper Virtuoso Mesmer Chronomancer Druid Revenant
F	Berserker Firebrand Elementalist 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.

Detailed tier breakdown

S-tier builds are the peak of fractal classes. Firebrand support not only still has the best access to Aegis in addition to Quickness and Fury, but it has incredible versatility in its utilities - allowing it to bring extra stability, reflects or CC as the situation warrants. In addition it can deal competitive DPS or support group DPS with Perfect Inscriptions, and heal firebrand is an incredibly popular support in pug groups. Renegade has the best access to Stability in the game through Jalis, and can also handle boon stripping with Mallyx. It provides a good amount of damage for a support and can supplement its Alacrity with strong Might generation. Soulbeast is leagues ahead of most power DPS specs and can also support the group with Leader of the Pack and spirits, making the condi build a strong option too.

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. Dragonhunter has an incredible amount of burst and like firebrand, can enhance the group's damage further with Perfect Inscriptions. Organised groups can even stack them in order to avoid having to bring a dedicated Quickness provider. Heal Mechanist is a very strong build that provides more healing than a heal Firebrand as well as occasional Aegis and Stability. Condi Mechanist is also capable of dealing a lot of damage, though some fractals cause issues for the mech itself. Like other thief builds Specter brings all the power of a venom precast, but 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.

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

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

Open World

Open World is a game mode that encourages a wide variety of play. This variety caters to many different playstyles, which makes most builds viable at a minimum, and encourages players to choose a build they enjoy rather than one that deals the most damage. Consider the tiers below as "always good", "usually good", and "sometimes good".

S	Firebrand Chronomancer Mirage Daredevil
A	Tempest Scrapper Dragonhunter Reaper Scourge Soulbeast Druid Herald Renegade Deadeye Berserker
B	Elementalist Weaver Engineer Holosmith Guardian Mesmer Necromancer Ranger Thief Warrior Spellbreaker
C
D
F

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.

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 both Fury and Might whether built towards DPS or healing. Not only does Mirage deal among the highest damage on inanimate targets (the golem), but due to its high Confusion generation it becomes unbeatable on bosses that attack frequently. Further, its unique clone mechanic allows it to provide around 50% Alacrity uptime for a surprisingly small DPS loss, which is very potent when stacking 2 or more of them in the same subgroup.

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

WvW Roaming

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

WvW Zerg

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

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