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
A	Tempest Scrapper Catalyst Chronomancer Guardian Soulbeast Untamed Berserker
B	Bladesworn Scourge Reaper Spellbreaker Daredevil Vindicator Willbender Herald Harbinger Necromancer Specter Holosmith
C	Dragonhunter Deadeye Holosmith Weaver Renegade Mirage Warrior Ranger Virtuoso Druid Thief
D	Mechanist 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 or Silent Surf, nor the efficacy of condi builds at Skorvald, 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. Renegade has good burst damage, access to Stability coverage and boon rip via its Legends and huge amounts of CC. Scrapper also offers good damage and CC, and its easy access to Superspeed and Stealth makes it an excellent all-round option. 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. 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. Scourge and Virtuoso are incredible DPS in the two latest CMs, which heavily favour ranged damage. 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 group support in the form of barrier and Alacrity.

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

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 Scourge Catalyst Elementalist Mesmer Thief Vindicator Holosmith Mechanist Engineer Revenant Bladesworn Spellbreaker
B	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 be the best of the best. Druid is a potent healer with a range of tools to handle almost any situation while also providing practically all the common utility boons. Herald can be run as Quickness DPS or healer and also provides a great variety of boons with the additional bonus of providing them to allies within 600 units compared to the more standard 360. As power DPS, Catalyst, Weaver and Soulbeast combine burst with sustained damage. Condi Holosmith offers amazing damage to players skilled enough to unlock its potential, while Scourge is survivable, fully ranged and can bring exceptional utility with a minimal DPS loss.

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	Catalyst Druid Herald Holosmith Scourge Weaver Soulbeast
A	Berserker Bladesworn Chronomancer Daredevil Firebrand Mechanist Reaper Specter Spellbreaker Untamed Virtuoso Willbender
B	Deadeye Dragonhunter Harbinger Renegade Scrapper Tempest Vindicator
C	Mirage
D
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. If you're unfamiliar with this subcategory of WvW gameplay then be sure to check out our beginner's guide to WvW roaming.

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

WvW Zerg

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

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