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

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 is leagues ahead of most power DPS specs, with only Soulbeast reliably besting it. 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 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 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 Firebrand Renegade Scrapper Specter
B	Catalyst Dragonhunter Harbinger Herald Holosmith Mechanist Scourge Spellbreaker Reaper Virtuoso Weaver
C	Daredevil Mirage Untamed Vindicator Willbender
D	Berserker Chronomancer Deadeye Druid Tempest
F

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.

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. Bladesworn is one of the strongest power DPS builds in the game, and in organised groups it generates sufficient Quickness to drop the quickness support when stacking 3-4 of them. 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.

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