View source for Simple Raid Builds

{{#seo:
|title=GW2 Simple Raid Builds - MetaBattle
|description=Beginner friendly Raid builds in Guild Wars 2.
}}[[Category:PvE guides]]
==Overview==
When starting with raids, it can be helpful to have a build with a somewhat simple rotation that can allow you to focus on mechanics as you learn. The following builds are chosen such that they fit the following requirements:

* Strong autoattacks (if DPS), allowing the player to contribute to an encounter while still unfamiliar with the class.
* Easy rotation, allowing the player to improve quickly with the class.
* Highly effective in the hands of a skilled player, so that it remains a strong choice long-term.
* Minimal responsibility for mechanics.
* Viable on the majority of encounters.


==Highly Recommended==
===Condi Soulbeast===
A simpler version of Condi Soulbeast is the [[Build:Soulbeast_-_Condi_Shortbow_DPS|Condi Shortbow]] build.

Relying totally on shortbow removes the need to melee the target and makes the rotation less strict as it does not require using {{Trait|Quick Draw}} on the correct skills.

The rotation here is functionally using skills off cooldown, and as the second weapon set is not used at all it can be used for utility weapons. Being fully ranged makes it easier to avoid AoEs, though it is heavily reliant on flanking the target to achieve the best DPS.


===Power Holosmith===
The [[Build:Holosmith_-_Power_Sword_DPS|Power Holosmith]] can be modified by replacing {{Skill|Grenade Kit}} with {{Skill|Photon Wall}} (or {{Skill|Throw Mine}} on large hitbox targets). This is the so-called “Kitless Holosmith”.

This removes the need for kit swapping but also takes away the Holosmith’s ability to deal ranged damage. Sword and {{Skill|Rifle Turret}} deal good consistent damage, and {{Skill|Engage Photon Forge}} offers a large amount of burst when required. 

If running kitless, {{Skill|Photon Wall}} should be activated twice while at high heat or within {{Skill|Engage Photon Forge}} (ideally both). If using {{Skill|Throw Mine}}, the toolbelt skill {{Skill|Mine Field}} should be activated twice while in {{Skill|Engage Photon Forge}}. {{Skill|Throw Mine}} itself is not a DPS increase and so can be saved for the [[Guide:What_are_CC_and_Breakbars|CC]]. 

It is also possible to run {{Trait|Crystal Configuration: Storm}} instead of {{Trait|Crystal Configuration: Eclipse}} as this turns Photon Forge's autoattacks into explosions at the cost of generating more heat. If taking this route, the holosmith should let their heat drop 10 lower than usual before re-entering Photon Forge.


===Power Daredevil===
[[Build:Daredevil_-_Power_DPS|Power Daredevil]] has one of the highest-damage auto-attacks in the game and a very simple rotation that involves no weapon swapping, only one weapon skill, and only one (or two, depending on build) utility skill(s). 

If struggling to maintain the rotation, the Daredevil can opt not to activate {{Skill|Assassin's Signet}} to have more consistent power. In this case, the rotation fundamentally boils down to dodging and spamming {{Skill|Weakening Charge}} and {{Skill|Fist Flurry}} while under the effect of the {{Trait|Bounding Dodger}} buff.

Daredevil has an advantage over Deadeye due to the power of its [https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Steal#Skills_stolen_from_Raid_Encounters stolen skills]. These skills provide a powerful effect that is usually very helpful for the encounter you get them so learning which skill you will get is very useful.


===Heal Tempest===
As Druid has a lot of responsibility and relatively low healing, a [[Build:Tempest_-_Support_Healer|Heal Tempest]] is an excellent option as a second healer that provides a huge amount of healing over a wide area.

Staff offers a huge amount of sustained healing simply by auto-attacking in Water Attunement and has the option to switch trait lines to provide additional boon support.


===Quickness Firebrand===
There are three flavors of Quickness Firebrand ([[Build:Firebrand_-_Quickness_Support_Power_DPS|Power]], [[Build:Firebrand_-_Quickness_Support_Condi_DPS|Condi]] or [[Build:Firebrand_-_Support_Healer|Healing]]) but all provide quickness in the same way.

{{Skill|Mantra of Solace}} with the {{Trait|Liberator's Vow}} trait and {{Skill|Mantra of Potence}} are both instant-activation mantras that apply quickness in a small area around the Firebrand and a cone in front of them. The charge system on {{Skill|Mantra of Potence}} also makes it much more forgiving if the player is prone to miss skills coming off cooldown, as it can be cast twice in quick succession to “catch up”. Note that this does not work for {{Skill|Mantra of Solace}} as the quickness is applied via the trait, and has an internal cooldown.

Which flavor of Quickness Firebrand works best will depend on the squad. The support version is the safest option, but Condi is the most generally useful if the squad does not require extra healing, and will outperform power on practically every encounter.


==Also Recommended==
In addition to the builds above, there were some that didn't meet all of the outlined requirements but can be strong options nonetheless.


===Condi Firebrand===
[[Build:Firebrand_-_Condi_DPS|Condi Firebrand]] boasts high sustained DPS as well as being very bursty for a condi class. In weaker groups, it can provide a small amount of group {{Tooltip|Quickness}} by taking {{trait|Liberator's Vow}} instead of {{trait|Unrelenting Criticism}}, and using {{Skill|Mantra of Solace}} every time it reaches maximum charges. The same skill can also share {{Tooltip|Aegis}} to mitigate certain mechanics.

The build can also bring a good deal of potential support through {{Skill|Tome of Resolve}} and {{Skill|Tome of Courage}} if time is taken to learn what each of the skills do.

If struggling with the rotation, the scepter portion may be omitted and only swapped to if ranged damage is required.


===Power Dragonhunter===
With extremely high burst damage and decent cleave, [[Build:Dragonhunter_-_Power_DPS|Power Dragonhunter]] is a very popular build at every skill level. 

While many find the rotation to be simple, it can be difficult to recover from - the most important thing is keeping {{Skill|Spear of Justice}} and {{Skill|Procession of Blades}} synchronized. In addition to this, the reliance on {{Tooltip|Resolution}} to crit-cap and relatively low sustained DPS makes it less suited to groups with poor boon coverage and/or long phases.


===Power Reaper===
While [[Build:Reaper_-_Power_DPS|Power Reaper]] has very low sustained DPS compared to any of the other options, it has the unique advantage that it becomes comparatively better the worse the group is: The class can self-buff a lot of {{Tooltip|Might}} and {{Tooltip|Quickness}}, and is less reliant on {{Tooltip|Fury}} than other power classes, making it ideal for groups with poor boon uptime.

Additionally, the class can bring a great amount of [[Guide:What_are_CC_and_Breakbars|CC]] as well as {{Skill|Grasping Darkness}} - a long range pull that can be extremely useful. Both these allow Reaper to cover for other squad members that may be slacking.


===Heal Scourge===
Similar to Healing Tempest, [[Build:Scourge_-_Support_Healer|Heal Scourge]] should be used as a secondary healer to a Druid. 

While it has low healing and provides practically no buffs, it has the strongest access to barrier in the game. Barrier effectively prevents the targets from taking damage and can even allow the group to survive some attacks that would otherwise instantly down players. Scourge also has access to
{{Trait|Transfusion}}, which will teleport downed players to your location and begin reviving them. This enables Scourge to save a group from situations that would otherwise be a wipe. 

The focus on damage prevention rather than healing means that Scourge is best when the player is already familiar with the mechanics of an encounter, and care must be taken with {{trait|Transfusion}} to ensure that downed players are not teleported to unsafe locations.


===Power Berserker===
[[Build:Berserker_-_Power_Bannerslave|Power Berserker]] is a semi-support class that otherwise functions as a DPS. The power rotation is much easier to get to grips with than the condi version but is fully melee and requires flanking the target to deal the most damage.

As a support role, the player will need to maintain squad coverage of {{Skill|Banner of Discipline}} and {{Skill|Banner of Strength}}. This involves careful positioning of banners in encounters that involve movement, as well as ensuring that banners are picked up before they despawn naturally. The Berserker may also be expected to contribute a lot of [[Guide:What_are_CC_and_Breakbars|CC]] when needed, so encounter familiarity is a big advantage.

In groups that already have a banner Berserker, the player can easily switch to [[Build:Berserker_-_Power_DPS|DPS Berserker]], which is a competent DPS class in its own right.