Help with first character

[Sakura Moon]

I've made an Elementalist as my first character and was given a suggestion as a Monk as a secondary skill, and that this would be the best way to go for beginers. This sounds like an okay secondary to me, but I don't know enough about the gameplay to really want to commit myself to a particular build yet. Are there any other build combinations that might work fairly decently, or would this setup be best for me as a beginer?

[nkuvu]

To start out, I'd say monk is a good choice.

And just a quick note on terminology: Typically when people refer to a build, they're referring to primary and secondary professions, as well as the skills you choose for your skill bar and the attributes. Just primary and secondary professions alone aren't usually referred to as builds.

Keep in mind that later in the game you'll be able to change your secondary as often as you like, so it's not set in stone. But for at least part of the game you'll be stuck with your choice, so being cautious is not bad at all. How much of the game you play with only one secondary profession available to you varies by chapter -- for Prophecies it's a long time, Factions is relatively short, and Nightfall is very soon into the storyline.

But with that said, there's really no wrong choice to make. My first elementalist went through Prophecies as an Elementalist/Necromancer. But now that I'm able to change to whatever, my elementalist is almost always Elementalist/Monk.

As an off the cuff guess, I'd say that Elementalist/Monk and Elementalist/Mesmer are the two most common profession combinations suggested for new players.

[Gorani]

like nkuvu said, Monk is not a bad choice.

Be sure you try all secondary professions to onlock skills for your character, before you make your choice.

Monk, Paragon & Ritualists offer a "hard rez" (a resurrection skill that can be used over and over again. Other classes have to rely on the "Resurrection Signet" which only rechnarges, if you get a morale boost)

Monks also have "self heal" spells, which are limited for Elementalists (Aura of Restoration & Glyph of Restoration (NF)). Other classes, like the Necromancer have skills to steal/drain life and could also help healing yourself.

Mesmers offer a lot of utility spells for your Elementalist and very good energy management skills.

[Kylie McDiarmid]

hey Sakura. For PvE, my Elementalist is almost always E/Me. Spells like Echo and Arcane Echo are great to use with fire spells for maximum damage. Arcane Echo also works great with E elites like Mist Form and Obsidian Flesh to maintain invincibility against certain creature types. Channelling is also great for energy management in farming builds. Me is also good because of the condition removal spells as well.

If your playing Prophecies, i would recommend Me because it will be a long time before you can change your secondary. Mo is good for healing and protecting but i like to stick with what an elementalist does best and that is damage.

--KK

[oakwine]

Kylie speaks truth! Mesmer is great for damage, although I tend to be pure ele these days.

I did go through Prophecies as an ele/mo, the chief benefit being able to keep the hench alive. Throw some healing or protection on Alesia and the party stays healthy. Also, you can back up a player monk when you need to.

[Tsukasa Kusanagi]

I've always prefered E/Mo, mainly due to the hard rez and the ability to have some protection, but lately I've tried E/Ritualist, and it's fun.

But, if you're brand new to the game, E/Mo or E/Me may be better.

[Sakura Moon]

But, if you're brand new to the game, E/Mo or E/Me may be better.Yeah, I've decided on E/Mo for now. This is my first character and I haven't had the chance to play much. I'm still in the first area. :tongue:

Anyway, thanks for all the tips everyone. :wave:

[Count Chocula V]

The best advice I can think of really, is to not look up builds on the internet!

When it's your first time playing, have fun trying out new skills in different combinations and see what works for you.

I HIGHLY recommend reading this article (http://guildwars.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=406619)on the AoE (area of effect) and how it makes mobs of enemies scatter/run away.

Besides that, have fun lighting enemies on fire, and frying them from a distance :cool: :evil:

[Calynda Danyciar]

Ele/Dervish would also be nice with Mystic regeneration :smiley:
Since ele's usually have at least X-attunement, and monks use few more enchantments, so that would be a great self heal
Altough you dont have a hard res..but mystic regeneration is so nice :D

[Kilme]

E/Me for Power Drain. Enough said.

[Cevilo Documas]

honestly when I use My Geomancer I use pure Ele, I soloed most of prophacys that way but there was a lot of stratgy involvoed. but I sugest a mesmer as a second for manageing energy because ur job as an ele is generaly damage control, so you need to have the energy to do it.