For those who haven't extensively played Ritualist, what do you view them as?

[LumpOfCole]

Meaning, if you're gathering a group for a mission and you see "Ritualist LFG" in chat, do you consider taking them? Do you see them as a poor man's healer?

Leveling both a Monk and Ritualist to 20 (and particularly focusing on and tricking out the Ritualist), I have realized that the Rit makes for a superb monk supporter. They're passable as primary healers, but if I want a primary healer I'd definitely give the edge to the monk. However, if I had the choice of two Monks in a group or a Monk and a Rit, I'd choose the later most definitely.

I did not realize how much pressure it takes off of me as a Monk having a "Ritual Lord" Rit there spamming Union and Shelter over and over until I played a Monk extensively myself.

Are there generally experienced players out there that basically see the Ritualist as a "well, we can't find a monk so lets just take the rit" class, or even as another kind of offensive casting class? How do non-rit players see rits?

[Theus]

The Ritualist can never be an offensive caster until they're Channeling magics also have Armor Penetration.

The amount of damage a 16 Channeling Ritualist can do to a Ranger/Warrior is absolutely pitiful.

[Count to Potato]

I would take em, especially for sprit spam

[LumpOfCole]

Yeah, I'm the first to laugh at the Channeling tree like it's a complete joke, because it is ;) I just wonder if others who don't really know a lot about the Ritualist assume that they can be an offensive caster if they just spec that way.

And they can spec that way, sort of. Except the damage would be comming from 4-5 Communing Spirits :ninja:

[Defiled Corpse]

One of if not the best solo farming characters in the game. Excellent for support in groups, and excellent as dmg dealers its just finding someone that knows how to use a rit properly is the problem.

[LumpOfCole]

Usually bashing on noobs is boring, but I must say, when I'm playing Random or Team Arena, and I set up Pain, Bloodsong, Shadowsong, and Dissonance all in a horizontal line against the enemy line, then an opposing Warrior decides to move in, I giggle every time.


Speaking of Dissonance, I'm surprised that skill isn't Elite.

[Sekkira]

Why the hell would you use elemental damage on a ranger?

Anyway, I see them as anti-pressure/damage mitigation. When I look for people, I ask for a healer and a prot monk or damage mitigation rit. Although I played a ritualist when I first got the game, I never played it for too long as it was definately not my play style and of course didn't learn too much about it.

[Theus]

Usually bashing on noobs is boring, but I must say, when I'm playing Random or Team Arena, and I set up Pain, Bloodsong, Shadowsong, and Dissonance all in a horizontal line against the enemy line, then an opposing Warrior decides to move in, I giggle every time.


Speaking of Dissonance, I'm surprised that skill isn't Elite.

Jesus.Shadowsong is such a bitch.I hate being on team as the only warrior against it..I have to at least hope that a caster can go in and become its target before I go in.

[sinican]

Rit is a major must imo when it comes to high dmg mobs such as in the elite missions... the ritualist spirits have the upper hand in mitigating dmg...

i good spirt rit can keep a party of 8 alive with a single healer... major leverage in Alliance battles...

all that dmg goes poof up to ritualist spirits... and they do have one heck of a solo farming build with many variations for adaptability...

yea i have a rit but i guess u cant view a rit the same unless youve played one... they seem to be able to do almost anything

[LumpOfCole]

Well, I guess they aren't very good for running :p

And soloing shrines in AB is quite fun as a Rit. It takes a few seconds to build up the spirits, but it's pretty nifty that I can cap a shrine by my lonesome. Being a support class, it usually isn't a good idea, but in a PUG on AB, it's hard to keep together as it is... ;)

[ZomgZergRush]

Well, I guess they aren't very good for running :p

Lies! I can do the Ascalon -> cay run on my rit :D

[Former Ruling]

I wouldnt take someone going "RIt LFG"

Because I know from my experience in PvE that they'd be some stupid Channeling Rit or something.

[sinican]

I wouldnt take someone going "RIt LFG"

Because I know from my experience in PvE that they'd be some stupid Channeling Rit or something.

a channeling rit really isnt that bad up to half way through cantha...

good secondary allows them to be a rather nice preasure build or spike build even a nice AoE build... but alas not many folks can unlock their potential well...

really though there is no alternative until the rt can cap Ritual Lord Elite...

i had some really good success with a single spirit channeling rit definately more so with a good tank in the group can set up from really nice AoE dmg... and believe it or not they do wonderfully as a weapon spell rit supportive role especially on an assassin... allowing that assassin to kd poison blind daze all whilst keeping him alive its a massacre

[Tobias Funke]

The Rt/N mm build works well too.

[lg5000]

I dunno, I'll accept anyone into the group, but do answer my question when I ask what you're playing, it gives me a chance to add to the team as necessary. I'm not assuming you're a restoration ritulist, but if you are, tell me so we can get more damage. If you're playing communion, let me know, that way, i can add a prot monk.

I really haven't played a rit or looked at rit skills much, so you'll find that I'm not inclined to add a rit to a group of 7/8 when I'm looking for a monk, unless you can assure me I don't need a monk but a rit.

[Dawgboy]

As long as they KNOW they're monk support, they're great. If they think they're some kind of mini-nuker it means trouble.
With a good rit, I don't have to worry about double-casting healing spells like I would with a second monk.
And a lot of those Canthan monsters do big damage. My healer can only try to keep up with it, but a rit can keep the damage to a reasonable level.

I'm not sure if I'd rather have a ritualist or a protect monk in my party, though. I've rarely seen a prot monk in a pug, so I guess it doesn't matter.

[Scavenger Rage]

Ritualists unlike assassins are a versatile class that can solo places (vengeful), be an EXCELENT secondary class for a huge number of other classes (warriors with weapons, rangers with spirit skills, necros with communing...), be a descent primary healer with restoration, be THE ULTIMATE monk support with rit. lord (which btw, its NOT the only build in existence...it saddens me that 9 out of 10 ritualitst don’t know anything other then shelter + union combo...) and even deal MASSIVE dmg (not relying only on channeling spells since the "no ap" makes them useless in most cases, i actually meant spirit spam).

After playing one for a long while now on PVE, and a little bit on pvp (ab, ra, ta and gvg...never tried hoh with it) I find the class the best addiction factions gave to the franchise (I am seriously considering deleting my assassin like MANY other had simply because its such narrow minded class that have absolutely no diversity in game play...OOOOO yes, and it sucks a whole lot on PVE ^^).

Latter.

[Shadow of Light]

You people think Channeling Ritualists are a joke?

I beg to differ. ;) A little more exploration into chaining skills might be of use to the doubters out there. A Channeling Ritualist in the right hands can dish out enough damage that it won't *matter* if their spells have no armour penetration.

[Morganas]

When I see a rit in pvp, I'm annoyed, knowing that the battle will be stupidly drawn out.

I wish Anet never added them.

[Across The Battle]

Personally I find rits to be not quite as good as monks, but for a hard mission, say thk id perfer 2 monks and a rit to just 2 monks. Rits are more versitile then monks, but monks are stronger at healing IMO

[Gwmaster]

i started playing the ritualist since factions came out, and i love it.
wen im set to spirit spam, the team never goes below 75% of theyr health most of the time.and for farming heh....tell me what other class can kill 12 onis in less than 20 seconds.

[Former Ruling]

You people think Channeling Ritualists are a joke?

I beg to differ. ;) A little more exploration into chaining skills might be of use to the doubters out there. A Channeling Ritualist in the right hands can dish out enough damage that it won't *matter* if their spells have no armour penetration.

Explain your godlyness on the Channeling Rit lol.

Ancestors' Rage - Good Dmg for AoE. Best done off a Warrior. Its decent.
Channeled Strike - Decent dmg, but cast time is meh, and its conditional...
Clamor of Souls - Shouldn't even be elite. There are nonelites IN CHANNELING ITSELF that are better dmg...
Cruel Was Daoshen - Recharge is so ridiculous this is....god.
Destruction - One of the blossoms, this with like a rupture soul is good. Range is lower than I'd like.
Essence Strike - I can see its reason for being there..basically free cheap dmg. But...like said Ele has these types that have AP too..
Gaze from Beyond - Conditional, but good dmg. Its decent.
Grasping Was Kuurong - Why is this Elite?
Lamentation - No. Decent dmg on a 30 recharge.
Nightmare Weapon - So-So. but I guess for 5 energy you cant expect much, looking at balance.
Painful Bond - LEET SAUCE. Not. Its like Barbs, awesome, cause everyone loves and uses Barbs.
Signet of Spirits - Linked to the wrong attribute...and it really requires spirit spamming to be effective...but OPPS Spirit Spammers already have to use Twisting or Lord..
Spirit Boon Strike - Novelty spell. mid-range dmg on less than decent cast/recharge, this is of course balanced by it healing your spirits...yea.
Spirit Burn - Its like the Flare of Channeling :) alittle more dmg for a longer recharge.
Spirit Rift - Reminds me of Stoning, except alittle more dmg, a 3 sec wait for the foe to leave, twice the cast time, and no Good Side effect to justify it.
Spirit Siphon - At max Channeling, this gives 9 energy, a net of 4. This sounds awesome on a 3 recharge...but the rewards are only noticable if you keep it up - meaning new spirits every few secs to siphon from, good luck with that.
Splinter Weapon - Decent AoE on bunched up groups
Wailing Weapon - Interupt Rangers, Assassins, and Warriors with other Assassins, Rangers, or Warriors :)

Nothing just SCREAMS out at me that would make me take this line. The line as it is now is just some /Decent/ Dmg on less than decent Cast times and Recharges, and no good extras except 2-3 mediocore Energy management spells.

[Shrouded Waffle]

Let's just hope ANet buffs the Channeling line...

You may start to see Channeling spikes in halls if the buff comes. xP

[Shadow Dragon]

Very useful when going rit lord build. combined with a bond monk your party can take insane amounts of damage.

[Yanman.be]

I first try to full my team with 8 assassins, but they're pretty extinct, so I might take in a rit or a mesmer.

[Sir_Zammic]

In my opinion, Ritualists are more of "healing encouragement", meaning that they use different types of healing spells that don't so as much excessive healing as monks do. However, I agree that Ritual Lords are very effective in some missions or quests. However, I would much rather have a monk healing than a ritualist. Sometimes they are helpful, sometimes not. I would give a ritualist a 8/10 for healing...

[mega_jamie]

I was playing ritual lord form a very early point, it took about 2 months after the game being released for me to see another "Rit Lord LFG FoW" in ToA, when I was there in a week and a bit.

I have to say it is very appreciated build, with its own variations, I've never had a party that didnt appreciate the value of the build, and I dont think ive ever been in FoW with more than 1 monk in the party since then.

Unfortunatly many people there don't seem educated in how a rt can work properly, personally I would think of myself as better than a bonder monk, especially for 5 man parties, but some people just dont seem to get how well Rts can work.

Oh well, I think rts will really begin to be appreciated in Nightfall as the only way of keeping prot-esque spells on a dervish.

[pork soldier]

I see Ritualists and I think "gee, this gvg is going straight to VoD isn't it?" then I think "I wish I could remove all ritualists from guildwars forever."

[Ghull Ka]

Personally I find rits to be not quite as good as monks, but for a hard mission, say thk id perfer 2 monks and a rit to just 2 monks. Rits are more versitile then monks, but monks are stronger at healing IMO

You can do THK with one monk and no ritualist -- we did it this weekend. ;)

With a ritualist, you can darn well do THK with one monk. One very bored monk. :-)

[B Ephekt]

Personally I find rits to be not quite as good as monks, Rits are generally more useful than a prot monk in pve, simply because most pve prot monks are bonders or really bad active prots. A rit spammer can negate way more damage than even an active prot, imo. For pvp, I'm still undecided since an on-demand Prot Spirit is very nice, but Displacement is also a life saver.
but for a hard mission, say thk id perfer 2 monks and a rit to just 2 monks. Rits are more versitile then monks, but monks are stronger at healing IMOTHK is hard? I always thought it was just long and boring, but anyway. 2 monks and a rit is just a waste, 1 healer and 1 rit is more than enough for any mission. You're better off using that other spot for an offensive character.

[Numa Pompilius]

Meaning, if you're gathering a group for a mission and you see "Ritualist LFG" in chat, do you consider taking them? Do you see them as a poor man's healer? I'd assume it was a spiritspammer, as spiritspamming is so godly. Half of the time I don't know what the spirits do, but it's pretty obvious they're doing something good.

Would I take one? Yes, of course.

[Carth`]

Meaning, if you're gathering a group for a mission and you see "Ritualist LFG" in chat, do you consider taking them? Do you see them as a poor man's healer? I love ritalists. :D If I see one LFG I take him/her of course. However, I see many, many party leaders refuse them, for no apparent reason. I think they just don't understand what a ritualist does or can do.

I spend most of my time in PvE Tyria, and ritualists are hard to find there, although there are a few creeping into ToA now. But not enough to have one on demand if you say "LF ritualist".

Btw, I play a monk, and yes monks are better healers, and better at protecting one character, but ritualists are so great for protecting the whole party, and makes my job as a monk so much easier because people hardly get hurt. :)

Edit: btw, I haven't played a rit myself, so I don't know exactly what they can do apart from being a rit lord. I've had ritalists in my party who spammed other spirits that blinded, interrupted etc, and that person was just as useful as a protecting spirit spammer. Love those spirits. :)

[Amity and Truth]

I'll ask the ritualists what kind of build they're bringing and then decide to let them in or stay in the outpost. Though my answer doesn't really count as i've finished the game on a ritualist even though i somehow rushed it (as soon as i capped Ritual Lord the whole thing became extremely boring... hitting 4 keys again and again and again. A 5.th and a 6.th key now and then and back to hitting 4 keys again. Bleh).

[Stemnin]

Almost 800 hours of PvE (and a bit of pvp) monking, and 150 hours of Rit, love em both, for different reasons :p , I can heal 7 ppl with my monk on alot of quests/missions, but restoration on 7 peeps can be very difficult :confused: . I've Been using the weapon spells combo with attuned was songkai lately, instead of the Rt lord (got bored).

I still have yet to get protector of cantha for my monk (did both campaigns), but got that on my Rt :D


It wasnt too difficult finding groups with my Rit, prob a lil' easier than it was with my warrior.. 1 war is more than enough :eek:

[SpeedyKQ]

I play a rit all the time too but I'll answer anyways.

I don't assume anything when I see "rit LFG". If I'm in desperate need of a healer I might whisper them and ask them what type they are. But their failing to advertise their role makes me hesitant to trust their skill. (Kind of like I'll gladly take "SS LFG" or "MM LFG" but "necro LFG" not so much.)

If someone says "restoration rit LFG" or "ritual lord LFG" I'll pick them up in a heartbeat unless I already have my two healers. When I'm making a group I want to have a healing monk, and 1 out of prot monk, ritual lord, and restoration rit. Much better than 2 healing monks.

[LumpOfCole]

I love doing missions in Tyria because Rits are so rare there. Ritual Lord is one fantastic Elite once it is attained, that's for sure. Forever Union+Shelter=Pwnage.


Now here's a question for some of you out there. When you're playing the as a Rit Lord "Monk Supporter" with Union and Shelter being your primary crutches, do you have your Communing at 16 and Spawning at 13 or vice versa?

[TGgold]

I see Ritualists and I think "gee, this gvg is going straight to VoD isn't it?" then I think "I wish I could remove all ritualists from guildwars forever."

When I see a Rit in PvP, I like to divert them. Or have a ranger interrupt them. And then they don't really matter anymore :D

[LumpOfCole]

Rangers >.>

[Cambeul]

I use Spawning 16, and communing 13. So Rit Lord recharges 79% faster I think? and gives spirits more health. Plus I also use Feast of Souls for a Spike 400HP heal to the party. People have asked how I get Heal Party that high =D =P

[Servant of Kali]

btw, I haven't played a rit myself, so I don't know exactly what they can do apart from being a rit lord.

Get a good Rt with dmg spirits in your party, then do last mission in Factions and Prophecies, and visit the areas with monsters whose level is above 20 :) Have fun :)

[Pick Me]

I have both a Tyrian Monk and a Canthas Rit. I think Ritualists are great party healers, but poor individual healers. If I had to choose 1 monk + 1 rit or 2 monks, I would choose 2 monks.

If I need healers in a PUG and I saw someone say, "Rit lfg", I'd pick them up as quickly as my typing speed would allow.

I would ask the Rit or even a monk if they healed or protected. If I hear, Channeller or Smite, I would of course ask them to change, just to benefit the team more.

Pure channelling is not the way to go. I've tried that, but not all that great. Channel + Communion, now there is somethng to smile about. :)

Anyway, a Ritualist is not a "poor man's" healer, but they aren't the best individual healer. So in a two man farm, not that useful (I don't think, at least not as useful as a monk). An eight man PUG, a Ritualist can shine as brightly as a star in the night sky (no clouds nor obscurities of any kind). :D

[Carth`]

If I had to choose 1 monk + 1 rit or 2 monks, I would choose 2 monks. I would choose 1 rit lord protector and 1 heal monk. :D Seriously, I don't know where the old adage that you need 2 monks for everything came from. You can do most late game missions and high level areas like FoW with 1 good monk. But if you take a ritualist as well then people will be taking hardly any damage. ;)

[Silver_Fang]

I would choose 1 rit lord protector and 1 heal monk. :D Seriously, I don't know where the old adage that you need 2 monks for everything came from. You can do most late game missions and high level areas like FoW with 1 good monk. But if you take a ritualist as well then people will be taking hardly any damage. ;)

Its all about the holy trinity, Tank, Nuker and Monk! Anything other than those in a group is a waste!

[BaconSoda]

That last post is appaling.... Nukers, tanks, and monks, of those 3 classes, only 2 are essential (guess i dare u). I;'ll tell u a good story: once upon a time a mesmer named Comical Marauder was in FoW, and veryone but 2 monks, a nuker, and a tank left. Comical MArauder went AFK for a sec, and the tank & monks decided that the mesmer was unnecesary and went off to attack some skeletal warriors. Comical Marauder came back and found them all dead, and they killed no one. So he resed them all, and then they cleared out the entire FoW TOGETHER. What does this tell you? They had the holy trinity, yet they did nothing...(by the way, true story... this really happened to me)

Enough venting, now onto the ritualist subject. If I see "Rit LFG", usually i'll take them. Of course, i'll take 2 monks also, since 2 monks can keep every NPC alive in THK (it's hard due to the stupidity of PUGS, although, too easy with me and Sinister Star Healing), even the phantoms are easily kept alive with 2 monks...

How long the Rit stays in the group is a different Story, i'll try anything once, but i've tried too many bad Rits to keep them if they say something like: "clamour of souls rules, i use that one a lot", and refuse to switch...

[Terra Xin]

I consider a good rit to act like a wall between melee fighters and backline casters. Getting a good position set up, and you can buff your whole team and set up some kind of protective fort. And that's why Ritual Lord becomes rather inportant in being able to spam spirits, so you'll be able to move along just aas quickly.

Well? Why can't you put your spirits into physical use? You summoned them^^.

[Silver_Fang]

That last post is appaling.... Nukers, tanks, and monks, of those 3 classes, only 2 are essential (guess i dare u). I;'ll tell u a good story: once upon a time a mesmer named Comical Marauder was in FoW, and veryone but 2 monks, a nuker, and a tank left. Comical MArauder went AFK for a sec, and the tank & monks decided that the mesmer was unnecesary and went off to attack some skeletal warriors. Comical Marauder came back and found them all dead, and they killed no one. So he resed them all, and then they cleared out the entire FoW TOGETHER. What does this tell you? They had the holy trinity, yet they did nothing...(by the way, true story... this really happened to me)


Maybe i should use the sarcasm tag, well, its my fault really. I really hate the holy trinity crap that most people carry from other MMORPG.

[Cirian]

Maybe i should use the sarcasm tag, well, its my fault really. I really hate the holy trinity crap that most people carry from other MMORPG.

I couldn't tell if you were being deluded or sarcastic when you said that either! :p

[mrlopes]

Hi good people,

I play 95% of the time in PVE, so these considerations are related with PVE.
Also i've 8 lvl20 chars (1 of each prof), and have complete prophecies with all of them, and almost there with factions, that being said, i would like to say that i'm not a great great player, but good enough to do most of missions with henchs.

For the people saying that rits output dmg is weak,

Please try this
Communig 16
Spawning P. 12
Channeling (rest)

Rit Lord (weapon of quickening not so good but reasonable until you get rit lord)
Boon of Creation
Flesh of my flesh

and spam
Pain - 2 sec - 21 dmg
Bloodsong -1.75 sec - 21 dmg
Dissonance - 2 sec - 16 dmg and interrupt (each 2 seconds you interrupt an enemy) :)
Painful Bond - 15 dmg for each spirit attack on foe and nearby foes :)

You can take also some protection spirit like union or shelter or shadowsong or displacement or ... or you can simple add more dmg output with
Spirit Burn - 5 sec - 56 dmg (you always have spirits around)



How this works: place all your spirits before aggro if possible, and then lure the foes.

Each 2 seconds you will be dealing around:
21 + 21 + 16 (and interrupt) + 15 * 3(minimun if pain bond well placed) = 103 dmg

add 56 dmg, each 5 seconds, if you decide to bring Spirit Burn and
you're doing around 313 dmg in 5 seconds and spending almost no energy.
If you know how to control the henchs you will see how most of the missions are peace of cake.

Channeling line by itself is very weak i agree completly.

Defensive paper:
I agree that a Rit won't replace an healing monk (a good one at least), but as a dmg mitigation a Rit is very good, Restoration, union, shelter, displacement, shadowsong, and ... hey!!! why i'm not taking dmg?
I use to play as an active prot with my monk and as a healer but for protection i agree Rit are very very good.

Try to do Raisu Palace with a good Prot Ritualist and see how easy is this mission.

That's enough for now.
Bye and cya

[Horseman Of War]

the reason why dissonance is not elite is due to the 25e cast cost which is a lot for a ritualist.

personally my favorite class is ritualist. they look really unique (cool) and their skills really just beg to be analyzed... not a class for the straightforward- you have to plan you ritual out, and then make it work.

if you are in a team with two ritualists- make sure their spirits are different, just a little tip... two ritual lords spamming union/shelter will not help each other at all....

but if one goes union/shelter, have the other go pain/shadowsong (etc)

and my favorite spell? Doom! It does an easy 135 damage and can be a very powerful addition to a team spike- considering you are only casting this when your Bindings are recharging.

nightmare weapon is also very powerful/fun to use.

[unmatchedfury]

doom doesnt work for me. cooldowns of my spirits are so short i can't ever fire doom off at the right time or even at all.

[Lord Morthain]

I have played rits ALOT they are great as rit lords and i can solo paces that even 55s cant. But for awhile when i played rit at the begging i had no idea what i was doing. Up until i was at mattu keep i wasnt that good. just ask a rit what their combos are and what not and see if they know what they are doing. if they are adding things every 5 secs not a good sign but if they say i am a rit lord who is a big help to the monk then you know that things are going well. If you ever find someone totaly new to the game and is playing rit NEVER take them they will just make everyone mad.

[Celestial Beaver]

As long as they KNOW they're monk support, they're great.

I completely disagree with that, if you don't mind...I have played many a mission with only my healing rit as the healer, including Zen Daijun and DUnes of Dispair... Zen Daijun I pretty much soloed...the other 5 players were just cannon fodder, they were dead 90% of the time, just waiting for me with my spirit rift (my only offensive skill) to take out the afflicted and res them so they could go die again - ironically that mission had 2 monks. They were both smiting it turned out when we got in,

I don't believe a ritualist is "Monk Support" in the slightest. I met someone with that mentality last night. My brother was playing healing rit and I was making a party for Raisu Palace...we had one healing rit and a monk. Some wammo shouted "don't take that ele - we need another monk". He swiftly shut up once I said I had completed this mission, with masters, on my healing rit with only another monk to heal.

I wasn't applauding ANet for much last night...having been the worst night on GW I have ever played...but increasing the healing done by Mend Body and Soul is fantastic. :D