Ranger Secondary Profession

[Azn Fool]

I'm replaying the game again, and I only have the original, so I was wondering what would be a recommended second profession for pure maximizing DPS (using a bow), whether through conditions, spiking, buffs, etc; any skills. I'm just asking for recommended and/or best second profession, not any specific builds. I'll make/figure that out on my own. Thank you :)

Note: Not considering any other factors like survivability; just want DPS :D

[wind fire and ice]

Rangers arent good for DPS..but if thats really what you want /ele is the best you will get through the use of conjure,not many options with just prophs.

[Azn Fool]

I think what I'm looking for is a build that would make the most proficient "Barrage"(?) Ranger? It's been a while, so I'm not sure what's good and whatnot... but /ele for conjure skills?

[Luminarus]

For pure damage on a ranger using prof only skills...

Id go with [Conjure Flame][Incendiary arrows][Ignite arrows][dual shot][savage shot] [distracting shot][lightning Reflexes][Resurrection Signet]

[Kiva-chan]

but /ele for conjure skills?
[[Conjure Flame], [[Conjure Lightning] or [[Conjure Frost].

Barrage is nice for PvE.
Conjures work well with it too.

[Azn Fool]

So... I'm deriving from the responses that using elementalist would work "best" in this case for my desired play style? This is just for PvE, so... yeah...

Question for conjure spells now. Generally speaking, Conjure Flame would be the most effective throughout the game overall?

[timebandit]

Generally speaking, Conjure Flame would be the most effective throughout the game overall?

No, there are foes that are especially resitant to fire damage or in other words more vulnerable to other elemental types of damage. Here are some examples:
Destroyers (http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Destroyer), Titan's on Ring of Fire Mission Chain (http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Titan), Fire Elementals (http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Elemental).

On the flip side plants seem to be more vulnerable to fire as far as I know ...

Conjure's are also not the best idea if there is a lot of enchant removal around, which is not rare.

I recommend concentrating on maxing expertise and marksmanship skills and forget more or less about your secondary. There are enough buffs you can load on your Heroes or ask friends to bring ([[judge's insight], [[splinter weapon], [[anthem of envy], [[order of pain] and many many more), which allow you more flexibility on weapon swapping and loading imba pve-only skills ([[asuran scan], [[I am the strongest], [[Ebon battle standard of honor] and many many more).

Hope that helps, if not may others be more helpful.

Have fun!

Edit: sorry missed that you have Prophecies only. However the point stands, secondary buffs should generally come from your midline support characters. Conjure is not bad, but don't get to fixed on them and play around with your builds. You will be able to change your secondary later in the game anyway.

[Archress Shayleigh]

Pretty much all you need is up there... ^^ /E is probably your best option, for the conjures. (Conjure Barrager)

[infoscott]

If you're going as a Barrage ranger, the Tombs teams have shown that two good options are: Barrage/Splinter weapon with Channeling 10, or in certain situations, Barrage/Mark of Pain/Barbs when accompanied by an MM.