In our comprehensive class guide to Guild Wars 2 we present the best classes for PvE and PvP for the year 2025. Which class is best suited for beginners? Which one is suitable for raids and fractals? And which classes define the current meta for arenas in Guild Wars 2?
In our overview of the classes, we want to address the general positions of the classes and present the differences in the game modes. We distinguish between the best classes for newcomers, for instanced PvE, and for PvP.
The PvE in the open world is left out here, as you can successfully roam through the world with any class. Overall, the balance in Guild Wars 2 is currently very well-balanced, and almost all classes are playable in all areas.
Anyone looking for a general beginner’s guide for GW2 will find it here: Guild Wars 2 Guide for Beginners and Returnees – All about the MMORPG.
The best classes for newcomers in Guild Wars 2
Newcomers who started with the Steam release do not yet have access to the specializations that have come into the game with the expansions. The specializations will be available at the earliest with level 80.
Therefore, they must initially rely on the base classes.
Which is the easiest base class?
For beginners, the Ranger is still the best choice. It wears medium armor, has some survival skills, and often fights at range with a longbow.
- The animal companion is helpful, as it usually occupies the enemies, preventing them from attacking us.
- The shout “Protect me” also ensures that your animal companion provokes the enemy and thus draws their attention.
- The invulnerability from the Stone Sigil or the roll evade from the skill “Lightning Reflexes” also increase survival chances.
A simple build focuses on longbow and sword/axe as weapons and armor with offensive stats (power, precision, ferocity). You then choose the specializations over time:
- Marksmanship
- Beast Mastery
- and Warfare.
Heavy armor for the easy start!
Also suitable for a relaxed start is the Warrior. As a wearer of heavy armor, he automatically withstands more and has a useful passive effect with the Healing Sigil.
With skills like “Endure Pain” and “Dolyak Signet,” you can also survive well in longer battles. Suitable weapons are greatsword and sword/warhorn. This combination deals a lot of damage while keeping you very mobile.
In the specializations, you will find all the important enhancements in the areas of strength, weapons, and defense that will help you in the open world.
A second life bar?
The Necromancer is the class with light armor that can withstand the most damage by far. It naturally has a lot of life points and also brings the Death Shroud.
The Death Shroud behaves like a second life bar and allows you to take a lot of damage. At the same time, there is a trait in the specialization of Death Magic that initially brings you into the Death Shroud upon receiving lethal damage.
Additionally, Necromancers can summon minions that support them in combat. A useful skill is “Fear,” which makes enemies flee from you. Here, ranged weapons like scepter/warhorn and staff are also recommended.
Which classes are the hardest for newcomers?
We especially advise newcomers against the Elementalist and the Mesmer at this point. Both classes have few life points and are harder to play than the others.
The Revenant is also not easy, but is only available to you if you own one of the two expansions.
On the next page, we will reveal which classes work particularly well in instanced PvE.
