In our big class guide for Guild Wars 2 we introduce you to the best classes for PvE and PvP for 2025. Which class is best for beginners? Which one goes into raids and fractals? And which classes make up the current meta for Arena in Guild Wars 2?
In our overview of the classes we would like to go into the general positions of the classes and present you the differences in the game modes. We therefore differentiate between the best classes for newcomers, for instanced PvE and for PvP.
We’re leaving out PvE in the open world at this point, as you can successfully roam the world with any class. In general, the balance in Guild Wars 2 is currently very balanced and almost all classes are playable in all areas.
If you are looking for a general beginner’s guide for GW2, you will find it here: Guild Wars 2 Guide for beginners and returnees – Everything about the MMORPG.
Notice: This article was originally published in 2018 and was last updated in December 2024 in view of the upcoming New Year.
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The best classes for newcomers to Guild Wars 2
Newcomers who started with the Steam release do not yet have access to the special specializations that came into the game with the expansions. The specializations only become accessible at level 80 at the earliest.
So you have to rely on the basic classes for now.
Which is the easiest basic class?
The ranger is still the best way to get started. He wears medium armor, has some survival skills and often fights at a distance with a longbow.
A simple build relies on longbow and sword/axe as weapons and armor with offensive stats (power, precision, ferocity). To do this, you choose the specializations over time:
Heavy armor for easy entry!
The warrior is also suitable for a relaxed introduction. As a wearer of heavy armor, he can automatically withstand more and has a useful passive effect with the Seal of Healing.
With skills like “Endure Pain” and “Dolyak Seal” you can survive well in longer fights. Great swords and swords/war horns are ideal weapons. This combination causes a lot of damage and at the same time makes you very mobile.
In the specializations you will find all the important reinforcements in the areas of strength, weapons and defense that will help you advance in the open world.
A second life bar?
The Necromancer is the light armor class that can take the most punishment by far. She naturally has a lot of life points and also brings with her the death veil.
The Death Shroud acts like a second health bar and ensures that you can take a lot of damage. At the same time, there is a property in the Death Magic specialization that automatically puts you in the shroud of death when you receive fatal damage.
Additionally, necromancers can summon minions to assist them in battle. A useful skill is Fear, which causes enemies to run away from you. The recommended weapons here are ranged weapons such as the scepter/war horn and the staff.
Which classes are the hardest for newcomers?
At this point, we particularly advise newcomers against the elemental magician and the mesmer. Both classes have low health 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 second page we tell you which classes work particularly well in instanced PvE.