In the dynamic world of Guild Wars 2, the Revenant stands out as a unique and enigmatic profession. With their ability to invoke legendary champions of the past and channel otherworldly powers, they are formidable combatants in both PvE and PvP scenarios. In this guide, we will delve into the intricacies of the Revenant profession, exploring its mechanics, legends, trait lines, weapon choices, and recommended builds.

 

• Profession Mechanics
  • Energy Management
  • Legends
• Pros and Cons
• Trait Lines
• Weapon Choices
• Elite Specializations
  • Herald (Heart of Thorns Expansion)
  • Renegade (Path of Fire Expansion)
  • Vindicator (End of Dragons Expansion)
• Gear Choices

 

 

↖ Profession Mechanics

The core mechanic of the Revenant revolves around channeling legendary champions of Tyria's history to augment their combat prowess. Unlike other professions, Revenants can only have two legends equipped at any given time. Utilizing abilities tied to these legends depletes the Revenant's energy bar, which regenerates over time. Mastering the Revenant means mastering energy management, a unique aspect of this profession.

 

When channeling a legend, the Revenant gains access to five static abilities associated with that legend. These skills remain constant for each legend and do not change.

 

↖ Energy Management

• The Revenant uses an energy bar to fuel their skills and weapon abilities. This energy regenerates quickly as skills are used.
• Some skills have upkeep costs, which can either slow down energy regeneration or gradually deplete it.
• Swapping Legends replenishes your energy, allowing you to use new skills associated with the newly chosen Legend.

 

To play the Revenant effectively, mastering energy management is crucial. Mismanaging your energy can leave you defenseless and unable to use your skills.

 

↖ Legends

The Revenant has access to four Legends: Assassin, Dwarf, Centaur, and Demon.

• You can mix and match two Legends at any given time, and each Legend comes with its unique set of skills.
• Legends lock you into a specific playstyle, and you cannot individually customize skills within a Legend.
• Ancient Echo is a unique skill that provides a benefit based on your current Legend and regenerates some energy. For instance, with the Assassin stance, your next two attacks become unblockable.

 

Here's a brief overview of the Legends and their playstyles:

• Assassin Stance: Emphasizes fast melee combat, shadow-stepping, and crowd control.
• Dwarf Stance: Offers fantastic defenses and durability.
• Centaur Stance: Focuses on healing, supporting, and crowd control.
• Demon Stance: Focuses on dealing condition damage and pulsing negative effects to nearby foes.

 

↖ Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

Unique Gameplay: Revenants offer a distinctive and engaging playstyle through legend channeling and energy management. Versatility: They can adapt to various roles, making them valuable in PvE and PvP. Strong Solo Play: Revenants excel in open world content, thanks to their powerful abilities. Diverse Weapons: Revenants have a wide range of weapon choices, allowing for customization. Utility Skills: They provide unique crowd control and support options. Elite Specializations: Revenants can further diversify their abilities with elite specs. Engaging Trait Lines: The trait system encourages experimentation and customization.

Complex Energy Management: Managing energy effectively can be challenging for newcomers. Limited Weapon Choices: Revenants have specific weapon combinations, limiting options. Steep Learning Curve: Understanding legend mechanics and traits can be demanding. Resource Dependency: Mismanaging energy can leave Revenants unable to use abilities. Situational Legends: Some legends excel in specific scenarios, requiring strategic switching. Elite Spec Requirement: To access elite specs, players need the corresponding expansion. Meta Shifts in PvP: Revenant builds can be affected by changing competitive metas.

 

↖ Trait Lines

The Revenant's trait lines focus on improving their Legendary Stances and Legend swapping. The five trait lines are as follows:

• Corruption: Associated with the Demon Stance, improves Torment application, resistance, and self-healing.
• Retribution: Associated with the Dwarf Stance, enhances defense, Vigor generation, and resolution.
• Salvation: Improves healing and Boon application, enhancing the Centaur Stance's support capabilities.
• Devastation: Focused on the Assassin Stance, boosts on-hit damage and vulnerability application.
• Invocation: Enhances Legend swapping, grants Fury, and improves overall Legend abilities.

 

↖ Weapon Choices

Revenants can wield various weapons, each with its own unique playstyle. Here are the weapons at their disposal:

• Hammer: A ranged Mist weapon dealing high damage, stunning enemies, and blocking projectiles.
• Staff: Used for close-range healing and support, offering blocking and crowd control.
• Mace (Main Hand): Applies conditions and is suitable for medium or close-range combat.
• Sword (Main Hand): Provides high mobility and striking damage.
• Axe (Offhand): Applies conditions and cripples enemies.
• Sword (Offhand): Deals high strike damage and can immobilize foes.

 

↖ Elite Specializations

Guild Wars 2 expansions introduce elite specializations, which significantly alter your Revenant's playstyle. Here's a brief overview of the elite specializations:

 

↖ Herald (Heart of Thorns Expansion)

• Legend: Glint
  
• Emphasis on facets, which enhance energy management and provide Boons.
• Strong DPS potential and support capabilities.

 

↖ Renegade (Path of Fire Expansion)

• Legend: Kalla Scorchrazor
  
• Gains a shortbow for ranged attacks and conditions.
• Excellent support with alacrity and condition damage capabilities.

 

↖ Vindicator (End of Dragons Expansion)

• Legend: Luxon/Kurzick
  
• Offers two separate skill sets focusing on damage and healing/support.
• Massive leap with Dodge roll and the use of a greatsword.

 

↖ Gear Choices

Your gear should align with your chosen Revenant build. Here are some gear suggestions:

• Power-Oriented (Assassin/Dwarf Stance): Berserkers or Marauders for increased damage.
• Condition Damage (Demon/Dwarf Stance): Vipers for enhanced condition DPS.
• Survivability: Carrion for a balance of damage and toughness.
• Beginner-Friendly: Celestial for versatility and reduced complexity.

 

Previous: GW2 Guardian Profession Guide!

 

Conclusion:

In total, Revenants are never truly alone, as they are accompanied by legendary champions from Tyria's past. These champions provide a glimpse of their power, empowering the Revenant to become a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. Whether you choose to embrace the darkness with Mallyx or unleash the fury of Shiro Tagachi, the Revenant offers a unique and captivating gameplay experience that is both rewarding and challenging.