There are a handful of useful classes or professions to try out in Guild Wars 2, and while all of them are a ton of fun to try out, some perform better solo than others do. Not every class is particularly easy to use as a beginner, but the options can become unlimited once you’ve mastered how each class works.
The various specializations within each given profession add an additional layer of complexity to deciding on a great character. Understanding the different specializations available for given professions is key in finding any kind of success when playing solo. It may be complex, and classes may vary in usefulness depending on playstyles, but some can call themselves the best of the best for solo play.
It's important to know that every class in Guild Wars 2 is viable in all types of content. Choose the class that looks the most fun, and the rest will work itself out.
Updated April 1, 2023 by Jacob Whaling: The Guild Wars 2 meta is always shifting, as some professions become stronger while others get weaker. We've updated this list to reflect the current best professions for solo players, as well as the best Elite Specialization for each of them.
9 Elementalist
Elite Specializations:
- Tempest
- Weaver
- Catalyst
The punishment that can be dished out with the right build makes the Elementalist an alluring class, however, in early-game, you may struggle to keep yourself alive. Elementalists are glass cannons, which can be detrimental if you are alone and swarmed by enemies.
Each specialization is useful in its own unique ways, so we recommend getting to level 80, choosing an elite spec, and finding a build that works for you. Until then, take caution, and be sure to have the very best gear!
The Elementalist's new Catalyst Elite Specialization is great for soloing open-world content, providing some much-needed defensive buffs to the class. This build utilizes the Hammer or Staff with Berserker armor to deal high damage from range.
8 Guardian
Elite Specializations:
- Dragonhunter
- Firebrand
- Willbender
While the Guardian is one of the strongest professions for group content like Fractals and Raids, its solo potential is less impressive. While it has decent damage and tons of support potential, its harder to use in solo open-world content.
The Guardian is not particularly complicated to play, making it a good choice for new players, but its self-sustain and survivability aren't as great as other professions.
Despite this, you may have some success in the open-world with a Willbender build. This Elite Specialization provides very high damage, allowing you to quickly assassinate low-health targets, but can't survive for long against Champions or Bounties.
7 Warrior
Elite Specializations:
- Berserker
- Spellbreaker
- Bladesworn
In most games, choosing a Warrior class is usually a reliable choice, but that’s not entirely the case for Guild Wars 2. It’s one of the easier classes to understand, and you’ll likely see plenty of solo success with it, but you’ll probably begin to hit a wall the higher level you become.
The Warrior generally becomes best-suited to play as a support class toward the late game, something that may make high-level solo play a bit of a bummer. The Spellbreaker specialization is overall great, but it’s easy to argue that it is still best suited as a support profession.
We recommend trying out the Power Bladesworn if you choose the Warrior. This build has incredibely high damage potential through the unique Dragon Trigger and Dragon Slashes, but can be vulernable in prolonged fights due to its bursty nature.
6 Ranger
Elite Specializations:
- Druid
- Soulbeast
- Untamed
A lot of people love the Ranger profession not only because it’s great for a wide variety of situations and playstyles, but also because you can have plenty of trusty companions by your side. For later solo play, both Untamed and Soulbeast Elite Specializations can be incredibly useful.
As one of the most flexible professions, the Ranger can be very rewarding to play once you understand its intricacies. When combined with the huge list of available pets, the Ranger has a ton of different options for solo play.
There are two great builds for solo players to try with the Ranger: the Power Soulbeast build that forgoes the usage of pets to instead buff yourself, or the Celestial Untamed build that can inflict tons of Breakbar damage through its crowd control cooldown reduction effects.
5 Thief
Elite Specializations:
- Daredevil
- Deadeye
- Specter
A lot of Guild Wars 2 players will swear by the potential devastation that can be brought by the hands of a skilled Thief player. They may be less useful while playing solo, but that doesn’t make the profession any worse of a choice than the very best.
Obviously, the character revolves around some degree of stealth and overall mobility, but as your Thief grows, and you choose a specialization, you’ll be able to handle the toughest situations with ease. All three of the Thief's Elite Specializations can be great for open-world content, providing various bonuses to mobility, damage, or stealth.
We recommend taking a look into the Condition Specter or Power Rifle Deadeye builds for your open-world Thief. Either of these builds work great in solo content, and can provide decent damage and survability.
4 Revenant
Elite Specializations:
- Herald
- Renegade
- Vindicator
The Revenant profession is actually an expansion class, and as such, it's more suited for players that are very familiar with the game. With that said, those that are willing to take on a steep challenge or already consider themselves experts will enjoy playing a Revenant.
With the right build and confidence, you should have no problem while going solo, and further specializing as a Renegade will make you a force of destruction. Heavy damage dealing and a passive heal are always something that is useful for a solo player.
We recommend using the Condition Damage Renegade build for solo players. This build, mainly using the Shortbow, has tons of Condition Damage, sustain through defensive and healing buffs, and tons of other useful tools for a variety of situations.
3 Engineer
Elite Specializations:
- Scrapper
- Holosmith
- Mechanist
The Engineer profession, namely the Mechanist spec, is making waves through the Guild Wars 2 community. With its jade mech doing most of the work, the Engineer can sit back with a rifle and fire at foes for fast and easy damage.
The Engineer's other two Elite Specializations are also great, with Scrapper providing a good choice for solo players due to its ability to apply barrier, strong AoE attacks, and mobility options. Holosmith is a bit more difficult to play, but no less effective, and can deal tons of damage in Power or Condition Damage-focused builds with its Holoforge.
The best open-world solo build for Engineer is the Power Rifle Mechanist build, using either Berserker or Celestial armor with Scholar Runes for high damage. The Rifle has high base damage and attack speed, and when paired with the Jade Mech, gives you good survivability thanks to its long range.
2 Mesmer
Elite Specializations:
- Chronomancer
- Mirage
- Virtuoso
There is a lot to consider when deciding to choose the Mesmer profession. On one hand, you’ll be getting one of the best classes in the game for a huge array of situations - on the other hand, it’s also an incredibly tough class to learn to play.
The reason it’s tough is due to everything you need to keep track of, but with enough practice, the profession is unbeatable in the right hands. Solo players who enjoy magic, and learning more complex mechanics, will really enjoy choosing Mesmer and the various specializations, which later on, give the character a lot of potential.
The Condition Damage Mirage build is very good for open-world focused Mesmers. This build, using the Staff and Celestial or Viper's armor, can inflict a variety of Conditions, as well as provide consistent uptime on the Might, Fury, and Alacrity buffs for you and nearby allies. With these buffs, you'll be incredibly valuable in open-world events and world bosses.
1 Necromancer
Elite Specializations:
- Reaper
- Scourge
- Harbinger
The Necromancer is one of the strongest professions in Guild Wars 2 for players that like to play on their own. Once you adjust to the unique playstyle, you’ll have little issue dominating as a solo player.
The class is incredibly easy to use, has tons of great tools at its disposal, and is hard to put down. One of the only real downfalls is that it can play slow, but specializing as a Scourge will change the game even further making you nigh-unstoppable.
Our recommended build for solo Necromancers is the Condition Damage Scourge build. This build utilizes the Scepter, Dagger, and Staff to inflict tons of damage through the Torment and Bleeding Conditions, and relying on the Parasitic Contagion Trait to allow you to heal from your Condition Damage. This build has very high damage and survivability, making it perfect for solo players.