secondary weapon

[Elsa]

as a archer i have a long bow and usually use my pet to tank for me

is it worth getting a secondary? most people i see run dual dags or a sword

[Coke (music)]

Yeah, if you set weapon swap to a comfortable keybind and get used to it now it'll probably help you for later on. Think of it as giving you twice as many cooldowns to use in combat too. You can also use a short bow or other ranged options if you're looking to keep that play style while leveling.

[Percello]

Is it worth it? That's up to you.
Is it necessary? No.

In all my years of playing this game, which has been on and off since 2012, I don't think I've ever used a secondary weapon. I mean, you can if you want, but I've never really seen a reason to.

My mindset is kinda like this:
If I use a Longbow and I have a secondary of a Greatsword and I know the Longbow does more damage and can be used within melee range, why would I ever use the Greatsword?

There are some classes, like the Warrior, that do gain benefits (depending on specialization) when you swap your weapons, though.

[DarkSlayer197]

Yes. A secondary weapon is a must especially when you go into higher level content. There are enemies who can reflect shots, swarm you, or aggressively stay on you.

Generally the rule of thumb is have one set of ranged weapons and the other set melee.

When you go into raids, fractals, PvP, WvW, etc. A second weapon set is required for optimal skill rotations.

To add: there are many traits among different classes that reward weapon swapping in combat. Many weapon sigils offer similar perks.

[cLoWnHaTe]

It's not required to have a secondary weapon, but it depends on your profession and build. Some professions can swap weapons during combat, giving them more skills to use while the other weapon is on cooldown. This can boost their DPS. However, some professions can swap weapons but don't have cooldowns for their skills, so they can spam a single skill for maximum DPS. Other professions can't swap weapons at all during combat, like engineers. They can still swap weapons outside of combat, which allows them to easily change their strategy. Ultimately, it depends on your class, but it's still optional. Having a secondary weapon can give you more playstyles and increase your damage.

[pruitcake]

You don't HAVE to but it's nice having a 2nd weapon to give you more options during combat. You can run one weapon for damage and the other for utility. Single target vs AoE, etc etc. It's not really gonna matter in the open world but if you ever decide to run group content having the flexibility is nice.

If you're just starting out being optimal isn't gonna matter either way but at endgame most builds will have 2 weapon sets (if they're able) to maximize efficiency.

[dunnothisguy]

If you're not really playing the game, but just skip all mobs with mounts, only stopping where you have to to obliterate the target with a burst attack, then no you don't need it. Otherwise not sure how you'll survive, say, final two HoT maps with just a bow, with tons of stuff there coming from all directions that can kill you in 10 seconds

[Krome Skulz]

You could probably play most of the non-group content with only one weapon but you'd be slowing yourself down and probably making the game more frustrating. I use the second weapon when my main weapon skills are on CD so I can continue to dish out a higher DPS than that auto-attack or whatever your mouse button attack is..

I use dual axes on my ranger. I like range and that keeps me at a decent range. It's terrible when an enemy has reflect up because I have to go in close and use my 4th ability which I normally leave for a stunned enemy. I believe my axes 4th ability is the only one not considered ranged but I could be wrong.

What I do is normally start with longbow and when all DPS skills on CD I switch to axes. I usually finish my axe rotation with the pull (#3 skill) and than set spike trap and use my whirlwind (#4 skill). Than I'll switch to longbow and knock the enemy away from me and start over. Doesn't work on bosses and other such enemies though but both knockback and pull reduce their blue bar along with spike trap.

If I was to switch out my axes for a melee weapon I'd probably go greatsword. I've played around with it a little and liked it enough that I keep one in my inventory just in case. I should probably play around with the other melee weapons and have a reliable backup though.

[RotherHans]

Dunno, do you like switching gears when driving?
You could arrive everywhere in first gear, eventually.

Up to you.

[Blando]

Longbow/Shortbow combo will cover all your needs, for and in every situation.

[buffy805]

If your main weapon is a 2 hand bow for combat you may use an alternative weapon combo with healing/draining life sigils and protective sigils when the mobs are too strong or when your life is too weak.

[sumdumbum]

For ranger, I suggest axe / warhorn for offhand, its pretty fun, and offers ranged attacks.