Introduction: Best Open‑World Builds Without Secrets of the Obscure
In Guild Wars 2, open-world solo gameplay is a rewarding challenge—but what if you don't own the Secrets of the Obscure (STO) expansion? Many players worry they’re missing out on the strongest builds due to the lack of STO-exclusive relics, weapons, and spear proficiency. While STO undoubtedly enhances solo play potential, this guide will help you succeed without it.
We’ve built this guide around a tier list, separating core and elite specs into performance brackets. Our focus is solo-friendly builds, specifically designed for open world PvE. Whether you’re roaming Tyria or tackling champions, there’s something here for you. Keep in mind: even a D-tier build can clear open world content with a proper setup—some are just more efficient than others.
Core Classes in Open World PvE Without STO
Without the STO expansion, core builds become more relevant—especially if you’re not using elite specs. While none of them outperform their elite counterparts, some still hold their own surprisingly well in solo play.
Core Mesmer, Revenant, and Elementalist
These core professions fall into the weaker end of the solo spectrum. Their damage output and sustain capabilities just don’t hold up, especially when compared to elite builds that have more tools and better survivability. They can be played, but they’ll likely feel underwhelming without relics and utility from expansions.
Core Necromancer, Ranger, and Thief
These three core specs perform decently without STO. Core Necro has strong survivability, Ranger has great pet support and ranged utility, and Thief offers good mobility with burst potential. While not optimal, they’re manageable for solo open-world gameplay.
Core Guardian and Engineer
Core Guardian performs surprisingly well, especially when using pistol setups—though you’ll lose some DPS without access to key relics. Core Engineer does fine when paired with spear, but without STO, its potential takes a hit. Pistol-pistol remains viable but feels less impactful.
Core Warrior
Warrior lands in the middle. It’s not the strongest solo pick, but it’s far from the worst. While lacking in sustained self-healing and ranged options, it holds up reasonably in open world when using correct trait lines and gear setups.
Guardian Elite Specs Without STO
Guardian has three elite specs, and their performance drops quite a bit when you remove STO weapons and relics. Without pistols or high-end relics, builds feel incomplete.
Dragonhunter
Power Dragonhunter is least affected because it doesn’t rely on STO pistols. Still, it takes a noticeable hit in sustain due to the lack of powerful healing relics like Sakkiru. Without those, survivability dips and utility skills need to compensate, reducing DPS. Overall, Dragonhunter is a workable but not outstanding pick.
Firebrand and Willbender
Both elite specs lose out heavily without pistols and high-performing relics. The result is a noticeable drop in both damage and versatility. They can still function using celestial gear and alternate relics, but the playstyle becomes more reactive and slower. They land safely in B-tier—viable, just not top-tier anymore.
Warrior Elite Specs Without STO
Warrior builds have access to strong baseline traits and weapons. Even without STO content, they stay competitive with proper setup.
Spellbreaker
Spellbreaker can be played effectively using traditional mace/shield or greatsword combinations. While it loses top-end relic damage boosts, you can sub in utility-focused relics. It's tanky and responsive, with good sustain and invulnerability access. Overall, it sits comfortably in high A-tier.
Bladesworn
Bladesworn is one of the least-affected elite specs when it comes to solo play without STO. The core mechanics remain strong, and losing relic flexibility doesn’t cripple the build. With might-generation traits and health sustain on might application, it maintains solid DPS and survivability. It’s a consistent A-tier pick, bordering on S-tier depending on gear choices.
Revenant Elite Specs Without STO
Revenant elites are usually reliant on spear and ranged relics—most of which are STO-exclusive. However, there’s one clear standout.
Renegade
Renegade emerges as one of the best solo builds in the entire game—even without STO. You can run sword/sword or mace setups and still get excellent DPS and healing. It retains everything that makes it strong: range, sustain, and raw output. This build holds its ground in S-tier without compromise.
Herald and Vindicator
Herald and Vindicator lose significant ranged potential and relic synergy. Herald’s support traits still provide decent solo utility, and it can be run effectively with mace/shield. Vindicator becomes harder to maintain without spear damage, but its invulnerability keeps it playable. These land in low A-tier to high B-tier—still usable, but not as flexible as Renegade.
Engineer Elite Specs Without STO
Engineer specs rely heavily on STO’s spear for ranged condi builds. Without it, all three specs drop in performance.
Holosmith and Scrapper
Both specs can swap to pistol or shield setups but lose some of the raw efficiency and AoE pressure offered by the spear. Holosmith especially feels the hit in high-DPS scenarios. These are B-tier options—fun to play but not the most optimal for solo content anymore.
Mechanist
Mechanist remains one of the strongest picks. It’s safe, offers a mix of ranged and melee damage, and performs well with celestial gear. While you’ll miss top-tier relic boosts, the mech’s passive pressure and condi application make this a solid A-tier choice. Possibly even low S-tier for relaxed, effective solo play.
Thief Elite Specs Without STO
Thief builds are usually burst-focused and less reliant on relics than others, making them more resistant to STO restrictions.
Specter
Specter remains a great pick, losing only relic-based DPS. The core gameplay and weapon choices remain strong. It’s tankier than Deadeye, easier to sustain, and has good healing options. Specter fits well into A-tier for non-STO solo builds.
Deadeye
Deadeye takes a bigger hit, especially since its build is very reliant on precise burst and DPS relics. Without those, it feels clunkier and requires more effort to survive. Still, it holds A-tier placement, though Specter is usually the safer solo option.
Ranger Elite Specs Without STO
Ranger specs adapt surprisingly well, but most lose access to mace builds and relics, lowering their top-end damage.
Soulbeast
Soulbeast performs well in open world without STO. You lose a relic slot and possibly the mace combo, but the general mechanics remain strong. DPS is solid, and pet merge provides good flexibility. This keeps Soulbeast in A-tier overall.
Druid
Druid is best used as a condition-based support build. Losing relics reduces healing and DPS slightly, but it’s still viable. Power Druid suffers more due to mace reliance and should be considered a B-tier option. Condi Druid holds A-tier status with the right gear.
Untamed: The Standout Ranger Build
Untamed in its condi build form is completely untouched by the lack of STO. It doesn’t require expansion weapons, relics, or traits to shine. With excellent DPS, reliable healing, and high boon uptime, it comfortably sits in S-tier. Among ranger specs, this is easily the best choice for solo open-world play without STO.
Mesmer Elite Specs Without STO
Mesmer builds are more reliant on relic healing and weapon synergy, particularly for power-based setups.
Virtuoso
Virtuoso relies heavily on Sakkiru’s healing relics. Without them, power-based builds become fragile. Even with daggers available, the sustain falls short, making this build drop to C-tier. It's playable, but not ideal.
Mirage
Condi Mirage is still effective. It doesn’t need new weapons or relics to perform. Strong survivability and clone-based condi pressure make it a strong S-tier option.
Chronomancer
Condi Chronomancer loses DPS relics, but remains a versatile choice with good utility. While not as safe or consistent as Mirage, it holds an A-tier ranking with appropriate gear swaps.
Elementalist Elite Specs Without STO
Elementalist elites are weapon-centric, but some builds remain intact even without the latest expansion.
Catalyst
Celestial Catalyst with hammer remains one of the best solo builds. It’s barely affected by STO absence, aside from some lost DPS from relic swaps. Solid damage, decent defense, and utility make it a top S-tier pick.
Tempest
Tempest remains playable with decent performance. You’ll need to manage longer cast times and careful positioning, but its shouts and elite trait utility still offer value. A-tier, especially with celestial gear.
Weaver and Its Role in Solo Builds
Weaver is a bit of a mixed bag in solo scenarios, especially without Secrets of the Obscure. Its self-sustain is limited, and it depends heavily on constant movement and precise timing. Without access to powerful relics and off-hand options, it feels more fragile than other Elementalist builds. Although you can build it for hybrid or celestial use, it often lacks the durability needed for extended solo encounters. That puts Weaver closer to C-tier, although skilled players might push it into low B-tier territory.
Necromancer Elite Specs Without STO
Necromancer is one of the most stable professions for solo play—relics and expansion weapons enhance it, but don’t define its effectiveness. This makes it a strong pick for players without STO.
Reaper
Reaper is a rare exception among power builds. It performs excellently without Sakkiru or other relics that most elite specs rely on. Its built-in sustain, AoE-heavy playstyle, and flexible gear options make it a consistent S-tier solo choice. You can even run either power or condi Reaper and still see success in open-world PvE.
Scourge
Scourge takes a moderate hit without pistol access, especially for hybrid or condi builds. Losing some relic synergy also reduces DPS output slightly. Despite this, it remains viable and fairly easy to use in solo settings. With the right build, Scourge stays in A-tier, although slightly behind Reaper in terms of flexibility and raw pressure.
Harbinger
Harbinger keeps its pistol since that weapon comes directly from the elite spec—not STO. However, the lack of relics reduces damage and weakens its offensive push. Already somewhat squishy, this makes Harbinger more fragile and situational in solo play. It still holds a place in A-tier due to its damage potential, but it requires more attention and evasion to survive challenging encounters.
Summary: What Makes a Build Tier-Worthy?
For open-world solo PvE in Guild Wars 2, a strong build must have:
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Reliable sustain (healing, blocks, or damage mitigation)
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Solid damage output (preferably AoE or consistent pressure)
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Mobility or range (to handle mechanics or kiting needs)
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Minimal reliance on expansion-specific gear (important when STO isn’t available)
Builds that score high in most of these areas without needing Secrets of the Obscure sit in S or A-tier, while those needing more support or specific gear fall into B, C, or D-tier.
Tips for Optimizing Non-STO Builds
Even without the STO expansion, you can still get great results by focusing on smart build choices:
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Use Celestial Gear: Versatile and durable for solo builds.
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Explore Alternative Relics: Many older relics still offer competitive bonuses.
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Swap Utility Skills Based on Encounter: Flexibility is key to staying alive.
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Prioritize Self-Healing or Passive Defense: Especially when elite trait lines can’t carry your sustain.
Conclusion
Not having Secrets of the Obscure doesn’t lock you out of enjoying powerful open-world solo builds in Guild Wars 2. While the expansion offers excellent relics and weapon proficiency options, you can still create strong, reliable builds using core and earlier expansion content.
Whether you're playing Reaper, Renegade, Condi Mirage, or Celestial Catalyst, there's a solo-friendly option for every class. The key is understanding what your build loses without STO—and adjusting accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best GW2 solo build without Secrets of the Obscure?
Renegade, Reaper, Untamed (Condi), and Celestial Catalyst are among the top-performing solo builds that don't require STO.
Can I solo open-world PvE content in GW2 without expansions?
Yes. Core builds like Necromancer, Ranger, and Thief can handle most open-world content, though they may lack efficiency compared to elite specs.
How important are relics from STO for solo builds?
STO relics boost performance significantly but are not essential. Many builds work well with core or older expansion relics.
Is the spear weapon required for effective solo play?
Not necessarily. Some elite specs perform well without the spear, but others—like Engineer and Elementalist—lose significant DPS without it.
What gear should I use for non-STO solo builds?
Celestial gear is highly recommended for versatility, offering a balance of damage, sustain, and survivability.
Are core professions viable for solo content?
They are viable but usually less efficient. Core Guardian and Core Necromancer are among the stronger core options.
Which class suffers the least from not having STO?
Untamed (Condi build) and Renegade are largely unaffected and remain strong solo options.
Do all elite specs lose performance without STO?
Most elite specs drop slightly in performance due to missing weapons or relics, but many still remain competitive with the right setup.
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