Why Does My Character Feel Weak?
Why Does My Character Feel Weak?
Before buying new equipment, check its level and attributes, your traits, and your dodging. Work through these four checks to identify what needs changing.
What are you struggling with?
Choose a problem to jump to its possible cause and what to check.
Enemies take too long to kill, and players at the same level seem much stronger.
Even ordinary enemies knock me down quickly. Bosses feel out of reach.
Other players of the same profession seem to get much stronger effects from their skills.
I reached the level cap and have equipment, but something still feels wrong.
Check the causes
Underleveled equipment or empty slots
Both rarity (color) and required level matter. A level 50 character still using a level 20 weapon will lack damage. Check level-up rewards and loot for upgrades, and fill empty equipment slots. You do not need to buy new gear from the Trading Post at every level.
Do not worry about acquiring orange Exotic gear while leveling. Green or yellow equipment at your current level from drops or the Trading Post is enough. Aim for an Exotic set after reaching level 80.
Check now: Press H and open Equipment. Look for empty slots and each item’s required level. Start with weapons at least ten levels below your character, then look for replacements with higher weapon strength and the attributes you need.
You have not selected traits
Traits add attributes and modify effects such as damage, healing, and boons. Training a trait alone is not enough: equip the specialization and select traits in the Build tab to receive their effects.
Check now: Press H, unlock traits in Training, then select specializations and a trait in each column under Build. Specialization slots unlock at levels 21, 45, and 71. If you are unsure which traits fit your weapons and skills, consult a beginner build for your profession.
Traits become available from level 21, with more choices as you level. Fill the trait slots currently available to your character.
Your attributes do not fit how you deal damage
Check that your equipment’s attributes fit your main attacks. A strike damage character using mostly Toughness and Vitality may lack offensive attributes. On stat-selectable equipment, check that you have actually selected a combination.
The two main forms of damage are:
- Power (strike damage): Power increases damage, Precision increases critical chance, and Ferocity increases critical damage.
- Condition damage: Condition Damage increases damage, while Expertise increases condition duration.
Follow the attribute combination for your chosen build. Combinations such as Viper’s use both strike and condition damage attributes. Hover over an item to see its attributes.
For beginners: While leveling, start with a weapon appropriate to your level and gear with Power to help kill ordinary enemies. Use rewards and drops instead of spending to perfect every slot. At level 80, prepare a set for your chosen build.
You are not using dodge
Dodging evades attacks for a short time. Watch enemy animations and ground markers to time it. Learn which attacks to avoid instead of relying entirely on healing after taking hits.
Walk out of a dangerous area when you have time; use V, the default dodge key, as an attack arrives. A normal dodge costs 50 endurance, and the base maximum is 100. Endurance refills over time.
Watch both ground markers and enemy attack animations. Move outside dangerous areas and save endurance for attacks that are hard to avoid by walking.
Press H → Build and fill unlocked specialization and trait slots.
Press H → Equipment and check empty slots, underleveled weapons, and unselected attributes.
Then check whether your attributes fit your attacks, and practice dodge timing.
- Keep equipment close to your level
- Fill your available trait slots
- Practice dodging with V
- Prioritize an appropriate weapon level and Power
- Complete an orange Exotic equipment set
- Choose an attribute combination
- Set up your specializations
- Choose a build direction
Common mistakes
Using equipment that does not fit your role
Choose equipment for your role and main skills. Strike damage builds need Power, Precision, and Ferocity; condition builds need Condition Damage and Expertise; healers need Healing Power. Boon support also needs sufficient duration for its boons. A boon damage build may use different equipment from a healer.
Chasing pink Ascended gear too early
Ascended equipment has about 5% higher attributes than Exotic equipment of the same level. First get a level 80 Exotic set that fits your build. You can also start raids and strikes in Exotics. Fractal scale 20 and above requires Agony Resistance, so gradually prepare Ascended equipment with infusion slots for that progression.
Misunderstanding level scaling
A level 80 character’s attributes are reduced in lower-level areas. This is normal level scaling; learned skills, traits, and equipment effects remain available. If ordinary enemies are still difficult, check the equipment and build issues above as well.