Pretty much what DM said. For a condition build to work, you need to stack precision and condition damage. The reason why is for the Sharpened Edges trait. The purpose for a condition ranger is to STACK BLEEDS. HIGH POWER BLEEDS OFTEN. AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. With Sharpened edges, your crits add more bleeds.
On that note, you're kinda right with your utilities. I personally don't like trap builds in PvE or PvP. I prefer a straight bleed build with Sharpening Stones, Zephyr, then an extra utility for the situation (Map exploration, signet of the hunt, group stuff, battle roar (charr racial) or Search and Rescue, etc.)
Here is the build that I typically run when I'm doing condition Ranger.
http://www.guildhead.com/skill-calc#mcom0M9coRv0moRv0mGpG0VcRMaoa
You can see here that you benefit from straight power as you are attacking often, you get your bonus crit, and your condition damage. I generally stack Precision and Condition damage, with a sub in Power. You're going to be hitting often, and even if you don't hit for bleeds, you're still doing
good damage. Not great, but good.
Mark3- Sharpen stones at 75%. No brainer. If you get hit, you're probably going to fall below 75%. That many more bleeds. Some would argue M6 instead (fury buff at pet 50%) and it's a good argument. Since the M3 DOES NOT STACK if you just recently used Sharpening Stones, it can be wasted. Something to keep an eye out for. (fury will increase your crit, so more bleeds on crit that way. Personal preference, I swap based on fight to fight scenario)
Mark8 - Piercing Arrows. POSITIONING IS CRUCIAL for a shortbow ranger. You need to learn not only to flank, but also how to target efficiently. If you target a mob in the back, your arrow will PIERCE THROUGH all other mobs in the way. Learn to aim in the back and flank, increasing your damage from Skirm (minor3) trait (10% damage while flanking) and Shortbow 1 (stack bleeds while flanking. Stacking these bonus's together is where the ranger can really shine.
Skirm2 - Sharpened Edges. Critting causes bleeds. No Brainer.
Skirm10 - Reduced SB/LB recharge. I like it mostly for the 4 ability. Most people don't realize that upon using the 4 ability, your pet then stacks bleeds on next 3 attacks. Guess what, you're a bleed stacking build! Plus it's nice to have SB3 on shorter cooldown as well for the added dodge animation.
Wild6 - Essential for any survival spec'd ranger. Sharpening stones is on a shorter cooldown. Zephyr is on a shorter cooldown. ENTANGLE IS ON A SHORTER COOLDOWN. 30 seconds shaved off of your elite. Not bad if you ask me.
Wild10 - This is a personal preference by far. I'm this far into the trait line to keep the condition damage up (plus adds that toughness you wanted a little on your gear without sacrificing the stats). I sub a greatsword on my SB generally. Sometimes I use axe/torch, Sword/torch, axe/axe, etc., but GS is too much fun. This is just handy on projectile-reflect mobs. Tastes may vary.
If you have any other questions, let me know. But that is probably one of the best SB specs you'll find (SORRY DM, I DON'T LIKE YOUR BUILDS!
)
