4 replies to this topic

[Beezarre]

Hey guys..I would like to ask for opinion on my build I am planning to use:
PVE MaceFocus/ScepterTorch Steady Build in gw2skill.net
PVE MaceFocus/ScepterTorch Steady Build in gw2db.com

My play style with guardian is when engaging mobs, I use range attack with ScepterTorch and try to finish the mobs up with the ScepterTorch burst before they enter into my melee range. But when situation become ugly,(eg there are more than 3 mobs I have to hold to, or not enough space to kite, or there are ally I have to guard for) I will switch to MaceFocus for more defensive and sustain battle.

I choose not to take any Grandmaster trait because I dont want a build that only high on a certain way, while poor in another way. I want to make a Guardian that have good defense, and good healing so I can survive in any kind of situation while I do not sacrifice too much in my offensive capability.

Why Mace? Because of the constant healing and aoe light combo field from Symbol of Faith while dealing damage. Not to mention the third skill that give me damage reduction while deal damage to enemies. I like it well balance between offensive and defensive both in this 1h weapon.

Why Focus and not Shield? Because IMO, Shield focus on defensive, while Focus is both defensive and offensive. Its Ray of Judgement deal damage and heal you and allies per bounce. At the same time it blind enemies it hit for 3 sec, grant you 3sec damage free period. Shield of Wrath is the reason I chose Focus, it grant you 4sec period to block 3 attacks and explode with massive damage to all enemies around you. I usually use this to perform combo with Symbol of Faith and Purging Flame. When you cast Shield of Wrath on Symbol of Faith's symbol, it will grant all allies around you a Retaliation boon, or Might boon if with Purging Flame.

I choose Shelter instead of commonly used Signet of Resolve as my Healing skill is 1) because it has lower CD, 2) because it has 2sec block. Even though the heal amount is half of Signet of Resolve. But the 2sec block is precious in this build, plus I have plenty of healing  from my mace skills. I choose Shout and Consecration as my utility skills. I like Hold the Line skill for Shout for its break stun, regen, damage reduction and low CD. Most Consecration skills are under Combo Field Light type, while only Purging Flame is Combo Field Fire type. I can use them together with Shield of Wrath for AOE Retaliation(for light) or AOE Might Boon(for fire). Not to mention they are useful to protect you and allies.

Defender's Flame in Valor trait is the main reason I take block for granted. Adding 100% chance to burn enemies on block is really valuable in offensive part of Guardian. I chose Zeal over Radiance traits because IMO, longer burn duration from Zeal trait benefit me more while using Fiery Wrath. Plus, I can easily increase the condition damage and crit chance from gears. Also in Zeal trait, in Master line, 20% cooldown reduction for Focus skills is too good to be ignored.

When you pick Zeal as your main offensive trait, it means you have more Power. More Power means more damage you deal in Retaliation. Thats why, I take Virtue traits up to Master line in order to increase the number of retaliation I can make. Virtue of Retribution in Minor Trait will give you that and I have access to Retaliatory Subconscious and other useful virtue upgrade in Major trait. Taking Honor trait is self-explanatory, mainly for HP and Healing capability. Plus I can have access to useful major traits such as Writ of the Merciful for more healing and Two Handed Mastery for Greatsword CD reduction in case I want to switch over to Greatsword for more offensive in any time.

Well, this is entirely my opinion though. I know there must be a space for improvement. All your opinions are welcome.

p/s: Sorry for grammar mistake. I am not a native English speaker

Edited by Beezarre, 28 August 2012 - 12:47 PM.

[Jobuu]

This is similar to what I tried last night and I love it.

http://gw2skills.net...Nuak1swYcx jpAA

I like the radiance line a little better due to having faster torch recharges - cleansing flame rocks
plus you get 15% more crit with right handed strength which triggers a chill sigil or health steal

trigger the shield, judges intervention starts the burn and closes the gap, switch weapons, immobilize, then cleansing flame, shield pops = nice if you pull it off
then you can use hallowed ground to stick around - retaliate with signet of judgment and take less dmg passive

24 sec heal and 16 sec signet of judgment cooldown with radiance 2

Edited by Jobuu, 28 August 2012 - 02:47 PM.

[Anam Itheoir]

You have no crit, and your toughness isn't high enough to warrant the loss of damage.  This is just my opinion, but all you have is a lot of health, and some combo abilities.  Don't get me wrong, I love the mace during Instances, but the healing provided is not enough to keep you alive against 2-3 people anywhere.

Having said that, your build is fine, though a bit low on damage. You need a blocking skill (you have 3), a condition cleanse (you have the best one), a ranged or gap closer weapon (you have scepter) and HtL is fine though I am not a huge fan of it in pve.  Hopefully you get in a party with someone who has a bit of a control build.

However, during the instance, I also used my staff, mace, shield, scepter, torch, but not the focus (I hate the focus) depending on which boss and what grouping we faced.  

I run this setup for instances simply because it's absolutely mandatory to have some form of wall to protect from those Ele's, Rangers, Necro's who stand far away and pelt you to death.  My guild and I were running a 5 man and got wiped out by two rangers we never saw until we came around the corner. The next time, the Mesmer and I were swapping shields and walls while wiping them out.  

Symbolo Guardian - This will be what what I will be running at 80.  Symbol healing is incredibly powerful, and swapping to the Hammer to control the add is huge. Though the hammer is pretty weak against bosses since CC misses a lot on bosses. I generally swap the hammer out for mace/shield or scepter/torch depending on the boss.  The wall of reflection has a short cd, which means it can be up constantly. Combine that with the 5 GS skill and you have 2 aoe controls.

[Beezarre]

Jobuu, on 28 August 2012 - 02:45 PM, said:

This is similar to what I tried last night and I love it.

http://gw2skills.net...Nuak1swYcx jpAA

I like the radiance line a little better due to having faster torch recharges - cleansing flame rocks
plus you get 15% more crit with right handed strength which triggers a chill sigil or health steal

trigger the shield, judges intervention starts the burn and closes the gap, switch weapons, immobilize, then cleansing flame, shield pops = nice if you pull it off
then you can use hallowed ground to stick around - retaliate with signet of judgment and take less dmg passive

24 sec heal and 16 sec signet of judgment cooldown with radiance 2

nice build you got there, I pick Zeal because of the 20% focus cd reduction mainly. I love focus skills so much.

anyway, Signet of Resolve actually has 40s CD, not 30s. Shelter has 30s CD. www.gw2skill.net seems has some errors. Including torch skill 4 and 5 are switched in place.

Anam Itheoir, on 28 August 2012 - 04:10 PM, said:

You have no crit, and your toughness isn't high enough to warrant the loss of damage.  This is just my opinion, but all you have is a lot of health, and some combo abilities.  Don't get me wrong, I love the mace during Instances, but the healing provided is not enough to keep you alive against 2-3 people anywhere.

Having said that, your build is fine, though a bit low on damage. You need a blocking skill (you have 3), a condition cleanse (you have the best one), a ranged or gap closer weapon (you have scepter) and HtL is fine though I am not a huge fan of it in pve.  Hopefully you get in a party with someone who has a bit of a control build.

However, during the instance, I also used my staff, mace, shield, scepter, torch, but not the focus (I hate the focus) depending on which boss and what grouping we faced.  

I run this setup for instances simply because it's absolutely mandatory to have some form of wall to protect from those Ele's, Rangers, Necro's who stand far away and pelt you to death.  My guild and I were running a 5 man and got wiped out by two rangers we never saw until we came around the corner. The next time, the Mesmer and I were swapping shields and walls while wiping them out.  

Symbolo Guardian - This will be what what I will be running at 80.  Symbol healing is incredibly powerful, and swapping to the Hammer to control the add is huge. Though the hammer is pretty weak against bosses since CC misses a lot on bosses. I generally swap the hammer out for mace/shield or scepter/torch depending on the boss.  The wall of reflection has a short cd, which means it can be up constantly. Combine that with the 5 GS skill and you have 2 aoe controls.

yeah i figure i can boost crit easily from my gear..even now without Radiance trait my crit chance is on 20% and I can see alot of crits happen. So for me 20% is comfort enough with high base damage..

I am actually worried about toughness too..I have been switching between 20 Valor 10 Virtue or 10 Valor 20 Virtue..still cant figure out which grant me more survival..the reason I stick with 10 Valor for now, because there is not much benefit I can get from Master line in Valor traits compare to Master line in Virtue traits for my build..Maybe I will see in the future how my survival would be and decide..

one of the reason I choose consecration and shout utility is their usefulness in dungeon..but for weapon, maybe I have to switch to Shield, hammer and staff for more allies protection and support..

thanks for input..

[Jobuu]

Thanks. I'm going to try using shouts next time instead of the signets. I really like save yourselves and want to use that more often with a superior aria. See how that goes