18 replies to this topic

[Urarhar]

So, How do i become a good Guardian what weapon should i use[Greatsword, Sword etc]

and i kind of want to be a tank i know we are all equal in the game.
but like kind of be a tank.

And you can help me by doing this tooo.


http://gw2skills.net/editor/en/

Make one and post the link in your post [while you give me good tips on being a good guardian]

[dhatcher1]

First thing you have to get over is your concept of build.  How you play (how you move, what range you feel comfortable at) should determine what weapons and skills you pick.  There is no magic set of skills and weapons that are significantly better than any other.

Edited by Drogon, 28 August 2012 - 11:36 PM.

[Aetou]

dhatcher1, on 28 August 2012 - 11:07 PM, said:

First thing you have to get over is your concept of build.  How you play (how you move, what range you feel comfortable at) should determine what weapons and skills you pick.  There is no magic set of skills and weapons that are significantly better than any other.

This isn't really true.  There are builds that have a lot of synergy and so multiply their effectiveness and builds that are just... random.  Now, playstyle will determine what sort of build you need to have but once you know that you can still tweak it to be good or bad.

For a frontline 'tank I'm finding that Great Sword, Mace/Torch works surprisingly well.  You'd think that the Shield would be better but I find the two low-CD abilities on the torch (both of which are also very useful) seems to add more to those around you.  Throw down Symbols then whirl away (or whirl away in other people's fields) and you'll find yourself living and keeping those around you alive too.

[Bromrragon]

Hm im thinking about not maxing any trait because i dont think ill need it or u benefit that much of an max trait.

[MasterHoX]

Guardian is probably the best support class. Almost every Guardian build has at least a couple good support options. If you enjoy tank style play, then there are a few things you need as a Guardian: Aegis, Protection boon, and damage mitigation.

Here is a build that I think is good for tank style play...

http://gw2skills.net...BXQbB1CueoQSEDB

This build uses a shield in both weapon sets, changing from Mace to Sword for either more defense or offense as the situation requires.

This build also takes advantage of the Virtues, especially Virtue of Courage, to keep your Guardian and allies in the fight.

How it works...
This build operates on boons. Every time you get a boon your dps increases. Every time your allies get a boon, you get healed. This build is designed to be in the middle of combat. You WANT foes to attack you because this build will almost always have Retaliation boon active. Forget dodging away from attacks. Instead, block attacks and set your foes on fire.

The traits mostly focus on using your shield and Virtue of Courage. The shield skills and Virtues all have lowered cooldowns. You can't fail with this build if you really want to play as a tank. The weapon sets, skills, and traits all have great synergy for tank play style.

However, this build also packs a solid offensive punch. The more boons you have, the more damage you deal. The more you get attacked, the more damage you deal.

The healing for this build is almost automatic. There are 7 ways for this build to apply boons to allies and thus provide you with healing. Additionally, this build has a few Regeneration boons. For damage mitigation the build has Signet of Judgment and Renewed Focus.

This is NOT a control build. If your foes are being controlled, that means they aren't attacking you. If they aren't attacking you, then your Retaliation boon and shield blocks are being wasted.

Personally, I don't usually play tank style chars, but after researching this build I might need to try it out. Looks like a lot of fun.

Bromrragon, on 29 August 2012 - 12:30 AM, said:

Hm im thinking about not maxing any trait because i dont think ill need it or u benefit that much of an max trait.

That totally depends on your play style. Most of my build ideas always max two trait lines, sometimes just one. Even if some of the Grandmaster level traits don't impress you very much, dont forget that every point you spend in each trait line provides a constant bonus for either your ability scores, crits, conditions, healing, boon durations, or Virtue cooldowns.

Edited by MasterHoX, 29 August 2012 - 01:26 AM.

[Critus]

So far what worked for me was Mace/Torch. You have great survivability and are able to dish out some good damage. What i run right now (lvl 26 norn guardian) is Mace/Torch and Sword/Focus. All my armor is set up on increased healing. Right now my basic attacks from mace heal about 30 a hit and last hit heals about 60-70 a hit. I Find myself being able take on groups of 3-4 enemies without breaking a sweat. If you use your mace drop the aoe heal and counter switch to sword/focus and do the blind and 3 hit block. For utility i use Retreat for the movement and Save yourself for the boons( even if you dont remove any conditions you still get all the boons). and last i usually change beased off the mob im fighting. No Elite yet.

[Alaroxr]

Mace: Survival, Support
Scepter: Ranged Damage
1h Sword: Single-Target Damage
Hammer: Control, Damage
Greatsword: Damage
Staff: Ranged Support

The Shield and Focus have a bit of survival/support, and the Torch has damage and a bit of support.

-------------

Signets: Variety
Shouts: Support/Survival
Consecrations: Control/Support
Spirit Weapons: Support/Damage
Meditations: Variety

Edited by Alaroxr, 29 August 2012 - 04:15 AM.

[process.execution]

@Alaroxr sword is not single-target damage. Its basic attack is a conal AoE and Flashing Blade is AoE blind. Yes, it doesn't have symbols, but if you're moving constantly in combat (like you should) it's quite easy to hit all the mobs attacking you on each swing.

PvP is a bit different because enemies are moving as well, but for PvE (which I believe is what the OP is asking about) sword is a control/damage weapon IMO.

Edited by process.execution, 29 August 2012 - 04:22 AM.

[Bromrragon]

in my opinion u should do a mix of support and tanking if its possible ill test it. I already have an idea what to skill so ill see in the future.

[TirTaingire]

If you want to tank, I think the synergy between altruistic healing and empowering might is the way to go.  Basically you get healed every time you apply a boon to an ally, and empowering might means you apply boons constantly if you equip for a good crit rate.  With utility skills to apply boons as well you support allies extremely nicely and constantly heal yourself.  Something like this is what I have been thinking.

[Jobuu]

step 1. go to pvp mists zone
step 2. pick traits, weapons, and skills
step 3. pick gems and sigils etc...
step 4. queue up and play

repeat about 5-10 times.

You'll learn quick what looks good on paper vs. what's actually fun to play for YOUR style. I did the same thing in the BWEs. I'm gonna play a (blank) guardian and do XYZ. Then I tried it. Hated it. And tried 5 other ways to play until I found something fun. The exact opposite of what I wanted at first.

Edited by Jobuu, 29 August 2012 - 06:01 PM.

[Zora_diem]

Jobuu, on 29 August 2012 - 05:59 PM, said:

step 1. go to pvp mists zone
step 2. pick traits, weapons, and skills
step 3. pick gems and sigils etc...
step 4. queue up and play

repeat about 5-10 times.

You'll learn quick what looks good on paper vs. what's actually fun to play for YOUR style. I did the same thing in the BWEs. I'm gonna play a (blank) guardian and do XYZ. Then I tried it. Hated it. And tried 5 other ways to play until I found something fun. The exact opposite of what I wanted at first.

while all of that is true, you do learn quickly on which skills are good etc.
it does not help in a PvE aspect, because some skills are good in PvE and not good in PvP.

Here's my build:
Traits:
Valor:
        10: Strength in Numbers (Nearby Allies gains +30 toughness)
        20: Meditation Mastery (meditations recharge 20% faster)
        30: Altruistic Healing (Applying a boon to Allies Heals you)
Honor:
        10: Pure of heart (Aegis Heals on removal)
        20: Wrathful Spirit (Aegis gives Retaliation when it ends)
        30: Pure of Voice (Allies affected by a shout converts one condition to a boon)
Virtues:
        10: Unscathed Contender (deal 10% more damage while under the effect of Aegis)
Weaponsets:
mainset: Greatsword
offset: Mace/Shield

Healing:
healing breeze (heal yourself and allies in a cone in front of you)
Utility:
1."Retreat!" (Grant Aegis and Swiftness to up to 5 nearby allies)
2.Merciful Intervention (Teleport to the nearest ally with the lowest health and creates a healing area around them)
3."Stand your ground!" (Grant stability to yourself and nearby allies) ((also grants Retaliation))
Elite
Tome of Courage (Summons an Ancient tome that grants you powerful support spells)


How to use:
how you use this build is optional, but how I use it is using Retreat before a fight, If I Noticing high amounts of Knockbacks, I wait and than use Stand your ground for a suitable time. MI when I either see an Ally with low health, just to give him one or two extra sec to let him heal up with his own selfheal.
With the greatsword, i always put down the symbol and Then whirl away. it both damage foes and supports people around me,
with the Virtues, I mostly use them strategical as usual, Heal with necessary, Aegis to my advantage, burning when I see it's needed.

[Finnian59]

My Guardian is Level 80, I've played a lot of mixes and tried various things.  For certain Tanking means durability and in melee healing.  For that - Mace/Shield is the way to go.  It slows down the amount of DPS you generate, battles take longer, but with the right trait lines and skills - you DO NOT go down.  Healing self and allies is a constant bonus.

I lead off on fights now, with Sword/Focus, others I know use Sword/Torch and love that too.  But for me, Sword Focus gives me options and some range and also lends itself well to my virtues.  

I like Knights armor... bult also clerics is good, as it adds a lot of healing power.  I have two sets... One for soloing Knights, and one for Team play/dungeon crawls (Clerics) where i do a lot of support and team healing as well as tanking.

It's a good combo as it gives you some build in variety in your play.   Have fun with it, and good luck.

Gunny Angel out.

[Kraviec]

Tanking in this game is very easy because the more armor you have, the more mobs like to attack you. Surviving as a guardian is easy. You get protection from symbols, indirect healing from Empowering Might/Altruistic Healing and the most important part, which is damage mitigation. Aegis, dodge rolls, Shelter (blocks all attacks for 2s) and Renewed Focus (invulnerability for 2s). The trick is to balance your tanking ability, group support and DPS. You don't want to be an untouchable metal can that deals no damage. You want to be "just enough to survive" metal can that deals as much damage as possible while staying alive. And attracting mobs.

[GuanglaiKangyi]

Thread necromancy is go.

I remember when guardian DPS was just super broken at launch due to having Symbol of Wrath on a 10-second cooldown.

[Draino]

GuanglaiKangyi, on 13 May 2013 - 02:37 PM, said:

Thread necromancy is go.

Esteeemed GK, with humor wry,
A Guardian thread may never die.

Edited by Draino, 13 May 2013 - 07:04 PM.

[lmaonade]

GuanglaiKangyi, on 13 May 2013 - 02:37 PM, said:

Thread necromancy is go.

I remember when guardian DPS was just super broken at launch due to having Symbol of Wrath on a 10-second cooldown.

Those were the days, also when SoW was on 2, WW was on 3 and Leap was on 4 for default keys

[Heartsign]

I really enjoy Staff play to be quite honest. I've got a crit build going that I found on these very forums that I've tweeked just a touch. It's semi-ranged, lots of damage and can be great for survival purposes. I see a lot of people running around with GS, and I just find GS to be boring and a tad cliched. I understand the draw of GS, though.

[lmaonade]

Heartsign, on 16 May 2013 - 03:48 AM, said:

I really enjoy Staff play to be quite honest. I've got a crit build going that I found on these very forums that I've tweeked just a touch. It's semi-ranged, lots of damage and can be great for survival purposes. I see a lot of people running around with GS, and I just find GS to be boring and a tad cliched. I understand the draw of GS, though.

Greatsword is appealing because to spin is to win