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Let me just start by saying that every single warrior build can be effective if you do it right (some more than others). A lot of the problem with this game is that people are trying to play it like World of Warcraft. Don't. You can't just stand there and DPS. Almost all your abilities can be cast while moving (with the exception of Kill Shot and Thousands Blades), so movement is the name of the game. You can even kite as a melee. Basically, a lot of the troubles people are having with the game aren't from a certain build being underpowered--it's because they're not going about the game the right way.
Table of Contents:
I. Priorities
II. Stats
III. Traits
IV. Gearing
V. Builds
VI. Tactics
I. Priorities
1. Don't Die.
Duh. You can't do much when dead, even if there is a resurrect mechanic. That takes your teammates away from doing their jobs to res you, and makes you a burden.
2. Don't get hit.
Dodge everything. You don't have a healer. They can't save you for being a baddie who stands in fire anymore. Not only that, swapping to a shield to block can save you. Frequently.
3. Keep things stunned and interrupted.
If it's stunned, it can't move or cast. And that's good. Really good. You have a lot of stuns, knockbacks, and knockdowns. Use 'em.
4. Do as much damage as is humanly possible.
For one of the tankiest classes in Guild Wars 2, warriors can put out a lot of damage. Do so with glee.
5. Peel mobs and players off your squishier teammates.
You are innately tanky and can take a lot more damage than the squishies. They should be kiting and dodging, but if there's more than they can handle, don't be afraid to try and help.
II. Stats
Primary:
Power - Increases damage for all attacks.
Precision - Increases the chance of a critical hit.
Toughness - Increases armor (which defends against direct damage).
Vitality - Increases maximum health.
Secondary:
Boon Duration (Concentration) - Increases duration of boons (buffs) cast by your character.
Burst Damage - Increases damage done by burst skills. (Warrior only)
Condition Damage (Malice) - Increases effect of conditions (debuffs) cast by your character.
Condition Duration (Expertise) - Increases duration of conditions cast by your character.
Critical Damage (Prowess) - Increases the damage multiplier on critical hits.
Healing Power (Compassion) - Increases all healing done by character and improves regeneration.
III. Traits
As a warrior, you have five main trait point trees to add your points to: Strength, Arms, Defense, Tactics, and Discipline. The Strength tree passively scales your power and condition duration, Arms scales precision and condition damage, Defense scales healing and toughness, Tactics scales vitality and boon duration, and Discipline scales critical damage and burst damage.
Each trait tree is made up of three locked bonuses and three selectable bonuses. Each tree has twelve options to choose from.
More coming soon!
IV. Gearing
Coming soon!
V. Builds
Please keep in mind that all "builds" are generic, opinion, and merely "vanilla" and cannot take the place of a good build designed around synergy with your team and play style. Utility abilities can be (and should be) mixed and matched to fit your style.
Glass Cannon Axes - Not recommended unless you're really good at avoiding damage. Scarily high damage; not much in the way of survivability. Frenzy makes you explode if you get hit. Use with caution.
Generic Tanky Hammer (PvP)
Greatsword Burst (PvP) - Pubstomp. Bull Charge-> Frenzy-> Signet-> Thousand Blades = instant 10k damage.
More coming soon!
VI. Tactics
Coming soon!
Whoops, I do believe I posted this in the wrong section. If a mod could be so good as to move it to the PvE section, that would be vunderbar.
Edited by Hrost, 02 September 2012 - 01:23 PM.
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