583 replies to this topic

[Roland Der Meister]

shaktiboi, on 05 November 2012 - 08:35 PM, said:

Strife, I just want to say "thank you" for this clear and complete guide. The theorycrafting and stress testing is obvious, you explain it well, and your video guides showing it in action for every exp path are _wonderful_ and very helpful.

I've been working towards this build for the past three weeks and have now run it around in Orr and some dungeons long enough now to give it a solid thumbs up for the "best feeling" guardian build I've tried yet. When first leveling up my guardian, I _hated_ Greatsword and Staff, lol. Now I love them. So far, the only thing I occasionally swap to is Sceptre/Focus when I need a 1200 range kiting option for those bosses that are too brutal to melee tactics. Otherwise it's 95% greatsword with some rollouts to staff when needed to heal myself and/or teammates that need a little 1400-point boost to help them along until their own healing recharges. I can see the usefulness of a shield in some rare cases too so probably will work on an exo shield/sword combo next.

But ya, I can run around farming in Orr with yellow armor and full Pirate/Traveller runes and do just fine, swapping to exotic Power/Vit/Toughness armor with Soldier Runes for dungeons.

Here's a tip maybe worth adding to your OP for other people?  Power/Vit/Toughness armor isn't found on the AH, as you noted in your OP. It can be purchased from two dungeon vendors: AC and SE. At first I thought I was going to have to grind a large number of AC paths to build up the exo armor for this build, but it turns out that the three Karma vendors at the "Cathedral" bases in Straits, Malchor's, and Cursed Shore all have really nice exotic armor for sale with Power/Vit/Toughness stats for 42,000 karma each. By the time I was running dungeons, I already had enough Karma saved up to buy the chest and leggings, so that was a huge boon that alone has boosted me to just a hair under 17000 base HP.

You can't buy all the Power/Vit/Toughness pieces from the same Karma vendor. I got the leggings from one of the Karma vendors at the Cathedral of Glorious Victory in Cursed Shore. I got the chestpiece from one of the Karma vendors at the Cathedral of Verdance in Cursed Shore (and saw most of the other pieces there on that vendor too). I haven't yet checked out the Karma vendor at Cathedral of Eternal Radiance in Malchor's Leap yet, so not sure if there are any Power/Vit/Toughness pieces there or not. There are other Karma vendors down there too, such as one at the Narthex in Cursed Shore.

Hope that helps anyone else sweating where/how to get the exo armor you recommend for the base amount of HP you recommend.

you can only get 5 piece of karma gear that have toughness power vit you have to get the helm from HoTW or AC

[Niekjuh]

I did that too, bought 6 pieces of karma gear and the AC helmet and transmuted the AC helmet with the karma helmet.

[Heero]

Hey I'm always down for farming Arah if you need another guardian, hard to find people to run it. I on BG too, not that it matters, my tag is Santanaj.5976

[ketttamiinaaa]

Well i start my guardian and  i am going to follow this guide can you tell me how to start whit traits which one first or its dosent matter till 80??

ty and sorry for my english but iam portuguese hehe...

Edited by ketttamiinaaa, 13 November 2012 - 03:15 AM.

[Linfang]

I love this build been using it for a few weeks. I am farming wvw tokens for the helm. In wvw i have 20,100 hp and it takes 6 people to take me down lol.

[ObliviousFool]

Sorry slightly off topic but mentioned in the post nonetheless and at the very least a bump for a good thread.....

What is the logic behind sacrificing the 6th scavenger rune that would give 15% MF plus extra gold for a traveler that only gives 10% MF?

[Strife025]

ObliviousFool, on 10 November 2012 - 08:04 AM, said:

Sorry slightly off topic but mentioned in the post nonetheless and at the very least a bump for a good thread.....

What is the logic behind sacrificing the 6th scavenger rune that would give 15% MF plus extra gold for a traveler that only gives 10% MF?

I don't use scavenging. Scavenging gives 35% mf and 15% gold for using 6 runes.

5x Pirate and 1x Noble/Traveler gives 60% mf

[Duke Von Tickle]

ObliviousFool, on 10 November 2012 - 08:04 AM, said:

Sorry slightly off topic but mentioned in the post nonetheless and at the very least a bump for a good thread.....

What is the logic behind sacrificing the 6th scavenger rune that would give 15% MF plus extra gold for a traveler that only gives 10% MF?

You wouldn't get the 6th bonus from the scavenger rune, as you only have one applied. You'd only get the first scavenger bonus, which is +28 Condition Damage.

The first bonus on the traveler rune set is 10% MF.

[Grak Steelwall]

Hi, first: thanks for the build it's been really helpful, I went from the guy dying all the time to the guy getting people up
Second: where did you found your modified combat mode? could you link it please? I've been searching for it like crazy and hasn't found it.

Thanks again for the help

[LetFireFall]

Hi Strife,

Thanks for writing this guide. I've recently dinged level 80, and after switching from 0/15/30/20/5 to 0/10/30/30/0, I've noticed a pretty large increase in tankiness while my AoE damage remains the same (which, for the most part, is what matters when event farming in Orr).

I have questions more about your equips rather than your actual guide.

I understand that you farmed dungeons for your armor, but what about your GS and Staff? How did you get the gold for both those weapons, runes, and all your jewelry? This is more of a general question but I thought it'd be good to ask someone knowledgeable such as yourself.

I currently find myself grossly underpowered equipped with random drops I find in Orr instead of exotics. I realize gold generation takes time, but a few tips would be nice.

Thanks =)

[Strife025]

Grak Steelwall, on 11 November 2012 - 02:52 PM, said:

Hi, first: thanks for the build it's been really helpful, I went from the guy dying all the time to the guy getting people up
Second: where did you found your modified combat mode? could you link it please? I've been searching for it like crazy and hasn't found it.

Thanks again for the help

I put the link in my build video. It's just the normal combat mode mod but I leave auto-target off and change my tab target to the other keys.

LetFireFall, on 11 November 2012 - 08:20 PM, said:

Hi Strife,

Thanks for writing this guide. I've recently dinged level 80, and after switching from 0/15/30/20/5 to 0/10/30/30/0, I've noticed a pretty large increase in tankiness while my AoE damage remains the same (which, for the most part, is what matters when event farming in Orr).

I have questions more about your equips rather than your actual guide.

I understand that you farmed dungeons for your armor, but what about your GS and Staff? How did you get the gold for both those weapons, runes, and all your jewelry? This is more of a general question but I thought it'd be good to ask someone knowledgeable such as yourself.

I currently find myself grossly underpowered equipped with random drops I find in Orr instead of exotics. I realize gold generation takes time, but a few tips would be nice.

Thanks =)

Pretty much all my weapons except mf stuff is from dungeon gear. My first 80 was a necro in full exotics already so I had enough money saved up before leveling my guardian. Really though, you can spend a couple days farming Orr and getting your Orichalcum nodes everyday and have enough for at least your jewelery to get started. Especially with the increased prices of rares and t6 mats now, you should be able to farm about 1.5g an hour + another 1g+ for your orich nodes everyday.

Edited by Strife025, 11 November 2012 - 09:36 PM.

[Beaubinski]

In the video I believe you mentioned buying power, toughness and vitality exotics with karma. Where is that?

[Strife025]

Beaubinski, on 12 November 2012 - 04:37 AM, said:

In the video I believe you mentioned buying power, toughness and vitality exotics with karma. Where is that?

http://dulfy.net/201...rma-armor-sets/

[LetFireFall]

Strife025, on 11 November 2012 - 09:29 PM, said:

I put the link in my build video. It's just the normal combat mode mod but I leave auto-target off and change my tab target to the other keys.



Pretty much all my weapons except mf stuff is from dungeon gear. My first 80 was a necro in full exotics already so I had enough money saved up before leveling my guardian. Really though, you can spend a couple days farming Orr and getting your Orichalcum nodes everyday and have enough for at least your jewelery to get started. Especially with the increased prices of rares and t6 mats now, you should be able to farm about 1.5g an hour + another 1g+ for your orich nodes everyday.

Thanks man, I appreciate it!

Also, very nice Dungeon videos on your YT channel.

[ObliviousFool]

Duke Von Tickle, on 11 November 2012 - 09:55 AM, said:

You wouldn't get the 6th bonus from the scavenger rune, as you only have one applied. You'd only get the first scavenger bonus, which is +28 Condition Damage.

The first bonus on the traveler rune set is 10% MF.

Yeah sorry about that I mis-read something along the way.

[malevolence]

Beaubinski, on 12 November 2012 - 04:37 AM, said:

In the video I believe you mentioned buying power, toughness and vitality exotics with karma. Where is that?

All the armor pieces can be found in Karma vendors in Orr Temples, but not the Helm, the Helm you will need to buy with Dungeon tokens.

@Strife025, is it really important to have max Healing power on the Staff? Or I can keep using my staff Deathwish. If it is really needed, what alternate Staff can I get (besides the one from dungeons).

Also, with the new Dungeon (Fractals), I am playing this build and getting a lot of damage (currently at lvl 7) , any tips?

Edited by malevolence, 19 November 2012 - 06:26 PM.

[Strife025]

malevolence, on 19 November 2012 - 06:17 PM, said:

All the armor pieces can be found in Karma vendors in Orr Temples, but not the Helm, the Helm you will need to buy with Dungeon tokens.

@Strife025, is it really important to have max Healing power on the Staff? Or I can keep using my staff Deathwish. If it is really needed, what alternate Staff can I get (besides the one from dungeons).

Also, with the new Dungeon (Fractals), I am playing this build and getting a lot of damage (currently at lvl 7) , any tips?

Nah healing power on staff doesn't matter that much.

I'm on fotm 19 right now and haven't had any trouble. You just need to know when to dodge the big moves. You do want to switch to scepter/focus offhand instead of staff though in alot of instances.

[CastyC]

Thanks Stryfe025 for taking the time to post your setup and answer questions.  I am really enjoying the build you have detailed.

[Mikhel129]

Hi Strife,

First of all, I've been using most aspects your build for quite a while now and I still enjoy it fully. However, with the ascended/rings backpacks I am looking for an alternative for my 'of the knight' backpiece/rings. I was wondering which one you got/are going for and if you are changing main gear of this build because of it?

[Seladore]

axjv, on 15 October 2012 - 05:07 PM, said:

Your Guardian build is certainly very powerful. I run a similar build, with points into Valor, Honor and Virtues (0/0/10/30/30). Same general idea as yours, but less focused on boon application and more focused on boon duration. My role in a group is generally initiator/support, with decent damage.

Valor: Purity
Honor: Superior Aria, Writ of Exaltation, Writ of the Merciful
Virtues: Vengeful, Absolute Resolution, Shielded Mind

Utilities: Signet of Resolve, Hold the Line, Save Yourselves, Signet of Judgment, Renewed Focus
Gear: Half Cleric/Half Soldier's with 40% boon duration runes, and Sigils of Accuracy/Purity. GS + Mace/Shield as my main sets, carrying other weapons in my inventory for certain situations.

Generally, I find that reallocating points from Valor into Virtues gives me a considerable amount of survivability/utility, and helps me perform my role more efficiently. Although might on crit and AH are certainly very powerful, I find that Shielded Mind and Absolute Resolution are nearly necessary in tougher instances. While I don't take Pure of Voice (which is a great trait) or Soldier Runes, I find that Absolute Resolution + Purity + Signet of Resolve are more than enough for my condition removal needs. Having up to 3 stun breakers (SY, Courage, and Courage again after Renewed Focus) will enable you to eat up as much CC as possible, so that your group won't have to deal with it. Furthermore, Shielded Mind gives me a get-out-of-jail card: If I am being locked down and nearly guaranteed to die, I can pop all of my Virtues and cast Renewed Focus, breaking stuns, healing, and giving me access to another stun breaker/heal.

I am aware that relying on Symbols for group support is undesirable in that they are stationary, but I generally take advantage of 100% uptime on Vigor and heal my group using my dodge rolls. Since I make use of Symbols, heal on dodge, and the Shield skills, careful positioning is key for me. Hitting the maximum number of people with your buffs is what makes the difference between a decent and a great player.

With this setup, I can take on 4-5 elite (silver) mobs solo without a problem. I've also managed to solo AC as a self-challenge. Although this build may have slightly less damage output than yours, me and my party are nigh unkillable with boons that last ridiculously long along with multiple stun breakers, condition removals (virtue of resolve, purity, signet of resolve), self heals, group heals (symbols, dodge rolls, shield of absorption), and constant uptime on damage mitigation (protection + SoJ).

How do your stats work out with this set up?  If your jewelry is basically the same as your armor choices it seems like it would be very low damage.  I use Strife's AH build and really like it for dungeons and I like switching things around for Meditations for WvW.  I typically run dungeons and often WvW with a guildie that is also a guardian and am kind of looking for a good Guardian build for him that is not exactly the same as mine.  I have him running a full Spirit Weapon Build which he really likes but I'd like to give him at least another option aside from SWs or an AH build.  Spec'ing for boon duration vs application seems like it could be a good fit.  The only real stipulation I have, as of now, is that it is a pretty tanky/survivable build and your boon/symbol build seems to fit this bill.  I just hate for it to have no dmg at all (since this AH build has spoiled me with tankiness and good dmg) but perhaps the boon duration for groupmates/self + high armor/vit is a tradeoff you have to make for dmg.  Based on your sigils though it seems like you do have atleast decent critical dmg

edit:  Messed around with this build in the PvP area a bit... I would definitely tweak a couple things already but I think a symbol/boon duration guardian paired up with the AH spec could be a lot of fun.  I'd still be interested in others thoughts on axjv's build though.

Edited by Seladore, 29 November 2012 - 04:55 PM.

[Strife025]

Mikhel129, on 24 November 2012 - 10:24 PM, said:

Hi Strife,

First of all, I've been using most aspects your build for quite a while now and I still enjoy it fully. However, with the ascended/rings backpacks I am looking for an alternative for my 'of the knight' backpiece/rings. I was wondering which one you got/are going for and if you are changing main gear of this build because of it?

Sorry been out due to the holidays. My guardian has an infused ring right that that has the power/tough/crit % dmg, so probably going for that one as well for my second slot. I also made an ascended back piece with the same stats.

I actually stopped doing WvW until it has more meaning and there is more progression to it, so I changed up my build a bit to be more pure PvE oriented.

I'll probably try and make an update video on where I currently stand, but I switched out the power/tough/vit shoulders, gloves, boots for berserker gear, and then used that new power/tough/crit set for ascended slots. I basically never die in dungeons anyways, and I don't really need as much health for PvE, so dropping in to 16.5k health with 20% more crit damage and same crit % has just been better for killing things faster since I run in organized groups anyways. I'm working on updating my video guides for fractals right now.

For fractals, I also changed my build from 0-10-30-30-0 to 0-10-30-20-10 because of how vital Wall of Reflection and Spirit Shield is at 20+ levels, basically giving up Empowering Might for either Spirit Weapon Duration or Wall of Reflection cooldown depending on the situation. It's not needed for any other dungeon where 10-30-30 is better, but for fractals those projectile eating skills are so amazing.

Edited by Strife025, 29 November 2012 - 05:20 PM.

[KaptainO]

Strife,

I just hit 80 and have been following your build/thread for the past few weeks as I tried to decide what I wanted to do endgame.  I think I decided to go with a build like yours but I have a question.

As a new 80 I don't have very good gear, I'm relatively inexperienced at dungeon content and I haven't explored a lot fo the map.  I plan to start running some of the simpler explorable paths and running around exploring zones I didn't get to do yet, especially Orr.  Does your build work well while soloing with bad, just turned 80 gear?  I'm a little hesitant to give up Renewed Justice for soloing after using it for the last 40 levels, would I be better off with a more solo oriented build until I start getting rares/exotics and 6 superior soldier runes and then switch over or does this build work right out of the box?

Thanks for all the insight over the past 5 pages!

[Strife025]

KaptainO, on 29 November 2012 - 06:51 PM, said:

Strife,

I just hit 80 and have been following your build/thread for the past few weeks as I tried to decide what I wanted to do endgame.  I think I decided to go with a build like yours but I have a question.

As a new 80 I don't have very good gear, I'm relatively inexperienced at dungeon content and I haven't explored a lot fo the map.  I plan to start running some of the simpler explorable paths and running around exploring zones I didn't get to do yet, especially Orr.  Does your build work well while soloing with bad, just turned 80 gear?  I'm a little hesitant to give up Renewed Justice for soloing after using it for the last 40 levels, would I be better off with a more solo oriented build until I start getting rares/exotics and 6 superior soldier runes and then switch over or does this build work right out of the box?

Thanks for all the insight over the past 5 pages!

Sure the build is fine, PvE overworld content is so easy anyways. But if I was exploring, I'd probably switch to skills that let you move around quicker. You can pretty much use whatever build for exploring and farming you're comfortable with, this build will still work with rares in easier dungeons as you are equipping yourself with exotics as well.

[ck64]

You mention being able to switch to a solo meditation build in the OP for farming. Would you be able to elaborate or point me in the direction of a guide/build as an example as to what you are talking about?

[CrystallineDIVA]

Your build is utterly broken. Not only do you have 2 passive 10 second condition removes, you also trait 30 points into honor without picking up Pure of Voice?`And you declare your build to be a shout build?

Also: You don't even put 5 points into virtues and have Altruisitc Healing? You should really really take a close look at the core mechanics of the build you are trying for...

if you have any questions how to build a shout-guardian porperly, feel free to ask, mate

DIVA

[rd1102]

CrystallineDIVA, on 06 December 2012 - 02:27 PM, said:

Your build is utterly broken. Not only do you have 2 passive 10 second condition removes, you also trait 30 points into honor without picking up Pure of Voice?`And you declare your build to be a shout build?

pure of voice doesnt work with "Hold the line"  which is the main stay of all shout builds.
soldier runes coupled with shouts is plenty enough to make it worth it. there are much better traits like "lowered 2h cds" , "aoe might on crit" , which synergizes very well with AH.

-edit-
or even larger symbols. pure of voice is good , but there are just better traits to leverage AH.

CrystallineDIVA, on 06 December 2012 - 02:27 PM, said:

Also: You don't even put 5 points into virtues and have Altruisitc Healing? You should really really take a close look at the core mechanics of the build you are trying for...

virtues CDs are so long , they arent even core to AH. symbols constantly procing buffs utilizes AH way better , or even the crit on might trait.
unless you are running renewed justice with 5 points in virtues to be an super trash killer build , which is another story altogether.

Edited by rd1102, 06 December 2012 - 04:58 PM.

[Strife025]

CrystallineDIVA, on 06 December 2012 - 02:27 PM, said:

Your build is utterly broken. Not only do you have 2 passive 10 second condition removes, you also trait 30 points into honor without picking up Pure of Voice?`And you declare your build to be a shout build?

Also: You don't even put 5 points into virtues and have Altruisitc Healing? You should really really take a close look at the core mechanics of the build you are trying for...

if you have any questions how to build a shout-guardian porperly, feel free to ask, mate

DIVA

Yep and 2 passives means 2 conditions removed every 10 seconds instead of 1, also when you use your heal and it's on cooldown which is during most boss fights you only have 1 passive most of the time, figure that.

Pure of Voice is a waste with Soldier runes, especially in a dedicated group like mine with 2 guardians. Over-waste of condition removal instead of contributing more dps or utility through 2-hand mastery or empowering might which means more heals for more melee dps time to relieve more pressure from the berserker melees in your group.

I actually run a 0-10-30-20-10 build now solely for fractals and consecrations, not for purely 5 in virtues though. To do that, you give up something like empowering might that can heal 360 health every second with AH or 20% cooldown on both of your weapons which contributes a significant amount of healing through more symbols, empower, procs from WW, and of course added uptime of utility skills like GS 5 which helps you group and kill mobs much faster.

If you ever prove your uneducated opinion is worth anything and upload quicker and easier speed runs of pretty much every dungeon path showing your guardian face tanking mobs to relieve pressure off the dps classes I'll maybe consider it. In the meantime, if you have any questions about running dungeons feel free to watch these.

http://www.youtube.c...low=grid&view=1

P.S. You already posted on page 3 like 1.5 months ago with the same scrub comment that I called you out on and you never posted again, I knew your AV looked familiar.

Edited by Strife025, 06 December 2012 - 11:00 PM.

[CrystallineDIVA]

It's okay guys... Go with this bar. I am just very happy that even after this long time most players still have absolutely NO idea how to build their main character. This is actually very funny!

Well at least your build is still 70-75% as effective as real builds, so it will not occur to most PvEers (who don't play dungeons etc.) that they are holding back HUGE TIME

This is an okay build for casuals etc...


Best regards!

[TakumiUsui]

You should be carefull with the Mod that lets you use your Mouse buttons. Since it IS a third party program that lets you do stuff that other players without it cannot do.

[Wreckmachine]

Hi Strife,

From the beginning I had made out which build I would be using because of your guide. Nevertheless I was wondering if the Superior Rune of Lyssa would fit better instead of those of the soldier? There are so many runes etc... But after look around I heard the superior runes of the guardian, earth, soldier and Lyssa were the most viable runes... Those Lyssa runes somehow seem very useful for a guardian but I would like your expertise on it.

Thank you in advance!

Wreckmachine