11 replies to this topic

[Wordsworth]

So, basically I found out that in some uncertain terms the hammer is vastly superior to mace and shield. Obviously my criteria is survivability if I'm comparing to M&S, but it also has the added bonus of crowd control, dps, gap closer and snares... And did I mention DPS?

I built this Guardian with the idea of just complete tankiness. I had assumed Mace and Shield was the way to go because well, a healing symbol and a shield seems tanky. But the ability to regenerate health with it is so dwarfed by the hammer's ability to negate damage that I'm at a loss to what advantages there actually are for the M&S. Can anyone enlighten me? I have the shield trait (CD reduction and +90 toughness), and the only mace strait seems to be a 5% damage bonus. I currently don't even run any 2H traits, but the Hammer is still much better.

Or have I found out later than everyone else M&S is useless?

[Aurawind]

Other traits that would affect M&S would be Larger Symbols and Symbols heal(I believe they stack). Dont forget the 3 attack for mace also does a little burst heal smash.

If you find you like both these weapons, is there a reason why not to run them both?

[Gilles VI]

I pretty much always use Hammer & Staff now in dungeons. They are both awesome for team support!

I use the "bigger symbols", "symbols heal allies" & "allies get your passive regeneration" traits, which ensures that when they stay in my range, they get perma -33% damage, and a steady 250+ healing/sec.
That's even without the absolutely epic blast finisher you get on skill 2 to combo for even more support.

[Desild]

The mace is okay, the real problem I have is with shields. Extra toughness does not justify the lackluster skills shields have. A toughness boon, on a cone, with a long cooldown? A 4 second long bubble that shield projectiles on a even longer cooldown?

Yeah... I'll stick with hammer. Self-sustaining toughness, knockdown and combo finisher? Multi-purpose, just what I wanted.

[Coren]

On the rare occasions i use my guardian, I prefer mace and focus for *tankiness*.

[antoninusthepious]

Coren, on 05 November 2012 - 01:10 PM, said:

On the rare occasions i use my guardian, I prefer mace and focus for *tankiness*.

^

Ironically a piece of ornament held in your right hand grants you more *tankiness* than a massive steel-laden shield.

Edited by antoninusthepious, 06 November 2012 - 09:28 PM.

[Pipples]

Wordsworth, on 05 November 2012 - 12:16 PM, said:

Or have I found out later than everyone else M&S is useless?

http://en.gw2skills....2lbHZXrIGYsrYGB

M&S is better for defensive and healing purposes. I can heal my entire group going M&S and take a massive beating as well. As far as damage goes, I haven't notice much of a difference, but a big damage-dealer with mace is the 3rd part of the chain (which also heals). If you interrupt that too much then yes, your damage will go down.

[Roland Der Meister]

I realy dont use mace i like swords better personal preff  but sheild is a must lolz blocking projectiles giving a easy protection buff is nice and the toughness i get with it like Pipples said

[G L J]

Shield and focus are both 'tanky' options, it's just that their situational utility varies.

Shield - carries armor, fast aoe protection, pbaoe pushback and projectile absorption (and minor heal)
Focus - blind and condition removal, 3 blocks.

The focus is great when tanking bosses, but in pvp the shield is substantially stronger because it has projectile blocking along with a pushback (which situationally stops more damage than 3 blocks and a blind)

Edited by G L J, 06 November 2012 - 07:07 AM.

[Coren]

antoninusthepious, on 05 November 2012 - 07:39 PM, said:

^

Ironically a piece of ornament held on your right hand grants you more *tankiness* than a massive steel-laden shield.

Well it breaks down stereotypes if anything

[Elcee]

Yeah, since this is a PvE forum, I basically never use the shield except in very specific circumstances. Toughness is an absolute joke in Dungeons(and this game in general, really, but that's another story).

I usually run Staff + Mace/Focus in dungeons because pumping those heal along with Bow of Truth and other stuff really keeps the party going.

[Maxtofunator]

Pretty sure hammer is the FOTM for guardians right now after that greatsword nerf anyways