22 replies to this topic

[Wicked Ibuki]

Hey there,
I just wanted to know which setup you guys are running in the fractions. After initially running with a fairly offensive build, I've come to the conclusion that survivability is way more important than high damage. Our group is at lvl 24 atm, for reference.

I'm currently on a Axe/Shield spec with Rifle.

Spec: http://gw2skills.net...MFKizDqIAbiUByA

While having quite decent survivability with Endure Pain and Shield Stance, I'm lacking a bit of damage output now.
Armor is a mix of Knights and Power/Vit/Tough with Berserker Jewelry (or the ascended ones).

Does anyone have experience with higher level fractions, and which build are you running?

Thanks

[beadnbutter32]

For more defense, look at the traits in this build:

http://en.gw2skills....NyZk0oFEDIOQ8gA

I like to stack as much toughness as possible hence the Melandru runes.  I will admit I am only at level 2 in the fractals, and definitely not an elite player.  They will probably just say 'learn to play' as they like to boast that anything under level 10 is a piece of cake.

Take a look at this thread concerning the 3 shouts and banner warrior build:

http://www.guildwars...is/page__st__30

I actually think the condition removal and boons provided by the shouts and banner are worth more than the healing aspect which is the focus of that thread.

You gain back some damage by using the Bloodlust sigil for 25 stacks of power.

These builds should work regardless of weapons chosen, though some will argue CC weapons like hammer and mace are more useful in dungeons.

Edited by beadnbutter32, 22 November 2012 - 03:20 PM.

[Requiamer]

I use a tanky spec (Thou/power/vit), and i switch some utilities as often as needed by bosses/fractals. Sometime i take 2stabilities utilities, sometime dps, or others, it really depend. I also use endure pain, but it is not as efficient as the description make it think which is a pity (i think it doesn't stop conditions which make it a lot less interesting), still is a great skill in many occasions in the fractal where you need to take a lot of damages. I have the signet for dodging because it's a must, and the signet elite because you need run speed in many portions. In any case i switch utilities a lot.

Edited by Requiamer, 24 November 2012 - 09:17 AM.

[Emolesbian]

http://taugrim.com/2...hammer-warrior/

Taugrim's build is PVP one but is also awesome in FotM to player support warrior with good heal/remove conditions and CCness and still keeping some good damages.
  My personal change is to swap 20/30/20 to 30/30/10 to get  more toughness and "Defy Pain" and keep "Inspiring Shout"

I use it almost 90% of the time in dungeons, especially high levels fractals where survivability is a must. And if you don't trust in your team (like me), here is a good self support build xD.

Edited by Emolesbian, 24 November 2012 - 09:27 AM.

[Gorgexpress]

I just go full glass cannon. Builds with more focus on toughness and vitality get less and less effective as enemies get more powerful. You can clear FotM with any build as long as you are competent, may as well go with the fastest one.

[Requiamer]

Gorgexpress, on 24 November 2012 - 10:44 AM, said:

I just go full glass cannon. Builds with more focus on toughness and vitality get less and less effective as enemies get more powerful. You can clear FotM with any build as long as you are competent, may as well go with the fastest one.

If there is something you don't need in Fotm, it is dps since most of the boss need good strategy and team work, but you do need survivability, especially when the agony thick in and you have no agony resist. Glass cannon can be good up to lv10, but over it, i'm pretty sure you'll get a lot of problem unless you are one of those lucky guy that drop an agony gear at each chest and pretty much don't give a * about agony.

Edited by Requiamer, 24 November 2012 - 10:58 AM.

[Diggy]

Sitting at 10 ago ress atm. I take no dmg what so ever from agony fotm levels 10-18 so far.
Running a full glass cannon spec with pugs.

[CLouD PR]

I'm currently looking to join in on the FotM stuff but have been hard pressed at finding a suitable build. I've heard a lot of people say to forget the defense and go full berserker gear for the later levels 20+ as the defense doesn't help at all. What are good weapons to go with zerker armor sets in the fractals and what traits / utilities do you guys take?

[pita]

im in 30 + atm and i can tell you you're going to need defense

[Wicked Ibuki]

I'm messing around with a mace/shield setup with shout spec atm. Really like the AoE weakness applied with autoattack. Gonna try the hammer spec mentioned above tomorrow aswell.
Going full berserk seems like suicide to me, wouldn't recommend it - level 31 right now.

[CLouD PR]

pita, on 24 November 2012 - 09:52 PM, said:

im in 30 + atm and i can tell you you're going to need defense

Wicked Ibuki, on 24 November 2012 - 11:03 PM, said:

I'm messing around with a mace/shield setup with shout spec atm. Really like the AoE weakness applied with autoattack. Gonna try the hammer spec mentioned above tomorrow aswell.
Going full berserk seems like suicide to me, wouldn't recommend it - level 31 right now.

Okay so from a 30+ standpoint, what do you guys think works best for runes and armor types (knights/clerics/etc.) seeing as most people are sticking to a shout build?

[Gorgexpress]

Requiamer, on 24 November 2012 - 10:57 AM, said:

If there is something you don't need in Fotm, it is dps since most of the boss need good strategy and team work, but you do need survivability, especially when the agony thick in and you have no agony resist. Glass cannon can be good up to lv10, but over it, i'm pretty sure you'll get a lot of problem unless you are one of those lucky guy that drop an agony gear at each chest and pretty much don't give a * about agony.

I'm way over level 10 and have no issues.

[KrayZ33]

the hammer build mentioned above uses 2 weapon swap sigils

thats stupid, even more stupid if you are able to swap weapons every 5 seconds

Edited by KrayZ33, 25 November 2012 - 09:14 AM.

[Wicked Ibuki]

that spec is designed for pvp. just don't be a copy/paste-cat and put some thinking into it yourself to alter it

CLouD PR, on 25 November 2012 - 12:34 AM, said:

Okay so from a 30+ standpoint, what do you guys think works best for runes and armor types (knights/clerics/etc.) seeing as most people are sticking to a shout build?

I'm running around with a mix of Knights and Power/Vitality/Toughness gear. Haven't really decided on runes tho...soldier seems kind of a waste as there aren't that many conditions anyways.

Edited by Wicked Ibuki, 25 November 2012 - 02:58 PM.

[KrayZ33]

the thing is, even in pvp its useless (especially the choice of sigils).... that is if you really want to utilize on the weapon swap mechanic

Edited by KrayZ33, 25 November 2012 - 04:47 PM.

[Wicked Ibuki]

I really like the hammer as a main weapon - the AoE stun every 10s is very helpful, combined with a nice cripple/immobilize and weakness.
Was running a shoutbuild yesterday, gonna try a more offensive spec today.

@KrayZ: I know that the Sigils are worthless (at least in PvE), changed it to Sigil of Fire.

Edited by Wicked Ibuki, 26 November 2012 - 10:46 AM.

[Majic]

For some reason, I thought the "FotM" in the title meant "Flavor of the Month".

Sorry, random silly observation. Back to Fractals.  

[CLouD PR]

Majic, on 26 November 2012 - 06:10 PM, said:

For some reason, I thought the "FotM" in the title meant "Flavor of the Month".

Sorry, random silly observation. Back to Fractals.  

well you are correct in saying that fractals are the flavor of the month currently ... heh

Wicked Ibuki, on 25 November 2012 - 02:54 PM, said:

that spec is designed for pvp. just don't be a copy/paste-cat and put some thinking into it yourself to alter it



I'm running around with a mix of Knights and Power/Vitality/Toughness gear. Haven't really decided on runes tho...soldier seems kind of a waste as there aren't that many conditions anyways.

What do you think about running simply knights gear as you said that conditions aren't really a problem? What do you think about the 2/2/2 support runes versus dps runes like divinity?

[ewat]

I've been running Axe/Mace or Axe/Shield - though finding Mace knock down very useful + being slightly more offensive with the vuln stacks.

Trait wise i'm liking precision banner (+ regen) - pretty nice in general and a huge boost if your party works with it.
If banners aren't useful (e.g. can't pick up banners in the charr fractal..ergh) i go shout heals OR drop to 20 in tact to go more offensive.

[Wicked Ibuki]

I was running full knights gear initially, but dropped 2 pieces for power/vit/toughness to have just a little more defense. Don't think it's all that much of a difference in total. Rune of Divinity is probably the best choice overall, but I'm too cheap to invest 30g just yet
Was running a fairly offensive build today, dropping the shout heals and investing 30 points in Arms to increase damage.
http://gw2skills.net...UoIOPoiAsJSFEDA
I just don't think the heals really have that much of an impact anymore (lvl 37 atm), as the damage is just insane. Gonna stick with hammer though.
Banners are nice, but me and my team just hate them ^^. Simply don't like the mechanic of picking the damn thing up again ~

[CLouD PR]

I was thinking of running knights armor with berserker weapons (including underwater weapons) and berserker accessories. For runes, I am unsure but would probably consider 2 monk / 2 water / 2 fire or possibly divinity / ruby orbs.

As far as utilities, I'm thinking of defensive banner + endure pain and balanced stance as I heard there is quite a bit of stun and knockdowns. Let me know what you guys think. I'd like to have this build crafted properly before I begin fractals as shopping with limited gold will be unlikely after I start.

[Stigma]

Hard to say unless more higher Fractal tier players post. The most useful post in this thread was Level 37 mobs hitting too much to heal for. So far i've seen Fractal warrior builds all over the map -Many different trait combinations, different weapons of choice, etc. It seems to be more dependent on style of play and party dynamics than anything.

Edited by Stigma, 08 January 2013 - 03:31 AM.

[Stigma]

Gorgexpress, on 24 November 2012 - 10:44 AM, said:

I just go full glass cannon. Builds with more focus on toughness and vitality get less and less effective as enemies get more powerful. You can clear FotM with any build as long as you are competent, may as well go with the fastest one.

I hope you're trolling