9 replies to this topic

[ScorpioSpork]

I know, there are already tons of these topics. But after looking around a bit, I didn't see anyone running builds quite like the two I'm considering. My guardian is still below level 40, so I haven't gotten to play with the awesome traits yet.

Side note: I play my guardian when I'm partying with friends in PvE or WvW, so the Consecration combo fields are very much loved. We also tend to pass aggro around in PvE, so I'm not really trying to build a tank.


Sword + Torch / Scepter + Focus

I honestly don't know if this is even viable. I know good condition builds rely on constantly applying different conditions, and Guardian only has burning (and a little bleeding with Sigil of Earth). This build lays down a lot of AoE burning and applies bleeds on crit. This weapon set has a very "skirmisher" feel to it, since I can jump in and out of melee.


Greatsword / Staff (Previously: Greatsword / Staff)

This is much closer to a lot of the builds I've seen in this forum. Greatsword is awesome and staff happens to benefit from the two-handed cooldown trait. Instead of the shouts I've seen most people run with, I've stuck with my beloved Consecration utilities. I've been using this while leveling, since it's not as fragile as the build above. I also feel like the sword/scepter build won't really work without full traits and sigils.


Any advice/insight is appreciated!

Edited by ScorpioSpork, 25 November 2012 - 06:11 AM.

[Minion]

Had a mess with the greatsword/staff build since that's the one I intend to use. To my knowledge, it is the optimal build; guardians always have great defensive capabilities, regardless of low vitality, but the party-Might stacking with the Virtue-regen trait, is the most rewarding role for speeding up fights.

So, this is my take on it: http://gw2skills.net... AAVfIewegRZE8B

Ignoring your request not to use shouts because shouts op

Edited by Minion, 25 November 2012 - 03:58 AM.

[indure]

When it comes to leveling there are no bad builds because the content isn't challenging enough to break them, but your greatsword build could use a little work.

Zealous Blade is very underwhelming, especially for a grandmaster talent. Picking up Renewed Justice is a much better investment, that will allow you to crush through mobs when your leveling. I wouldn't usually recommend going over 10 into zeal and never over 20 but if you do, you need to pick up Fiery Wrath instead of Revenge of the Fallen. RotF really isn't that great, because the mobs that you can rally from shouldn't be downing you in the first place and the powerful mobs that are more likely to kill you, are going to be very hard to rally from.

[ScorpioSpork]

Minion, on 25 November 2012 - 03:55 AM, said:

Had a mess with the greatsword/staff build since that's the one I intend to use. To my knowledge, it is the optimal build; guardians always have great defensive capabilities, regardless of low vitality, but the party-Might stacking with the Virtue-regen trait, is the most rewarding role for speeding up fights.

So, this is my take on it: http://gw2skills.net... AAVfIewegRZE8B

Ignoring your request not to use shouts because shouts op

I think part of the reason I'm not crazy about shouts is because they're purely defensive and their cooldowns are pretty long.

But I like your traits a bit more. Is Empowering Might worth it, though? I wouldn't think I'd be critting enough to really make use of it.

indure, on 25 November 2012 - 04:17 AM, said:

When it comes to leveling there are no bad builds because the content isn't challenging enough to break them, but your greatsword build could use a little work.

Zealous Blade is very underwhelming, especially for a grandmaster talent. Picking up Renewed Justice is a much better investment, that will allow you to crush through mobs when your leveling. I wouldn't usually recommend going over 10 into zeal and never over 20 but if you do, you need to pick up Fiery Wrath instead of Revenge of the Fallen. RotF really isn't that great, because the mobs that you can rally from shouldn't be downing you in the first place and the powerful mobs that are more likely to kill you, are going to be very hard to rally from.

Those are really good suggestions. I guess I grabbed RotF because I didn't think that I'd be keeping mobs on fire as much.

It's unfortunate that the Zeal traits are so underwhelming. I adjusted my traits based on both of your suggestions so the greatsword/staff build looks like this now.

[indure]

ScorpioSpork, on 25 November 2012 - 06:09 AM, said:

Those are really good suggestions. I guess I grabbed RotF because I didn't think that I'd be keeping mobs on fire as much.

By activating VoJ you get a 5 sec burn on mobs (longer if you are with other people) and your virtue will be constantly resetting every time you kill a mob.

ScorpioSpork, on 25 November 2012 - 06:09 AM, said:

It's unfortunate that the Zeal traits are so underwhelming. I adjusted my traits based on both of your suggestions so the greatsword/staff build looks like this now.

It's an unusual build that definitely capitalizes on cherry picking , but it should work smoother than your original build. As a side note, there is nothing wrong with having 10 points in Valor, I think it helps balance out your build on paper, but I personally think you could remove those 10 points and not notice much difference when you were playing, because everything is so passive. In the future I would pay close attention to how your build performs and possibly move those 10 points around to actively fill in some gaps you saw in your build (lack of DPS, survivability, crit, support, etc).

[Critus]

IF you like the guardian 1h sword i would reccomend going with Sword/Focus. You get tons of survivability , great dps and 2 blinds . Whats not to love.
The other set i use and like personally is Mace/Torch. It gives you the survivability you need with good condition dmg and dps.
What i like to do is pop up my counter (#3 about half way through the channel i use the #4 skill on the torch) right after the counter goes off i use the #4 skill again for a good spike.
Afterwards if you have the 1h sword you can switch and use Zealot's defense for even more dmg.
Try it out its pretty fun

[jpg1]

Critus, on 27 November 2012 - 12:50 AM, said:

The other set i use and like personally is Mace/Torch. It gives you the survivability you need with good condition dmg and dps.
What i like to do is pop up my counter (#3 about half way through the channel i use the #4 skill on the torch) right after the counter goes off i use the #4 skill again for a good spike.

It's a bit fuzzy but I'm assuming that casting #4 does not break the channel of number #3. Which means you'll have a "Shield" up while burning mobs in a small area. #3 skill can either end in you doing a Whirling Attack, if you are struck or grants Protection. I'm  assuming you don't trigger #4 so you have them on the same recharge time.

Nice.

But I think nothing beats a Mace and Focus in terms of steady damage, healing, control, and blocks.

Edited by jpg1, 27 November 2012 - 01:42 AM.

[Critus]

jpg1, on 27 November 2012 - 01:33 AM, said:

It's a bit fuzzy but I'm assuming that casting #4 does not break the channel of number #3. Which means you'll have a "Shield" up while burning mobs in a small area. #3 skill can either end in you doing a Whirling Attack, if you are struck or grants Protection. I'm  assuming you don't trigger #4 so you have them on the same recharge time.

Nice.

But I think nothing beats a Mace and Focus in terms of steady damage, healing, control, and blocks.

jpg1, on 27 November 2012 - 01:33 AM, said:

It's a bit fuzzy but I'm assuming that casting #4 does not break the channel of number #3. Which means you'll have a "Shield" up while burning mobs in a small area. #3 skill can either end in you doing a Whirling Attack, if you are struck or grants Protection. I'm  assuming you don't trigger #4 so you have them on the same recharge time.

Nice.

But I think nothing beats a Mace and Focus in terms of steady damage, healing, control, and blocks.

Yea it doesn't break the channel.
If i time it right i do trigger #4 for good dmg. The torch throw is RLLY good dmg .

And True Mace/Focus is pretty nice

[foofad]

Your condition removal in the first one is crap to nonexistant, if you address that you'll have a pretty decent glass cannon build.

The second one is literally all over the place, you're cheating yourself out of some incredible grandmaster traits. Junk all of Zeal and Renewed Justice and pick up Altruistic Healing from Valor 30. It's incredibly useful. Also, don't discount shouts. Shouts are excellent. Traited, Stand Your Ground is on a 24 second cooldown and with some Soldier runes or Pure of Voice (or both for twice the fun) you're removing a condition or two on every party member affected by it every 24 seconds, on top of granting Stability and being a stunbreaker which is freaking incredible in a lot of dungeons. Oh and it'll heal you if you have Altruistic Healing. Same deal with the condition removing power of Save Yourselves, which also turns you into an offensive juggernaut for ten seconds (-33% damage, +20% crit chance, swiftness) on top of all the cleansing. Baller.  Shouts are great.

[Alaroxr]

Critus, on 27 November 2012 - 12:50 AM, said:

IF you like the guardian 1h sword i would reccomend going with Sword/Focus. You get tons of survivability , great dps and 2 blinds . Whats not to love.

This x1000

Sword/Focus is the most complete package for a Damage/Survival combo in our entire arsenal.

Edited by Alaroxr, 28 November 2012 - 03:28 AM.