17 replies to this topic

[Talenthar]

I don't really think there are too many but I'm just having a hard time deciding.

My War is only 55 and I am very casual and mainly solo PVE oriented. I do love to jump into events as I find them as well.

That said I feel as I approach 60 I should be setteling down into a weapon/build and focus on it but I just can't decide what to pick.

I have tried all weapons and many builds so far and I have had no problem killing/leveling with any of them. My least favorite is GS. It seems boring and you have to be rooted for HB. I prefer to be more mobile while attacking. I really like the speed from warhorn and I find sword or axe are fun with it.
Was thinking of going with the Sonic Boon build when I hit 60 but I'm just not sure.

Necro was easy to find the fun setup Scepter/Dagger as was Ele Dagger/Dagger. Warrior is tough though

TLDR: How/why did you choose your weapon/build?

[Copenhagen23]

I played with different weapons a lot at 80. Right now i'm using Greatsword and Longbow. I also enjoy axe/mace or axe/axe. I really tried to love hammer, but I feel like I contribute more if I'm doing loads of damage. I used sword/shield as a fresh 80, but quickly learned I can't tank, and that other Warriors were killing me much faster then I could kill them. Rifle is cool for big Kill Shot numbers, but I think Longbow is the better range weapon. I didn't like greatsword much because it seemed to LOLFACEROLL, but it really is a good weapon. Whirlwind has become my new favorite ability because of the built in evade. Hopefully a-net will rebalance some weapons, and especially face lift conditions, so people don't feel forced to use direct damage builds. When they introduce 2h axe in the future, that will be my favorite weapon : )

[Stigma]

I think 1H sword in any combination is more boring than greatsword. But I think Axe/Axe, Axe warhorn, Axe shield, axe mace, and Hammer are fun.

Ppl will tell you how one weapon is better than others but I think you should just stick with whatever is more fun. Personally i carry all weapons on me so i can change them out depending on mob and situation.

Edited by Stigma, 08 February 2013 - 10:28 PM.

[Talenthar]

Today I tried a new setup after I made this post.. (new to me anyway.)

I am running sword,axe/Warhorn with fast recharging shouts and increased boon length runes.

I leap in with the sword to get some bleeds going then swap to axe to DPS mobs down. Seems to be pretty fun so far and that's what I was looking for.
Not sure how it will be at higher levels but it's killing fine for now.

I also carry a rifle and longbow depending on what I am going to get into.

Edited by Talenthar, 08 February 2013 - 10:41 PM.

[Mjölner]

NEED MOAR WEPONS!!!

I used the GS for the longest time (okay, maybe only 20-40-ish) and then went sword/axe and loved it: I think it's the mobility that hooks me. I really did try to like the MH axe but... blegh.

[Firer]

Well, if you don't like gs I would suggest an axe to you as it provides the next best dps. For the offhand a mace works good, but you can use anything you want (except sword- axe is also nice for leveling up or tagging in events, but sucks otherwise, since outclassed by auto attack)

[Sagramor]

I too hate GS for the same reason. I ran with dual axe for a long time until I realized that axe/mace is a lot better. Only level 78 now, but will finish out at 20/0/0/30/20 with axe/axe and longbow. Working great so far for solo PvE and DEs.

[Talenthar]

RIght now I'm testing out the Sonic Boon build with GS. It's not too bad but I miss with HB a ton. Might have to change it out for something more mobile again.

II really wanted to try this build out once I hit 60 and I've used it for a couple levels now. It's pretty decent.

[Hirsty]

Literally for me, it was what I enjoyed the most.

Guardian:
Played:
Sword/Focus
hated focus
Sword/Torch
torch wasn't my thing
Sword/Shield
loved it
mainly due to a mix to damage, flashyness and defense
Mace/Shield
loved it
more tanky
Greatsword
loved it

Just try them all. You will find one or two.

[JDogg126]

I like the look of many of the greatswords when they are sitting on my back but I cannot get into the way the GS skills for the warrior work presently.  Other weapon combos look and play better to my discerning tastes.  I don't expect anet to redo how those skills work but it is unfortunate that folks get fixated on manufactured "optimal" builds.  It's got to be one of the more difficult things to balance weapon skills for each profession to give each something unique.  I'm not saying they should make the warrior GS radically different but I would use a GS on my warrior if it was as fun as it is with guardian.

[Blake_]

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one tired of the GS and wanting to change things up.

I'm currently Axe/Shield and it's alright, I like it better then Axe/Mace but what I really want to wield is a sword however I don't want to have a complete seperate bit of gear for condition damage so a sword can be useful.

[Ninja Battle Lion]

I'm currently running 30/0/0/10/30 with Axe/Axe/Warhorn or Axe/Warhorn/Rifle depending on (difficulty of) content, and I don't see myself changing that anytime soon. Of the ranged options I prefer Rifle over Longbow for its single target control and damage; complementing Axe MH which excels at ripping apart trash mobs. I found you don't need to trait the Warhorn for it to be very welcomed by your team; if dodging is the ultimate defense, Vigor is the ultimate defensive Boon, and at range 1200 is almost guaranteed to hit all party members.

2nd OH was the most difficult choice, between Mace and Axe. I went with Axe in the end because Mace 4 just seems clunky to me, and 5 just not impressive enough vs trash. Axe OH might not KD, but it guarantees Fury uptime and gets better as quarters get closer.

[Flavvor]

Choise is good.

[xLOKIx0830]

I realize this is meant to be a pve based discussion, but I'd like to point out a few sets that i find to be fairly effective with warrior in PvP and WvWvW. Typically, what is effective against players will also be effective against AI, so these points won't be N/A.

Unlike other professions, I find every weapon the warrior has useful and serves a clear purpose. Starting with the mainhands:

• Axe - High dps with even higher bursts
  
• Sword - Sustain dps with mobility
  
• Mace - Heavy hitting single hits with inherent defense and control abilities.

Next, the offhands:

• Axe - Raw damage PBAoE.
  
• Sword - Bleeds and blocks.
  
• Mace - Vulnerability and control.
  
• shield - Defense and control
  
• Warhorn - Mobility and support

From these options, I'll list the combinations I find most effective, and will state why.

• Axe/Mace - The mainhand axe's job is to deal as much dps as fast as possible through fast, heavy hitting auto attacks and an even heavier burst skill. This means stacking vulnerability and might are the key aspects to making this weapon effective, and that is why I chose offhand mace. Both M axe and O mace can stack 4 instances of vulnerability, meaning, without traits, you can start dishing out 8% more damage overall. Additionally, the second skill on O Mace is a ranged knockdown, which sets up your eviscerate perfectly, as it is both a gap closer and your main source of damage.
  
• Mace/shield and Greatsword - The main problem with hundred blades isn't the fact that you are held in place while it is executed, but that your enemies will likely move out of it's range after it is executed. This means the best way to maximize the effectiveness of GS, you will need to use tools that hold the opponent in place. M sword's burst skill, throw bolas, and bulls rush are all good choices, but the best choice is M Mace's burst attack, which deals 2 seconds of stun. If you trait 10 points into arms, there is a trait that increases your crit chance by 50% when attacking an opponent who is stunned, which is perfect for this set up. Use mace to sustain and survive until you gain adrenaline, hit the opponent with your burst skill, switch to GS, and then enjoy your guaranteed to land hundred blades that hits in all criticals. This is probably one of the most devastating combos in the game, especially if paired with frenzy.
  
• Sword/Warhorn - M Sword is good at 3 things: sustained damage (the raw damage from sword is actually really good), stacking bleeds, and staying on your target. This means you don't use M sword to deal kill an enemy, you use it to inflict heavy pressure on the target. This means you are most likely not the main damage of the group, but more-likely a support role. This is why warhorn is used. You gain constant mobility to yourself and your allies (and remove conditions if traited) and deal constant pressure to a target, forcing it to respond.

That's all I feel like writing for now . Cheers!

[Talenthar]

I am still currently running GS with the Sonic Boon build but am still strongly considering going back to dual axe or something similar for more mobility. I like GS but I still find it on the boring side compared to say dual axe or axe warhorn.

[Sagramor]

After switching to it I much prefer Axe/Mace with LB/Rifle as secondary. If you're into absurd mobility Sword/WH is king.

[Loperdos]

I tried the GS out on my warrior when I was starting out and discovered exactly why straight up glass-cannon and damage build warriors like it so much.  It dishes crazy damage and you can basically destroy anything that you come across, especially in solo PvE like you are going to be playing.

That said, the GS was boring as all get-out.  I couldn't stand playing with it for more than a few levels. And I mean a FEW. I think I played with it for 3 levels, IIRC.  Then I discovered the hammer.  Is it the best weapon out there? Nope. Is it the coolest looking? Lol, by no means. Is it the most versatile weapon the warrior has to offer? Nope.  Is it my favorite? Heck yes!  I love the feel of the hammer, the various things that it can do for you (3 target perma-weakness anyone? ) like weakness, cripple, knockdown, knockback and stun (or is it daze? I forget...).  To me, its extremely satisfying to be fighting something that is twice my height (like a jotun or ettin or something like that) and watching as my #5 skills flattens them completely with no trouble at all.  It makes me smile how "smashy" the hammer is.  My only real complaint with the hammer is that the #4 skill (AoE knockback) roots you in place and is easily interrupted if you try to move after you activate it, but the interrupting itself is more of a L2P issue on my part, and usually when I find myself using it, I want to be staying in place and clearing some space around me, so its not a deal breaker.

In closing, HAMMAH SMASH!!

Edited by Loperdos, 13 February 2013 - 03:46 PM.

[Talenthar]

I haven't tried a hammer since very early levels. Maybe I'll have to give one a shot and see how it plays.