Guild Wars 2

https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/meet-the-dragonhunter-guardians-elite-specialization/

Discuss.

Ranged condi option with more soft CC and some neat mechanics. Pretty much what was to be expected and looks interesting. Not sure how it’ll translate to the dungeon scene, but the new traits would be hard to beat anyways, PVPers should love it though I’d imagine.

Utterly kittening useless support/condi spec as expected.

Well maybe the time has come for Mesmer to remove Guardian completly from the meta.

ShadowRX.9024:

Well maybe the time has come for Mesmer to remove Guardian completly from the meta.

Could be, I can safely say this news is disappointing for me. If they don’t add any good content in the xpack I’m definitely not sticking around.

ShadowRX.9024:

Well maybe the time has come for Mesmer to remove Guardian completly from the meta.

While Guard does Ele level damage? Are you sure? With the Ice Bow nerf and the huge increase to guard damage, I don’t know about that. Which is why I was commenting about being concerned about the power creep back in the mesmer post. If the meta now allows both a guard and mesmer’s support all while maintaining a very high level of damage, wowsa, that’s a lot of extra defense.

Here’s to hoping the traps give some useful fields instead of just lights.

I wonder which one of the devs woke up one morning and thought “you know what the guardian needs? More projectile defense!:”

Jerus.4350:

ShadowRX.9024:

Well maybe the time has come for Mesmer to remove Guardian completly from the meta.

While Guard does Ele level damage? Are you sure? With the Ice Bow nerf and the huge increase to guard damage, I don’t know about that. Which is why I was commenting about being concerned about the power creep back in the mesmer post. If the meta now allows both a guard and mesmer’s support all while maintaining a very high level of damage, wowsa, that’s a lot of extra defense.

Chronomancer : Double TW , Double Mini TW ( the well with 3 sec quickness) Shield and Quickness is a boon is a lot of dps too. Even if IB is removed 2 eles = 2 glyphs 2 meteor showers so the meta will still be 2 Ele 1 wa 1 thief + mesmer or guard.
We already know how OP the braindead meta is ( 2 staff ele and 1 ps wa) so I can’t see why you would want to removed 1 ele ( also staff ele gets buffed ps wa gets buffed a lot too).
F3 not giving aegis looks so bad too.

Staff Guards + Bearbow = HolyBow?

ShadowRX.9024:

F3 not giving aegis looks so bad too.

That’s only for the elite spec. Quite obv we won’t take this garbage into dungeons.

cranos.5913:

ShadowRX.9024:

F3 not giving aegis looks so bad too.

That’s only for the elite spec. Quite obv we won’t take this garbage into dungeons.

This. The way the article sets the stage for the specialization’s description, it seems clear that this is more for WvW:

The dragonhunter—a ferocious big-game hunter that specializes in ranged combat and back-line support.

At least that way we know that the meta won’t change for guardian, no specialization to theorycraft..

How does Guardian DPS with 20%+ extra damage compare to a staff Ele though? Mace2->WW->Leap->Binding ->SoW vs Eruption->Glyph->Lavafont->Meteor (or even… Hammer1→Hammer1→Hammer1→Hammer1…)

I figure at worst its’ a small dps loss for a HUGE defensive gain, so maybe just a casual run setup, not ideal, but stupid easy and nearly as good.

dlonie.6547:

cranos.5913:

ShadowRX.9024:

F3 not giving aegis looks so bad too.

That’s only for the elite spec. Quite obv we won’t take this garbage into dungeons.

This. The way the article sets the stage for the specialization’s description, it seems clear that this is more for WvW.

I hope F123 remains the same if we don’t have the elite spec.

Jerus.4350:

How does Guardian DPS with 20%+ extra damage compare to a staff Ele though? Mace2->WW->Leap->Binding ->SoW vs Eruption->Glyph->Lavafont->Meteor

I figure at worst its’ a small dps loss for a HUGE defensive gain, so maybe just a casual run setup, not ideal, but stupid easy and nearly as good.

I would wait with these statements until the specs actually come out. Staff ele still has more dmg modifiers anyway.

ShadowRX.9024:

dlonie.6547:

cranos.5913:

ShadowRX.9024:

F3 not giving aegis looks so bad too.

That’s only for the elite spec. Quite obv we won’t take this garbage into dungeons.

This. The way the article sets the stage for the specialization’s description, it seems clear that this is more for WvW.

I hope F123 remains the same if we don’t have the elite spec.

It does. They already revealed core specs. If anything that big changed there they would’ve hinted at it.

It won’t be all that useful, But it looks cool

Jerus.4350:

How does Guardian DPS with 20%+ extra damage compare to a staff Ele though? Mace2->WW->Leap->Binding ->SoW vs Eruption->Glyph->Lavafont->Meteor (or even… Hammer1->Hammer1->Hammer1->Hammer1…)

I figure at worst its’ a small dps loss for a HUGE defensive gain, so maybe just a casual run setup, not ideal, but stupid easy and nearly as good.

Maybe Guard dps will be close to Ele though I can’t see Guard > Ele. Also nice that another class will be braindead ( if the meta will be hammer 1).

ShadowRX.9024:

Jerus.4350:

How does Guardian DPS with 20%+ extra damage compare to a staff Ele though? Mace2->WW->Leap->Binding ->SoW vs Eruption->Glyph->Lavafont->Meteor (or even… Hammer1->Hammer1->Hammer1->Hammer1…)

I figure at worst its’ a small dps loss for a HUGE defensive gain, so maybe just a casual run setup, not ideal, but stupid easy and nearly as good.

Maybe Guard dps will be close to Ele though I can’t see Guard > Ele. Also nice that another class will be braindead ( if the meta will be hammer 1).

Nah, if you take the honor line you can have pretty much constant light fields with GS+ mace so I don’t see hammer happening for max dps (at least I hope not).

cranos.5913:

ShadowRX.9024:

Jerus.4350:

How does Guardian DPS with 20%+ extra damage compare to a staff Ele though? Mace2->WW->Leap->Binding ->SoW vs Eruption->Glyph->Lavafont->Meteor (or even… Hammer1->Hammer1->Hammer1->Hammer1…)

I figure at worst its’ a small dps loss for a HUGE defensive gain, so maybe just a casual run setup, not ideal, but stupid easy and nearly as good.

Maybe Guard dps will be close to Ele though I can’t see Guard > Ele. Also nice that another class will be braindead ( if the meta will be hammer 1).

Nah, if you take the honor line you can have pretty much constant light fields with GS+ mace so I don’t see hammer happening for max dps (at least I hope not).

I hope so too beacuse if the meta is hammer 1, thief will be the only class not braindead.

oxtred.7658:

At least that way we know that the meta won’t change for guardian, no specialization to theorycraft..

Entirely possible, however unlikely, that the trait line will have some good stuff. It would be possible to conceive of a Zeal, Honor, Dragonhunter build with GS+Mace assuming there was something in the new traits that was better than Virtues.

Remember, you dont have to use a bow with the elite specialization. It could very well be that for PvE the specialization traits work out better with the normal weapons.

NikeEU.7690:

oxtred.7658:

At least that way we know that the meta won’t change for guardian, no specialization to theorycraft..

Entirely possible, however unlikely, that the trait line will have some good stuff. It would be possible to conceive of a Zeal, Honor, Dragonhunter build with GS+Mace assuming there was something in the new traits that was better than Virtues.

Remember, you dont have to use a bow with the elite specialization. It could very well be that for PvE the specialization traits work out better with the normal weapons.

I was wondering about that myself. Guess we will have to wait on the details.

NikeEU.7690:

oxtred.7658:

At least that way we know that the meta won’t change for guardian, no specialization to theorycraft..

Entirely possible, however unlikely, that the trait line will have some good stuff. It would be possible to conceive of a Zeal, Honor, Dragonhunter build with GS+Mace assuming there was something in the new traits that was better than Virtues.

Remember, you dont have to use a bow with the elite specialization. It could very well be that for PvE the specialization traits work out better with the normal weapons.

Condi and trapper traits? I’m not holding my breath.

Im more disappointed in the name than anything. :P

spoj.9672:

Im more disappointed in the name than anything. :P

Could have been worse. Bunny Hunters anyone?

Well now we can speculate on Banshee GS/Shouts necro.

If it is banshee i wont be cringing quite as hard with the name atleast. If its deathknight…..

Shield of Courage—Instead of simply activating your Virtue of Courage and giving your allies aegis, you’ll now create a shield in front of you that blocks attacks for allies within its radius. With excellent control through positioning, you’ll find that you can block much more efficiently when facing the enemy, though you’ll be exposed from your flanks.

I know we lose ageis, but for some fights, this has some potential right?

Talyn.3295:

Shield of Courage—Instead of simply activating your Virtue of Courage and giving your allies aegis, you’ll now create a shield in front of you that blocks attacks for allies within its radius. With excellent control through positioning, you’ll find that you can block much more efficiently when facing the enemy, though you’ll be exposed from your flanks.

I know we lose ageis, but for some fights, this has some potential right?

How so?

cranos.5913:

Talyn.3295:

Shield of Courage—Instead of simply activating your Virtue of Courage and giving your allies aegis, you’ll now create a shield in front of you that blocks attacks for allies within its radius. With excellent control through positioning, you’ll find that you can block much more efficiently when facing the enemy, though you’ll be exposed from your flanks.

I know we lose ageis, but for some fights, this has some potential right?

How so?

Depending on the duration of the shield it blocks all attacks aimed at the guardian and allies. Where as Ageis only blocks one.

Talyn.3295:

cranos.5913:

Talyn.3295:

Shield of Courage—Instead of simply activating your Virtue of Courage and giving your allies aegis, you’ll now create a shield in front of you that blocks attacks for allies within its radius. With excellent control through positioning, you’ll find that you can block much more efficiently when facing the enemy, though you’ll be exposed from your flanks.

I know we lose ageis, but for some fights, this has some potential right?

How so?

Depending on the duration of the shield it blocks all attacks aimed at the guardian and allies. Where as Ageis only blocks one.

We don’t need more support. It’s already too trivial. Unless the new traits beat the virtues line, which I don’t see happening, this would not be a reason to take it.

cranos.5913:

ShadowRX.9024:

Jerus.4350:

How does Guardian DPS with 20%+ extra damage compare to a staff Ele though? Mace2->WW->Leap->Binding ->SoW vs Eruption->Glyph->Lavafont->Meteor (or even… Hammer1->Hammer1->Hammer1->Hammer1…)

I figure at worst its’ a small dps loss for a HUGE defensive gain, so maybe just a casual run setup, not ideal, but stupid easy and nearly as good.

Maybe Guard dps will be close to Ele though I can’t see Guard > Ele. Also nice that another class will be braindead ( if the meta will be hammer 1).

Nah, if you take the honor line you can have pretty much constant light fields with GS+ mace so I don’t see hammer happening for max dps (at least I hope not).

My thought was more that with quickness you might gain more with the stronger 1 attack on hammer. Maybe, maybe not /shrug, I agree though it’d be lame, much hate for braindead options becoming the best options.

Well spamming new f1 on trash might be pretty broken damage. So i wouldnt count the spec out just yet.

cranos.5913:

ShadowRX.9024:

Jerus.4350:

How does Guardian DPS with 20%+ extra damage compare to a staff Ele though? Mace2->WW->Leap->Binding ->SoW vs Eruption->Glyph->Lavafont->Meteor (or even… Hammer1->Hammer1->Hammer1->Hammer1…)

I figure at worst its’ a small dps loss for a HUGE defensive gain, so maybe just a casual run setup, not ideal, but stupid easy and nearly as good.

Maybe Guard dps will be close to Ele though I can’t see Guard > Ele. Also nice that another class will be braindead ( if the meta will be hammer 1).

Nah, if you take the honor line you can have pretty much constant light fields with GS+ mace so I don’t see hammer happening for max dps (at least I hope not).

Wait, did I miss something? Since when are light fields good for DPS?

Is this a new trait or something?

dlonie.6547:

cranos.5913:

ShadowRX.9024:

Jerus.4350:

How does Guardian DPS with 20%+ extra damage compare to a staff Ele though? Mace2->WW->Leap->Binding ->SoW vs Eruption->Glyph->Lavafont->Meteor (or even… Hammer1->Hammer1->Hammer1->Hammer1…)

I figure at worst its’ a small dps loss for a HUGE defensive gain, so maybe just a casual run setup, not ideal, but stupid easy and nearly as good.

Maybe Guard dps will be close to Ele though I can’t see Guard > Ele. Also nice that another class will be braindead ( if the meta will be hammer 1).

Nah, if you take the honor line you can have pretty much constant light fields with GS+ mace so I don’t see hammer happening for max dps (at least I hope not).

Wait, did I miss something? Since when are light fields good for DPS?

Is this a new trait or something?

I think he talks about new trait granting guardian a dps buff when in symbol

dlonie.6547:

cranos.5913:

ShadowRX.9024:

Jerus.4350:

How does Guardian DPS with 20%+ extra damage compare to a staff Ele though? Mace2->WW->Leap->Binding ->SoW vs Eruption->Glyph->Lavafont->Meteor (or even… Hammer1->Hammer1->Hammer1->Hammer1…)

I figure at worst its’ a small dps loss for a HUGE defensive gain, so maybe just a casual run setup, not ideal, but stupid easy and nearly as good.

Maybe Guard dps will be close to Ele though I can’t see Guard > Ele. Also nice that another class will be braindead ( if the meta will be hammer 1).

Nah, if you take the honor line you can have pretty much constant light fields with GS+ mace so I don’t see hammer happening for max dps (at least I hope not).

Wait, did I miss something? Since when are light fields good for DPS?

Is this a new trait or something?

Zeal Grandmastr trait ( you do 20% more dmg if the mob is in your symbol)

Cool! That’s a pretty smart change.

dlonie.6547:

Cool! That’s a pretty smart change.

Yes and no, while it’s nice to have light fields be something wanted, it’s going to only strengthen the PS + Staff Ele meta, making for more braindead play. Between this, PS being achieved with berserker’s power, and destruction of non staff Ele DPS, well, it seems ANet wants to reinforce the easy play

I feel like I’m going to have to go full PHIW and run sub par builds just to have fun while doing so.

cranos.5913:

Condi and trapper traits? I’m not holding my breath.

Again, we don’t need to use everything from the specialization if we take the line. We’ll see what will be the exact trait, but for now we only need some trait in the Dragonhunter line that is better than UC and Power of the Virtious. Everything could be the same, I don’t think they gonna have 9 major and 3 minor all about support and condition.

And some trap could be nice in PvE, we’ll see.

Jerus.4350:

Yes and no, while it’s nice to have light fields be something wanted, it’s going to only strengthen the PS + Staff Ele meta, making for more braindead play. Between this, PS being achieved with berserker’s power, and destruction of non staff Ele DPS, well, it seems ANet wants to reinforce the easy play

I feel like I’m going to have to go full PHIW and run sub par builds just to have fun while doing so.

With a little chance the Guardian meta will be GS + Mace/Focus and it will be nice to make the rotation to keep the symbol uptime. At least my Guardian will be nicer to play. Finger cross.

Jerus.4350:

dlonie.6547:

Cool! That’s a pretty smart change.

Yes and no, while it’s nice to have light fields be something wanted, it’s going to only strengthen the PS + Staff Ele meta, making for more braindead play. Between this, PS being achieved with berserker’s power, and destruction of non staff Ele DPS, well, it seems ANet wants to reinforce the easy play

I feel like I’m going to have to go full PHIW and run sub par builds just to have fun while doing so.

Yea seems like the meta is going more braindead . Lets hope somehow SF DF ele and non PS wa is kinda close so we can at least have more fun in dailies and not slam our faces on the keyboard with this PS WA meta.

The meta is changing at an alarming rate.

I wonder if the symbol damage is stackable, more symbols = more damage? Might be overlooked. 4 guardian 1 war parties!

Doesnt fit into dungeon meta as it stands in any respect

combo focus on blast
melee controls boss position
conditions not favored

could be useful with other weapons, but is giving up a line going to be that useful if you ignore both traps, and the weapon?

also possible the meta will change with regard to combo fields/positioning/boss control
buuuuut nothing they mentioned really suggests that

Thaddeus.4891:

cranos.5913:

Condi and trapper traits? I’m not holding my breath.

Again, we don’t need to use everything from the specialization if we take the line. We’ll see what will be the exact trait, but for now we only need some trait in the Dragonhunter line that is better than UC and Power of the Virtious. Everything could be the same, I don’t think they gonna have 9 major and 3 minor all about support and condition.

And some trap could be nice in PvE, we’ll see.

Again, I’m not holding my breath. The only reason to take a guardian at this point is its support. With this spec the virtues are worse off for your typical fractal run, not taking the virtues line would further get rid of most support. If you wanna get rid of this support in favour of more dmg I really don’t see why you wouldn’t just go for the chronomancer.

Miku Lawrence.6329:

Well now we can speculate on Banshee GS/Shouts necro.

Necros will get conjures, heard it here first

Cheezy.2039:

Miku Lawrence.6329:

Well now we can speculate on Banshee GS/Shouts necro.

Necros will get conjures, heard it here first

imo

no ones getting conjures, looks like each spec gives 5+? of that skill
5 wells
5 traps
6 shouts?

i highly doubt they want to give a class 25 new skills
soo say goodbye to kits as well!

Cheezy.2039:

Miku Lawrence.6329:

Well now we can speculate on Banshee GS/Shouts necro.

Necros will get conjures, heard it here first

Conjure a Necro (3/4s cast, 1600s CD) : Breaks the Mists to create a totally new and unique 9th class.

Necro will get weapon buffing, ritualist style. Why? Because Belinda.

Necro gets “Reckless Haste” well. Your enemies gain 25 stacks of confusion, blind and whenever you attack, you trigger their confusion proc. All units gain haste. GG! necros meta.

I foresee the death of staff guard in dungeons and fractals.