Guild Wars 2

Hello,in your opinion which is better?

Rune of Divinity

12% dmg
60 power
60 tough
60 regen
60 prec
60 cond
60 vital

ruby orb

12% dmg
120 power
84 precision

I want only to see your opinions,nothing more,nothing less.
You shouldn’t take into consideration the amount of gold you need for the divinity.

Regards.

when faced by choices like this i always add the numbers up and choose the highest,
so Rune of Divinity would win for me (by 156 points).

Unless you are trying to completely max damage, go divinity. I never bothered to tally the numbers myself, but it looks like you only gain a tiny bit from doing rubies.

The 60 condition damage + 60 power on the divinity roughly is equivalent to the 120 power on the ruby. Precision is fairly similar. And the other things are the icing on the cake. Divinity is better for a all over build but if you don’t care about defense then ruby.

Divinity is more for jack of all trades builds, while ruby’s are more for glass cannon builds.
Also why use Ruby orbs when you can use Ruby Jewels?
http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Exquisite_Ruby_Jewel

As far as I understand it, what makes Divinty Runes so sought after is the fact that your gear is not so build dependent.
So if you had to change your build Divinity Runes would work just as well with the new build.
I think they are more versatile because of this but I don’t personally use Ruby orbs or Divinity Runes

Catcrafter.3917:

Divinity is more for jack of all trades builds, while ruby’s are more for glass cannon builds.
Also why use Ruby orbs when you can use Ruby Jewels?
http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Exquisite_Ruby_Jewel

As that page mentions: “Can be used only on accessories, amulets, and rings.” For all other pieces of armor, there are Orbs.

Let me be blunt: only bad players use rune of divinity.

In dungeons, using divinity means you don’t understand what the strong sides of your character are nor how to maximize them.

In wvw, healing is only worth a fraction of a full stat and your build’s correct playstyle will favor power or condition, not both. While vitality and especially toughness are never lost, trading 60 of them for a lesser damage potential is questionable. Especially on glass cannons maximizing your damage and avoiding enemy damage altogether is the way to go.

In spvp your question would be moot.

However, rune of divinity being bad doesn’t make rubies good though. Runes like scholar/eagle/air will generally outshine them, depending on your exact build.

Zid.4196:

Let me be blunt: only bad players use rune of divinity.

In dungeons, using divinity means you don’t understand what the strong sides of your character are nor how to maximize them.

In wvw, healing is only worth a fraction of a full stat and your build’s correct playstyle will favor power or condition, not both. While vitality and especially toughness are never lost, trading 60 of them for a lesser damage potential is questionable. Especially on glass cannons maximizing your damage and avoiding enemy damage altogether is the way to go.

In spvp your question would be moot.

However, rune of divinity being bad doesn’t make rubies good though. Runes like scholar/eagle/air will generally outshine them, depending on your exact build.

A bold statement that falls flat as some of the very best players use them. Runes are important but do not determine the build; they are just one stepping stone to get to the overall numbers that you desire. Good players know this. I use Rune of Divinity on my guardian because they help me eke out the minimum HP/toughness I want while allowing me excellent kill power. It’s not a question of being a glass cannon or defensive in a build. You want an optimal build for your playstyle and Rune of Divinity is an excellent choice that good players use to get there.

Zid.4196:

Let me be blunt: only bad players use rune of divinity.

In dungeons, using divinity means you don’t understand what the strong sides of your character are nor how to maximize them.

In wvw, healing is only worth a fraction of a full stat and your build’s correct playstyle will favor power or condition, not both. While vitality and especially toughness are never lost, trading 60 of them for a lesser damage potential is questionable. Especially on glass cannons maximizing your damage and avoiding enemy damage altogether is the way to go.

In spvp your question would be moot.

However, rune of divinity being bad doesn’t make rubies good though. Runes like scholar/eagle/air will generally outshine them, depending on your exact build.

As a Guardian, traiting for precision (for a glass cannon) would ALSO increase condition damage. With several rather hefty burn options at my disposal, it would not be a bad idea at all to add a rune that added condition damage as well as power. There’s no reason at all to focus on just one when you can have both.

Raine.1394:

I use Rune of Divinity on my guardian because they help me eke out the minimum HP/toughness I want while allowing me excellent kill power.

Care to provide this minimum number and your gear? Let’s see how rune of divinity will hold to actual optimizing.

Valmarius.4150:

Zid.4196:

Let me be blunt: only bad players use rune of divinity.

In dungeons, using divinity means you don’t understand what the strong sides of your character are nor how to maximize them.

In wvw, healing is only worth a fraction of a full stat and your build’s correct playstyle will favor power or condition, not both. While vitality and especially toughness are never lost, trading 60 of them for a lesser damage potential is questionable. Especially on glass cannons maximizing your damage and avoiding enemy damage altogether is the way to go.

In spvp your question would be moot.

However, rune of divinity being bad doesn’t make rubies good though. Runes like scholar/eagle/air will generally outshine them, depending on your exact build.

As a Guardian, traiting for precision (for a glass cannon) would ALSO increase condition damage. With several rather hefty burn options at my disposal, it would not be a bad idea at all to add a rune that added condition damage as well as power. There’s no reason at all to focus on just one when you can have both.

On the contrary, there is a reason and it is called playstyle also known as flow. It consists of things like optimal rotation of skills and optimal distance from target and sometimes it extends to what targets at all you should engage in wvw or defines your dungeon role. It is different for condition and power builds.

When you take runes of divinity “because they buff my burning” on an otherwise power build you kitten yourself badly compared to runes that fully enhance your power damage.

Zid.4196:

On the contrary, there is a reason and it is called playstyle also known as flow. It consists of things like optimal rotation of skills and optimal distance from target and sometimes it extends to what targets at all you should engage in wvw or defines your dungeon role. It is different for condition and power builds.

When you take runes of divinity “because they buff my burning” on an otherwise power build you kitten yourself badly compared to runes that fully enhance your power damage.

Sounds great. But the burn from my activated Virtue does a couple of thousand damage, -from everybody in my party-. Or the closest few people to me in wvw. Extra condition damage is not just for me, it’s for the team. When you talk about optimzation, you seem to mean watching your own big numbers pop up infront of you.

I would say that “playstyle”, is exactly the reason I can put some condition damage in my build if I want to.

Valmarius.4150:

Zid.4196:

On the contrary, there is a reason and it is called playstyle also known as flow. It consists of things like optimal rotation of skills and optimal distance from target and sometimes it extends to what targets at all you should engage in wvw or defines your dungeon role. It is different for condition and power builds.

When you take runes of divinity “because they buff my burning” on an otherwise power build you kitten yourself badly compared to runes that fully enhance your power damage.

Sounds great. But the burn from my activated Virtue does a couple of thousand damage, -from everybody in my party-. Or the closest few people to me in wvw. Extra condition damage is not just for me, it’s for the team. When you talk about optimzation, you seem to mean watching your own big numbers pop up infront of you.

I would say that “playstyle”, is exactly the reason I can put some condition damage in my build if I want to.

You may play any inferior style if you want to. Apparently the guardian virtue burning on ally attack uses the ally’s malice. Yours is irrelevant. But you are free to use whatever excuses you like too for justifying an inferior playstyle.

Zid.4196:

You may play any inferior style if you want to.

No offense, but who are you to judge?
What makes you so God-like in this game that you can belittle someone for what works for them?

ShadowGryphon.6257:

Zid.4196:

You may play any inferior style if you want to.

No offense, but who are you to judge?
What makes you so God-like in this game that you can belittle someone for what works for them?

I’m not really a fan of “everybody is right for themselves” philosophy. As I said, I have to be blunt about rune of divinity. It’s a bad choice, there is no other way to put it. You may like it, you may not like it, you may stick with it: but if you want to improve consider other runes and upgrade.

Zid.4196

You may play any inferior style if you want to. Apparently the guardian virtue burning on ally attack uses the ally’s malice. Yours is irrelevant. But you are free to use whatever excuses you like too for justifying an inferior playstyle.

Interesting, thanks for that info. I assume “malice” means condition damage, in which case, I was unaware of that. However, condition damage is still good for my build for several reasons. My Virtue is not my only source of burning, for example.

I could go on, but I believe you’re trolling me. You’re not interested in discussion at the very least, so there is no more point replying to you.

Zid.4196:

Raine.1394:

I use Rune of Divinity on my guardian because they help me eke out the minimum HP/toughness I want while allowing me excellent kill power.

Care to provide this minimum number and your gear? Let’s see how rune of divinity will hold to actual optimizing.

Yes, the minimum HP I arrived at was 16868 unbuffed which gives me the survivability I need (but not as much as I desire). I have a mix of zerker, valkyrie, and knight pieces. You suggested that a glass cannon could just avoid enemy damage. If you had played dungeons at all you would know that unavoidable damage is a fact of life and that everyone takes it from time to time. Survivability is an important consideration for those concentrating on damage as a dead player does no damage. I imagine many of those I rez share your philosophy.

Back when there were top esport people publishing about GuildWars, the Divinity runes were popular, especially if you had 5 of another and wanted a 6th.

But the OP is comparing ruby jewels which aren’t available to pvp players.

Divinity is awesome, an excellent gear choice particularly for characters who don’t have separate sets for different roles. They cost what, 100 times the price of jewels, tho?

Divinity can be great for flexibility in roles, but when it comes to min/maxing, you should look into runes that helps specialized in your desired role in the field. Though the Divinity runes provide a little bit of everything, some of those stats might not actually make sense for certain builds (at least in the point of view of a min/maxer).

I know one of my sets had runes that focused specifically on Might duration and with the right synergy amongst teammates and Boon Duration food buffs, I could maintain a 20+ stack for quite some time! It was awesome!

Of course, your mileage may vary. You might not be comfortable in playing glass cannon or other specialized builds, but I find that I could sacrifice a little bit of defense and run closer to a glass cannon build if I become more familiar with the content. It’s great for what it does and content gets cleared in a timely fashion.

mulch.2586:

Back when there were top esport people publishing about GuildWars, the Divinity runes were popular, especially if you had 5 of another and wanted a 6th.

But the OP is comparing ruby jewels which aren’t available to pvp players.

Divinity is awesome, an excellent gear choice particularly for characters who don’t have separate sets for different roles. They cost what, 100 times the price of jewels, tho?

Yeah, a lot of the top players have used Divinity. I remember Taugrim using them and he is a thinking gamer if ever I saw one. Divinity is great and allows me to cover the roles I need to in the game nicely on my guardian. All my characters have different runes. Divinity is a great rune and it’s reflected in the price.

Mathematically, the advantage of Ruby is 1% higher crit chance and 2 to 2.5% damage on direct damage. Mathematically the advantage of Divinity is 1% healing, 600 hp, taking about 3% less direct damage, and whatever benefit you do or don’t get from 60 condition damage.

I would give up the 60 power and 24 pre for 60 vit + 60 tuff + 60 heal + 60 cond stats, cuz all 3 of my 80s would get good use of it, and I’d have to run a long time with a regular weapon to statistically detect the difference in offense.

None of it adds up to much when you consider the math of the game (i.e. that gear is under 1/4 of your stats). Given the outrageous high price/popularity of Divinity, I’d save my gold and compromise with a different set. Ruby is not bad, and relatively cheap.

Raine.1394:

You suggested that a glass cannon could just avoid enemy damage. If you had played dungeons at all you would know that unavoidable damage is a fact of life and that everyone takes it from time to time. Survivability is an important consideration for those concentrating on damage as a dead player does no damage. I imagine many of those I rez share your philosophy.

I suggest you go watch the FotM 54 Grawl Shaman vid in the dungeon subforum. There you’ll see rangers using gasp rune the eagle and people sharing my philosophy or rezzing each other. The little extra survivability provided by divinity is completely outshined by the benefits of higher eagle damage.

Raine.1394:

I have a mix of zerker, valkyrie, and knight pieces.

Did you know that armor/weapons/trinkets have a fairly low crit damage to stats itemization ratio, often as bad as 1:16 compared to item upgrades like exquisite rubies at 1:5.

So, what you did is kitten yourself with valkyrie and zerker getting low crit damage % for ton of stat loss and now you try to make out for it by getting divinity instead of any of the awesome dps runes?

That’s just bad.

Divinity is probably the best rune set, for any class at any time.

Zid.4196:

Raine.1394:

You suggested that a glass cannon could just avoid enemy damage. If you had played dungeons at all you would know that unavoidable damage is a fact of life and that everyone takes it from time to time. Survivability is an important consideration for those concentrating on damage as a dead player does no damage. I imagine many of those I rez share your philosophy.

I suggest you go watch the FotM 54 Grawl Shaman vid in the dungeon subforum. There you’ll see rangers using gasp rune the eagle and people sharing my philosophy or rezzing each other. The little extra survivability provided by divinity is completely outshined by the benefits of higher eagle damage.

Raine.1394:

I have a mix of zerker, valkyrie, and knight pieces.

Did you know that armor/weapons/trinkets have a fairly low crit damage to stats itemization ratio, often as bad as 1:16 compared to item upgrades like exquisite rubies at 1:5.

So, what you did is kitten yourself with valkyrie and zerker getting low crit damage % for ton of stat loss and now you try to make out for it by getting divinity instead of any of the awesome dps runes?

That’s just bad.

First of the rune of eagle is alright but it doesn’t provide power(higher damage) or survivability. Having 60 more power provides a damage boost 100% of the time and IMO isn’t worth the trade off of 50% when the enemy reaches 50%. You’re theory of rezzing those that go down is fine, in theory. In reality you can be instant killed due to low survivability and then hinder you team as they try and rez you. That means less overall DPS because 2 people are taken out of the fight(1 to rez and 1 dead). Not to mention that rezzing puts people at risk, it takes a second or two to break rez animation and sometimes that’s enough to be killed.

Next you have no idea what pieces of gear he slotted where. Yes there are pieces of gear where crit damage is a greater stat trade-off, but if he slotted his knight gear in those slots then it was a good choice. Second the exquisite ruby is jewelry ONLY. So while it is good for those slots, I’m not sure why you brought that up at all.

So let me get this straight. You hamper your team by sacrificing survivability and depending on chain rezzing yet the guy you’re talking about is bad? I think you need to re-evaluate the fact that if you’re dead you don’t do damage or provide support, basically a hindrance to the team. Unless you’re a stealth thief(in PvP) you’re going to take damage and being able to survive that damage to continue to do damage/support is important.

Guys, keep this in perspective.

Your character has over 10k relevant stat points. We’re talking about 60 here vs 24 there…

I don’t know. Guys did level 54 Fractals of the Mists Grawl Shaman. But of course you know better than them.

As for exquisite rubies, they are a subclass of a larger category called upgrades. There, a 1:5 ratio is not rare…actually the very runes of divinity have it. That’s why it’s a lot better to have more knight/soldier pieces of armor/weapon/trinket and exquisite rubies and heavy duty damage runes instead of divinity. Mind you, that is if you agree with that poster about the need of having that much tank; and even in this hybrid circumstance runes of divinity fail to deliver.

Ruby Orb or Rune of Divity?
My answer: Yes.

Different builds benefit the most from different things. A pure glass canon is likely going to go the orb route. A build that is looking to buff survival while still maintaining good damage might do better with the runes.

Then what about Coral Orb for say an mesmer or necro who is getting a big chunk of their damage from conditions? We’re still talking about damage builds here, so we need to expand what you’re looking at.

Or how about a thief running Basilisk Venom as his/her elite? Doesn’t a 45 second recharge time, potentially even less, make Superior Rune of the Mad King look tempting?

Ultimately, it comes down to where on the scale of tank-glass cannon you want your build to fall and how you plan on getting your damage.

Zid.4196:

I don’t know. Guys did level 54 Fractals of the Mists Grawl Shaman. But of course you know better than them.

As for exquisite rubies, they are a subclass of a larger category called upgrades. There, a 1:5 ratio is not rare…actually the very runes of divinity have it. That’s why it’s a lot better to have more knight/soldier pieces of armor/weapon/trinket and exquisite rubies and heavy duty damage runes instead of divinity. Mind you, that is if you agree with that poster about the need of having that much tank; and even in this hybrid circumstance runes of divinity fail to deliver.

Apparently you haven’t done level 54 fractals either since you’re linking to others work :P.

The problem with your theory is that the the heavy duty damage runes don’t hit much harder than divinity runes and you sacrifice more survivability. Let’s take the eagle runes you mentioned. You gain 105 precision(5% crit) but lose 4% crit damage, 60 power, 60 toughness, 60 vitality, 60 healing power, and 60 condition damage all for 5% more damage when the enemy reaches 50%. The crit damage and power alone cancel out the 5% crit and 5% more damage, the rest is just a bonus. The rune of divinity in most cases for most classes will provide the same damage as the “heavy duty damage” runes, especially if they have any conditions tag on to abilities, but also provide a bit of survivability as well. It’s not about building to be a tank, it’s building to still do a ton of damage but being able to take a few hits.

There are a few builds that this isn’t the case for though. If you’re building for might stacking then boon duration is what you should look for. If you’re doing condition damage then condition duration runes of your type are what you want.

There are points on both sides here. Much of what Zid says is valid, although it does assume your end goal is to max out on damage with just enough survivability to work well.

Somtimes it’s bloody useful to be able to take a shot to the face. One because not all of us are godly and we make mistakes. Two, because in PvP and WvW the enemy may not be totally rational and goading can work wonders for the team, but you’re probably going to get hit doing it.

I like Runes of Divinity when building to be exactly what they specialize in – jack of all trades or a balanced build. Many RPG communities really hate on the balanced build, but usually it also works very well. The key is it relies on in-game decision making and taking the area where you have the advantage and pressing the enemy to fight in that area. You can’t rely on rolling skills for optimized DPS or maximum damage negation. You have to do some of both and more besides.

If you’re trying to tank, dps or burst, Divinity might not be the best option.

Although, it is always difficult to tell without the overall build. If your crit rating is already sky-high for example, you’ll get more benfit out of power than precision.

What if you looking for a balanced build in all specs? Going into a specific build has it’s weaknesses.

If you ever played an FPS before you would know that the M4A1 is the most balanced weapon in the game (usually).

Runes of divinity is the the same thing, you could spec into everything, but you’re not powerful in every aspect.

By going into a specific build you’re just trading points into say ‘power’ at the cost of say ‘vitality’. Or from an FPS point of view you’re going to take the AK-47 instead of the M4A1.

Other item that has synergy with runes of divinity are:
Triforge Pendent
Karka Earrings
Lunaria Ring
Solaria Ring

There will most likely be more all spec items in the future.

Zid.4196:

Let me be blunt: only bad players use rune of divinity.

kittens wild!

It takes an egotistical ignoramus to make a statement like that.

Zid.4196:

ShadowGryphon.6257:

Zid.4196:

You may play any inferior style if you want to.

No offense, but who are you to judge?
What makes you so God-like in this game that you can belittle someone for what works for them?

I’m not really a fan of “everybody is right for themselves” philosophy. As I said, I have to be blunt about rune of divinity. It’s a bad choice, there is no other way to put it. You may like it, you may not like it, you may stick with it: but if you want to improve consider other runes and upgrade.

So I have to infer that you are a fan of everybody is right if they agree with you.
It’s the only conclusion I can come to given the fact that you did not answer my queries.
There’s blunt then there’s insulting and abusive, you are the latter.

So I’ll ask again: who are you to judge and what makes you so God-like in this game that you can belittle someone for what works for them?

One other thing, you chastise some here for “knowing better” than others, yet you are doing the same thing, hypocritical much?

ShadowGryphon.6257:

Zid.4196:

ShadowGryphon.6257:

Zid.4196:

You may play any inferior style if you want to.

No offense, but who are you to judge?
What makes you so God-like in this game that you can belittle someone for what works for them?

I’m not really a fan of “everybody is right for themselves” philosophy. As I said, I have to be blunt about rune of divinity. It’s a bad choice, there is no other way to put it. You may like it, you may not like it, you may stick with it: but if you want to improve consider other runes and upgrade.

So I have to infer that you are a fan of everybody is right if they agree with you.
It’s the only conclusion I can come to given the fact that you did not answer my queries.
There’s blunt then there’s insulting and abusive, you are the latter.

So I’ll ask again: who are you to judge and what makes you so God-like in this game that you can belittle someone for what works for them?

One other thing, you chastise some here for “knowing better” than others, yet you are doing the same thing, hypocritical much?

Just let it go. Anyone who makes absolute statements about stats values on runes is misunderstanding character statistics and how they influence gameplay.

All that’s being discussed here is a percent or two difference in actual in-game performance. There’s no such thing as a “bad” choice when there’s no functional difference between choices.

mulch.2586:

Just let it go. Anyone who makes absolute statements about stats values on runes is misunderstanding character statistics and how they influence gameplay.

All that’s being discussed here is a percent or two difference in actual in-game performance. There’s no such thing as a “bad” choice when there’s no functional difference between choices.

When you’re right, you’re right… and you are right lol.

Here’s the thing to note. Did said player choose rune of the eagle specifically for Level 54 FotM, as this was the only rune set that could allow him/her to finish the dungeon; OR:

More realistically, the person chose to use RotE way in advance of reaching that level of the FotM, because he/she is good enough to do the dungeon with any sort of gear anyways. Lets face it, he has actual skill. What if he ran with divinity gear and was able to finish the dungeon, does that mean divinity gear is the best? No.

Kincaidia.3192:

Zid.4196:

Let me be blunt: only bad players use rune of divinity.

kittens wild!

It takes an egotistical ignoramus to make a statement like that.

Exactly. This is same kind of blatant elitism that made me so disgusted with GW1 PVP. When people get this attitude that there is only one way to do things, it stifles and kills creativity.