Guild Wars 2

So I started this game on Friday, and everyone I’ve met has seem to be fairly nice. I’m enjoying it.

However, after doing some reading and talking to people I’ve met (such as my guild etc), I’m a bit confused.

I understand that the game doesn’t have your typical Tank, DPS, or healer roles. That’s fine. I like games that break the norm. But! I am a bit confused in regards to certain things.

For example, I’m a guardian, and guardians have a million and one weapons to choose from. Well, which weapons have the best synergy? I’ve been switching in and out, and currently, because I just got weapon switching at lvl 15, I’m using Scepter + Torch, and when they get close, switch to either hammer (too slow) or mace + shield. Is this a good combo? I do not know.

Second, as a guardian who is one of the more “tankier” classes, or so I have read, I seem to take A LOT of damage. I can’t count the number of times I’ve died. Which leaves me to wonder, if all the other classes die as much.

Also, I’m playing guardian, and liking it, but as my first MMO I’m not used to having to be “in range” with a close range weapon. It gets a bit annoying to have to follow the enemy and swing my sword. In most games I’ve played (MMORPG’s mostly) all weapons have a little range, to say the least. Does my playstyle fit the guardian role?

I know these questions are “up to my preference” but I’ve never really had experience in MMO’s and I don’t want to waste time/money (I got deluxe edition so I don’t want to waste those on a char I won’t like).

You may want to have a look at this. I found it to be very helpful.
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/game/players/GW2-Combat-system-101-Guide

I guess it’s a PvE related question.
Hammer is for control and perma protection which is more useful in high level Fractals where mobs hit really hard.
Greatsword is your basic trash clearing weapon with cleaving (it hits up to 3 targets at once in a single swing), aoe skills and a 600 range aoe pull.
Staff is just for utility (swiftness, CC wall) and mob tagging (auto attack hits 5 target in a wide cone).
Scepter is your default ranged weapon. Your second ability, Smite is great against targets with larger hitbox since its an area based attack and it lands more hits the bigger the target is.
Sword is your highest dps option though it’s better for single targets.
Mace is a tricky one. It’s good against multiple mobs since it cleaves as well, has a healing field and can block an attack in a wide area to protect your team mates.
Shield is kinda useless since …
Focus is your off-hand which can block a few attacks. Also it has a ranged blind attack on #4.
Torch is just a dps off-hand. It’s good when you don’t use anything else just a main hand weapon, let’s say sword and you can have two off-hands at the same time (focus + torch).

It’s just a learn to play issue. Use your blocks and skills that aegis instead of eating the damage. Thats why in PvE gear sets with toughness or vitality are almost useless.

You’ll get used to it. Btw there is a thing called “max melee range”. Watch for the red line below your skills. Thats your range indicator. If it lits up you are out of range. But if you slightly step back and when the moment it appears you should stop. While spamming your buttons you can still hit enemy mobs but they cant hit back.

Detailed guardian build guides.
What to do as a guardian in dungeons. Useful tips while leveling too.
http://gw2dungeons.net/ for dungeon guides.

Rip Van Winkle.4859:

You may want to have a look at this. I found it to be very helpful.
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/game/players/GW2-Combat-system-101-Guide

For the most part, it added to confusion, but it did answer the one about play style. Thanks.

Dalanor.5387:

I guess it’s a PvE related question.
Hammer is for control and perma protection which is more useful in high level Fractals where mobs hit really hard.
Greatsword is your basic trash clearing weapon with cleaving (it hits up to 3 targets at once in a single swing), aoe skills and a 600 range aoe pull.
Staff is just for utility (swiftness, CC wall) and mob tagging (auto attack hits 5 target in a wide cone).
Scepter is your default ranged weapon. Your second ability, Smite is great against targets with larger hitbox since its an area based attack and it lands more hits the bigger the target is.
Sword is your highest dps option though it’s better for single targets.
Mace is a tricky one. It’s good against multiple mobs since it cleaves as well, has a healing field and can block an attack in a wide area to protect your team mates.
Shield is kinda useless since …
Focus is your off-hand which can block a few attacks. Also it has a ranged blind attack on #4.
Torch is just a dps off-hand. It’s good when you don’t use anything else just a main hand weapon, let’s say sword and you can have two off-hands at the same time (focus + torch).

It’s just a learn to play issue. Use your blocks and skills that aegis instead of eating the damage. Thats why in PvE gear sets with toughness or vitality are almost useless.

You’ll get used to it. Btw there is a thing called “max melee range”. Watch for the red line below your skills. Thats your range indicator. If it lits up you are out of range. But if you slightly step back and when the moment it appears you should stop. While spamming your buttons you can still hit enemy mobs but they cant hit back.

Detailed guardian build guides.
What to do as a guardian in dungeons. Useful tips while leveling too.
http://gw2dungeons.net/ for dungeon guides.

I’ve looked at those links (aside from dungeon guide) and those are partially why I’m asking. I chose mace because of the healing (because I was dieing so often at lower levels). But I gather I should switch to sword for DPS? I don’t like Hammer or Greatsword because it’s so slow. I do like a bit of speed. Or does the DPS even out?

NaotsuguLH.8915:

I’ve looked at those links (aside from dungeon guide) and those are partially why I’m asking. I chose mace because of the healing (because I was dieing so often at lower levels). But I gather I should switch to sword for DPS? I don’t like Hammer or Greatsword because it’s so slow. I do like a bit of speed. Or does the DPS even out?

As i said …

It’s just a learn to play issue. Use your blocks and skills that aegis instead of eating the damage. Thats why in PvE gear sets with toughness or vitality are almost useless.

Healing and defensive stats are almost useless in this game so it’s better to avoid to get hit in the first place, you have plenty of options for that.

http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Block
http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Aegis
http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Blind
http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Dodge
Honorable mention to projectile defenses in the form of Shield of the Avenger and Wall of Reflection.

Hammer is though not a damage oriented weapon the DPS it deals is not bad at all. GS is better against multiple targets but the burst it can deal is still great against single ones. And attack speed is meaningless, thats why we use the term of DPS (damage per second). Even being slow, high damaging attacks can even out or outdamage faster weapons. Watch the guides carefully and come back if you have more questions.

ps: Use damage oriented gear at first with Power stats. Later on when 2 stats become available choose the ones with Power main stat and Precision as secondary. When 3 stats become available get Ferocity as the third one. Surviving is just a matter of knowledge about the game, timing your dodges and a bit of practice, especially on guardians.

pps: If you playing on EU whisper me ingame at any time.

@dalanor, I kind of understand now, I guess, but that only strengthens my reason for using mace + (from what you’re telling me, focus). Mace has a block + healing skill, and focus has 1 block skill as well, while sword only has a projectile shield.

I play in SBI, NA server.

Sword has a blind on the 2nd ability. it’s useful for trash mobs. When you get your first trait point, put it in radiance, and open the fight with greatsword to pull mobs on you, do some damage and blind them with gs3. Switch to x/focus, and use either focus 4/5 sword 2/ mace 3/ your F1 to keep them blinded and yourself protected. Aegis will still break if you use mace 3, so wait for the aegis to be gone. Take shelter for your heal, and practise using it as a block.

an option that is surprisingly complained about is to kill the enemy before they kill you. That is use dps as a defensive strategy. For me that is scepter/torch at slight range then jump in with greatsword, things are dead really fast.

Yargesh.4965:

an option that is surprisingly complained about is to kill the enemy before they kill you. That is use dps as a defensive strategy. For me that is scepter/torch at slight range then jump in with greatsword, things are dead really fast.

I usually do scepter/torch to lure them in, then switch to a close range weapon to murder them. Usually mace, but I will retry greatsword.

Don’t take scepter for trash mobs. The main damage from scepter is smite, and each hit is single target. Scepter torch against trash mobs is the lowest dps, lowest utilities you can get.

oxtred.7658:

Don’t take scepter for trash mobs. The main damage from scepter is smite, and each hit is single target. Scepter torch against trash mobs is the lowest dps, lowest utilities you can get.

What are trash mobs? Then should I use staff to lure?

Trash mobs refer to the non champion mobs between bosses in dungeons. All open world pve mobs are trash mobs. You can either use staff, or just melee with gs/ sw-f. You have enough blinds to survive melee. Go in with gs 3, pull mobs with gs 5, use gs 2 and 4, refresh the blind with f1 when traited, swap to sword focus, use sword 2 and focus 5 if needed, auto attack, use focus 4, aegis/shelter if mobs are still not dead, swap to gs and start again.

oxtred.7658:

Trash mobs refer to the non champion mobs between bosses in dungeons. All open world pve mobs are trash mobs. You can either use staff, or just melee with gs/ sw-f. You have enough blinds to survive melee. Go in with gs 3, pull mobs with gs 5, use gs 2 and 4, refresh the blind with f1 when traited, swap to sword focus, use sword 2 and focus 5 if needed, auto attack, use focus 4, aegis/shelter if mobs are still not dead, swap to gs and start again.

Very complicated, but I get the gist. I’ll feel it out and see. But I like the idea of luring mobs in from a distance, doing damage while taking no damage (or very little), then wopping them with melee.

After some experience, you’ll be able to take absolutely 0 damage in melee, no matter the numbers and strenght of mobs. You can swap a sword for scepter though, going scepter-focus/greatsword.

oxtred.7658:

After some experience, you’ll be able to take absolutely 0 damage in melee, no matter the numbers and strenght of mobs. You can swap a sword for scepter though, going scepter-focus/greatsword.

So scepter isn’t completely garbage then? that’s good to hear actually. I thought when you said scepter+torch was garbage you meant scepters and torches in general

NaotsuguLH.8915:

oxtred.7658:

After some experience, you’ll be able to take absolutely 0 damage in melee, no matter the numbers and strenght of mobs. You can swap a sword for scepter though, going scepter-focus/greatsword.

So scepter isn’t completely garbage then? that’s good to hear actually. I thought when you said scepter+torch was garbage you meant scepters and torches in general

Reading comprehension?

He sad it’s bad against multiple enemies (aka trash mobs) since scepter is a single target weapon and other options, namely greatsword and sword, has blind on it which negates 100% incoming damage.

oxtred.7658:

Don’t take scepter for trash mobs. The main damage from scepter is smite, and each hit is single target. Scepter torch against trash mobs is the lowest dps, lowest utilities you can get.

Read my previous links and watch the guides finally.

Make sure your gear is reasonably up to date for your level, and put some cheap runes on your armour (I generally go for minor ones giving +10 to power) and sigils on your weapon. Putting a minor sigil of bloodlust on the main weapon you’re using to kill things and one of your underwater weapons. This gives you power buffs when you kill things, so will help with killing enemies before they kill you.

This might not be the case for you, but I found my characters I was levelling tended to go through periods of dying horribly when I just hadn’t updated their equipment in a while.

Dalanor.5387:

NaotsuguLH.8915:

oxtred.7658:

After some experience, you’ll be able to take absolutely 0 damage in melee, no matter the numbers and strenght of mobs. You can swap a sword for scepter though, going scepter-focus/greatsword.

So scepter isn’t completely garbage then? that’s good to hear actually. I thought when you said scepter+torch was garbage you meant scepters and torches in general

Reading comprehension?

He sad it’s bad against multiple enemies (aka trash mobs) since scepter is a single target weapon and other options, namely greatsword and sword, has blind on it which negates 100% incoming damage.

oxtred.7658:

Don’t take scepter for trash mobs. The main damage from scepter is smite, and each hit is single target. Scepter torch against trash mobs is the lowest dps, lowest utilities you can get.

Read my previous links and watch the guides finally.

I know that, but it was an assumption I made. I know what he said, but for some reason I ASSUMED that because scepter/torch wasn’t all that good, that scepter and torch weren’t good in general. My bad.

I did read the links and such. But it didn’t really help me much. I’ll reread/watch some of them again in a bit.

Rhianne.4027:

Make sure your gear is reasonably up to date for your level, and put some cheap runes on your armour (I generally go for minor ones giving +10 to power) and sigils on your weapon. Putting a minor sigil of bloodlust on the main weapon you’re using to kill things and one of your underwater weapons. This gives you power buffs when you kill things, so will help with killing enemies before they kill you.

This might not be the case for you, but I found my characters I was levelling tended to go through periods of dying horribly when I just hadn’t updated their equipment in a while.

I think that did apply to me when I was lvl 7 and using starter stuff. I have a few weapons with sigils but I’m still new and don’t know anything about them, such as where to get a sigil and how to apply it to a weapon. Same for runes.

You buy runes and sigils (along with pretty much everything else you might want) on the trading post. Look for scales icons in cities in the game, or press o (but you’ll have to go to an NPC with the scales icon to collect them). Use the filters for upgrade components, and search for “minor” ones (these are the cheapest, also all that you’ll be able to apply to your equipment at low levels).

Check the wiki (search sigil and rune) for what they do.

To apply them open the equipment screen, double click the sigil/rune, then click on the item you want to apply it to.

NaotsuguLH.8915:

I know that, but it was an assumption I made. I know what he said, but for some reason I ASSUMED that because scepter/torch wasn’t all that good, that scepter and torch weren’t good in general. My bad.

I did read the links and such. But it didn’t really help me much. I’ll reread/watch some of them again in a bit.

They are just too situational. For example look at this video. You can see the bluish ring around the target. When the enemy has such large hitbox it’s the most beneficial to use scepter since if Smite (#2 ability) can hit with each hit, resulting in better dps than other options. But it’s situational.
Same with torch. Often you are better to just use focus for the block and additional blind (+vulnerability if you trait for it, which is just free extra damage again).

edit: forgot the link of the video :P

Dalanor.5387:

NaotsuguLH.8915:

I know that, but it was an assumption I made. I know what he said, but for some reason I ASSUMED that because scepter/torch wasn’t all that good, that scepter and torch weren’t good in general. My bad.

I did read the links and such. But it didn’t really help me much. I’ll reread/watch some of them again in a bit.

They are just too situational. For example look at this video. You can see the bluish ring around the target. When the enemy has such large hitbox it’s the most beneficial to use scepter since if Smite (#2 ability) can hit with each hit, resulting in better dps than other options. But it’s situational.
Same with torch. Often you are better to just use focus for the block and additional blind (+vulnerability if you trait for it, which is just free extra damage again).

edit: forgot the link of the video :P

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0fTWRq4xTM

So it’s best use is boss monsters/ mobs with large hitbox?

NaotsuguLH.8915:

So it’s best use is boss monsters/ mobs with large hitbox?

Dalanor.5387:

Scepter is your default ranged weapon. Your second ability, Smite is great against targets with larger hitbox since its an area based attack and it lands more hits the bigger the target is.

Detailed guardian build guides.
What to do as a guardian in dungeons. Useful tips while leveling too.
http://gw2dungeons.net/ for dungeon guides.

Guardians will die a lot at first. I know I did. The reason is while you have heavy armour, you also has a low health pool. It is a lot tricker to learn to play than for example warrior, who has both armor and a large health pool.

As others have said here, a lot of the guardian’s strength comes from simply not being hit. And that is REALLY hard when you are starting out. A lot of the skills and traits you get as you level make you tons better, so this can actually be a deceptively difficult class at the start, especially if you go in and expect something super tanky.

That being said, guardian is not for everybody. I’ve got a fully kitted one at lvl 80 and I almost never use him. The playstyle just doesn’t suit me.

But you know what? You have lots of character slots! If you get frustrated, take a break and try out one of the other classes. You don’t have to delete anything, and even if you end up going back to your guardian, the money and materials you earned on the other character can still be used.

Reading your description I think that maybe Ranger would suit you if you don’tmind having a pet. The sword makes you automatically stick to a target, and they have lots of close range firing/melee options like axes and bows were you don’t have to run after your opponent all the time.

Or try the warrior, it is a lot sturdier than the guardian from the start, and is perfect at learning the system on.

There’s no harm in saying that a class might not be for you and try something new.

Malin.2490:

Guardians will die a lot at first. I know I did. The reason is while you have heavy armour, you also has a low health pool. It is a lot tricker to learn to play than for example warrior, who has both armor and a large health pool.

As others have said here, a lot of the guardian’s strength comes from simply not being hit. And that is REALLY hard when you are starting out. A lot of the skills and traits you get as you level make you tons better, so this can actually be a deceptively difficult class at the start, especially if you go in and expect something super tanky.

That being said, guardian is not for everybody. I’ve got a fully kitted one at lvl 80 and I almost never use him. The playstyle just doesn’t suit me.

But you know what? You have lots of character slots! If you get frustrated, take a break and try out one of the other classes. You don’t have to delete anything, and even if you end up going back to your guardian, the money and materials you earned on the other character can still be used.

Reading your description I think that maybe Ranger would suit you if you don’tmind having a pet. The sword makes you automatically stick to a target, and they have lots of close range firing/melee options like axes and bows were you don’t have to run after your opponent all the time.

Or try the warrior, it is a lot sturdier than the guardian from the start, and is perfect at learning the system on.

There’s no harm in saying that a class might not be for you and try something new.

I thought so too, but in so many games I play, I play ranged/support (almost always support, which also happens to be ranged), so I wanted to come into this game trying something new. I’m liking guardian, but you’re right, I probably will end up trying Ranger and thief at a later date. But for now I really want to at least try Guardian.

NaotsuguLH.8915:

I thought so too, but in so many games I play, I play ranged/support (almost always support, which also happens to be ranged), so I wanted to come into this game trying something new. I’m liking guardian, but you’re right, I probably will end up trying Ranger and thief at a later date. But for now I really want to at least try Guardian.

Well, here every class can be ranged and support and dps, it’s just a difference in the proportion between the three. But good luck with the guardian!

In the end the weapon setup that got me to 80 was scepter/focus for drawing people in and keeping myself safe and kiting, and then the greatsword for damage. That and a lot of burning and blind.

One thing I do is as quickly as possible acquire one of each weapon the profession can use, and park those in my second bag. As I level I invest in the better rarities of the weapons I find myself using most on that alt, and keeping blues and greens of about my level on hand of the others. Thus I can swap out in situations calling for it, and get a feel for what all the weapons do.

I am not a min maxer. I found guardian sluggish until I started using scepter/focus around level 40, with sword/shield to swap to when bored. Shield is as others have said weak, but I love mine for looks and for knockback on demand. She’s not a dpser by any stretch, though! So my next guardian went with greatsword/staff — GS for dps, and staff because I hadn’t used it much and like some variety. But he also has all the other options when needed for fights.

For instance the end of chapter 3 of LS season 2 features a fight where you have to do a lot of blocking, knockback, snaring, etc. Hurray for having a level 80 rare hammer on hand!

So far I seem to find myself relying on GS+Staff GS for damage (I now LOVE GS) and Staff simply for the speed. But then again, I’ve only been doing mapping for the past 24 hours. But I do use Sword+Focus when I go fighting or world bossing

You’re doing it right.

Keep testing the weapons to find the ones you like. You will have plenty of time once you reach level 80 for others to tell you what is “BEST”…..

Surviving in this game is more about avoiding big damage. Learn to Dodge, Kite and use your other damage mitigation skills (Aegis for a Guardian). That means learn to use that limited damage mitigation at the RIGHT time…..

Just a side note, don’t rush to LVL 80. Enjoy the journey (at least the first time).

Take your time man, don’t need to stress it – takes the fun out of the game in such an early stage. What level are you now btw?

I’m level 29 now mostly from doing mapping. Thanks for the advice Grimm

Malin.2490:

Guardians will die a lot at first. I know I did. The reason is while you have heavy armour, you also has a low health pool. It is a lot tricker to learn to play than for example warrior, who has both armor and a large health pool.

As others have said here, a lot of the guardian’s strength comes from simply not being hit. And that is REALLY hard when you are starting out. A lot of the skills and traits you get as you level make you tons better, so this can actually be a deceptively difficult class at the start, especially if you go in and expect something super tanky.

The new trait system made that just worse i think.

Else i would also say : get 3 points in radiance ASAP .. that gives you an extra blind that
you can spam on each fight

You will take less damage during a fight if you maneuver so that you are always behind or to the side of a mob. Practice circle strafing. It will help you play all professions.

Guardians also specialize in damage mitigation over damage reduction. They have, IIRC, the lowest HP pool of any class in game. However, they have access to multiple aegis skills, absorption skills, heal skills, and reflect skills. This is where you get into mitigation (minus heals, those are for obvious use when needed).

In a group, a good guardian knows how to properly use these mitigation skills for the team. Wall of Reflection is a staple guardian skill in group play (if there are ranged enemies/bosses).

Guardians also have access to a lot of AoE condition removal. Which can also be viewed as damage mitigation to an extent.