Guild Wars 2

Can someone explain to me how this skill works? Does it only destroy projectiles if you’re inside of it, and can projectiles go through it and hit you if you’re outside of the aoe?

It destroys any projectiles that enter the animation of the skill.

Keep in mind that Unblockable Projectiles (such as siege weapons) cannot be blocked by Swirling Winds.

You destroy all projectiles entering the area and fired inside the area.
Necro marks, Guardian symbols can still land inside of it, and non-projectile attacks such as Mesmer Greatsword, Guardian Staff auto, Ranger Longbow Volley, and Frost Bow Volley.
Along with the obvious bow/rifle/pistol projectiles, grenades also tend to fizzle in it.

Keep in mind that it blocks only what its animation covers. It usually will block grenades, but if they arc high enough, they can fall through the top, completely avoiding the winds. That’s why it sometimes helps to jump as you cast it, IIRC that makes the animation appear higher up and block projectiles from higher elevations.

Necrotize.2974:

Keep in mind that it blocks only what its animation covers. It usually will block grenades, but if they arc high enough, they can fall through the top, completely avoiding the winds. That’s why it sometimes helps to jump as you cast it, IIRC that makes the animation appear higher up and block projectiles from higher elevations.

Things like grenades can also hit just outside the wind and come in contact with the ground, thus exploding, meaning you can be hit if you’re still close enough to them to be within the AoE.

Usually you will just want to stay inside of the winds to protect yourself, or drop it in a choke point so that they can’t shoot you while you’re moving away.

Note that I believe unblockable projectiles aren’t limited to things like seige weapons. If a mesmer uses mirror blade, it should go through since that skill is unblockable. Similarly, if something like a rifle warrior pops signet of might, they may be able to just shoot through the swirling winds with whatever they want since their attacks are now unblockable. I haven’t actually tested that out yet though, so I’m not sure if that’s how those things will work.