Guild Wars 2

So in following up with this thread…

https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/guardian/Don-t-know-what-to-do-now/first#post421574

I’ve been testing some level 70 mithril weapons (sword and mace) and as one might expect the dps is basically the same or seems so to me. The mace has higher average numbers, particularly on the 3rd hit of the basic attack but the sword is faster which evens it out I think.

I would give the edge to mace here because it heals you. Even a little bit helps. My question is does that seem consistent with what everyone else sees? The DPS is basically the same but the effects of each baseline attack make the difference?

Secondly we have the “2” skill, Flashing Blade for the sword, and Symbol of Faith for the Mace.

Flashing Blade does very little damage but it has a 3s blind, which potentially interacts with some traits making the blind potentially great. Very few things are immune to blind. The damage from Symbol of Faith is nothing to brag about but its quite a bit better than Flashing Blade and will hit everything around you. It also has some minor healing but nothing spectacular.

The question there is the blind (particularly with traits) more useful than the mild damage boost and healing circle?

Finally we have Zealots Defense vs Protectors Strike. Ah, here in is the problem. You can’t test Protectors Strike in practice but then again nobody needs to be told it does a lot less damage than Zealots Defense. This is where the sword has a clear advantage. It does more damage and its always useful as compared to the mace which requires something be actively attacking you and it does less damage.

The question is does Zealots Defense alone with its significantly higher damage and wider range of use overcome the mild to moderate advantages of the first two skills for mace?

As far as I’ve known, the sword will be the higher dps weapon of the lot. Don’t forget Sword’s #1 chain will proc burning on every rotation, which will help. The Mace isn’t left behind in the dust though, as far as damage goes, and like many people will say, it’ll depend on your build. You can trait Mace to be incredibly good ad keeping yourself alive, and helping out teammates, while sword will let you teleport around the place like none other. Your traits will make a significant impact on which would end up being ideal.

I was just looking at that. Currently I have no traits as I felt that was the most “sure fire” way to do some testing. I was looking at a 30/20/20 set up.

http://www.guildhead.com/skill-calc#mcc9om9mm9VxGG

From Radiance we have Powerful Blades (X), 5% damage increase for sword but from Valor there’s Mace of Justice (VII), 5% to maces. Both benefit from Radiance Right Hand Strength (XI).

Since I use a shield, the sword seems more synergistic with the 20 Valor. On the other hand the mace seems more synergistic with the 20 Honor. Giving up the healing from the mace skills means your only passive healing is Virtue of Resolve which probably benefits fairly well from that +200 in Honor but as stated, very little in Honor seems to do much for swords.

I don’t know what you’re expecting to hear, but they’re two different weapons, so use them accordingly. Neither beats the other flat out.

The mace has a wider arc and symbol, but at the cost of less range at 130~. The sword has a longer reach with it’s last auto-attack at 300, and it’s other skills at 600, but only hits targets that are in front of you. The mace provides close range aoe and healing, the sword provides single target dps (generally speaking) and burning.

I think you’re underestimating Protector’s Strike a bit. A block is a big deal if you use it correctly, and if you don’t get attacked you give protection to allies which is even better in a group. Also, I’ve saved countless people from attacks with Protector’s Strike, which is its intended use.

No best.
Mace = support (regen, heal on hit, block)
Sword = dops (damage, damage, damage)

If you want to be a support, mace is the best… if you want to damage, sword is the best.
Mace+shield
Sword+torch

Ah, I see I haven’t been very clear. I’m not trying so much as to demonstrate that one is better than the other as much as I’m attempting to figure out how to most effectively use both weapons given a particular trait set up.

I don’t underestimate Protectors Strike really. I have used maces a lot more than swords while I level. What you say is true but what is also true is that you will end up going ‘doh’ after you activate it only to have the monster not hit you. It’s not as consistently reliable as Zealots Defense.

I suppose in the end its about “If you’re going to use a mace this, this and this… but if a sword… this, this and this”

Keep in mind also that the third strike on the sword auto-attack hits multiple opponents. The third strike on the mace auto-attack is strictly single target, so that’s one of those things that helps boost sword overall as a damage-dealer.

Once you compare that and the difference between Protector’s Strike and Zealot’s Defense, it’s pretty easy to see that they’re weapons designed for very different trait and equipment builds. Mace has the healing on two skills, which is only really of worth if you’re stacking healing power and/or toughness. It also synergizes best with the Valor and Honor traits. Meanwhile, sword does higher damage, emphasizing damage stats, and synergizes best with Radiance traits. The question you should be asking, then, is what kind of equipment you have on. If you’re a DPS build, you put on the sword. If you’re tanky support, you want the mace.