Guild Wars 2

Evening!

So i’m kind of at a loss on whether to use contemplation of purity or test of faith and similarly whether to use hunter’s fortification or heavy light. Generally if i’m facing more than 1 necro, i will always run hunter’s fortification, but when there’s only 1 or zero, i’m not so sure whether to change to heavy light. Since i’m not using test of faith, it seems like a waste to take it, but at the same time, every time you knock an enemy back, that’s a few seconds in which they can’t fight back.

I also know that if i take test of faith, that makes it easier to justify heavy light, but i’m not sure if i really wana get rid of the heal/condi cleanse that CoP provides. Any guard here care to explain what they prefer using and/or how it relates to their build? Maybe some stories on how their build performed better when they chose one utility over another?

Here’s something you might want to consider: Judge’s intervention may not be as valuable as everyone leads it on to be.

I like to use the following build in solo q:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vVAQJARDHdDhVdCWDB8DhlEiKL/+vAUW07aZDgEA-TpRBABPcEAA4QAE4+Da8AA24CAEfZAA

Between the traveler runes, GS 3 (or sword 2, I often times use sword/focus over GS), and f2 wings I think I have plenty of mobility and don’t feel like I am missing out on JI. I left the healing skill and two traits in DH blank as I change these all out based on the ally/enemy team comp, map and game mode.

Thoughts on JI: It’s a great utility skill, but I believe you get more offensive power while still maintaining the sustain by taking ToF over JI. ToF makes you a great on-point skirmisher and tips the scales in your balance when facing reapers and scrappers which are currently our biggest threats. JI on the other hand is more useful for rotating between points. It is a wonderful skill if you’re part of an organized team who calls targets (gives you great response time for coordinating a burst). Many think JI is absolutely necessary, but ….you miss out on a big chunk of sustain if you drop CoP for JI, and you miss out on offensive power if you drop ToF for JI. In my experience, I’ve been needed as a strong on-point skirmisher and contester rather than a +1er, and this build has proven far more effective for me time and time again in both 1vX and group skirmishes compared to the standard medi-trapper build.

That’s my experience, hope this helps!

Kuya.6495:

Evening!

So i’m kind of at a loss on whether to use contemplation of purity or test of faith and similarly whether to use hunter’s fortification or heavy light.

Hello!
Well, I think that despite the recent nerfs ToF is still a very-very great utility (dmg, cross dmg, insta cast interrupt, prot, cripple) and you’ll never be at a disadvantage running “Hunter’s Fortification”, even when you’re not facing heavy condition comps, which is very unlikely these days. Also “HF” trait gives you more reason to run ToF instead of CoP.

Arcaedus.7290:

Here’s something you might want to consider: Judge’s intervention may not be as valuable as everyone leads it on to be.

I like to use the following build in solo q:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vVAQJARDHdDhVdCWDB8DhlEiKL/+vAUW07aZDgEA-TpRBABPcEAA4QAE4+Da8AA24CAEfZAA

Well, I’m glad that works for you in spvp but still I for one would prefer “Judge’s Intervention” to “Contemplation of Purity” right along no matter what; especially if I ran GS in conquest, like you do, which I wouldn’t actually.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vVAQJATRn8cCVdiVDBmDB8DhlEiKb/+vAUe5n+s/aZDgEA-TpBFABtdBAEvMQDHBgd2fAgHAADHCAA

JI is essential. wings and double smite condition are enough condi clear.

JI lets you perform true shot test of faith combos, which are excellent. I’ll quote the combo from my warrior vs DH post

choovanski.5462:

I’ll elaborate on the combo. it will ruin most classes days.

start the cast for true shot. when it’s almost done use JI. drop test of faith as soon as you land so heavy light on true shot will knock them back through the blades. then use spear of justice to pull them back to you. then swap to GS and finish them off with 2.

ofc a stunbreak or an invun can save the opponent, but it’s a big surprise and usually takes over half their HP if they survive it. it’s easy to use your remaining meditations and virtues to survive long enough to win.

ToF, JI and CoP is what I use.
I never used Smite Condition tbh. I’m hardly ever in melee range to optimize the skill’s 16s cd.

Like others have said, there are combos with JI that can help you. I actually use ToF + JI alot to stun + rez an ally. It’s a life saver when your ally is about to get stomped out.

• You can peel off with JI if you’re getting focused too much in team fights.
• A must on Khylo’s mid & Forest of Nifhel’s mid to stick on low health Mesmers or Thieves peeling away.

Sometimes if it’s a 1v1 vs DH or Reaper, they can outplay your Purification heal. In that case, you need to use Purification + JI for an instant proc. Of course, if your on point on sides then it’s less of an issue but still worth mentioning.

Hunter’s Fort vs Heavy Light
It’s going to be your judgement call depending on team comp you’re facing. If I know there’s a Vipers Rev, I automatically use Hunter’s Fort even if there’s no Necro.
- SoloQ and 2 Necros? Hunter’s fort hands down.
- A game full of Zerks/Marauders? Heavy Light no question
- 1 Necro, even if you know he’s condi? Heavy Light (unless you absolutely can’t beat condi Necros 1v1)

It’s only a huge difference if it’s 1 or more condi classes in match or you’re on sides and can’t 1v1 that 1 condi person. It’ll be your call!

Miles Smiles.8951:

Kuya.6495:

Evening!

So i’m kind of at a loss on whether to use contemplation of purity or test of faith and similarly whether to use hunter’s fortification or heavy light.

Hello!
Well, I think that despite the recent nerfs ToF is still a very-very great utility (dmg, cross dmg, insta cast interrupt, prot, cripple) and you’ll never be at a disadvantage running “Hunter’s Fortification”, even when you’re not facing heavy condition comps, which is very unlikely these days. Also “HF” trait gives you more reason to run ToF instead of CoP.

Arcaedus.7290:

Here’s something you might want to consider: Judge’s intervention may not be as valuable as everyone leads it on to be.

I like to use the following build in solo q:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vVAQJARDHdDhVdCWDB8DhlEiKL/+vAUW07aZDgEA-TpRBABPcEAA4QAE4+Da8AA24CAEfZAA

Well, I’m glad that works for you in spvp but still I for one would prefer “Judge’s Intervention” to “Contemplation of Purity” right along no matter what; especially if I ran GS in conquest, like you do, which I wouldn’t actually.

For the longest time I’ve always used JI too, but I encourage you to try playing without it from time to time; you may be pleasantly surprised! What really gave me problems were players who knew DH very well and would throw on stab, invuln, evades, etc. To negate the JI + ToF + Trueshot combo. After that, all I had was heal, virtues and RF so I’d usually be forced to retreat. By taking SC, ToF, and CoP I’ve been able to stay in skirmishes for much longer (get to hit off more trueshots), and win the vast majority of 1v1s, or at the very least force my opponent to retreat. Compared to JI, you’re going to actually be using CoP for its full functionality giving you much better sustain, and arguably still a decent offensive option due to the boons. Again, just my experience. This difference of preference could be attributed to a difference in play style.

Arcaedus.7290:

Miles Smiles.8951:

Kuya.6495:

Evening!

So i’m kind of at a loss on whether to use contemplation of purity or test of faith and similarly whether to use hunter’s fortification or heavy light.

Hello!
Well, I think that despite the recent nerfs ToF is still a very-very great utility (dmg, cross dmg, insta cast interrupt, prot, cripple) and you’ll never be at a disadvantage running “Hunter’s Fortification”, even when you’re not facing heavy condition comps, which is very unlikely these days. Also “HF” trait gives you more reason to run ToF instead of CoP.

Arcaedus.7290:

Here’s something you might want to consider: Judge’s intervention may not be as valuable as everyone leads it on to be.

I like to use the following build in solo q:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vVAQJARDHdDhVdCWDB8DhlEiKL/+vAUW07aZDgEA-TpRBABPcEAA4QAE4+Da8AA24CAEfZAA

Well, I’m glad that works for you in spvp but still I for one would prefer “Judge’s Intervention” to “Contemplation of Purity” right along no matter what; especially if I ran GS in conquest, like you do, which I wouldn’t actually.

For the longest time I’ve always used JI too, but I encourage you to try playing without it from time to time; you may be pleasantly surprised! What really gave me problems were players who knew DH very well and would throw on stab, invuln, evades, etc. To negate the JI + ToF + Trueshot combo. After that, all I had was heal, virtues and RF so I’d usually be forced to retreat. By taking SC, ToF, and CoP I’ve been able to stay in skirmishes for much longer (get to hit off more trueshots), and win the vast majority of 1v1s, or at the very least force my opponent to retreat. Compared to JI, you’re going to actually be using CoP for its full functionality giving you much better sustain, and arguably still a decent offensive option due to the boons. Again, just my experience. This difference of preference could be attributed to a difference in play style.

Yeah, ty, but… I don’t know, may be I got used to JI too much. And I don’t usually run “heavy light” these days, so I don’t do that true shot + JI + ToF wombo-combo. I really dig the JI’s mobility: it’s an instant stun-breaking 1200 range x-y teleport. But thanks anyway for your input and encouragement, mb I’ll give CoP a shot after all.