Guild Wars 2

Hi!
I’m an avid mmo gamer and I love to support/heal/boon share and etc.
I’ve noticed however people tend to avoid builds with full tankiness, healing potentional and boon share potentional but no damage whatsoever.

Despite this, I still would like to make a guardian build with Minstrel/Nomad stats for all game modes: WvW/PvP/PvE

First and foremost, If anyone is generous enough, could they share their tanky/healing/boon share guardian builds?

Finally, could someone explain to me how ineffective/effective these stat choices could be. I would like to know so I am prepared for all the backlash from peers.

Thanks guys! Just to help out with build reccomendations, I really like using concecration utility skills. They can really save people when timed right and the time of gameplay with concecrations requires real good observation skills. I like a build that makes me think

Guardian support is weak compared to how easy is to play offensive, u need to key block enemies skills since sturdiness in guardian u will never be as tanky as some other classes have in surviability and u wont do damage, this game is all about being carried by damage and the better the class weapon can do it the better you will look.
Players avoid defensive builds because this game carries players in offensive.

try this traits, sometimes i change stability(when not needed or when theres another source, for Santuary).

with nomads+ministral+ 26% vit to healing output (from force of will) and plus another 10% healing output each aegis would heal arround 1.5k to 1.7k …altough that damage, if with 2.1k power i hit arround 700 damage with 1.2k power is impensable on a game where damage carries the player.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vVAQNAW5elsAhShYrQwOIwPELLE1VA8ADAWCUBhp8y/8TPA-TFSDAB+qqjZqFAwFBIKlfhobQ+nAwXKBZa/BA-w
Aegis DH support with small heals build, mostly like a team damage negator with some anti range (single target), ive been able to stall matches with those suposed broken druids, by keeping protected by the Spirit weapon dome VS pet scales, and LB combo.

Few of this guadian with close to 30k hp in wvw migh be a good anti range wall.

Low damage but if u cast aegis and the domes negating the right damage on your team it is alot of damage absorved/negated, issue is gimmick damage classes with still hit u hard, while u cant damage them due nature of low damage/support from guard mace/shield combo.

Sorry about the bad english.

As with anyone asking about tanky builds, let me preface this with: tankiness is largely unnecessary in pve, as killing things faster tends to make it easier. Even then druids/water eles usually do healing better. A glass PS warrior can cover might. Raids prefer chronomancer tanks as they offer alacrity, distortion (invuln), and some quickness. The difference between heavy and light armor defense with no added toughness is ~15%, and full toughness is only going to reduce that gap and lower incoming direct damage ~50% assuming you double your defense. Most of your survivability comes from abilities/traits, so you generally only want as much defensive stats as is necessary to survive (applies to all game modes). Everyone could run T4 fractals in nomad’s, but it would take hours.

Assuming your heart’s set on holy/protection paladin life, if you’re doing pve (which I assume to be fractals) minstrels is far better because the added group support far outweighs any possible benefit of greater personal survivability (generally unnecessary by stats) given by nomad’s. You probably won’t be allowed in a serious learning raid with either, and you shouldn’t try to join on that. I haven’t tried full minstrel’s in wvw but a mix of nomad’s and minstrels can make a near-unkillable rezbot. If you’re running in a blob it’s just a mosh pit, but generally doing damage is a good thing. Be aware neither stat set exists in pvp, mender’s/magi’s are the two healing amulets (they have a separate stat system). Also be aware that your weapons/utilities need to change based on the situation between wvw/pve. That being said I’d still recommend having different armor sets for wvw/pve especially if doing fractals, as infusions make a case for separation and runes have different effectiveness in either.

http://metabattle.com/wiki/Build:Guardian_-_Merciful_Frontline This is pretty good considering the stats you’re looking for, but if you want something with more consecrations it might be more difficult/custom. Stand Your Ground is one of the best buttons on Guardian in wvw, and two different consecrations provide boons/healing, and the healing one disappears after 10 enemy bumps. If you’re really set on using the same armor, it’s easier to run wvw runes in fractals than fractal runes in wvw.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vVAQNApeSlsAhehYrQwYIwPEHMEFuCmgv8WsdZAkbh8b/A-ThxHQBg7JA6DeoSQAcKA+x+DAU5H8U/hUA+tFA-e If I ran minstrels on uncategorized fractal this is probably what it would look like for the harpy sections. Given the boon duration you’d probably want to run staff instead of hammer. But you need to know what skills do what and change them based on the situation. Take battle presence always unless you need extra stab. Signet of courage can work if you don’t want/need an invuln or virtue reset. Healing breeze is less tanky than shelter but gives more group support. If you’re dying but your party isn’t (how it feels to run with necros), take writ of persistence and invigorated bulwark. Shield of the Avenger is good for dealing with projectiles. Sanctuary can be good for providing space to rez or breaking cc bars. Purging flames is good when the instability is “afflicted”. Merciful intervention can heal for a lot and get you to a downed ally instantly. Retreat is good when you have to kite aoe’s like in Mai Trin or the end of Snowblind. Also remember your dodgeroll heals and weaponswap gives you another dodge.

http://en.gw2skills.net/editor/?vVAQNApeWl8AhmhYpQwVIwPEHMEVuFyv9DXBTwXeL2GIAA-TliFQBA4RAUFlgqb/BCp+zZ0HkQlDURJR6OBAJ4IAYElYBAQAuZb2m3MwRXuRXuRPa95Pv5RvZpA8bZE-w

[WvW]

This is my personal heal/support build. Yes, technically there’s only 2 minstrel trinkets and a celestial ring because I don’t feel like crafting another set of minstrel armor but you can definitely put nomads and minstrels in any of the slots if so desired but I feel like I’m tanky enough. Basically it’s mostly revolving around aegis heal spam and spamming shield skills also helps.

Notes:

• Take Merciful Intervention instead of retreat if your group is organized.
• Take Strength in Numbers when if another guardian isn’t doing it already
• Communal defenses is alright, but honestly underwhelming.
• Take mussels gnashblade if you are rich and feel like you could use survival
• Take lemongrass/poultry leek soup for a cheaper alternative.
• Double energy sigils are great for sustain, if desired.

King Cephalopod.7942:

As with anyone asking about tanky builds, let me preface this with: tankiness is largely unnecessary in pve, as killing things faster tends to make it easier. Even then druids/water eles usually do healing better. A glass PS warrior can cover might. Raids prefer chronomancer tanks as they offer alacrity, distortion (invuln), and some quickness. The difference between heavy and light armor defense with no added toughness is ~15%, and full toughness is only going to reduce that gap and lower incoming direct damage ~50% assuming you double your defense. Most of your survivability comes from abilities/traits, so you generally only want as much defensive stats as is necessary to survive (applies to all game modes). Everyone could run T4 fractals in nomad’s, but it would take hours.

Assuming your heart’s set on holy/protection paladin life, if you’re doing pve (which I assume to be fractals) minstrels is far better because the added group support far outweighs any possible benefit of greater personal survivability (generally unnecessary by stats) given by nomad’s. You probably won’t be allowed in a serious learning raid with either, and you shouldn’t try to join on that. I haven’t tried full minstrel’s in wvw but a mix of nomad’s and minstrels can make a near-unkillable rezbot. If you’re running in a blob it’s just a mosh pit, but generally doing damage is a good thing. Be aware neither stat set exists in pvp, mender’s/magi’s are the two healing amulets (they have a separate stat system). Also be aware that your weapons/utilities need to change based on the situation between wvw/pve. That being said I’d still recommend having different armor sets for wvw/pve especially if doing fractals, as infusions make a case for separation and runes have different effectiveness in either.

http://metabattle.com/wiki/Build:Guardian_-_Merciful_Frontline This is pretty good considering the stats you’re looking for, but if you want something with more consecrations it might be more difficult/custom. Stand Your Ground is one of the best buttons on Guardian in wvw, and two different consecrations provide boons/healing, and the healing one disappears after 10 enemy bumps. If you’re really set on using the same armor, it’s easier to run wvw runes in fractals than fractal runes in wvw.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vVAQNApeSlsAhehYrQwYIwPEHMEFuCmgv8WsdZAkbh8b/A-ThxHQBg7JA6DeoSQAcKA+x+DAU5H8U/hUA+tFA-e If I ran minstrels on uncategorized fractal this is probably what it would look like for the harpy sections. Given the boon duration you’d probably want to run staff instead of hammer. But you need to know what skills do what and change them based on the situation. Take battle presence always unless you need extra stab. Signet of courage can work if you don’t want/need an invuln or virtue reset. Healing breeze is less tanky than shelter but gives more group support. If you’re dying but your party isn’t (how it feels to run with necros), take writ of persistence and invigorated bulwark. Shield of the Avenger is good for dealing with projectiles. Sanctuary can be good for providing space to rez or breaking cc bars. Purging flames is good when the instability is “afflicted”. Merciful intervention can heal for a lot and get you to a downed ally instantly. Retreat is good when you have to kite aoe’s like in Mai Trin or the end of Snowblind. Also remember your dodgeroll heals and weaponswap gives you another dodge.

Thanks for the deep insight on the guardian!

Your remark on serious raid groups not wanting to recruit minstrel/nomad stat guardians does concern me. Afterall, I would like to play with people who enjoy a challenge like I do.

I thought If i could keep an upkeep of boons and healing, then it would cover for my lack of damage, as it increases my allies’ level of efficiency and damage output. I suppose I was wrong. I suppose adding some Knights armour/Paladin armour would help?

As for why I’m so persistent on using guard as a support and not the chronomancer – I made the stupid mistake of listening to my peers and making full ascended berserker armour. Bursty glass cannon builds were never my thing; Neither is mindlessly defeating opponents with memorised rotations. I’ve always played WvW up until now, so I’m poor. Meaning I cannot make an another set without grinding (which I absolutely hate doing). Instead I’ve decided to make a build that I know I won’t be too concerned about dieing too often and becoming dead weight in order to do fractals and raids; While learning the ins and outs of both game modes. In doing so I could find ascended weapon/armour sets and go for different builds (like the tank chronomancer) from there.

Since this is my situation, would you reccomend a certain cap of healing power/toughness/power/concentration? So I can try and keep to that cap by changing all the stats on my ascended berserker armour accordingly. Thanks!

Druid/tempest provide more healing and druids also give unique offensive buffs. Chrono has good unique buffs but no dps which is why they’re default tanks.

Enrage timers exist, and the goal should be to kill without dying rather than getting as close to enrage as possible without hitting it. Before you consider your own builds you should watch videos and read guides if you haven’t already. There are some bosses with no aggro mechanics. It’s better to try and fail and learn on a tested glass build than to gain bad habits from stacking defensive stats. Remember there are 9 other people in the raid at least one of which exists solely to keep you and the 8 others alive. If you don’t want to do anything but tank you could run enough knight’s armor to reach ~1500 toughness and use the hammer build but that’s about it.

Fractals just do whatever your heart desires. Remember low tiers exist to teach you the mechanics in a more survivability-lenient environment.

King Cephalopod.7942, i think they both have good heals but for diferent situations.

traited aegis when damage gets blocked
-removed condition
-heals arround 1k-1.5k heals (with blocks increasing my healing power ive reached arround 2k aegis heals).

-Empower, 2.5k-3.5k heals.
.Wings of Resolve with RF combo, 6k-7k(2x) heals.

-mace 3rd chain heals arorund 600-780
-Healing breeeeeeze, removes condis and heals as well (duno how much i prefer the blocks and damage avoidal).

SoA- 1.5k-1.7k heals.

Altough a pack of few mace shield guards are a freaking wall if setted with the right stats, same what happens with necros a bit weak on solo, but when stacked they do what they need to do real good.

Edit: dodges = aoe heals for a good amount as well.

Condition removal is only personal from hunter’s fortification. That healing may be good burst, but probably not enough for raids. You’d likely need to maximize sustained healing which means virtues for battle presence/absolute resolution, honor, and possibly radiance to boost signet of courage, alternatively DH+renewed focus but I don’t know if that offers enough hps to be worth it. Valor would probably be overkill with full defensive stats. You also wouldn’t want to take pure of voice to make healing breeze cleanse because you’d be giving up a lot of healing potential from WoP or FoW.

But beyond all that the most important thing is that guardian can’t effectively heal from range.

Don’t listen to the people saying not to go tanky guardian. Yeah the meta is damage damage damage but unless you’re playing with a very organized group people go down like flies because they’re all glass cannons. My guild master is a nomad guardian, another guild mate is a minstrels guardian, and playing with them is awesome. All the damage people can go HAM and not worry as much about dying. Guardian does make an awesome healer from my experience.

There’s no point in bringing a minstrel/nomad guardian to PvE group content. Offensive support is virtually absent, defensive support (minus healing) can be brought by any offensive guardian and heals are borderline useless because you either won’t need them or won’t be able to get them to everyone in need due to short range. Such a build may be more effective than an empty group slot, but that’s it.

DH is not a bad tank in raids, many groups prefer a chrono, but DH have many benefits and the dmg loss is minimal. So what to bring?

This is my “My healer hate me and dont want to heal me” build:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vVAQNAS5ensABVdiddCGCBkdiFGiCrCSuSQu4P+q/qYbgAA-TxBBABB8EAqU9Hs2fUiAwFBoLlXnpEMPdDkBQfBA-e

If my healer dont hate me, and actually heal me, then:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vVAQNAS5ensABVdiddCGCBkdil4BTe/1/WgYLh/zWoKAslqXA-TxBBABB8EAA4iAknuhKV/5MlgYt/oEpLlXkBQfBA-e

When you get better, use “Bowl of seaweed salad” as food.

Why is this a good tank build? several reason:
1) perma protection for yourself and anyone else close by
2) small extra healing for the group to top people off
3) aegis for those pesky blue circkles at VG or slams at gors. Swap a trap for retreat when needed.
4) Easy rotation, so you can focus on tanking.
5) no chrono tank, so your chrono can focus on buffing.
6) dmg is not bad, the dmg loss from running DH as tank is there, but its less then if your chrono make rotation mistakes due to focusing on tanking. So the overall group dps often come out on the positive side. Unless you have a REALLY good chrono tank.
7) CC heaven, you bring ALOT of cc, so your group will more or less never have cc problems.

Rotation, btw is: 1111111111111111111111111111111 (add in putting down traps and pressing F1 when you can. Just make sure to get your 3’th AA off to get the big dmg and protection from the symbol), then 111111111111 again