After studying and researching for quite a bit, i’ve came up of what I think is an all rounded build for a Guardian. This build is intended to work in PvE and WvW.
This Guardian is not supose to be a DPS cannon nor a Tank. It’s rather a good damage/good survivability Guardian capable of being a good tank, good supporter, good close and long range attacker. Doesn’t have to be the best DPS or Tank out there, just a solo independent Guardian capable of a bit from every corner (This is how I like to run).
Like the description said, there is a long range and close range weapon:
Long Range: Scepter+Torch
- Scepter was an easy call, but why torch and not shield or focus? The torch is a weapon purelly intended for damage. The ouput damage is great and the cooldowns (15s) are excellent (the burn and cond removals also help out a lot). Focus has one close/medium range skill, and another purelly for close range that are usefull, but the cooldowns are massive (25 and 45s!). Shield is good for survivability and control (if you want more survivability go for this one) but not for pure damage. As a long range option, you’ll basically be standing out bombing the enemies from a “safe” distance, so all you’ll need is pure damage intended weapons and stats/sigil on them.
If that’s not enough damage, you can go for +10 in Virtues and choose Unscathed Contender. At a long range you can easilly maintain Aegis up, and hence raise your damage 20%!
Close Range: Greatsword
- You could also choose Hammer and go with Glacial Heart in Valor, but I prefer the Greatsword for quicker damage, and also because of the amazing and usefull pull skill (awesome to attract foes from weaker companions). In closer range, you want to have more survivability, that’s why I chose knights stats. I end up loosing 10% crit damage and 52 power, but I gain 179 toughness to be able to handle even more damage from foes. The 5% crit chance allows me to maintain a 1% bigger crit chance than the long range set. In exchange for this sigil, you could wear the superior sigil of battle (amazingly interesting!). The +3 stacks of might (105 power) for 20s is awesome for some surprise finish attack (and a good start for might stacking with empowering migth and the autoattack).
You could go for Sword+Shield, Mace+Focus, etc…but Greatsword is what I prefer.
Traits: 5/0/30/30/5
- Easy/Obvious picks for what I need. Pure of voice for cond removal (I used to run soldier runes, but the +15% boon duration was too appealing..) with shouts (20% shout recharge). And Strenght in numbers to raise survivability. Inspired virtue is too awesome and usefull to dispense. As for the 5 points in Zeal, you could put them in Radiance or Virtues, depends if you want more crit chance, more power or more vitue recharge/boon duration and a bonus (like Unscathed Contender, Vengefull or Master of Consecrations). Empowering Might: Obvious (With this crit chance you’ll maintain 3-6 might stacks constantly = +105 – +210 additional power).
Trinkets:
- Choice purelly based on the final stats. You could replace the Valkyrie accessories for Ruby (More DPS), or Soldier/Knights stats (More survivability). I chose Valks basically to reach the ~16k Hp value and not loose much crit damage.
Armor Stats and Runes:
- Like I previously said, I used to run with soldier runes for cond removal. Using pure of voice I can replace the +90 vitality and condition removal skill for a +25 healing and +15% boon duration (better use of all the boons you can generate, and easier to stack up might from empowering might). Knights and Soldier gear purelly to reach the stats I want.
Slots Skills:
- Healing: Shelter (take advantage of might of the protector);
- Utility: Depends on what/where you’re playing. Bane and Judgment Signet if you want to power or raise damage reduction. SOA and Wall of refletion for area/ally protection. Shouts for boons and pure of voice cond removal (= even more boons!). Judge’s Intervention for WvW pursuits. Your pick! (I usually run 2 shouts and signet of judgment in PvE;
- Elite: Easy pick between Renewed Focus or Tome of Courage. I prefer the Focus (more boons and invulnerability!).
To check out the unbuffed stats (I don´t use food or utility consumables..) follow the link at the beggining of the post!
This is not the best nor the worst build out there. It’s the way I like to run, and the most efficient one i’ve found to run in PvE and WvW. Like most users, I don’t like to switch gear and trinkets from PvE to WvW, so that’s why I came up with a build capable of roaming in both worlds as a solo/independent Guardian or as a part of a group of guildies or other mates.
Of course, feedback and suggestions are always welcome 