Are Shields Viable?
it is only viable in some situations, not a weapon to use on your build, just bring one in your inventory.
1st April joke, when gw2 receives a “balance” update.
I wish. Sometimes in a dungeon it can be helpful that’s about it
I’ve been running with a shield in dungeons for a while. I guess the knockback/heal of #5 is nice. Plus #4 is good for protection. Damage-wise though idk what to do with it lol
Its not useless, but it lacks synergy with everything else the guardian runs. Its only niche at the moment is bulk projectile blocking, which Wall of reflect does infinitely better.
Essentially the Shield is a considered a Back line weapon intended to be paired with Scepter. But the reason it loses out is because the Focus has much better defensive utility, is far easier to use, and has a blast finisher for party builds. Shield 4’s Protection up time is designed to mitigate big attacks….. but the way it aims, and its cast time only works from the back line. Shield 5 is the same way, as the push effect is meant to save back liners from flank attack. But the bubble’s rooting animation and short duration make it both hard to time, and leaves you completely vulnerable to follow up melee attacks. Also take into account that adds toughness via base stats and traits, which are much more useful on front line, it makes you wonder why they designed it for back line…. other then simply to make it different then the Warrior shield’s role as a front line weapon.
What it needs is better definition in a given role, be it front line or back line. But to keep it back line, it NEEDS more sustainable uptime for the existing skills, or redesign those skills with more range and better group synergy. That includes more internal trait synergy.
Right now the only reason I carry one regularly is for Teq and Triple Trouble, which have very high demand for projectile reflect. Outside of that, I use Shield 4 to farm ambient mobs for the Weapon master achievement. I am finding some uses for karka train in south sun….. but the bubble’s poor uptime and long cool down is only giving me around 50% effectiveness of its already low potential. I essentially have to gamble the timing of a crazed karka wave to utilize the bubble to its full effect. The Protection “would” have been good against Karka rolling attacks- except the attack is so fast, I can’t cast it fast enough at the start or end of a dodge to make good use of it. Lots of potential, yet too unreliable to make good use of.
Nope. Using a focus and pretending that it’s not just a little stick in your hand that nonsensically blocks better than an actual defensive weapon made to block is about as good as you’re gonna get.
I think focus 5 and shield 5 should be switched. makes more sense to me
Its more group support weapon,as such more usable for support guard,in my eyes.Thou the trait is really bad on it,and as pointed out many times in few threads in same spot as 150 toughness trait for whole group,so in 99% times its pointless to run it.Even if u got 2 guards in party with same trait,which is kinda sad.
OTAN guild,WSR server
I think focus 5 and shield 5 should be switched. makes more sense to me
That would have been the best way to go about it before launch, but it’s 3 years too late for that. People who made the Minstrel would be pretty kittened.
Apparently shield sees a decent amount of use in PvP on EU. The CC from the bubble and protection aren’t that bad.
It just needs its #4 boosted a little and it’ll be a good weapon.
Kirrena Rosenkreutz
As others have said, it’s ok. I like it a lot in PVP, because being able to reposition your opponent can be extremely valuable. #4 is lackluster, however.
#Magswag
80 Guardian, Mesmer, Ranger
80 Guardian, Mesmer, Ranger
I agree with pretty much everything that’s been said.
Shield #4 definitely needs a buff……or a complete change
Does shield 5 work if blinded? As it deals no damage…
Shield 5 should be unblockable and have the 4sec duration it’s supposed to have, making it more reliable at reflecting.
Shield 4 should be a flip skill:
press once
-block for 2 seconds
flip (press twice)
shield of judgment except it also knockdown foes in the shockwave.
then it could be a viable option right now focus is so much better overall which is kinda ironic for the “guardian” profession.
It should be like this
Focus : survivability + burst
Shield: CC + survivability
Torch: burst + condi
(edited by RevanCorana.8942)
@Revan, no, shield 5 will miss the KB if guard gets blinded.
1st April joke, when gw2 receives a “balance” update.
(edited by Aeolus.3615)
Shield is almost completely useless on guard. The projectile absorb from shield 5 isnt really necessary since running WoR and SoA will be more than enough for most fights. And when you are channeling the skill you miss out on dps up time. Focus is indeed the way to go because lol blocks. Anet is genius designers
In most games. Casuals are the majority. In Gw2, casuals are the game.
It’s not bad, it’s just rubbish in comparison to everything else.
So yeah, it’s just bad in almost every way.
You think your life is hard? You don’t even main a Ranger.
~Desolation~
~Desolation~
Shield is a decent weapon. Other classes would love to have it.
The problem, however, is that shield is decent and all of the other off hands are good. Thus, no reason to use shield. If focus got nerfed and you had to use shield, you wouldn’t lose all that much.
#24 leaderboard rank North America.
for guardian,
if you want a shield take the focus,
if you want a focus take the shield.
Shield is a decent weapon. Other classes would love to have it.
The problem, however, is that shield is decent and all of the other off hands are good. Thus, no reason to use shield. If focus got nerfed and you had to use shield, you wouldn’t lose all that much.
Only if it the War shield. Having a Stun AND an All purpose block is nice. But getting a lightly damaging wave with 5 seconds of protection, and 2 seconds of projectile protection (and maybe a push if they are in close)…. not so much.
Thats the thing. Warriors can use it offensively an defensively, but guardians can only use it defensively, and only in certain situations.
Shield is a decent weapon. Other classes would love to have it.
The problem, however, is that shield is decent and all of the other off hands are good. Thus, no reason to use shield. If focus got nerfed and you had to use shield, you wouldn’t lose all that much.
Only if it the War shield. Having a Stun AND an All purpose block is nice. But getting a lightly damaging wave with 5 seconds of protection, and 2 seconds of projectile protection (and maybe a push if they are in close)…. not so much.
Thats the thing. Warriors can use it offensively an defensively, but guardians can only use it defensively, and only in certain situations.
Defensively? It’s more control than survivability focus 4 or 5 are both more defensive than shield 4 and 5 combined, probably because shield 4 is so bad and shield 5 has its uses depending on the terrain and the opponent. Focus always work and is simply better for any build.
The cooldown reduction was nice but shield is still trash, too bad I like the skins
(edited by RevanCorana.8942)
Shield is a decent weapon. Other classes would love to have it.
The problem, however, is that shield is decent and all of the other off hands are good. Thus, no reason to use shield. If focus got nerfed and you had to use shield, you wouldn’t lose all that much.
Only if it the War shield. Having a Stun AND an All purpose block is nice. But getting a lightly damaging wave with 5 seconds of protection, and 2 seconds of projectile protection (and maybe a push if they are in close)…. not so much.
Thats the thing. Warriors can use it offensively an defensively, but guardians can only use it defensively, and only in certain situations.
Defensively? It’s more control than survivability focus 4 or 5 are both more defensive than shield 4 and 5 combined, probably because shield 4 is so bad and shield 5 has its uses depending on the terrain and the opponent. Focus always work and is simply better for any build.
The cooldown reduction was nice but shield is still trash, too bad I like the skins
I wouldn’t count it as a strong control, as you’re rooted for the same amount of time their down. The weapon can only really be classified as defensive in design, but no one is denying the other Offhands do their jobs better.
I think shield isn’t all that viable a support weapon, even in the limited areas it’s useful. I would have liked the shield trait to add aegis to the shield skills for a needed boost, like shield 4 provides aegis along with protection and shield 5 provide aegis at toggle. Seems like a balanced trade off.
As is, i use it for cosmetic reasons
(edited by casius van.5186)
It needs a total redesign.
I would compare it to the Lancer of TERA. In TERA, the shield is exquisite. It blocks, it swipes, it stuns and it helps you push through a mob of enemies. In GW2, it’s fighting to find a moment of relevance before going on a long cooldown; 99% useless.