Guild Wars 2

First let me say that I loathe “rate my build” threads, especially since they all start off with the bestest build ever and seem to often end in someone getting kitten. But I really need some advice so here I am…

This is not the best build, but I am liking it so far and am looking for input as to how I can improve it without drastically changing it. I have already made one drastic change, in dropping my Fire-related Traits (a bunch of traits designed for Fiery Justice, but I figured they’re all pointless whithout +Cond… or are they?).

This is my current set up. And by current I mean what I am currently aiming for within my means, so no Ascended stuff just yet and no expensive runes/sigils (I am thinking that a Sigil of Strength would be great in the Mace, but I can’t afford one, I am also unsure of whether Bloodlust, Strength or maybe Air or Fire would be best for the GS).

I am only just starting to learn to use a Hammer, but I plan on using it more often. I still prefer the Greatsword because of the Might, which is something I want to try and make the most of, but I think this build should work just as well with the Hammer’s Protection as the GS’s Might.

In this set-up the Radiance line of Traits is fluid, so I can regularly swap in Inner Flames, Searing Flames and Inscribed Removal (also swap my heal from the Signet of Resolve to Shelter if things aren’t condition heavy, since I find Shelter tends to be more useful). I am a little disappointed that I no longer have Retaliation all the time, so Unscathed Contender can be swapped with Vengeful if I feel the need, but I am hoping that the increased Boon durations will make this redundant and I can rely on SoW/LoF combo and my Virtues to keep Retaliation running.

So, what can I do to improve this, without changing it altogether?

As a side question, I did 3200 damage with Faithful Strike the other night, using the Fiery Justice build that I started with, which included 30 in Virtues and happened while under the influence of Might, Retaliation and Stability. Since I have very little in the way of Precision and +Crit Dmg, how does this compare?

This is just a few quick changes i made to your gear. I’ve changed up your setup to maximize the greatsword. If you need more armor and hitpoints switch over to the off hand set. Should pop you over 15k hp. I cut back on the healing power as honestly we just dont make very good use of it. Also with your current setup you might be better going with maintenance oil instead of the sharpening stones as your crit % is rather low.

http://gw2buildcraft.com/calculator/guardian/?3|1.1g.h4|9.1c.a8.d.1c.h1h|1n.71g.1n.71g.1c.71h.1n.71h.1c.bw.1n.bw|1g.64.1g.64.1g.64.1n.67.1n.67.1i.67|0.k26.a5.f2.p1a|2e.1|e

Your stats were:
Power 2139
Precision 1466
Toughness 1509
Vitality 1514
Critical Damage 30%
Condition Damage 200
Condition Duration 0%
Healing Power 300
Boon Duration 55%
Critical Chance 30.19%
Damage 20%
Armor 2720
Health 16785
Endurance Regeneration 0%
Agony Resistance 0
Virtue Recharge Rate 25%
Farming and Leveling
Bonus Experience 20%
Damage & Survivability
Effective Power 3186.89
Effective Health (EHP) 24867
Damage Reduction 32.5%
Reference Armor 1836

With the changes i made:
Power 2043
Precision 1778
Toughness 1462
Vitality 1201
Critical Damage 40%
Condition Damage 200
Condition Duration 0%
Healing Power 200
Boon Duration 65%
Critical Chance 45.05%
Damage 20%
Armor 2673
Health 13655
Endurance Regeneration 0%
Agony Resistance 0
Virtue Recharge Rate 25%
Farming and Leveling
Bonus Experience 20%
Damage & Survivability
Effective Power 3445.14
Effective Health (EHP) 19880
Damage Reduction 31.31%
Reference Armor 1836

I’m not sure I’m following your logic here. Drop everything in favour of Precision and +Crit Damage, even though I’m not relying on crits for anything other than damage?

The reason I went with 3 Monk/3 Water instead of 2 Monk/2 Water/2 Sanctuary is because this isn’t an AH build, so I figured that I would need the extra healing power since i’m not getting it left, right and centre from applying boons to everyone around me. I would actually prefer the longer boons, I’m just not sure whether an extra second, or two, of regen is worth losing out on up-front healing from the same regen and direct methods.

Interestingly, changing the sword from Berserker to Soldier, in your version, results in a change from:

Effective Power 3445.14
Effective Health (EHP) 19880
Damage Reduction 31.31%

to:

Effective Power 3244.94
Effective Health (EHP) 22785
Damage Reduction 34.45%

Which seems quite significant, in terms of surviveability, for a relatively small drop in effective power. How much damage does 200 Power translate into, if it can be translated?

Sokar Rostau.7316:

I’m not sure I’m following your logic here. Drop everything in favour of Precision and +Crit Damage, even though I’m not relying on crits for anything other than damage?

The reason I went with 3 Monk/3 Water instead of 2 Monk/2 Water/2 Sanctuary is because this isn’t an AH build, so I figured that I would need the extra healing power since i’m not getting it left, right and centre from applying boons to everyone around me. I would actually prefer the longer boons, I’m just not sure whether an extra second, or two, of regen is worth losing out on up-front healing from the same regen and direct methods.

Interestingly, changing the sword from Berserker to Soldier, in your version, results in a change from:

Effective Power 3445.14
Effective Health (EHP) 19880
Damage Reduction 31.31%

to:

Effective Power 3244.94
Effective Health (EHP) 22785
Damage Reduction 34.45%

Which seems quite significant, in terms of surviveability, for a relatively small drop in effective power. How much damage does 200 Power translate into, if it can be translated?

The difference in healing you will hardly notice. Its only 100 points lost. Now as for damage thats another matter. By increasing crit from 30% to 45% You will notice a change in how fast that bloodlust sigil starts to stack up as you will be dealing double damage basically every other hit instead of 1 in 3. It does not sound like much i know but beleave me it actually does add up in the end. Although i noticed i did forget one thing. On your mace/focus i would change out the jewel on it for a sigil of water and throw a sigil of purity on that focus. With your new crit you will get more healing out of the sigil and it is aoe healing, and again with the crit you will strip away conditions. As for the changes to rune’s i did that to net you slightly more vit and an extra 10% boon duration as that seems to kinda be what your after. Here is the slight changes with your mace/focus in the main hand.

http://gw2buildcraft.com/calculator/guardian/?3|9.1c.h1f.d.1c.h1c|1.1g.h4|1n.71g.1n.71g.1c.71h.1n.71h.1c.bw.1n.bw|1g.64.1g.64.1g.64.1n.67.1n.67.1i.67|0.k26.a5.f2.p1a|2e.1|e

And its stats for quick reference:
Power 2057
Precision 1650
Toughness 1590
Vitality 1329
Critical Damage 31%
Condition Damage 200
Condition Duration 0%
Healing Power 200
Boon Duration 65%
Critical Chance 38.95%
Damage 20%
Armor 2801
Health 14935
Endurance Regeneration 0%
Agony Resistance 0
Virtue Recharge Rate 25%
Farming and Leveling
Bonus Experience 20%
Damage & Survivability
Effective Power 3246.52
Effective Health (EHP) 22785
Damage Reduction 34.45%
Reference Armor 1836