So I started playing Guardian a while back. I believe it’s one of the top tier profession in the game, due to vast amount of synergies between the skills and traits. This build emphasis on this, and still allow the build to go versatile and change out traits and skills to the player’s liking. It’s a lot of fun and doesn’t require a lot of skill due to the fair amount of defensive tools.
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fUEQRAsf7dlYgSBHFyvDf4ESmCWCBteAQ9j/gpAjgPA
Summary: The build relies on burning damage and crits to dps. The traits are specced to make sure you are constant killing mobs and refreshing your justice with renewed justice. This allows you to spam active justice as much as you can, so burning damage is going to be a major source of dps.
The other source of damage is from your crits. Burning on mobs ensure your Radiant Power is on most of the time. 30 in radiance ensure your crit chance is high, and also your burning damage is high.
20 in Honor allows you to pick up Empowering Might, and coupled with your 30 radiance, you’ll constantly have might stacks. Also you have the vigorous precision, allowing you dodge more with more crits.
20 in Virtue gives more boon duration, making Empowering Might and boons from shouts last a bit longer. Virtue of Retribution gives you retaliation when you use justice, which will be a constant help. Traits in virtue depends on what you prefer, condition removal via IX or more damage via VIII.
I did not go fiery wrath in the power tree because radiant power does everything, if not better. Against burn immune enemies, radiant power still let you hit for more damage if your allies debuff the mobs.
Weapons:
Sword + torch and scepter + focus
Both sword and scepter hits fast, so more chance to trigger crits, which leads to might and vigor. Both benefit from Radiance XI and sword from X. Sword have some inbuilt defence, such as sword 2 for blind, and sword 3 for projectile deflection. Focus 4 and 5 also provide some defence. Torch 4 does more burn, even while you’re cc’ed.
What? You don’t like one handed weapons?
Greatsword – Switch out radiance X and XI for something you like. Optionally, you can also get Honor IX for CD reduction. Generally I find GS a bit slow in term of attack speed, and is probably better with a power build.
Staff – Honor IX will be very useful. Feel free to change out the utility and elite skill as you see fit. Access to Honor and Virtues can provide some really useful support abilities.
This is a really rough description of the build, and I’m not suggesting what I’m using is the optimal way to play this type of guardian. The best thing is anyone can switch traits and skills to how they like to play and likely to improve on the build.
As I don’t check the forum all that often, if it seems like I’m copying someone else’s build, please inform me and I’ll get rid of this.
Feel free to comment and provide feedback. Thanks.