Guild Wars 2

Hi all,

I’ve been slowly acquiring some PVT oj temple pieces, but I’m far from “geared.” But my small guild is starting to want to run dungeons, and I’d like to be able to stand up and meatshield as best I can for them to dps. I’m currently specced for Sword+Torch (Right Hand Strength), but don’t think this is the best build for tanking. Surely a _ + Shield spec would be better (Mace maybe)?

Thanks for any tanking tips?

Do not tank

You can help but you’ll be more of the “anchor” than tank as no profession in this game can really “tank” damage (with or without heals).

I made my (modified) build based on http://www.guildwars2guru.com/topic/74664-the-aggro-magnet-guardian-how-to-be-a-tank/ and its working great.

Do note that you will get focused in dungeons and that will require a lot of dodging, pulling utilities and skills than usual so better be prepared for that.

Good luck and happy “tanking”

My current build: http://gw2buildcraft.com/calculator/guardian/?3.3|c.1n.h1.e.1n.h2|b.1n.h1.d.1n.h2|1n.a4.1c.a4.1c.a4.1c.a1.1c.a1.1c.a1|411.d1g.1n.67.1n.67.211.0.1n.67.1c.67|0.a2.u56b.u289.0|0.0|v.17.18.19.1i|e
http://tinyurl.com/cu3namr — in case if its mangled

It’s definitely not 100% optimal but I like it and its relatively cheap to make (orr armor cost only karma). I’m still thinking between current 0/10/30/30/0 and 0/0/30/30/10 and considering if 10% boon duration is more worth that 8s less CD on heal and ~5% crit chance…

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fUAQJASWlYgKCnFyvDf4EhVBCi9Qje8jXPcIFZIA-jQyAorARfgICAZvioxWZLiGryGTdmU1rgs/IpA-e

this is the build i’m currently using in pve for “tanking”, you just get into melee range and spam 1, it gives you constant protection +10% dmg reduction from signet, if you need heal just dodge roll and if thats not enough, swap to staff, dodge back (your 3rd dodge from sigil) and use empower.

Awesome! Thanks for the great replies!

One additional note for my build — I deliberately make it so I can easily switch weapons around — GS, sword/shield, staff, scepter/focus and still gathering mats for mace and hammer.

With all that I’m (more or less) free to switch to any weapon combo depending on encounter ahead — usually i run sword/shield + staff for running around pulling out GS (instead of staff) when expecting to face a lot of mob packs.