Guild Wars 2

Shouldn’t focus #5 (SoW) replace Shield #4 (SoJ)?

Thinking about it logically, the shield should have shields and the focus should be more magic based. SoJ would fit better on the focus, because it is a magical item giving protection to allies and oneself. The shield should be used to block, so let the focus be used to give protection, regeneration, and apply blinding.

The only reason why I think Anet put SoW on the focus is because of balancing issues. Would a shield with two blocks on it be over powered?

If SoJ must be on the shield, then there should be a knock back on it that pushes up to five enemies 1200 range. Personally, if the switch was made I would be using the shield a lot more, but I would also use the focus depending on the situation. As it is now, I rarely, if ever, equip a shield.

Am I way off here? Anybody have any other ideas? Agree or disagree?

The problem with shield and focus is not about what they do durrently. It’s about what they don’t do… Let me be more clear with this.

Shield does have block, like other shields. It blocks Projectiles, and blocks them for allies as well (unlike others) as intended with the profession’s design. As you can see with this skill and the 4th skill; shield is designed with supportive intentions.

Focus is more ‘’personal gain’’ weapon. The block it gives is only for you (unless you’re trying to block a skill-shot lol). Also; the blocks the focus gives you is coming from a spell. As you can see with the visuals; you’re blocking with a spell, not the weapon itself. Thus, it’s irrelevant to say ‘’how can a focus block and a shield can’t’’ (not trying to say you say that, just trying to make my point).

Now… The problem with these weapons are; 4th shield skill is just too uneffective with that cooldown; that mediocre damage and that lack of any effect on your opponents (it needs weakness or vulnerability attached to it, imho) and 5th skill has a little bit long CD as well.

Focus has long cooldowns as well; combined with any weapon; it just makes you a boring auto-attack fighter. (which is just my opinion. most people do like focus; i do as well. I just find it very… um… ‘’place holdery’’ weapon. If that makes any sense to you)

In my opinion focus 5 should remain as where it is because I don’t use it to block attacks. In my case I use it as blast finisher+ sword 2 leap to deal burst damage. The focus is actually balanced for guardian in my opinion other than the ridiculous cooldown time since it is used for attacks rather than defense. The only way I’d use focus 5 as shield is when I’m soloing bosses.

The shield on the other hand I find it pretty kitten useless unless I’m trolling in eotm trying to push people off cliffs. Shield 4 doesn’t do anything and shield 5 also has ridiculous cooldown as well as unreliable blocks. I used it once or twice on the Crown Pavilion event against Pyro (?) boss but even then my spirit shield and wall of reflection were more useful.

I’m hoping that for the upcoming patch the focus 5 skill cd reduced to 35 seconds from 45, focus 4 skill reduced to 15 seconds, and shield have completely different functions/skills. Since guardians already have wall of reflection/Spirit shield, replace it with a longbow or revamp it completely. Some cool ideas for Guardian shield skills are on the forum.

Zephyron.7081:

Shouldn’t focus #5 (SoW) replace Shield #4 (SoJ)?

Thinking about it logically, the shield should have shields and the focus should be more magic based. SoJ would fit better on the focus, because it is a magical item giving protection to allies and oneself. The shield should be used to block, so let the focus be used to give protection, regeneration, and apply blinding.

The only reason why I think Anet put SoW on the focus is because of balancing issues. Would a shield with two blocks on it be over powered?

If SoJ must be on the shield, then there should be a knock back on it that pushes up to five enemies 1200 range. Personally, if the switch was made I would be using the shield a lot more, but I would also use the focus depending on the situation. As it is now, I rarely, if ever, equip a shield.

Am I way off here? Anybody have any other ideas? Agree or disagree?

Agree but ths is a game where 5 out of the 8 playable classes are tougher than the paladin, including several casters and ranged classes. And they use a GS as a laser cannon.

I wouldn’t mind SoJ on much if it wasn’t arbitrarily nerfed in pvp.

Basically, the shield is useless, and the focus needs short cool downs….I agree completely. I just thought that if they switched the those skills over, then both weapons would be more useful.

I really would like to see the shield completely redone. There needs to be a stun or bash added to it, and the current block it has is limiting because it roots you in place and you can do nothing during the duration of it. The block from the focus allows you to continually move and fight. Shield #4 is garbage as of now.

Yeah the shield may be in need of some help, but let’s leave the focus out of it. The focus has great burst and survivability in one, with long cooldowns as it’s balance. Reducing the cooldowns would probably result in some damage reduction in SoW for balance.

i think the guardian shield cast is wrong . should be like sanctuary . you cast it and want escape? you are moving and the shield dome stays behind to protect you for enemies that are hunting you . if you want heal , you are staying and detonate it to heal you and your allies .

also if devs want some serious usage for shield in wvw or spvp they should add the 4 focus skills for the area inside the dome when detonated . blind for the enemies and regen and remove one condition for allies

indeed, also sanctuary is moslty useless in the actual combat style and has a huge cooldown even when traited.

I guess they dont fix it becouse we can get more “domes” or blue bubbles via the shield spirit weapon that in most of the cases die in 1 or 2 hit before get activated.

just one side note: the guardian blue domes dont protect much except eles and rangers auto attack, sanctuary can protect against engi bombs (not nades), reason why only WoR is mostly used, since is the one with lesser cooldown and has reflects range damage. the others can hardly fit on the battlefield.

Seriously, is this entire forum just endlessly recycling the same questions and discussions forever?

Shield #4 isn’t awesome (it’s cooldown is waaaaaay too long and it’s damage too low), but I think it’s a good way to represent a “shield bash” sort of attack that still fits the Guardian. Also, moving that move to the Focus would really screw the Focus over as a viable option.

Ynna.8769:

Seriously, is this entire forum just endlessly recycling the same questions and discussions forever?

Shield #4 isn’t awesome (it’s cooldown is waaaaaay too long and it’s damage too low), but I think it’s a good way to represent a “shield bash” sort of attack that still fits the Guardian. Also, moving that move to the Focus would really screw the Focus over as a viable option.

Actually i think the best way to represent a shield bash, is i dont know, with a an actual shield bash?.

This game is filled to brim with attempts to originality that end up being lackluster, both in terms of mechanics and aesthetics. Paladins with mediocre hp pool, paladins that resemble rogues more than they do warriors, clothies that wield grate swords as laser canons, a complete reversal of what people expect the shield to do and the focus to do, armor classes that are essentially meaningless, The kitteniest aesthetically rendition for healing in the form of rolling. So on and so forth…

I actually think the aesthetics of this game are great. It’s one of the things I absolutely can’t complain about. They’re original at times and push in directions that most fantasy don’t really go to, but I like this.

And the Warrior already has an actual shieldbash. I think what we have is thematically okay and fits our role.

Change Shield no.4 skill to apply Aegis rather then Protection. It can then also be traited with Honor VI ‘Pure of Heart’ for awesome supportive healing. Shield would then become an awesome option in pve aswell as wvw pvp group running.