Well, enough sulking. Time to dry your tears and get to work because, lets face it, were all going to try these out when they are released. The upcoming free trait resets will compel us all eventually. Lets get down to some theory-craft.
Zeal: Amplified Wrath- Burning damage is increased by 33%
I really do find this one so odd. It could be used to help burn damage in a power build with no use for other conditions, but kindled zeal already did that (only to a lesser extent) as we only inherently have burn. There is no longer any synergy in the line after the Shattered Aegis change except condition duration. By all means it really is not a bad trait, it just happens to be in a bad place, and I honestly can’t think of a good way to utilize it.
Radiance: Radiant Retaliation – Retaliation Damage scales from condition damage instead of power.
I can see this being very potent in wvw if the scaling truly is much stronger. And it would have to be much much stronger to make it worth being a trait at all let alone a grand-master trait. We have plenty of uses for power, and almost no use for condition damage, so this would be a very specialized build type that relies on retaliation and burning. I almost want to try it with Kindled Zeal but, if I am relying on condi and especially retaliation, I want to focus on toughness and vit, not power. That said a few special purpose Radiant Retaliation spamming guardians in a zerg could be interesting.
Valor: Communal Defenses – Grant 5s of aegis to allies in 360 range when you block an attack. 20s cooldown.
Perhaps the most interesting trait in the batch. There are some decent aegis and on block traits out there that could be given some viability. Mace is going to be a must with this one, at least it fits well in the trait line. In fact, this is the only new trait I believe really feels at home in its line. I really think this whole line will be looked upon more favorably by support builds now.
Honor: Force of Will – Gain up to 300 vitality, based on your level. (around 3k HP at level 80)
Maybe useful for zerg surfing or point bunking? I think this is one of those easy low skill cap traits that are there to support the uninitiated or casual guards. Its a chunk of stat, not much else to say. There are far greater options at that level in that line.
Virtues: Purity of Body – Resolve’s passive effects increase endurance regeneration by 15%
I just don’t feel 15% is all that noticeable. I believe the intent was to share it with allies, but that would require another grand-master trait (battle presence) just to function. Even then it is based off of the passive effect of the virtue, so does it stop when on cool down? I don’t know, and maybe I have it all wrong but this trait has all the trimmings of an adept or minor level trait to me.
Well those are my takes. Honestly the only two I can’t think of a use for are Amplified Wrath and especially Purity of Body. There are burn aficionados out there who will pick up the AW and play with it. Removing 50% endurance regeneration at the minor adept level, and compensating with 15% when not on cool-down at a grand-master tier is simply… Oh well.
Share your thoughts! What will you be trying and how?