Guild Wars 2

role? abilities? what do u guys think?

For a simpler view of a guardian with a bow, at 51 seconds a charr in heavy armor dodge rolls away from the boss. At this time selfless daring procs and he weapon swaps to a bow and starts shooting.

You can see this charr on the right side of the screen.

EDIT. Follow link for GiF
http://gfycat.com/ImmaterialWhichEgret#

Maybe my phone is acting goofy, but I no longer see the video in the OP’s post. Here is the link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxjkQ8Tf7rE&t=50

Makes me sad. I don’t want a bow. I’d rather have an improved MH weapon.

Kind of already knew it was coming, but it makes me happy nonetheless. I think I can already imagine which skills it’s going to get.

where did you saw guardian wear the longbow? you mean looking at that guyy with longbow and aegis effect that he got from retreat buff? srry no longbow confirmed yet.

Given that the revenant hammer is a ranged weapon, I’m quite sure the guardian longbow will be a melee weapon.

Ragnarox.9601:

where did you saw guardian wear the longbow? you mean looking at that guyy with longbow and aegis effect that he got from retreat buff? srry no longbow confirmed yet.

There’s a charr that rolls away from the golem, and an effect that looks very much like selfless daring procs on him following the dodge roll.

As far as I can tell, no character uses the retreat shout as no one seems to gain aegis during that time.

Interestingly enough, I think a short ranged 2 handed weapon would be better than LB. Maybe SB with a quick single target pull or another tele to take advantage of 2 handed mastery on short range which is generally where you are in the first place.

I just think LB is going to be too slow and out of place for the class.

A redditor made this awesome GiF showing it!
http://gfycat.com/ImmaterialWhichEgret#

nightblood.7910:

I just think LB is going to be too slow and out of place for the class.

Specializations are meant to significantly change the base class (apparently, you don’t need to enjoy a ranger to be able to enjoy playing with a druid), so it’s hard to judge what is “out of place” and what isn’t, until we get real news on specs and how they work.

Actually hte longbow I feel would be a really good partner to our slower weapon sets. Take a hammer concecration build. Your gonna have trouble staying on the front line. With a longbow though that isnt much of a problem. And your not pigeonholed into melee. I could easily see a longbow ranged concecration build come out soon. Infact I hope it does.

nightblood.7910:

I just think LB is going to be too slow and out of place for the class.

I don’t think there’s a slower class than Guardian in melee.

Necromancers, not that guardians are that slow (except when running away).

Yamsandjams.3267:

Given that the revenant hammer is a ranged weapon, I’m quite sure the guardian longbow will be a melee weapon.

There’s no real pattern from which you could draw that unlikely conclusion. Unless you’re just joking or something.

As long as it helps condition guardian I will accept,thank and profit.

Expected, if only because of the LB spirit weapon utility skill and matching weapon skin ;P

I’m looking forward to having another choice for a long range weapon; Scepter isn’t bad, but it just doesn’t do it for me. I’m having a hard time trying to imagine the various possible skills it could have. Too many possibilities for serious speculation.

Sagat.3285:

As long as it helps condition guardian I will accept,thank and profit.

I’m with you bro! I really want the LB to have fast auto attacks to compensate for our otherwise slow AA melee weapons.. judging from certain gif and video clips that might not be the case.

It’s probably going to get something like the leaked skills (in fact, I think there’s a LB guardian in the new video who uses a similar-looking ability to an ability mentioned in the leak). Which I’m more than okay with. The leaked longbow is very elaborate and interesting imo.

Shortbow confirmed!

Justine.6351:

Shortbow confirmed!

http://gfycat.com/ImmaterialWhichEgret

If that’s a shortbow (which I’m 99% sure it isn’t), then it’s an extremely large shortbow. Pretty sure you’re just baiting people though. >v>;

medi hambow confirmed!

Is this the ground targeted bow skill, from the leaked skills?
https://imgflip.com/gif/iw0x9

Symbol of Battle (DPS Stance) – Fire a slow arcing arrow which explodes on impact, burning targets and searing a symbol of battle into the ground.

I think it’s highly likely to be a ranged condition damage weapon. Three reasons for this:

1 – Guardian lacks viable ranged combat options, currently only having Sceptre (the staff range is way too short for most skills to count). I expect this weapon will have access to Bleed, in addition to Burning, if not Torment too (or perhaps Torment instead of Bleed, to set Guardian Con-Damage apart from the main-damage source for other classes’ Con-Builds). As powerful as Sceptre is (that DPS!), it’s also pretty boring and doesn’t really do anything except straight up damage.
2 – The Guardian lacks any effective condition damage builds, due to only having access to Burn natively, and a condition-variant Retaliation via Traits.
3 – As others have said, it was the only Spirit Weapon that a Guardian has that they couldn’t equip a martial variant off.

I would have rathered another 1H ranged weapon instead, but I’ll settle for this.
Will look forward to using it; the Two-Handed Mastery trait also just became even more versatile, if they remember to update it :P.

I’m also curious what weapon Guardian will lose to gain access to this with specialisation. Perhaps Staff? But maybe even Greatsword to force you into a Con-Damage role rather than letting you have a Pow-Damage role. Sword+Torch and Longbow could be a pretty effective Condition Damage spec.

@Drennon
That certainly sounds like a Guardian skill, considering it’s a Symbol. By the description, I’d say it fits pretty well.

If the leaked skills are anything to go by, it isn’t going to be a condition weapon at all. I’m not surprised that it isn’t a condition weapon either.

If I had to describe what the longbow is gonna be, I’d say it’d be like if zealot gear was a weapon. The leaked skills seem to fit that.

Drennon.7190:

Is this the ground targeted bow skill, from the leaked skills?
https://imgflip.com/gif/iw0x9

Symbol of Battle (DPS Stance) – Fire a slow arcing arrow which explodes on impact, burning targets and searing a symbol of battle into the ground.

It would appear so. Not sure what else it could be. If it really is that symbol, it looks like the longbow is going to be a lot like the leaked one.

KotCR.6024:

I think it’s highly likely to be a ranged condition damage weapon. Three reasons for this:

1 – Guardian lacks viable ranged combat options, currently only having Sceptre (the staff range is way too short for most skills to count). I expect this weapon will have access to Bleed, in addition to Burning, if not Torment too (or perhaps Torment instead of Bleed, to set Guardian Con-Damage apart from the main-damage source for other classes’ Con-Builds). As powerful as Sceptre is (that DPS!), it’s also pretty boring and doesn’t really do anything except straight up damage.
2 – The Guardian lacks any effective condition damage builds, due to only having access to Burn natively, and a condition-variant Retaliation via Traits.
3 – As others have said, it was the only Spirit Weapon that a Guardian has that they couldn’t equip a martial variant off.

I would have rathered another 1H ranged weapon instead, but I’ll settle for this.
Will look forward to using it; the Two-Handed Mastery trait also just became even more versatile, if they remember to update it :P.

I’m also curious what weapon Guardian will lose to gain access to this with specialisation. Perhaps Staff? But maybe even Greatsword to force you into a Con-Damage role rather than letting you have a Pow-Damage role. Sword+Torch and Longbow could be a pretty effective Condition Damage spec.

@Drennon
That certainly sounds like a Guardian skill, considering it’s a Symbol. By the description, I’d say it fits pretty well.

They have to fix our kittenty/broken condition traits first for them to be effective.

I’m hoping for another Ward skill on the longbow though.

Can’t say I won’t be disappointed if this ends up being true. I’d have rather had axe.

it isnt a bow…. it cant be a bow….. rather have a new trait that allow dual weapon with shield :> (and fixed shield skills).

We don’t need bleed and torment, just give it 2 skills that work like Blinding Blade it doesn’t have to be a dedicated condition weapon we have VoJ to reapply burn as long as it’s not slow in attacks it will help. I doubt a certain stat combination is attached to it, someone will zerker,cleric…it somehow.

If it’s a ranged condition weapon, it will probably suck. We don’t have the proper traits to support ranged OR condition damage weapons. Maybe they will address that as well but I don’t see it happening just to give us these things.

I sincerely hope that it is NOT a condition based weapon.

Obtena.7952:

If it’s a ranged condition weapon, it will probably suck. We don’t have the proper traits to support ranged OR condition damage weapons. Maybe they will address that as well but I don’t see it happening just to give us these things.

If there is bound to be some support I just remembered we had that front line kitten heal,consecrations can be thrown,current condition guard uses meditations, war uses LB mid range same with thief’s SB. You can make support of every weapon even if meditations are selfish compared to rest it doesn’t prevent zerk/condi guard to PvP or WvW.

Kraljevo.2801:

I sincerely hope that it is NOT a condition based weapon.

Scepter is dps,staff support do you want double range support or a CC heavy?

Kraljevo.2801:

I sincerely hope that it is NOT a condition based weapon.

Well, Guard needs one. It’s the only class in the game that can make zero use of the Condition Damage stat. You can’t justify it for Burning alone, considering burning doesn’t stack intensity (and you know, the strongest Burning buff is actually in the Power Damage line anyway). A Condition Damage weapon would add more to the build variety of the class than any other weapon set they could add.

Just because you don’t personally like Condition Damage, or because it’s not as optimum as Power damage, doesn’t mean the class shouldn’t get a viable option for it like every other class in the game has.

Sagat.3285:

Kraljevo.2801:

I sincerely hope that it is NOT a condition based weapon.

Scepter is dps,staff support do you want double range support or a CC heavy?

I think that those stances seem pretty legit. Offensive and defensive CC, support and damage. The final product, of course, is gonna be vastly different, but yeah, we will see.

KotCR.6024:

Kraljevo.2801:

I sincerely hope that it is NOT a condition based weapon.

Well, Guard needs one. It’s the only class in the game that can make zero use of the Condition Damage stat. You can’t justify it for Burning alone, considering burning doesn’t stack intensity (and you know, the strongest Burning buff is actually in the Power Damage line anyway). A Condition Damage weapon would add more to the build variety of the class than any other weapon set they could add.

Just because you don’t personally like Condition Damage, or because it’s not as optimum as Power damage, doesn’t mean the class shouldn’t get a viable option for it like every other class in the game has.

Sure, I just stated my opinion. I don’t like how conditions work in this game and passive play in general. If the profession indeed gets a condition weapon, I’ll be fine. I will never ragequit my guardian. :P

Sagat.3285:

Obtena.7952:

If it’s a ranged condition weapon, it will probably suck. We don’t have the proper traits to support ranged OR condition damage weapons. Maybe they will address that as well but I don’t see it happening just to give us these things.

If there is bound to be some support I just remembered we had that front line kitten heal,consecrations can be thrown,current condition guard uses meditations, war uses LB mid range same with thief’s SB. You can make support of every weapon even if meditations are selfish compared to rest it doesn’t prevent zerk/condi guard to PvP or WvW.

I’m talking about support in traits; for example, we get 33% increased burning. That’s nice … for burning. If we get a LB with … poison let’s say, we don’t have traits that actually DO anything for that. Same goes with LB itself. Another example .. we get a sword +10% trait. It sweetens the deal when using a sword. We don’t have any traits for LB.

So, unless the LB skills themselves are super amazing and don’t need trait support to enhance them, or we get some new traits, then it’s probably going to be a bittersweet, lackluster weapon to use.

Obtena.7952:

Sagat.3285:

Obtena.7952:

If it’s a ranged condition weapon, it will probably suck. We don’t have the proper traits to support ranged OR condition damage weapons. Maybe they will address that as well but I don’t see it happening just to give us these things.

If there is bound to be some support I just remembered we had that front line kitten heal,consecrations can be thrown,current condition guard uses meditations, war uses LB mid range same with thief’s SB. You can make support of every weapon even if meditations are selfish compared to rest it doesn’t prevent zerk/condi guard to PvP or WvW.

I’m talking about support in traits; for example, we get 33% increased burning. That’s nice … for burning. If we get a LB with … poison let’s say, we don’t have traits that actually DO anything for that. Same goes with LB itself. Another example .. we get a sword +10% trait. It sweetens the deal when using a sword. We don’t have any traits for LB.

So, unless the LB skills themselves are super amazing and don’t need trait support to enhance them, or we get some new traits, then it’s probably going to be a bittersweet, lackluster weapon to use.

We’ve got -20% cd for 2handed, if it drops a symbol (which makes a ton of sense) we have symbol traits. Likewise, specializations will change a traitline, which gives is every reason to get some new traits related to LB and some synergy.

Consecrations can also be traited into ranged abilities. A new trait line is obviously going to be released that includes some longbow specific traits (existing traits might even be modified), and virtues and their traits (besides Permeating Wrath) are all long-ranged too, although virtues are likely to be modified or possibly even completely removed. I don’t see it being a condition weapon either. What is it that you think doesn’t work with the longbow?

KotCR.6024:

Kraljevo.2801:

I sincerely hope that it is NOT a condition based weapon.

Well, Guard needs one. It’s the only class in the game that can make zero use of the Condition Damage stat. You can’t justify it for Burning alone, considering burning doesn’t stack intensity (and you know, the strongest Burning buff is actually in the Power Damage line anyway). A Condition Damage weapon would add more to the build variety of the class than any other weapon set they could add.

Just because you don’t personally like Condition Damage, or because it’s not as optimum as Power damage, doesn’t mean the class shouldn’t get a viable option for it like every other class in the game has.

I also think conditions are a snorefest for the most part, and I don’t think conditions belong on the longbow, but if guardians do get a condition build that is unique, then I won’t be as opposed to it. If it’s something that makes use of burning, blind, stuff like Binding Blade, retaliation, and possibly taunt through traits (for example, making radiant retaliation good, making blinds damage people based on condition damage, etc), then I think that’ll be interesting. If it’s just a build where one blindly spams all conditions on their target to burst them like most other condition builds are, then I think it can take a hike and good riddance.

Guardians don’t “make zero use” of condition damage though. They don’t “need” a pure condition build either, there’s no area in the game where it’s a need (and not a want) for them.

I think it will be a Hybrid weapon between Condi and DPS. Like Mesmer Staff.
But i hope the spezialisation is something like a dark guardian. Stealth on skill like LB 3# from Ranger Would be nice.

its my impression or every player now wants their class with a 1200 range easy damage weapon plus condis skill… ?

Aeolus.3615:

its my impression or every player now wants their class with a 1200 range easy damage weapon plus condis skill… ?

No, but if we do get it, no reason to not have a discussion about what it could be.

Still not confirmed. Could be a new skill on any class with a place holder animation after roll. Those bow skills were from alpha that was scraped from the game, im not saying that it wont be in the game but people want to believe what they think their eyes see.’

The gif also looked to have the bow out at all times.

In the recent video, a character dodge rolls, releases a bright wave of light (specifically the effect of Selfless Daring), and pulls out a longbow. There’s another character at the start (around 0:11) of that video who starts glowing blue (the colour of guardians), charges up an attack, and releases a beam of light from a longbow (this fits the description of one of the leaked skills). Finally, a fiery blue exploding projectile was seen that mirrors yet another one of the leaked longbow skills.
It’s technically not confirmed, but at the same time, not admitting that guardians are getting longbows just seems like denial to me.

As i said, still not confirmed. I’m not against guards getting a bow, i’m all for any new weapon we get. But a thread saying confirmed? Come on now.

It cant be a condition based weapon unless it gets a new condition that fits with guardian aesthetics .

Burn is simply too weak as a condition to rely on for damage, even compared to the other kittenty conditions.

I would really love a reliable power based ranged weapon with its dps focused on the AA.
I really hate the Scepter 2 spam bs.If I want to spam symbols on a ranged weapon, I’d be playing a staff Ele.

Arkinos.7245:

I would really love a reliable power based ranged weapon with its dps focused on the AA.

No. Weapons based around the auto attack are incredibly boring. I want something that gives me a reason to use the 2-5 skills.

Black Box.9312:

Arkinos.7245:

I would really love a reliable power based ranged weapon with its dps focused on the AA.

No. Weapons based around the auto attack are incredibly boring. I want something that gives me a reason to use the 2-5 skills.

I didnt say “a weapon that only has 1 skill”.

If the dps are focused on #1, 2-5 are most likely utility skills.
Which is perfectly fine if they are useful utilities.

I just dont want another Scepter that forces you to ground target an aoe every 4 or so seconds to get dps. That doesnt add any gameplay, but is annoying as kitten.

Arkinos.7245:

Black Box.9312:

Arkinos.7245:

I would really love a reliable power based ranged weapon with its dps focused on the AA.

No. Weapons based around the auto attack are incredibly boring. I want something that gives me a reason to use the 2-5 skills.

I didnt say “a weapon that only has 1 skill”.

If the dps are focused on #1, 2-5 are most likely utility skills.
Which is perfectly fine if they are useful utilities.

I just dont want another Scepter that forces you to ground target an aoe every 4 or so seconds to get dps. That doesnt add any gameplay, but is annoying as kitten.

Utility skills, even if they’re good, are situational. Autoattack-based weapons (i.e. sword) are really boring IMO, and I’d rather have at least a couple other skills that are worth using in any given combat situation.

Long bow seems more like an added PvE flavor to counter the ever harder encounters they are added.

You can already see in in most fractals where its easy to range a boss rather than melee. Ofc melee is faster but ranger is much much safer and the only viable way to clear a pug 50 fractal. they already admitted that PVE is getting harder, so its probably why they are adding the longbow now

… And of course because they have no idea what they are doing with the class. The problem with the guardian is that in sPVP its balanced around 6 points in Valor and 4 in virtues. and any deviation from core spec is considerably bad. Presuming they keep the leaked LB skills, i really don’t see how they are going to change anything from the current situation.

The guardian lacks tools and flexibility, especially in sPVP. The greatest changes to the guard must be made with sPVP in mind, NOT PVE. There is not a SINGLE guardian in here that has ever complained about their viability in PVE and even though scepter is lame, its actually a very good weapon on a stationary target. The irony will be when specter outDPSes LB in PVE stationary targets.

Unless the longbow magically gets the ranger LB skillset, i highly doubt it will bring anything extraordinary to the table. I know its early to QQ and call doom and gloom but so far i am not seeing anything promising.

If anything i am looking forward to trait and skill changes rather than LB, but i highly doubt they will change anything besides add new traits related to our new weapon

I wanted Axe. Longbow, being a ranged weapon, is unlikely to shake up the dungeon meta, but Axe could have replaced Sword as the go-to melee weapon. On the bright side, Guardians now have another option from just Scepter for World vs World and World Bosses.

Hunter.4783:

Long bow seems more like an added PvE flavor to counter the ever harder encounters they are added.

You can already see in in most fractals where its easy to range a boss rather than melee. Ofc melee is faster but ranger is much much safer and the only viable way to clear a pug 50 fractal. they already admitted that PVE is getting harder, so its probably why they are adding the longbow now

Thats the point.

Guardians have no ranged weapon that does reliable damage vs highly mobile targets.

The new CC mechanics for bosses means they are more or less immune to Ckittenil you deplete the bar. This means that a mobile boss that cant be facetanked is unnecessary hard for guards, and a new weapon is the perfect opportunity to fix this.

A reliable ranged weapon wouldnt hurt for pvp either.