Guild Wars 2

Why is focus #5 on the focus and not on shield #4?

Is there anyways that Anet could change focus #5 with shield #4? I love Shield aesthetically but right now #4 is kind of -meh- at best and truthfully, i think they fit better the otherway around. It is at moments like this that i miss being able to put the skills you want from 1-5, I want to wear Sword/shield but I have to content wit sowrd/focus for the my purpose :/

Because Focus #5 is an offensive skill and Shield #4 is a defensive skill.

Focus #5 is one of the strongest (in raw damage) attacks a Guardian has.

Shield #4 applies Protection in an AoE with damage as a sort of after-thought.

I never see shield 5 absorb projectiles though T_T, I just use it for the knockback and flash 1500 heal and immediatly popout of it

Thats also why the new cata wvw skill is useless as well.

Shield 4 needs something better, cant I have a battering ram? I charge to an enemy knocking everyone in the path down?

Charak.9761:

Shield 4 needs something better, cant I have a battering ram? I charge to an enemy knocking everyone in the path down?

i like this suggestion!

Esplen.3940:

Focus #5 is one of the strongest (in raw damage) attacks a Guardian has.
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EXACTLY! Also, it fits visually. But not only does it hit hard, but it has a 3 attack block attached to it, it is a win-win situation whether damage or block. #4 shield is so……… MEH

This post is “meh”. You seem to overlook that the shield is a group weapon while the focus is a single-player weapon. Shield of Judgement offers group protection while Shield of Wrath applies block/damage only to the Guardian.

And I can’t believe you don’t see anything wrong with swapping Shield of Judgement and Shield of Wrath. No one would take the Focus and everyone would take the Shield for a ridiculous overpowered ability layout.

Just to let you know, Shield of Absorption stops absorb projectiles if you use the heal. So use the heal the the very end.

phokus.8934:

This post is “meh”. You seem to overlook that the shield is a group weapon while the focus is a single-player weapon. Shield of Judgement offers group protection while Shield of Wrath applies block/damage only to the Guardian.

And I can’t believe you don’t see anything wrong with swapping Shield of Judgement and Shield of Wrath. No one would take the Focus and everyone would take the Shield for a ridiculous overpowered ability layout.

i guarantee you that most people that take the focus would much rather have the shield visually anyways. The only reason they pic focus is for the functionality.

Whats wrong with wanting a more aggressive shield? Look at eles conjured weapon, that shield is half “dont touch me” half “come over here and lets make this fun”.
Guardian #4 shield is;
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.wait 40 secs CD to do it again…
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focus #5 is; BAM HERE I COME! COME AND GET ME, HIT MT HIT ME HIT MEEEEE!!!! Oh you didnt hit me?! Then take this.

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For the purpose of defending and drawing “aggro” focus does a better job; you either pop the shield or eat the damage, shield feels underwhelming and that wave while providing a nice buff, does not feel heroic nor important.

Esplen.3940:

Because Focus #5 is an offensive skill and Shield #4 is a defensive skill.

Focus #5 is one of the strongest (in raw damage) attacks a Guardian has.

Shield #4 applies Protection in an AoE with damage as a sort of after-thought.

I would argue Focus #5 is a defensive skill and Shield #4 is a group support skill.

I like the shield the way it is. While number 4 skills definitely feels a bit underwhelming, number 5 is perfect. You have to remember that shield is way more support-oriented than focus.

darkace.8925:

Esplen.3940:

Because Focus #5 is an offensive skill and Shield #4 is a defensive skill.

Focus #5 is one of the strongest (in raw damage) attacks a Guardian has.

Shield #4 applies Protection in an AoE with damage as a sort of after-thought.

I would argue Focus #5 is a defensive skill and Shield #4 is a group support skill.

yeah, heck you can even walk in front of allies to block stuff with it, with shield 4 you have to stand behind your team of give your back to the enemy and forsake damage for a mere 5 seconds buff, i would much rather have focus #5 on shield #4

Focus is an aggressive weapon. Shield is defensive.

Both focus skills are geared towards giving survivability in an offensive fashion: A damage skill that blinds and bounces back to give regeneration, and a block that explodes into high AoE melee damage. It’s a weapon designed for someone who’s going in.

Shield gives you and your allies protection (with a low damage AoE), and a bubble that knocks back, heals and absorbs projectiles. It’s designed for defensive utility. Someone who’s supporting their team.

Eviscerating the Focus’ #5 into the shield would break both weapon’s synergy, and instead make shield the best “all around” (read: indistinct/amalgamated mess) weapon – Defense through protection and blocks, and offense through the #5’s “burst”.

I like it the way it is. Do not change my guardian focus!

Im well aware of their functions, im well aware of their design. But here is the thing, if you were to switch it, all you would have done is change the aspect of the weapon. I would like an aggressive shield, while still retaining functionality as a defensive weapon.

If shield were o have focus #5 then the gamestyle would change, focus would be used for support, and shield for in-your-face action, even the bubble can be used offensively if you didnt know already. All i saying is; concept, visually and feelings-expectation wise I wasnt expecting to have such an underwhelming shield for a class who’s iconic weapons have always been Sword/shield (white knight anyone?) and a focus, a piece wood that, lorewise offers no physical nor magical defensive attributes have the best attack-me-or-suffer in the guardians arsenal.

yes, let’s give all the good skill to one weapon set so it can be op and everyone will use it.

Lighter.5631:

yes, let’s give good skill to one weapon set so it can be fulfilling and everyone who want to use can do it.

fixed it for ya*

Fortus.6175:

Lighter.5631:

yes, let’s give good skill to one weapon set so it can be fulfilling and everyone who want to use can do it.

fixed it for ya*

I’m sorry, but Shield and Focus are both viable weapons. By pushing the skills you deem unviable onto the Focus, you’re essentially forcing people off the Focus.

It’s like saying: “Oh hey, everyone’s using Hundred Blades, let’s put it onto Sword!”

Esplen.3940:

Fortus.6175:

Lighter.5631:

yes, let’s give good skill to one weapon set so it can be fulfilling and everyone who want to use can do it.

fixed it for ya*

I’m sorry, but Shield and Focus are both viable weapons. By pushing the skills you deem unviable onto the Focus, you’re essentially forcing people off the Focus.

It’s like saying: “Oh hey, everyone’s using Hundred Blades, let’s put it onto Sword!”

hahaha nobody has said the weapons arent viable! I bet you didnt read the entire thing. All that has been said is; it would fit more thematically as well as visually, while still retaining functionality.

Fortus.6175:

Esplen.3940:

Fortus.6175:

Lighter.5631:

yes, let’s give good skill to one weapon set so it can be fulfilling and everyone who want to use can do it.

fixed it for ya*

I’m sorry, but Shield and Focus are both viable weapons. By pushing the skills you deem unviable onto the Focus, you’re essentially forcing people off the Focus.

It’s like saying: “Oh hey, everyone’s using Hundred Blades, let’s put it onto Sword!”

hahaha nobody has said the weapons arent viable! I bet you didnt read the entire thing. All that has been said is; it would fit more thematically as well as visually, while still retaining functionality.

No, it fits better that the focus retains its current status. The block it gives is more offensive. The damage it gets if it does get 3 blocks in is really good. If anything, shield 4 needs to provide another boon like fury or do a little bit of damage. Otherwise, its fine the way it is.

guardian shield is a horrible weapon, outside some niche uses, i want the shield that has a block also.

It doesn’t seem right that the focus is better at blocking damage / protecting then a shield?

Ofcourse some people wont be happy as they already have their focus and people fear change, but i would like focus block on shield, and or just re-vamp shield completely.

Blissified.8369:

guardian shield is a horrible weapon, outside some niche uses, i want the shield that has a block also.

It doesn’t seem right that the focus is better at blocking damage / protecting then a shield?

Ofcourse some people wont be happy as they already have their focus and people fear change, but i would like focus block on shield, and or just re-vamp shield completely.

A revamp of shield would be better.

Blissified.8369:

guardian shield is a horrible weapon, outside some niche uses, i want the shield that has a block also.

It doesn’t seem right that the focus is better at blocking damage / protecting then a shield?

Ofcourse some people wont be happy as they already have their focus and people fear change, but i would like focus block on shield, and or just re-vamp shield completely.

exactly this, how is a piece of wood better than defending than a shield? I understand that a couple of you have worked very kitten getting good looking focus, but for the rest of us who want a classical armored knight with sword/shield charging into battle and defending everyone, shield is underwhelming, too niche, and unless you are in skyhammerbash i would dare to say the shield is underpowered/outclassed easily.

I dont care if it cant be focus #5, give me something useful on shield #4, oemthing that makes me feel heroic, or that im actively defending my team. Or a charge, or a knock back/down, or a very high damage skill, or something!

one small thing, you’re pushing it far when you said you have to turn around, with your backs against your enemies JUST to hit your allies. it does damage, so why not two birds with one stone? circle strafe around so your cone from Shield #4 hits the most of both allies and enemies.

application of protection at the right time can be pretty clutch sometimes. there are no big numbers to see, or strong visual effects, so i feel that’s why people feel it’s underwhelming. but another whopping 33% damage reduction is not too shabby.

[added: that being said, if they want to buff the shield, please, be my guest. : ))]

I guess the best way to look at the shield is this:

You gain armor for equipping it in the first place (damage reduction)
You can trait to gain toughness while it is equipped (damage reduction)
Shield 4 provides a short duration protection boon (damage reduction)
Shield 5 provides a pushback,projectile block, and a small burst heal (utility, damage stop, heal)

So the shield is a defensive weapon, it is providing “partial blocks” by reducing damage via protection boons.

So lets compare shield abilities

Warrior – Shield Stance

• 30 second cool down, blocks for 3 seconds

Guardian – Shield of Judgement

• 30 second cool down, reduces damage by 33% for 5 seconds, 3 seconds in pvp

Engineer – Magnetic Shield

• 30 second cool down, reflects projectiles for 3 seconds, can be exploded for a 300 radius push back. Immobile while channeling this. Counts as a Blast Finisher

All of those abilities focus on a 30 second rotation of block, reducing, or reflecting damage

Warrior – Shield Bash

• 25 second cool down, interrupt/stuns enemies up to 300 range. Counts as a leap finisher.

Guardian – Shield of Absorption

• 40 second cool down, push back and knocks down enemies up to 320 range, absorbs projectiles, and can be exploded for an AE heal. Acts as a Light Combo field. Immobile while channeling this.

Engineer – Static Shield

• 40 second cool down, blocks for 2 seconds and if struck stuns the enemy and ends the block. Will continue to block ALL projectile attacks for full duration. Can throw shield to stun all targets in it’s path and will return back to the player stunning all targets in the path again, up to 900 range. Counts as a Projectile Finisher.

Based off that analysis, all the shields pretty much act in similar ways emphasizing projectiles or physical attacks, and stunning.

The only one that stands out is the warrior stun, which is on a 25 second cooldown. Maybe that is “too strong” compared to others. Or maybe it is balanced enough since it is a single target stun versus AE?

Warriors excel with melee protection, Engineers excel in projectile protection, and Guardians are 50/50 with melee and projectiles.

Shield for guardians, fulfills all the roles it does for other shield users, so it is working as intended. Just not working how we the players thought to understand it.

@CMF actually You can move after casting Shield of absorption – but that will break the efect what isn’t good idea….

Hence, immobile while channeling it.