Guild Wars 2

Hammer Build http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_1IBav44Us

Dont mind the title I didnt really name it that. Just something a little lighthearted remember this is a game. Don’t be so rude and disrespectful to others over a game.

That aside I wanted to make my take on a hammer build. I couldn’t quite go along with going that fair into the radiance line without healing. So I went after AH in valor because it is op atm. And went twenty in honor for extra health and healing on AH. I must say this is the most stand and beat on things build I ever used. Which is fitting considering your laying the pimp hammer down on people.

I’m not going to dissect it because you guys seen quite a few hammer builds. But I will say it’s quite interchangeable with greatsword and staff. So you have a number of ways to play with this build pve/pvp. It even influenced me enough to change a bit my paladin build. But as fun as this way to do and the big hits and loud sounds aside. I still think hammer needs more trait work or some love in another line. Also it needs way more impressive looking hammers. Sword has alot of nice looking weapons hammers not so much most are pedestrian at best.

Trait build is Radiance 20 Valor 30 and Honor 20
Sound off what do you guys think hammer need help or is it just right?

I was thinking about something like this to exploit AH in combination with the automatic Symbol of Protection from hammer. The symbol is slow, though, and the radius isn’t exactly great. But any build with 2H mastery is pretty diverse.

Yea i’m sure you can go alot of ways. I bet you can get Ah into a really super effective state. If anyone has any input on that I’d be glad to see it.

I think the “standard” way is to pair it with Empowering Might and gear for precision. And use shouts.

I am on a quest to tell people that Blind Exposure is terrible. Super, super, super terrible. Seriously, take anything else. Inscribed Removal is vastly better than 3s of 1% more damage. Searing Flames, Inner Fire, Inscribed Removal, or Shimmering Defense are vastly better than like 5s of 1% more damage on Virtue of Justice.

Its basically One variance of the crit Hammer Build might want to check that topic. ah is Not really overpowered imo. The Build is Fun i just found Hammer to be little dull in the Long run

Hammer is fine, no need to change it.. And for AH being OP you might wanna check the numbers, and the fact that AH scales terribly with Healing Power..

Sometimes numbers don’t relate to what happens in the game. Like people complain about healing from greatswords max talent. But the (speed) and number you heal makes up for it. Shouldn’t let numbers determine everything get out there and try it. The other issues with the things you said above is it changes the build. Then it basically becomes something else. But thats the flexible of the system but dont start the cookie cutter non sense. Leave that in other games.

Still, hammer is fine as it is.. No need for a change when you have weapons like scepter and no3 skill on sword that needs more attention

I think staff needs help too sceptor definately eventhough I like it. But they are making new bar changes and content soon. So maybe we wont have long to wait on that.

I don’t think AH is OP. It’s very very nice, but it’s expensive, and if you “maximize” it you’re giving up a ton of other stuff, like your own DPS.

when we love a build, should we refrain from using words like OP and or exploit? i perosnally have been using the hammer over GS most of my journey up to 80 and post. i’m glad more people are using it now! in the beginning people were whining how GS was op, and hammer was nothing, and then what happened? the hammer is awesome, but also is fine as is. it has it’s flaws, and has it’s MAJOR upsides. but i wouldn’t call it op.

like many have said, AH is great and i’m not a huge numbers person and true that it doesn’t scale well with healing power, but it’s not about the numbers solely, because i am seeing myself survive a lot more. also gives one incentive to play more supportive by booning more. glad you’re integrating it into your build now.

i personally went full into valor and honor. valor for AH mainly. the extra toughness doesn’t hurt. and then honor i feel is one of the best lines a “supportive” Guardian has, at least for my playstyle. there are a handful of major traits that i’d want at any given time. again, i’m no expert on the numbers, so not sure if each crit on each enemy done gives might to nearby allies? for e.g. if there are 4 enemies bunched up, i hit all 4 of them with symbol of protection, 3 crits. and then with mighty blow another 3 crits. so 6 crits total. does each of those crits apply might and then might stacks?

@ dizzyd – if you feel the radius is small, are you using Larger symbols? i felt it made a significant difference. you can also trait for longer lasting symbols as well.

i use larger symbols, 2h mastery, and either empowering might or symbols heal depending on the situation. the great thing is with high enough crit chance %, you’ll see crits pop on the symbol drop, as well as with mighty blow, especially if you have mobs bunch, which is the best way to play up the hammer. so you have protection boons, AoE boons, as well as might boons (empowering might) using the #1 chain and combo-ing for mighty blow. really good for survivability and once you get that going, even if your health drops, it does fill up pretty good.

plus, i run shouts for all three of my utilities most of the time. and runes for boon duration. more boons, more healing, more support, more survibability for the group.

I’m still working on which healing is better. For now it seems monks focus is better for pvp. It’s fast scales ok not as great as one would think. But what I noticed is actually you heal for more with AH over time. Zealous Blade is third on that scale it zooms to first if you have alot of mobs to constantly fight. In a one on one situation much to my dismay it falls behind.

Well it’s just a added effect added onto a action that can do 4-5 things in one second. That alone says a person going on a rampage to downplay will fail miserably. And what are you going to use in that slot for dps symbols? LOL I hope you wouldn’t fall for some of the fluff talents thrown in.

All they do is most cases is be a block or distract you away from ideal builds. Case in point all the talents that reduce time on things except dps versions. If you look at the time reductions compaired to the normal. Now go use them in a fight you tell me how much you notice it if barely at all. Which usually means YOU don’t need it lol.