Guild Wars 2

Recently I’ve been trying hammer builds compared to the usual GS,S/F builds and have been liking the change so far. I’ve used the 15/25/0/20/10 build labeled in other guides and am trying to alter the build for more damage.

Can anyone explain why 15/25/0/20/10 is considered the max hammer dps build listed in the below threads?

https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/guardian/Guardian-dps-numbers-for-various-builds

https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/guardian/Guide-DPS-Guardian-for-PVE

As the main source of damage for it would be the AA+MB and seeing that the symbols do damage along with it, would something like 25/25/0/20/0 or maybe 15/30/0/25/0 be better? I haven’t read up completely but I thought the 10% more dmg on low endurance or the 10% more symbol dmg modifiers would be better overall compared to Inspired Virtues might stacks. Also whats the reasoning for going 25 deep into virtues for the max dps builds when there’s a static 10% dmg modifier as well in Honor25 (compared to needing constant boons up for Virtues25). I know there’s a trait difference but the Honor line looks good as well.

ReesesPBC.4603:

Can anyone explain why 15/25/0/20/10 is considered the max hammer dps build listed in the below threads?

Probably because you have the option to trait for consecrations or unscathed contender in that set up. Many people also consider not having 10 points in virtues to automatically be a fail build.

I agree Virtues (I) & (VI) are nice traits but the uptime of Aegis could be problematic on occasion. For hammer builds particularly, wouldn’t allocating those traits into zeal or honor be more beneficial?

The point of bringing a guardian in your group is for reflections and removal. That is why you trait that way to get the minimal amount of good support and dump the rest into dps. The tradeoff is worth it. The 10% from honor 25 won’t be active much if you think about it. You tend not to dodge at trash mobs and for bosses if you actually have to dodge you have perma vigor so it won’t last long.

I like the hammer play it just seems pigeon holed into virtue VI which isn’t bad, I just would like a good alternative. Unscathed Contender seems more fit for GS,S/F with all the blinds and by the time I get out a full AA with hammer i’d have to use Retreat or F3 unless i’m the one behind the mob, etc.

To be honest, even going 15/25/0/20/10 over 15/15/0/20/20 in order to increase your own dps is frowned upon if your group doesn’t have enough condition removal. You definitely could increase your dps by allocating the 10-20 points in virtues elsewhere, but you lose a lot of support. The first 10 points are semi-okay if you’re not fussed about condi removal because the dps increase is huge (100 precision, 10% dmg), which is why you see some people go 15/25/0/20/10, but to lose all of the points in virtues is unthinkable; spammable aoe blind/vuln/might is incredible. And 100 power & 10% dmg on symbols isn’t great, even if symbols do make up almost half of your damage.

Oh, the 10% damage trait elusive power doesn’t work well with the minor trait which gives vigor on crits. You’ll be critting a lot, so you’ll be regenning your dodge bar rather quickly. You don’t get a lot of damage out of it unfortunately.