Guild Wars 2

read my post guys, I made good statement for hammer.

as i said before guys, the two most important changes i want to see are the changes to the 1 and 2 skill. im well aware a gap closer on the hammer would maker it very strong and i would be ok without it. but on the other hand, i enjoy havieng 1 weapon for questing/damage and like to have my staff on hand at all times to heal and support allies. the reason i dont run hammer is that GS pulls of burst dmg, gap closeing and aoe all in one package, as opposed to haveing to set up an entire build for it i get everything im looking for in one weapon and can spec the rest of my build to keep people alive. the main issue with this is… there needs to be more options otherwise people will get bored.

Banewrath.5107:

SirMoogie.9263:

Banewrath.5107:

The hammer may be adequate as a utility tool for situations. But for people who prefer it as a main weapon just because they like hammers instead of blades, the hammer is horrible to use.

It’s good, but it’s horrible? I take it you mean it’s horrible at what you would like it to do. Unfortunately, the way the game is set up is to have certain weapons capable of doing certain tasks (including being jack of ll trades). This fits in nicely with the concept of choosing what role you want to play. To choose your role you pick your traits, your gear, your utilities, and your weapon. It isn’t just like this with the guardian, but every class. Some weapons are just more suited for the control role, some condition damage, some direct damage, and some support. The hammer happens to be the go to weapon for control (immobilize, ward, and knockback give it three control skills, no other weapon on the guardian allows for this). I suppose they could heavily redo the game design and make no weapon suitable for any role, and then have your traits decide what your weapons do, but that’s probably not the changes they had in mind for patches.

I would not mind the hammer being a more lethal DPS weapon if specced into the Zeal line, but not at a cost to its control options.

Yes it is horrible. That disgusting delay you get on your first chain attack is enough to discourage you from ever using a hammer normally. Unless you are going for the utility skills for specific situations or just want to use it for yucks for 5 minutes or so, there isn`t any other reason to like the hammer. I would love to to use 2handed hammers because it`s my playstyle and preference but unless you like launching bunnies like the one dude does, it really isn`t a fun or practical weapon to use.

I hope you aren’t being serious. Stop speaking nosense, what’s the point of a FAST HAMMER? The hammer is made for being quite “slow and massive” and it gives perfectelly the feeling so, please, stop with your nosensingness.

The Hammer is excellent for controlling points in sPvP, and the low cooldown blast finisher makes it an exceptional support weapon. Giving it a gap closer doesn’t make much sense.

Aven.7295:

3. Gap closer, This weapon needs something to get you in melle, the binding chain shot isnt doing it. Yes its handy to keep people in melle, but its very easy to be kited by anything. And you cant intiate with it because as soon as you enter combat your running slower. Suggestions: Well as i see it, i would do 1 of two things. Im looking at both warrior hammer and lightning hammer, They both have atleast 1 leap with the hammer. I feel the guardian hammer is in desperate need of this leap as well. Whether or not i would change mighty blow to have a leap effect and increase the CD (this would imply that the 3 skills cast time gets reduced so hammer can function with a longer CD) Or replace Zealot’s embrace with a imoblizeing flash/leap. Heck if the imoblize is too op even just a flash/leap that dealt a little damage or set them on fire would work just fine as well.

I must admit, I don’t have issue with the lack of closer. I use Judge’s Intervention and am a fan of opening with hammer 4 knockback and then hitting Judge and strolling to the prone, burning mob.

I do agree with the other issues though, and it wouldn’t hurt if skill 3 immobilized and pulled you to mob, kind of like how Elementalist Earth Dagger skill 3 pulls you in.

I do love the hammer though, especially paired with mace and focus. Some nice, highly defensive gameplay there.

Fieel.3876:

Banewrath.5107:

SirMoogie.9263:

Banewrath.5107:

The hammer may be adequate as a utility tool for situations. But for people who prefer it as a main weapon just because they like hammers instead of blades, the hammer is horrible to use.

It’s good, but it’s horrible? I take it you mean it’s horrible at what you would like it to do. Unfortunately, the way the game is set up is to have certain weapons capable of doing certain tasks (including being jack of ll trades). This fits in nicely with the concept of choosing what role you want to play. To choose your role you pick your traits, your gear, your utilities, and your weapon. It isn’t just like this with the guardian, but every class. Some weapons are just more suited for the control role, some condition damage, some direct damage, and some support. The hammer happens to be the go to weapon for control (immobilize, ward, and knockback give it three control skills, no other weapon on the guardian allows for this). I suppose they could heavily redo the game design and make no weapon suitable for any role, and then have your traits decide what your weapons do, but that’s probably not the changes they had in mind for patches.

I would not mind the hammer being a more lethal DPS weapon if specced into the Zeal line, but not at a cost to its control options.

Yes it is horrible. That disgusting delay you get on your first chain attack is enough to discourage you from ever using a hammer normally. Unless you are going for the utility skills for specific situations or just want to use it for yucks for 5 minutes or so, there isn`t any other reason to like the hammer. I would love to to use 2handed hammers because it`s my playstyle and preference but unless you like launching bunnies like the one dude does, it really isn`t a fun or practical weapon to use.

I hope you aren’t being serious. Stop speaking nosense, what’s the point of a FAST HAMMER? The hammer is made for being quite “slow and massive” and it gives perfectelly the feeling so, please, stop with your nosensingness.

Nonsense? every guardian I see uses a greatsword. If the hammer was so awsome you would see more people using it. Only new players use it for a few lvls until they get thier hands on a greatsword and wonder wtf they were using a hammer for. The hammer is a tactical weapon whereas all the other weapons can be used as a fulltime weapon with no problems or complaints.

If the hammer had a better 1 chain you would see more people using it. But for the most part since you can only slot two weapons, most people run a melee/ranged setup so they can kite when they need to. You are pretty much only going to see hammer users in group pvp. You won`t see too many people questing or grinding using a hammer because it isn`t practical or fun. Think about it also, if the hammer was fine and dandy, Anet wouldn`t be revamping the thing.

Mattius.2549:

Giving the hammer a gap closer is just stupid. Why put in this lovely weapon swapping if they will just make 1 weapon absolutely perfect?

They won’t. They will just tweak the existing animations and skills.

I wonder how the hammer will be improved. Sounds like good news!

Even better is if you guys at Anet decide to give the Guardian’s ranged weapons some love! Then guardians can be more than support/sitting ducks in WvW sieges (esp. will elite skills nerfed). Guardian’s staff is mostly for the limited support skills (weakest dps weapon for guardian). Ward, the speed buff, or empower (which is more for support, doesn’t last long enough for guardian to use if switched weapons or casting 3/5 for support right after). Mostly the speed buff, since guardians have few speed buff options with low cd.

Scepter for range is a better option, but is still a mid ranged option and its spells are meant for gap closing, leading to melee.

I feel your pain it is my favorite weapon to use on Guardian, overall on pvp.
but it has those issues you listed.

One thing that can be done to close the gap is for the Zealots embrace, to measure the stun time according to the distance the player is to the target.

on another topic, i think the normal combo attack is fine, but the thing is the actual animation for the third blow, takes a lot to start, and a lot to be executed, i find myself often cancelling the third blow, for a migthy blow

finally more Hammer traits please!

:D

Love the hammer! While it is still a bit clunky to carry around; it’s still my weapon of choice. Only thing I would really like to see happen is that we get a charge / leap skill – even if it doesn’t do any damage – as long as we can get to the targets quicker

Agree with the OP. 2H hammer needs work. Glad to see Karl MacLain’s post stating that it is being looked at.

Built in gap closer and speed up the combat animations are needed.

Karl McLain.5604:

Hammer love is already in the works!

When!? Please make it a little bit faster and I will gladly change my GS for a hammer.

Banewrath.5107:

Fieel.3876:

Banewrath.5107:

SirMoogie.9263:

Banewrath.5107:

The hammer may be adequate as a utility tool for situations. But for people who prefer it as a main weapon just because they like hammers instead of blades, the hammer is horrible to use.

It’s good, but it’s horrible? I take it you mean it’s horrible at what you would like it to do. Unfortunately, the way the game is set up is to have certain weapons capable of doing certain tasks (including being jack of ll trades). This fits in nicely with the concept of choosing what role you want to play. To choose your role you pick your traits, your gear, your utilities, and your weapon. It isn’t just like this with the guardian, but every class. Some weapons are just more suited for the control role, some condition damage, some direct damage, and some support. The hammer happens to be the go to weapon for control (immobilize, ward, and knockback give it three control skills, no other weapon on the guardian allows for this). I suppose they could heavily redo the game design and make no weapon suitable for any role, and then have your traits decide what your weapons do, but that’s probably not the changes they had in mind for patches.

I would not mind the hammer being a more lethal DPS weapon if specced into the Zeal line, but not at a cost to its control options.

Yes it is horrible. That disgusting delay you get on your first chain attack is enough to discourage you from ever using a hammer normally. Unless you are going for the utility skills for specific situations or just want to use it for yucks for 5 minutes or so, there isn`t any other reason to like the hammer. I would love to to use 2handed hammers because it`s my playstyle and preference but unless you like launching bunnies like the one dude does, it really isn`t a fun or practical weapon to use.

I hope you aren’t being serious. Stop speaking nosense, what’s the point of a FAST HAMMER? The hammer is made for being quite “slow and massive” and it gives perfectelly the feeling so, please, stop with your nosensingness.

Nonsense? every guardian I see uses a greatsword. If the hammer was so awsome you would see more people using it. Only new players use it for a few lvls until they get thier hands on a greatsword and wonder wtf they were using a hammer for. The hammer is a tactical weapon whereas all the other weapons can be used as a fulltime weapon with no problems or complaints.

If the hammer had a better 1 chain you would see more people using it. But for the most part since you can only slot two weapons, most people run a melee/ranged setup so they can kite when they need to. You are pretty much only going to see hammer users in group pvp. You won`t see too many people questing or grinding using a hammer because it isn`t practical or fun. Think about it also, if the hammer was fine and dandy, Anet wouldn`t be revamping the thing.

I use hammer pretty consistently in PVE, have been since level 30 or so, now level 39.

I think a lot of people don’t know how to use it, but a hammer of equal stat with Greatsword will actually put out more damage than the greatsword, and has some good control utility. I think people are just afraid to give up the mobility the GS provides.

Greatswords are fine for glass cannons, but the hammer definitely has potential, I often pair it with a mace and focus and nuke things with all the retaliation light fields (and fire with purging flames).

Plus, while the Hammer is slow, it pairs extremely well with “Retreat!” for 20 seconds of swiftness and boosted player and attack speed.

Banewrath.5107:

Yes it is horrible. That disgusting delay you get on your first chain attack is enough to discourage you from ever using a hammer normally. Unless you are going for the utility skills for specific situations or just want to use it for yucks for 5 minutes or so, there isn`t any other reason to like the hammer. I would love to to use 2handed hammers because it`s my playstyle and preference but unless you like launching bunnies like the one dude does, it really isn`t a fun or practical weapon to use.

Speak for yourself. If you can get over the ‘1’ chain taking too long, it’s an amazing weapon with utility, survival, and a LOT of damage.

Banewrath.5107:

Nonsense? every guardian I see uses a greatsword. If the hammer was so awsome you would see more people using it. Only new players use it for a few lvls until they get thier hands on a greatsword and wonder wtf they were using a hammer for. The hammer is a tactical weapon whereas all the other weapons can be used as a fulltime weapon with no problems or complaints.

If the hammer had a better 1 chain you would see more people using it. But for the most part since you can only slot two weapons, most people run a melee/ranged setup so they can kite when they need to. You are pretty much only going to see hammer users in group pvp. You won`t see too many people questing or grinding using a hammer because it isn`t practical or fun. Think about it also, if the hammer was fine and dandy, Anet wouldn`t be revamping the thing.

It IS practical, and it IS a load of fun. Just because YOU don’t like it, it doesn’t mean it is crap. Yeah most people use the Greatsword, but it’s not because the 1h Sword, Staff, Hammer, and Mace are “impractical”, it’s because the Greatsword is 100% offensive and because it is the MOST POPULAR AESTHETIC IN RPGS.

If anything, all that really requires tweaking would be a slight attack speed increase on the chain skill, allow usage of #2 while moving, and either the #3 or #5 move. I say either of those two because making one more beneficial to normal fights would drastically increase the utility of the hammer. The chains could be likened to the greatsword #5 so you could pull them back, or maybe #5 is affected by symbol traits. Being able to make a ring of warding that heals me and lasts longer? Sign me up!

I LOVE the hammer! Constant protection is more than enough to cover the melee risk.
I’m built for healing, so I’ve picked up all the symbol traits as well, and I can survive most things. Veterans hardly dent me, and it takes about 4-5 monster-y things to get me below 90% health. Plus, protection and healing is given to those next to you as well!
Over all, I like the hammer just the way it is. But if improvements were to be made, I shan’t complain. As long as the symbol is kept in the #1 Skill Chain, I shall be happy.

Alarox.4590:

Banewrath.5107:

Yes it is horrible. That disgusting delay you get on your first chain attack is enough to discourage you from ever using a hammer normally. Unless you are going for the utility skills for specific situations or just want to use it for yucks for 5 minutes or so, there isn`t any other reason to like the hammer. I would love to to use 2handed hammers because it`s my playstyle and preference but unless you like launching bunnies like the one dude does, it really isn`t a fun or practical weapon to use.

Speak for yourself. If you can get over the ‘1’ chain taking too long, it’s an amazing weapon with utility, survival, and a LOT of damage.

Banewrath.5107:

Nonsense? every guardian I see uses a greatsword. If the hammer was so awsome you would see more people using it. Only new players use it for a few lvls until they get thier hands on a greatsword and wonder wtf they were using a hammer for. The hammer is a tactical weapon whereas all the other weapons can be used as a fulltime weapon with no problems or complaints.

If the hammer had a better 1 chain you would see more people using it. But for the most part since you can only slot two weapons, most people run a melee/ranged setup so they can kite when they need to. You are pretty much only going to see hammer users in group pvp. You won`t see too many people questing or grinding using a hammer because it isn`t practical or fun. Think about it also, if the hammer was fine and dandy, Anet wouldn`t be revamping the thing.

It IS practical, and it IS a load of fun. Just because YOU don’t like it, it doesn’t mean it is crap. Yeah most people use the Greatsword, but it’s not because the 1h Sword, Staff, Hammer, and Mace are “impractical”, it’s because the Greatsword is 100% offensive and because it is the MOST POPULAR AESTHETIC IN RPGS.

Trust me been lvl 80 for a bit now and have tried to dedicate myself to using a hammer multiple times throughout my lvling. It`s a tactical weapon plain and simple. But everytime I get one and use it for five minutes this is what I do.

1. open my inventory
2. drag and drop hammer out of inventory
3. click yes to destroy.
4. re-eqiup previous weapon.

Go to the Orrr map and solo some vets or a champion with your hammer and tell me you don`t switch weapons. But to answer your first comment, do you always just settle for what decisions everyone makes for you? and for the second comment, if the hammer was as awsome as you think it is, this thread wouldn`t exist and anet wouldn`t be revamping it.

Well, there is a distinct gap between “useless” and “unable to solo anything and everything while flossing”, which is what you’re forgetting. =p

The hammer is still a good enough weapon, one I’d take over a sword/anything combo without hesitation. I’m glad they’re going to revamp it a bit, as it does need it to put it on par with some of our more powerful weaponry…but don’t dismiss it just because our greatsword is ridiculously powerful. It’s wonderful in groups, though it lacks some utility solo. I destroy a lot of weapons that I don’t like to use, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t still effective.

TL,DR: Hammer still good, but others are better. Just because something needs a buff doesn’t mean it isn’t already effective.

Draeka.5941:

Well, there is a distinct gap between “useless” and “unable to solo anything and everything while flossing”, which is what you’re forgetting. =p

The hammer is still a good enough weapon, one I’d take over a sword/anything combo without hesitation. I’m glad they’re going to revamp it a bit, as it does need it to put it on par with some of our more powerful weaponry…but don’t dismiss it just because our greatsword is ridiculously powerful. It’s wonderful in groups, though it lacks some utility solo. I destroy a lot of weapons that I don’t like to use, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t still effective.

TL,DR: Hammer still good, but others are better. Just because something needs a buff doesn’t mean it isn’t already effective.

Devs in games love people with your attitude. They know you`ll just settle for anything and they never have to worry about looking into fixing or adjusting something. Thankfully this is an Anet game. We are actually here to help them try and make the game better. You might be content driving a car that ain`t firing on all 8 just because it gets you from A to B. But that don`t mean there isn`t anything wrong with it. Think about that.

The hammer has good tactical options like I said in the last 20 posts. If the delay on the 1 chain was shortened and the range issue on the 2 attack was fixed, then it wouldn`t be so bad. All the weapons in the game should be comfortable to use and feel like it isn`t working against you. Posts like this open the devs eyes and make them take a closer look so they wonder if they made the right choice in making the weapon like they did. Apparently it worked.

Did I say it didn’t require any changes? I’ve already detailed a couple of times how I feel the hammer could be changed to be better. I just don’t automatically discount a weapon just because it’s not the maximum damage potential I can muster.

Do I want a faster chain attack? Yes.

Do I want more utility from #3 and #5? Yes.

You completely missed the entire point of my post, which is: while the hammer is NOT as good as the greatsword, it is still worthwhile to bring along for group utility. You’re painting the weapons in black and white, while I’m saying it’s shades of grey. Everyone in this thread has pretty much agreed that the hammer needs a buff/tweak to make it more viable as an option. But I think it’s unfair to call the weapon worthless and to imply that one should just stick to the greatsword. That was my point.

make Circle of Warding a ground target please

Draeka.5941:

Did I say it didn’t require any changes? I’ve already detailed a couple of times how I feel the hammer could be changed to be better. I just don’t automatically discount a weapon just because it’s not the maximum damage potential I can muster.

Do I want a faster chain attack? Yes.

Do I want more utility from #3 and #5? Yes.

You completely missed the entire point of my post, which is: while the hammer is NOT as good as the greatsword, it is still worthwhile to bring along for group utility. You’re painting the weapons in black and white, while I’m saying it’s shades of grey. Everyone in this thread has pretty much agreed that the hammer needs a buff/tweak to make it more viable as an option. But I think it’s unfair to call the weapon worthless and to imply that one should just stick to the greatsword. That was my point.

I apologize. I quoted the wrong comment.

Karl McLain.5604:

Hammer love is already in the works!

THANK GOD!!!

i want to use that anchor skin (pirate hammer) SOOOO BADLY.. but the hammer is just HORRID compared to the greatsword.. literally unusable in any situation that the greatsword can be used in 3x more effective

eeeehm…
“Mighty Blow: Added a slight movement distance.”

THIS is it Anet? I hope this is some sort of joke, it doesn’t even address any of the problems of the hammer, did noone read what we, the community had to say? Mighty Blow was really like the only skill there was no problem with…

If this is seriously what you call so proudly “hammer love”, this is a sad day.

D I V A.6018:

eeeehm…
“Mighty Blow: Added a slight movement distance.”

THIS is it Anet? I hope this is some sort of joke, it doesn’t even address any of the problems of the hammer, did noone read what we, the community had to say? Mighty Blow was really like the only skill there was no problem with…

If this is seriously what you call so proudly “hammer love”, this is a sad day.

Many people wanted a gap closer for hammer, I’m kind of disappointed that people are mad about it now. It also has a chance to freeze every 45 seconds which has a possibility to stack with the water rune that freezes on weapon swap, it would be brutal to be stuck in that.

D I V A.6018:

eeeehm…
“Mighty Blow: Added a slight movement distance.”

THIS is it Anet? I hope this is some sort of joke, it doesn’t even address any of the problems of the hammer, did noone read what we, the community had to say? Mighty Blow was really like the only skill there was no problem with…

If this is seriously what you call so proudly “hammer love”, this is a sad day.

I’m not so sure what you were expecting. This thread had many asking for more talents for the hammer (done) and a gap closer (done). The only thing they did not do was increase the speed on symbol of protection. That they didn’t does not mean that they won’t, but even without it the hammer is now more than useful in its intended role as a control weapon.

SirMoogie.9263:

D I V A.6018:

eeeehm…
“Mighty Blow: Added a slight movement distance.”

THIS is it Anet? I hope this is some sort of joke, it doesn’t even address any of the problems of the hammer, did noone read what we, the community had to say? Mighty Blow was really like the only skill there was no problem with…

If this is seriously what you call so proudly “hammer love”, this is a sad day.

I’m not so sure what you were expecting. This thread had many asking for more talents for the hammer (done) and a gap closer (done). The only thing they did not do was increase the speed on symbol of protection. That they didn’t does not mean that they won’t, but even without it the hammer is now more than useful in its intended role as a control weapon.

I am one of the few who will admit that you are probably right. When I saw “hammer love” I expected a speed up for #1 and something to #3 like similar to the warrior’s hammer skill that cripples fows in a wave. (To be honest, a chilled version of this would have been the perfect solution) Well, Anet did fine with balancing so far, but they always underperform when “improving” a weapon.

As for myself, still not a viable weapon for PvP. Period.

D I V A.6018:

SirMoogie.9263:

D I V A.6018:

eeeehm…
“Mighty Blow: Added a slight movement distance.”

THIS is it Anet? I hope this is some sort of joke, it doesn’t even address any of the problems of the hammer, did noone read what we, the community had to say? Mighty Blow was really like the only skill there was no problem with…

If this is seriously what you call so proudly “hammer love”, this is a sad day.

I’m not so sure what you were expecting. This thread had many asking for more talents for the hammer (done) and a gap closer (done). The only thing they did not do was increase the speed on symbol of protection. That they didn’t does not mean that they won’t, but even without it the hammer is now more than useful in its intended role as a control weapon.

I am one of the few who will admit that you are probably right. When I saw “hammer love” I expected a speed up for #1 and something to #3 like similar to the warrior’s hammer skill that cripples fows in a wave. (To be honest, a chilled version of this would have been the perfect solution) Well, Anet did fine with balancing so far, but they always underperform when “improving” a weapon.

As for myself, still not a viable weapon for PvP. Period.

It still beats the “love” scepter got when they said they would “help” it…Then proceeded to slow down Orb of Wrath and lower the damage for it.

So all they fixed was the was the range problem on the 2 skill?

don’t like the changes to #2 … hammer doesn’t need a leap, and i say that playing hammer in WvW/PvP all the time. The small leap doesn’t feel right – just make it usable while moving. Same for #5 and decrease casttime in the #1 chain, and we’re done.
Maybe shorten the protection duration as consequence, then.

loving hammer anyways :P

ps: 45sec internal cd – i think i won’t bother using that one …

Absolutely agree with the OP, and slightly disagree with the counter arguements (slightly!).

First of all the Hammer is fun because of what their skills do, which reasonable demonstrates how a hammer should be used be it clubbing an Enemy into a wall or over a cliff. Slamming down to cause fissure are all nice touches but it is way too slow for it to be a viable weapon.

Let’s start with the basic attack, it doesn’t simply give you protection as some people pointed out. It generates a symbol which in turns with the help of traits can do various things assuming you actually get it off. Any reasonable opponent can simply avoid the third attack. There’s almost no reason why people shouldn’t be able to avoid it. It’s melee range, it’s EXTREMELY slow and it’s also ridiculously obvious. Once that attack does finally go off, the guardian is actually left in a vulnerable state. The remaining skills do not offer any mobility support, nothing stops an incomming snare/disable and they have long CD which.

We don’t need a perfect godsent weapon, what we need is something that can actually be used. Melee are already on the frontline soaking up damage. They tank damage regardless if people say there are tanking class or not does not change this fact. When you play as Guardian you’re 95% Vanguard or Rearguard and having the slowest weapon in the entire game which doesn’t generate protection until a great deal later is more hindrance because you just run around uselessly.

Compared to a GS, which grants leap/binds/blinds/AOE damage which can be used with other traits allowing versatile builds I do not see why the Hammer is a viable alternative. The symbols traits hardly benefit the hammer all that much because Symbols with other weapons are much easier to activate and Symbols don’t move. In an active combat game like GW2 symbols are only viable support skills which combo into useful effect. As an offensive ability imo they are a waste to invest trait points into if you plan to go symbol/hammer guardian.

I still love hammer as a PvE weapon, and the leap looks fun; I’m in favor of anything to make guardians more mobile, and I’m glad we had a few boring traits made slightly more interesting.

But even if I was already planning on going 20 into Valor, I don’t think I’d pick up Glacial Heart. Personally, in my thinking, if something has a longer cooldown than 30 seconds, it had better be REALLY good to justify having it instead of something that can be used more often. And a random chance at a chill that is frankly way worse than a Sigil of Ice or Hydromancy is not REALLY good. It’s pretty bad, IMO.

Trait is rather interesting, hope it gets changed down the road. Right not its not really worth picking unless your build is all hammer focused. I love the leap. its small but it makes the hammer more fun. but OMG that 3rd chain skill. i just cant stand it. Back to GS with me.

well he hit up on 2 of my issues, though they really need a distance tell in the UI from your target, i keep falling just short on mighty blow XD

i dont think they get that a super long part of the chain combo just isnt fun to play.

Aven.7295:

Trait is rather interesting, hope it gets changed down the road. Right not its not really worth picking unless your build is all hammer focused. I love the leap. its small but it makes the hammer more fun. but OMG that 3rd chain skill. i just cant stand it. Back to GS with me.

well he hit up on 2 of my issues, though they really need a distance tell in the UI from your target, i keep falling just short on mighty blow XD

i dont think they get that a super long part of the chain combo just isnt fun to play.

/agree

The third skill in the 1 chain might as well be renamed “Use Greatsword Instead” because that’s what it actually does. Hit 1 three times and presto! You switch to Greatsword and never look back.

It’s not fun at all and is impractical to use mechanically. In PvP it’s completely useless, and in PvE the delay guts the dps when it actually hits anything at all. Back to Greatsword like pretty much every other Guardian.

I really want to make the legendary Hammer and use it, but the third attack in the 1 chain just kills Hammer as a viable weapon in the game as compared to the vastly superior Greatsword.

/sad

So I tested the Hammer Changes….not enough. Here are the issues.

Cant tell how far mighty blow will push me forward. Seems not enough in general.
Auto attack chain is really clunky, dps on it seems rather bad compared to the GS, the third effect on it is so so.
The spin up time on your 5 seems to long in my opinion.
Your chain root is way too easy to dodge.

The GS excels at moving me, blinding, aoe damage, pulling back running foes, and has an awesome symbol for dueling people.

The Hammer just feels clunky compare to other weapons. It does similar damage to the GS while not attacking nearly as fast, so its DPS is just kind of terrible. What it nets you after that just does not seem enough to warrant it.

The new trait for the hammer seems…ok. 40 second cool down uncontrollable chill is a bit hard to muster, and chill does not synergies with any Guardian combos, so its on an island by itself which seems odd. I guess with an intelligence rune and a weapon swap its not so bad, but the core abilities itself are just very lacking.

Disappointed with the changes to hammer, the power of this trait is no more than adept. It’s got a good condition on a very long cooldown.

The best part about the changes to hammer were that the shield traits were made into one.

Anet, please buff the Hammer just a little bit more rather than nerfing Greatsword.

(just hedging my bets)

Has anyone tried the hammer with a symbol-type build? Or know how long that symbol from the hammer every third strike lasts, and if it’s affected by the symbol traits? I put together a symbol/spirit weapon build just now (during work, because eff the man!) and wonder how effective it can be using a hammer and staff, as they provide the symbols I’d need and also seem fitting with the spirit weapons.

Let me know what you think, or someone give it a try: http://www.guildhead.com/skill-calc#MzcM0V0zMmwxoMmwxmx9MxaoaqckaV

@Daboris Hammer/Symbols doesn’t work,
First of all the main attack takes so long to initiate all your bonus effects are wasted in PvE. You would kill much faster with a mace or staff even. The symbol lasts roughly 2.5 sec. The trait that extends the symbol duration is a mere 20ish% it’s not noticable because the extra tick doesn’t reactive any of your other traits.

To answer your question in bulks, build was similiar to one I theorized and tested out before in PvP. It has no real rhythm to it because the awkward third hit has such a huge duration you’ll miss it. Even if it does land, the damage and effect does not warrent it’s usage because a mace + anything really would be a better combination for symbols. Spirit weapons require specific traits to work and they overlap with some of the major symbol ones.

Lastly Symbols are not viable in WvW because they aren’t ground target-able anyone can avoid them intentionally or even unintentionally just running away.

I agree with the OP. I want to enjoy the hammer as well, but it just seems like the Greatsword has incredible synergy for both pvp and pve. The hammer seems to be aimed towards pvp more than pve and that’s a problem. They just need to find a way of making hammer just as fun as Greatsword.

Karl McLain.5604:

Hammer love is already in the works!

I don’t think the recent change was enough Hammer love. The ability to Chill, half the time, but only when you crit, and only once every 45 seconds… is very little!

The third hits animation should be sped up.
The damage of all attacks should be slightly increased.
The area of effect of the 2 should be increased.
The projectile speed of 3 should be examined. I feel it needs to be bigger
I feel 4 could use a combo effect if a target hits a hard wall (effect or real) resulting in bonus damage. This would promote cross functional class combos and even internal ones (5+4).
I feel the 5 key takes a hair too long to establish and lasts a hair to little time.

Basically small minor buffs to each ability because I think each one is in some way underwhelming. I would rather use 3 on a GS than 2 on a Hammer, which is kind of sad given GS has far more range and is less prone to a single evade avoiding all of its damage.

The biggest problem with Hammer has always been the lack of synergy between its skills.
While the individual skills are very powerful at what they do they just don’t work that well together. If I launch a target I can no longer hit it, if I immobilize a distant target that’s also of little use for me. These types of skills would better fit on a ranged weapon.
Of course I can imagine having an organized dungeon or PvP team making good use out of each of the hammer skills, but the lack of synergy in of itself isn’t good for solo or chaos (open word pve, wvw).

Daboris.6730:

Let me know what you think, or someone give it a try: http://www.guildhead.com/skill-calc#MzcM0V0zMmwxoMmwxmx9MxaoaqckaV

I’m not much of a fan of spirit weapons to be honest, but whenever I see an effective build for them, they usually also use 1H weapons (Scepter+Shield or Torch, Sword+Focus)

Here’s the build I run for WvW, SPVP, and PVE content.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/en/?fUAQJASRlUgKD3FyIEfIFSmCRCBtPAQ1HiHMFa0HB

(Note: There’s no toughness. You’ll have to pick that up through gear/runes, or you could supplement it through Signet of Judgement as I have done.)

There are three things that make this build work very well. The main thing is the symbols: They apply vulnerability, about 4-5 stacks or so. They heal you for a small amount, maybe 500-600 when you’re standing in it total. Maybe more if you get +healing.) They do about 300-ish per tick of damage to the enemy. In the case of the Hammer, it also buffs you with protection, and with the Greatsword, Retaliation. This means whenever you have to stand and fight, you’re already working on buffing your nearby allies and wearing down the enemy. Depending on the weapon that you use, you’re also either doing more damage or taking less.

The second thing about this build is the Virtues. Each time you use one, you get retaliation. Each time you use Virtue of Justice, you blind the enemy, give everyone burning to build a longer stack immediately, and you get might. It also refreshes on kill, which is more useful for WvW and PVE than it is for SPvP, but it’s still useful. Virtue of Resolve is both a stronger passive regen and a conditions cleanser (works to knock off fear as well.)

The third thing is the Consecrations. You can swap Wall of Reflection for Hallowed Ground if you want. I like them for the combo fields, the added damage, and the way Purging Flames works with the first major trait in the Zeal line. Also great for group support.

So how does the Hammer come into this? Hammer’s Might Blow spreads retaliation on Light combo fields, and Might on fire. Giving everyone standing near you protection, retaliation, a small heal, and a softer target is a good thing. Hammer also has an interrupt through Banish. Ring of Warding and then Banish is effective in a lot of situations because it both interrupts/knocks back and keeps them within your strike range. The third hit, slow as it is, comes down hard, and when it does, you can either choose to stand in it if the enemy wants to fight you there, or leap out of it to activate the combo field. Once you’ve done that, you can either immobilize/swap to Greatsword and lay down Symbol of Wrath, or you can continue another chain and wait for them to exhaust their endurance.

For anyone complaining about the slow third attack, you probably should consider the fact that Hammer has two “immobilizes,” and Greatsword has one with the yank as well. Also keep an eye on how many times the enemy is dodging. It’s not the perfect weapon for every encounter, but it absolutely wrecks melee, and even casters many times.

I used this build fairly successfully in hotjoin sPvP last night. It was extremely effective against Thieves, Mesmers, and Warriors. The burning damage that you can do, with the added “burn”-esque damage on a Symbol mean you can really get someone’s health down fast before they understand exactly what’s happening. Toughness is pretty important to stack for PVE and PVP situations so that you aren’t squishy.

(Note: For WvW, I switch between Hammer and Greatsword, but I keep Staff and I replace the Writ of the Merciful with Two Handed Mastery as a major trait for the lowered cooldown on Line of Warding and Empower)

Yawg.1294:

The biggest problem with Hammer has always been the lack of synergy between its skills.
While the individual skills are very powerful at what they do they just don’t work that well together. If I launch a target I can no longer hit it, if I immobilize a distant target that’s also of little use for me. These types of skills would better fit on a ranged weapon.
Of course I can imagine having an organized dungeon or PvP team making good use out of each of the hammer skills, but the lack of synergy in of itself isn’t good for solo or chaos (open word pve, wvw).

I agree, it would be great if the chain either pulled the first target it hits to you, pull you to it, or makes you run faster if it hits an enemy. Something that lets you get in close faster. I think banish should stay where it is at, its perfect if you need to take a quick breather and let some regen do a little work. Plus, its an interrupt.

Then again, maybe focus should get banish and the hammer could get the shield.

inb4: DONT TOUCH MY FOCUS arghjehrhhrhgh

hmmm debateing on a crit build, focusing Sword/shield and hammer, ill run some tests and let you guys know what i come up with.

@senoph immobilization doesn’t make up for the slow attack at all. You can attack while chasing with a greatsword which easily makes up for damage. The great sword is effective due to it’s lower cd and versitaility. Hammers have slow animation easy to avoid, long CD and more linear attacks.

and no it’s not complaining it’s stating the nature of the game.

Frankly, I don’t want the third attack animation to be “sped up”

I want the third attack and the #2 skill to be swapped. That’s my personal beef with the Hammer. (and maybe that third attack can apply Weakness, if it NEEDS to be special, but the combo finisher should be special enough)

Yawg.1294:

The biggest problem with Hammer has always been the lack of synergy between its skills.
While the individual skills are very powerful at what they do they just don’t work that well together. If I launch a target I can no longer hit it, if I immobilize a distant target that’s also of little use for me. These types of skills would better fit on a ranged weapon.
Of course I can imagine having an organized dungeon or PvP team making good use out of each of the hammer skills, but the lack of synergy in of itself isn’t good for solo or chaos (open word pve, wvw).

Actually, if you put down the non-passing ring, and then launch your enemy, you can still hit them.

I just noticed they removed the +90 toughness while wearing a shield trait and replaced it with this glacial triat. I specced into toughness just to get that trait and they took it away. What`s the deal Anet?