Guild Wars 2

Hey world,

Guardian is a really fun class to play in the game. I’m mostly a casual player, so I used my own builds in order to just have fun and clear out the game.

However, I’ve been lvl 80 for quite a while now, but I haven’t yet seriously participated in serious activities, such as dungeon clearing, WVW or Fractals, which I should, considering I’m missing out on a huge chunk of the game. However, due to limited free time, I’ve never got around in those things..

Now, since the April Feature Pack, I’m quite confused on how to properly build a Guardian, especially since there’s a ton of changes. Thus, I don’t even know what to seriously build, or what is viable. There’s where I’d like to ask for help.

In GW1, I used to be a Monk, focussing on healing and condition removal, but that isn’t really a viable tactic as far as I know in GW2. Too bad it’s what I’m used to.

I’m also quite skilled at supporting. Is there any build out there that takes the thought of monks/support and combines it with tanking power (being a sponge)?

I’ve seen the Healway and Boonway builds, but Boonway hasn’t been updated for a while now, so I’m not sure if it’s viable.

For gear, I was thinking about either Soldiers or Knights for the Tanking part, maybe Shaman’s for the possible healing build (but Shaman’s doesn’t look too viable now, does it).

Weapon of choice: GS, Hammer

Can you guys provide me with suggestions ^^?

Thanks in advance

Forgot to add a build: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fVAQFARl0ApZodDxWI0ENx9gU5iAYvMayLPVC-TVRRwAAUDQrKF60BgWVAqqoAA-w

Youah.7620:

Hey world,

In GW1, I used to be a Monk, focussing on healing and condition removal, but that isn’t really a viable tactic as far as I know in GW2. Too bad it’s what I’m used to.

Weapon of choice: GS, Hammer

Can you guys provide me with suggestions ^^?

Try adapting the Healway build to suit your own play-style, as if you enjoyed healing and removing conditions, you can continue to do that

I have a vid on my channel. It’s a slightly worse version of what I’m using now (traded my sword/shield for a hammer and got a lot more damage while keeping the exact same survivability), but it still shows the potential of this build. I’ll get an updated one on my channel soon so you can see if you want.

The key is to find a build and make it your own.
Hope this helps

Edit: I also made a thread about the importance of boon duration with all calculations for and build possible. It also might help you make a decision :P

You want a build for what again? If it’s for all the activities you listed I have one advice: Don’t run a build for everything.
With the feature patch ANet made very easy switching builds, all you need is the gear on your bag nothing else.

This behing said, for PvE dgn’s (including Fractals) you have 2 main builds I would recomend, and both are considered the meta. There are other builds viable but these two are the most effective.

GS & Sw/F:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fVAQNAsdRlsApUo9CxVI8DNR8Ql7Y8i2+BtQlBQDA-TxRBwARUCed/R53N1fQpPAhJo8nCAAPBAhAwC-e

Hammer & S/F:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fVAQNAsdSlsApUo9CxVI8DNR8Ql7Y8i2+BtQlBQDA-TxRBwARUCed/R53N1fQpPAhJo8nCAAPBAhAwC-e

For food I use that one, not the best one but it’s cheap, also Magic Find and for potions you want to use the ones that maek you do more damage to the enimies in the dgn or fractal. ALSO very important, it doesn’t need to be full zerker. At the beginning you might want to go with Knight Armor or Soldier, full zerker it’s kinda tough at the beginning.

For WvW there are so many builds and so many possible combinations that there isn’t really a meta build. For Zergs you have Bunker, mix of bunker damage, bunker support, etc. For Roaming, the Guardian is not the best class but it’s possible. I like solo roam, but it’s harder, in small groups, I think Guardians shine, but builds in small group should be choosed according to what the group needs

It seems like solid advise, something I would defenitely do. I checked your calculations, and I have to say I’m impressed! It makes me reconsider taking some points in Virtue

The old Healway tells me to go 0/0/20/30/20, which would be like 0/0/4/6/4 Nowadays. It seems like the thing I’m running, except I have 4 in Zeal. That said, with your calcs, I’m defenitley thinking of putting at least 2 in Virtue. Especially when I would have a Hammer!

Now, I know that it’s about making it my own of course, but I’m really wondering what other people consider “good builds”, as it’s risky to jump into a unfamiliar part of the game, where many suprises await. Thanks for the suggestions though, I’ll be seeing what I can do with the old Healway, see if i can make it “WallWay” (I think not, but ok).

Yeah, I thought that someone would reccomend this :p Of course, it’s considered the meta, and with good reason! However, like you said, full zerk is tough and very expensive in gearing.

As to what I wanted, I wanted something that would give me the feel of the Monk class of Guild Wars 1. That means:
-Support
-“Heals”
-Offering Protection
-and with the benefit of the guardian, being a tank.

Now, I know that the mindset of being a toughguy is outdated, but it works for me, and I’m not sure if it would work in Fractals or WvW. Thanks for the heads up though, these links are known to me, but it’s always nice to have someone confirm that they’re good!

Now for something more interesting, I’ve been getting some gear, being 40% Valkyrie gear, 40% Soldier gear and 20% Berserker gear. Would that help? The trinkets are currently bad, as I don’t have the money to get some decent ones.

I prefer a 0/0/10/30/30, as Power of the Virtuous is, well, powerful, and Pure of Voice is also really good. Don’t forget Absolute resolution and Indomitable Courage :P

As mentioned there is no point to build 4 6 4 over 2 6 6.