Guild Wars 2

it says it blinds targets when you activate this skill. does this also blind when the skill is already active but refreshes? or just when you first hit the button to activate it?

Any of those extra effects are when you press/activate the virtue only, I believe.

Only when you press F1.

Against melee mobs, just using greatsword’s #4 and using F1 will guarantee that you hardly get hit.

Blind doesn’t stack in intensity(multiple stacks) so it won’t guarantee you the ability to avoid fast and powerful damage. Auto attack will dissipate it quickly.