Guild Wars 2

Zealot’s Speed

I don’t specifically have anything wrong with this trait, but I do have questions. The retaliation this trait gives is 2.5 seconds with every tick. I am assuming Virtue of Retribution’s +25% duration is at play here, so it would have a base tick of 2 seconds. Symbol of Protection (through Protector’s Impact) and Symbol of Energy (Longbow) remain 1 second every tick. Why is Symbol of Wrath the only symbol to receive this buff?

Zealous Scepter

Contrary to the current version of the game, this is the only core weapon trait the Guardian has that lacks a cooldown reduction. Is this intentional?

Symbolic Exposure

Symbols apply one stack of vulnerability on tick for three seconds. Guardians are capable of applying more stacks of vulnerability, but a single stack for a symbol which enemies much stand it seems far too low. I’m curious as to whether or not this will see a buff before release.

Expeditious Spirit

Spirit Weapons receive burning on hit, but only one second. In fact, only two Spirit Weapons actually hit enemies, and not very frequently either. Since burning no longer stacks in duration, will this receive a buff?

Inner Fire (Searing Flames?)

This trait appears to be a mixture of the application (and ICD) of Searing Flames, but the effects of Inner Fire. Why was Searing Flames removed? Why wasn’t it merged?

Stalwart Defender

I honestly don’t know why I’m mentioning this. We know it’s not great. The developers know it isn’t great. This is a thread about traits I have questions about, and this trait is no different. I’m hoping we hear something about it before launch.

Retributive Armor

Unless this effect stacks, I don’t think anyone would take this over Altruistic Healing or Monk’s Focus. Both are great. Both are balanced well to each other. Retributive Armor doesn’t look potent because toughness doesn’t feel potent. Will toughness see a rework or feel more potent in Heart of Thorns?

Invigorated Bulwark

While this can stack up to 10 times (for a total of 500 healing power), its 10 second duration paired with the requirement of block an attack make it near impossible to utilize properly. I can only see this working after Shelter or with Shield of Courage if it will continue to block physical attacks. Even factoring a large number of traits applying Aegis, I find this hard to reach the cap successfully several times in combat.

Nothing. Just a note here to let everyone know I didn’t forget this specialization. I just see uses for each trait here. Well done.

Hunter’s Determination

The problem I have with this is not only restricting it to a specific weapon, but restricting it to a specific skill. In addition, this is one of two longbow traits. I thought we had seen the last of multiple weapon-specific traits.

Hunter’s Fortification

The developers mentioned an issue with this. Virtue of Courage already applies protection, so this would just apply more. I’m not sure what to replace protection with, I’m definitely curious to see what becomes of this trait.

Heavy Light

While I see nothing wrong with the knockback portion of this ability, I don’t see a longbow cooldown reduction anywhere in the specialization. The Reaper receives a cooldown reduction, but I suppose the Chronomancer doesn’t have one for the shield (except Alacrity affects all abilities anyway).