Guild Wars 2

Here is the build with a standard exotic gear loadout for review:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fUEQNApeSlYgyCXFSKEg4EhNDAiw6DxD7BG9I8B-jwxA4LBxEYR0YrsFRjVJhpKJiq9GYuDioaA-e

Here is what I have normally played:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fUEQNApeSlYgyCXFSKEg4ERWhVi9AjesjXPcoEZIA-jQCB4NCiZPaspRCRltBp6KslXRTNTIVZDT9KyA-e

I have been away for a few months and just recently started coming across information that guardian healing/support oriented builds were unfavorable and inefficient in the typical pve dungeon/zerg setting. I will admit that in every mmo that I have played, I have always rolled a tank/support type of class that aims for high survivability hence my current setup.

Ill admit, I am no forum dweller nor do I often care about the opinions of others. I simply like going on about my business and having fun as I see fit but I cannot disregard the fact that I could be completing things faster and contributing more to grps by adding more “support” via increased damage instead of stacking healing and becoming dead weight. Just wanting to change up is all. Wondering if this setup is alright in terms of striking a balance between survivability and damage. Since I am basically doing a complete rework gear-wise, all gear listed is purchasable off the AH. I wasn’t sure about sigils so if anyone has any tips or advice on those (or anything else for that matter) please feel free to share.

Note: Yes, I like melee, putting down symbols and the like. Don’t care much for scepter/off-hand or staff combos but will use them if the situation calls for it.

Anyone have any suggestions at all? On a side-note, here is another setup I was messing around with (took 10 points out of honor and put them into virtues for more utility in case consecrations are needed in an encounter).

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fUEQNApeSlYgyCXFSKEgIFRWhVazAgIs+Q8wUgRPC-jwxA4LBxEYR0YrsFRjVJhpKJiq9GYuDioaA-e

If nothing else, could anyone give me a general idea if this gear setup is versatile in a PvE setting (Dynamic events, dungeons, fractals, etc.)?

Oh goodness. The synergy is bad in this one. I support playing how you want but there are just too many things I would fix here. First: use “save yourself”. It’s our best shout and frankly, the best one in game, switch retreat to “hold the line” for protection and regen, if you use shouts, it’s smart to combine it with altruistic healing, mace-shield combo is horribly inefficient in PVE as people wont be standing in your regen symbol, radiant fire is a waste of space as you are not using a torch, retaliation is close to useless in PVE plus you don’t have that much of it without GS (making vengeful useless), you skillfully avoided all of our best traits like monks focus, altruistic healing, empowering might, unscatched contender and right-handed strength. Also consider using greatsword. It’s our best PVE weapon.

I don’t think you know what you want as your focus is all over the place. No real DPS or real support. Decide what you want to be and build around it.

My idea is really support. In my original post I put a link to how I currently use my guardian as far as gear goes. Granted, taking what you have said into consideration (using save yourselves, using greatsword instead of mace/shield, etc.) my problem is that the entire concept behind that build is survivability/defensive support (healing) which seems to be unpopular in dungeon/fractal settings. The preference there seems to be towards all out damage/zerg which has never been my thing. This thread is simply my way of entertaining the idea, granted, I honestly wouldn’t mind just sticking with my current play style and preferences. Then again, I recall coming across another thread here on the guard forums explaining/debating how in dungeon pve settings, all out dps/utility is more support than anything revolving around healing because it scales so poorly. Your thoughts?

That depends on what kind of dungeon you are running. In high level fractals you are going to need wards and wall of reflection, in cof you want to build fully around DPS.

Healing power is not that great but it is certainly not useless if your every dodge roll heals for 1,2k. Other deciding factor is your teammates. If they don’t know what you are doing, they can’t help you to help themselves. If you want to build around support and still maintain high damage, that is possible in every way. Guardians are the ultimate hybrids, making it possible to run DPS set-up while being able to support your party and save the day.
Optimize your stats to a point where you feel comfortable and switch traits depending on occasion. Nothing is black and white and there are several factors affecting your gameplay.
Also you should get every weapon available. Skillful guardian switches weapons all the time depending on content.

Sounds like having two sets of gear would alleviate my entire problem although not something I have ever had the time or luxury to truly entertain. Thanks for the insight Hicci. I have a pretty good idea of what I want to do now.