Guild Wars 2

@Amins – great new vids! i have to say, have been messing with builds and i am always trying to find a way to slot in 20 into virtues. :PP if we could only have more trait points XDD running coordinated with a strong group in WvW can be SO MUCH fun. if you have tanky frontline or good support players, some can afford to be more bursty.

also, sad that i missed your “healway” vid (it’s the one that’s N/A now i assume).

@Bash – that sounds pretty decent. love that you’re going full Zeal as well. it seems the survivability is there and if you play smart. and of course, the DPS is there. though the crit %‘s don’t even bother me that much seeing that 3.5k attack! :OOO tbh, i don’t think i’ve ever used a signet other than initially unlocking it. i guess i’d be “concerned” about not having as much “utility” but in a sense, not really. assuming you’ve tried it out in WvW? again, how does it work in large scale battles?

It isn’t too bad, Assuming you can avoid the thieves trying to backstab you when you are half health. (Only ran into this once when running with Christos, he kept yelling at me for being squishy because I got downed by the thief 3 times in a zerg v zerg fight) But other than that It worked pretty decently. Condition damage will hurt you pretty bad though, since the signets take time to activate and only remove one at a time. Found that out pretty hard fighting a confusion mesmer. I am actually looking into a making a modified build of Amnis’s 30/10/30/0/0 build, but we will see, I need to save up some gold and do some research before I actually try it.

lol, compared to Christos’ build, anything is squishy XDD and right, signets take time to activate. :PP yea lately, been in some pretty condition intense fights and it’s rough not having some condition remove on command and can take out multiple at once.

i’ve done a small variation and tried running a 20/0/30/20/0 build for the added HP and reduced CD on shouts and 2hers. you lose zealous blades but the extra HP helps. still able to get pretty big hits and down people fast enough. though condition is tough again. gotta be smart with cleansing combo with the GS or add on sigils like you do.

Interesting Build Bash.

Might need more tanky gear (p/v/t) or something Forge Runes or something. Having Protection up most of the time would be critical.

Thanks for the vid likes!

Akamon; yeah, put I put that vid on Vimeo, which works. The link on youtube won’t for people in NA. /boo

Virtues are just so nice in group play. I don’t want to totally gimp the damage (3000 attk pwr is comfortable), so having something in Zeal is nice, at least 10 pts.

last couple grp runs ahve been 10/0/30/10/20. It’d be nice to get 30 in Virtues, but not sure if I really want to sacrifice the damage or healing/health.

Still in Knights w/ Lyssa + Beryl Jewelry and Zerker weapon

I’m running 10/0/30/10/20 in this one

New Echo Squad DPS [FTF]

Also had a new solo vid w/ just two different builds. Some of you more cleric geared players might like it as it as I fight 2 Mesmer’s in it (last 2 clips), in full Saphire Jewelry & Valor/Honor Traits: 0/5/30/30/5

The first 2 clips are the same build as above: 10/0/30/10/20

GW2 Guardian WvW – Medley

One thing I would like to point out, if I may be so bold, is you can see in these video’s that my playstyle doesn’t change very much. ~it’s ‘my’ playstyle~

I think alot of guardians need to figure out thier playstyle, then thier gear, and finally make tweaks to thier Traits to support the two above.

What I see alot of times is peoople try to make a build and fit thier gear/playstyle around it.

Just my 2 cents.

So I ended up completing and testing out the modified build and have to say I am very pleased with my results. I created a new thread: https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/guardian/Retribution-Tanky-DPS-WvW-build/first#post1448609 With the details of what I did. It works amazingly well with all aspects, solo roaming, small group, and zerg vs zerg combat.

2/18 New Vid: Echo Squad #5 [FTF]

Running 0/0/30/20/20

Knights w/ Lyssa + Sapphire Jewelry

Video is all about Ninja’n a Keep, then defending it & defending a broken Briar Tower.

Keep Ninja and Briar Defense we had 7/8 people.

Defending we had [Imtl] with us as they had 30+.

You can really see the kittenty “culling” on this one. More specifically, the changes to loading/rendering characters.

I really don’t like the new system. I continually loose my /MA (main assist for all u new guys!).

akamon.2769:

@Amins -

also, sad that i missed your “healway” vid (it’s the one that’s N/A now i assume).

I fixed the link to it. It’s on Vimeo now.

sweet, thanks, Amins! will check it out soon. ; )))

and yes, go back to the old system until we find a better one!

I gave you some likes pretty nice vids

Thansk Silentstorm, glad you like some of them!

So it’s YOUR group we were going at it with last night haha.

Me and your Guardian buddy (terrorizyn? human t3) were going at each other throats.

Then he switched tags and brought TFT guys T_T we couldn’t hold out after that.

Nice builds and videos!

lol, thanks.

Were you from teh [BV] group?

Hey Amins, I love all your videos and your bomb vid really made me see potential.
Would love your input on my new post. I am just rethinking my build for max usefullness in both wvw and pve.

https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/guardian/Max-build-effect-theorycrafting/first#post1498156

Lately I just feel 20 in Virtues is simply fluff and if I went with say 20 in zeal instead it would make me almost unstoppable. At the same time I love the utility and I have not tested dropping the 20 in virtues and I am afraid I will really regret the swap. Just was wanting to pick your mind a bit more about the 20 in virtues I see you using a bit more lately.

Posted in your thread

Hey, what are your thoughts on this build?

http://www.guildhead.com/skill-calc#mccz0M9cMnGNmMnGNmxf0GVMkboMs08khf707khy7070M7kNb70V7ofD70m8ofy

My intent is to take your build, get some of the high GS damage out of it, while still having some survivability in there. Using Soldier’s armor with berserker jewelry. I haven’t tested it yet, but I wanted to throw this out there to get some feedback before I got too invested.

Damage consists of 3 factors:
1) Attk Pwr
2) Crit Chance
3) Crit Dmg.

You don’t have any real Crit nor Crit Dmg: I would say at minimum, 35% crit & 60% crit dmg.

In terms of ‘survivability’:

1)Where’s your healing come from?
2) Where’s your Condition Removal come from?

I think you will have a very hard time w/ this build, firelightx.

So I’ve been getting a bunch of pm’s about how the change to Omnom Pies has effected the Zealous Defender build.

I still get a heal from the Omnom every 3-4 attacks (it feels more like Empowering Might now).

What really changed was the ability to jump into a bunch of people/mobs and ~know~ that so long as I got my symbol down & Whirling Wraithed… I was going to come out alive.

That’s no longer a ~known fact~.

Outside of that, it’s still a solid dps build and it really has no effect in PvE.

One thing to note w/ the Zealous Defender build… if you can muster not having 5 in virtues, I think you’d really like 10 in radiance for the Vuln on Blind… just saying.

3/5 New Vid: Zealous Defender #4

Check out the 27k Burst in 2s.

& Yes, I already know what you’re thinking, but still… /grin.

I really like your Tanky DPS Build, especially playing in T1 matches, you are always fighting big groups.

Awesome vids of playing GS and Hammer combo. I have learned a few things from you since I am new to playing a Guardian.

Well done!

Thank you Northstar.

I’d love to come up to T1 for a bit, just to check it out. Maybe one day…

Would love that as well. Interested to see which version of the build would come out on top :p I noticed that you were running larger symbols at some point in the video. Do you alternate out the 10 points in radiance often or just depending on what you feel like?

Absolutely Bash.

That 10 points really is a floater. Sometimes 10 in Radiance for more damage, sometime in virtues/raidiance or sometimes in Honor.

that’s awesome. it’s great that you can be so flexible. larger symbols (or any symbol trait if you go further) can be quite awesome at times. would love to see you as well Amins. ; ))

and Bash, hope to run into you soon too lol.

2 new vids and one more along the way!

3/13 New Vid: Echo/FTF – Pang Defense #4

3/13 New Vid: Echo/FTF vs ADQQSTY #4

Hey,

I have clicked through your vids and i have to say, nice work, nice gameplay

I think u are using different builds at the moment for different situations, right?
But i havent seen a build where u are using 3 meditations, could you post it?

I use 3 meditations on almost all my builds: JI, Purity, Smite.

It was a hard lesson to not rely on Stability and it took a ~very~ long time to stop cursing each time i was CC’d.. but I got there.

I still ~sometimes~ wish I had it, but 3 different heals and 2 stun breakers on relitively short cooldowns is too good to give up ATM.

I have been working on a different build, I must say… but I don’t think I like it as much.

Amins – I’ve noticed from watching all your videos that recently you’ve gone to a more heavy condition removal setup, any reason in particiular? And are you still running the Zealous Defender guild? I’ve been trying to decide on what i wanna run, and what fits me best, but still seemingly cannot decide. Love the 2h hammer, but secondary weapon choice, is a huge ? as well as slots skills, thats for sure..

Hey Caffeine,

I’m big on Conditon removal right now because we’re constantly outmanned in WvW and the point is staying alive vs dealing huge amounts of damage: SOOO many Epidemic Necro’s out there teaming up w/ Mesmer’s that it’s necessary. I’m even leaning towards trying to work in Save Yourselfs so i can pull all conditions from the team when needed… you would be surprised how life saving for everyone this is: Save Yourselves, + all virtues + Elite (w/ lysa rune) turns being whiped from a stealth bomb back into an even match.

When it’s not on Peak Hours or I’m just runing amuk w/ a couple people and want to have fun, rather than in a serious squad setting, I’ll go full Zealous Defender… because, well, it’s super fun to bash peoples heads in as a guardian because they don’t expect it. lol

Depending on your playstyle… I know alot of poeople also run Hammer / Staff.

I’m not a big Staff guy (lawl! wait a second!), but I have done it a couple times and it does have some very nice synergy…

Appriciate the reply bud, What build do you run for WvW the most as far as when your grouped up with guildies etc? Atm i recently returned to the game, and move to tarnished coast ( not sure i made that choice on purpose ) so i pretty much am constantly just roaming solo trying to kill small man groups, and or break front lines or zergs. Any suggestions there?

Amins.3710:

I use 3 meditations on almost all my builds: JI, Purity, Smite.

It was a hard lesson to not rely on Stability and it took a ~very~ long time to stop cursing each time i was CC’d.. but I got there.

I still ~sometimes~ wish I had it, but 3 different heals and 2 stun breakers on relitively short cooldowns is too good to give up ATM.

I have been working on a different build, I must say… but I don’t think I like it as much.

Would you link some of your actual builds, please? I only found old builds without meditations.

Only thing that changes is in the Valor line – I & XII.

It’s funny because I was one of the first doing staff I think literally. I remember people hating on it and that was before the buff too. It’s nice to see guys using it more and owning.

I still really dislike the staff. It’s not my playstyle at all… but once in awhile I break down “for the greater good”….

Trick is, not letting the rest of the group get too comfortable runing w/ a Staff Guardian… at least that guardian not being me! lol

Ya gotta treat that stuff like ‘gold’… it doesn’t come around every day!

Amins.3710:

Only thing that changes is in the Valor line – I & XII.

So u are running ?:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fUAQJARClUgiD33xKkiIXgVBAWzIe376BEpYDB
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fUAQJARClUgiD33xKkiIXQ9h4hpAjw/6BEpYDB

No Altrustic Healing?^^

The first Build that you linked, I moved away from AH and use Meditations instead, correct.

The Second build is the old ‘go to’ AH build… and you use AH, not Meditations.

Two different playstyles with two different builds.

Hey Amins, gotta’ say great work w. your Guardian! Like that you play him in such a versatile fashion, trying out different builds and approaches. Wanted to know if I could possibly get your feedback on this current build I’ve been working on:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fUAQNAR8elYg672GSOEfIFRuALFAUg1Hi31DKCxGC

Currently lvl 65 so I still have a few more lvls to go before fully testing it. But when it comes to playstyle, I like being in the frontlines and placing offensive pressure on the enemies. Not necessarily lookin’ to be a glass cannon. Personally prefer to sacrifice some dmg for survivability even if it means it takes me a bit longer to kill them. Using guerilla tactics and dodging if necessary to get the the job done.

Which is why I’m running those two meditations to have a total of 3 heals, 3 stun breakers as well as having 2 teleport techniques to keep chasing after my enemies. Also have 3 blinding options at my disposal to make use of “Blind Exposure.” Since I haven’t hit 80 yet, haven’t really looked into what armors would best suit this build or what to even rune for that matter, so any feedback you could give would be real helpful and greatly appreciated. Best of luck man and keep up the good work!

3/23 New Vid: Echo/FTF – #6

Mr. Biscuits,

W/o changing your build around too much, as I really don’t like to “critique” other peoples builds (as what works for you might not work for me, and it’s just a “playstyle”), here you go:

http://gw2buildcraft.com/calculator/guardian/?3.1|1.1i.0|c.1i.0.d.1i.0|1n.7i.1n.7i.1n.7i.1n.7i.1n.7i.1n.7i|3v.0.1p.61.1p.61.1p.61.1p.61.1g.61|a2.k62.u16c.5.5|55.7|v.15.13.12.1i|e

I swapped shield for Focus. More blocks, another heal = good.

I left the Signet (though I personally don’t like it), and moved your “remove buff” trait for a lesser cool down on the signet… shorter cooldown, more heals!

I moved 5 points into VIGOR, more endurance = more dodging.

I might even put Sigils of Energy on my weapons for this build as you’ll want to be dodging as much as possible to avoid damage.

I would run Omnomberry Pie as food and then Sharpening Stones for more Power. You have plenty of crit, going that high into the Radiance line.

I would also look to try and get your toughness up to 3.1k if you can.

I run a similar style build in my video: GS + S/F. It’s fun, lots of mobility: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBl_W6Jyk40

Lastly (forgot), I changed out Save Yourselves for Smite Condition.

2k heal every 16s and it does really nice damage (1.6k – 2k on average).

We gotta theory craft sometime Amins!

Ill stalk ya on your TS soon

I have a question for you. Why did you decide to go away from mace/shield to greatsword? Mobility and the great sword healing trait are the only reasons I can come up with.

Can you give me your thoughts on the following build.

http://gw2buildcraft.com/calculator/guardian/?3.1|9.1n.h17.e.1g.h1g|2.1n.h17|1n.7i.1n.7i.1n.7i.1n.7i.1n.7i.1n.7i|1p.61.1p.61.1p.61.1p.61.1p.61.1g.67|0.u16b.u15c.5.5|2e.1|v.12.13.15.1i|e

Hey mate, great videos love watching them. Fellow ebay guardian here.

Quick question for ya, how has the Crit heal food nerf affected your dps builds in WvW?

Thanks

timidobserver.7925:

I have a question for you. Why did you decide to go away from mace/shield to greatsword? Mobility and the great sword healing trait are the only reasons I can come up with.

Can you give me your thoughts on the following build.

http://gw2buildcraft.com/calculator/guardian/?3.1|9.1n.h17.e.1g.h1g|2.1n.h17|1n.7i.1n.7i.1n.7i.1n.7i.1n.7i.1n.7i|1p.61.1p.61.1p.61.1p.61.1p.61.1g.67|0.u16b.u15c.5.5|2e.1|v.12.13.15.1i|e

I never really used Shield. Shield is much more of a support weapon in my mind.

Mobility is king in WvW. We can get it through Stability, Swiftness, Leaps/Ports etc.

The stat’s on your build are nice.

Though Hammer + M/S lacks a lot of mobility. On top of that, you went with Signet over Shelter.

You also have the Signet, but then took 3s of Retaliation on heal skill, instead of Signet Recharges 20% faster….

I would ask, what role do you see yourself playing?

BlueprintLFE.2358:

Hey mate, great videos love watching them. Fellow ebay guardian here.

Quick question for ya, how has the Crit heal food nerf affected your dps builds in WvW?

Thanks

2 big area’s where I see difference:

1) GS Whirl
2) Stacking symbols + auto attack w/ Fury up.

Just adapt. It’s still 350+ healing every second. Pack a little more hp (change out Knight Coat/Legging for Soldier).

Amins.3710:

BlueprintLFE.2358:

Hey mate, great videos love watching them. Fellow ebay guardian here.

Quick question for ya, how has the Crit heal food nerf affected your dps builds in WvW?

Thanks

2 big area’s where I see difference:

1) GS Whirl
2) Stacking symbols + auto attack w/ Fury up.

Just adapt. It’s still 350+ healing every second. Pack a little more hp (change out Knight Coat/Legging for Soldier).

How are you managing to get Fury up?

“Save Yourselves!”

Hey Amins can you please post a link to your current build so that i may check it out?

Amins.3710:

BlueprintLFE.2358:

Hey mate, great videos love watching them. Fellow ebay guardian here.

Quick question for ya, how has the Crit heal food nerf affected your dps builds in WvW?

Thanks

2 big area’s where I see difference:

1) GS Whirl
2) Stacking symbols + auto attack w/ Fury up.

Just adapt. It’s still 350+ healing every second. Pack a little more hp (change out Knight Coat/Legging for Soldier).

I actually have never used the Crit on heal food, as I had a feeling it was going to get nerfed so I didn’t want to rely on something that would be changing.

I was just wondering how much of a hit your dps build took a hit in fighting. I was thinking of going a little more dps, (at 45% Crit rate now) but I like being a frontline dps pushed with some good healing and survivability (precision vital heal gear mixed in).

Amins.3710:

timidobserver.7925:

I have a question for you. Why did you decide to go away from mace/shield to greatsword? Mobility and the great sword healing trait are the only reasons I can come up with.

Can you give me your thoughts on the following build.

http://gw2buildcraft.com/calculator/guardian/?3.1|9.1n.h17.e.1g.h1g|2.1n.h17|1n.7i.1n.7i.1n.7i.1n.7i.1n.7i.1n.7i|1p.61.1p.61.1p.61.1p.61.1p.61.1g.67|0.u16b.u15c.5.5|2e.1|v.12.13.15.1i|e

I never really used Shield. Shield is much more of a support weapon in my mind.

Mobility is king in WvW. We can get it through Stability, Swiftness, Leaps/Ports etc.

The stat’s on your build are nice.

Though Hammer + M/S lacks a lot of mobility. On top of that, you went with Signet over Shelter.

You also have the Signet, but then took 3s of Retaliation on heal skill, instead of Signet Recharges 20% faster….

I would ask, what role do you see yourself playing?

You were right about mace/shield. The lack of mobility is just crippling. In any build that isn’t purely support based, GS seems to be necessary from what I can tell. So yeh, I’ve decided on going GS/Hammer.

As far as my role, well I play on a tier two server(TC), so there is a lot of zerging with massive groups. I’ll need to have a build that can survive in a zerg. However, I have no desire to run a pure support build. The primary concern is being able to stay alive while dealing respectable damage.

I am currently rolling exotic knights gear with superior lyssa runes. I can’t really figure out how to arrange my build and trinkets to get the most damage and survivability.