One-Handed PVE Builds.

One-Handed PVE Builds.

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Posted by: Ribeye.1360

Ribeye.1360

Helllloooooooo,

I’m leveling my guardian right now and was wondering whether or not one-handed weapon builds are viable in end-game pve? Open-world? Fractals? Raids?

I’ve seen some people run hammer/mace+shield, but i’m thinking of going right-hand strength and using mace+shield/scepter+focus. Would not using a hammer kitten my dps or symbol support too much to be viable or competitive?

Thanks in advance for all the help.

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Posted by: Akijo.7395

Akijo.7395

I’d run Scepter/Focus or Scepter/Torch if you really want to keep Hammer.
If you’re using Guardian, GS + Scepter/Torch with Condi build is really good and fun.

I always try to keep 1melee weapon and 1ranged weapon.

If you have DH, Longbow + GS is the best DPS

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Posted by: Obtena.7952

Obtena.7952

On paper, your hammer symbol uptime is better than mace. In reality, it’s not; Mace symbol is not on an chained skill and you don’t have to interrupt it like you may need to on Hammer. I’m assuming you aren’t a pro PVE dungeon solo kind of person and don’t have 4 equally skilled pro PVE dungeon solo kind of persons teaming with you to invalidate that difference.

Like poster above, I always have one ranged option. My favs ATM are Hammer/LBow and Mace+sheild/Scepter + Focus.

I’m sure someone with mad Excel skills will chime in to reiterate how great the meta is without even reading your question, trying to convince you anything but the meta is worthless and you should use it always for everything … choose wisely.

(edited by Obtena.7952)

One-Handed PVE Builds.

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Posted by: Keksmuffin.1450

Keksmuffin.1450

Helllloooooooo,

I’m leveling my guardian right now and was wondering whether or not one-handed weapon builds are viable in end-game pve? Open-world? Fractals? Raids?

I’ve seen some people run hammer/mace+shield, but i’m thinking of going right-hand strength and using mace+shield/scepter+focus. Would not using a hammer kitten my dps or symbol support too much to be viable or competitive?

Thanks in advance for all the help.

The viable builds are kinda greatsword/longbow for DPS and hammer for more defense so if you care about being optimal you shouldn’t stick to one-handed builds.

If you don’t care you probably wouldn’t have posted this question so I’m just gonna assume you do.

Bullet Punch

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Posted by: Vukorep.3081

Vukorep.3081

in gw2 there is a weapon set that can be used overall in pve, but also specific weapon sets that are best suited for specific encounters.

1h sword has the auto attack as well as zealots defense that attack a foe multiple times at once. this can be used to trigger virtue of justice more often and can be used as a base for condition(burning) builds.

Maces ,while oriented for defense, can give out quite a punch in damage

Scepters is your standard non dragon hunter ranged weapon, it has a nice trait attached to it that gives you might, and the smite skill has the potential to be the strongest attack in the game (if it is well placed on a mob with a large hit box)

As for offhands, focus is mostly used for its utility with blocks, blinds,regeneration as well as condition removal.

Shields are better than focus in some specific situations, like where theres projectile heavy pressure,or places where there is a risk of the projectiles killing you or people around you quite often.

Torch is mostly used in pair with sword cause it is the “most optimal” offhand when it comes to the before mentioned burning build. Cleansing flame is also one of those attacks that hit a enemy multiple times (10 times 3 targets) and is able to trigger Virtue of justice quite often.

PS: when you get better at knowing your class, in most cases while you’re running around in pve and exploring you can take whatever you wish. I find my self often running with a sword/shield non condition based build cause i like the sword/shield looks.

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Posted by: SharkBall.5829

SharkBall.5829

I really like DH with symbols and traps for fractals: Longbow and Mace/Focus

One-Handed PVE Builds.

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Posted by: Ribeye.1360

Ribeye.1360

Thanks for all the great responses so far, i’ve grown to like the hammer a bit recently after using it for a bit, the symbol traits also help quite a bit – loving the constant aoe support from the hammer aa. Is this one of the (or the most) important reasons why guardians use hammers in pve/raids? The symbol uptime?

Also, how competitive are condi burn builds in pve now? Kinda enjoy the melting playstyle too. Would that be one-handed sword/scepter+torch?

Thanks again all!

One-Handed PVE Builds.

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Posted by: Keksmuffin.1450

Keksmuffin.1450

Thanks for all the great responses so far, i’ve grown to like the hammer a bit recently after using it for a bit, the symbol traits also help quite a bit – loving the constant aoe support from the hammer aa. Is this one of the (or the most) important reasons why guardians use hammers in pve/raids? The symbol uptime?

Also, how competitive are condi burn builds in pve now? Kinda enjoy the melting playstyle too. Would that be one-handed sword/scepter+torch?

Thanks again all!

Yes the symbol from hammer auto is kind of the one and only reason to use it since it gives perma protection with very little investment and effort.

Burn builds are somewhat decent, altho pretty outclassed by condi engi and condi berserker. If you really want to play it it’s fairly viable. Condi builds usually use greatsword and scepter/torch afaik.

Bullet Punch