Hey guys, I wanted make this thread for a couple of reasons. I am first and foremost a theory crafter. I love to look at different and sometimes wonky builds to see if something can work. I have played gw2 for a couple of years now with pvp being my main game mode for about half of that time. I wanted to show my guardian build. I have used this build for a while now with minimal changes. I actually haven’t touched the traits for this build since HoT launch. While I consider myself a decent pvp player, I realize I am not the best. That being said, I have had good success with this build.
My build is more of a hybrid damage build, although it is most similar to a burn guard as far as traits go. I wanted hybrid damage so that people would not get an easy pass on my damage if someone was blocking, cleansing conditions or had resistance. Many burn guards try to cover up their burning with sigil of geomancy, earth, torment, etc. I prefer to just deal a different type of damage.
Here is a link to my build:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vVAQNAR8en8cClDhdDBOCB8DhlEiKb/+vB8aZDgEQu6b+rH-TZhAQBwY/hS+AA2wRAQilBAwFBAA
For a more direct damage oriented version simply swap out Runes of Balthazar for Runes of the Flame Legion and have one of you sigils be a Sigil of Opportunity.
If you can manage your blocks and heals well and you want a glassier version, than swap out Sage’s Amulet for Viper’s.
Reasons for utilities, traitlines, weapons:
Weapons: The greatsword and sword have great potential for direct damage. I also like the leap and the teleport that these weapons provide. In addition I prefer the flow and rhythm of these faster paced weapons. For my off hand I have swapped back and forth between shield and focus, though lately I have stuck with shield. This set up is lacking a little in ranged attacks, however I never liked the feel of DH longbow. The scepter is alright, but not my favorite. I usually do alright between all of the leaps and teleports.
Traitlines:
• Dragon Hunter for the improvements to my virtues, especially justice.
• Valor was chosen for the meditation traits for improved survivability.
• Virtues was chosen for a combination of utility, survivability, and damage via Permeating Wrath. I know that many people would choose radiance instead for all of the extra burning damage. However I believe that there comes a certain point where you have a choice between extra damage or more utility/survivability. I don’t want to have great damage but be dead and waiting to respawn most of the time. I more often than not get top damage dealt anyway.
Heal: Purification – Reliable healing for melee.
Utilities: Judge’s Intervention – stun break, gap closer, good burning damage.
Contemplation Of Purity – stun break, mass condition cleanse.
Signet of Judgement – stun break, damage and condition damage reduction, extra burning damage.
—I’ve always liked Signet of Judgement for the damage reduction and for the stun break. With the recent patch it is even better with condition damage reduction as well. Although I think that I would have preferred to keep the weakness instead of the burning.
Elite: Renewed Focus — . . . . . . obvious.
Amulet: Sage’s Amulet – extreme synergy with any or all of my skills.
Sigils: Sigil of Smoldering – increase burning uptime.
Sigil of Doom – this is good for sword as sword is largely a single target weapon. This helps to mitigate enemy healing after initial burst on greatsword.
Please let me know what you think. Constructive criticism and questions are appreciated. Though please no moaning over nerfs or who got what buff. If I wanted to get depressed and listen to ranting, I would talk to people about politics.