Updating the build I posted back in late May.
From that first post to now, it’s fair to say the build is no longer experimental, premature, or speculation. It flat out works. Click on Spoiler to view the revised build and the updated post from May 22nd.
Basically only changed, Purification for Lytany, ToF for FoF
Replacing Virtues -May 22nd post
At first glance you’re going to think I’m crazy leaving Virtues for Zeal but after you land Shield#4 in a group, instantly dealing 1.7k from the wave and 1.2k additional damage per aegis hit that your allies deal, you’ll understand the build’s potential. Shield of Judgment alone can deal 5k damage to one target if he’s near your allies thanks to Shattered Aegis.
Healing
The build started off with Litany of Wrath but I swapped over to Purification. When being in a more competitive environment I needed a stronger, more consistent heal. Litany can still make for a quick damage heal in addition to your Smite Condition and ToF utilities As pointed out by Kuya.6495, Smiter’s Boon damages remains unaltered since the last nerf patch so you can use this “smite condition” as another method if burst.
Amulets
Rune of the Lynx – Mostly Mobility
Rune of the Pack – Mixture of Power with additional Crit
Rune of Surging – Elite CC with Power
Last bit of important items:
- Be watchful of ranged classes like Mesmers and Rangers.
- Scepter#2 -> Scept#3 -> Sword#2 -> Sword#3
- Focus#5 + Renewed Focus = Focus Explodes dealing 3k – 8k AoE damage when being invulnerable by the elite.
- Use Sword#2 as your Judge’s Intervention to teleport + ToF + Smite Condition, Shield#5 + F1 pull. The usual macros surrounding ToF.
Build Experiences and Division
Currently retaining Plat T1 – T2 fairly easily. The build has 1v2’d other classes before, something not as easily done on the LB meta. The build’s position on a team is highly flexible; it can be a side point rotation holder as well as a team fight bruiser.
Oddly enough, I get more frustrated with other guards who lose their 1v1’s on side points. And/or who are incapable of dishing out enough damage to down Ele/Engi/Ranger bunk comps. Though I have indeed seen Guards do exceptionally well with LB meta, symbolic build performs better than 90% of players who use that meta power build.
Pros and Cons
Counter to Condi Cheeses
An obvious merit is dealing with other condi classes. Condi Thief, Necro, Guard, etc poses no threat to this build compared to LB Power. It’s another reason why I get frustrated with most Guards when I see them lose to a condi Thief 1v1.
Symbolic Power Builds in General
Anyone who uses symbol builds (Thermite famous for it?) would know that stacked symbols + utilities + auto attacks offers incredible sustained-damages compared to power LB. When you throw out symbols or stack them, it’s not only done quickly but the damage doubles in the frame that they’re up. Longbow’s sluggish#4 is indeed a symbol utility but it’s by no means used as a “Burst” damage effect like its one-hand variants.
Cons
The build has very few weaknesses but the biggest would have to be, getting caught by another round of CC during the middle or end of a fight. I’m often forced to use CoP in place of my F3 stun breaker when getting +1’d by a Thief, for example.
The lack of additional macro combos when working around ToF.
LB is famous for it’s higher damage: Judges+Smite+LB#2+ToF instant combo. It’s down right dirty when you add in ToF’s additional macros thereafter. Symbolic may be a better point holder or even a team fight brawler but LB is generally better against ranged classes, ranged utility (if pulled off) and initial burst damages.
Let me know if anyone’s opinions of the Symbolic build has changed since the first May 22nd post of this build variant.
P.S
Please win your side-point fights Guardians :)
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