Guild Wars 2

I am trying to decide which weapon to use in my second set. I love protecting my friends or even random jerks i group with. i run a 0/15/30/20/5 build with longer lasting and bigger symbols. i use Hammer almost exclusivly UNLESS someone needs my regen symbol and healing auto attack coupled with mace skill 3. i use the focus now only because of the grandmaster minor trait that gives might on block. but however i notice that when i switch to mace focus combo since i lose symbol of protection i notice that while i am trying to keep my friends alive through “healing” since symbol of protection is gone we all lose -33% damage reduction. i was wondering if the shield would offer more benifit to the party through skill 4 then skill 4 on the focus?

Focus is good for spike bosses and shield is good for mob swarm/rezzing.

Focus for solo, shield for groups.

I disagree. Focus all the way for both situations. If you need more protection just run Hold the Line. Shield makes your party members run after the mobs and scatters them reducing your PARTY’s aoe effectiveness. Help your team don’t hinder it. Also focus 3 is great for res’ing as it is an close aoe block.

Even though I really wanted my guardi to look like Logan Thackeray with the seraph shield and all, It’s really not worth it. I’m running GS/Staff build now for WvW and dungeon running and I must say it’s quite effective. On topic, If I had your options, I’d probably go Mace/Focus … sword is not good either :| Or well at least I don’t like the balance of the sword. First of all it’s not damaging but then, It’s not a support weapon like the staff is either, I don’t know who would use sword/shield combo nowadays other than for skin aesthetics. Correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t really see any real application of these two that can’t be done with any other weapon

I use shield for the interrupt. And it’s aesthetically better looking to me, IMO.

Both Shield and Focus have their strengths. Give them both a try and see what works best for your playstyle.

Shield more like supportive for group and focus more like a personal protection. I still prefer focus over shield, especially in dungeon.

Sword is actually really good, its just not good for aoe. It has good single target burst with mobility. I like the shield though i think the focus number 5 is a lot better than the shield number 5. The number 4 focus can be quite good but with a sword blind and a greatsword blind, my aegis virtue my heal block and all my meditation heals i just dont run focus even though i like the block on it.

Focus blocks more oddly enough.

Shield 5 is clutch.

Either block from off hand above is gravy in this game vs. that of any other MMO. All I can suggest is try before you buy. When I carried them I actually used both. Never used the scepter though because it didn’t feel right. 1 had sword, mace, bouncing between shield and focus. Focus in the end won because it blocked more which saved my overall health pool and longevity.

I use neither in the end, even solo. I run staff for mobility, speed, and WvWvW. Hammer for 1 v 1 or 2 v 1 and solo play.