Guild Wars 2

HEY-YO, just another fellow Guard here pondering on why ANET tried to give each trait line a bit of everything, such as retaliation in every kitten line when it is made to feel like a VALOR/VIRTUE type of boon, OR how the traits for symbols are spread out between ZEAL and HONOR (two completely different lines). Honestly, doing this takes away from the potential and specialty of each different trait line; example being, Zeal for raw AOE damage, but there is condition damage stuff, why ANET ?!? I hope ANET sees this and considers a change in Core Professional Trait Lines.

So anyway with all the leaks and stuff floating around, and hopes of a balance update coming, this is my attempt to streamline the messy work that is the Guardian Core Trait lines and help give them a true identity. If you liked this, have a suggestion, or if you want to see me do another profession just let me know! Had fun with this!

note: I’ll go minor traits then major. Also, the Black Spoiler Strips are used as a quote on quote “DEV” comment on why the changes were made. ENJOY!!

ZEAL – SPIRIT WEAPONS/SYMBOLS/AOE/GS/SCEPTER

Minor Adept-> Zealot’s Speed
Unchanged

Minor Master-> Symbolic Exposure
Symbols apply vulnerability to foes and vuln lasts longer.
Increasing the duration allows for more consistent stacks of vuln

Minor Grandmaster-> Symbolic Power
Symbols have increased damage and are larger.
Added the larger area effect from HONOR line since this is the symbol line

Major Adept-> Wrathful Spirit
(something-something spirit weapons)
Im sorry guys I just can't, I mean for there to be meaningful SW traits we need some form of update

Major Adept-> Fiery Wrath
Unchanged

Major Adept -> Zealous Scepter
Scepter attacks now gain might every 3rd hit. Scepter abilities recharge faster.
Allows for a more consistent and involving way to build might stack rather than trying to proc your justice passive.......-_-

Major Master-> Binding Jeopardy
Immobilizing or blinding a foe also applies vulnerability to them. (this vuln’s duration is increased)

Major Master-> Zealous Blade
Unchanged

Major Master-> Kindled Zeal
Symbols now only form under the Guardian but follow them for the symbol duration. (think facets)
Allows for symbols to be a mobile entity, which is helpful in a game where movement is key

Major Grandmaster-> Expeditious Spirit
Spirit weapons burn foes they strike. Spirit weapon summon and command skills have reduced recharge.(needs rework)
Like I said before...update

Major Grandmaster-> Shattered Aegis
When an aegis you applied blocks an attack, it shatters, damaging nearby foes as well as crippling and bleeding them.
Addes to the raw AEO thematic while giving a slight support to condition builds; think Holy Frag Grenade

Major Grandmaster-> Symbolic Avenger
You deal more damage to enemies standing in you and symbols heal with each pulse.
Added the other half of Writ of Persistence to this trait to keep all symbol traits in ZEAL

RADIANCE – SIGNETS/CONDI/TORCH/SWORD/JUSTICE

Minor Master-> Renewed Justice
Unchanged

Minor Adept-> Justice is Blind
Unchanged

Minor Grandmaster-> Radiant Power
Virtue of Justice’s active and passive effects now purge 2 boons from affected foes.
Given that RADIANCE is the Virtue of Justice line, it made sense to give this minor a Justice heavy trait, also the boon purging adds to aggro builds

Major Adept-> Inner Fire
Unchanged

Major Adept-> Right-Hand Strength
Unchanged

Major Adept-> Healer’s Retribution
Activating a signet reduces Virtue of Justice’s cooldown by 1 second.
Again this adds play for your Virtue of Justice, but now at the same time making signets a worthy skill

Major Master-> Wrath of Justice
Striking an enemy with justice’s active effect triggers signet of wrath. Your next active damaging signet will deal 50% more damage (within 10s)
Inscentivises players to use the active on signets and adds more signet love

Major Master-> Radiant Fire
(10 IC) Gain zealot’s flame when you hit an enemy(50%). Burning duration is increased. Torch abilities recharge faster.
Changed it so you don't have to build crit to get the procs, I mean you shouldn't be forced to play something you don't want to, i.e burn guard with no crit

Major Master-> Retribution
Attacks against burning foes have an increased chance to critically hit.(increase chance to 12%)
This was a minor that was forcing crit down your throat so now it's your choice to force it down your throat, plus 2% more crit

Major Grandmaster-> Amplified Wrath
Unchanged

Major Grandmaster-> Perfect Inscriptions
Gain light aura when activating a signet. Signets recharge faster and maintain their passives even after activating the signet.
Just changed it so instead of more bonuses, you just keep the old ones even when you use actives. I mean what good is a bonus if you can't use it

Major Grandmaster-> Radiant Retaliation
Increase your Condition Damage and duration by 2% for each condition you are suffering from.
Being a condition(burning) line you should have a Grandmaster trait that steroids your condi damage when in a pinch, ya know to make those clutch CRISPY kills

VALOR – BLOCKING/MEDITATIONS/DEFENSE/HAMMER/SHIELD/COURAGE

Minor Adept-> Valorous Defense
Unchanged, but decreased the cooldown by 5s

Minor Master-> Courageous Return
Unchanged

Minor Grandmaster Might of the Protector
Unchanged

Major Adept Strength of the Fallen
(2 IC) Lose conditions at a set time interval. Impairing a foe’s movement with a Hammer skill will transfer one condition. Hammer skill recharge faster.
I felt that hammer deserved to be in the VALOR line and for a heavy hitting defensive weapon I felt that transferring conditions was a better function to synergize with the weapon, also crit for chill..... really?? IDK that felt out of theme and cheese

Major Adept-> Smiter’s Boon
Unchanged

Major Adept-> Focus Mastery
Unchanged

Major Master-> Stalwart Defender
Unchanged

Major Master-> Strength in Numbers
Unchanged

Major Master-> Communal Defenses
(15 IC) Grant aegis and protection to allies when you block an attack. Gain xxx toughness for each ally affected(10s).
So in the master tier of VALOR this was the only trait that didn't offer a way to increase your toughness, so I added functionality for a support type of guardian tank to gain THICCness for blocking for his allies

Major Grandmaster-> Altruistic Healing
(1 IC) Your Aegis can now stack up to 3 times and blocking reduces Virtue of Courage’s recharge.
The best way for a guard to "guard" is though their blocks so by giving them the ability to stake them, the dream for an ideal tank/healer is real. Also, the synergy here is pretty good with other lines while keeping with the tanky theme

Major Grandmaster-> Monk’s Focus
Unchanged

Major Grandmaster-> Retributive Armor
Unchanged

HONOR – DODGING/SYMBOLS/SHOUTS/HEALING/SUSTAIN/STAFF/MACE/RESOLVE

Minor Adept-> Vigorous Precision
Unchanged

Minor Master-> Selfless Daring
Unchanged

Minor Grandmaster-> Purity of Body
Unchanged

Major Adept-> Invigorated Bulwark
Unchanged

Major Adept-> Protective Reviver
Unchanged

Major Adept-> Protector’s Impact
Heal more based off how much endurance you have.
This adds more of a healing presence for the Guardian. I see the percent gain reasonable, even when you are low on endurance

Major Master-> Honorable Staff
Boon duration is increased while wielding a staff. Staff recharges are reduced and abilities deal 10% more damage.
Major Master-> Pure of Heart
Unchanged

Major Master-> Empowering Might
Unchanged

Major Grandmaster-> Pure of Voice
Allies affected by shouts have 2 conditions converted to boons. Shout abilities have their recharge reduced. Shouts now grant a short amount of Resistance.
Felt like Guards needed some more sustain against condi's and a means for resistance so here it is

Major Grandmaster-> Writ of Persistence
(10 IC for Edur. Rate) Applying boons to ally’s or self, heal you and grant you 50% endurance gain rate for X seconds.
I know people will hate me, putting this one in contention with the shout trait but it had to be done, I mean for this trait not to be in the healing line is a sin. I mean you do now get 50% endurance

Major Grandmaster-> Force of Will
Unchanged

VIRTUES – VIRTUES/CONSECRATIONS/BOONS

Minor Adept-> Inspired Virtue
Unchanged

Minor Master-> Virtue of Retribution
Gain retaliation when you activate a virtue. Retaliation you apply lasts longer and you deal 5% more damage under the effects of retaliation.
Added the traits for retaliation in the virtue line instead of spreading them out all over the place

Minor Grandmaster-> Power of the Virtuous
Unchanged

Major Adept-> Unscathed Contender
Deal more damage while under the effects of aegis. Aegis now grants retaliation upon blocking
Another means of specing retaliation

Major Adept-> Retaliatory Subconscious
Unchanged, decreased the cooldown by 5s

Major Adept-> Master of Consecrations
Consecrations last longer, are larger and have reduced recharge.(giving more to Consecrations)

Major Master-> Virtuous Solace
Unchanged

Major Master-> Absolute Resolution
Unchanged

Major Master-> Glacial Heart
When activating a virtue, you and nearby allies gain super speed and are also 30% resistant to slowing effects.
Removed the hammer trait since it didn’t fit the VIRTUE trait line or the theme behind the Guardian, instead, I swapped it with a more support-mobility trait that can be good for both offense or defense

Major Grandmaster-> Permeating Wrath
Unchanged

Major Grandmaster-> Battle Presence
Nearby allies gain Virtue of Resolve’s passive effect and Boons last longer. Also, increase self Endurance regen by 10%.
[spoiler]Adds another layer of play for this trait [/spoiler]

Major Grandmaster-> Indomitable Courage
Unchanged