I was thinking the other day about how certain Warrior builds are made super strong because of sigil of intelligence, and thought about combining a soldier build with something that can also do some pretty heavy damage. Cos let’s face it, playing cleric bunker is pretty dull at times.
The result;
http://en.gw2skills.net/editor/?fVAQNAS5dlsApVo97wZI8DRR8Ql5Y8iVFAY/EbRWc1MA-TJBHwAAeCAq2fwZZgBXEAA
The traits -
Zeal – II
You will be putting out a rather decent amount of burning on this build, and it making it easier to exploit this trait. Purging flames+Constant Symbol ticks over points mean you will be constantly hitting your VoJ trigger.
Valor – II
3x Focus block, 1x Mace block, Shelter multi-block, Aegis. More burning on enemies (particularly nice against bursty thieves and the like) gives more exploitation of Zeal II, as well as more damage. Therefore this trait gives a slightly exponential damage boost, so its worth taking.
Honor – II VII XI
Purity of voice is the key, the first two traits can be played with an have a certain flexibility. I prefer superior Aria for obvious reasons, and the longer lasting symbols is to increase the output of VoJ passive. Once again it’s about finding synergy between the traits.
Virtues – VI IX
Reduces recharge on Purging Flames, increases duration, gives more burning, more responsive condi-clearing, ability to stack might more frequently and generate a better might-uptime. Oh and absolute resolution, just cos it’s standard guardian banter.
So what do you offer with this build?
Support wise, you are pushing out the buffed virtues, a fire field that you can personally blast for 6 stacks of might. Taking reduced recharge on 2 handed means you can actually blast 3 times, giving 9 stacks of might. Runes of Hoelbraak are obviously a good choice for this build. Strength Runes are also decent if you want to go with more power.
On top of the might and virtues, you have stability, retaliation, a LOT of condi removal for your team (Going Save Yourselves then Purging Flames is nice if your team is overloaded and you are doing ok) and some really excellent CC from the Hammer (trapping the enemy after a switch with 5 then unloading 2 and autos will destroy glasses), Mace 2 offers regen and and the excellent mace 3 (guaranteed crit on mace 3 after might stacking REALLY hurts anything not tanky, augments stomps due to the AoE block) is always welcome. Focus offers blind as always.
Another thing you can (and should) try is to remove save yourselves and replace it with Hold the Line. Save Yourselves has it’s uses and in conjunction with a purging flames will reduce all condis on you by 58% duration when running Melandru, which is hugely significant. Otherwise, Save Yourselves is only really used as a stunbreaker.
Damage wise, your best combos look something like;
Purging Flames > (Filler Attack, preferably Focus 4 blind to offer coverage over the fire damage) > Shield Of Wrath (mightx3) > Switch > Hammer 2 (mightx3) > Hammer Auto (Or Hammer 4 knockback if you have burning still applied to interrupt any clear attempts)
Generally you want to go straight into a fight using all your skills to take your opponent off guard with blocks, blinds and CC. The facetanking potential of this build is just phenomenal. Typically, the only enemy you will have trouble with 1v1 is a Turret Engi using tons of knockback. However, you have a decent level of AoE damage that can tick over, if you can remain mobile and dodge the immobs and clear the turrets, you can take the engi down easily enough. I wouldn’t reccommend approaching an engi already bunkered into position that has his turrets set up to get clear LoS on your approach.
Anyway, give this build a shot, it’s a hoot. The sustain is very good, the damage is strong and has much better stomp-securing ability than any Meditation DPS zerker build.
(edited by TrOtskY.5927)