Guild Wars 2

First off this is not a build forum it is a simple set of instructions to teach people how to maximize the sword and shield fighting style.

Sword/Shield can feel boring and inefficient when you first start using it. This is due to years of standing in place allowing a passive block system to do your job or turtling in more action based games. You will feel odd without a “Block” Skill and you might not feel like you are running a defensive build little lone as if you are truly enjoying the awesome power of sword and bored. But never fear after several failed tries I have figured it out. I’m sure many of you have done the same but apparently no ones telling.

But never fear! I have figured it out! Think about fighting sword and bored as if you where fighting with a pole-arm. Rather then getting up into your enemies grill. You keep them at bay you keep them in a proverbial “sweet spot” where they CAN’T hit you but you can hit them as much as you like! Sword/Shield is a close/mid ranged style on the guardian while your first two #1’s are usual within your foes striking distance and your #2 propels you into enemy reach you final #1 has a extended reach for a reason. You may need to get up close for a number of your attacks but its obvious (Well to me now) You aren’t sup[posed to stay their long. While keeping yourself within the 300 to 600 range closing into the 150 range occasionally seems hard at first if you pull it off right you can go an entire encounter without ever getting hit! And did I mention your pulling off a steady stream of dps while your doing this? Interested know? Here are a couple of pointers on how I use the skills for the awesome effect.

1. #1- For the first to strikes I am pulling myself into melee as I see the second strike go off I immediately pull out to the 300 range. Try to watch in-between a mobs attack’s in PvE In PvP their isn’t much you can do short of starting off with a #2 or ensuring you have an Aegis up.

2. #2- Good for initiating and setting up a #1 due to its blind. Can also be good for getting back into a fight if flung out for whatever reason.

3. #3- Good when fighting ranged mobs obviously as well as getting a good hit in from a safe 500 feet on a melee (Range might be a bit Higher or lower cant remember).

4. #4- Like #3 though it has less damage is also a good cone effect if you wanna hit multiple opponents (A strength of the Sword/ Shield style) also provides prot to you and allies in front of you soaking up a little damage if you get hit and triggering AH.

5. #5- Things getting too personal? Knock enemies back to a more reasonable distance for a quick breather. Taking too much fire Provide some quick cover while you ready a quick battle plan. I suggest following up with a #2 to #1 combo on a melee or a #3 and/or #4 on a ranged opponent.

Please forgive the 1001 typos.

Question comments or concerns?

I run the healing Greatsword, Focus, and Sword build. However, I do pack every other weapon we can use. Here is my feedback or comment on Sword and Shield.

I don’t use it. I do, however, use Scepter and Shield nightly. In fact, when I’m in WvW with a small group I’m using Staff with Shield and Scepter. Mainly beacuse of Shields 4 and 5. Shield 5 can just push people back at the right time as well as pushing people off high places. There are those that know what we can do and will use a form of stability, but that is when you use shield 4 or Scepter 3.

I like the shield, don’t get me wrong. Just not with a sword I like the scepter with it and use it to push forward. Not dps. Staff/Shield/Scepter is really good and pushing while others take people out. Badges fall out of the sky like skittles when I’m running that build. Solo, well, it is back to Greatsword, sword, and focus.

Why focus has the blocking is beyond me

Welcome to the big leagues lol this games combat mechanics is meant to be fluid. You really should never stand still and skill spam like in most mmorpgs where its just calculations working in the background.

1,1 dodge 1, 2,3 give it a shot.

As sword is a fast good crit weapon, you will always have endurance to roll. If you Pvp a lot you will understand. In pve its almost not needed as 5 mobs attacking you is not much problem.

KensaiZen.3740:

Welcome to the big leagues lol this games combat mechanics is meant to be fluid. You really should never stand still and skill spam like in most mmorpgs where its just calculations working in the background.

1,1 dodge 1, 2,3 give it a shot.

As sword is a fast good crit weapon, you will always have endurance to roll. If you Pvp a lot you will understand. In pve its almost not needed as 5 mobs attacking you is not much problem.

I was already aware of the need for movement and dodging what I was trying to explain was that sword and shield was not a Melee style but rather a close to mid ranged style that does best when staying within the 300-600 range.

Why does this need to be said? Its a highly effective style that gets no love because no one knows how to use it, and if they do they ain’t telling.