Guild Wars 2

Sword & Shield/Torch Build

Armor – Soldier`s Norn skin (HoT purchase) with…
Superior Rune of the Warrior +65 Power, +100 Vitality, -20% recharge on weapon swap.

Dire Ceremonial Sword (+ condition damage)
Sigil of Bloodlust
+10 Power per stack upon kill – 25 stacks maximum (Kindled Zeal)

Soldier`s Norn Shield & Dire Shiverpeak Torch both (Torch + condition damage)
Superior Rune of Intelligence
Next three attacks after swapping to this weapon while in combat have a 100% critical chance. 9 sec. cooldown

Specs

Radiance
Right-Hand Strength – Critical hit chance with one-handed weapons is increased. Sword skills recharge faster.

Radiant Fire – Gain zealot’s flame when you critically hit an enemy. Burning duration is increased. Torch abilities recharge faster.

Amplified Wrath – Burning damage is increased. Burn enemies whose attacks you successfully block.

Zeal
Wrathful Spirit – Aegis gives retaliation when it ends.

Kindled Zeal – Gain condition damage based on your power. (Sigil of Bloodlust)

Symbolic Avenger – Deal more damage to enemies standing in your symbols.

Honor (swap out for Dragonhunter)
Protective Reviver – Activate a shield of absorption when you begin reviving an ally. Upon successful revival, you and ally each gain aegis, protection and regeneration.

Pure of Heart – Aegis heals when it blocks an attack.

Writ of Persistence – Symbols last longer, are larger, and heal allies.

Note – Greatsword is Bloodlust and Intelligence. The choice to swap Zeal – Kindled Zeal for…
Zealous Blade – Attacks with your greatsword deal extra damage and heal you. Greatsword abilities have reduced recharge.

I find to be fight dependant.

That`s the build. Was wondering if anyone out there had any adjustments to advise. Or a variation my myopic vison hasn`t considered!

/wavehi

From the traits it looks like you are more condi build from the stats you are definetly power which makes this rather strange for PvE, because Hybrid underperform pure Condi and Powerbuilds.
Whats your goal with this build and which game mode are you playing with it?

InsaneQR.7412:

From the traits it looks like you are more condi build from the stats you are definetly power which makes this rather strange for PvE, because Hybrid underperform pure Condi and Powerbuilds.
Whats your goal with this build and which game mode are you playing with it?

Hiya!

I don`t view this as a condition build with condition damage only 635. I went with Dire sword and torch to buff it up a little. Other than sword & torch everything is soldier`s. Because burning is an intrical part built into the guardian I constructed the build to take advantage of that fact. A correction to my original post.. Rune of intelligence is sigil of intelligence.

I don`t consider this a power build as much as a ‘sustained’ damage build. I`ve experienced how a con build falls flat when I get the ‘immune’ message and how the `spite` build is diminished by a good block so… This is the most damaging build I have been able to construct. It under performs nothing! For 2hand to try to come close I have scepter symbol swap 2hand symbol and give it a spin.

Health 22,385 Armor 3020 Power 2149 Tough 1809 Vitality 2074

Crit chance 4% Crit Damage 156% Con damage 635

Slot 1 sword & torch Slot 2 shield (I do carry a scepter to equip with the shield for range work)

Condition damage is buffed by Amplified Wrath and sigil of bloodlust (Zeal – Kindled Zeal). When I have 25 stacks of power breathing flames is real nice! Signet of Wrath also buffs con damage and gives me one of my two 1200 range attacks.

Pathetic Crit chance but Sigil of Intelligence garauntees 3 crits. Crits proc zealot`s flame (Radiance – Radiant Fire).

I try to keep aegis up as much as possible for retaliation and to proc Amplified Wrath. The shout Retreat gives me an addtional aegis proc and the swiftness comes in real handy.

So… Not a condition build at all but with traits I really take advantage of it without compromising physical damage. And everyone knows how devastating con damage can be so the 3rd util is Contemplation of Purity – turn conditions into boons ALL conditions

How do I play it… Start with sword/shield. Shield wave and if close shield repel. swap for crits. Burn self, throw torch, teleport, and let sword 1 work. Rinse and repeat.

PVE for me! I`m retired (ya, that old). I haven`t seen a game yet that gives melee it`s just dues. Couple that with being inundated with ‘special effects’ well. My Asura gets lost easily! Funny too (not really) because the cure is simple. In Options a checkbox that says something like Melee Turn. Check the box and if you are melee you turn (turn toward not chase after) in the direction of your target. I see melees doing it all the time! I do it! Looking for your target. In options I had to assign reverse direction to my F key. Ranged has a distinct advantage not looking for a target. Good for them! I too have a hunter, engineer, & necro.

PvP – Use to. Alot! At this stage of my life I enjoy a good story much more and Guild Wars really shines! Well done ANet! Well done indeed!

Hmmm… Did I answer your question!? Well you know what they say goes first when you get old. But I won`t tell you the truth.

:)

Macnor.4832:

InsaneQR.7412:

From the traits it looks like you are more condi build from the stats you are definetly power which makes this rather strange for PvE, because Hybrid underperform pure Condi and Powerbuilds.
Whats your goal with this build and which game mode are you playing with it?

Hiya!

I don`t view this as a condition build with condition damage only 635. I went with Dire sword and torch to buff it up a little. Other than sword & torch everything is soldier`s. Because burning is an intrical part built into the guardian I constructed the build to take advantage of that fact. A correction to my original post.. Rune of intelligence is sigil of intelligence.

I don`t consider this a power build as much as a ‘sustained’ damage build. I`ve experienced how a con build falls flat when I get the ‘immune’ message and how the `spite` build is diminished by a good block so… This is the most damaging build I have been able to construct. It under performs nothing! For 2hand to try to come close I have scepter symbol swap 2hand symbol and give it a spin.

Health 22,385 Armor 3020 Power 2149 Tough 1809 Vitality 2074

Crit chance 4% Crit Damage 156% Con damage 635

Slot 1 sword & torch Slot 2 shield (I do carry a scepter to equip with the shield for range work)

Condition damage is buffed by Amplified Wrath and sigil of bloodlust (Zeal – Kindled Zeal). When I have 25 stacks of power breathing flames is real nice! Signet of Wrath also buffs con damage and gives me one of my two 1200 range attacks.

Pathetic Crit chance but Sigil of Intelligence garauntees 3 crits. Crits proc zealot`s flame (Radiance – Radiant Fire).

I try to keep aegis up as much as possible for retaliation and to proc Amplified Wrath. The shout Retreat gives me an addtional aegis proc and the swiftness comes in real handy.

So… Not a condition build at all but with traits I really take advantage of it without compromising physical damage. And everyone knows how devastating con damage can be so the 3rd util is Contemplation of Purity – turn conditions into boons ALL conditions

How do I play it… Start with sword/shield. Shield wave and if close shield repel. swap for crits. Burn self, throw torch, teleport, and let sword 1 work. Rinse and repeat.

PVE for me! I`m retired (ya, that old). I haven`t seen a game yet that gives melee it`s just dues. Couple that with being inundated with ‘special effects’ well. My Asura gets lost easily! Funny too (not really) because the cure is simple. In Options a checkbox that says something like Melee Turn. Check the box and if you are melee you turn (turn toward not chase after) in the direction of your target. I see melees doing it all the time! I do it! Looking for your target. In options I had to assign reverse direction to my F key. Ranged has a distinct advantage not looking for a target. Good for them! I too have a hunter, engineer, & necro.

PvP – Use to. Alot! At this stage of my life I enjoy a good story much more and Guild Wars really shines! Well done ANet! Well done indeed!

Hmmm… Did I answer your question!? Well you know what they say goes first when you get old. But I won`t tell you the truth.

:)

For PvE it would be more advantous to min-max in power or condi respectively if you wanna go on most dmg potential. For PvP pressure in condi and power can come in handy. Very important for all builds is looking for stunbreaks and condi cleanses to provide survability. Try if possible to make good use of boons (virtue specialization) to buff you up if needed.
Btw do you have the expansion or just the basegame? If so you can make also use of DH for more area dmg and fancy virtue enhancements
For story versatility is always good and leeds to more enjoyable play, but when you play more difficult content look forward to specialize in one dmg type.
For condi -> precision and condi dmg
For power-> power, precision and ferocity(crit dmg)

If your interested i have a really tanky permablock build with some decent crit chance(together with fury about 60%) and fantastic crit dmg.

And dont worry about the age, my guild leader is over 60 and she does better than i do ^^

Buddy give vipers gear a shot.
It does what you’re trying, both white and condi damage. And, it’s available as you play Hot content. It’s squishy, but if you just add one piece at a time, you’ll find a happy balance for you. You may even find the game gets easier as you add more damage potential, dead opponents do far less damage.

LetoII.3782:

Buddy give vipers gear a shot.
It does what you’re trying, both white and condi damage. And, it’s available as you play Hot content. It’s squishy, but if you just add one piece at a time, you’ll find a happy balance for you. You may even find the game gets easier as you add more damage potential, dead opponents do far less damage.

I thought vipers gear is expansion only and he didnt mentioned if he has it or not yet.
If so yes vipers gear is very good hybrid gear, if not sinister is worth a shot.

Hey all, thanks for the replies.

Guys, from my first post the first line.

Armor – Soldier`s Norn skin (HoT purchase) with…

Thank you Anet!

For PvE it would be more advantous to min-max in power or condi

I could go crest of soldier to help max Power (120 more) but Bloodlust is 2X better and I lose the -20% on weapon swap time. 8 sec. swap 9 sec. cooldown on swap 3 crit hits garuanteed. every 9 seconds 3 crits 156% normal.

Try if possible to make good use of boons (virtue specialization)

Virtue is a good choice and after last night my dragonhunter bow is in the bank. Really! If I want to play ranged I would play my ranger but he exists solely for gathering. That means my engineer which I love or my necro. Sylvari necro with the Profane armor skin. I love watching her running around. She`s got the cutest butt! (I`m old not dead) I digress! So… I have to weigh the choice of honor`s larger longer symbols that heal all vrs virtue`s benefits. Overall virtue would be better but who doesn`t want aegis, protection and regen when they`ve just been rezzed. This rez ability has 2 parts. The 2nd being Pact Commander`s
Noblesse Oblige – Learn to revive your allies faster and with less penalties.
So… Honor it is! After all the char is a Norn. And honor to a Norn… well!

If your interested i have a really tanky permablock build

VERY interested! I`m guessing it`s Sentinal armor based? I ended my first post with just such a request! That pesky first post coming back like bad breath in morning!

And dont worry about the age,

Wicked laughter ensues!

Viper`s on a guardian!? I would make a thief and really go for spike damage. And run like hell when I grabbed aggro! I run my guardian into the middle of a group and have at it. I should look more for the elite hiding there but hey! Just makes it exciting!

It seems that people think I trying to make a hybrid or something. I`m not! I am coming from a different mindset. Sustained damage or maybe better stated continuous damage.

I`m not waiting for weapon skill recharge.
I don`t have crit chance I have crit garauntee.
I am continuously burning.
Even if I am not hitting whatever Zealot`s Flame hits nearby foes.
My continuous burn doesn`t compromise physical damage potential. (There is only one trait to directly increase damage and that`s greatsword in the bank)

I am Norn!
See it. Hit it. Make it hurt!

Macnor.4832:

Hey all, thanks for the replies.

Guys, from my first post the first line.

Armor – Soldier`s Norn skin (HoT purchase) with…

Thank you Anet!

---

For PvE it would be more advantous to min-max in power or condi

I could go crest of soldier to help max Power (120 more) but Bloodlust is 2X better and I lose the -20% on weapon swap time. 8 sec. swap 9 sec. cooldown on swap 3 crit hits garuanteed. every 9 seconds 3 crits 156% normal.

---

Try if possible to make good use of boons (virtue specialization)

Virtue is a good choice and after last night my dragonhunter bow is in the bank. Really! If I want to play ranged I would play my ranger but he exists solely for gathering. That means my engineer which I love or my necro. Sylvari necro with the Profane armor skin. I love watching her running around. She`s got the cutest butt! (I`m old not dead) I digress! So… I have to weigh the choice of honor`s larger longer symbols that heal all vrs virtue`s benefits. Overall virtue would be better but who doesn`t want aegis, protection and regen when they`ve just been rezzed. This rez ability has 2 parts. The 2nd being Pact Commander`s
Noblesse Oblige – Learn to revive your allies faster and with less penalties.
So… Honor it is! After all the char is a Norn. And honor to a Norn… well!

---

If your interested i have a really tanky permablock build

VERY interested! I`m guessing it`s Sentinal armor based? I ended my first post with just such a request! That pesky first post coming back like bad breath in morning!

---

And dont worry about the age,

Wicked laughter ensues!

---

Viper`s on a guardian!? I would make a thief and really go for spike damage. And run like hell when I grabbed aggro! I run my guardian into the middle of a group and have at it. I should look more for the elite hiding there but hey! Just makes it exciting!

It seems that people think I trying to make a hybrid or something. I`m not! I am coming from a different mindset. Sustained damage or maybe better stated continuous damage.

I`m not waiting for weapon skill recharge.
I don`t have crit chance I have crit garauntee.
I am continuously burning.
Even if I am not hitting whatever Zealot`s Flame hits nearby foes.
My continuous burn doesn`t compromise physical damage potential. (There is only one trait to directly increase damage and that`s greatsword in the bank)

I am Norn!
See it. Hit it. Make it hurt!

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vVUQRAse5dnsABddiFdCOCB8Dhl6hyaCi3Q4KA2hfQe+z//H-TBiDAB8s/AAm/kR9ntPpCBp8bE9PL8kCUQJIpAGbrF-e

Here you go, keep in mind this build is only effektive with one handed weapons (crit chance from trait, its not displayed on the template) it has very high crit dmg and good crit chance with the traits and the runes(good fury uptime, fury gives 20% more crit chance). Your armor is very high and you have the signet for stunbreak and dmg reduction. One trap is for stab, aegis and stunbreak (ou also have a trait that activates this trap). The other trap for AoE dmg.
Rotation is simple:
Blink in with sword
Sword #3
Whirling Wrath trap
Shield#4
If neccessary shield #5 to get some air.
Weaponswap
Mace #2 right after focus #5 (gives area retal) and blocks
Focus #4 if needed for blinding and regen.
After that you can do dmg via auto and bunker with mace #3 and virtue.
Weaponswap and repeat.
If you take high dmg heal up with shelter and get out of misery with virtue (you are tough but you do not have high vitality)
The aegis trap is very useful to get you out of trouble.

And for your min-maxing
If you wanna concentrate on one dmg type use runes and trinkets that give you that dmg type (power precision and ferocity for power dmg for example)
As you have seen on my build i used a trait to convert % of toughness into ferocity <- these traits can make very interesting builds with decent dmg and good survability.
Food and buffs from sharpening stones are also very good (on my build here it is ferocious sharpening stone, converts again toughness into ferocity)
Min-maxing does not mean forget about the survability if you dont like to be squishy, just focus on one dmg type and dont go full tank unless you are a pvp bunker, because you cannot kill something with nothing.

Last but not least, play as you like to play in PvE (except the hardcore stuff ^^’)
These here are just advices, everything else is up to you

Insane…

a very BIG thank you! Actually makes DH worthwhile. Tho, I am having great success with my current build. Standard 80 level npc gets trashed. I should have added something else to my list of…

I`m not waiting for weapon skill recharge.
I don`t have crit chance I have crit garauntee.
I am continuously burning.
Even if I am not hitting whatever Zealot`s Flame hits nearby foes.
My continuous burn doesn`t compromise physical damage potential.

Adding – The only time I start weapon swap for crits is against immune and/or veteran or better opponents. (Veteran Ember YUCK)

As much as I really like your build I`ll stick with mine. I really believe people generally underestimate the Guardian`s burn. Which reminds me. An engineer and I where going for the Cursed Shores skill point; the one in the walled maze type area. The place where there`s NO room to manuver! He sees a champion risen giant and attacks it. Okayyyy Sure! We trashed it. Engineer helped rez me twice. I DIDN`T get credit in achievements for a giant kill. :/

WARNING!
DANGER WILL ROBINSON!
aka…
RANT WARNING!

I saw the the DH spec and a bow. A BOW! I`m a dragon fan from way back. Anne McCaffrey blah blah etc. etc. etc. That is NOT a dragonhunter! Should have been a spear!

skill 1 Guardian – 240 range 180 degree arch in front. Damage. Bleed

skill 2 Guardian`s Will – 240 range 360 degree. Stab ground. Symbol. Visual effect shock wave

skill 3 Guardian`s Wraith – 240 range 180 degree arch in front. Damage. 360 radius effects guardian and allies burn on next attack.

skill 4 Guardian`s Gift – 240 range 180 degree arch in front. Damage. Grant aegis to you and allies. 360 radius. 9 seconds 3 second proc

skill 5 Dragonhunter – 1600 range +25% speed Leap. Damage. Bleed. Burn. Display DRAGON WINGS for leap

ThIS

IS

A DRAGONHUNTER!

This is a master level GUARDIAN skill set.

A bow! Really? My hunter can sustain near 75% crit chance (add 20 for pet) with 2x +- damage.

Another thing that makes me wonder. Legendaries. When I started online gaming 29 years ago I did say SURE! Didn`t take long to learn what that really meant.

Legendaries – JUST SAY NO!

Server name – Legendary JUST SAY YES!

To get on it… Personal story. All areas completely explored. New areas released explore them to get back on server. Slayer (500 each 18,000 kills)
Beat the legendary server and you get your legendaries. Now that you have those!

Server name – Ascended aka Let`s play with gods!

Okay! I`m done.

Again thanks for build. Do want to try it eventually (copied your post to my build file)