Guild Wars 2

So, I’ve been lurking these forums alot, trying to find a way for my sweet Guardian to get some use of her hammer (and mace).

I’ve been trying to go all zerk, but that route is not for me (for whatever reason). So I’ve been fiddling around with some gear combinations, trying to find a sweet spot where I get a bit more survivability through gear stats (vitality/toughness) without loosing too much offensive capabilities.

What it the minimum damage/crit chance you would recommend for PvE content? With the setup below I’m at 3252 damage/30% crit chance without food. I’d like to think atleast 16k health helps me ride through some of the cond spikes in various dungeons? Will the 30% crit chance (with low access to fury) be a problem with proc on crit?

As I mentioned above I want to make as much use of the hammer (and mace) as possible and therefore I was thinking about going for a symbol focused build.

Alt 1: More focus on symbols and consecrations (although low condition cleansing for my group)
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fUAQNAS5dlYgCDXGyLEfIFRmiVKy6D4D7hGzoHvFA-jADBYLCy0HBK9pIastBFRjVvATVKyqTJV5CwMGwjDzbIy+DJFA-e

Alt 2: Less focus on symbols (no traited symbols), but with better abilities to cleanse conditions for my Group thorugh shouts.
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fUAQNAS5dlYg67WFSLEfIFSmiCMBrPgPYPwoMqjuFA-jADBYLCy0HBK9pIastBFRjVvATVKyqTJV5CwMGwjDzbIy+DJFA-e

I was aiming to create a traid spread that allowed flexibility between a symbol/consecration and symbol/shout support hybrid. Hence the traits choices.

Last thing: Would you recommend waiting for the October 15 update, or is it unlikely that any major changes will be made to the mechanics of this build?

Hopefully this thread can contribute with some thoughts on how to play a Guardian i PvE without going full zerk.

For build 1 In virtues i’d go VI then IX.

I’m running a 15/15/0/30/10 build at the moment with full zerker, and coming from a mix of knights and zerker with an AH spec, the new dungeon was certainly a wake up call for me!

I’m thinking builds will change, they talk about improving support skills (and I assume traits?) so I’m trying not to think too much about various builds until next tuesday!

The idea of 10/0/0/30/30 with hammer/staff interests me from a support/boon duration point of view (I have 45% boon runes and 20% boon food too) so i’ll be interested to see what DOES happen next week!

Also looking at the gear stat choices, i’d still at least go full zerker accessories.

Your crit chance is really, really low.

Anyway, if you’re dead set on running a build like that; I’d just go with 15/15/0/20/20. That’s a really good hammer build setup, will work with mace as well.

Is there a good reason for wanting to avoid Berserker gear? Or is this just kind of one of those ‘special snowflake’ things

Storm.3952:

Also looking at the gear stat choices, i’d still at least go full zerker accessories.

Thanks for the comments,

So looking at gear only I made some adjustments (full zerk trinkets) and som changes to armor (one alternative with soldier and one with knights).

With soldier armor pieces I gain 1500 health and 50 attack, but loose out on 50 extra armor and 7% extra crit chance compared if I go knight’s pieces.

Is it possible to argue that the 7% increase in crit chance makes you proc vigorous precision more ofter = more endurance = more dodge healing from selfless daring?

Soldier: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fUAQNAS5dlYgCDXGyLEfIFRmiVKy6D4D7hGzoHvFA-jgCBYLCy0HBK7RQM9RZtNoIas6FYqSLqW5CwMGwbgRrGA-e
Knight’s: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fUAQNAS5dlYgCDXGyLEfIFRmiVKy6D4D7hGzoHvFA-jgCBYLCy0HBK9RZNBSQsNoIas6FYqSLqW5CwMGwbgRrGA-e

If next update brings more viable ways for us to focus on support builds in PvE content I might aswell hold out until the patch notes are released, but the theory exercise is well needed anyhow.

if you cannot run full zerk gear yet, just swap in knight’s helm/chest/leggings. camping hammer gives you more than enough protection to get by.

The Mexican Cookie.3690:

Your crit chance is really, really low.

Anyway, if you’re dead set on running a build like that; I’d just go with 15/15/0/20/20. That’s a really good hammer build setup, will work with mace as well.

Is there a good reason for wanting to avoid Berserker gear? Or is this just kind of one of those ‘special snowflake’ things

Regarding your suggestion I guess it would look something like this?
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fUAQNAS8dlYgCDXGyLEfIFSmCRCBtPAQ1HiHMFaUGB-jgCBYLCy0HBK9RZNBSQsNoIas6FYqSLqW5CwMGwbgRrGA-e

About going full zerk or not; I’m well aware of the advantages of running full zerk (and I run it on various dmg-focused alts), and the disadvantages (for me, personally). I just feel more comfortable playing with some bulkieness built into my gear sets, especially when playing my guard.

You could also debate whether you could switch in the 10% reduced damage signet for one of your consecrations. You don’t need reflect all the time, but when you do, perhaps swap it out for Hallowed Ground.

But as I say, who knows what will be announced next Tues. I’d sit tight for now.

Storm.3952:

You could also debate whether you could switch in the 10% reduced damage signet for one of your consecrations. You don’t need reflect all the time, but when you do, perhaps swap it out for Hallowed Ground.

But as I say, who knows what will be announced next Tues. I’d sit tight for now.

Valid point, this would provide more bulkiness to the build indeed.

RogerAndOut.4280:

The Mexican Cookie.3690:

Your crit chance is really, really low.

Anyway, if you’re dead set on running a build like that; I’d just go with 15/15/0/20/20. That’s a really good hammer build setup, will work with mace as well.

Is there a good reason for wanting to avoid Berserker gear? Or is this just kind of one of those ‘special snowflake’ things

Regarding your suggestion I guess it would look something like this?
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fUAQNAS8dlYgCDXGyLEfIFSmCRCBtPAQ1HiHMFaUGB-jgCBYLCy0HBK9RZNBSQsNoIas6FYqSLqW5CwMGwbgRrGA-e

About going full zerk or not; I’m well aware of the advantages of running full zerk (and I run it on various dmg-focused alts), and the disadvantages (for me, personally). I just feel more comfortable playing with some bulkieness built into my gear sets, especially when playing my guard.

Yea, that build looks fine. I would change the minor radiance trait to signet cool down though. That signet heal cooldown really hurts without it.

http://en.gw2skills.net/editor/?fUAQNAS8dlYgCDXGyLEfIFSmCRCBtPAQ1HiHMFaUGB-jgCBYLCy0HBK9RZNBSQsNoIas6FYqSLqW5CwMGwbgRrGA-e

Change the Valkyrie for Assassin and the back piece of Berserker. You won’t miss the 1K hp and you’ll have 50% crit rate.

What about a 15/25/0/20/10 build? This is what I run (though, with full zerk).

http://bit.ly/1fZHnqq

This will give you more precision, but you do lose out on the condi-removal of absolute resolution (Which you can get from “Save Yourselves!” and purging flames if needed?). You also get the 10% damage boost from radiant power.

Also, why the use of two-handed mastery over symbol duration if you off-hand sword-focus? The latter seems like a better choice as spamming hammer auto-attack is what makes the prot-spamming guardian.

I don’t know much about the Mace (as I am not a fan, but love hammer and sword/focus) so your choices might reflect that, and I am simply clueless.

hallowed ground doesn’t remove conditions.

the 15/25 is definitely better than the 15/15 spread if you don’t need condition removal, and 25/25 is probably the best for DPS if you don’t want any points in virtues (though at that point why bring a guardian?)

also agreed about 2h mastery, symbol duration >>>> 2h mastery unless you really need the other hammer skills for whatever reason (e.g. ring of warding/zealot’s embrace for immobilising grawl/LOSing in fotm)

guanlongwucaii.3162:

hallowed ground doesn’t remove conditions.

the 15/25 is definitely better than the 15/15 spread if you don’t need condition removal, and 25/25 is probably the best for DPS if you don’t want any points in virtues (though at that point why bring a guardian?)

also agreed about 2h mastery, symbol duration >>>> 2h mastery unless you really need the other hammer skills for whatever reason (e.g. ring of warding/zealot’s embrace for immobilising grawl/LOSing in fotm)

Ahh, I meant “Save yourselves!”

I made some changes to your Build 2. Mostly the Traits, I did a 15/15/0/30/10 build with different Masters in a few spots.(really don’t need two handed mastery IMO, better off with longer symbol duration)

Also the blind spam from 15 in Radiance is amazing. You can blind first attack with virtue, block second with retreat, block third with virtue, blind with focus, then you can probably blind with virtue again since it refills so quickly on enemy deaths. That is all kinds of damage mitigation right there(plus radiance adds more crit chance!).

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fUAQNAS5dlUgiCXFSLEfIFRWBRafAg1HiH2DM6xOC-jADBYLCy0HBK9pIastBFRjVvATVKyqTJV5CwMGwjDzbIy+DJFA-e

Variant with different armor but adds more utility to shouts:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fUAQNAS5dlUgiCXFSLEfIFRWBRafAg1HiH2DM6xOC-jgCBYLCy0HBK5pIasVWFRjVvATVKyKXCpmxAecYeDRGA-e

Writ of Persistence (VII in Honor) is the best trait for a Hammer because it increases your DPS by 20-30% and gives your party permanent protection. 15 in Zeal is good too, because it maintains vulnerability on enemies.

Two-Handed Mastery is useless because the Hammer’s DPS comes from the auto-attack, and 20 in Virtues has better condition removal than shouts.

15/0/0/30/25. Because you have 30 points in Honor, improved passive health regen, and permanent protection you will have high survivability, even in squishy gear, while sustaining DPS.

I took all of these build suggestions and kept tweaking it until I found something that works for me.

I really like the hammer/mace+focus. It fits my play style. I prefer playing my guardian as a steady dps build with lots of combo options. Its fun to be able to stack might when needed, keep near perma vulnerability up on the mobs and smash things with a hammer.

I don’t yet have a full set of rune of the traveler, due to cost, but soon I will. I think once I have the 25% movement speed this will be even better.

I stick to mostly PvE, dungeons, and fractals. This is my casual, watch TV while I play, character. I can maintain dps and provide support for the group. If need be I can swap out my hammer for a GS for certain fights or staff for other fights. All of those weps have symbols so they all benefit from the build.

Also, I play an asura, so about half the time, instead of Renewed Focus I use the D or 7 series golems. They can help provider more dps or off tank when there are lots of mobs. I can also change Absolute Resolution for Elite focus if I know the fight won’t have many conditions. This massively improves the D-Series golem, since he usually survives the entire time.

Here is the build and gear

I am always looking for input.

Cheers!