Guild Wars 2

Revised – Added a 1v1 “non-competitive” build variant
Added Gameplay Vid Don’t criticize my gameplay too much :p

Thought I’d get a head start and post a probable condi build for feedback and collaborative theory-crafting. Nothing’s “meta” until Tournament teams make them viable, right?

TPvP

Gameplay Vid: http://tinyurl.com/ot4bg37

If you want an elite burst effect, choose Mad King Runes as it can offer 17 hits to 3 players, dealing numerous F1 procs making it very powerful with Permeating Wrath and Supreme Justice. Can also choose Flame Legion runes as alternatives and/or go Absolute Resolution + Indomitable Courage if you so choose.

Feedback is welcomed!

I’m excited. I’ve loved the idea of condi guardians since the very start. Now people can stop saying they suck so bad. I think the best combination is torch and hammer. I use torch and staff in WvW for the support aspects.

1h sword is also a choice. I’m heavily against greatsword since the torch is already the superior damage and always has been imo. It does more damage and it hits multiple targets easily.

I use a crit condi and that seems to have gotten the best buff of all. Now you can use a crit condi build to keep increasing the duration of your flames while adding more and more. I use an asura to poison and use torment and poison on my weapons. The poison from asura helps offset any healing they might do to counterattack the burning.

This worked really well in pvp even before this new update that surely has made it amazing.

Saiyan.1704:

Permeating Wrath and Supreme Justice is what makes Mad King rune’s so powerful.

I am lost here … please elaborate. Mad King rune is about bleeding duration ?

Angina.9314:

Saiyan.1704:

Permeating Wrath and Supreme Justice is what makes Mad King rune’s so powerful.

I am lost here … please elaborate. Mad King rune is about bleeding duration ?

There’s an effect that activates when an Elite is used. The rune sends crows (they’re really eagles) to attack foes. The rapid hits procs can hit a max of 3 foes simultaneously, procing F1 burns.

Angina.9314:

Saiyan.1704:

Permeating Wrath and Supreme Justice is what makes Mad King rune’s so powerful.

I am lost here … please elaborate. Mad King rune is about bleeding duration ?

Mad King summons 17 birds to swoop down on up to three enemies nearby when using an elite skill, on a 45 second cooldown. That’s 5 procs of Virtue of Justice per enemy.

Saiyan.1704:

Angina.9314:

Saiyan.1704:

Permeating Wrath and Supreme Justice is what makes Mad King rune’s so powerful.

I am lost here … please elaborate. Mad King rune is about bleeding duration ?

There’s an effect that activates when an Elite is used. The rune sends crows (they’re really eagles) to attack foes. The rapid hits procs can hit a max of 3 foes simultaneously, procing F1 burns.

Still, i find Balthazar rune far better, due to aoe burn when heal skil is used, making traited Litany of Wrath nuclear strike (24 sec cd, with dmg from Smite, and tripple heal)

Angina.9314:

Saiyan.1704:

Angina.9314:

Saiyan.1704:

Permeating Wrath and Supreme Justice is what makes Mad King rune’s so powerful.

I am lost here … please elaborate. Mad King rune is about bleeding duration ?

There’s an effect that activates when an Elite is used. The rune sends crows (they’re really eagles) to attack foes. The rapid hits procs can hit a max of 3 foes simultaneously, procing F1 burns.

Still, i find Balthazar rune far better, due to aoe burn when heal skil is used, making traited Litany of Wrath nuclear strike (24 sec cd, with dmg from Smite, and tripple heal)

If you are using the term nuclear strike for althazar Runes, Mad King Runes is the last judgement in comparison.

17 hits on 3 targets with permeating wrath and supreme justice is 17 aoe burns in 2-3 secs in a best case scenario when the enemies are huddled together and do not disband. This doesnt even factor in your own hits or JI which combos extremely well with the elite + MK Combo. Basically you hit both keys at the same time. You port in and bring the hammer down. you can even combo it off with a ring of warding to make sure you keep them where it hurts.

damage wise MK Runes are 4x(!) stronger.

If you go full glass its even more stupid. Swapping Valor for zeal and having a scepter equipped you can add 17 stacks of instant might to the equation.

And dont forget Balthazar runes will need your heal tor trigger. so it cant be used as offensivly – why would you sacrafice a heal to deal damage?

Your “nuclear strike” is a joke compared to the bird bomb.

Hammer, traited Scepter+Torch with Supreme Justice and Permeating Wrath. MK runes, maybe Fire and hydromancy sigils for extra lulz.

RoW+JI, swap to sc+t, pop " FMW ", Litany, ZF, Smite, Cleansing Flame. /kneel, consecrate your sacrifice to Rodgort, moment of silence.

Its like praising the sun, but hotter.

Until mother says:

1) Conditions seem a bit strong
2) World bosses are currently too easy
3) There are some bugged skills and traits
4) There are some overpowered builds

If this is something you are running I’d probably start thinking about some alternatives.

By the way, did you consider running rampager? I feel like defensive stats are a waste now and you’re better off doing as much damage as possible.

for WvW would you recommend Sinister, Rampager, Carrion or Dire?

Ive been using a mix of Rampager and Carrion but dont know if i should take some dire. I like having power and condi damage stats on every piece of gear.

There’s the potential for such a gimmicky build to have at least one burn tick for 23.5k damage. The only issue is getting all 38 (conservative estimate) stacks to tick at once (with 25 self-might). The total damage dealt is absolutely catastrophic.

#HailRodgort

Ghotistyx.6942:

There’s the potential for such a gimmicky build to have at least one burn tick for 23.5k damage. The only issue is getting all 38 (conservative estimate) stacks to tick at once (with 25 self-might). The total damage dealt is absolutely catastrophic.

#HailRodgort

Did you throw in some vuln?

Ok, so I changed a few things up and edited the original post.

Virtues – Supreme Justice + Permeating Wrath
Valor – Monk’s Focus + Smite Condition
Zeal – Zealous Scepter + Kindled Zeal

Same MK runes + Carrion
Heals: Litany of Wrath
Elite: Renewed Focus
(“Feel My Wrath” and MK runes didn’t get along together)

Purging Flames / Judge’s Intervention / Contemplation of Purity

After testing and comparing the original post build variants, full medi in Valor performed better as always. I know there are a few Guards saying “duh” and are currently using this build, I wanted to see if any other build options were viable.

I had the mind set that Radiance was thee go-to condition tree. I realized that Zeal offered better burns and raw damage potential, especially with GS+Scepter weapon variant.

Any who, the build performs very well in TPvP. Lets just see what “Mother” says about conditions.

SlayerSixx.5763:

Ghotistyx.6942:

There’s the potential for such a gimmicky build to have at least one burn tick for 23.5k damage. The only issue is getting all 38 (conservative estimate) stacks to tick at once (with 25 self-might). The total damage dealt is absolutely catastrophic.

#HailRodgort

Did you throw in some vuln?

I did not. I don’t think anything I listed (in an earlier post) added vuln, but I could be wrong. With a teammate or yourself adding the extra oomph (there’s still room for you to add more burn stacks, like PF and swapping H for GS), one could see how we could blow that number up even more.

So throw in 25 vuln from the Jesus beam trap and ggnore. Literally nothing would be able to tank nearly 30k instantly.

SlayerSixx.5763:

So throw in 25 vuln from the Jesus beam trap and ggnore. Literally nothing would be able to tank nearly 30k instantly.

Except for diamond skin ele’s >.>

what is a good opener with this build?

I’ve been using torch 4 before going in, Judges Intervention, and then scepter 3, scepter 2, torch 5 SWAP usual GS rotation

Saiyan.1704:

SlayerSixx.5763:

So throw in 25 vuln from the Jesus beam trap and ggnore. Literally nothing would be able to tank nearly 30k instantly.

Except for diamond skin ele’s >.>

So treat every Ele like they have diamond skin and poke them first :P?

Jordo.5913:

what is a good opener with this build?

I’ve been using torch 4 before going in, Judges Intervention, and then scepter 3, scepter 2, torch 5 SWAP usual GS rotation

I open with Torch #4, weapon to GS right when you cast #4 so the swap debuff doesn’t trigger. Either it lands or they waste a dodge.

GS #5 + Judges Intervention so they don’t dodge the projectile. Pull with #5 and weapon switch to pop geomancy on Scepter. If the pull fails then use GS #3 to close the gap, then weapon switch.

Use Scepter #3 + #2 (or vice versa) then Torch #5 if #4 isn’t up by now. Try to prioritize your allies if you use #5.

Always try to use the Elite with Scepter equipped for the might stacks. It’s also better to do it sooner rather than later in the fight as the birds don’t proc F1 if you were to get downed. People in solo pvp tend to burst first: Use Contemplation of Purity if you need the stun break and remove the condi burst, then immediately spam your elite’s invulnerability.

Purging Flames is situational, I usually save it for self/team cleanses or on stealthy mesmers/thieves. Whirling Wrath’s Finisher combo in it allows you to proc burns every hit, per 1s icd. (from my understanding). GS # 3 offers fire shield as well and will proc as long as the leap starts in or lands in Purging Flames. You can also pull targets inside Purging Flames with GS #5.

Cheers!

Added Video Gameplay: http://tinyurl.com/ot4bg37
Watch 3:35 to see me reach 25 might stacks

It was late at night and I wasn’t exactly taking the game seriously. I was more concerned about what my average burn damage/stacks would be so… excuse my terrible rotations n’ such!

Hey folks, I’m a noob, so apologies if I’m missing something obvious, but if you are using supreme justice and permeating wrath, you are giving up a lot of utility in the form of condition cleanse as well as a stun break/stability. I’m curious how people are compensating for that. Are you using Save Yourselves & Contemplation of Purity, or is this intended as a more offensive build with less utility? How about the stun break & stability (which seems pretty useful)?

Misguided.5139:

Hey folks, I’m a noob, so apologies if I’m missing something obvious, but if you are using supreme justice and permeating wrath, you are giving up a lot of utility in the form of condition cleanse as well as a stun break/stability. I’m curious how people are compensating for that. Are you using Save Yourselves & Contemplation of Purity, or is this intended as a more offensive build with less utility? How about the stun break & stability (which seems pretty useful)?

The burn damage if not immediately cleansed is too crazy and those traits make it even crazier, so you don’t need as much defense. Elite + shelter and contemplation of purity is good enough.

Yup exactly that. Basically, you choose this route if you want more damage. You choose the other route if you want more sustains and team utility. It’s hard to ignore the increase of burn damage from the two traits if you’re a burn guardian.

On that note (and off topic) Glacial Heart doesn’t offer any fair trade offs like Supreme Justice and Absolute Resolution. GH would need either an AoE cripple effect or a Knockdown effect to make Hamguards want it over Absolute Resolution.

Thank you for the replies. I actually switched from Virtue/Valor/Honor to V/V/Radiance this morning and made those two changes in Virtues and immediately felt much more powerful on my Hammer guardian. I really like Renewed Justice, because I actually use the active component of the virtue now.

SlayerSixx.5763:

Saiyan.1704:

SlayerSixx.5763:

So throw in 25 vuln from the Jesus beam trap and ggnore. Literally nothing would be able to tank nearly 30k instantly.

Except for diamond skin ele’s >.>

So treat every Ele like they have diamond skin and poke them first :P?

I don’t know why, but have a very funny image in my head for this comment. Thank you lol

I little off topic, but you should use all your virtues before using Renewed Focus.

Why do you use Zeal over Radiance? I belive you’ll get a higer DPS in radiance.

Also, after some testing, I found that Rune of Balthazar or Flame Legion are aways better than Mad King. But Mad King can bring a burst.

While the might bomb from using an elite and MK runes seems great in a single moment, I would think radiance would lead to a better sustained fight. The extra critical chance you gain and burning duration/damage seems pretty good.

85% burn duration with Balthazar runes, Amplified Wrath and Smoldering Sigil. That would be nearly 4s of burning on every 3 hits, with a bunch of other ways to apply it (torch, blocking, Judge’s Intervention and maybe Purging Flames). With ~50% crit chance between RHS, Radiant Power and Fury the Carrion amulet is going to put out a ton of damage.

Also, I was curious with a Zeal build how adding a single spirit weapon in would work. It only takes one trait now and would fit in with Zealous Scepter and Kindled Zeal. Maybe replace Smite Condition or Purging Flames with the Spirit Sword.

Thanks, I usually do use all my virtues (have a macro, actually) but wasn’t taking the game all too serious :p

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with Bal runes, I just prefer MK rune’s burst as it can yield higher F1 procs and burst damage, in a single moment, than Bal runes can. This is especially useful if you’re looking to focus target people who are spaced out or you simply can’t reach them or use Whirling Wrath effectively. I’m still playing with the two rune sets; if Bal runes are indeed superior than MK i’ll be the first to admit it :p

I use Zeal because the burn differences between Amplified Wrath and Kindled Zeal is 30 dps per burn stack. It takes 4 stacks of Might to beat the damage difference and that’s achieved very easily with Scepter.
Zeal’s Symbol procing at 50% health, along with symbols applying burns, adds even more AoE burn procs in group tpvp. Radiant Fire is very nice for single target damage but I feel Zeal offers more bang for the buck.

Radiance should give higher raw damage in a sustaining fight, but I don’t notice a significant difference. In fact.. it feels like Whirling Wrath does more damage in Zeal than Radiance after doing a few tests. Can some one confirm?
(don’t have any additional damage modifiers)

Edit
I suspect Balthazar Runes would be better, for the sake that MK rune’s can be completely countered and even unreliable. Going to edit original post.

I think too it’s does more dmg BUT u lose condi clean and stab and thats why i use the Radiant traitline

I don’t think Radiance would help greatsword a whole lot. You’d only benefit from the 10% crit chance increase on burning targets. Radiance is better suited for scepter and sword/mace, or even scepter with a staff to buff yourself (swiftness and might).

Been using “Feel My Wrath” and loving it. It is great in team fights and I feel let’s me bring Absolute Resolution for the added cleanse. Been running (taken from another thread):
http://intothemists.com/calc/?build=-Bg-3d;0NFF60933GV90;9;4NOQ;0158046246;4E7ZFE;15NV05NV01j

I know I should be running torch, but I am finding the extra blocks very helpful. Maybe it’s my noobishness.

Angina.9314:

Saiyan.1704:

Permeating Wrath and Supreme Justice is what makes Mad King rune’s so powerful.

I am lost here … please elaborate. Mad King rune is about bleeding duration ?

I had the same question earlier. If the summoned ravens proc VoJ then the damage potential against groups is there. Otherwise, stick with the other runes.

I plan on testing this later tonight, so I’ll come back with some more information after I’m done.

I’ve been running something like this for the past few days:

http://intothemists.com/calc/?build=-BFkg;1NFk30E33G-90;9;4OnQ;0146147136;4ING7T;15NV05NV01L

I haven’t seen much talk about our Sword in this thread, but I actually prefer it to Scepter for burn builds. The Sword lacks range, but its attacks are much more reliable than the Scepter’s (especially with Flashing Blade for gap-closing), and this makes it easier to proc VoJ consistently. With Fire and Air sigils, the Sword can proc VoJ twice per auto chain on a single target, and much more on multiple targets (which amplifies Permeating Wrath). This rapid application helps sustain your DPS through your opponent’s cleanses, and the power-based damage from your Sword on top of this will force most opponents to either burst you down first or disengage. If they’re unable to do either, the burn ticks (which often reach 4-5k) will wear them out quickly.

Flashing Blade is excellent with the Torch, guaranteeing that you’ll connect with Zealot’s Flame for a long burn while blinding your target, and it puts you in a good position to land a follow-up with Zealot’s Fire and/or Smite Condition. It also lets you conserve Judge’s Intervention for critical moments by helping you to sustain pressure against kiting targets. Zealot’s Defense is also surprisingly useful in this build. Even when some hits miss, it’ll stack burning while potentially triggering Fire/Air sigils and Radiant Fire.

I mostly end up using the GS as a backup weapon because the Sword seems to do significantly more DPS. The GS is for mobility, utility, and more AoE. I’m currently testing Doom and Hydromancy sigils, which let the GS finish off opponents who have survived the Sword/Torch’s burst. Hydromancy triggers Doom, so I get an instant-cast Poison and Chill on weapon swap, and more healing disruption from Binding Blade. Cleaving downed players with Whirling Wrath/Symbol of Wrath is brutal after swapping, especially with Permeating Wrath active. In general, the GS complements the Sword/Torch by helping you move between capture points, letting you control your distance to your opponent, and restricting enemy movement and recovery.

We’ll see how it does when burning gets nerfed, but I’m enjoying it for now and thought I’d share.

fire and air are crit base and with carrion you get 4% and with fury 24% and with sword +15% so 39% for about 4 sec as u need to use meditation which yield just about another burn tick

with gs +sc which immobilize you can ji (inner fire proc use gs aoes skills and you proc much more

messiah.1908:

fire and air are crit base and with carrion you get 4% and with fury 24% and with sword +15% so 39% for about 4 sec as u need to use meditation which yield just about another burn tick

with gs +sc which immobilize you can ji (inner fire proc use gs aoes skills and you proc much more

Don’t forget about our Radiant Power trait. Against burning foes (all of them), the Sword’s minimum crit chance is 29%, and it goes up to 49% whenever you receive Fury from a Meditation or other source. 5 attacks per auto chain lets you proc Fire/Air on almost every chain, and the build has over 60% uptime on Fury without support from allies (63% within one cycle of Renewed Focus, the build’s longest Fury cooldown).

Since Scepter isn’t an effective ranged weapon, the only thing you lose by taking the Sword is the Immobilize (and some Might-stacking if you’re traited into Zeal instead of Radiance). In exchange, you get a low-cooldown gap-closer that blinds, which makes you difficult to kite and helps you conserve JI for when it’s most needed.

The Sword doesn’t offer a burst as extreme as the Mad King builds discussed above, but I’ve found that it has an edge when it comes to the consistency of its bursts. The Sword can keep a target continually at 4-5 stacks of burning with just its auto-attack and then push to 11-14 stacks by using the Torch skills and JI. Even if they survive the 4-5k burn ticks, the Sword puts them back at 4-5 stacks within a few seconds. It’s a huge amount of pressure that just gets more intense in group fights, thanks to the Sword’s cleaving autos hitting multiple times per target and Permeating Wrath spreading all of those burns around.

I definitely like the Sword’s cleaving abilities as well as its flashing blade. I used to use #3 in conjunction with Torch #4 prepatch but now the combo isn’t worth it as the start up burn didn’t scale up to 3 stacks. I suppose the torch trait made up for it.

I see nothing wrong with people using Sword over Scepter at all. Both weapon sets have their own playstyles and they’re strong in their own ways

Shanks.2907:

Also, I was curious with a Zeal build how adding a single spirit weapon in would work. It only takes one trait now and would fit in with Zealous Scepter and Kindled Zeal. Maybe replace Smite Condition or Purging Flames with the Spirit Sword.

Though, you can always take the original build and replace CoP but.. that’s definitely not recommended as CoP is your biggest condi clear and stun breaker. I wouldn’t exactly recommend switching out Purging Flames and Judge’s Intervention for a Spirit Weapon either :P

I came up with the following build. It works well for what it’s meant to be, an assaulting 1v1 build that’s a bit glassy but can stack massive stacks in a short time while also offering a bit of cc with hammer. It’s fun but I wouldn’t enter a zerg with it :p

I’m open to suggestions as well if you think something would be better!

Edited original post.

I played for a short while last night in sPvP and for my playstyle i preferred Sword/Focus Scepter/Torch rather than GS Scepter/Torch.

I liked the focus block and blind as well as the burn/might on block proc (even if it was nerfed). Sword AA procs VoJ pretty well. Low CD teleport on sword vs higher CD leap.

I need to do a lot more matches to really get a feel for it though.

Shanks.2907:

While the might bomb from using an elite and MK runes seems great in a single moment, I would think radiance would lead to a better sustained fight. The extra critical chance you gain and burning duration/damage seems pretty good.

85% burn duration with Balthazar runes, Amplified Wrath and Smoldering Sigil. That would be nearly 4s of burning on every 3 hits, with a bunch of other ways to apply it (torch, blocking, Judge’s Intervention and maybe Purging Flames). With ~50% crit chance between RHS, Radiant Power and Fury the Carrion amulet is going to put out a ton of damage.

Also, I was curious with a Zeal build how adding a single spirit weapon in would work. It only takes one trait now and would fit in with Zealous Scepter and Kindled Zeal. Maybe replace Smite Condition or Purging Flames with the Spirit Sword.

IMO, in PvP, burn duration is severely overrated. Either the opponent realizes the damage ticks and cleanses (making the burn duration increase ineffective) or the opponent doesn’t and is lying down. Burn damage per tick is extremely high right now which makes the duration pointless unless you are only applying a few stacks.

However, the constant Zealot’s Flame from the Radiant Fire trait proc (a very long Burn duration as well just baseline +20%) is extremely good.

The other issue with Radiance over Zeal is it is VERY burn condition focused and you almost never want to use your F1 because of the anti-Permeating Wrath functionality. You just get more general (power-based) damage so if you do encounter that Diamond Skin-Elementalist, no big issue from the trait.