Guild Wars 2

Wow, I feel like I’m spamming the guardian forums with all my videos >.> but whatever, here comes another one!

So I did a DPS Hammer/GS video, because it’s really something different, yet similar to what I normally play – power necro. Some people say why not just take a scepter, and that is because I hate scepter with a passion -_- And come on, would you rather 5k mighty blow someone’s face off, or shoot little wiggly blue snot-balls?
Anyway, I got lots of positive feedback, so I did another one!

The video features 2v1’s, awesome judgments (Yes, sometimes I take ToW for the lol’s), music synchronization, awesome bursts, etc etc… But check it out and see for yourself

Build used: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fVAQJARSlsApboVDxcI8DRRDRljNYvBZQXe9BMABAA-TpBFwACOCAMuAA12fo9hAoaZAAPAAA

For the traits, I bet 0/1/6/6/1 look like a bunker setup, but let me explain.
I took the standard 2/1/6/1/4 as a starting template and just equipped a hammer. With 2 2-handed weapons, I almost NEEDED 2-handed mastery. So I took 3 out of virtues to put into honor. But looking further ahead, honor grandmaster minor trait (+10% dmg when not full endurance) looked really nice, so I took fiery wrath away and put it into honor. Looking to grandmaster honor traits, nothing really stood out, except force of will. 300 vit or ~4000 health is a lot better than a symbol on 50% health. So that is how I ended up on 0/1/6/6/1…

Usual combo is: RoWarding + JIintervention + SoWrath + WhirWrath + SmiteCondi + LoFaith + BBlades + Pull + MightyBlow + etc

The video link again if you haven’t clicked it yet :P
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pxo29Mre3Dw

Any input is appreciated, thank you

I have played this spec before you even put it here. Not to say that I’m the creator or anything because I know I am not and I did not share it at the time but ppl have also came to the same conclution of traits when playing GS/Hammer Guardian. The only difference is that at the time I stayed with Fury on meditation, but looking now to the condi clear capacity you lose, it might be better having Purity.

This is a very fun spec IMO, I had a blast when I tried it before, but losing the 3 blocks and a blind that also removes condis is a bit too much IMO to make the Hammer worth. It works for fun, but on serious lvl ScF/GS should still be superior to GS/Hammer.

But it could also come to personal preference. GS/Hammer will allways be a more selfish playstyle, you lose the hability to condi clear in a group and you will give less boons to ppl around you, BUT you will have more CC which also helps a lot in group fights like the videos shows in some moments, and the 20k HP also helps you survivability.

One question, being the symbol on Hammer so slow, so you will use it only a few times, what do you think of trying Resolute Healer instead of bigger symbols for the first honor trait? I know medi Guards aren’t supposed to ress but when its needed the bouble secures the ress almost every time, and it would be even more CC to have, and I mean, there are times that could be used in you advantage, but those are problably rare.

And I might try GS/Hammer again for fun

Nice. Ive been using a 0/1/6/6/1 GS/hammer build in WvW for a while now (i hardly do any arena PvP) . Its so much fun. And if you decide to join a group for some zerg action, just change to Altruistic Healing and Empowering might (still 0/1/6/6/1) and you will hardly ever die. Wearing Knights gear you get pretty high crit so you have awesome self sustain just from Empowering Might Crits. Hammer Mighty Blow and my Shouts give enough boons to support my team without having to resort to boring Staff/Hammer setup.

Sorry i know that was slightly off topic.

Spartacus.3192:

Nice. Ive been using a 0/1/6/6/1 GS/hammer build in WvW for a while now (i hardly do any arena PvP) . Its so much fun. And if you decide to join a group for some zerg action, just change to Altruistic Healing and Empowering might (still 0/1/6/6/1) and you will hardly ever die. Wearing Knights gear you get pretty high crit so you have awesome self sustain just from Empowering Might Crits. Hammer Mighty Blow and my Shouts give enough boons to support my team without having to resort to boring Staff/Hammer setup.

Sorry i know that was slightly off topic.

Still, for zerg action I would prefer a especific set up, which by this I mean, different Runes, Sigils and equipment. I roam with most zerker gear, Armor is not yet but I will trade it to that sooner or later and that is far from good for zerg play. Beside, Staff is the best zerg weapon Guardian has and one of the best for zerg play among all classes, I don’t see how you can complain about it

mPascoal.4258:

Beside, Staff is the best zerg weapon Guardian has and one of the best for zerg play among all classes, I don’t see how you can complain about it

I know Staff is the best and if my guild is low on guards for any reason i will switch to the Meta AH Frontline Staff/Hammer setup. (soldiers armor, zerker trinkets) Personally i just find it boring as heck. So i like to use GS/Hammer and dive right in.

I carry a ton of gear on me so its pretty quick to switch it up.

Detto!

I run a similar setup since Holl first video. I change the traits every now and then. Currently: 00644 with AHEM and stability or condiclean on virtue. Still got 2 meditations on my bar namely JI and Smite plus I have the so-needed SYG.

It’s a hell of fun build to play. Bit squishy for a true frontliner (-4000 HP means a lot…) but the ability to jump out from the line then hit a pesky ranger’s or thief’s idiot face with a big hammer a few times with 10+ might and fury and than do some CC and clean up or get back to the line is priceless

Aggrostemma.1703:

Detto!

I run a similar setup since Holl first video. I change the traits every now and then. Currently: 00644 with AHEM and stability or condiclean on virtue. Still got 2 meditations on my bar namely JI and Smite plus I have the so-needed SYG.

It’s a hell of fun build to play. Bit squishy for a true frontliner (-4000 HP means a lot…) but the ability to jump out from the line then hit a pesky ranger’s or thief’s idiot face with a big hammer a few times with 10+ might and fury and than do some CC and clean up or get back to the line is priceless

If you are using AHEM why have 2 medis on utility bar?

It’s a wvw build and I use my Meditations offensively. I have Meditation Mastery and Focused Mind to be more offensive. I don’t need monk’s focus. 2000 heal every 16 and 36 seconds won’t save my life. Altruistic Healing and Empowering Might with virtue spam if needed give enough sustain. I have symbols too and Absolute Resolution also helps. And I can blast and leap water fields like a boss.

I’m not saying it’s a “meta” build but it works just fine for me. It’s not a frontliner and not a DPS medi guard. It’s a midline choice.

Aggrostemma.1703:

It’s a wvw build and I use my Meditations offensively. I have Meditation Mastery and Focused Mind to be more offensive. I don’t need monk’s focus. 2000 heal every 16 and 36 seconds won’t save my life. Altruistic Healing and Empowering Might with virtue spam if needed give enough sustain. I have symbols too and Absolute Resolution also helps. And I can blast and leap water fields like a boss.

I’m not saying it’s a “meta” build but it works just fine for me. It’s not a frontliner and not a DPS medi guard. It’s a midline choice.

I see…yes i prefer to run my own builds also. Metas are great but not necessarily the most fun. Plus running slightly different builds can surprise some enemies.

You know for more than a year I only used “mainstream” builds. Get to the forums or metabattle, ctrl+c, ctrl+v and smile ’cos I was great. Screw that!

Sometimes it’s good to feel like a rebel teenager. Run out of the house (the melee-train) do some trouble and when daddy calls me (the commander) I run/leap back to the line and act as a good child for a bit (like pressing 1)

And as I see every profession forums have some kind of pioneers now. Playing non-meta (not the most effective, non-mainstream) builds and spreading the words: “You don’t have to play one of the 2-3 builds you get from the internet! Play as you like!”

And honestly I like this so much! If I wouldn’t like the customisation this game offers I might play a different MMO called… you know…

Thats what i love about GW2. There are so many viable builds. There is Meta and there is terrible, but in between there are dozens of builds which are very effective and lots of fun. I started with Meta builds for the first few months. Now i just tweak them to suit my playstyle.

People shouldn’t use meta builds as their builds, but as a starting template. All me 3 main characters (engi, necro, guardian) have slight variations of meta builds.

guardian: hammer/GS – 0/1/6/6/1 DPS unlike standard DPS
engi: HGH cele 6/2/0/0/6 with grenades and rifle unlike standard grenades/toolkit 6/0/0/4/4
necro: TerrorMancer 0/6/2/0/0/6 with foot in the grave rather than 0/6/4/0/4

Creating your own builds is what makes any game fun. Following others with popular builds can be successful, but maybe not as fun.

mPascoal.4258:

One question, being the symbol on Hammer so slow, so you will use it only a few times, what do you think of trying Resolute Healer instead of bigger symbols for the first honor trait? I know medi Guards aren’t supposed to ress but when its needed the bouble secures the ress almost every time, and it would be even more CC to have, and I mean, there are times that could be used in you advantage, but those are problably rare.

And I might try GS/Hammer again for fun

Mhh, for TeamQ I would definetely use resolute healer. Problem is, I don’t have a team :P So taking writ of exaltion can get 1-2 more symbol ticks in, giving 1-2k more damage…

mPascoal.4258:

I have played this spec before you even put it here. Not to say that I’m the creator or anything because I know I am not and I did not share it at the time but ppl have also came to the same conclution of traits when playing GS/Hammer Guardian. The only difference is that at the time I stayed with Fury on meditation, but looking now to the condi clear capacity you lose, it might be better having Purity.

But it could also come to personal preference. GS/Hammer will allways be a more selfish playstyle, you lose the hability to condi clear in a group and you will give less boons to ppl around you, BUT you will have more CC which also helps a lot in group fights like the videos shows in some moments, and the 20k HP also helps you survivability.

And I might try GS/Hammer again for fun

Forgot to say: Have more people been trying out 0/1/6/6/1? I thought the meta hammer build was something like 5/5/0/4/0…

Holl.3109:

Forgot to say: Have more people been trying out 0/1/6/6/1? I thought the meta hammer build was something like 5/5/0/4/0…

I’ve been using 0/1/6/6/1 GS/Hammer as my WvW Zerging build for quite some time now.