The Guardian comeback to Fractals
I’m lazy so I just run cleric’s, consecrations, mace/shield+hammer and don’t let anyone die.
A little savagery now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Don’t cry, Signet of Mercy. Others may forget you, but I will always remember.
Our deficiencies may be overcome by practice and self-discipline.
Don’t cry, Signet of Mercy. Others may forget you, but I will always remember.
Our deficiencies may be overcome by practice and self-discipline.
Mostly sticking to something similar to the raid build, though I usually have scepter as the off-weapon instead of sword. And bane signet/procession regularly get kicked out for more utility.
Warning! This post may contain traces of irony, sarcasm and peanuts.
There is no loyalty without betrayal. -Ann Smiley
There is no loyalty without betrayal. -Ann Smiley
I’m really happy to play Hammer Guard again.
And yes hammer is quite good : high dps, protection and a lil sustain with auto-attack ; easy to play and effective. For pug it’s doubtless more helpfull than GS/##.
I pretty much play the raid sw/t + sc/t for most bosses. Trash really melts with your traps as well. We usually run with a chrono so I can play purely dps. If we weren’t I’d prob take a GS for pulls, WoR, etc etc.
Hammer is imo rly boring and it’s a dps decrease, but it does have the advantage that it helps your team stay alive very easily.
(edited by cranos.5913)
Hello guys and thank you for all your replies!
After some testing and reading, I’ve decided to go Scepter/Torch – Sword/Focus (Torch). Main reason is that, right now, we have one of the highest DPS with that weapon (source: http://qtfy.enjin.com/dps).
I rely a lot on my blinds and blocks to survive but it’s easily achieved since most of the time I’m on scepter. Here’s the build I’m using and seen lot of other Guards use in FotM in T4:
The DPS output is really good, you have a good base crit chance because of Right Hand Strength but I’m still using Assassin earrings. Burning does good damage that comes from Kindled Zeal, Radiant Fire and Amplified Wrath. You’ll be burning a lot because of the Spear of Justice Spam against trash and your Symbols. Both traps do really high damage when dropped together on a symbol. Procession of Blades can be changed for utility in some fights (WoR against Shaman, SyG against Bloom). No need for “Retreat!” since you are not running Unscatched Contender.
Try it and let me know what you think!
Dunno, I honestly see little reason at all to run torch in fractals, unless you have an organised team which blazes through them anyway. Shield simply has better utility.
Warning! This post may contain traces of irony, sarcasm and peanuts.
There is no loyalty without betrayal. -Ann Smiley
There is no loyalty without betrayal. -Ann Smiley
Dunno, I honestly see little reason at all to run torch in fractals, unless you have an organised team which blazes through them anyway. Shield simply has better utility.
Torch is high dmg, simple as that.
I know. But at least in unorganised groups, my experience is utility >>> damage.
€: To clarify, as long as you already have a certain base damage. But that’s easily achieved without stuff like torch or max damage utility skills.
Warning! This post may contain traces of irony, sarcasm and peanuts.
There is no loyalty without betrayal. -Ann Smiley
There is no loyalty without betrayal. -Ann Smiley
Hello guys and thank you for all your replies!
After some testing and reading, I’ve decided to go Scepter/Torch – Sword/Focus (Torch). Main reason is that, right now, we have one of the highest DPS with that weapon (source: http://qtfy.enjin.com/dps).
I rely a lot on my blinds and blocks to survive but it’s easily achieved since most of the time I’m on scepter. Here’s the build I’m using and seen lot of other Guards use in FotM in T4:
The DPS output is really good, you have a good base crit chance because of Right Hand Strength but I’m still using Assassin earrings. Burning does good damage that comes from Kindled Zeal, Radiant Fire and Amplified Wrath. You’ll be burning a lot because of the Spear of Justice Spam against trash and your Symbols. Both traps do really high damage when dropped together on a symbol. Procession of Blades can be changed for utility in some fights (WoR against Shaman, SyG against Bloom). No need for “Retreat!” since you are not running Unscatched Contender.
Try it and let me know what you think!
How do you think this build would do in open HoT PVE? I’m currently running LB/GS zerk exotic but find my health can drop rapidly with multiple mobs (especially a mix of ranged and melee). Is there a rotation you would recommend?
I don’t have an ascended torch yet so I’m thinking using my ascended focus. Is an exotic torch still higher dps than an ascended focus?
There will be times when doing higher fractals where i will have to use focus due to agony. Under those circumstances, is it still worth it to use the radiance line even if not wielding a torch for the crit rate on one handed weapons plus cd reduction on sword or should i just take virtues?
Dunno, I honestly see little reason at all to run torch in fractals, unless you have an organised team which blazes through them anyway. Shield simply has better utility.
Torch is high dmg, simple as that.
What Cranos said.
How do you think this build would do in open HoT PVE? I’m currently running LB/GS zerk exotic but find my health can drop rapidly with multiple mobs (especially a mix of ranged and melee). Is there a rotation you would recommend?
I think it might work in some HoT content. It works great for me in FotM because content is more “predictable” and you rely more on yourself and your party than in HoT open world (even with instabilities). Think you could add some nice damage but will lose some survivability that you get when you trait Virtues. Some HoT content has way more conditions and knockbacks than FotM. Things will die faster but could die faster too. Problem also is that with this build you don’t use “Retreat!” so you move like a bag of potatoes when you are alone.
Rotation I use is:
spear of justice->ray of judgement->shield of wrath->flashing blade (to get near the foe)->drop the 2 traps on the symbol->swap to scepter/torch->feel my wrath->zealot’s flame->smite->AA-zealot’s flame/smite when they’re ready->swap to sword/focus when test of faith is no longer on cooldown and repeat
Cast smite and zealot’s flame whenever not in cooldown. Cast feel my wrath whenever not in cooldown while using scepter/torch. Be sure to be near foes when shield of wrath explodes. Spam F1 to keep burning and blinding. Use chains of light if vulnerability is not at 25 stacks or if you need to get away from a foe.
I don’t have an ascended torch yet so I’m thinking using my ascended focus. Is an exotic torch still higher dps than an ascended focus?
There will be times when doing higher fractals where i will have to use focus due to agony. Under those circumstances, is it still worth it to use the radiance line even if not wielding a torch for the crit rate on one handed weapons plus cd reduction on sword or should i just take virtues?
Difference between ascended/exotic damage when it comes to weapons is 5.9% (source: https://www.reddit.com/r/Guildwars2/comments/31wbip/ascended_vs_exotic_gear_comparison_spreedsheet/). Main reason to have a torch is the raw damage from spamming zealot’s flame. Problem also is that when running exotic is that you won’t have the slots to put agony infusions as you said. Focus is a great offhand for opening fights and has great utility (casting shield of wrath while reviving, timing blind from ray before some attacks). In the end, you’ll be changing raw damage for utility. My advice: Run lower FotM with Torch and Radiance, see how it goes. If you really dig the damage increase go for that ascended torch.
Virtues will give you unscatched contender that is a 20% damage increase while you have aegis on you. You also get 1% damage per boon on you (power of the virtuous) and get utilities like condi cleanse on F2 and stability on F3 so it’s not bad at all and a good option.
The idea of Radiance and Torch is to spam zealot’s flame and spear of justice, you’ll be constantly applying burning, blinding and vulnerability and gain 25% critical chance (right hand strength+radiant power) and your burning damage will also be highly increased. If you run Scepter/Focus you’ll be losing the zealot’s flame spam and traiting radiant fire will be kind of pointless (could try wrath of justice instead for immobilizing trash and lowering defiance bars).
My advice is to test what suits better your playstyle.
Thank you! I think i will run torch for lower fracs and focus for higher fracs. Radiance on torch and virtues on focus. Probably will go sword/focus scepter/shield for higher fracs. Might stand to gain more from higher sustain, plus the shield means i have an additional means to upkeep aegis for unscathed contender.
As a Guard in fractal, there is no specific weapon to be used, it only subjects to the situation you are in. For instance,
Uncategorized: Ramp electrify stage, a shield is very helpful in absorbing the projectiles.
Volcano: Longbow with knockdown is nice at sacrificial stage.
Bloomy : Scepter + Shield is the best combination as you can guard your friends from the constant AOE projectile. Shield of Avenger works marvelous too during the stage on horde of animals.
I would advise you to learn the mechanic of the stage and utilize your available weapons and utilities, not sticking into a certain set.
12K AP
Level 54 Bear Rank
Level 54 Bear Rank
As a Guard in fractal, there is no specific weapon to be used, it only subjects to the situation you are in. For instance,
Uncategorized: Ramp electrify stage, a shield is very helpful in absorbing the projectiles.
Volcano: Longbow with knockdown is nice at sacrificial stage.
Bloomy : Scepter + Shield is the best combination as you can guard your friends from the constant AOE projectile. Shield of Avenger works marvelous too during the stage on horde of animals.I would advise you to learn the mechanic of the stage and utilize your available weapons and utilities, not sticking into a certain set.
It’s a matter of utility versus DPS. Some of us prefer DPS since it makes fights shorter so Scepter/Torch is the obvious choice. Longbow damage is subpar and shield can be replaced, as you said, for Shield of The Avenger (I think Wall of Reflection is way more useful in fights where you have constant projectile pressure since you can control and time when to cast it). The idea would be to change one or 2 of the traps with utilities. I’ve never been in trouble with projectiles in Bloom frac since they are all telegraphed and you can simply walk away from the areas.
I’ve learned the mechanics of the fractals long ago, I play since launch and I’m currently sitting in 15k AP that mostly come from PvE content. I prefer DPS over utility because it’s the fastest way to clear content if you are with a competent party that think like you and are set the same way. If you prefer utility it’s your choice I am not the one to say if it’s right or wrong,.
It’s a matter of utility versus DPS. Some of us prefer DPS since it makes fights shorter so Scepter/Torch is the obvious choice. Longbow damage is subpar and shield can be replaced, as you said, for Shield of The Avenger (I think Wall of Reflection is way more useful in fights where you have constant projectile pressure since you can control and time when to cast it). The idea would be to change one or 2 of the traps with utilities. I’ve never been in trouble with projectiles in Bloom frac since they are all telegraphed and you can simply walk away from the areas.
I’ve learned the mechanics of the fractals long ago, I play since launch and I’m currently sitting in 15k AP that mostly come from PvE content. I prefer DPS over utility because it’s the fastest way to clear content if you are with a competent party that think like you and are set the same way. If you prefer utility it’s your choice I am not the one to say if it’s right or wrong,.
I personally agree. If anything a chrono is much better suited for most of the support talked about in this thread. IMO DH is in a better spot right now seen as a DPS class rather than the more support role it had pre-HoT. Don’t get me wrong, taking some extra utility is always going to be necessary depending on the situation, but generally I play full traps and signet of bane unless more reflection is needed than the chrono can handle.
It’s a more selfish DPS role, but that’s basically the concept they were going with when they announced DH pre-HoT. I guess they finally actually achieved that. (until the nerf patch at least >_>)
I’m with yLoon here. Bring the support your group needs and when that’s covered, put the remaining resources into the last bit of DPS. It’s not as if those 5-20% (at most) damage will slow down a group noticeably when no one else is able to bring stuff like reflects – down states resulting from a purely selfish guard build would be worse.
In the end, it depends on your environment. Have an (organised) group where someone else (e.g. a chrono) easily brings utility? Go DPS. Otherwise, utility wins.
Warning! This post may contain traces of irony, sarcasm and peanuts.
There is no loyalty without betrayal. -Ann Smiley
There is no loyalty without betrayal. -Ann Smiley
Torch is for groups that are already good. In such groups you dont have to worry about CC, survivability and all the other stuff that actually matters. This may be the case in T4.
I am currently on T3 and I have never seen a PS giving might, breakbar is never broken at time and more often than not you are undermanned as people just die. Torch offers me nothing to help me stay alive and actually finish the run. Min maxing damage will not do any good if I have no might.
I basically use Scepter + Focus/Shield for blocks, prot, cleanse and cc. I have to use Zealous Scepter trait to have might. I have to use Hunter’s Fortification as stuff live long enough to apply condi that actually matters in T3. Basically, torch is there to kick poor boss/mobs that are already on the ground.
Torch is for groups that are already good. In such groups you dont have to worry about CC, survivability and all the other stuff that actually matters. This may be the case in T4.
At least in EU T4 pugs, it certainly isn’t. But I loved the last sentence of your post – great summary of the torch.
Warning! This post may contain traces of irony, sarcasm and peanuts.
There is no loyalty without betrayal. -Ann Smiley
There is no loyalty without betrayal. -Ann Smiley
I think, in pugs and others, T4 fractal is more about utility AND DPS.
I’ve seen many groups asking for “DPS DPS DPS meta gearcheck” cause “fractal is easy” but members were running, kiting, geting ooc, not standing in AoE of mesmer or druid or reflection, etc, in final DPS was closed to zero.
Imo when 2~3 members are running a support build like a heal druid for example or in this topic a hammer guard… everybody fell safer and you can roll in melee every time = fast.
so, take every weapons for your guard and adapt. I play hammer/ss most of the time, never seen complaining.
I’m running the Meta site Support build from the raid section, armor is Clerics with travelers, Zerker Ascended Hammer and accessories, exotic Longbow.
Hoping the Clerics would offer enough heals to offset the DPS loss because I need a survivability cushion if I ever bother with Fractals.
Hey guys thank you for your replies and keeping this thread alive!
So utility vs DPS. I will say this:
1. If you have to chose between doing high damage but dying a lot and doing less damage and staying alive go for the second option. Dead DPS= 0
2. If you are struggling with PUGS in FotM find some friends to run daily. Your QoL will dramatically improve (try joining some guild or look in the players helping player subforum)
3. I run with a semi-steady party. But I also run with PUGS with the same build. Difference is on food (Truffle Steak with my friends and Omnomberry Ghost or no food while in PUGS).
4. There is also some good players in PUGS! Not all of them (us) are bad!
5. I also take utilities, most often I’ll change Procession of Blades for Wall of Reflection in fights with heavy ranged pressure (Uncategorized, Fire Shaman, some parts of Chaos).
6. There are classes that will bring equal or even better utility than a Guardian (Chronomaner), be better at healing (Druids) and give way more boons than us (PS Warrior and Herald) so mind party composition if you’re going full support.
7. Longer fights (that come from all members playing conservative/support/utility) usually mean higher chances to screw up/having no more dodges and blocks= Dying.
8. Not many people will be supportive if you show up in full Clerics. You might also get kicked out of parties because of reason #7.
9. You can overheal your party and yourself but damage will never be a thing you say “hey, that’s enough” overkill is awesome and necessary when playing with some mistlock instabilities like Adrenaline Rush.
10. We have, once again, one of the highest DPS in the game thanks to changes in Scepter. Staying alive at long range is REALLY easy (why do you think so many people are playing Reaper now?) try a couple of runs.
Party composition I “usually” run with:
1. Chronomancer
2. PS Warrior
3. Viper Reaper
4. Druid (swaps to burnzerker in the easier fractals)
5. Me!
Once again, the build I’m using:
(edited by NumenorLord.6539)
I cant post a build from phone, but mine is basically Zeal (Zealous Scepter, Kindled Zeal, Symbolic Avenger), Virtues (Unscathed Contender, Absolute Resolution, Permeating Wrath) and Dragonhunter (Piercing Light or Dulled Senses, Zealot’s Aggression, Hunter’s Fortification) with Scepter Focus (or Torch if I dont need it) and Shield. Scepter has Sigil of Force and I have Scholar runes etc. but offhands always have Sigil of Concentration. If I do it right I will always have 18+ might with peaks to 25 most of the time with Procession of Blades (more might if I use Torch 5).
I tended to use Chocolate Omnomberry Cream because people don’t even use any food as far as I could observe and I am cheap when it comes to food (but spend 40g for sigil for lolz), and it gives me Magic Find and Boon Duration (which is more might, prot and aegis), but out of request from a friend I also use the %8 damage on movement food (the one you can get for free from provisioner). I am experimenting on usages of Torch vs Focus, it is better on adds and fights where a lot of stuff is unblockable already (a lot of fights it seems, namely Chaos and Urban last boss aoes). Unblockable actually makes Shield better in a different way as you don’t lose its Aegis (Unscathed Contender dmg boost) and make use of Prot.
Edit: I agree that it is easier to stay alive in range, but its not just that. You have Scholar Rune, Unscathed Contender and damage bonus from movement you need to preserve. Shield and focus is really there for the obligatory damage prevention, cleanses and utility – which can also correspond to more damage due to damage bonuses you preserve (Shield 5 ‘protects’ your Aegis from projectiles). Torch is there when you can preserve bonuses without worry and if you have a good group like you have then its not an issue. In fact, it should be useful in stuff like Mai Trin when you all stack.
(edited by Pregnantman.8259)
In fractals, I use a Hammer Zeal/Honor/DH build with Sc/Focus for range. It works extremely well on most bosses, both in melee and at range. Writ of Persistence + Sc2 applies really well on most fractal bosses, and gives you about 90% uptime with Persistence. Hammer gives you protection and a ludicrous amount of CC.
(edited by Korochun.5862)
Failed at Molten Boss numerous time yesterday due to some pugs which failed to understand the mechanics. Frustrating, when telling them how, they refuse to learn and adapt.
Whats killing us in that fractal is because the AOE bouncing fire field stopping us from stacking at the Bull.
The solutions? Bring projectile absorb, deflec, to give you time to burn the Bull down.
In this case, Shield of Avenger and Wall of Deflection is a MUST for guard in this fractal. Or not you bring nothing to the group at all.
Here’s the annoying part, when i linked the utility skill, the other Guard (10k AP) in group says “Er, im a meditrapper, i dont use shield”.
From that moment you knew that you are kitten.
Whatever sets of weapon you are using is fine, but not knowing the mechanics and refuse to learn, anger me the most.
12K AP
Level 54 Bear Rank
Level 54 Bear Rank
(edited by yLoon.5289)
Failed at Molten Boss numerous time yesterday due to some pugs which failed to understand the mechanics. Frustrating, when telling them how, they refuse to learn and adapt.
Whats killing us in that fractal is because the AOE bouncing fire field stopping us from stacking at the Bull.
The solutions? Bring projectile absorb, deflec, to give you time to burn the Bull down.In this case, Shield of Avenger and Wall of Deflection is a MUST for guard in this fractal. Or not you bring nothing to the group at all.
Here’s the annoying part, when i linked the utility skill, the other Guard (10k AP) in group says “Er, im a meditrapper, i dont use shield”.
From that moment you knew that you are kitten.
Whatever sets of weapon you are using is fine, but not knowing the mechanics and refuse to learn, anger me the most.
Lmao that takes me back to pre-HoT with staff guardians who refuse to take wall of reflection “because it’s not a part of my build”. Guardians rly were the worst pugs one could get for a while there.
I honestly didn’t know I could reflect/absorb those fires, and found about that you could jump shockwaves this week. Its my first month or so in fractals after so long, and I am wondering just how much potential I am missing as a Guardian.
Guardians rly were the worst pugs one could get for a while there.
Worse than rangers? Given how I pug with rangers who are still clueless (full signet ranger is all the rage in EU fractal pugs), and can’t control their pets, I find it hard to believe.
Guardians rly were the worst pugs one could get for a while there.
Worse than rangers? Given how I pug with rangers who are still clueless (full signet ranger is all the rage in EU fractal pugs), and can’t control their pets, I find it hard to believe.
Staff guardians were the new bearbows for a while yeah.