Guild Wars 2

Hello.

I returned to the game after 3Y, now completing the content and crafting my ascendeds. Anyway I tested last night all the weapons with my new build 80% of http://metabattle.com/wiki/Build:Dragonhunter_-_DPS and got a big surprise, I will lay out the data and then ask a few questions

Using all (at cooldown) and only weapon skills, without any extra buffs, with bane signet and a few traits for extra damage (including Zealous blade ). Also the target was stationary Raid testing area (symbol is big part of the scheme).

Sword/Focus (sigil of accuracy only) 3000DPS Extra: mobility, regeneration boon, 8-18 vulnerability stacks on avg
GS (sigil of power + accuracy) 2900DPS : Extra: might on me, 6-12 vulnerability, heal on hit (trait), mobility/CC
Scepter/Focus (power + acc) 3600DPS : Extra: 12-22 vulnerability, Ranged/mobility Using the Smite on the enemy (using the smite on me for the might from symbol/trait lowered the DPS at half).

My guess is the Scepter did more damage because :

• 13% DMG bonus from Pure of sight https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Pure_of_Sight
• almost permanent symbol (target was staying put) burn + vulnerability + damage + 10% damage bonus
• Spear of justice passive (burn every few attacks). Each Symbol pulse, Smite attack, and auto attack counts for an attack, the burn+cripple+vulnerability stack from traits stack up faster and more.
• Dulled Sense and Zealot’s Aggression makes that: every Spear of Justice passive activation puts vulnerability too on them, and 10% bonus damage because is crippled.
• this traits works best with the scepter https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Dulled_Senses https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Binding_Jeopardy
• Switching to Radiance trait line will boost even more the Scepter/Sword damage

Are my guesses correct?

I usually use GS/LB (open world/www) and GS/Sword/Focus (harder content), but now I am having 2nd thoughts, with sword/torch and scepter/focus I will have more DPS and more utility to the team/more mobility.
PS: this research is for a build on dungeons/low lvl fractals/though champs

Thanks.

scepter auto attack speed received a buff on top of smite being a symbol now.

that’s the reason.

as far as PvE/Raiding is concerned, scepter/focus isn’t the preferred set, its scepter/torch.

in sPvP, scepter/shield is the more popular combo, with sword/focus being the other set.

You would have only gained +7% from Pure of Sight unless you sat at 600 or more away from the target, in which case you’d lose the bonus +10% from Symbolic Avenger therefore giving you a lower damage bonus.
But yes, Sceptre is the current highest dps for guardian though Torch is preferable to Focus.

Scepter together with torch is the top sustain dps we have now. I just kinda wish scepter AA can cleave

You just gotta ACCSCEPT what the best weap is now I still like my GS/Scept combo GS isn’t meta really anymore, but love sword/focus/shield pending situation as sword is fun/good now with scept too. I hardly ever not use my scepter; in any content, unless I’m heavy support mode.

gin.7158:

Scepter together with torch is the top sustain dps we have now. I just kinda wish scepter AA can cleave

There’s no need for cleave in sustain dps scenarios. For everything else, you have your weapon swap.