Guild Wars 2

Hi all, I wanted to ask about the communities thoughts on the greatsword weapon and if it’s unreasonable to ask for some QoL changes-

1. leap of faith – I notice that leap of faith can be a bit finicky and doesn’t hit very reliably, sometimes overshooting the target and not applying damage.

2. Whirling Wrath/Binding Blade – remove the movement speed penalty on these skills

Really these two things are what i notice the be hindering about the greatsword compared to other weaponsets,

Thoughts?

GS’s symbol should apply quickness. Retaliation is such a weird boon to get from a GS symbol. Leap of Faith should be faster IMO. It does miss its target sometime. WW and BB should not impair movement, you’re right.

I like the symbol to be a bit quicker, too. It’s always felt clunky to me.

Thy shoul chane gs 3 leap of Faith skill to blink Like one handed..

Moonsinn.5382:

I like the symbol to be a bit quicker, too. It’s always felt clunky to me.

Its the after cast that should be improved. and make it so you dont stop to cast it.

Moonsinn.5382:

I like the symbol to be a bit quicker, too. It’s always felt clunky to me.

The only way I get around to doing a quick symbol and not being stuck in animation is stowing weapon as soon as I use GS4.

borolee.1592:

Thy shoul chane gs 3 leap of Faith skill to blink Like one handed..

No thanks. #3 has use in both combat and exploring.

Mikhael.2391:

Moonsinn.5382:

I like the symbol to be a bit quicker, too. It’s always felt clunky to me.

Its the after cast that should be improved. and make it so you dont stop to cast it.

I think it would be enough to enable moving during the aftercast.

On WW/BB, they should remove the movement penalty and increase the projectile speed of WW. They could also make both of them 1/2s cast instead of the current 3/4s cast time. Alternatively, they could just make BB a 1/4s cast to make it better for interrupting key skills.

I think all the GS skills should get CD reduction. Not sure about movement changes to WW. I mean I play warrior also and I would love to move AT ALL while doing hundred blades. The GS4 symbol should do something other than retaliation yes.

But honestly if they reduced the CD by 20% (like we used to get when we used the trait 2 hand master) then GS would be more useful right now id rather take LB or scepter/shield when paired with sword/focus.

I believe giving quickness with retal would be better aswell as casting while moving. The leap should evade while doing it. the zeal trait should have double the healling to make it viable.

GS reeks of 2012 and I really think it needs a hefty patch of love to bring it up to current standards fpr pvp and wvw.

First off: CDs are way too high on the weapon skills. More appropriate CDs for the weapon skills imo: 7, 12, 15 and 25 for weapon skills 2-5 respectively. Even one of these changes would be welcome.

Movement speed reduction on GS2: consider removing this. GS isn’t great for chasing someone that’s kiting you due to smaller details like this.

GS 4 symbol: this is the only symbol we have that roots you as you use it. It applies the most or second-most useless boon out there and it also barely applies a decent amount of it.

I’ll suggest a change that could make the symbol a lot more fun: change the animation. You hold up your greatsword, a beam of light strikes down on you creating a symbol at your feet. The increased cast time would be balanced by the addition of impact damage. Retal applied by the symbol would last 3s per pulse This would also make the skill completely mobile.

GS 5: If this was a HoT skill, it would send out 5 engi rifle-speed projectiles at 750 range that pull targets in, chill/vulnerable them and have a 20s cooldown. This skill on our GS needs some love. Increased projectile speed and faster activate/aftercast times on both the throw and pull would be a good start. It feels like a mediocre CC right now due to how slow it is.

All good thoughts & ideas, I would argue that if GS4 roots us, it should apply quickness. this would be a fair trade ~ as it stands retaliation is abundant in most guardian builds to begin with, it could see a more useful boon, like quickness or even might!

kornfanxxx.9143:

All good thoughts & ideas, I would argue that if GS4 roots us, it should apply quickness. this would be a fair trade ~ as it stands retaliation is abundant in most guardian builds to begin with, it could see a more useful boon, like quickness or even might!

When Anet introduced Reaper Greatsword, #4 had the same rooting animation as Guardian gs #4. People complained about the rooting so Anet changed it so you could move. Guardian should get the same treatment (and new animation) in my opinion.

kornfanxxx.9143:

All good thoughts & ideas, I would argue that if GS4 roots us, it should apply quickness. this would be a fair trade ~ as it stands retaliation is abundant in most guardian builds to begin with, it could see a more useful boon, like quickness or even might!

I’m liking this idea as well. It would really bring back the burst to GS and let it synergize well with ranged weapons. Nowadays, GS lacks burst potential against mildly experienced players. The most potential it has is JI + WW and even that is easy to counterplay.

Either way, we have spoken! Hopefully the devs have our GS up on the chopping block for a patch of the near future. It’s really a great weapon but just needs an update like this to make it viable in pvp/wvw again.

I would love some love for hammer aswell. perhaps a slight increase of auto atacks and removal of symbol on #1 , make 2 a leap like gs and remove the root to cast on 5. simple and very good qol changes.

Mikhael.2391:

I would love some love for hammer aswell. perhaps a slight increase of auto atacks and removal of symbol on #1 , make 2 a leap like gs and remove the root to cast on 5. simple and very good qol changes.

So basically destroy the reason for taking hammer in the first place? Bringing the cast time of the symbol part of the attack down to 1second would be fine. And allowing movement on #5 is a good idea too.

Tbh if the other changes i sugested took place it would increase our survival quite a lot. i would sugest chance on crit for symbol when hammmer traited or added on 5 wih 5sec duration.

Mikhael.2391:

Tbh if the other changes i sugested took place it would increase our survival quite a lot. i would sugest chance on crit for symbol when hammmer traited or added on 5 wih 5sec duration.

Well no, considering you’d lose protection by removing the symbol. Your suggestions would only mean it would be easier to use in a pvp situation, to keep up with kiting foes.

Or to be used as an escape tool aswell and get some distance from enemys therefore surviving longer. We already have enough protection and if the trait gave the protection back then it would fair and viable for pve wich seems what u are sugesting.

Mikhael.2391:

Or to be used as an escape tool aswell and get some distance from enemys therefore surviving longer. We already have enough protection and if the trait gave the protection back then it would fair and viable for pve wich seems what u are sugesting.

You also realise increasing the range on #2 would mean an increase on the recharge too? As for adding the symbol to #5, thats a 40second recharge skill. So for 35seconds you’d be without any protection (or symbols) unless you took SY/HTL or used F3 whilst traited with virtues.
You’re basically trying to turn what is a very defensive weapon into a slightly more defensive version of greatsword. I doubt anyone would want to use it.

I would use it because i switch weapon sets almost every 10sec. also the cds would hae to be reviwed ofc. id say 10s on 2 with a 600unit would be fine. leap

Change gs 5 in garen ulti from leage of legends.

From a PvP point of view, Greatsword is utter trash and has always been.

Suggestions:
Whirling Wrath: Cast time reduced to ¼s. Proyectiles removed, and damage from said proyectiles back to the melee whirl. It no longer slows the Guardian during the animation.
Leap of Faith: CD redudced to 12s base (9.6s traited).
Symbol of Wrath: CD reduced to 15s (12s). It now applies 1.5s of immobilize upon cast.
Binding Blade>Pull: CD reduced to 25s (20s). Cast time reduced to ¼s on both skills. Bonus (optional) A plus to weapon utility: Binding Blade proyectiles are now unblockable.

There, Greatsword is now PvP viable.

I got another idea for gs4, instead should comvert 2 boons into conditions.

Khenzy.9348:

From a PvP point of view, Greatsword is utter trash and has always been.

Suggestions:
Whirling Wrath: Cast time reduced to ¼s. Proyectiles removed, and damage from said proyectiles back to the melee whirl. It no longer slows the Guardian during the animation.
Leap of Faith: CD redudced to 12s base (9.6s traited).
Symbol of Wrath: CD reduced to 15s (12s). It now applies 1.5s of immobilize upon cast.
Binding Blade>Pull: CD reduced to 25s (20s). Cast time reduced to ¼s on both skills. Bonus (optional) A plus to weapon utility: Binding Blade proyectiles are now unblockable.

There, Greatsword is now PvP viable.

I like the immobilise idea on Symbol of Wrath. It fits thematically considering Signet of Wrath also inflicts immobilise. I’d still remove the rooting from it too though. Rooting should be reserved for massive damage skills like Meteor shower.
The bonus unblockable on binding blade may be a bit much, considering Dragonhunter already has access to the most powerful (edit) unblockable pull in the game. But reduction is cooldown and cast time is a good idea. Maybe increase projectile speed as well?

Lahmia.2193:

The bonus unblockable on binding blade may be a bit much, considering Dragonhunter already has access to the most powerful (edit) unblockable pull in the game. But reduction is cooldown and cast time is a good idea. Maybe increase projectile speed as well?

You said it yourself, Guardians are the kings of blocking and anti-block. Let’s emphasize that, guardians lack mobility and cripples as a whole.
Is spite of all the improvements suggested, the greatsword would only have damage and a pitiful pull, it would still pale in comparision to Sword+anything.

Khenzy.9348:

Lahmia.2193:

The bonus unblockable on binding blade may be a bit much, considering Dragonhunter already has access to the most powerful (edit) unblockable pull in the game. But reduction is cooldown and cast time is a good idea. Maybe increase projectile speed as well?

You said it yourself, Guardians are the kings of blocking and anti-block. Let’s emphasize that, guardians lack mobility and cripples as a whole.
Is spite of all the improvements suggested, the greatsword would only have damage and a pitiful pull, it would still pale in comparision to Sword+anything.

To be honest, the unblockable crown goes to Necromancers. But given anets track record of balancing, they prefer to add up things like this (like boon corruption on necros) rather than properly balance the class.

Aye guardian is pretty messed up when it comes to damage, considering their best dps is a ranged weapon (sceptre).

Wrathful Strike should apply three stacks of might for 15 seconds

mrauls.6519:

Wrathful Strike should apply three stacks of might for 15 seconds

Why? We dont need the extra might. we could have better use if it gave quickness.

Everyone asking for a Symbol granting quickness, what kind of number are you talking about? Because anything higher than 0,5sec per pulse means that you would get 5+ sec of quickness with some boon duration, which is ridiculous.

Mikhael.2391:

Or to be used as an escape tool aswell and get some distance from enemys therefore surviving longer. We already have enough protection and if the trait gave the protection back then it would fair and viable for pve wich seems what u are sugesting.

No thank you, hammer is in a great spot.

RabbitUp.8294:

Everyone asking for a Symbol granting quickness, what kind of number are you talking about? Because anything higher than 0,5sec per pulse means that you would get 5+ sec of quickness with some boon duration, which is ridiculous.

Mikhael.2391:

Or to be used as an escape tool aswell and get some distance from enemys therefore surviving longer. We already have enough protection and if the trait gave the protection back then it would fair and viable for pve wich seems what u are sugesting.

No thank you, hammer is in a great spot.

It is? Tell me how you evade/escape in wvw after switching to hammer and outnumbered?

Mikhael.2391:

It is? Tell me how you evade/escape in wvw after switching to hammer and outnumbered?

Same way you evade/escape with Scepter/Torch

Not every weapon has to be for every situation and for every game mode. That’s why you have weapon swap.

RabbitUp.8294:

Mikhael.2391:

It is? Tell me how you evade/escape in wvw after switching to hammer and outnumbered?

Same way you evade/escape with Scepter/Torch

Not every weapon has to be for every situation and for every game mode. That’s why you have weapon swap.

Thats why scepter/torch gets you killed fast. now if u run scepter/shield or scepter/focus becomes a very diferent story. Hammer should have the same survival gs gives( wich isnt much ) at least. Its a 2h weapon for melee range.

Ring of Warden and Zealots Embrace is how you get away.

RabbitUp.8294:

Everyone asking for a Symbol granting quickness, what kind of number are you talking about? Because anything higher than 0,5sec per pulse means that you would get 5+ sec of quickness with some boon duration, which is ridiculous.

Mikhael.2391:

Or to be used as an escape tool aswell and get some distance from enemys therefore surviving longer. We already have enough protection and if the trait gave the protection back then it would fair and viable for pve wich seems what u are sugesting.

No thank you, hammer is in a great spot.

Hehe, Impossible Odds would like a word with you.

mrauls.6519:

RabbitUp.8294:

Everyone asking for a Symbol granting quickness, what kind of number are you talking about? Because anything higher than 0,5sec per pulse means that you would get 5+ sec of quickness with some boon duration, which is ridiculous.

No thank you, hammer is in a great spot.

Hehe, Impossible Odds would like a word with you.

Yeah. But IO is for the rev only. Symbols are AoE. And then there’s “Feel My Wrath!” too which is shared with party. But hey, who says chrono’s are the only class to share quickness?

Feel My Wrath its not used because trap elite is way better for damage and cc aswell.

Mikhael.2391:

Feel My Wrath its not used because trap elite is way better for damage and cc aswell.

CC yes, but for damage not exclusively. If you don’t have a mesmer in your party to provide Quickness, your group DPS will be much better with FMW than anything that DM can bring. Depends a bit on the classes but AA heavy DPS is always better with Quickness. For solo play on the other hand DM wins every time.

Well i was thinking more on a wvw scenario. altho the quickness would provide good dps that insta damage plus slow and might and consi boost seems a bit better. but maybe it would depend on group set up. FOr solo roaming i think trap wins tho.

Mikhael.2391:

Well i was thinking more on a wvw scenario. altho the quickness would provide good dps that insta damage plus slow and might and consi boost seems a bit better. but maybe it would depend on group set up. FOr solo roaming i think trap wins tho.

For solo roaming Renewed Focus wins over both of them.

Yeah its true, but i use trap very often since it provides “protection” because of its damage and cc.

RabbitUp.8294:

Everyone asking for a Symbol granting quickness, what kind of number are you talking about? Because anything higher than 0,5sec per pulse means that you would get 5+ sec of quickness with some boon duration, which is ridiculous.

This is a good point. Every symbol at the moment works off a 1s pulse so having quickness being applied at less than 1s means you wouldn’t have 100% quickness uptime even while standing in the symbol for its duration. On the flipside, if it was at 1s or greater, it would be highly OP, especially if you get some boon duration + a revenant in the party with the f2 facet.

If they were to ever implement quickness on a symbol, they’d have to break precedent: make it a 1/4s pulse on boon and make the quickness 1/4s duration such that youd be losing quickness the moment you leave the symbol. This would create an awkward situation in terms of balancing Writ of Persistance and the damage/number of hits applied by the symbol though.

In terms of buffing GS 4, I still think the idea of it being a mobile skill (accompanied by animation change) with lower cooldown and longer retal boon uptime would be a welcome buff that wouldn’t upset balance too much.

Arcaedus.7290:

RabbitUp.8294:

Everyone asking for a Symbol granting quickness, what kind of number are you talking about? Because anything higher than 0,5sec per pulse means that you would get 5+ sec of quickness with some boon duration, which is ridiculous.

This is a good point. Every symbol at the moment works off a 1s pulse so having quickness being applied at less than 1s means you wouldn’t have 100% quickness uptime even while standing in the symbol for its duration. On the flipside, if it was at 1s or greater, it would be highly OP, especially if you get some boon duration + a revenant in the party with the f2 facet.

If they were to ever implement quickness on a symbol, they’d have to break precedent: make it a 1/4s pulse on boon and make the quickness 1/4s duration such that youd be losing quickness the moment you leave the symbol. This would create an awkward situation in terms of balancing Writ of Persistance and the damage/number of hits applied by the symbol though.

In terms of buffing GS 4, I still think the idea of it being a mobile skill (accompanied by animation change) with lower cooldown and longer retal boon uptime would be a welcome buff that wouldn’t upset balance too much.

I could live with that. but also the gs3 needs to evade just like warriors 3. it has a bigger cd and gets interrupted so easily and the virtue leap needs and evade aswell. Both this skills r beghing for it since it only healls/remove condis on landing. at least the virtue when traited for damage should evade.

Mikhael.2391:

I could live with that. but also the gs3 needs to evade just like warriors 3. it has a bigger cd and gets interrupted so easily and the virtue leap needs and evade aswell. Both this skills r beghing for it since it only healls/remove condis on landing. at least the virtue when traited for damage should evade.

If they added evade frames to DH f2, they would have to nerf the healing significantly. The only reason why it heals for so much is because it’s interruptible and has a clear tell. Besides, it does clear 2 condis before the leap. SO which one would you rather want? Good healing or evades?

I do agree on GS3 though.

Mikhael.2391:

Arcaedus.7290:

RabbitUp.8294:

Everyone asking for a Symbol granting quickness, what kind of number are you talking about? Because anything higher than 0,5sec per pulse means that you would get 5+ sec of quickness with some boon duration, which is ridiculous.

This is a good point. Every symbol at the moment works off a 1s pulse so having quickness being applied at less than 1s means you wouldn’t have 100% quickness uptime even while standing in the symbol for its duration. On the flipside, if it was at 1s or greater, it would be highly OP, especially if you get some boon duration + a revenant in the party with the f2 facet.

If they were to ever implement quickness on a symbol, they’d have to break precedent: make it a 1/4s pulse on boon and make the quickness 1/4s duration such that youd be losing quickness the moment you leave the symbol. This would create an awkward situation in terms of balancing Writ of Persistance and the damage/number of hits applied by the symbol though.

In terms of buffing GS 4, I still think the idea of it being a mobile skill (accompanied by animation change) with lower cooldown and longer retal boon uptime would be a welcome buff that wouldn’t upset balance too much.

I could live with that. but also the gs3 needs to evade just like warriors 3. it has a bigger cd and gets interrupted so easily and the virtue leap needs and evade aswell. Both this skills r beghing for it since it only healls/remove condis on landing. at least the virtue when traited for damage should evade.

F2 needs some counterplay though. Currently (if fully traited) it can allow you to leap 800, heal in an aoe, remove imob and 2 conditions, remove 2 additional conditions from yourself and allies, and then imob and damage foes near the landing zone. And that’s only using 2 pretty commonly used traits (Soaring Devastation and Absolute Resolution).

Ok the f2 could be too op if evaded. and a lot of whine would come from it. but the gs3 has no reason at all to not have and evade and smaller cd. look at warrior gs for ex. Gives them so much more mobility and sustain. ALso the gs trait should have an increase heall and maybe chance on remove condis on hit to make that tree viable. as it is no one sacrifices medis for that.