Edit: What I forgot to add with the Valor line was that it further pigeon-holes you into using shelter due to the changes to Might of the Protector thus making Litany of Wrath that much less appealing.
Edit: 2nd video, much shorter going over what I missed and clarifying some things.
Nice Video. I don’t think there’s any chance that you’ll get the buffs you asked for, though.
Probably not but most of the changes I requested were to ones that would make some traits actually useful during combat and not afterwards (Renewed Justice/Courageous Return). I don’t think it’s asking too much.
Taking a look at the Zeal trait line, i really wish i could spend18 trait points, instead of just 14 I would stay with my mace/shield + staff – so 6 points in valor and honor. The 2 points left would likely go into virtues again.
Valor : I + IV/V (depends on how the shield synergie is further reworked) + VII
Honor: I + VI + VII (yay free heal ^^)
Virtue: III
Edit: What I forgot to add with the Valor line was that it further pigeon-holes you into using shelter due to the changes to Might of the Protector thus making Litany of Wrath that much less appealing.
While it’s always hard to justify taking Shelter over anything else – Litany IS receiving a significant buff it would seem with Smiter’s Boon
( copy and paste from previous post ):
Not only would get healing from Litany’s base heal + Monk Proc, you’d also get an additional Monk Proc from Smite Condition + 25% of the damage done by SC as healing.
1640+1978+1978+(25% of SC’s dmg) – assuming there are targets to hit, quite easily 6k-8k of healing before you’ve even started a damage rotation.
SC might also have a small chance to clear poison or CC to make Litany more effective and you’ll get Fury for the full duration of the damage window.
I use 0/3/6/1/4 over the other meditation builds only because of this trait. VoJ recharge on blind stomp is awesome. Especially where there are multiple downed enemy bodies and your better option is to cleave, blinding the area multiple times as you finish your opponents, not only preventing CC but also dmg, plus the extra might you give to your party.
It’s a very good trait for a DPS guard, i’m surprised why is it that it’s not that popular in pvp.
Not to mention it is bread and butter in PvE for hard hitting trash mobs, and it’s the best trait a meditation guard can have in WvW for solo flipping camps. Blind and Might for days.
Technically, Litany still isn’t receiving a buff but more like Monk’s Focus is receiving a buff with Smiter’s boon since it works regardless of what heal you use.
@Creepmatic
I completely agree that the VoJ recharge on stomp is awesome, no doubt there. However, during the time at which you’re fighting, you gain absolutely no benefit what-so-ever an to me, this part of the fight is far more important. More often than not(not always) whenever you down someone, that person is usually dead.
Again, a benefit during combat just makes more sense to me.
Very constructive and well thought out suggestions! I really hope someone from Anet see it. My biggest gripes with this rigid new system are Scepter trait and basically entirety of Honor tree.
1. Scepter trait competes with damage increase to burning foes and discourages you from using your core mechanics which in my opinion is not a good design.
[Suggestion] Bring back Power Scepter trait as it is now and add projectile speed to it.
2. Writ or Persistence. Having larger symbols should not compete with Shouts because there’s no competition there.
[Suggestion] Increase size of symbols of weapons you trait into. Ex. If you pick staff trait only staff symbol gets bigger. After that buff up Writ of Persistence’s symbol duration and healing significantly.
Also goes hand-in-hand with the new Honor GM minor, Purity of Body which discourages you from using your core mechanic. Quite a few of those out there.
Edit: It’s almost like the opposite of what is happening to the Warrior, i’ll give an example. The old Berserker’s power discouraged you from using your burst because the dmg boost would be gone and now, it’s rewarding (too much in my opinion) for proper usage. This feels like the same thing.
Also goes hand-in-hand with the new Honor GM minor, Purity of Body which discourages you from using your core mechanic. Quite a few of those out there.
Edit: It’s almost like the opposite of what is happening to the Warrior, i’ll give an example. The old Berserker’s power discouraged you from using your burst because the dmg boost would be gone and now, it’s rewarding (too much in my opinion) for proper usage. This feels like the same thing.
Yes, same case with Mesmer’s mantras. Now you’re encouraged to used them instead of just keeping them charged. I’m baffled by their decision to not go down that route. I find to be Guardian’s Scepter to be one of the most interesting and unorthodox weapon in their kitten nal and I hate to see it this underrepresented with just one poorly designed trait. Especially now that we are getting another ranged weapon without existing one being improved, I have to wonder how much use will it see if any at all.
Edit: you ppl are seriously going overboard with profanity filters Rsenal is not a profanity. Geez!
While it’s always hard to justify taking Shelter over anything else – Litany IS receiving a significant buff it would seem with Smiter’s Boon
( copy and paste from previous post ):
Not only would get healing from Litany’s base heal + Monk Proc, you’d also get an additional Monk Proc from Smite Condition + 25% of the damage done by SC as healing.
1640+1978+1978+(25% of SC’s dmg) – assuming there are targets to hit, quite easily 6k-8k of healing before you’ve even started a damage rotation.
SC might also have a small chance to clear poison or CC to make Litany more effective and you’ll get Fury for the full duration of the damage window.
They could make Litany of Wrath heal for 500% of the damage you deal and I still wouldn’t take it. Even with all the synergy with Meditation traits it’s still not good. Shelter is good because you generally use your heal when you’re playing defensively and/or getting focused. It negates burst and gives you an opportunity to regain the upper hand. It gives you control over your survival. Litany is the opposite. One dodge roll away from your GS spin (for example) and most of the duration of the back end of the heal is nullified. Plus Shelter will be getting buffed substantially too in the trait overhaul, with it gaining a skill category and benefiting from whatever traits affect it.
I would stay with my mace/shield + staff – so 6 points in valor and honor. The 2 points left would likely go into virtues again.