Guild Wars 2

[WvW] Hammertank

I’m sure builds like this have been posted, this is the one I specifically use.

The build uses Hammer|Greatsword to maximize control in the field. The stat focus of the build is Knight gear specific, with three Valkyrie pieces thrown into the mix for more health and some extra Crit damage. Power, Precision, and Toughness are the main traits. Damage focus is AoE white damage, applying boons to allies, selfhealing, shouts, and damage done via Retaliation.

Utility Skills:
1. “Stand Your Ground!”: Shout – Grant stability and Retaliation to yourself and allies.
2. “Hold the Line!”: Shout – Grants Regeneration and Protection to yourself and allies.
3. Signet of Judgement:
Passive – 10% less damage taken.
Active: AoE Retaliation to allies and Weakness to enemies.

Healing Ability: Shelter – 2sec blocking incoming attacks while healing.

Sigils:
Hammer: Sigil of Superior Force – 5% Damage
Greatsword: Sigil of Superior Force – 5% Damage

Gear:
Knight’s: Hammer, Greatsword, Head, Shoulders, Gloves, and Boots.
Valkyrie: Chest, and Legs.

Runes: Screw Runes, full Beryl Orbs. 20 Power, 14 Vitality, and 2% Critical damage x6.

Jewelry:
Rings: Knight’s
Accessories: Knight’s
Amulet: Valkyire

Traits: 0.5.30.30.5

ZEAL: 0pts

RADIANCE: 5pts – 50 Precision|50 Condition Damage

[Minor] Justice is Blind – When activating Virtue of Justice, nearby foes are blinded.

VALOR: 30pst – +300 Toughness | +30% Crit Damage

[Minor] Valerous Defense – Gain Aegis when your health reaches 50%.
[Major] (V) Purity – Lose a condition every 10 sec.
[Minor] Courageous Return – Virtue of Courage is recharged when you rally.
[Major] (VI) Retributive Armor – 5% of Toughness is given as a bonus to Precision.
[Minor] Might of the Protector – Gain Might when you block.
[Major] (XI) Altruistic Healing – Applying a Boon to allies heals you.

HONOR: 30pts – +300 Vitality | +300 Healing Power

[Minor] Vigorous Precision – Gain 1 sec of Vigor when you crit.
[Major] (II) Superior Aria – Shouts charge 20% faster.
[Minor] Selfless Daring – The end of your Dodge roll heals allies.
[Major] (VIII) Empowering Might – Nearby allies gain 5sec of Might when you crit.
[Minor] Elusive Power – Deal more damage at low Endurance.
[Major] (IX) Two-Handed Master – Two-handed weapon skills recharge 20% faster.

VIRTUES: 5pts – + 5% to Boon Duration |+5% Virtue Recharge Rate

[Minor] Inspired Virtue Virtues now also apply the following boons:
Justice: Might
Resolve: Regeneration
Courage: Protection

With this setup I have 16.8k Health, 38% Crit, 3255 Armor, 3025 Attack, and about 1900 Toughness. I’ve tried the 0.15.30.20.5 build, but this is my favourite thus far.

Enjoy, any comments/questions/suggestions are appreciated.

The last statement you make leads me to believe you are comparing this to the 0/15/30/20/5 build, and I gotta say, there’s no comparison. This one is probably pretty good, but its healing would most certainly be lower. Not only would you not be able to spam Virtue of Justice (giving might, healing you, and getting that AoE blind), but you miss out on Signet Mastery.

Also confused about the “hammer” + “tank” part, when in WvW I’ve almost never stood still, making the symbol of protection (even if you are lucky enough to get that hit off) worthless.

Not ragging on you, just think that if you want a tanky retaliation build for WvW, you should drop Hammer and get something more defensive to compliment the GS.

I’m not in any way comparing the two, simply listing which I personally enjoyed more. I was stating that to, hopefully, ward off the “You should use (insert said build) instead ‘cause you’re missing out on (inster thing).” Clearly it didn’t work.

Again, this is the one I prefer to use. The others are just as good in their own rights, this is the one I’ve chosen.

That’s just it, it requires a bit of group love, like anything in WvW. Which I have, but I move like a tank. Slowly through my enemies, via Mighty Blow spam. loljk. But seriously, it’s a decent build not meant to be mobile, more of a stopper for enemy groups.

Update: Forgot to mention I use Shelter, adding to the whole tank-like thing.

I want to try this. I have 4 80s including a Warrior and I am leveling my Guardian because warrior hammer builds seem less viable than guardian ones. I hope this works. xD