Guild Wars 2

Hey guys
I’ve recently levelled a Guardian as that is the only class that I didnt play more than 100hrs yet (just a few PvP matches back in the days when bunker was still meta)
I’m an experienced player concerning PvP, WvW, General Gameplay and Thief/Engi but obviously need some help from more experienced Guards

So I’ve got 2 Builds that i like: GS, Hammer and GS, Sw/F (I experienced Scepters baddd mobility…)

GS, Hammer 01661
+ more CC (Hammer #3#4#5)
+ shorter CD on GS & Hammer
+ more AoE
+ more Toughness
+ more Vitality
+ more Healing Power
+ more Critical Chance

GS, Sw/F 21614
+ more Mobility (Sword #2)
+ more Blocks (Focus #5)
+ more Blinds (Sword #2, Focus #4)
+ more Condi Remove
+ more Power

also listed the pros of each build in comparison to the other, but I’m not sure yet whether they are good as they are right now (trait- and stat-wise) and I would also wanna know which one you’d reccommend me more for Solo Roaming
(I guess that’d be Sw/F right? The Hammer-Build more for group play?)

Thanks a lot!

Yep, I’d say the traditional med guard (your 2nd build) is a much better roamer just due to it’s increased mobility, and your increased blinds and blocks. It’s hard to go wrong with this build!

That being said, I’d like to chip in my 2 cents on GS/H. It is definitely viable solo, but it is very weak against high vit/toughness/condi damage builds (P/D thieves, trap rangers in particular). The key to Gs/H is hit first, hit hard, and don’t let em breathe! Know your counters (D/D ele, heavy condi builds), and either destroy them near the start, or bait out their attacks, and hit em when their skills are on cd, and they’re out of endurance (so you can land cc). Gs/H is amazing if you have allies. Entering a fight as Gs/H without an opponent targeting you gives you a ridiculous advantage!

Have fun roaming!

2nd build solo. I don’t play guardian but I know how rediculous it is to fight. I play pewpewing ranger but so do a lot of others and you will love zealots defense. Sceptre imbolize + that barraging skill, lols lightning reflexes.

The single best thing for a dps guard, imo, is Renewed Justice. Especially if you want to clear camps fast.

Then comes the question if you need the extra condie clear from F2.

If yes: 0.3.6.1.4 I find it the most balanced build, superior to 2.1.6.1.4. Some People just don’t get how useful RJ is. I use Sword/Focus – Hammer with that build.

If no: 0.6.6.1.1 for sc/t – sw/f or 2.5.6.0.1 and 2.6.6.0.0 fo max burst sw/f – GS

thanks to the responses!
is there any useful solo roaming build using hammer? (roaming, mainly focused on fights)

creepmatic.9435:

The single best thing for a dps guard, imo, is Renewed Justice. Especially if you want to clear camps fast.

Then comes the question if you need the extra condie clear from F2.

If yes: 0.3.6.1.4 I find it the most balanced build, superior to 2.1.6.1.4. Some People just don’t get how useful RJ is. I use Sword/Focus – Hammer with that build.

If no: 0.6.6.1.1 for sc/t – sw/f or 2.5.6.0.1 and 2.6.6.0.0 fo max burst sw/f – GS

problem i see with RJ js that its almost useless if youre fighting another player?
or what would you say?

because maybe i would shortly switch my build to one using RJ for camps but i dont think i’ll ever run 3 points in there just for RJ if i could be meeting other players

you need to learn to also love scepter/focus as a set in roaming

Scrap the first build unless you wanna grab traveler runes. Also, the reduced CD only helps RoW, which is nice but not worth it in my opinion. I’d personally grab empowering might over that.

As for your second build, I see sword as a condi guard weapon because the auto is so suitable for it. The scepter is much better for a zerk guard, but to each his own. One problem with playing a melee only build on a class as slow as guard is that you desperately need traveler runes, especially if you’re solo. I can literally come up with no situtation where I would prefer sword over scepter on a zerk build and I’d actually choose mace in some instances. Also, you’ll find that your trait setup is very basic, but I’m sure you’ll find your flavour soon enough.

Darknicrofia.2604:

you need to learn to also love scepter/focus as a set in roaming

i like it in pvp but in wvw i experienced that the extra mobility of sword is nice if i want to disengage because more people are coming in

SlayerSixx.5763:

Scrap the first build unless you wanna grab traveler runes.
Also, the reduced CD only helps RoW, which is nice but not worth it in my opinion. I’d personally grab empowering might over that.
As for your second build, I see sword as a condi guard weapon because the auto is so suitable for it. The scepter is much better for a zerk guard, but to each his own. One problem with playing a melee only build on a class as slow as guard is that you desperately need traveler runes, especially if you’re solo. I can literally come up with no situtation where I would prefer sword over scepter on a zerk build and I’d actually choose mace in some instances. Also, you’ll find that your trait setup is very basic, but I’m sure you’ll find your flavour soon enough.

I’m actually running traveler runes

thanks for the tip with the cd reduction though

and i like the strong auto on sword, the added mobility+blind and the projectile block on 3 against rangers
but scepter definitely in pvp
and yeah i noticed that 25601 actually gives me a lot more than 21614 – unless i wanna duel somebody who is running condi (21614) i guess i will stick to 25601 for normal roaming