hammer/mace+focus
A lot of AH guard’s i’ve seen use a 0/15/30/20/5, or 0/5/30/30/5 build with boon duration rune’s. I havent tried it my self as i like other rune’s personally better, but i do know with both of those builds its possible to keep protection up 100% of the time with just the rune’s.
If you’re going 30 in virtues mainly for the boon duration, you might want to use a boon duration rune set (in addition to/replacing your virtues investment):
- 2x Superior Rune of the Water (+15% boon duration)
- 2x Superior Rune of the Monk (+15% boon duration)
- 2x Major Rune of the Sanctuary (+10% boon duration)
Other possible Runes to mix in: 2x Major Rune of the Water (10% boon duration), 2x Major Rune of the Monk (10% boon duration)
If you wanted to invest for an AH build, I would get your crit rate up with gear, so that you could take advantage of the crit damage that comes with the valor trait line. Also, I would drop the longer duration symbols and get empowering might (honor trait line) to have yet another form of boon application. Your boons should be lasting long enough before the next symbol drop, anyways.
If you’re going 30 in virtues mainly for the boon duration, you might want to use a boon duration rune set (in addition to/replacing your virtues investment):
- 2x Superior Rune of the Water (+15% boon duration)
- 2x Superior Rune of the Monk (+15% boon duration)
- 2x Major Rune of the Sanctuary (+10% boon duration)
wow do these runes stack?? that seems really cool in theory
If you’re going 30 in virtues mainly for the boon duration, you might want to use a boon duration rune set (in addition to/replacing your virtues investment):
- 2x Superior Rune of the Water (+15% boon duration)
- 2x Superior Rune of the Monk (+15% boon duration)
- 2x Major Rune of the Sanctuary (+10% boon duration)
wow do these runes stack?? that seems really cool in theory
Yep, I use these on my ele and engineer, who have +70% boon duration (40 from runes; 30 from traits). It even shows up on your hero panel.
I may get one for my guardian when I get my 2nd armor set, but for now, I’m using soldier runes for the condi cleanse w/ shouts, since my current build is based around that.
If you’re going 30 in virtues mainly for the boon duration, you might want to use a boon duration rune set (in addition to/replacing your virtues investment):
- 2x Superior Rune of the Water (+15% boon duration)
- 2x Superior Rune of the Monk (+15% boon duration)
- 2x Major Rune of the Sanctuary (+10% boon duration)
wow do these runes stack?? that seems really cool in theory
I use these runes myself. They do Stack. Not only do you get perm protection / might depending on your build. You can keep perm speed boost for long runs using the staff skill 3.
PB Officer
NSP
And just to add to the topic, the damage from symbols alone without traiting in Zeal is pretty good. I never realized this that just doubling up on the symbols means I am free to cast other skills because the symbols are continually doing the damage for me. Love symbols! Hmmm makes me want to try zeal….symbolic power….
Throw a Hammer Guard in a group and all your melee become tanks. 2x Sup Rune of the Earth and Writ of Persistence gives you 100% Protection as long as you’re hitting stuff. Writ of Exaltation so everyone has a spot to stand and your target stays in it.
Symbolic Power isn’t bad, 25/15/0/30/0 works well with Hammer.
I run 10/25/0/30/5 for more damage. Fiery Wrath + Raidant Power + Elusive Power + Empowering Might + Inspired Virtue adds 30% damage across the board and stacks Might for more damage. I run this in mostly Zerker gear with a few Soldiers mixed in and I can still face tank a lot of stuff.
Hammer, IMHO, is the ultimate PvE support weapon for melee. Its sustained damage is comparable to GSword too, at least that’s what I’m seeing.
GL
Blood~