Guild Wars 2

So, currently, I do staff and run a condition build. That’s pretty fun, and it gets the job done, I was just curious if there were any other really good builds I could look into that mainly only use a main weapon. (Meaning I don’t use the weapon swap button.)

Thanks for the help.

(Before you ask, I just dislike swapping. I could get used to it, I guess, just, right now, I’m not a huge fan of it. I’d rather stick to one weapon.)

Short answer: Get used to it. Playing without weapon swapping effectively means you are crippling yourself by completely losing half of your utility. There are some builds that will primarily use staff (condition builds) but they will always have viable offhands, because that is absolutely necessary.

That being said, I just wrote that from a pvp point of view. If you want to just afk autoattack things in pve with a greatsword, go for it. You won’t be very good, but pve isn’t exactly difficult.

See, that’s one of the reasons I kind of dislike asking questions that go against the norm. I get rude “in your face” answers.

There are viable builds that do not require swaping. My Condition Staff is one of them. I’ve done perfectly fine getting to where I am and not needing to swap. It does what I need it to. There is no way that there is not a single build, other than my current one, that doesn’t use both weapons.

This is also written from a PvE point of view. I’ve got my PvP stuff down perfectly fine. I would like to find something else for PvE, because, honestly, the Bifrost isn’t tickling me the way a Legendary should, and I have no urge to get it. I’d like to have something that doesn’t use staff, so I can get a nice looking Legendary.

@Majorna, you asked a question, he gave a strait answer and dissagree with you, you call it rude cause he dont agree and I find that rather silly.

I seccond Pyroatheist, without weaponswap you cripple youself. Even if you build work without it wold be even better if you sed the 2nd set of utility.

Its like say:

-I play this build without use elites, its works realy good

Then somone say:

-well your build would be even beter if you used elites

And you answer:

-Omg how rude!

/Osicat

Majora.6028:

See, that’s one of the reasons I kind of dislike asking questions that go against the norm. I get rude “in your face” answers.

There are viable builds that do not require swaping. My Condition Staff is one of them. I’ve done perfectly fine getting to where I am and not needing to swap. It does what I need it to. There is no way that there is not a single build, other than my current one, that doesn’t use both weapons.

This is also written from a PvE point of view. I’ve got my PvP stuff down perfectly fine. I would like to find something else for PvE, because, honestly, the Bifrost isn’t tickling me the way a Legendary should, and I have no urge to get it. I’d like to have something that doesn’t use staff, so I can get a nice looking Legendary.

There’s a few problems.

First: Condition staff is generally regarded as pretty horrific in PvE. The problem is that you don’t reliably stack any condition well enough. Vulnerability on WoC vastly decreases its damage potential, clones don’t gain condition duration, and attack really slowly. It’s just not suitable for PvE

That leaves some incarnation of a power build. In most challenging PvE situations, you will need the option of going either ranged or close combat. Unfortunately, greatsword blows chunks at close range, and for obvious reasons, sword doesn’t work at long range. There’s also the scepter, but we can just sorta ignore that one.

The key here is flexibility. Using only one weaponset locks you into a specific range and style of fighting, and in challenging PvE encounters that simply won’t fly. You need to be able to adapt and change rapidly or you will be a burden to your team half of the time.

I don’t generally walk around PvE with a team. I tend to solo, Unless I’m running a dungeon. In that case, I’ve got my dungeon build. I’m just looking for something for Solo PvE roaming that can put out some nice damage without the need to swap every other attack.

@osicat, I’m not saying it’s rude because he disagrees. I’m fine with people disagreeing. The tone he used made it sound like he thought i was an idiot. That, in itself, is rude. That’s what I was pointing out. I’m also aware that all builds can be BETTER with swapping. I never said they couldn’t. I’m just looking for one that doesn’t rely on it.

Okay, when I’m fighting in PvE and PvP, I’ll sometimes ask myself: Why is my damage so low? Then I’ll realize I haven’t weapon swapped in about 20 seconds.

Whether or not I like both weapon sets, I use them because the utlity and fresh damage skills let you get so much more out of your skills.

Regardless, if you don’t want to weapon swap, the only answer to your question is to reroll as an Elementalist or Engineer because then you WON’T weapon swap. That is the only way to effectively do it. I’m sorry.

Like others have said, it is viable, but not as effective. If you’re in PvE going solo killing trash mobs, doing hearts, vistas, etc, and just want to sit back spamming auto-attack without weapon switching, then really, any weapon and build will do because that takes almost no skill to do.

However, there is an understandable frustration when someone is trying something new and unorthodox, and want suggestions on it only to have their thread be filled with “why would you do that?” instead of helping out. If still looking for suggestion, possibly go to sword/sword because when traited, the cooldowns are a fast 8s frenzy/6s leap/12s block/12s phant. Effective for hitting those single stronger opponents, and you can quickly get up 3 illusions and Frenzy+Shatter for those small mobs. Powerful AoE and you can repeat after 12s vs. the traited staff’s 28s and relatively low damage.

In the end, it’s really about your play style. I am mainly a WvW one-weapon build of sword/sword, and a staff just to escape surprise zergs. In almost all my fights, I never switch. Not in a boasting kind of way, it’s just my play style. Maybe it’s not the “norm” but I like it and it works for me.

Esplen.3940:

Okay, when I’m fighting in PvE and PvP, I’ll sometimes ask myself: Why is my damage so low? Then I’ll realize I haven’t weapon swapped in about 20 seconds.

Whether or not I like both weapon sets, I use them because the utlity and fresh damage skills let you get so much more out of your skills.

Regardless, if you don’t want to weapon swap, the only answer to your question is to reroll as an Elementalist or Engineer because then you WON’T weapon swap. That is the only way to effectively do it. I’m sorry.

Actually, it would be the worse idea ever for him to switch to Elementalist. Attunemant dancing is just like swapping weapon but more often.

And Engineer only have one build that resolve around not using build(and not the best). Other then that, they pretty much swap kit each 4-5 second, so it’s worse then weapon swap.

Flexibility of range is pretty important in PvE, and unfortunately none of our weapons but staff actually have that: GS is best at long range and mobs will be chasing up to you—especially if you’re soloing. Scepter is better close range because it waits until the orb hits before it continues the chain, but the damage isn’t enough for the risk of melee combat to be worth it. Sword is a powerful, melee range weapon but you’ll be in a sorry state against enemies you need to try and keep away from. Offhands are more flexible in range, but not going to make up the damage a proper mainhand would have. Our weapons also carry a lot of utility for mobility and survival, which is why it’s particularly crippling for a Mesmer to not be swapping and why we’re advising against it.

The best builds I can think of for prioritizing one weapon set over the other are staff condition or a power sword/shatter build, since shattering will grant you more AoE and defensive buttons, and clone generation with swords, Deceptive Evasion, and utilities would be more than enough.

Some time ago I used just Greatsword for PvE with basic glass cannon gear.

It works fine.
If you trait it, the cooldowns are all low enough that you’ll get by.
For the longest time the only reason I switched weapons was for swiftness from focus.
You’ll get by fine that way.
I never found range to be much of an issue with it, between Blink and Illusionary Wave you can keep your distance.

With that said,
Once you do get used to switching weapons frequently, you will realize how effective it is and, if no other reason, how handy it is to be able to use other weapons while your primary weapon skills are on cooldown.
My #1 skill on weapons are often my least used skills.

EnRohbi.2187:

My #1 skill on weapons are often my least used skills.

I agree, unless we count in clones. I rarely ever auto attack and am always using a skill or rolling. In the rare case that I’m auto attacking, I’m most likely in a TW or hitting a downed enemy instead of stomping.

Sure you could use a GS and just use that for a build and it’ll work in general pve just fine because everything there dies in about 5s anyway, if you do dungeons, fractals, or wvw you are crippling yourself by not switching both because you lose 5 skills you could be using but also because now you’re waiting on cd’s have less combo fields/finishers, less defense against damage (such as blurred frenzy) and less flexibility. It really depends what you want to spend your time doing.

I’ll admit, I’m not too fond of swapping – it just looks weird when every 10 seconds or so during combat a different item magically appears in your character’s hands (well, it can make sense with a mesmer for it to have appeared out of thin air!).

But that’s how this game works, and if you’re not swapping then you’re not being as effective/efficient as you could be. It might not be the most aesthetically pleasing option, but then the game doesn’t aim to have “realistic” combat.

The only class that can get away without much swapping is the thief.

Esplen.3940:

….. to reroll as an Elementalist or Engineer because then you WON’T weapon swap. That is the only way to effectively do it…..

Weapon Swapping is the same mechanic as Attunement Swapping, and you do it twice as much on an Ele so…

Troll of the day.

Eucalyptus.9784:

Esplen.3940:

….. to reroll as an Elementalist or Engineer because then you WON’T weapon swap. That is the only way to effectively do it…..

Weapon Swapping is the same mechanic as Attunement Swapping, and you do it twice as much on an Ele so…

Troll of the day.

Congratulations, you’re 7 days too late to say that. Also, attunement swapping isn’t the same, as you’re still wearing the same weapon, both aesthetically and in terms of relativity.

weapon swapping is a core mechanic in GW2.
when i started, i too was very resistant to the idea of swapping weapons.

if you see any value trying to master a game and develop as much skill in it as possible, you will need to incorporate weapon swapping.

I would advise you to try out all the weapons first and see for yourself which fits your playstyle. Frankly I could have gone through all of my PvE with just a GS but as I tried all of the weapons I realized how fun and situational they are.

Start slow. If you try a GS you’ll get to feel its direct damage and since you’re used to staff, you can learn to switch between the two to complement your playstyle.

PvE is like an elder scrolls game where you don’t really need to build anything specific to do well. You can roll 30/0/30/0/10 and use Scepter/Torch with sword offhand on weapon swap in magi gear. In PvE and you’ll be able to solo just fine. (Is now tempted to solo vet Karka with this)

However higher level of play your just restricting yourself as others have said.

I suggest to you to find somthing that compliments your play even if its not exactly what your looking for.

Example: alternate Condi build staff/GreatSword (GS cuz 3×3 = 9 stacks of bleeds in one plus of large pulse laser) then always keep your distance and if you feel like you could even take points out of Ipersona and use it towards somthing else that helps our build more go for it.

Take the 9 sec C/D and turn it into candy~ somthing sweet and cheap~ you’ll have fun.

If you just plan to PvE and dungeon you can ignore everyone’s post and run what you want. Plus prob can be carried through everything up to CoF. Maybe HotW but CoE and Arah you’ll mostly be hindering your party which is not to big a deal but is unfair to the people around you.

Esplen.3940:

Eucalyptus.9784:

Esplen.3940:

….. to reroll as an Elementalist or Engineer because then you WON’T weapon swap. That is the only way to effectively do it…..

Weapon Swapping is the same mechanic as Attunement Swapping, and you do it twice as much on an Ele so…

Troll of the day.

Congratulations, you’re 7 days too late to say that. Also, attunement swapping isn’t the same, as you’re still wearing the same weapon, both aesthetically and in terms of relativity.

Attunement swapping is way worse.

As a serious suggestion, I would suggest making a Warrior.

And I don’t mean “switch” to a Warrior. Just try it out. My mesmer is my main, but I levelled at warrior up to 80 and use greatsword and only greatsword. I swap to my warhorn once in a while for a speed boost,. but in combat you use Greatsword 100% of the time. And it’s fun being a tank (or a scary DPS dealer without having to weaponswap or dance around like a maniac).

Worth a try, at least to see if that playstyle suits your fancy.

Weapon swap is one of the best features, why not use it as for every weapon there is another weapon that synergizes well with it to cover all your weak spots. That reminds me of the elementalist that only wanted to use half the elements, it’s just not using your full potential.

I dislike swapping weapon too since my build is a full condition dmg and staff is the only perfect weapon for this. I’ve been pvp-ing around without swapping weapon and was doing perfectly fine. The only reason I swap weapon is just to get the speed buff from focus to chase around dying people.. so it sucks waiting for the cooldown to change back to my staff. Until recently I felt like missing something a lot from the mechanism of weapon swapping. So I use two staffs and use the kind of sigil that activates when you swap weapon. Currently I use the sigils that do aoe chill and aoe burn (each with 3 seconds effect). It feels like you have extra skills on your mesmer. Now I love my mesmer even more ^.^

http://gw2buildcraft.com/calculator/mesmer/?4.0|c.1n.h8.c.0.h15|0.0.0.0.0.0|1n.7h.1n.7h.1p.7h.1n.7h.1n.7h.1n.7h|1a.64.1a.64.1a.64.1a.64.1a.64.1a.64|a3.u5a4.k45.0.a3|54.7|31.34.35.36.3q|e

I seriously made this just now for you. I would never use this cause I am also on board that not weapon swapping is gimping yourself. HOWEVER, I understand wanting to just auto-attack in PvE sometimes.

This build has a very high crit chance. That is mainly for healing purposes with the food. It has a 1second cool down on the activation but that won’t matter much cause its PvE and you won’t really be getting hit THAT hard. You also have the 30% chance on the off hand sword.

It has the generally accepted 1500+ toughness to be meleeing mobs. It has almost 19k HP. Just under 25% damage reduction WITHOUT active clones/phantasms for which you get an extra 3% for each one as well as 3% more damage for each one active. The iDefender is there to help suck up damage as well.

Again this is NOT a build I would ever use. Though I am positive that it will work for your purposes.

lol dude you got a reply from 2 amazing mesmers osi and pryo in the first 2 replies and you call them rude hilarious. But in all seriousness yeah u need to use both weapons such as staff sword focus because both provide way more utility you can’t just use one weapon in pvp or wvw that would defeat the purpose of swapping. Look at eles they essentially have 20 skills and they are pretty much broken with how much they can do