Guild Wars 2

For a tank build, you will want the staff, not the greatsword. Greatsword is all about damage, staff has much more defense oriented utility, and the traitlines reflect that as well.

That and staff is best in melee range, or rather, <600. Greatsword gets worse the closer you get to melee.

^what they said.

Staff gives you Chaos Armor, and a way out of troubles in case you need, also staff clones stack vulnerability, your sword attacks will love that.

Look here, some good ideas, I’m working on a functual tanking build myself.
Feel free to offer feedback.
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/mesmer/PvE-Melee-Tank-Build/first#post888862