Guild Wars 2

ive been changing back and forth for a couple of days now and still cant decide what to use, greatsword feels extremly sluggish and the dmg doesnt feel any higher compared to sword axe. what do you guys use?

WvW:
I’m using GS, but only for utility (mainly swoop). I don’t fight in melee unless in rare ocasions. GS is one of the most predictable weapons, and everyone who knows the basics should have no trouble beating you in melee.

If you fighting enemies in melee as soon they get close, go for sword/axe.

PvE:
Sword dps is by far superior to GS for any pve grouped content, but learn to evade with it.

What are you using it for? GS is by a HUGE margin the superior choice for zerg fights. It was better before the patch and is only that much better with the maul and swoop changes.

Swoop is also pretty necessary when traveling over long distances. It’s also great for finishing off people in a zerg fight. RF them down, swoop, maul, and stomp while raven blinds their stomp interrupt.*

Small fights are probably whatever fits your personal style but LB/GS is still the ideal zerg kit and the only real thing to think about often is when to use Read the Wind or Piercing Arrows.

I personally use RtW for mostly open fights where the zergs are more spread out and losing line of sight is less of an issue than missing because they are moving. Piercing is great for keep fights and I’ve been able to down a lot of people since the patch while staying alive in things like Stone Mist 50v50v50’s without having to get near the enemy zerg.

*won’t work against heavies in pvt, they’ll require a big chunk of their hp gone first.

When I take out a bow I prefer sword axe… Mainly because pos is so f-ing brutal but whirling axe is a lot of fun catching stray projectiles and sending them back, or sitting in the middle of enemy Zerg with signet of stone and stability and rack up some major retaliation damage. Sword2 is great for an immediate backup.

Great sword is great too. It comes down to play style and the nature of the Zerg fighting, why limit yourself to one? I carry all weapons and change up to suit the situation but longbow isn’t even a preference for me (prefer gs and dual axe).

Depends on your build / intended purpose like Substance said.

Personally I prefer Sword/X more for tankier builds (doesn’t have to full tank, just a build which can take a hit or two) and prefer GS for berserker builds. The reason is simply that the Sword requires extended periods of AAing to do it’s damage, and on a full zerker build that is simple dangerous to the point of suicidal depending on your opponent. GS, on the other had, has most of it’s damage loaded onto 2 and 4, so it’s much easier and safer to do your damage quickly and then get out of danger.