Guild Wars 2

TL:DR!
Stats
http://oi60.tinypic.com/9svz48.jpg
Build
Without Food

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fJAQJARTjMdUGaXIWhwJagegC7uHDmDgDIC0dHA-TFCBABCu/gjKBb4QAQq6PA8AAMT5Xi6Co4KAEAABYn7MAc0je0je0j2O35OP6RPaA-w

With Food

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fJAQJARTjMdUGaXIWhwJagegC7uHDmDgDIC0dHA-TFCBABCu/gjKBb4QAQq6PA8AAMT5Xi6Co4KAEAABYn7MAc0je0je0j2O35OP6RPapAMXZE-w
Videos
WvW
Balanced Build in WvW
WvW Dueling- Condition/Burst Guardian
sPvP
Balanced Build in sPvP

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I’ve been playing warrior since beta. I have been using this build and perfecting it with my play style for the better part 2013 (i still have a long way to go before i would even consider myself having mastered my build, im very well experienced with it, but i have not mastered it). with the last 6 or so odd (probably more) patches, my build has been untouched in ways of nerf/buff by skill balances/changes.

I spend most of my time in WvW, that is the the basis of theory crafting starts for this build. Having played DAoC since its release, i have come to understand the nature of 1v1s through zerg warfare. Nothing has changed since the initial release of DAoC’s revolutionary RvR system to the inception of GW2’s WvW. What you need to understand, is how to deal optimum damage while maintaining maximum survivability. It doesnt matter how many foes there are, the principal is the same, kill them before you die. now, how many variables can effect the outcome of the battle, is another story…

In the beginning, I worked with knights gear and a max/min effort to create the final build you see today. The problem I ran into, as most folks do when trying to theory craft, was having to decide what 3 primary stats i wanted to focus on. This was the problem. In order to achieve an optimum stat balance, there were Five stats that I needed covered. Offense, consisting of Power, Precision and Ferocity; and Defense, consisting of Armor (Toughness + Base AF) and Vitality.

Ideally, one would want 3k in every stat. Balancing 5 stats (power, precision, toughness, vitality and ferocity) how was i supposed to do that? it was literally impossible!

Then came Celestial gear. At first, even I was skeptical, but as theorizing went on, Celestial kept popping back up in my thoughts. Upon the initial release of the celestial gear, obtaining a full set of both armor AND trinkets did not prove to be effective in the pursuit of 5 stat balance, however, and this led me back to max/min with trinkets. and for a while, it worked.

With the last few patches bringing a bonus to stats across the board to all armor sets due to the ferocity change, Celestial Gear became even better. Now, I could actually achieve the stat point distribution that i hoped for. Not only did this provide the stats i wanted, it also allowed for the increase of my condition damage and healing power giving it some what of a hybrid effect.

This build, My Balanced build, in its most current version, does not require Food.

you dont use food? why not its such an advantage! you are a fool to not use food!
I didn’t say that. read that sentence again.
This build, My Balanced build, in its most current version, does not require Food.

Now that you have re-read the sentence, what does it say? Thats right, it does not require food, but you can still use food. An interesting thing i stumbled upon while theory crafting. Utilizing this build allows the user to consume ANY, that is correct ANY FOOD HE/SHE DESIRES TO USE!

this makes for a most advantageous situation, if you are quick enough to realize a build the enemy uses, and switch foods to suit the needs of the battle. some builds these days rely on the use of food, not using it puts the user at a disadvantage and could subsequently make/break the build.

not a problem for the balanced build! My preference is Life Stealing food and Sharpening stones, which adds power and an additional layer of sustainability, on top of healing signet and adrenaline, along with Sigils of Blood on my weapons.

facing a condition pressure build? switch to lemongrass and wipe away those tears (along with the conditions).

feel like you need to do more condition damage? switch food!
need more crit damage or power? switch food!

If it seems like I am rambling, it is to make a point: You do not necessarily need consumables to be competitive.

Another nice thing about this build, which you will see when you watch the duel i have with the guardian, is that this build is viable with ANY weapon set. Though Rifle is the weakest, your damage and survivability does not suffer as it would if you were running say the META HAMMBOW and switched to rifle for whatever reason.

Now that a little background has been given; I present to you my “Balanced” Warrior build. I enjoy playing this build, and some of you might and some might not.

Stats
http://oi60.tinypic.com/9svz48.jpg
Build
Without Food

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fJAQJARTjMdUGaXIWhwJagegC7uHDmDgDIC0dHA-TFCBABCu/gjKBb4QAQq6PA8AAMT5Xi6Co4KAEAABYn7MAc0je0je0j2O35OP6RPaA-w

With Food

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fJAQJARTjMdUGaXIWhwJagegC7uHDmDgDIC0dHA-TFCBABCu/gjKBb4QAQq6PA8AAMT5Xi6Co4KAEAABYn7MAc0je0je0j2O35OP6RPapAMXZE-w
Videos
WvW
Balanced Build in WvW
WvW Dueling- Condition/Burst Guardian
sPvP
Balanced Build in sPvP

Hope you enjoy! Feedback is encouraged with constructive criticism!

Thanks for the detailed description and break down. I was going to work on my warrior while we have the month break until LS2 and will def. give this a few hours in pvp to see how it feels.

Clear.8512:

Thanks for the detailed description and break down. I was going to work on my warrior while we have the month break until LS2 and will def. give this a few hours in pvp to see how it feels.

you are welcome!

Should have included this earlier, but forgot! Build Breakdown and why I chose to run what I do.

Build
Without Food

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fJAQJARTjMdUGaXIWhwJagegC7uHDmDgDIC0dHA-TFCBABCu/gjKBb4QAQq6PA8AAMT5Xi6Co4KAEAABYn7MAc0je0je0j2O35OP6RPaA-w

With Food

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fJAQJARTjMdUGaXIWhwJagegC7uHDmDgDIC0dHA-TFCBABCu/gjKBb4QAQq6PA8AAMT5Xi6Co4KAEAABYn7MAc0je0je0j2O35OP6RPapAMXZE-w

Trait Breakdown

Strength – 6 points

The main focus of my build is to deal a substantial amount of damage in a short amount of time.

Trait I – Death from Above

Why do I use this trait? If you are a regular to WvW, you know that there are many times that you have the upper hand, and suddenly, you may get knocked off of a ledge or cliff. This helps with the environmental factor, as well as providing a blast finisher that I often use after dropping a Combustive Shot fire field in conjunction with Arcing Arrow, from higher ground.

In the same way, this trait provides the damage reduction for falling damage, and helps keep me alive for those times I jump off a ledge to escape, or more likely pursue a fleeing target. In most cases, I am following someone off a ledge or I am trying to get to a camp or other objective fast without worrying about dying from falling.

Trait IX – Slashing Power

This is a staple trait for any Greatsword build. Plain and simple, damage is damage! The more of it I do, the more the target is dead! I prefer the Greatsword in terms of power and mobility.

Trait XI – Berserker’s Power

15% damage increase, on top of the 10% from Slashing Power. 25% increased damage. At almost all times. Obviously not while clearing conditions because I’m burning adrenaline to remove them. And the Adrenal Health aspect of keeping full adrenaline is also of importance.

Defense – 5 points

Any warrior worth their weight in WvW knows that Traits II – Dogged March and IX – Cleansing Ire are standard for survivability. No need to go into detail here.

Minor trait – Armored Attack

After the stat increase from 7% to 10% a few patches ago, this allows you to increase your damage once more.

why stop at 5 pts? why not 6?

1) Fast hands is a crutch that must be utilized! As good a this minor trait is, it is hard not to take it. for a while i did not use it and got accustomed to not using it, but when i finally switched back, it was hard to not-not use. :[

2) Last Stand is too unpredictable and, slotting Balanced stance and using it when you actually need it to avoid a spike rather than break a 1 second stun and not have it and eat a spike in the face, is pretty self explanatory. Also it is nice to not be stopped when trying to stomp/spike/NBA JAMS! someone who is downed!

3) While retaliation is nice, fast hands is better!

4) the new one? waste of data, could have been used to fix rush pathing!

why do i not stop at 4 pts with Cleansing Ire? 10% power is a lot of damage. if you stop there and add say, signet mastery or warrior’s sprint you end up losing a lot of the power from the build and dont really gain anything in return since discipline’s effective bonuses in crit damage and burst damage were nerfed a long long long long time ago.

Discipline – 3 points

Trait V – Vigorous Focus

Since this build utilizes Stances as my utility options, this trait gives you the extra layer of defense through endurance regeneration of Vigor. Having the extra dodges in a fight are life saving. Use them wisely. Or not! You have a ton of endurance regeneration almost 21 seconds of endurance regeneration available when you need it! seriously tho, use them wisely! lol

Utilities

Balance Stance – Because stun breakers and stability are non-negotiable.
Endure pain – for those Oh kitten moments!
Berserker’s Stance – This is the warrior’s gold. Anyone who does not use this in wvw, is honestly hindering themselves. This is your instant shot of Adrenaline. Keeps your adrenal health up and going and your damage up.

Elite

For roaming you can run Signet of Rage for the extra fury that you really do not need. But who doesn’t want to crit more?

In Group, you should always run Warbanner to get your group members up fast from downed state. There is no I in team. Or you can be selfish and keep running Signet of Rage! LoL.

Why do I use Traveler Runes?

Being slow is terrible. Nothing is worse than losing your target who might be kiting, and suddenly they just begin fleeing instead of just kiting! The bonuses it provides as well as the much needed 25% improved movement speed free you up in the Discipline line to take Vigorous Focus, instead of taking Warrior’s spirit and running slow while using longbow.

Countless hours. Two Legendaries. WvW Commander. Yet… still clicking skills. Sigh.

Narkodx.1472:

Countless hours. Two Legendaries. WvW Commander. Yet… still clicking skills. Sigh.

He doesn’t click skills thought he clicks utilities. Which is ok. Unless you relocte the hotkeys thats pretty far reach for somone with small hands.

Narkodx.1472:

Countless hours. Two Legendaries. WvW Commander. Yet… still clicking skills. Sigh.

Thank you for your non-constructive criticism! Your input would have been appreciated had you actually given some !

Assassin X.8573:

Narkodx.1472:

Countless hours. Two Legendaries. WvW Commander. Yet… still clicking skills. Sigh.

Thank you for your non-constructive criticism! Your input would have been appreciated had you actually given some !

You have to read between the lines. I think it’s “stop clicking your skills”.

Never been the fan of balanced. I like over the top builds for specific things.

Keiel.7489:

Assassin X.8573:

Narkodx.1472:

Countless hours. Two Legendaries. WvW Commander. Yet… still clicking skills. Sigh.

Thank you for your non-constructive criticism! Your input would have been appreciated had you actually given some !

You have to read between the lines. I think it’s “stop clicking your skills”.

I know what he is saying. I also asked for constructive criticism.

Assassin X.8573:

Keiel.7489:

Assassin X.8573:

Narkodx.1472:

Countless hours. Two Legendaries. WvW Commander. Yet… still clicking skills. Sigh.

Thank you for your non-constructive criticism! Your input would have been appreciated had you actually given some !

You have to read between the lines. I think it’s “stop clicking your skills”.

I know what he is saying. I also asked for constructive criticism.

That is constructive. He’s telling you specifically what you need to change.

I simply refuse to watch PvP videos of people clicking, especially in Guild Wars 2 where you only have about 10 key to keybind.

Clicking or not clicking it doesn’t change the build. And the build is what he is sharing not his play style. I know there are plenty of really good players that click even all of the skills.

On topic, this build looks great the videos you shared are awesome. I’m thinking I may have to try out celestial gear after reading this and watching your videos. And any variations as per the runes? Divinity? Since they are cheaper then traveler or is the movement speed increase and conditions/boons very necessary?

Yeah, clicking is obviously slower in most cases, but everyone’s hands/control schemes are different and if it’s more comfortable for someone to click – and he does well enough – then it doesn’t matter to me.

The build definitely looks interesting. I think I’ll try it tonight. Call me a noob, but even after a few weeks of WvW, I haven’t included the reduced fall damage trait.

Constructive:
1. SPVP vid at 2:07 you falling off the treb tower because of fear because you couldn’t click ‘blance stance’ fast enough… – key bind
2. check box ‘show skill cooldown’ – I don’t know a single pvper who plays w/o it
3. sry but that armor skin is just ugly ( constructive? use wardrobe)

I will agree with you that clicking my utilities is slower then pushing a key bind. However, after having played for the better part of two years, i have been relaxing more in my “heat of the moment” combat. And actually looking at the the flow of battle: the # of opponent(s) im facing, wether or not i have additional incoming foes or allies. Will i need to start kiting and/or what is my best possible escape route? also watching how the enemy plays instead of simply reacting to thier movements.

Eiland.1405:

Constructive:
1. SPVP vid at 2:07 you falling off the treb tower because of fear because you couldn’t click ‘blance stance’ fast enough… – key bind
2. check box ‘show skill cooldown’ – I don’t know a single pvper who plays w/o it
3. sry but that armor skin is just ugly ( constructive? use wardrobe)

I took a look at the footage again. After reviewing what you point out, balanced stance doesnt become active for use until 2:09. So it was mosy likely not from lack of “slow clicking”, it simply was not avaiable to use.

In conjunction with your 1st point. Yes some people like to use the cooldown timers. I tried using them during release; for me, personally, it is just a distraction. That is why I do not care to use them.

I liked the armor skins :p it is funny that you mention it though because i changed the legs back to phalanx from koda just the day before.

I like this idea, but as someone who uses the greatsword a lot it seems like a dealbreaker to me to not get the Forceful Greatsword trait.

You know because with the 20% recharge you can really do a lot more.

In Assassin X defense I’ve known great players who are clickers. It’s just kind of embarrassing to see due to gaming culture.

in most of the mmo’s before gw2 (DAoC, GW1, WoW, WAR, Aion) i used to key bind everything, its only now that i click, most likely because i use the mouse a lot because of panning and fast cast ground targeting.

Jeez let the guy play how he wants. He’s not doing too shabby.

I do agree with the cooldown timer, it just makes using skills right off the timer more doable. But hey.

About the build (which is what this topic should be about, no?), what does it do better then, say, killahmayne’s GS/Longbow build?

I watched videos.

Have one question. Why sigil of perceptions ? You have a best dps with bloodlust.

A good build, in fact. Same dps than a knight/hoelbrak, in fact. I’m a little bit surprised, but it’s sound viable.

LuXx.9354:

I watched videos.

Have one question. Why sigil of perceptions ? You have a best dps with bloodlust.

A good build, in fact. Same dps than a knight/hoelbrak, in fact. I’m a little bit surprised, but it’s sound viable.

I debated about this for a long time back and forth between bloodlust and perception. Ultimately, i prefer the reliability of higher chance to proc sigil of blood for the increased survivability.

Cygnus.6903:

Jeez let the guy play how he wants. He’s not doing too shabby.

I do agree with the cooldown timer, it just makes using skills right off the timer more doable. But hey.

About the build (which is what this topic should be about, no?), what does it do better then, say, killahmayne’s GS/Longbow build?

The dote variance, to me, is not reliable. I prefer to know that i am almost constantly doing 15% more damage. You have no way of knowing wether or not an enemy will run boons or how many he or she will have/maintain if they run less than 5, you are not doing optimum. If they do run more than 5 boons, the factor for your damage is now dependant on how well and if they maintain said boons. AA providing the aditional 10% power over further increases your damage.

Adept – Trait I – Mighty Defenses – You gain might when you block an attack.

great if you are hitting the blocker, but not great if you are being kited with a melee weapon.

Armored Attack wins in this scenario.

Adept – Trait II – Thrill of the Kill – Gain extra adrenaline on a kill.

waste.

Adept – Trait III – Warrior’s Sprint – Run faster while wielding melee weapons.
If you are using your ranged weapon, you will not run faster, if you decide not to use the traveler runes with this build.

if you do not use travelers or ranged weapons, then slotting this trait is ok, but you are still doing 10% less damage than having AA traited.

Armored Attack wins in this scenario.

Adept – Trait IV – Inspiring Shouts – Gain adrenaline when using a shout.
you are not using shouts and adrenaline is easy to come by

Armored Attack wins in this scenario.

Adept – Trait VI – Signet Mastery – Signets recharge faster.
There are only 2 signets in this build, you could modify it for a 3rd if you do not feel you need endure pain, but even if you swapped in signet of might for the 180 power, 10% of 2k+ is already ~200. so in those moments you are becoming unblockable and losing 180 power, you would still have ~200 power with Armored Attack.

Armored Attack wins in this scenario.

Master – Trait VII – Sweet Revenge – Vengeance has an increased chance to rally.
if you are betting on yourself dying… and not being stomped…. then… ok…

Armored Attack wins in this scenario.

Master – Trait VIII – Destruction of the Empowered – Deal bonus damage per boon on your target.

see above.

Armored Attack wins in this scenario.

Master – Trait IX – Sharpened Axes – Critical hits with axes grant extra adrenaline. Reduces recharge on axe skills.

since my build is predicated on being able to run any weapon you want. you could do this if you run axe. however, if you are running melee weapons and get kited, what are you hitting with?

Armored Attack wins in this scenario.

Master – Trait X – Mobile Strikes – Movement skills break immobilize
I use LB about 75% of the time with GS, sometimes i switch to S/S (but that is besides the point) – Cleansing Ire clears my immobility when/if i need it to be cleared be it thru Flurry or more likely through the use of Combustive Shot.

Armored Attack wins in this scenario.

~~~

This is just the way i view it, Im not saying my build is the 100% standard it should be run as. I HOPE you can modify it if you think there is a better way. and if you find a better way, please let me know. but again these are just the reasons i choose to run Armored attack over having a 2nd trait in discipline or lose fast hands and gain a final slot for defense line.

thanks for the explanation. However, I was aiming more towards your use of Celestial over Killahmaynes zerk. One could go Zerk/cavalier for instance, have more toughness, power and crit chance whilst forgoing condition damage (of which you don’t really have a lot either) and instead focus on might to increase condition damage.

I am asking because I firmly believe vitality to be a wasted stat on a warrior other then zerging. Also, healing power is very lackluster for healing signet and adrenal health. We are talking maybe a 600hp difference every 30 seconds.

Also, I am not implying in any way that your build is inferior, just openly trying to discuss the two versions.

Cygnus.6903:

thanks for the explanation. However, I was aiming more towards your use of Celestial over Killahmaynes zerk. One could go Zerk/cavalier for instance, have more toughness, power and crit chance whilst forgoing condition damage (of which you don’t really have a lot either) and instead focus on might to increase condition damage.

I am asking because I firmly believe vitality to be a wasted stat on a warrior other then zerging. Also, healing power is very lackluster for healing signet and adrenal health. We are talking maybe a 600hp difference every 30 seconds.

Also, I am not implying in any way that your build is inferior, just openly trying to discuss the two versions.

Did some switching around and whatnot and the best variance i come up with is about a 500 power to a 5,000 hit point exchange.

I avoid zerging unless im ktraining in eotm or there are no good fights while roaming. But for me, i like to have that extra vitality over the damage. If im not hitting my target then the extra power isnt doing me very much good. But if im being kited or get some enemies or agro pve trash while fighting. The extra hp helps.

While this is not supposed to be a condition build, the increased condition damage sometimes serves as a feint and sometimes throws them off. A lot of wars/thieves/guards think that because they start taking some condition damage that they can quickly overpower me in a straight melee. Then they start taking some pretty heavy damage and panic. That gives me an advantage in those situations.

Assassin X.8573:

While this is not supposed to be a condition build, the increased condition damage sometimes serves as a feint and sometimes throws them off. A lot of wars/thieves/guards think that because they start taking some condition damage that they can quickly overpower me in a straight melee. Then they start taking some pretty heavy damage and panic. That gives me an advantage in those situations.

I think you hit the nail on the head here. It’s the panic you induce when everything you do hurts, even if single attacks don’t hurt as much as they could.

Still disagree on the vitality, though. Your point of power not doing any good when your not hitting your target is valid. But there is a flipside to that coin. Your vitality, after it has mitigated that 5k damage, does nothing for you for the entire remaining fight. That is, if your opponent is actually decent and doesn’t let you recover to beyond 20k HP.

But in the end it is still a playstyle difference. I like to think that every defensive attribute, trait or skill also has an offensive use. Your extra vitality means you can stay in the fight longer (thus maintaining pressure).

So gg.

I’ve played warrior since release and while I will say that cele armor is not bad I think there are better ways to go.

Granted you have high toughness and a solid amount of healing power you lack damage. For instance with my build my auto atk on GS can swing for 2.8k, 23k health, and 1.4k toughness. This I feel gives better balance in that I’m tough enough to take hits while still dealing burst.

In your vid’s you use a lot of GS/LB which show the low skill lvl of your enemies as in open world combat LB is a horrible weapon. Coni’s will still rip you apart even with food with your build as you generally have no way to keep your enemy in place making you way to easy to kite.