Guild Wars 2

Axes are cool and I wanted a WvW build based around one, but I also wanted to be able to take a ton of punishment.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fIAQRBHdxG2IoTybMkzDTkABVQDtHMC9B4I9YMQj0A-j0xAYsBRTECYCsIasV2ioxqew0lER1e8ioVDA-w

Can I get some opinions? It’s supposed to be a shout build that uses an axe and shield. I want 20 in defense for Shield mastery, but I don’t really want to move those 5 traits in strength because a hit to my rather low power would hurt, and so would losing that passive. Don’t want to move 5 out of discipline because of 5s faster weapon swap.

EDIT: What about this?
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fIAQRBHdxG2IoTybMkLETsABpQDxC7Bj4UQJ0HsjUBxA-j0xAYsBRTECY2rIaslxioxqew0lER1e8ioVDA-w

What do you wish to do with the build? Be a frontline zerg fighter? Because for taking a lot of punishment you have invested a bit much into precision.. You’re not going to KO anybody like this, just take damage. You also lack the CC to really support your team other then being a meatshield.

Shield Mastery is pretty bad as it is now. 20% reduction is not as useful as one might think, and 90 toughness is laughable.

I guess you should take out the 5 in power (it’s too low, even with the 5 extra points) and put them in discipline to get ‘I’, Mighty defenses. That way, when you dive head first into the zerg you can get a lot of stacks quickly.

Also, Dogged March really shines when used with Melandru and Lemongrass, so I suggest replacing that with Embrace the Pain. You can fill up your adrenaline in a heartbeat when in the frontlines, and you can replace inspiring shouts for something like Heightened Focus.

Lastly, don’t use Desperate Power. By the time it kicks in you will die soon after. Replace it with Empowered or Leg Specialist.

Good luck, and more importantly, have fun!

I just looked at your traits/utility skills and ignored your armor stats. Your traits lead me to believe you want to be somewhat “tanky” more so than a “Dps machine”. I will give my opinion on this:

Trait III in the “Tactics” line is actually pretty horrible. If you ever get to 25% health you are going to die in a few seconds anyway. Meanwhile, you have two great options to replace this trait with that fits nicely into your build. Since you are using For Great Justice and Signet of Rage you could put in Trait VI for more damage per boon, or you could put in Trait I (arguably one of our best adept traits) for two extra immobilizes (one of which is ranged).

To be honest, the shout healing build is a decent build but…. it leaves you very weak for solo roaming or any type of small scrap (2v2 or 2v3). Since you will only benefit from this build going full shouts you will have 0 stability and 0 immunity to damage. I would either suggest going with full shouts and sticking to large groups (5+) or rethinking your build.

What I would suggest if you choose to redo your build:

Strength Line: 15 points (what you have now)
Arms Line: 10 points (more down below)
Defense Line: 20 points (more down below)
Tactics Line: 10 points (more down below)
Discipline line: 15 points (more down below)

The 10 points into Arms is solely for Trait IV. With this trait you can combo your Shield Bash into a for sure Eviscerate unless they stun break (this will also make the critical rate of the Eviscerate with your current stats 100% if you have fury/86% without).

The 20 points into defense line are for Trait II and Trait V. Dodged Marches is a really good skill and helps this build out since you don’t have Mobile Strikes (Trait X in Discipline). Missile Reflect just because it will really hurt a Engineer that tries to spam their pistol 3,2,1 on you, or a Ranger that is spamming his shortbow 1 after pet swapping. I have killed people just through Missile Reflect (granted they are not the brightest, but this trait works wonders, also my build is much different than this and has more options for blocking).

The 10 points into the tactics line for Trait I. Leg Specialist is just too good not to get for Warriors. It will give you a ranged immobilize (Axe 3) and another short range immobilize (Sword 3).

The 15 into the discipline line is almost exactly what you have except the trait should be switched to either Trait V or VI. I would suggest Trait VI since with fury and shield bash you will have 100% critical chance and the quicker cool down on signets mean you will have fury up more (as well as five stacks of might and swiftness).

Changing builds to this new one will change your roll quite a bit, but you will be almost as tanky (very close to the same) but a lot more damaging.

Best of luck and hope this helps.

Edit: Added Utility skills:
I would start with…
For Great Justice
Balanced Stance
Endure Pain

For Great Justice will give you around a 90% up time on your fury mixed with Signet of Rage. Balanced Stance because stability is a don’t leave home without boon. Endure Pain because Warriors don’t have many stop gaps in fights. Endure Pain could be switched out to Signet of Stamina to cover the major weakness of the build: Conditions. This also meshes well with the traits since it will have a 20% cool down reduction. You will also be recovering endurance faster with this which mixes well with the burst recover minor trait. I would suggest starting out with Endure Pain then working my way towards Signet of Stamina.

Thanks for the input, guys. Gonna try reworking the build.

shimmerless.4560:

Bytor.3826:

Thanks for the input, guys. Gonna try reworking the build.

I hope I didn’t come across as insulting, I can completely understand what you’re trying to do. Just wish traits like Vigorous were better.

Nah I get what you’re saying. I don’t particularly like the shout builds either, It just that I wanted a decent source of condition removal and that seemed like the best way to achieve it, while also granting a bit of group utility in the form of boons and small heals.

All I’m really trying to do is run a build that will let me run with an axe, still do at least respectable damage, and not blow up instantly when a zerg hits me.

shimmerless.4560:

I’ve never really understood people’s obsession with Vigorous Shouts. I could see the appeal if the numbers were worthwhile but you’re healing for what, 1.3k per shout if you’re lucky? 2k in full Cleric’s?

A single warrior shouthealing is not going to achieve anything worthwhile.

Having 10 warriors shouting at each other, the effects pile up.

Most boring play style though in my opinion.

Vanthian.9267:

Trait III in the “Tactics” line is actually pretty horrible. If you ever get to 25% health you are going to die in a few seconds anyway.

The only way I could justify that trait, and it’s a stretch, is if I spec Defy Pain with it. Then it blends well. Endure Pain kicks off (hopefully in time) and you go to town. The challenge though honestly is when I’m at 25% or less health I am either in panic mode or if I can keep my emotion in check (lol) I am looking to use my mobility abilities to get the hell of of dodge.

Bytor.3826:

shimmerless.4560:

Bytor.3826:

Thanks for the input, guys. Gonna try reworking the build.

I hope I didn’t come across as insulting, I can completely understand what you’re trying to do. Just wish traits like Vigorous were better.

Don’t spec 30 in a line just to deal with conditions which will overall reduce your effectiveness as a warrior when you can line your food, runes, and 10 in defense to deal with it automatically. I find micromanaging condition removals via shouts or via utility slots are not worth the trouble when trying to down someone. Plus you lose out on some other utilities you can otherwise use with Dogged March, Melandru (or Hoelbrak for more offense) and lemongrass food.