Guild Wars 2

What’s the best DPS build for PvE (fractals mainly) that doesn’t use a Greatsword? About how much damage am I losing not using a GS? My initial inclination is 30/0/0/10/30 axe/mace, is that about right?

GS #1 is 2.3 modifier over 2.3s, GS #2 is 5.5 over 3.5s, axe #1 is 5 over 3.6s. The rest is easy to look up so you can do your own math, but when you sum it up, pure axe slightly beats pure gs in the open, GS slightly wins with whirlwind against a wall, swapping beats both. Worst case scenario you can wall whirl + swap but you are stuck pure axe, around -15%.

GS does have its uses though, on mobs where you know you are not getting to triple chop HB is a lot better than axe auto, havent really tried to get exact numbers but rough guess 50-60% more for HB, also higher mobility and evade.

Sorry for the horrible style very tired atm.

You can go pure Axe+Mace or switch between Axe+Mace and GS.
You switch to GS only for 100B and 3# if enemy is against a wall, #5 otherwise. Then you go back to Axe for two series of auto-attacks (remember to use #2 and Mace #4) and then switch again to GS.
Both build have same trait apart from second Major trait in first line:

• Pure Axe: take X (Axe Mastery)
• GS switch: take IX (Slashing Power) (it helps underwater too )