Guild Wars 2

Streaming a bit
twitch.tv/Defektive

Tried the build myself, seems solid.

I will say however that this isn’t how I imagined me having to play my Warrior to be competitive.

I’d prefer leaping around the battlefield, being able to CC and forcing my opponent’s to react. With this build I still feel like im on the backfoot, though it’s not nearly as bad as other builds.

Until they introduce a game mode other than conquest, it’ll stay a game of AoE & Area Denial, and the hopes of seeing it become an eSport will stagnate unless they do something to change up the Meta.

PS: Necro & Engi’s have better Area Denial than we do, so this build; while functional, doesnt change anything for us in the long run.

@Defektive

Always been a hammer fan, therefore, is hammer, playable / viable to you?

I still don’t really like the idea of longbow / meta change to warrior, like Kreedz said.

That latest stream was crazy. Keep’em coming!

This is basically exactly what I switched to as soon as the patch hit.

I wouldn’t change anything in SPvP, but in PvE I can’t stop running with 10 tactics, I’m just too used to the utility in those traits.(Took 5 from Arms, and 5 from Disc.) Also, I’m disappointed in myself for never using Hoelbrak runes before, they’re kittening amazing and instantly got switched onto my armor.

Overall, I think this setup is the most comfortable I’ve ever been on a warrior.

Hello Defektive, really ENJOYING your build atm. Really good job on coming up with this build despite all the negativity in the Warrior forums. I gotta admit that it does feel quite odd relying on the longbow more than before on this but I have been getting good results for it in roaming WvW. I kept the traits the same, however I was wondering if you (or anyone else) can give me some input on how to implement this build in WvW? Pref zerg fights since I run with my guild alot more for big zerg fights…pref something that would utilise longbow and hammer? Gear info and runes would be good

Thanks for the feedback everyone!
Hammer is viable RIGHT NOW but only for a limited time:
Everyone is rerolling or trying necros which hammer is great against.
I think in this limited window it can be used well, however when things even out again it will be more difficult to run competitively due to lack of aoe and the sheer amount of stunbreaks other classes have.

I agree that longbow wasn’t the method I expected to play when I picked up GW2, but when life gives you lemons…..

Apologies for the poor grammar, wrote this on my tablet.

I have a lot of fun with my warrior and this build in spvp, thx for sharing it.

I just used this in a couple hot join matches, for some reason it feels a lot more fluid than hammer + sword/shield.

Never thought I’d be running around sPvP with a longbow…

I played the build a bit last night and found it to be quite fun – I really like these warrior builds that have beefyness to withstand thief burst but also put out decent amounts of damage. I’m not really sure I understand the rationale behind Hoelbrak runes though.

On a side note, hopefully not derailing the thread, I watched a bit of Ostricheggs stream last night and he is playing a warrior – he was running an unusual support type build with banners and sword/shield mace/warhorn – it was quite interesting. I dont’ know the details of the build but it was fun to watch.

trying telling him to use longbow, i dare u lol.

Im still no fan of the sword, we gave up an on-demand cripple for an on-demand spike skill with a stupidly broken animation and long cast time.

The leap is definitely improved with the cripple as well, but its duration is something the enemy doesnt have to be worried about.

For perspective, the 3 builds I would use now are as follows:

The above Defektive longbow build

A derivative of Defektive hammer 0/0/30/20/20 hammer sword warhorn

Skirmisher greatsword mace shield 0/20(30)/20/0/30(20) undecided on which is better for last 10 points.

Versus dual necro I would run the hammer.
For small splits, the gs build excels versus non teleporters
And longbow build is good versus ele air spike imo

Interpret Interrupt.3824:

For perspective, the 3 builds I would use now are as follows:

The above Defektive longbow build

A derivative of Defektive hammer 0/0/30/20/20 hammer sword warhorn

Skirmisher greatsword mace shield 0/20(30)/20/0/30(20) undecided on which is better for last 10 points.

Versus dual necro I would run the hammer.
For small splits, the gs build excels versus non teleporters
And longbow build is good versus ele air spike imo

Im interested in your hammer build, mind to share? thanks

Sword is playing better for me after using it for a few hours. I’m not convinced it’s a clear winner over GS, but it was surprisingly effective.

The mobility and defensiveness I call as a wash with GS, both have some advantages.
Sw+sh has the cc advantage over GS, which can be capitalized on with team play but I’d still give GS the dps advantage overall. GS#3 is still great paired with LB #3, and 100b can still be set-up for high effectiveness or used for rez denial.

Both are great options. If it wasn’t for necro buffs warrior would be in great shape this patch. I’m also going to start looking at hammer builds to deal with necro.

Brigg.6189:

If it wasn’t for necro buffs warrior would be in great shape this patch.

I have to disagree. The biggest part of our kit is really weak and we only happen to do fine with the Longbow, because it’s our only AoE ranged weapon. There’s a deep rooted problem with the game, it favors just spraying effects on the battlefield and not directly engaging enemies, unless if you have crazy powerful defenses, which we don’t sadly.

We’ve seen some positive changes, that’s for sure. But I think we still need a defensive buff to make our melee kits useful and not just a supplement to the Longbow.

I like the Sword quite a bit now. It might be my favorite weapon, just for the feel alone. And Savage Leap… oh god, Savage Leap. I’ve not been an avid Sword user, so I’m just discovering the tricks you can do with it and it’s incredibly fun. In combat I use purely as a finisher, though. Shield Bash into Final Thrust usually takes care of wounded enemies and if they’re still alive I can chase them down pretty effectively with it, thanks to the slows.

no love for my pic guys or is the warrior commun that boring?.

I’ve been using this exact weapon combo and roughly the same build since I first bought the game.

Nice to know it’s getting some love from others (granted, the recent patched buffed it quite a bit, but still).

People REALLY need to get over the whole ‘Greatsword or Axe or GTFO’ deal.

Juular.4729:

no love for my pic guys or is the warrior commun that boring?.

It’s overused.

Daecollo.9578:

How about Axe off-hand instead for burning bolts?

I’m going to be that guy…

There may be a reason you’re always complaining about the class if you’re seriously recommending Axe off-hand.

YuiRS.8129:

Brigg.6189:

If it wasn’t for necro buffs warrior would be in great shape this patch.

I have to disagree. The biggest part of our kit is really weak and we only happen to do fine with the Longbow, because it’s our only AoE ranged weapon. There’s a deep rooted problem with the game, it favors just spraying effects on the battlefield and not directly engaging enemies, unless if you have crazy powerful defenses, which we don’t sadly.

We’ve seen some positive changes, that’s for sure. But I think we still need a defensive buff to make our melee kits useful and not just a supplement to the Longbow.

Ok yeah, “great shape” was an exaggeration. LB builds would be competitive, but melee only builds would still be tough.

Mmmh, looking from your last twitch… seems like landing Arcing Arrow is actually hard. So it’s not just me… (even if sometimes I mess up even on placing the circle… my bad.XD).

I’m starting to think the warrior might be strong, but he has to choose the right terrain.

For instance, sometimes I duel mesmers in battle of Khylo. If I fight them in narrow spaces, like the grouned around clocktower, I can manage to down even good mesmers. If I fight theme on open places, like near spawn points… no chance. Maybe one of our worst enemies is teleport. And in narrow spaces teleports are weaker.

redslion.9675:

Mmmh, looking from your last twitch… seems like landing Arcing Arrow is actually hard. So it’s not just me… (even if sometimes I mess up even on placing the circle… my bad.XD).

I’m starting to think the warrior might be strong, but he has to choose the right terrain.

For instance, sometimes I duel mesmers in battle of Khylo. If I fight them in narrow spaces, like the grouned around clocktower, I can manage to down even good mesmers. If I fight theme on open places, like near spawn points… no chance. Maybe one of our worst enemies is teleport. And in narrow spaces teleports are weaker.

Arcing Arrow is difficult to land without immob or being right ontop of them, granted.

But yesterday I was also playing at 9pm with only 3 hours of sleep and a full work day under my belt, wasnt the best representation of skill on my part lol

Thanks for the answer!^^

Is there a way to make sure thieves won’t teleport away from your immobilize?

(is it useful to bait it, or I will just end up losing time?)

I bait with sword F1 or shield bash and then catch them with longbow immob, usually.

YuiRS.8129:

Juular.4729:

no love for my pic guys or is the warrior commun that boring?.

It’s overused.

show me where its over used ?.

bkj.4721:

Interpret Interrupt.3824:

For perspective, the 3 builds I would use now are as follows:

The above Defektive longbow build

A derivative of Defektive hammer 0/0/30/20/20 hammer sword warhorn

Skirmisher greatsword mace shield 0/20(30)/20/0/30(20) undecided on which is better for last 10 points.

Versus dual necro I would run the hammer.
For small splits, the gs build excels versus non teleporters
And longbow build is good versus ele air spike imo

Im interested in your hammer build, mind to share? thanks

It is a Defektive derivative 0/0/30/20/20
http://intothemists.com/calc/?build=-sF-t;1VKkP0d4NL-60;9;6TJJ;418908-57-5wW4;2CoF2CoF25Zt

Interpret Interrupt.3824:

It is a Defektive derivative 0/0/30/20/20
http://intothemists.com/calc/?build=-sF-t;1VKkP0d4NL-60;9;6TJJ;418908-57-5wW4;2CoF2CoF25Zt

After the blind buff I have just found hammer builds to be an exercise in crying in your sleep futility.

I guess it’s possible to just pray very hard you don’t encounter anyone that can randomly apply a blind on you.

Or you just swap to sword set. Come on now.

I just want one more buff. Since mesmers got their scepter trait buffed to +200 condition damage, I wish our shield trait got a buff to +200 toughness. Would it be so bad??

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fIAQNAS8ejcOFvtQCPMxBE0DNsK4iTBlQ9wO2w4A-TsAg0CnIMSZkzIjRSjsGNQYZxGBA

I’ve tried this. It’s good in teamfights, resistant to aoes, even if I probably have to stack more power to increase 1 on 1 pressure. And considering what necros have become, maybe it’s time to use mace.

And maybe I should change runes of Melandru for runes of Hoelbrak. But I think can kill thieves (unless they are in open field and pop that kitten thieves’ guild) and glassy necros, while conditions aren’t much of a trouble.

I use unsuspecting foe because let’s face it: non-critical final thrust sucks.

Or I can use off-hand axe and skull crack -> whirling axe as an anti-necro weapon.

i love the idea of sword/shield i use it in spvp with a hammer as backup and i run a build alot different from yours but 30/20/10/10/0 i can 4 shot berserker thiefs so much fun to watch.

Odd build with hammer. What grandmaster strength trait do you take?
And do you get distracting strikes?

Defektive.7283:

Thanks for the feedback everyone!
Hammer is viable RIGHT NOW but only for a limited time:
Everyone is rerolling or trying necros which hammer is great against.
I think in this limited window it can be used well, however when things even out again it will be more difficult to run competitively due to lack of aoe and the sheer amount of stunbreaks other classes have.

I agree that longbow wasn’t the method I expected to play when I picked up GW2, but when life gives you lemons…..

Apologies for the poor grammar, wrote this on my tablet.

I’m gonna jump in and say I don’t see Hammer as being viable right now outside of a bunker/supportish build.

Simply put, it’s a weapon that relies too much on stuns, a mechanic that’s relatively easy to hard counter. Hammer has no mobility, no defense, telegraphed attacks, and lackluster DPS. Where it really shines is control, and it can deliver quite a significant burst if you can chain several attacks together. If you catch someone out without stun breakers or stability, hammer ruins them utterly and completely… But if someone pops stability or has a couple stun breakers to break your combo, you’re left high and dry.

This is especially noticeable in WvW, where mobility is paramount, but even in PvP it’s quite painful.

And that’s the problem. Catching up to people with the hammer is hard enough, but when you do, if they can avoid it, pop stability, or break the telegraphed stuns you’re left with a very subpar weapon. And, of course, if you need to run away it lacks any mobility whatsoever.

ProxyDamage.9826:

Defektive.7283:

Thanks for the feedback everyone!
Hammer is viable RIGHT NOW but only for a limited time:
Everyone is rerolling or trying necros which hammer is great against.
I think in this limited window it can be used well, however when things even out again it will be more difficult to run competitively due to lack of aoe and the sheer amount of stunbreaks other classes have.

I agree that longbow wasn’t the method I expected to play when I picked up GW2, but when life gives you lemons…..

Apologies for the poor grammar, wrote this on my tablet.

I’m gonna jump in and say I don’t see Hammer as being viable right now outside of a bunker/supportish build.

Simply put, it’s a weapon that relies too much on stuns, a mechanic that’s relatively easy to hard counter. Hammer has no mobility, no defense, telegraphed attacks, and lackluster DPS. Where it really shines is control, and it can deliver quite a significant burst if you can chain several attacks together. If you catch someone out without stun breakers or stability, hammer ruins them utterly and completely… But if someone pops stability or has a couple stun breakers to break your combo, you’re left high and dry.

This is especially noticeable in WvW, where mobility is paramount, but even in PvP it’s quite painful.

And that’s the problem. Catching up to people with the hammer is hard enough, but when you do, if they can avoid it, pop stability, or break the telegraphed stuns you’re left with a very subpar weapon. And, of course, if you need to run away it lacks any mobility whatsoever.

Apologies, I should have clarified since my experience with hammer may be different.

I run Hammer Sword Shield so mobility and setting up immobs to combo into a stun isn’t very difficult.

Hammer by itself or with most other weapon sets is difficult to land and or use consistently. However it is uniquely situated with Sword X to perform admirably.

so you’re using sword without the immobilize on cripple trait?
hmm

Defektive.7283:

Apologies, I should have clarified since my experience with hammer may be different.

I run Hammer Sword Shield so mobility and setting up immobs to combo into a stun isn’t very difficult.

Hammer by itself or with most other weapon sets is difficult to land and or use consistently. However it is uniquely situated with Sword X to perform admirably.

Yeah, of course, if you run sword or greatsword as the other set you mitigate the mobility issue, but you’re also sacrificing ranged weapons, particularly the longbow right now… You sure you wanna do that? Ya know.

When I mentioned Hammer as being viable, I did not say it was paired with Longbow. The hammer build is a separate build.

I really don’t recommend running Hammer + ranged weapon, but Hammer Sword Shield is viable against teams where they run limited stun breaks or stability (Necros).

Currently, everyones running Necros due to their buffs. Hammer is very solid against them. When the ‘meta’ settles out and people stop running 2-3 necros, you’ll see Hammer no longer become viable. Hence why I originally mentioned it has a limited time frame to be useful.

Defektive.7283:

What I mentioned Hammer as being viable, I did not say it was paired with Longbow. The hammer build is a separate build.

I really don’t recommend running Hammer + ranged weapon, but Hammer Sword Shield is viable against teams where they run limited stun breaks or stability (Necros).

Currently, everyones running Necros due to their buffs. Hammer is very solid against them. When the ‘meta’ settles out and people stop running 2-3 necros, you’ll see Hammer no longer become viable. Hence why I originally mentioned it has a limited time frame to be useful.

Well, Necros have more than one viable stun breaker now, and wouldn’t you want more reliable condition cleansing and range, especially against Necros?

It can work, but I’m extremely iffy about dropping longbow right now.

I agree longbow is more viable and more useful, but for players who don’t like the playstyle Hammer still can be of use.

Necros do have stun breaks, but they are very limited. Their main source of Stability also handicaps them to an extent so it really comes down to playing intelligently and working alongside your teammates.

What do you think about swapping Sword for Axe, or greatsword?

However, I was thinking… how many access to teleport do thieves have in tournaments? Is there the risk I bait their teleport, immobilize them, and they can just evade/teleport again?

redslion.9675:

What do you think about swapping Sword for Axe, or greatsword?

However, I was thinking… how many access to teleport do thieves have in tournaments? Is there the risk I bait their teleport, immobilize them, and they can just evade/teleport again?

They have a lot of teleports, far more than 1. Expect like 3.

I wouldnt swap sword for Axe unless your role was to sit near home point / mid point.

If you go GS your burst will be higher but your survivability will be lower. Pick your poisen.

Defektive.7283:

redslion.9675:

What do you think about swapping Sword for Axe, or greatsword?

However, I was thinking… how many access to teleport do thieves have in tournaments? Is there the risk I bait their teleport, immobilize them, and they can just evade/teleport again?

They have a lot of teleports, far more than 1. Expect like 3.

I wouldnt swap sword for Axe unless your role was to sit near home point / mid point.

If you go GS your burst will be higher but your survivability will be lower. Pick your poisen.

Here, something with less burst and less survivability.XD

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fIAQJARTjcOFvtQ+OMxBEkCNsKOKAQmQ9wO2w2A-ToAA1CnICSFkLITQygsBNIYZB

I could even swap Endure Pain for SoS, and become a full signet warrior.XD

Ok, now I brought shame to my name forever.XD

redslion.9675:

Defektive.7283:

redslion.9675:

What do you think about swapping Sword for Axe, or greatsword?

However, I was thinking… how many access to teleport do thieves have in tournaments? Is there the risk I bait their teleport, immobilize them, and they can just evade/teleport again?

They have a lot of teleports, far more than 1. Expect like 3.

I wouldnt swap sword for Axe unless your role was to sit near home point / mid point.

If you go GS your burst will be higher but your survivability will be lower. Pick your poisen.

Here, something with less burst and less survivability.XD

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fIAQJARTjcOFvtQ+OMxBEkCNsKOKAQmQ9wO2w2A-ToAA1CnICSFkLITQygsBNIYZB

I could even swap Endure Pain for SoS, and become a full signet warrior.XD

Ok, now I brought shame to my name forever.XD

I like it! Could work, I’d recommend seeing how feasible the damage numbers from GS would be. Possibly testing it in tournies etc.

Been having an absolute blast with the build, thanks for sharing. Most fun I’ve had on Warrior in sPVP. (Haven’t taken it to tourny yet, been practicing to get a good feel for it first)

I’ll surely do it.

An issue might be adrenaline generation, but I’m not sure it will be a problem.

I have been playing around with this
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fIAQJASTjgOJvNPyQMxBEkCNsKUKgjNM9YMMj0A-ToAA1CtIMSZkzIjRSjsGNQYJC

If anyone cares it runs rather well in group fights. A lot of support and still has a good damage behind it since you can might stack very easily. Did find the LB to be better than sword since final thrust and LB3 damage are very similar but one is a finisher and traited to a 8s CD and has a big aoe. Adrenaline generation shouldn’t be an issue either.
Good in team fights since you alone can start stacking might like an ele for your party and will make up the fact that you’re running tank heavy.

Streaming.

Twitch.tv/defektive

First time playing my Warrior this patch, and this build was a lot of fun, I did switch to Lyssa though with all these silly Necros about.

Didn’t have too much trouble with Corrupt Boon. Most Necros seem to run; Spectral Wall/Walk/Armor, one of the signets, and then a well.

Defektive.7283:

peter.9024:

robocafaz.9017:

peter.9024:

Why are you taking sword instead of axe? Considering that you are still in a heavy power build the axe burst is superior to the sword bleeds.

Kaga.7629:

If you’re serious about bow dps, you need the 1200 bow trait to convert your basic shots into 100% finishers ( that you do, of course, thru combushot.)

This build is not cased on condition damage, it’s based on AoE burst (longbow) and mobility (sword.)

If we are talking mobility wouldn’t the GS be a better fit then sword?

Barely more mobility. Sword Leap isn’t affected by cripple or chill (GS is) means it’s a better escape.

Sword Leap you can vault over walls, across bridges etc.

Sword #3 Can crit as high or higher than a full whirlwind (one that hits all attacks).

Sword Has a useable F1, GS doesn’t. (More Cleansing Ire procs).

Sword allows you to pair shield = 3sec block, or Mace for a stun etc.

Sword auto attack does on-par damage to GS (some would argue, better).

I actually run a lot with shield offhand and well … I want to try something new. I like your build so far since I already played bow before that patch – and it worked pretty cool for me.
What do you think about Mace offhand for that build? Guess “Endure Pain” would be a must have then, right?