Guild Wars 2

In WvW really it’s all about the zerg. Play what you find fun. Bow is solid for it’s aoe, sword and shield are ok for defensing it up. As for 1v1’s…. well against anyone running a proper tpvp build you’re going to be smoked. But then you’re going to get smoked unless you run a cookie cutter GS (BR+HB) build and even then if they know how to dodge it’ll completely negate you.

TLDR: In WvW run what you like and join the zerg. In actual 1v1’s and organized pvp (tournaments) it’s greatsword or go home, at least until ANet gives us a clue if that’s the single build they wanted war’s to run or not.

My Charr warrior is level 72 and I’ve run a sword and shield (secondary is longbow or rifle depending on what I’m doing) set up since I started at launch. I have to admit I’m a fan of the legionary look too (give my warrior a pilum to throw and I’ll be a happy Charr!) but that’s not the main reason for equipping the sword and shield.

The skills that they provide suit my play style. The build is quite mobile with two gap closers, interrupts such as shield bash and kick, and either banners or shouts for groups depending on what we’re up to. I went for traits to supplement the condition bleeds and and shield use such as reflecting projectiles (handy for those pesky rangers during WvW). I’m away from home due to work so don’t have my exact trait build to hand.

My intent was to have reasonable survivability toe to toe but to try to control the fight using dodges, leaps and interrupts. I’m happy with it, I’ve had some great small group and 1v1 fights in WvW and come off on top. It supports my play style and its fun, that’s the main thing.