Guild Wars 2

First, I USED to run a full zerker GS / Rifle before the patch, the generous amounts of damage and crit made me a target for someone to take down quickly lest I cleave things. But, since the patch I realized I would have to give up quite a lot to maintain those stats, so…I completely revamped my runes and traits, realized I was still severely in the hole for gold (Curse you coffers!) and well I was not able to get everything I wanted.

But, after testing things out I realized I am now far tankier, a bit more substained, and I fell in love with the hammer.

This is what I came up with, and am actively working towards:

http://intothemists.com/calc/?build=-s;4RK-Q0f4NL-60;9;4J-T9918;21980;05;0Y-k5;2ytbUytbUn-FW0-X5-VYLdt;014273M4R5030CV1N0;4cX9ekW9ew

(Please tell me if the link works, hate to be failing this early.)

I mention I am actively working towards it because I am missing about three-four pieces of ascended gear…yes, I know.

Anyways, you might see some…interesting utility selections. As well as gear selections, so I best explain.

Endure Pain I find to be an effective damage-mitigation tool in WvW as well as soloing, certain burst classes (whom will stay nameless) have openers that stun and then they procede to unleash their full burst in the first few seconds. Most of it is direct damage, and the stance breaks stun…so logic kicked in.

Berserker Stance is actually new to my utility usage. Condition Duration reduction really helps against everything we tediously want to remove, especially THAT. I could dedicate a whole thread to THAT, but I think there are enough on the warrior forums that I won’t discuss it. Anyways the stance acts as a good fuel for my Adrenaline for Earthshaker and Healing Surge in general. I could very well substitute it with something but I am not certain what.

Dolyak Signet! ….Yes, Dolyak Signet. Ever since it was applied a stun-breaker I have been going back and forth between choosing that one and Balanced Stance. This one is actually a toss-up in which is my first question.

- Dolyak Signet or Balanced Stance? With Signet Mastery (I have this for a fair reason) I have a reduced CD on Dol, having a mere 8 seconds longer CD as opposed to 20 seconds when compared to Balanced Stance. There is mobility in Balanced Stance with Swiftness but passive Toughness in Dolyak meshes well with my Defense Trait Armored Attack, giving me just a touch more power and provides a bit more tankiness if a few well-stealthed enemies attack me. I can’t decide though, it is almost interchangable for me.

Signet of Rage. I am not running banner build, on request I might go Warbanner, but Signet of Rage helps my build with the Lyssa Runes proccing every 48 seconds, or saved going into battle.

Anyways, going to what I want to talk about.

- Hammer Sigil: Right now I have Earth (Don’t laugh, it came with it, I am poor). I put down Nullification, boon removal sounds nice but I wonder if you guys have any other ideas?

- Accessories: I have plenty of Crit Damage, am I right to think I would benefit from more toughness, or should I get more berserker?

- Food: I have no idea what food we should be running these days. Any ideas?

Lastly, since you are all being courteous to review my choices, I will answer any questions about my experiences thus far with this build. My biggest joy is with the Lyssa set which provides an impressive condition removal and every boon for a couple seconds. I find myself engaged in a substained fight and I do end up using this again and again, alongside Healing Surge I do fairly well and it will come down to skill on who makes a mistake first. Something I really could not do before…

I did look into the Warrior’s Sprint, but I find myself mobile enough already between my Greatsword and Swiftness from Signet of Rage which tends to be up more often than not.

So, what do you guys think? Yes? No? Cookies?

Thanks for taking the time to kitten.

- Jornosh

Hammer Sigil:
Fire if you’re looking to increase damage output. Hydromancy can be used to stay on an opponent. Energy is always good. Nullification may be handy to strip stability, but haven’t tried it.

Accessories:
Knights would be the way to go if you have enough crit damage. Personally run knights/soldiers armor with beserker’s trinkets and weapons.

Food:
-condi duration unless you enjoy losing to anyone with conditions/blind.

Hammer Sigil

Sigil of Generosity > Sigil of Nullification. Steal a boon, don’t just remove it. Generosity not available in sPvP, but is in WvW/PvE.

That said, I run Sigil of Stamina on my Hammer, but this is for a bunker zerg frontlining build that is specifically meant to never die (and revive all the downed enemy that tagged me). More dodges = more invulnerabilities.

Dolyak Signet vs Balanced Stance

Normally I would say Balanced Stance b/c Dolyak Signet doesn’t give you the armor boost when it’s on cooldown, which it will be a lot in combat, so it’s better to just have a shorter cooldown on your stun break + statbility.

But then I looked at your low 2600 armor, and I’m honestly not sure. I think you’re just gonna have to experiment with the two and figure out which fits your build better. I’m guessing it will be Balanced Stance, since your build is very much a “kill or be killed” build – 200 armor from DS probably won’t make much of a difference in that regard even when it’s up.

Sykper.6583

I did look into the Warrior’s Sprint, but I find myself mobile enough already between my Greatsword and Swiftness from Signet of Rage which tends to be up more often than not.

If you’re not having problems with Time on Target or getting locked down with cc, that should be fine. Otherwise consider Warrior’s Sprint + Mobile Strikes. For roaming, that combo can compensate somewhat for lack of Leg Specialist.

Food

Lemongrass Poultry Soup: -40% condition duration, +70 Vitality.