Guild Wars 2

So I have finally reached fractals 30 and completed it a couple of times, however I have never managed to defeat the Fire Shaman and was forced to cancel fractals 3 times.

It feels like Fire Shaman is the only real challenge in fractals. That’s why I decided to build my warrior focusing strongly on that encounter. I think if you can do that, you can do anything.

I was running a shouter warrior build with knight/zerker gear:
http://gw2buildcraft.com/calculator/warrior/?8|1.1g.h1|4.0.h8|1n.a4.1n.a4.1n.a4.1n.a4.1n.a4.1n.a4|2s.e13.2s.e13.3s.e16.1g.67.1g.67.2s.e13|k59.k5a.0.u68c.0|54.7|e

But it feels like it’s not enough anymore, especially for Fire Shaman. I’m considering dropping the DPS role to go for a tanky or healy role, getting soldier or cleric gear. I can even afford divinity runes. Also considering to go shield or go all out on ranged build.

Can some experienced warrior give suggestions on how to build for higher fractals, specifically for shaman?

I don’t care if I underperform on other bosses, since other bosses go down anyway with any team.

I understand that my build effectiveness depends on the other 4 guys in the team. So could you also answer what to look for in the team composition and how to adapt my build for the team. I have no problem switching a few gear pieces and respeccing before each run, I just don’t know how.

Why not just do both DPS and tanky?
The axe/axe build that Red Falcon posted is actually very, very effective.
Better DPS than GS and 30% damage reduction.

Otherwise, if you want even more damage reduction and survivability, why not put 10~20 into defense traits? Turtle’s Defense works wonders (the 10point trait).

Shield’s block also saves your butt if you’re not that good at dodging yet

I tried and I don’t like the Axe+Axe set, the DPS is similiar when it comes to killing grub giants in Cursed Shore and the GS3 completely overshadows any benefit the Axe+Axe has over GS.

And I do run with 30% damage reduction on my build aswell.

I did consider 20 0 20 30 0 and having an axe shield + rifle for shaman boss, 3 second invincibility might just be enough to survive through the add phase and axe should be enough to actually kill them off. And turtle defense should also be really good for the add phase since they spam immobilize like crazy.

I personally prefer banners when it comes to support.
First off they have 900 radius so they are a lot more likely to apply to all team unlike 600 radius shouts.
Second, regen is constant while shout burst heal loses a lot of its efficiency due to overhealing; every overhealed or out-of-radius shout is a major HP/s loss.
Third, Banner buffs also give the team a good DPS increase (90pow 90 pre 10% crit dmg) that stack with your FGJ/Empower allies.
Fourth, banner users are so rare that you never end up overwriting each other – and in case you do, you can talk with the other Warrior and one of the two can switch to shouts.

It’s also worth nothing that 30% DR / EP help a lot.

HannaDeFreitas.4236:

I personally prefer banners when it comes to support.
First off they have 900 radius so they are a lot more likely to apply to all team unlike 600 radius shouts.
Second, regen is constant while shout burst heal loses a lot of its efficiency due to overhealing; every overhealed or out-of-radius shout is a major HP/s loss.
Third, Banner buffs also give the team a good DPS increase (90pow 90 pre 10% crit dmg) that stack with your FGJ/Empower allies.
Fourth, banner users are so rare that you never end up overwriting each other – and in case you do, you can talk with the other Warrior and one of the two can switch to shouts.

It’s also worth nothing that 30% DR / EP help a lot.

I actually agree with this suggestion a lot.
When we run newer members in higher fractals, we often get a banner warrior and a shout warrior. The banner for adrenaline and just it’s overall sexiness, the shout warrior to just put out some extra heals, etc. for the rest.

Buro.3576:

I tried and I don’t like the Axe+Axe set, the DPS is similiar when it comes to killing grub giants in Cursed Shore and the GS3 completely overshadows any benefit the Axe+Axe has over GS.

And I do run with 30% damage reduction on my build aswell.

I did consider 20 0 20 30 0 and having an axe shield + rifle for shaman boss, 3 second invincibility might just be enough to survive through the add phase and axe should be enough to actually kill them off. And turtle defense should also be really good for the add phase since they spam immobilize like crazy.

Have you tried Omnom Ghost with Axe/Axe? That healing has saved my butt quite a few times. The perma 20% crit is awesome too. Why not just go double melee (switching into range before needed boss fights)?

Axe/Shield sounds pretty nice, I can’t comment much though since I only used that in lower fractals. Higher fractals has been pure Axe/Axe and GS (switching into Rifle/LB when I see fit). I tried a hammer once… I personally only use it for WvWvW, but it’s always epic lulz ;D

I use, 10, 0, 0, 30, 30 shouter build on dual axe on lvl 40+ fractals, my gear is full zerker.

Sanel.5603:

I use, 10, 0, 0, 30, 30 shouter build on dual axe on lvl 40+ fractals, my gear is full zerker.

Er… how does that work out?
Can you link?

@ HannaDeFreitas.4236

I actually did switch to banner traits and had a chance to try it on a level 10 fractals (was helping buddies). We downed the shaman on our 2nd try with a group that had 0 AR, squishy builds, and probably see the boss for the 2nd time total. I told them specifically to not get too far from the banner and I think that was part of the success. Can’t wait to try that build in 30+ growl.

@CookMETEnder.7582
Even with the lifesteal from omnoms the Axe 5 cannot compare to the sheer “saving your kitten #8221; potential of not taking ANY damage for 3 seconds if you have a shield equipped, or whirling away with GS3 + GS5 if you have GS equipped. Not always you have 5 mobs