Hey again,
Managed to upload a third video despite the Gods trying to stop me (wanted to get this out over a week ago). BUT N E way I wanted to highlight meta builds and how they’re beaten. Most of the time this requires you to switch up your build but only the traits, weapons and utilities. Armour and trinkets stay the same. Metas shown can be found below or in the description.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXtUm5rHcfE – Enjoy!
Main Builds used:
Axe+Shield/Greatsword: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fJAQNAR3ejMdUGaZHWhwJagfgC5t3CmDgBoBUmG5OA-TVCEwAQuAAMOIA22fgwTAYrSQmK/Yp+TbdDAOQAkCgJlRA-w
Hammer/Greatsword: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fJAQJARSjMdUGaZHWhwJagfgC9t3C7gxAYAUmG5OA-TVCEwAQuAA22fgwRAYrSQmK/M8IAYp+TbdBAOQAkCgJlRA-w
Situational Builds used:
Axe+Shield/Hammer: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fJAQNAS3ejMdUGaZHehwJagfgC9t3C7gpAQdak7lBA-TVCEwAMOIA22fgwTAYrSQmK/McBAYp+TbdDAOQAkCgJlRA-w – I mainly use this against eles who I end up having a string of duels with; there is simply too many deadly skills for them to dodge.
Sword+Shield/Greatsword: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fJAQNAR8ejMdUGaZHWhwJiglgC5nXBXj5AQ3Wk6FA-TlCEwAQeAAMOIA22fYrSQmK/McBAYp+DijAQbdDAOQAkCgJlRA-w – A real old build from around release; works well on PU.
Some tips (not a guide) on defeating the metas shown:
Warrior Axe/Sword – GS: Watch for the immensely telegraphed skills and bait out the endure pain. Triggering the block on sword isn’t that deadly but combined with the torment on sword 4, your healing signet passive will be negated for a short time, nothing too deadly but it could tip the scales in the end. Movement alone can prevent sword 4 from landing but I wouldn’t be worried about sword offhand, it’s more used to bait out your dodges/defensive skills so the opponent can have an easier time landing Evis, bull’s charge, HB etc.
PU mesmer – A real tough spec to fight, don’t be expecting to win against them but still give it your all. I’ve noticed most have poor condi removal so immobilising is great (I highly recommend the Sword+Shield/GS build) and CC can work well also. Use arcing slice if needed to remove conditions. Even kiting can work against PU, giving you time to regen health and for skills to recharge. Be watchful of confusion, if you have high stacks of this, don’t be swinging like a maniac. 8 stacks can take as much as 1.7k for every skill used, including the auto-attack chain. Wait it out or cleanse it with cleansing ire.
Condimancer – CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC; CC. Hammer+Greatsword against this spec. Try popping zerk stance before they use Signet of Spite (Passive: Improves power. Active: Inflict bleeding, blindness, crippled, poison, vulnerability, and weakness on your foe.) or you can dodge in anticipation but the skill activates in 3/4 of a second so take care. They’ll likely corrupt your boons also then fear you, it’d be wise to use balanced stance when their spectral wall comes up (the greeny, dark line on the floor which fears you) This is why dodges and CC mess them up; they rely on few skills to take you down and have very litte access to stability.
Scepter/X ele: A high burst, very glassy spec. The burst isn’t normally telegraphed but they’ll likely open up with the burst and if using dagger, to get you in position they’ll probably use dagger #4 which knocks you down and the animation is a simple jump into the air and back down; now would be a good time to block, dodge or endure pain. Players who know you know their spec will be smart to kite out your defences, if this is the case just go full pressure and have the endure pain on standby. Both the main builds work well and so does the situational axe/shield+hammer but with this build your mobility is weakened and unlike D/D, Scepter ele is capable of spiking from range.
Warrior – Hammer+GS: I guess it’s similar to fighting most warriors. Watch for those insanely telegraphed skills and swing more than your opponent does. Rush and Bladetrail (GS #4) can be countered simply by movement but if you’re rushing head on, they’ll likely open with Bladetrail then whirlwind attack (GS #3); a dodge negates this.
Condi engi: Both main builds work well on this although swapping out Balanced Stance for Signet of Stamina can work very well, just watch for shield CC+supply drop+rifle knockback and pull on toolbelt. For their shield throw, rifle knockback and toolbelt pull, they have to be facing you. Keep the distance between each other to a minimum and try to be in a blind spot like on their side/behind so they have trouble landing some of the CC and conditions.
Overall tips would be pressure pressure pressure and use your dodges like a boss.
My play and movement is far from flawless but the above tips are ideally what should be happening.
Oh and one last tip:
Play charr