Hello there. I thought I’d share my current build with you folks, and ask for your insights and opinions.
Linky here: http://www.gw2build.com/builds/simulator.php#1.2.3.3.21.15.5.0.4.0.28.36.39.38.50.2.2.26.80.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.126.129.132.140.141.145.10.0.0.30.30
What makes it so interesting is that, from what I’ve observed, while the sword/warhorn combo is typically used with condition builds, I’ve built a hybrid, using my leftover glass cannon gear. Yup – all my gear is purely berserker stuff, oriented towards crit damage. In the end, what this build is about is being a highly-mobile DPS machine, focused on evading&retreating in tight situations, rather than blocking.
Highlights:
-Permanent Fury, Swiftness, and Might
-The CR is 35+20(fury)9(trait)=64% in PVP, should reach 70% in PVE, since the armors/weapons provide additional stat&CD boosts. I’m still wearing sub-80 gear, so I can’t provide exact maximum PVE figures.
-The CD is 60+5(rune of rage #6)=65% in PVP; should reach 90+% in PVE. Yup, nearly x2.5 damage on crits
-Lowered warhorn & signet cooldown for increased healing, boon stacking, and condition removal capabilities. This makes the healing signet more viable for active usage in “oshi-” moments.
-While MH Axe would provide better DPS and add another AoE skill, I fell in love with Savage Leap the moment I first used it. Even with the altitude bug, it’s still very useful for closing/widening the distance, so I consider it a must for this mobility build. Skill 3 also cripples opponents, so it becomes even easier to run circles around them.
-Every boon, of which you’ll have at the least 3-4 active at any given moment, increases your damage output. Nifty!
-Somewhat high HP (at least for a DPS oriented build) provides a larger time window for retreat during nasty situations
Things to consider altering:
-Changing Healing Signet to Mending (during PVP). While the reduced cooldown brings the signet to stand almost at equal footing with Mending burst heal-wise, an additional condition removal is a very beneficial thing to have.
-Changing “For Great Justice” to Frenzy. Considering the fact that I’m using the Rage runes and signet, FGJ becomes redundant Fury-wise. However, you get an additional heal, plus 3 stacks of Might for 32 1/2 s on a 20s cooldown. This can result in quite a few stacks of might, given time. On the other hand, activating Frenzy, Savage Leaping into the midst of enemies and activating Whirling Axe can result in quite an awesome sight to behold. This is actually my biggest dilemma with this build. What do you folks think about having BOTH FGJ and Frenzy, but leaving out “Shake it Off”?
Weaknesses:
-No defense means one needs to master dodging to survive. The high amount of health, while beneficial, won’t protect one for long. On the other hand, this build IS focused on mobility, so as long as one utilizes the now-quite-scarcely-used technique called “tactical retreat”, this is an issue that can be overcome fairly easily.
-Not using the Signet of Rage makes the boon stacking strategy fall apart. Sorry, but please don’t expect me to use the elite banner.
-Since the sword burst locks one in place and makes one lose the CR and damage trait boosts, using it is a strict no-no. Hence you have one less skill to use.
I guess that’s it for the moment. I am still tinkering with this build, especially the utility skills and trait point allocation, so it isn’t final. However, I am enjoying it quite a lot, and think it should be viable both in PVE and PVP, since during the few PVP matches I played, I mostly finished as #1 on my team, and during PVE, I can stack boons as much/long as I want before venturing out.
On a side note, I keep a backup rifle in my inventory intended for WvW siege situations.
So there we are. Please share your experience and point out my mistakes, or anything I might have overlooked. Cheers!
(edited by Ibrins.4906)