Sword/Mace - Axe/Shield - Looking for Advice

Sword/Mace - Axe/Shield - Looking for Advice

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Posted by: Nullmancer.4017

Nullmancer.4017

I’m a noob when it comes to warriors, so I apologize in advance when I say something stupid or unintelligent.

I have a level 22 warrior, and I’ve worked through all of the weapons, unlocked all of their abilities, and I’ve found Sword/Mace and Axe/Shield to be my favorites.

When you trait so that your cripples become immobilizes, Sword has a ton of cripples, and with Axe having a ranged cripple, that helps with mobs in pve or players in pvp that might be running away. Then, the mace 5 does the same as Axe 3, but makes someone sit, while Shield 4 is the Axe Burst ability with a daze. I absolutely love the control I get out of this and want to work on a build to improve this further.

I prefer tanks, so I don’t mind the lack of damage compared to higher dps classes, and I like that I can control someone until people come along, or I simply cc the mob until it dies.

What I’m asking for is some assistance on a trait build that would revolve around these weapons. I already have chosen shouts for utilities since I want to put 30 into Tactics, but the remaining 40 points I honestly am not sure what to do with. I don’t mind if I have to put some points into power and precision traits since I’ll end up getting gear that will bump my vitality and toughness up, but the details on the traits are hard to wrap my head around.

Any advice would be much appreciated. As with my last post, anything that does not fall into the constructive criticism category will be ignored. Thank you in advance.

Sword/Mace - Axe/Shield - Looking for Advice

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Posted by: Nullmancer.4017

Nullmancer.4017

Putting another post on here to move it back to the top of the list.

Sword/Mace - Axe/Shield - Looking for Advice

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Posted by: Traitine.8713

Traitine.8713

I would recommend Axe/Mace+Sword/Shield. Axe/Mace for DPS, then Sword/Shield for CC/mobility/defense. The weapons just seem to fit better in my experience. Is this for PvE/WvW/PvP?

80 Warrior – Akallos Traitine
www.ConstantWarfare.com

Sword/Mace - Axe/Shield - Looking for Advice

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Posted by: Nullmancer.4017

Nullmancer.4017

This is mostly for WvW and PvE since I don’t much like sPvP. I figure since everyone else has some type of swiftness generation in WvW, I don’t really need a warhorn. Plus, it doesn’t mesh with the sword or axe in the ways I use them, so shield and mace for more cc is what I feel comfortable with.

I love the suggestion! The vulnerability from mace works well with the axe, and the block works well after disabling ranged professions. Any other advice?

Sword/Mace - Axe/Shield - Looking for Advice

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Posted by: Ain.7082

Ain.7082

Sword/Mace - Axe/Shield - Looking for Advice

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Posted by: Nullmancer.4017

Nullmancer.4017

I’m actually leaning more towards the first build. Two regens going, plus fury and might stacking. Thank you Ain. I think I’ll work on your first suggestion and take it from there.

And thanks again Trait. Your help was invaluable, as well.

Sword/Mace - Axe/Shield - Looking for Advice

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Posted by: Ain.7082

Ain.7082

Even though I created the builds to match your modified criteria, I don’t recommend either of the builds for WvW or PvE.
Th issue is that the shield is frankly just bad weapon for everything except 1v1’s and possibly sPvP, which you claimed to have no interest in. In terms of PvE, bosses aren’t really affected by control effects, so shield 4 becomes near useless. Shield 5 can blocks some attacks in PvE sure, but rarely is there a situation where you are better served using a block than a dodge roll, so shield 5 is nigh useless as well.
For WvW, a 1 second stun on a single target will almost never help in group battles, and if you need to use the block, it’s most likely because you’re escaping a group, and for that there are better options.
In most scenarios for both PvE and WvW the warhorn is actually far better than the shield as your offhand choice. The warhorn is actually better than the shield in terms of damage mitigation. With the shield you have 3 seconds to block all damage on a 30 second cooldown. with the warhorn 5 skill you reduce all damage by half for your entire group for 6 seconds on a 20 second cooldown while also increasing yours and allies abilities to dodge for 13 seconds which again mitigates damage for the whole team even more. This is great for both WvW and PvE. The warhorn also allows for permanent group swiftness as well as breaking snares and immobilzes while untraited. When traied it becomes even more fantastic by turning conditions on you and allies into boons. The warhorn is just flat out better than a shield for what you want.

I actually recommend the following build that is a modification of the first one you preferred as it will actually be for more effective for group play in both WvW and PvE without changing your play style overly much.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fIAQRBMhdO1IpTzb1jyDTcABpQDzClC4wNSPQD2INA-jUDBYLDimgAgoGkwAmIAKRqIasVWFRjVvAT7CQDLyqYJ1gmIq2jDTKgIWGB-w