Guild Wars 2

Seems there are only a handful of viable options for an endgame build. I primarily play PvE, and I’ve been thinking of doing a sword and shield build—it holds a great deal of interest for me, although I think I’d be a rarity and cut from a different cloth than the staple GS or Ax builds.

I fully expect a few “good luck, this will be terrible” responses here, but I’m just looking to have some fun and try something different. It MAY be on a lower level in terms of dps, but is there a way to make it semi-viable in a dungeon setting? How can I try to maximize potential here?

The only way I’d see this working w/o being too bad (sword isn’t a particularly good power wep and power builds are pretty much the best in dungeons) would be for you to use a GS build w/ fast hands (so 6/5/0/0/3) and have sword/board for the switch. You’d mainly be using GS til the mob hits <50% HP then switch to sword for Final Thrust or when you need a block or interrupt from your shield, then switch back to GS as soon as your swap is off cool down. You’d pretty much just use the sword/board swap for extra mobility (savage leap), final thrust when for under 50%, and/or shield utility.

If you absolutely want sword/board to be your main set, you’d probably be best off with a condi dmg build w/ probs longbow on the switch. Maybe somebody else could help you find a good condi build (since im on a phone atm and dont feel like checking build sites for one :p)

Thanks for getting back to me, Georc. That’s what I’m thinking now—some kind of condition-based build. Really appreciate the reply! Hopefully I can work something around condition damage.

I’ve been using my “tanky” sword&board w/ longbow build since launch.

(In case the link below doesn’t work)
Knights Armor, Rabid Trinkets & weapons. 0/6/6/0/2.

Deep Cuts, Blademaster, Furious
Shield Master, Cleansing Ire, Defy Pain
Sig Mastery

http://gw2buildcraft.com/calculator/warrior/?8.0|c.5b.h5.e.5b.h17.0.0.0|3.5k.h15.0.0.0|1n.7m.1n.7m.1n.7m.1n.7m.1n.7m.1n.7m.0.0.0.0.0.0|4w.0.3w.0.2w.0.2w.0.3w.0.2w.0|0.u38b.u19b.0.a6|0.0|5x.69.6d.6f.6m|e

Sure it doesn’t fit the “go zerk or go home” but who cares. It does great in mid-high level fractals, PvE, WvW, and I can hold my own in PvP. The lb is cleric stats just because it was from a drop and I’m too lazy to go and craft another one – it’d be better with Rabid, and I still can’t decide between Sigil of Bloodlust or Corruption (Bloodlust would help more with other condition users, objects/siege, and rounding out the build, Corruption at making the spikes hit harder).

It can keep bleeds stacks around 18-21, the high crit chance (59% base w/SoF, +20% from near 100% fury uptime, +10% w/ sword, +10% w/ burst) and furious keeps your adrenaline up so you should be able to burst whenever you need to. CI and SoS help with dealing with conditions and dodging. And Sig of Furry helps to crit more (more base damage and bleed) or to give some adrenaline for double bursting. The down sides is even when you crit you hit like a wet noodle (I’m only sitting around 1.4k power) but final thrust can still be a decent burst when they’re low. On the plus side, it is very tanky, but maybe could use some more Vit. The hardest things to deal with are perma stealth heartseeker thieves and some mesmer builds.

Depending on the situation you’d need to throw on Zerker’s Stance or Balanced Stance, usually I replace SoS.

Other changes that I endorse. Replace Blademaster with Furious Speed (works wonders for some PvE stuff like the Queen’s Gauntlet). You can also Replace Shield Master with Dogged March (does make me feel sad going against the “theme” but it can be a lifesaver). And in WvW always keep a war horn for running, and just switch to the Shield before you get into combat.

Other things people may suggest (or that you like better) drop 10 points from something and put 10 in tactics to get Leg Specialist, but I usually don’t have a problem keeping up with what I’m fighting.

If you wanted more of a power build (or a hybrid one) I’m sure you could figure on out too, just not with a longbow (for power), maybe Axe/Mace or Axe/Axe as your swap.

Another good question is, what do you want this build for?

I personally like sword an board with lb switch. I also like sword/mace with lb switch. I mainly play wvw at this point and I seem to do well. I prefer MH sword over axe because I think it covers all bases—damage and conditions. It does good damage if you use #3 at the right time, and this makes it good for PVE since mobs don’t kite or dodge. Also it bleeds an opponent while they kite or stealth around, perfect. And of course the mobility which is always useful.

Apparently folks are still stuck at launch when sword 3 was a cripple instead of a finisher, thus all the “guides” haven’t been updated or are just made for 1111 spammers. Listen up——-when you use MH sword 3 after a target gets to 50% health, it does substantial damage, making up for most AA deficiencies.

BTW shield 4 or mace 5 is a great way to setup sword 3 against mobs that dodge or kite. I have LB on switch for wvw wall targets like canons, archers, or oil barrels..

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fJAQNAscRjMdU5ZdH2ewJagfgycAkAB+5VIFu+UNBA-TBCEwAp2fYrSQmK/Yp+TbdAd0Eg4QAA4IAQIAzTAA-e heres sword sword, think u atleast need a weapon offhand to get some dps in there

This has been remarkably helpful. I always appreciate some sound and friendly advice. Thank you all so much for taking the time!