Guild Wars 2

Hi folks, I know its end of the season 2 and I have been retired from guild wars 2 for a season, I just want to come out to act like a warrior savior like I used to be. If you still remember me (Hambow Meta and Shoutbow Meta), I’m Tarcis, from numerous but one of the top warrior in NA during 2014~2016 PvP. Now just a casual pvp player.

So after the patch, warrior’s sustain got a decent buff to where its balanced and still can be killed easily by burst. (Revenant, etc). It opens up a lot of warrior build diversity, so here I’m going to share with you the builds that I have tested and feel its decent and good in the meta.

1. MaceShield/Bow (Next Meta)
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vJAQNApeTnMdAdhgVhAukCElilqADpA0ACAK9gYXO4d02antA-TpRHABfXGIk9HA4QAE8DAQgTAQAHBAA

So far the best build that I found during these days. I have accomplish several 1v2s, 1v3s, and 1v4s with this build against well-known players from NA and EU. I think its far better than any other meta build atm. Nothing can beat you in 1v1. I accomplished these 1v2s 1v3s with 280 ping and 20 fps (playing in Taiwan, and on a business laptop). I give this build a 9/10.

Updated 5/12/2016- Since Merci Amulet is going to be removed, this build will still work and remain the same or even more powerful with Wanderer’s Amulet or Rabid Amulet.

2. BurnBow-
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vJAQNAsfTnMdAdhgVhAmkCElilqADZx1ACAK9gYXO490uajtA-TpBHABA8AAgf/hAOCACcIAG4EAYfZAA

With tempest rune, you can provide decent healing to your teammate. The condition duration also helps you to maintain your burning stacks. Overall I rate this build 7/10.

3. Hambow Return.
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vJAQJASTjMdQXIWFCOeAnIGgCK9I29h4aiAIlxK/CWAA-TpRHABF8AAwvMgAXAAS2fAgjAQAHCAA

So far I feel hambow is back, at least for me. This is the new version of hambow with Demo amulet. With this build you can have 20+ Might with near 100% crit chance. Your toughness is also decent with doylk Signet. This build has potential to become meta but only if revenant’s damage is nerfed. So far I give this build 8/10.

4. Hammer/Greatsword Return. (Demolosher’s Amulet)
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vJAQJASRjMdQXIWFCuhApIGICKLAigBQ/ipfKwW/FWBA-TJBIABAcIAWf/hBuAAE8EAAA

Tested a bit with this build. Personally I just go over old builds that I made in the past during my gw2 career lmao. Power warrior will not be good until maybe revenant get nerfed. This build is decent in solo q and its fun to play. I give this build a 6/10.

I will update more info once I have more chance to test builds.

Cheers!

Tarcis.

#WarriorSpirit
#BeWaterMyFriend
#TarcisAnastasis

Looking forward to trying your build!

Anastasis.7258:

I just want to come out to act like a warrior savior like I used to be.

You were? lol

Your “build” is not anything special or new. it’s pretty much the mace/shield sword/torch build that every warrior main thought of with HoT release but with a longbow. I wouldn’t be surprised if that people were already opting mace/shield for longbow.

Nihevil.8024:

Anastasis.7258:

I just want to come out to act like a warrior savior like I used to be.

You were? lol

Your “build” is not anything special or new. it’s pretty much the mace/shield sword/torch build that every warrior main thought of with HoT release but with a longbow. I wouldn’t be surprised if that people were already opting mace/shield for longbow.

There’s also no real reason to be an kitten either, just because it may or may not be the first of it’s kind.

I for one will give it a try, although I hate LB.

Its a really strong build lol! but i prefer power over condi :-((

nomather how strong condi would be i just dont like it.. it feels cheap

Yup i’ve been running a variation of this build with mace shield. i have ran the longbow one also, for me they both work. i enjoy the help of shield instead of longbow imo.

I would consider Mace/Shield the stronger set over LB. M/S gives you more sustain and Skull Grinder is a much more powerful burst. The one benefit the LB gives you is more access to fire fields. It’s a decent benefit but imo not worth losing the sustain over.

Everything else is fine, but it’s also the exact same setup that many have been using since HOT came out.

Nothing new (15 charrs)

Tarcis has done good things for the warrior community in the past. No need to be so bashful.

I am curious how this build handles pressure. It appears strong against cc, but what about just straight damage.

Say a rev comes up to you with phase traversal, precision strike, unrelenting assault. What is your play besides endure pain?

Tarcis is a great player and has a great understanding of the classes which is why he excels at the game and the different roles he takes with his teams.

This build though makes me cry. I got to legendary on warrior too, im not about to come on the forum and say that gun flame warrior can be meta because i had success with it.

Interpret Interrupt.3824:

Say a rev comes up to you with phase traversal, precision strike, unrelenting assault. What is your play besides endure pain?

Tactical retreat xD

This build works!! Thanks…and to the sh**heads who say its old and that mace/shield is sooo much better…u are wrong. Cause this build can actually apply condis pretty easy and mostly ranged (Longbow, King of Fires!), while mace can be easily outkited. Having Discipline over Strength gives this build the mobility back that every warrior pvp build needs.

Mephiston.8765:

This build works!! Thanks…and to the sh**heads who say its old and that mace/shield is sooo much better…u are wrong. Cause this build can actually apply condis pretty easy and mostly ranged (Longbow, King of Fires!), while mace can be easily outkited. Having Discipline over Strength gives this build the mobility back that every warrior pvp build needs.

Without getting into which build is better, the longbow doesn’t really have much ranged condi pressure. Fan of Fire works far better up close, Pin Down is easily dodged at range and those bleeds will get cleared before they’re done, and the only thing left is the burst, in which only the distracted and incompetent will stand for any length of time.

The warrior longbow is more useful as a short range weapon, even when used with a power build (which is super unusual now, I know).

personally im having a lot fun with mace/shield because double melee is fun and you can never get enough of that burst

but i’ll try this out, i suspect this has a more shoutbow kind of game play with less burst but more sustained gameplay?…

I do like the build. There’s good synergy in Head Butt → Savage Instinct → Rousing Resilience → Adrenal Health. It has a hefty amount of sustain without sacking the tried-and-true Def/Disc/Zerk combination. It’s tempting to drop Discipline and grab Tactics/shouts for even more stun breaks/healing, but I don’t think that’s the right way to do it. Fast Hands and plentiful adrenaline are too crucial.

My one question is if you think the rune and amulet are min/maxed, and/or if you think Sage amulet+Tempest rune is worth considering for an even more defensive variant? Does RR scale poorly with Healing Power/Tempest rune?

This is what I used pre-patch and it did well.
Now with the sustain a warrior has, it puts a lot of pressure with damage and stuns:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vJAQNApeRnMdAldgVhA2dAElilrA79zmaXtK5gWXLAJAkAKAA-TpBFwAMOCAAOBALeAAVLD0a/hHHCAA

Never been a fan of double enderp pain because you are giving up too much damage just for sustain. The trait should be enough ESPECIALLY now. Might sig is great for Mesmers, Revs, sometimes Thieves, Engineers, and Guardians since they all use blocks as a crutch. Bulls charge is a 3 second knockdown, so you can get almost a full 100b out plus last hit now.

Have fun!

I playtested the build and liked the vanilla version’s damage, but really wished for it to have even more sustain/CC… so I swapped Sword/Torch for Mace/Shield, fixed the traits to match the weapon swap (Shield Master and Dead or Alive), and swapped Mercenary amulet / Flame Legion rune for Sage amulet / Tempest rune. The extra healing due to Tempest/Sage is noticeable, and you can still get the Fire Aura+pop from Longbow burst + Shield Bash.

I won’t say it’s any better, but I will say I like it more. Will you be making a more detailed post if/when you get back from Taiwan?

Build link:
http://en.gw2skills.net/editor/?vJAQNApeTnMdAVhglkCehAElilrADJAkASdK5gWXN4d0mabtA-TpBHABCcEAC4EAgfZA43fAgHAQBHCAA

Lol. I have been playing that first warrior build even before Tara is. And everyone told me it sucked lol. Glad to be vindicated. Also. Cleansing ire can replace rousing resilience with the newest update.

using rousing resilience instead of cleansing ire will make it impossible to fight against nec or shatter condi mes. Use tempest rune and cleansing ire is absolutely better.
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vJAQNAT8fnMdAdhgVhAmkCElilqA790uajtILuGQAQpHE7yBA-TphAQBb4CA4hjAgC3fAilBAwBBgDPAAA
here is my build

Kirito.2153:

using rousing resilience instead of cleansing ire will make it impossible to fight against nec or shatter condi mes.

I don’t agree fully with that. Rousing Resilience is a beefy heal, somewhere in the realm of 5K per stun break with the right setup. Meanwhile, you still have one condi cleanse every 5 seconds, a -2 on Torch 5, a -2 on Head Butt→Berserk and Berserker Stance to cover the rest. Cleansing Ire might help vs. condi 1v1s, but Rousing Resilience is massively linchpin in terms of general sustain.

Akira.5746:

Kirito.2153:

using rousing resilience instead of cleansing ire will make it impossible to fight against nec or shatter condi mes.

I don’t agree fully with that. Rousing Resilience is a beefy heal, somewhere in the realm of 5K per stun break with the right setup. Meanwhile, you still have one condi cleanse every 5 seconds, a -2 on Torch 5, a -2 on Head Butt->Berserk and Berserker Stance to cover the rest. Cleansing Ire might help vs. condi 1v1s, but Rousing Resilience is massively linchpin in terms of general sustain.

to keep the good sustain, i use tempest rune which offers 1.1k heal per stun break. 5k is useless if you are facing necro/mes without more guaranteed condi cleansing.after the berserker stance, the confusion or torment will kill you immediately.a good team fight build means you are good at team fight and also viable on 1v1 like ele,engi and mes.

1 question, why break stun with headbutt / berserker mode over a 10 sec break stun skill?? is there even a reason to save outrage when there’s no passive effect in it?

EvilHero.1248:

1 question, why break stun with headbutt / berserker mode over a 10 sec break stun skill?? is there even a reason to save outrage when there’s no passive effect in it?

Because it will give you 5k health (2x Rousing Resilience, one from the headbutt and the other from entering berserker state) and put your in Berserker State (where you want to be) to start wrecking house with your opponent sitting in a 4s stun, while still having your short cd stun breaker ready if you need it.

Choppy.4183:

EvilHero.1248:

1 question, why break stun with headbutt / berserker mode over a 10 sec break stun skill?? is there even a reason to save outrage when there’s no passive effect in it?

Because it will give you 5k health (2x Rousing Resilience, one from the headbutt and the other from entering berserker state) and put your in Berserker State (where you want to be) to start wrecking house with your opponent sitting in a 4s stun, while still having your short cd stun breaker ready if you need it.

Thank you!

Choppy.4183:

EvilHero.1248:

1 question, why break stun with headbutt / berserker mode over a 10 sec break stun skill?? is there even a reason to save outrage when there’s no passive effect in it?

Because it will give you 5k health (2x Rousing Resilience, one from the headbutt and the other from entering berserker state) and put your in Berserker State (where you want to be) to start wrecking house with your opponent sitting in a 4s stun, while still having your short cd stun breaker ready if you need it.

so if someone stuns me. I use headbutt to break stun (2.5k heal). It also stuns me so i use berserk to break it again and i get another 2.5k heal right?

Spartacus.3192:

Choppy.4183:

EvilHero.1248:

1 question, why break stun with headbutt / berserker mode over a 10 sec break stun skill?? is there even a reason to save outrage when there’s no passive effect in it?

Because it will give you 5k health (2x Rousing Resilience, one from the headbutt and the other from entering berserker state) and put your in Berserker State (where you want to be) to start wrecking house with your opponent sitting in a 4s stun, while still having your short cd stun breaker ready if you need it.

so if someone stuns me. I use headbutt to break stun (2.5k heal). It also stuns me so i use berserk to break it again and i get another 2.5k heal right?

Exactly. And an opponent just standing there waiting to eat your Berserker burst, unless they have a stun break too.

Info Updated 4/26/2016.

I’ve been playing the Greatbow a lot recently, but with the Demolisher amulet and the Runes of Strength (adjusting sigils accordingly). The new amulet is wonderful for the warrior: the added toughness allows you to take more hits, thus generating more adrenaline through Cleansing Ire – meaning more combustive shots, more Adrenal Health, more Berserker’s Power… The resulting sustain and damage are impressive. There are plenty of natural synergies with the build – plus, as you say, it’s super fun to play.

Tried the Hambow build in a few duels myself since that has always been my favorite. Seems to work quite well. The ability to continiously use the new Arenal Health did a lot for this build.
You can also swap to Distracting strikes for the hillarity of popping fear+weakness+bleeds+confusion whenever your Nightmare runes proc.

Seems like a decent brawler build. 7/10 is a valid conclusion. You still have weaknesses like burst and just the lack of mobility.

Hambow is not that viable anymore then it was

Build updated 4/30/2016. Possibly next meta.

How are you outputting pressure on Mace/Shield with your setup? I’ve been alternating between Mace/Shield and Sword/Torch, and while Mace/Shield offers better defense and interruption, only Skull Grinder was outputting meaningful damage for me on that weapon swap. Sword/Torch might have less defensive merit, but I found its Mercenary damage synergy and reliable Cleansing Ire access more useful than the stalling potential on Mace/Shield.

Tarcis – thanks for this! I am just coming back off a very long break from the game and would like to dust off my warrior.

Can you go deeper into the M/Sh side of the build. What are the goals of the play-style. Can you post some of your vids palying this so we can understand match ups and rotations better.

thanks for doing this type of stuff again!!

I’ve tried the MaceShield/Bow. Not used to not having mobility, so gotta learn a bit, but the build is… very strong indeed. Only one surprise so far: I didn’t get insulted as much as I’d expected

Don’t you think the MaceShield/Bow-Build needs some more stability? It has only the 2 seconds from Shattering Blow (not enough for stomping) and 3 stun breaks, but on relatively long cooldowns.

How about changing King of Fires for Eternal Champion or Dolyak signet for Endure Pain?

ulchanar.4309:

Don’t you think the MaceShield/Bow-Build needs some more stability? It has only the 2 seconds from Shattering Blow (not enough for stomping) and 3 stun breaks, but on relatively long cooldowns.

How about changing King of Fires for Eternal Champion or Dolyak signet for Endure Pain?

I prefer Eternal Champion on my sPvP builds

do you think tactics would be worth it if the gms didnt suck? i would guess discipline would be dropped, and thats a pretty big drop.

ulchanar.4309:

Don’t you think the MaceShield/Bow-Build needs some more stability?

I thought the same, and also felt King of Fires wasn’t as important now that Sword/Torch wasn’t involved. I swapped to Eternal Champion for stability and Smash Brawler for more up-time on that stability, and have been satisfied with the build.

Mesmers are still a nuisance, but Skull Grinder’s offensive condi application deals with them better than Flaming Flurry’s defensive condi cleansing reliability.

ulchanar.4309:

Don’t you think the MaceShield/Bow-Build needs some more stability? It has only the 2 seconds from Shattering Blow (not enough for stomping) and 3 stun breaks, but on relatively long cooldowns.

How about changing King of Fires for Eternal Champion or Dolyak signet for Endure Pain?

Yes Eternal Champion might be better in most situation but only one, reaper. Sometimes a random corruption can mess you up during some 1v2 1v3 situation. But yes I have been switching these gm trait around and finding eternal champion might make the build overall better.

this is my build since HoT and thanks to the spring patch it got some nasty buffs.. I feel like a train once again

(switching between zerk and marauder, depends on opponents)
+ you can use Bloody Roar over Eternal Champion, but I prefer EC bcuz of all those mesmers

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vJAQNAR3enMdAlkiVhAehAElilrATJH06qBvj2S7rFJAkASdA-TpBCwAMuAAUOCAAeAAhLDIc/BMHEAA

I was running this demo-war mostly:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vJAQNAR3enMdANegVhAehAElilqATpHE7yBvn2U7rFpA0ACAA-TpBGABHcBAA4BAowBBo/yAJcEASZ/BA

I think it is slightly better in teamfights than tarcis’ LB/Mace+Shield build and a little better against Necro, but I think overall, his favourite build might indeed be one of the top-builds currently.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: War is gonna be meta next season.

I have been having lots of fun and success with this build in sPvP at the moment

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vJAQRAsf5enMdAdhgVhAmkCElilqADZx1ACAvj2W7sVpHE7yBA-TphAQBQsMgHOCAf4gAAj9H2wDAAAnAAA

Can swap the sigil of smoldering in torch to anything else you prefer but i like the other 3 sigils as they are.

Also i sometimes run Krait runes instead of Balthazar.

Lastly i tend to prefer Dogged March to Shield Master but depends on the enemy team comp. If mostly power based or with DH/Rangers then go for shield master, Otherwise i like Dogged March since its been buffed to give 6 Sec of Regen instead of 4 sec pre patch.

Spartacus.3192:

I have been having lots of fun and success with this build in sPvP at the moment

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vJAQRAsf5enMdAdhgVhAmkCElilqADZx1ACAvj2W7sVpHE7yBA-TphAQBQsMgHOCAf4gAAj9H2wDAAAnAAA

Can swap the sigil of smoldering in torch to anything else you prefer but i like the other 3 sigils as they are.

Also i sometimes run Krait runes instead of Balthazar.

Lastly i tend to prefer Dogged March to Shield Master but depends on the enemy team comp. If mostly power based or with DH/Rangers then go for shield master, Otherwise i like Dogged March since its been buffed to give 6 Sec of Regen instead of 4 sec pre patch.

I’m running mostly the same thing but I tend to use your variations more than the base build. lol Krait Runes and Shield Master. You should give Rune of Paralyzation a chance on your mace set. It makes Shield bash and headbutt last a ridiculously long time.

Anastasis.7258:

ulchanar.4309:

Don’t you think the MaceShield/Bow-Build needs some more stability? It has only the 2 seconds from Shattering Blow (not enough for stomping) and 3 stun breaks, but on relatively long cooldowns.

How about changing King of Fires for Eternal Champion or Dolyak signet for Endure Pain?

Yes Eternal Champion might be better in most situation but only one, reaper. Sometimes a random corruption can mess you up during some 1v2 1v3 situation. But yes I have been switching these gm trait around and finding eternal champion might make the build overall better.

I tried running Dolyak signet instead of Endure Pain last night (keeping King of Fires) and did not really miss Endure Pain. I find the 2 blocks and high toughness (+180 from signet) enough to deal with most power bursts. That way you also don’t need to waste time in berserker mode for stomping but can just continue to lay down your Scorched Earths to stomp after berserk mode ends.

I played two matches as close defender and found that to be very effective without the mobility of a sword or greatsword. I play solo q only, so that wasn’t my choice, it was more because the other 4 didn’t care about close. What would you say is the main role of that build?

ulchanar.4309:

Anastasis.7258:

ulchanar.4309:

Don’t you think the MaceShield/Bow-Build needs some more stability? It has only the 2 seconds from Shattering Blow (not enough for stomping) and 3 stun breaks, but on relatively long cooldowns.

How about changing King of Fires for Eternal Champion or Dolyak signet for Endure Pain?

Yes Eternal Champion might be better in most situation but only one, reaper. Sometimes a random corruption can mess you up during some 1v2 1v3 situation. But yes I have been switching these gm trait around and finding eternal champion might make the build overall better.

I tried running Dolyak signet instead of Endure Pain last night (keeping King of Fires) and did not really miss Endure Pain. I find the 2 blocks and high toughness (+180 from signet) enough to deal with most power bursts. That way you also don’t need to waste time in berserker mode for stomping but can just continue to lay down your Scorched Earths to stomp after berserk mode ends.

I played two matches as close defender and found that to be very effective without the mobility of a sword or greatsword. I play solo q only, so that wasn’t my choice, it was more because the other 4 didn’t care about close. What would you say is the main role of that build?

1v1er, +1er, node holder, team fighter

Thx! I enjoy the build very much. Had good matches with Sword/Torch & Mace/Shield before but the Longbow version is definitely stronger.

Since the Merci Amulet is going to be removed, you guys can switch Merci Amulet to Wanderer or Rabid. Carrion might work but only if revenant’s dmg is nerfed next patch.

Also hambow build updated 5/12/2016.

Love the new hambow. Though the first build is even stronger. The only thing I have trouble with on that build, is good necros.

/edit:
Btw, Im swapping EP for whatever seems more suitable according to team roster. Only using it with 2+ revs/thieves

The problem i feel with the wanderer build now vs merc build before is that power damage is very low so if you are up against a class that has good condi cleanse/resistance then you’re almost worthless.

When i was playing Sw/Torch Mace/Sh Merc Amulet setup at least i felt i was doing some power damage even if the other guy kept cleansing condis. (damage stats were 50/50 power/condi on every match)

For eg. who do you think will win in a 1v1? This build vs a Power GS Axe/Shield War . The power war has the same trait setup so has great condi clear and resistance uptime BUT can do a huge amount of power damage against you while negating most of your damage. (i accept that pvp is not 1v1 so dont flame me. im just asking the question)

Using Pack Runes and a sigil of Agility (swiftness/quickness one) you will have more run speed to help counter anyone who wants to kite you.

Sometimes (at least for soloQ) a good build may be one that counters the meta rather than the actual meta.

I didnt play yesterday so cant say how its going and pre S3 in unranked i played the Sw/T M/Sh Merc build and sometimes the LB M/Sh Merc build.

Spartacus.3192:

The problem i feel with the wanderer build now vs merc build before is that power damage is very low so if you are up against a class that has good condi cleanse/resistance then you’re almost worthless.

When i was playing Sw/Torch Mace/Sh Merc Amulet setup at least i felt i was doing some power damage even if the other guy kept cleansing condis. (damage stats were 50/50 power/condi on every match)

For eg. who do you think will win in a 1v1? This build vs a Power GS Axe/Shield War . The power war has the same trait setup so has great condi clear and resistance uptime BUT can do a huge amount of power damage against you while negating most of your damage. (i accept that pvp is not 1v1 so dont flame me. im just asking the question)

Using Pack Runes and a sigil of Agility (swiftness/quickness one) you will have more run speed to help counter anyone who wants to kite you.

Sometimes (at least for soloQ) a good build may be one that counters the meta rather than the actual meta.

I didnt play yesterday so cant say how its going and pre S3 in unranked i played the Sw/T M/Sh Merc build and sometimes the LB M/Sh Merc build.

I started using sage a few days before they removed merc. It works really well for me, you just have to get used to it first. You can get bursted easier than before but you can still sustain really well if you hit your primal bursts, I’m doing easily 300-400k healing to self per game. And the power dmg is still there aswell. I tried wanderer also but I felt it performed worse than sage on the M/Sh LB build I’m using.