Guild Wars 2

You’ve heard (read?) right, ladies and gents, it’s another one of those pesky “wat build shud I use” post! This one is, in my opinion, slightly different since I haven’t read anyone in my particular situation yet.

I’ve been playing GW2 since launch (well, technically beta), and my main is a tiny Asura flamethrower guardian. It’s hilarious. What I’m getting at is I’m used to a high-damage, high-survivability build. Oh, and I only play PvE (I have a PvP character but I won’t go into those details).

Here comes my spouse. Lovely woman, wants to play with me. No problem there. So we start two human characters, her an elementalist and me a bulging warrior. She started out as a staff user, but then changed to d/d. She’s no expert player, but she understands builds quite a bit (she has a lv 65-ish mesmer which kicks posteriors).

On my side, I’d figure I’d go axe/axe + longbow. I like the latter because of the range, and the former for the lulz (I especially love the whirly-axey-thingey). I’ve based my build on quick adrenaline buildup and focused my traits into that category, critical damage increase and axe damage.

Now, I know that axe/axe is usually not considered viable. But I kind of like it. I’m looking for tips on 1) what to put as my utility skills to increase survivability and 2) what to use as a weapon if axe/axe is truly horrible for what I want. Like I said, I like longbow and will not change that, and I kind of like axe/axe. I tried the other weapons, and the only ones I truly hate are greatsword (I just don’t like the skill set, despite the damage) and sword/board (or anything/board).

Any advice would be most helpful. Thanks!

Longbow and mainhand axe are both very good PvE weapons. The off hand axe, including whirly axe thingy, is generally considered to not do enough damage to be worth it.

Best (offhand) weapon for damage is the mace. The knocking down everything in a line is fun times (and 1200 range!). Or warhorn for swiftly running across maps, shield to stun/block hard things, or even sword now that the fast-recharging block can block as many range attacks as you want for 2.5 seconds or one melee attack.

Endure pain can be helpful for survivability and now is down to 60s recharge.

Personally I run axe+?/bow, with 10/0/0/30/30 and shouts traited for heal + adrenaline + cooldown, axe adrenaline and extra crits; thus my utilities are always 2-3 shouts.

Same here, I use the lb and wont change it for anything. I started using the Hammer and Im loving it. If you are set on using the axe mainhand, the mace is your best offhand as the above me poster said.

I’d go with a 30/0/0/10/30 build if you’re using Axe/? and Longbow. Taking traits that boost your damage % in Strength, in Tactics Empower Allies, and in Discipline what suits you, but Heightened Focus as your 30 point trait.

For PvE, I don’t use utilities to help keep me alive unless needed. I’d try running For Great Justice, Signet of Might, and Banner of Discipline in the open world. Or if you’re with your wife you could bring Banner of Strength and Discipline and y’all can carry around those huge damage boosts. Also with those Banners you can fire Combustive Shot and drop them in it, as well Arcing Arrow to give 9 AoE Might.

Axe/Mace is probably the best combo to use technically but I have alot of fun with Axe/Sword when I use an Axe. Rip crits for about 5-6K and you get a block.

Hope this helps