Guild Wars 2

I made an 80 warrior 2 weeks ago only to see the playstyle I wanted to do – nerfed pre hard.

Any opinions/advice on what build is best for warriors now?

for my power war i switched to axe instead of mace, however, condi war is just so much better now since it doesnt use GS and doesnt use Eternal Champion which were the things that got nerfed the most.

axe/shield + greatsword is still acceptably performing in wvw roaming. Bit more counterable, but still viable.

Still running my still incredibly OP condi warrior build in WvW.

http://xtremetheory.com/wvw-roaming-condi-warrior/

Still running my power gs/lb with berserker still, the patch was meh to me, don’t really notice that much of a difference and my lb wasn’t changed

Spartacus.3192:

for my power war i switched to axe instead of shield, however, condi war is just so much better now since it doesnt use GS and doesnt use Eternal Champion which were the things that got nerfed the most.

Eternal champ is still good,dont forget that 3.5 sec stabi u get every time you break out of either headbutt or an applied cc on you.Can make all the diff in the world if your main stabi just got ripped aswell.

still running gunflame. The removal of power of the mists has lowered everyones max hp and made it just viable enough again. Still rly upset about the seaweed nerfs………hard to find a replacement food, I think I find something and I use it for a while….then I just get tired of it not doing enough damage…..so I switch back and forth and forth and back…not enough speed….not enough damage…..seaweed was just to perfect for me I guess idk. I’m just running through my reserves of seaweed atm, at night at least I can live up to my former glory with it…..during day tho its just meh.

Caedmon.6798:

Spartacus.3192:

for my power war i switched to axe instead of shield, however, condi war is just so much better now since it doesnt use GS and doesnt use Eternal Champion which were the things that got nerfed the most.

Eternal champ is still good,dont forget that 3.5 sec stabi u get every time you break out of either headbutt or an applied cc on you.Can make all the diff in the world if your main stabi just got ripped aswell.

I still run Eternal Champ on my power war for the reason you mentioned above, I just think Condi war is much better now. Although i played power war all weekend in WvW because i like the play style.

Ive been testing out Bloody roar (taunt + extra damage) and it works quite well in small scale roaming.

Still using the same build I usually do. Haven’t changed it at all but I also never use/d Eternal Champion, Rousing Resilience or Dead Or Alive.

I’ve been asked about my choice in runes/sigils and such before but I’m confident in it’s efficiency. 96% Precision when in Berserk and a bit of a Ferocity bonus from Blood Reaction is really nice with the weapons I’m using. It means that Gunflame almost always crits and the same with every shot from Volley which can do upwards of 14k on squishies. I lose a very small bit of Power to gain a small bit Ferocity and much higher critical chance.

Bezerker.2379:

axe/shield + greatsword is still acceptably performing in wvw roaming. Bit more counterable, but still viable.

Yup, still using the same build, and it is still performing well in the small scale/solo scene.

megapro vaans build,which is good and basicly you can die only to thief/power rave.

so guys there’s actually a nice viable build with LB in wvw?

steppjoe.4386:

so guys there’s actually a nice viable build with LB in wvw?

Ive yet to meet a warrior in WvW thats using longbow.

Spartacus.3192:

steppjoe.4386:

so guys there’s actually a nice viable build with LB in wvw?

Ive yet to meet a warrior in WvW thats using longbow.

I see..Loading said “gs/lb” so I thought it’s a viable one.
how do you play it in wvw?

Man, I really want Astralaria…..

Gonna just stick with Moot on power build anyways, I’ll take disco footfalls over meta any day.

CrashTheGrey.1492:

Man, I really want Astralaria…..

Gonna just stick with Moot on power build anyways, I’ll take disco footfalls over meta any day.

I love my Moot….its so out there its cool. Disco Cool!!!

steppjoe.4386:

Spartacus.3192:

steppjoe.4386:

so guys there’s actually a nice viable build with LB in wvw?

Ive yet to meet a warrior in WvW thats using longbow.

I see..Loading said “gs/lb” so I thought it’s a viable one.
how do you play it in wvw?

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vJAQJARTnMdAdhgVhAmhAElilqADZx1ACAvj2U7sVpHE7yBA-TFhFAAyRAAOEA6FAYfAAAA-w

That’s what I run for the gs/lb, it’s nothing spectacular, pretty much the same def disc ber traitline. It’s just with burst mastery and smash brawler, you can spam the lb burst for cleansing ire and Arden health to make up for having no blocks without the need for a target also. I run full zerk gear with dura runes so usually I hit other power geared targets for 1.7k autos x2 since lb auto has 2 hits and the burst if they stand on it ticks for that much also and tankier people for maybe 1k

just gotta get used to having no target and manually aiming scorched earth or not moving before you fire it so your char automatically turns to your target instead of it going to CD

Spartacus.3192:

steppjoe.4386:

so guys there’s actually a nice viable build with LB in wvw?

Ive yet to meet a warrior in WvW thats using longbow.

It’s fine for a burn-version build. But honestly, it’s a primary “swap to this weapon” when stuck in attack/defend towers and keeps do to pirate ship mechanics when knocking down doors and walls.

Longbow 5 (supplementing other CC) is still very strong in roaming but there are just better options usually.

steppjoe.4386:

Spartacus.3192:

steppjoe.4386:

so guys there’s actually a nice viable build with LB in wvw?

Ive yet to meet a warrior in WvW thats using longbow.

I see..Loading said “gs/lb” so I thought it’s a viable one.
how do you play it in wvw?

Longbow + Hammer is really nice in zergs but I wouldn’t use it for roaming.

In zergs, Scorched Earth is great for tagging and bagging + does solid damage/can be blasted for Might. Rupturing Smash is great for locking people down + blast finisher + does a metric ton of damage if you’re glass.

If you’re not in a squad, you’ll need to be relatively skilled not to get killed due to low mobility and vulnerability to reflects when using Longbow. Otherwise, it provides some great utility and is easy to use, albeit punishing.

I sometimes use Longbow + Axe/Shield when roaming and I’ve seen someone else using a similar set up although they were vanilla Warrior and not Berserker. They played it better than I did (mind you I wasn’t on my Warrior when I fought them) and it can be a very powerful combination if you consistently get your bursts off.

Lock your target down with Pin Down to make it easier to land bursts on them, make sure to get use out of Smoldering Arrow for that Blind and of course spam Arcing Arrow for heaps of damage (I’ve literally pegged people for 12k+ with this skill). Also remember that Longbow bursts do not require hitting your target to gain Adrendal Health. Which means you can drop your bursts at your feet and maintain AH constantly which can be very powerful.

It’s true that LB is a bit underwhelming but don’t discredit it’s utility. Take care not to fire in to reflects and know when to begin kiting and it’s absolutely a more than viable weapon.

Side note: The build I use is relatively standard which can be seen here. I have high Precision because I usually use Rifle + Axe/Shield which both benefit a lot from it. Full Berserker would probably be better when using Longbow but I’m obviously not gonna change my gear for that since I don’t use LB when roaming very often.

Anyway if you want to use LB I think you should go for it.

Spartacus.3192:

steppjoe.4386:

so guys there’s actually a nice viable build with LB in wvw?

Ive yet to meet a warrior in WvW thats using longbow.

I occasionally bust out power GreatBow when roaming, but more often duels, and works reasonably well. It’s not optimal for roaming, but it works better than most people realize.

I got caught using it on someone’s video a while back, where three of us held an open tower from a bunch of people until they stopped streaming. Must have collected 20+ bags in that fight (they weren’t great fighters).

I think Exy has a video of him using it a while back too, iirc.

“Also remember that Longbow bursts do not require hitting your target to gain Adrenal Health. Which means you can drop your bursts at your feet and maintain AH constantly which can be very powerful.”

I really like this aspect of the longbow, it can really turn fights around. Especially in the longer fights. I like the better AOE damage that the longbow has over Rifle for group battles as well, it can really help alot when defending and contesting objectives.

I like to use Sigil of Agility to help me get off much faster Longbow 4 and especially 5’s. 5 is a really telegraphed long animation skill and its really easy to dodge stock.

My main uses Axe/Axe and LB. I have used Rifle as well and I feel its a bit stronger damage wise.

I also run a Berserker Condi build with LB as well. The amount of fire damage it can dish out is really high, and a lot of people dont respect the bleed potential of LB 5 on a condi build. LB does feel a lot stronger on condi.

Does anyone like running Armored Attacks over Defy Pain? Running Mace I feel a little starved for damage sometimes and I’ve been running that with Bloody Roar for some huge numbers and enjoying it.

CrashTheGrey.1492:

Does anyone like running Armored Attacks over Defy Pain? Running Mace I feel a little starved for damage sometimes and I’ve been running that with Bloody Roar for some huge numbers and enjoying it.

Not usually. I tend to run full zerk gear, which means the extra 140 power (iirc) isn’t worth the loss of an extra EP. Especially because I also run Last Stand, so dropping DP also denies me extra vigor.

But if you find you don’t miss DP, then I suppose the extra power doesn’t hurt. All the more if you run gear with toughness in it.

CrashTheGrey.1492:

Does anyone like running Armored Attacks over Defy Pain? Running Mace I feel a little starved for damage sometimes and I’ve been running that with Bloody Roar for some huge numbers and enjoying it.

When the update got out, I did want to try it in PvP, for the reasons you stated, but ended not having the courage to queue after some previous disastrous experiences (season 4’s nightmare). I’ve started playing WvW again recently though, and I’ve kept Defy Pain – unnerfed, I have found that it’s still good in the usual outnumbered fights.

As for damage, I play the vanilla flavor of the power warrior, not the berserker one. With the Strength line, damage is never an issue, and I don’t even run full zerk (commander armor with durability runes, zerk trinkets and weapons).

I did change Berserker’s Power to Axe Mastery (running GS/Axe/Shield), and found it definitely superior. The damage boost is noticeable, and the adrenaline generation allows for more frequent bursts, with the usual advantages: more fury with GS F1, regular 10k+ damage with Axe F1, faster stacking of Adrenal Health, better endurance regeneration with Stick and Move, thus more aggressiveness with Reckless Dodge…

The new Shield #4 gives me conniptions.

Elegie.3620:

I did change Berserker’s Power to Axe Mastery (running GS/Axe/Shield), and found it definitely superior. The damage boost is noticeable, and the adrenaline generation allows for more frequent bursts, with the usual advantages.

You definitely shouldn’t be noticing a damage advantage with axe mastery because it’s much worse than berserker’s power on that score. Better adren generation for sure, though.

Hi, sorry for the late answer.

Choppy.4183:

You definitely shouldn’t be noticing a damage advantage with axe mastery because it’s much worse than berserker’s power on that score. Better adren generation for sure, though.

Well on paper you’re completely right. In practice though, I think it’s a bit more complex. Berserker’s Power works on both weapons but requires a burst to hit, while Axe Mastery works out of the box, but for axes only. So basically, it’s a matter of gameplay, and how long you can get and maintain Berserker’s Power while fighting.

In terms of damage, I still think that my eviscerate is bigger – I suspect it’s because one would get Berserker’s Power after the hit, while Axe Mastery would be active for the hit.

The adrenaline generation is indeed superb. I play with Last Stand and not Cleansing Ire (I think you do too), so I need more adrenaline, and Axe Mastery delivers nicely. I can burst quite frequently, and usually don’t wait for more than on bar of adrenaline to do so. The benefits of bursting are just too good (Damage, Might/Fury, Adrenal Health, Building Momentum).

Elegie.3620:

Well on paper you’re completely right. In practice though, I think it’s a bit more complex. Berserker’s Power works on both weapons but requires a burst to hit, while Axe Mastery works out of the box, but for axes only. So basically, it’s a matter of gameplay, and how long you can get and maintain Berserker’s Power while fighting.

In terms of damage, I still think that my eviscerate is bigger – I suspect it’s because one would get Berserker’s Power after the hit, while Axe Mastery would be active for the hit.

The adrenaline generation is indeed superb. I play with Last Stand and not Cleansing Ire (I think you do too), so I need more adrenaline, and Axe Mastery delivers nicely. I can burst quite frequently, and usually don’t wait for more than on bar of adrenaline to do so. The benefits of bursting are just too good (Damage, Might/Fury, Adrenal Health, Building Momentum).

I suppose the best way to test would be by timing whether you can kill a training golem faster traiting BP or AM. Then maybe repeating the test against multiple (cleavable) targets to to affect adren generation.

I generally don’t have a problem maintaining upkeep of BP or AH, and in a multi-opponent fight I’m generally able to burst when the CD is up. So I don’t think I’d be affected too much by the ancillary benefits of AM that you mentioned.

But, you’re right, if AM does allow you to land full bursts more frequently, it might be able to offset the inferior bonus damage when compared to BP. But it’s a hell of an upward climb to get there…. +20% damage on both weapons is so much better than +300 Ferocity on axes only, I’d be seriously surprised if it could get there.

I mean, assuming bursts on CD in both cases, +20% damage from BP is better than +300 Ferocity from AM even if you camped axes and had 100% crit chance. But it’s certainly worth testing because it would be good to know if AM has been underestimated.

Elegie.3620:

CrashTheGrey.1492:

Does anyone like running Armored Attacks over Defy Pain? Running Mace I feel a little starved for damage sometimes and I’ve been running that with Bloody Roar for some huge numbers and enjoying it.

When the update got out, I did want to try it in PvP, for the reasons you stated, but ended not having the courage to queue after some previous disastrous experiences (season 4’s nightmare). I’ve started playing WvW again recently though, and I’ve kept Defy Pain – unnerfed, I have found that it’s still good in the usual outnumbered fights.

As for damage, I play the vanilla flavor of the power warrior, not the berserker one. With the Strength line, damage is never an issue, and I don’t even run full zerk (commander armor with durability runes, zerk trinkets and weapons).

I did change Berserker’s Power to Axe Mastery (running GS/Axe/Shield), and found it definitely superior. The damage boost is noticeable, and the adrenaline generation allows for more frequent bursts, with the usual advantages: more fury with GS F1, regular 10k+ damage with Axe F1, faster stacking of Adrenal Health, better endurance regeneration with Stick and Move, thus more aggressiveness with Reckless Dodge…

The new Shield #4 gives me conniptions.

Berserker’s Power is better for full Berserker. Axe Mastery is better for you because you lack Ferocity with your stats. If you’re not using it already, you should get some Furious Sharpening Stones to increase your Ferocity further.

SpellOfIniquity.1780:

Berserker’s Power is better for full Berserker. Axe Mastery is better for you because you lack Ferocity with your stats. If you’re not using it already, you should get some Furious Sharpening Stones to increase your Ferocity further.

Why would present ferocity matter to relative damage between BP and AM?

Choppy.4183:

SpellOfIniquity.1780:

Berserker’s Power is better for full Berserker. Axe Mastery is better for you because you lack Ferocity with your stats. If you’re not using it already, you should get some Furious Sharpening Stones to increase your Ferocity further.

Why would present ferocity matter to relative damage between BP and AM?

I was responding to Elegie who said s/he uses Commander/Durability runes on a vanilla Warrior with a bit of Berserker.

That means Ferocity is probably around 180 – 190%, which isn’t very high, but Power and Precision are probably at a pretty good area. It would be more beneficial to add Ferocity because Power doesn’t mean much without the nasty criticals. It doesn’t matter if you have 3,000+ Power, you’re not going to hit very hard without Ferocity to back it. So it’s better to pad the stats you’re lacking rather than stacking the ones you aren’t in the case of a more defensive build.

SpellOfIniquity.1780:

I was responding to Elegie who said s/he uses Commander/Durability runes on a vanilla Warrior with a bit of Berserker.

That means Ferocity is probably around 180 – 190%, which isn’t very high, but Power and Precision are probably at a pretty good area. It would be more beneficial to add Ferocity because Power doesn’t mean much without the nasty criticals. It doesn’t matter if you have 3,000+ Power, you’re not going to hit very hard without Ferocity to back it. So it’s better to pad the stats you’re lacking rather than stacking the ones you aren’t in the case of a more defensive build.

BP adds up to +20% damage as a multiplier, not as power. Thus, as a damage bonus, it’s better than +300 Ferocity regardless of whether you’re at base Ferocity or using zerk gear.

Core warrior

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vJAQNAneRjMdQXIWFCmhAnIG6BKsG6hcwCgPIC02I8TDA-TVSHABOpEkP1fA4EAIwRAYgDBwPK/I4BAAm+gx3fYzgAwISA+//7T+vUAVp1C-w

http://en.gw2skills.net/editor/?vJAQNAseRjMdQfHW3BWhAnIWmCMkEQEoB8uabtz2jjQAYkB-TFSBQB+TfgZUCCgTAAFeCAXR5X5OEAOU9n9t/ApACcrF-w

I use this although the template has been modified slightly since made.

Starting with zero condition damage with the stacking out of arms coupled with might stacks this can quite easily generate over 1.2k bleeds per second throughout a fight. As a percentage to overall damage this significant. Barbed precision and sigil of cruelty gives a significant boost to the Crit damage percentage which as at base 200 pushing it well over 210 with a crit rate that runs around 90 percent at all times in battle.

While this build has GS as off hand I switch that up a lot using a lot of different weapon comboes. I really do like SW mh , not only for the extra 20 percent crit rate but for significant bleed stacking and the very dangerous FINAL thrust which while hard to land generates as much damage as an Axe burst attack.

Adrenaline is not an issue. I generate it on virtually every hit given the high crit rate and can refill at will via Sigil meaning I will often start combat at full. It also stacks significant VULN for added damage and Savage leap on such a low cooldown a welcome and accessible gap closer.

It works for me.

It always seemed to me that Final Thrust should have been the Sword F1 instead of what we have currently.

sneakytails.5629:

It always seemed to me that Final Thrust should have been the Sword F1 instead of what we have currently.

I kind of like it the way it is. The Burst is 8 attacks. In my build this means it gains me 8 adrenaline just with the attack. While my build is power build due to being in arms and being able to might stack , either the bleed damge or fire damage can hit for significant damage.If I do the older version of the burst I get an immob added on which then sets me up for Final Thrust.

Added to that FT is single target wheres the burst off the flurry is more targets then that (up to 3), more attacks (8) PLUS having 900 range in the Berserker version with flurry. This means it very much easier to proc adrenal health or any other such skill (cleansing ire) when using the sword burst then it is with single target melee bursts.

back in gw1 there was https://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Savage_Slash. 1 of the best sword skills in the game. shame its not in gw2

sword warhorn hammer shout warrior for zerging running pvt gear and soldier runes.

=p still fun

I run a build similar to that one: https://metabattle.com/wiki/Build:Warrior_-_Shouts_Frontliner.
I was looking for a role and class that really helps with condiclear and other support aspects (like heals and CC) different from Guard and Ele. The role of “ShoutHealer” works great with my playstyle. A plus of this build, imo, is the condiclear potential given by warhorn and Trooper runes traited with all CD reduction of specializations (with metabattle build at max you can clear with 3 shots and 2 wh skills 9 conditions every ~20 sec).
My version of “ShoutHealer” runs full Cleric (to max healing from shout, now it’s about 2.6k for each shout) and Balance Stance instead of Doylak Signet (personal choice, cus right now I find many boonrip and the stability pulse it fits better for me).
I think that with more ShoutHealer will be a great inclusion in zerg and big organized group thanks to the condiclear potential. I hope to see more war like this ^^

Consensus on warrior builds still the same? I’ve been away from the game for 2 months now lol.

I run a defence/disc/berzerker build. If in a zerg or large group I use full PVT armor and trinkets with marauder GS and axe+shield. And durability runes. For smaller groups ( I never roam solo) I tend to go with my pve marauder set instead along with pvt trinkets for a bit more dmg.