Guild Wars 2

Update: COPYRIGHTED VIDEO fixed!
RE-UPLOADED LATEST VID LINK HERE.

Thanks to everyone who reached out to let me know their region is blocked.
Apparently 1 song that i used made the video unavailable for US, Brazil, South Korea and 2 other countries, I had to remake the vid from scratch, hopefully this time they only monetize me. The old video will be deleted, i did not add any new clips on the new one just different audio.

Kheta.7381:

I’m returning to the game …

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vVAQRAsd7OWqHK5+v+//rAYHihsR8EXRA-T1CEwAHUCaf/hGPEAYqD44EAYVpHUlBjVxJnKBAOCAg0PQKARXGB-w

Since getting pink accessories is fairly easy, i went ahead and used pinks.
what’s nice about this build is that all stats are being used, i picked those armor pieces just so you have a reasonable amount on each stats and as you play you can adjust certain stats to your playstyle.

In the end whichever you feel comfortable with will work, you can go extreme in either normal or condi damage and the respective cons and pros will magnify accordingly, as for me i decided for an even spread of damage output.

few things to keep in mind tho:
*always have atleast 500 condi damage
*400-500 healing power atleast to justify your meditation trait.
*Sharpening stone pulls 2% more from toughness than vitality, and toughness goes better with healing power, so a more toughness than vitality oriented build is good
*the only reason to go for high vitality is if your match-ups are heavy of condi-build playerbase
*don’t over commit on precision, remember that you have easy access to “Fury” boon through Medi trait.
*don’t invest on condi and boon duration stats, this build heavily relies on instant cast/reaction playstyle and barely any boons and very short condis, getting pinned downed is your worst nightmare because you have no access to stability. you have to constantly check your position.

-your utilities are multi-purpose, there are often times i cast them just for the sake of healing myself to buy some cooldown time.
-you fight CC with dodge, block, mobility,2 stunbreaks, and smart use of terrain.

i’ll edit this when i wake up if i remember anything, for now imma hit the sack, oh and yes those are the foods that i use.

New Video Above.

Got a few request of more Sword/focus+Scepter/Shield. Sorry it took awhile, i don’t play much these days.

This time without Hammer, more sustain but slower damage build up and not flashy.

Also, i tried really hard to keep the vid around 15mins lol.

Ryou.2398:

Krino.4501:

Ryou.2398:

Krino.4501:

Ryou.2398:

Krino.4501:

Ryou.2398:

Sorry but that is not right anything does not go in fractals or raid wings from what I remember.

i didnt meant it that way. i meant pve outside of raids. i know raids can be strict and most often has to be.

Well I said endgame

maybe im just writing it in bad grammar, but im basically saying the same thing you’re saying when it comes to raid, i apologize English isn’t my main language.

also to me raids isn’t the only endgame. theres also speed runs and solo clears that involves builds.

No need to apologize I appreciate the help.

godspeed, i hope you give guards a good try, if you end up liking wvw, would love to see what build you end up with in a montage someday.

Hmmm to be honest I am not really sure how I feel about wvw I have tried it here before but I played quite a bit of it in eso and to be honest I do not care for it, its gimmicky at best for the amount of time I waste traveling, I think wvw type of pvp is a little overrated, if I want that kind of pvp I think I would play an mmorpg with real focus on pvp and territory.

I think I just prefer basic pvp modes in pve mmorpgs.

theres many angles to look into it, nowadays i treat it as how open pk server are in old mmos, the feeling of knowing you’ll get jumped or chased at any moment is fun when roaming.

also i like to try silly build too, and since wvw uses your pve gear, all gear stats are allowed unlike pvp. but thats about the only point of wvwing for me, for others im sure it’s very diff and that’s ok.

Ryou.2398:

Krino.4501:

Ryou.2398:

Krino.4501:

Ryou.2398:

Sorry but that is not right anything does not go in fractals or raid wings from what I remember.

i didnt meant it that way. i meant pve outside of raids. i know raids can be strict and most often has to be.

Well I said endgame

maybe im just writing it in bad grammar, but im basically saying the same thing you’re saying when it comes to raid, i apologize English isn’t my main language.

also to me raids isn’t the only endgame. theres also speed runs and solo clears that involves builds.

No need to apologize I appreciate the help.

godspeed, i hope you give guards a good try, if you end up liking wvw, would love to see what build you end up with in a montage someday.

Ryou.2398:

Krino.4501:

Ryou.2398:

Sorry but that is not right anything does not go in fractals or raid wings from what I remember.

i didnt meant it that way. i meant pve outside of raids. i know raids can be strict and most often has to be.

Well I said endgame

maybe im just writing it in bad grammar, but im basically saying the same thing you’re saying when it comes to raid ( i agree), i apologize English isn’t my main language.

also to me raids isn’t the only endgame. theres also speed runs, organized chak, orgnaized dragonstand. wurm, teq, solo clears, etc. that involves builds.

Ryan.9387:

In PvP certainly yes. Just in the top 50 there are burn guards, Condi guards, shattered aegis gs guards, shattered aegis lb guards, symbol guards, and regular virtues guards.

if there’s that many variety of guards within 50 competing against 8 other classes, then i’ll take your word for it. I myself skipped 2 seasons now and alot of people i know who pvp skipped too, i guess that contributes to variety?

Ryou.2398:

Sorry but that is not right anything does not go in fractals or raid wings from what I remember.

i didnt meant it that way. i meant pve outside of raids. i know raids can be strict and most often has to be.

In PvE anything goes really, as long as you’re having fun (unless you’re in an elitist raid or dungeon group.).

However in pvp (unless you don’t mind losing or getting the blame), the very nature of “capture and hold point” system limits all classes into very little diversity.

As for wvw, you have alot more freedom to experiment, But it can get expensive and if you hate walking on normal speed, that’s something you’ll always have to incorporate to your builds. Unfortunately, guards don’t have a signet or trait that gives them a permanent boost, so you’ll have to rely on nourishment, swiftness, or runes. Whichever you choose, in the end, it will be another “restriction” to the diversity.

Before i get into the weapons,
General guardian tips agianst Revs:
*If you’re in a build that doesn’t depend on the passive of “Virtue of Justice”, canceling Shield#5 with the spear is ideal.
*Range weapon is ideal when revs are on staff
*Watch out for the Sword#3 animation, if you can dodge the skill before they can land the 1st strike, the entire chain will be canceled and the cooldown will be spent.
*Roll forward against Staff#5
*GS#5 pull can also cancel the Rev Shield#5 but you have to wrap them with the chains earlier and pull when they start bunking.
*Revs have access to many minor heals, so Sigil of Doom is ideal.

Solo revenants would usually run a sword/shield or axe + staff.

LB is a natural counter to sword/shield.
Rev Shield#5 is usually their main tool to buy time for cooldowns and to get minor heals.
But If timed right, It is a perfect set up for a LB#4 >#5> #2 combo.
There is also LB#3 with “Heavy Light” that can go through Shield#5 canceling it entirely.
If you cast LB#5 half a second after they cast Shield#5 they will be guaranteed to be hit right after the duration ends, every time you do this they will then be forced to prematurely cancel the channel and also use a dodge to escape the inc cc.
If you are in a tanky enough build or in the moment healthy in hp, you can let them cast Sword#3 on you, this skill by nature would always make them end up standing atop of you, with this in mind you can set up LB#4 under you and then cast LB#5 around you and patiently wait until the attack chain ends, caging them in and letting them cook under the LB#4 symbol.

You just have to match you weapon rotation being that you are always holding a LB when they have sword/shield.
But do keep in mind that by having “Heavy Light” trait, you are a bit more vulnerable to a more condi oriented Revenants.

Now for when the Rev is holding staff.
Sword/Focus helps more than Shield on guardians.
Rev Staff is normally a counter against melee weapons, but Sword/Focus Guard have all the necessary tools to balance their melee advantage.

Staff#2 daze can be avoided by applying blind or putting aegis when you see the weakness condi applied on you, I find it that if i cast Sword#2 right after i receive a weakness, i can bait them into casting the daze while in blindness.
Staff#3 is a channeling projectile skill and it’s very easy to read, It is almost similar to Sword#3 on guards except Sword#3 is stronger for the fact the it can block projectile.
so as long as you cast Sword#3 when they cast Staff#3 you will be fine.
Focus#5 can still be casted while being dragged around by Staff#5
Shield#5 on guards have little use against a 90% melee class.

While LB is a counter to Shield, Axe on Revenants is a counter to LB Guards.
LB is harder to aim because of the added mobility by axe, and axe offhand gives access to torment, And if they have demon stance the choice of having “Heavy Light” instead of “Hunter’s Fortification” will hurt you more.

in the off chance that you’re fighting a condi rev usually (mace/axe),it is more of a demand on your ability to kite and good use of cleanse than weapon choice.

im off to bed, pardon any spelling or grammar errors, ill fix them tom.

Thanks for this question!, this is something that i’ve always pondered alot every now and then ever since roaming.
I know that the norm is set1 and it is a completely reasonable playstyle because of the strong combos

shield#5 > sword#2 and/or J.I. > sword#3

sword#2 and/or J.I. > switch to Scepter/Focus >scepter#2 > scepter#3

And how can we forget the main reason people go for set1: focus#5 cast > scepter#2 > scepter#3 > switch > sword#2 and/or J.I. > focus#5 pop >sword#3

However the demand for how inexperienced your opponents are to pull of these combos specially the 3rd one is very high, the game has been around for a long time now and the average wvw player skill level can only get better (atleast that’s how id like to see it). Even if you disregard the average zerging player, most of the people who are active in roaming nowadays have a general understanding that when a guardian activates it’s focus#5 it will more likely be used as an offensive rather than a defensive skill.

The synergy between the weapons on set1 is too extreme both in a good and bad way, for example:

1. Sword#3 can deliver alot of damage if all of the projectile hits, so it’s reasonable to knock them off with shield#5, but if they have a breakstun or can simply recover from knockback faster and dodgeroll backwards once the shield knockback will actually help them escape the projectiles.

2.Using Shield#5 1st then going Sword#2 > Sword#3 def looks better than the 1st example but that means you need to close the gap while reserving Sword#2 until after Shield#5, which means getting close by walking with Scepter/Focus then switch to Sword/Shield or use J.I. using 2 out of your 3 mobility skills to land a good sword#3

3. Scepter/Focus always loses to other range classes specially Longbow Ranger. You’re basically an open target with nothing to retaliate or protect you with.
Scepter#1 can be strifed
Scepter#2 alone doesnt work against any mobile class
Scepter#3 is useless in a projectile battle
Focus #4 is too slow to pay off being casted at a long range
Focus#5 will simply break.

Even a thief would feel less pressure and be delighted when you are in Scepter/Focus.

4. Shield vs Focus on a sword/melee state:
Shield#5 is very handy for getting close to range classes, but how about fighting melee classes? knocking them back isn’t really an advantage since you will be waiting or walking after them to get into range again anyway. if anything it just bought both side cooldown time but with your lost because it was your skill that was used to buy that time. In contrast, Sword/Focus with Blinds, Sword#3, “Focus Mastery”, And Focus#5 being available even while stunned will give you longer protection boon and overall defense against both melee and range classes.

Getting pinned down in melee is less scary when you know you have Focus#5 you can use anytime for the blocks and Protection Boon.

Set2 may look like it doesnt have any combo but it does and it is harder to read than Set1

Holding Scepter/Shield: Shield#5 > Scepter #2 > Scepter #3 > switch > Sword#2 > Sword#3 (Sure they may have breakstun or less stun duration for the knockback but then there is still the immobilize that they will have to deal with, so in most cases even Sword#3 will land atleast 70% of its projectile.)

If i want to use focus#5 offensively, i do it like this:

Holding Sword/Focus: Focus#5 > Switch > Shield#5(protecting Focus#5 from range attacks) > 1sec before Focus#5 pops Scepter#3 > J.I. or wings of resolve > Scepter#2 > Focus#5 pop

Keep in mind about the combo above, when while i am on my sword state, before switch. I can still freely use skills 1 to 4 for escape, defense, or to apply pressure.

there is more to say but i’m reaching my length limit.

Lastly the build is meant to have a fighting chance against every build in the game. it is meant to be played by countering rather than preemptive combos. Technically if people lay down the spreadsheets. the popular Set1 combo with focus will probably be unbeatable in damage but that is to say you are attacking static targets.

Also the build doesn’t actually do much condition damage, the permeating wrath is there for the constant cripple for clinging, damage bonus, and vulnerability stacks. The burn damage can vary between to 15-50% of my overall damage depending on how good i can land my combos and/or the number of enemies around, the condi damage is not consistent enough to be a reliable main damage. The build is actually very viable and will def do more damage in power stats.

I’m not saying that playing a 1trick or 1killer combo builds is bad or worse, it is actually quite fun!, but i personally prefer having flexibility in almost all scenarios.

TLDR: set2 is more fluid on switching between defensive and offensive play. and uses less cooldowns with less risk while doing good damage.

ArchonWing.9480:

Nice build + video. Liked the music choices as well.

Thanks! at first i was tempted to put a bunch of pop songs for giggles but i learnt from my 1st attempt that it can be distracting and annoying. figured ill try doing it properly this time heh.

Avigrus.2871:

Oh man, that was so funny – good job

We’ve all been there…. the skills just don’t work, so staff 1 to win.

Thanks!
the worst is when i have to play mindgames between the lag and my forgetfulness while fighting,
.
“did i press record?”
" but it was laggy before so maybe it didn’t go through?"
“do i dare press it again and risk killing the clip? fffffff…”

made a parody of the process i had to deal with making the vid.
i am glad it’s all over now lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIjWDD8fypM

Getting zerged is fine, it is part of the roaming life but this…
Roaming vid Parody.

Siphon.8405:

It is definitely out of meta, which is what I like about it most. Seeing people play builds that they like, that fit there own personal play style and they take ownership over there own success.

I forget where in the video it is but I especially like how you are able to use Permeating wrath with a hammer to nullify that necros minions which removed his “Protection” buff making it easier for you to finish him.

i appreciate the kind words and i share the sentiment, one of the few things that still keep me playing the game is when i see unique builds while roaming.

Siphon.8405:

Awesome build and videos. I have been wanting to see a celestial guard in WvW actually perform. I might take mine off the shelf after seeing this.

thanks!, it was alot of fun figuring out this strange build

Bheowulf.4572:

Big thanks for the swift reply but i am more enclined to run sw/fc & sc/sh, what do you tje change in your traits?

nothing much really, putting on absolute resolution instead of glacial heart and i just switch between smiter’s boon and focus mastery depending on the kind of classes i keep encountering on a day. The 1st clip was actually using these weapon sets. the only downside is that you will do significantly less damage against builds with a lot of projectile blocking like a scrapper and lose access to the lightfield+blast combo.

Bheowulf.4572:

Hi Krino, nice video., could you please share your build?

link is up, was pretty late when i posted i headed straight to bed hehe

Update: COPYRIGHTED VIDEO fixed!
RE-UPLOADED LATEST VID LINK HERE.

Thanks to everyone who reached out to let me know their region is blocked.
Apparently 1 song that i used made the video unavailable for US, Brazil, South Korea and 2 other countries, I had to remake the vid from scratch, hopefully this time they only monetize me. The old video will be deleted, i did not add any new clips on the new one just different audio.

Got a few request of more Sword/focus + Scepter/Shield clips, so here it is.
Figured ill just recycle this with all the old links rather than making a new thread.
And Luckily, this build is virtually unaffected after the 5/16/2017 patch, i was worried that all the clips i gathered til now would go to waste.

Hammer Version

Build here, gear is full celes.

Parody:
me vs Lag and OBS

thanks!, my laptop was at “power4gear battery saving” mode i tried switching it to “balance” and there was a drastic change. thanks for helping!

Xystus.3241:

snip.

here you go, my laptop temp while playing gw2.
oh and weirdly enough, changing the graphics settings in-game to lowest, doesn’t help at all. fps still stays at 14-20 and also just t add more info, since after the 1st fps drop, loading screens now takes more time and alt-tabbing back into the game have a longer duration of black screen.

I recently bought the new Asus G750JH and have been enjoying gw2 in it for 2 weeks now.
before getting the massive fps drop, i’ve been recently seeing flashes of the “gw2 game error window” every time i quit the game. i normally get 50+ fps in wvw even playing against massive zergs in ultra settings, my laptop never heats up and absolutely quiet, but just recently (3-4hours before posting this thread) my fps suddenly dropped to 16-24 while doing wvw and never went back to 50, at first i thought it is an internet problem and so i tried some games like l4d2 and dota2 but both games are running perfectly fine. there seems to be nothing wrong w/ my laptop it is still running normally and actually feels cold in touch. please help me optimize the fps w/o dropping the visual settings (if possible) and please try to explain whats going on, in most basic terms. im not a techie guy. thanks.

I recently bought two of this Invaders ring from the armor vendor in WvW, each ring cost around 354 badges of honor. It is an Exotic Ring with an unused upgrade slot and so i thought i’d put an Exquisite Opal Jewel (which is also exotic) into the slot, but it doesn’t work! both of the rings do not lighten up in a blue-ish color whenever i try to use the jewels unlike my Opal earrings, same thing happens with the other versions of Opal jewels (i’ve only used Opals so far). Is this some kind of a bug? or am i missing something. I need help if there is actually something i can put in those slots instead of Opal Jewels.