I’m not considering offhand skills, just by comparing each skills to their relative (autoattack, burst and gap closer) the Greatsword is superior in all of them.
It is also superior with trait synergy.
The only thing the sword has for it is the extra hits due it’s fast attack, but even this is neglected if you consider the Greatsword’s Symbol which also counts as hits for proccing Virtue of Justice.
Example case:
I’m currently facing 4~5 risen per pull and I almost die if I take them on with a Sword & Something. With a Greatsword they die in 3~4 seconds.
If I face a single mob, I take the same time or longer than using a Greatsword.
And if I’m facing an enemy that relies heavily on projectiles, the Sword’s Zealot Defense isn’t reliable alone, so the same mechanic I’ll apply to this fight can be used with a Greatsword with superior results.
So, please, buff Swords.
Ok are we just talking PvE here or pvp? because Pvp those symbol hits are never going to happen, Also regardless you are once again counting symbol hits as “making up” for the attack speed. If we want to go that route Ill take torch #5 which can hit up to 5 enemies 10 times each for better VoJ activation, while also cleansing debuffs on allies.
As I said before, In a group fight GS will shine, since that is kind of its point. In a one on one fight a sword + offhand will do better just because of the versatility of having the offhand. In PvE I run sword+focus /GS just because of the amount of killing power I get from both weapons.
As far as trait synergy goes, it once again depends on your build and offhand. I run a 20/20/30/0/0 build and the Sword works amazingly with it. With focus offhand I get extra blinds that give more vulnerability, and a 3block blast finisher that each block adds a stack of 15s long might, or it blows up for 5k+ damage. If I run torch I get the AoE damage from #5, and the burst damage from #4 that also increases my damage due to the 10% added damage from burning trait.
I really don’t get why people only look at the sword and say its weak, Everyone really needs to start looking at the full package that comes with off hands and the huge amount of synergy that comes with that. Not only with traits but between the weapons themselves
Would you say the 20% Reduced CD on focus is better then +10% damage to foes with a condition + 15% crit chance with a 1h?
I’m not actually using these runes right now, I’m just theorycrafting for a new build idea. I was originally thinking of using the Mirror Heal for the shorter cooldown to activate more might stacks. Against a ranged it could be timed right coming out of stealth.
My actual spec is actually using Runes of Lyssa right now, the number 6 has saved me quite a few times. My only beef with my build right now is the boon duration is so short, which is why I was thinking of this build idea.
I’ve been trying to think of ways I could make a build that fully utilizes Prismatic Understanding as I love the trait. (Cloaking skills last 1 second longer and you gain a random boon when you are cloaked (protection, regeneration, or aegis)
Using 4 Runes of Altruism (3 stacks of might on heal/15% boon duration) and 2 Runes of Water/Monk (15% Boon duration) combined with Bowl of Orrian Truffle and Meat Stew (Gain Might on dodge/ 40% endurance regen (more clones)), there would be a lot of might stacking.
So overall there would be 60% boon duration (30% from chaos tree), might on heal and dodge, defensive boons from stealth, and boons from staff 1+4+5, and more clone generation from food.
This is just the type of build I have been looking for. I just started leveling my guardian (5th character) and am really enjoying the burning and 1handed style.
How does this build compare to the standard group buff heal build, or the 2handed sword dps build?
I am looking for a survivable build that does decent damage for the girlfriend.
Something that isn’t difficult to use.
Originally I was looking for an Axe/Axe build because she likes the style, but I’ve been finding most builds are pure dps (unless eating food which she doesn’t want to have to constantly do).
I see most people run a greatsword build, but there are just so many out there.
And recommendations for traits and gear? (already has 4 Pow/Vit/Tough, 1 Berserker and 1 Pow/Prec/Tough gear)
I personally prefer a classy woman to a strip club dancer, just my personal taste though.
Really? So mere dress/appearance connotes classification/morality for you?
Does Tyria even have strip clubs, or even your personal hangups in general? Does Kryta have the same moralistic standards of rural alabama?
It is a fantasy construct world..let it have it’s own standards, leave the real world out of it.
If it passes the ESRB, deal with it.
Really? So walking around naked doesn’t connote anything to you? It could be a perfectly normal looking girl in real life walking around naked right? you wouldn’t mind your girlfriend or daughter walking around naked? That doesn’t mean anything right? So if I made a fantasy movie with nude girls, it should be pg13 right? It’s fantasy so it has it’s own standards right?
I specifically said " my personal preference". Learn to read.
Just because it’s a fantasy constructed world doesn’t mean I can’t have my own opinion. I never said I wanted them to remove the clothes that were revealing, I’m giving my opinion on what I prefer. Or is this not allowed in your fantasy world?
Have you thought about dropping 10 in dueling and putting 10 back into chaos for Prismatic Understanding?
I’ve been running 0/10/30/0/30, and have been loving it. I may not have the clone generation, but I do have better escape/positioning with +1 second in stealth. I am more going for the burst from Blurred Frenzy/Illusionary Leap/Mirror Images + Shatter.
It may not be as good for PvE/Dungeons because of less clones, but I find the time I spend in stealth avoiding damage and re-positioning in WvW helps.
I initially wanted to try this build as I already used the Rune of Lyssa and have been trying to find better ways to utilize the buffs and condition removal (which have saved me countless times with Mass Invisibility).
I’m not saying it’s a better build, it’s just a variation that suits my style better. (close range burst->escape->ranged damage/defense->repeat)
I want the torch to be viable so badly, it just suites my playstyle so well.
I think if they either reduced the cooldown or let us use skills while the stealth is active then it would be much better (only let an attack break stealth. Even if stealth breaks, let the effect still go off, just when stealth becomes broken.)
Honestly, this constant stream of nerfs to the mesmer has left quite a sour taste in my mouth. I’ve also been having a very hard time selecting a permanent build because of the constant changes.
I think I’m just gonna hang my mesmer up for a while until they fix the class.
I’m going to preface with this: there may be points where what I’m about to say comes off rude. That’s not my intention at all.
I fear your g/f might have chosen the wrong profession based off your description. Attunement switching is a MUST. I do it incredibly often and I don’t know a good elementalist that doesn’t. This is almost the crux of the elementalist. Stray from there and it really doesn’t matter on gear, build, runes and sigils.
Just my 2 cents.
Ya I know attunment switching is a core mechanic of the elementalist. Is it possible to make a build based on only 2 attunments then? I think she is just more worried about using more than 2 attunements.
I don’t want to go to her and say “tough luck, you’re stuck not enjoying your class.”
I do not play a main elementalist, but my girlfriend has almost reached 80 with hers and feels it is lacking compared to her condition/toughness/pet necromancer. She has a few specifications she needs for a build.
1) Little to no attunement switching. I know this one is very difficult, but she wants to avoid hard and complicated strategies.
2) Great survivability. She wants to be able to do PvE without being too squishy. She does no PvP at all.
3) Overall just an easy to us build.
4) Rune and Sigil suggestions
Please let me know your suggestions. I’m sure there are others out there that have someone they want to introduce guild wars to and if they are interested in the elementalist maybe this kind of build can help.
Thanks a ton!
