Guild Wars 2

I’d like to see the celestial amulet get some love. Currently it adds 284 to all stats. An easy fix in my view, would just be increasing the power to 569.

Vigorous Precision needed a nerf, and I think we all saw it coming. No class should have permanent Vigor. Litany of Wrath buff is a solid idea too. The heal is decent, it just needs some tweaking. Also the buff to Healing Breeze to make it more viable and competitive with the other healing skills.

Anet all said many times during the stream that there are a lot more changes coming. However that they couldn’t get to them all, because the time limit they had during the stream.

FuriousPop.2789:

feldspar.8345:

Glory is from PVP – and I think it’s going away soon. Spend it now if you have it, and don’t plan on getting lots if you don’t.

Crafting is still the fastest way to level, as long as money is no object. There’s one important thing to keep in mind, however: with the advent of ascended crafting, the amount of character XP you get is spread out more. Skilling up to 500 will net you 10 character levels, while skilling up to 400 only gets you 8 (? I think?). What’s more, Cooking and Jewelcrafting still only go up to 400, but give you character XP at the same rate as the other craftskills. Ultimately it means you can’t level a brand-new character to 80 solely through crafting, like you could before ascended crafting was introduced. And it’ll be very expensive, requiring a lot of exotic crafting at the upper end.

Glory going away?
Is this confirmed? – so is it a case of stock up and use it while you can kind of a thing??

Glory is going away. However, Anet stated they give us ample warning before it does. It’s not going to happen until the next huge pvp update, and that’s not for some months.

I was curious what build that is. He calls it the, “DPS healway.”

DPS healway. Has 4% CC and 10% CD……….ok

http://en.gw2skills.net/editor/?fUAQNAR8dlUgqCnFyvDfIFSmiVCBrKEPYPwoMqjuKoQA-jkCBoNCyEEQ0HBOLqIasVWFRjVNbQ1KbYqXIWzDa1eOxSBIoyI-w

Phantaram.4816:

Harbinger.8637:

AxeSword Warriors

What build is this?

Have you not been hit by impale? You are in for a treat.

No, I just haven’t seen a warrior run axe/sword in tpvp.

AxeSword Warriors

What build is this?

It’s probably too late now. In my view, ranks should have been done by wins. Such as hotjoin/custom arenas wins would count as one win. Soloq could count as two wins, and lastly team arena would count for 2-4. So that way tpvp players are still reward more then hotjoins.

Cynz.9437:

Runes and sigil rework
Critical damage changes
New stat combinations for PvP (amulets)
High-level overview of planned balance changes

indirect condi meta buff??

I believe that is just a PvE thing. Zerker is too strong in PvE, and I think this is how they are going to fix it.

•New stat combinations for PvP (amulets)

FINALLY!

Generally if you want to do 1v1, you’re going to have to run meds. AH dps can work, however it’s not really optimal. The thing is they both have there drawbacks. If you go meds, you’re going to be less effective in team fights. And vice versa if you go AH or some type of bunker build.

If you still want to run shouts, and do decent at 1v1 try something like this:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fUAQNAR8dlUgyC33xKEfIFRuAbBYPwI8741DHmQGC-TsAg0CnIoSRljKDVSqsUNsYVwGCA

This is what happens when you play mostly PvP and WvW. You’re going to die…. a lot.

10,060 deaths

Also here’s a screen for the age.

Josh Davis.6015:

As John mentioned previously, we don’t plan on retroactively awarding rank points for previous wins. We will, however, be rebalancing rank tiers to make them more attainable.

That’s disappointing to hear.

Win/Loss doesn’t mean anything since the reset. There’s one guy that is like 9-17, and is in the top 25.

Honestly I really wish they would have just reset peoples records too when they did it.

I like the idea of it, it’s just badly executed. Certain skills give some classes too much of an edge when carrying the orb. They need to give the orb it’s own skill when you pick it up, much like the Orb of Power when it was in WvW. Also no movement increase should affect the carrier.

These should be the skills you have when carrying the orb, or something similar.

Power Bolt: Release a burst of energy to damage your target.

Orb Strike: Hit your enemy with the Orb, stunning them.

Throw Orb: Throw the Orb towards your target, blinding targets that it passes through. It bursts, dazing enemies, and returns to you.

Radiant Armor: Grant Retaliation to nearby allies.

Probably not much help. But I got it from a mystery coffer. Sorry I don’t know the recipe.

Problem with Spirit Watch is certain skills being used with the orb that make it completely imbalanced.

The orb should have it’s own set of skills. Similar to the orb of power, when it was in WvW.

Power Bolt: Release a burst of energy to damage your target.

Orb Strike: Hit your enemy with the Orb, stunning them.

Throw Orb: Throw the Orb towards your target, blinding targets that it passes through. It bursts, dazing enemies, and returns to you.

Radiant Armor: Grant Retaliation to nearby allies.

I enjoy solo q, but I agree with you 100%. Yesterday was quite frustrating. Played six games. Four Skyhammer and two Spirit Watch. I really wish these map would be removed.

Matchmaking isn’t too bad if you play at prime time. I get a lot of decent games then, however if it’s not prime time. You hardly ever get players with similar mmr.

Lastly the rewards is an issue. People would rather face premades in team area because it rewards better, and no terrible maps.

Solo q is getting better, but it still has a long ways to go.

Stand The Wall.6987:

im going off of what the OP said. i dont know why youre getting up in my face. maybe youre bored?

No I just don’t like people spreading false and inaccurate information.

Stand The Wall.6987:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fUAQJAWSlUgqCnFSMEf4ES2DRCBTQsHYUGtRXFSIA-TMAisGNsYA
meant for wvw but i dont feel like ading in all the details

yeah ah is awesome for learning the class like i said. youre in a pug group it doesnt matter what you play as long as you have fun. but when you want to get serious there are some criteria that must be followed in order to be effective.

All you did was link a 0/0/10/30/30 build. Even though I said show me a build without AR. Try running a DPS build with that, you can’t.

My point is for guards to be competitive in WvW and PvP they need sustain. This comes from AH,MF, or AR. Try running a dps build without AH or MF and see how it plays out.

Louk Tsoup.2108:

i somewhat agree with what you guys said,
but im asking if you would find ok such build in pug groups.

There’s nothing wrong with it. I’m pretty sure you know there are better builds out there for pve, since you stated you’re sick of the dps meta.

If you think AH is a crutch in PvP and WvW, then you’re extremely wrong. I agree in PvE it’s not needed.

Show me one viable build for PvP and WvW that doesn’t involve. AH, MF, or AR.

mPascoal.4258:

Sorry bumping into this old topci but since the matter is the same I wanna ask about this build, what do you guys think?

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fUAQNApeWlUgyC33xKEf4ERWhVi9AjfsjXPS4DZIA-jEyAoNBR6TEpCAZxioxWZLiGreBT9SEV7PwkBgZLA-w

I can try it with out much lose since I just don’t have the weapons, but before trying it I would like some ideas. Sorry insisting but I would love to play this game with Shield and I can’t find anything good with it for what I want, so it make almst this weapon loooks useless with any class (except engi)

Vengeful is only worth using if you get Virtue of Retribution. If you’re going to run 0/0/30/30/10, pick up Master of Consecrations. Drop one of your shouts for Purging Flames. This will also let you drop your soldier runes, and get something better.

Banish is pretty cool. I also like Empower. I almost forgot, sic’ em is great too!

If you’re not enjoying the game, then stop playing. By the way it sounds, you aren’t. You just play to grind. I know I play a lot, but 5000 hours? That’s almost 10 hours per day since launch.

Necro can already trait for AoE fear when downed.

http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Fear_of_Death

You have nothing to be sorry about. 4v5 happens, nothing you can do about it. The necro was obviously having an issue with his connection. No need to rage at him. You win some you lose some. No big deal.

I do agree you could have cut out the beginning when nothing was really happening. However I didn’t have a problem with the music it was fairly quiet.

It’s decent overall. You give good in-depth explanations and go over rotations.

Use Shelter unless you are going to trait signets. Also dump Divinity runes. Traveler is a much better option. All you lose is +30 to stats and 6% CD. However you gain 15% boon duration, 10% condition duration, and 25% speed movement.

I wouldn’t bother with Soldier. You have plenty of condition removal. If any thing you could use Hoelbrak or Melandru. Conditions get applied so fast there’s no point in trying to remove them all. With Hoelbrak or Melandru, when all your removes are on CD, you’ll at least reduce condition duration.

Also swap out Defender’s Flame for Purity, and Retaliatory Subconscious for Vengeful.

fadeaway.2807:

Honor
Wrathful spirit : 3 seconds of retalliation after aegis? Not worth it.

Agreed, increase to five seconds.

Writ of exaltion : 60 radius is too small even for symbol builds. Have it turn symbols into mobile auras.

I don’t agree with this. Symbols would become too powerful.

Pure of heart : Awful healing amount, not enough to care about.Plus if you’re on 100% hp and get hit.. aegis blocks it.. you then outheal.. great.

Somewhat agree. I use this trait from time to time. Increase to 50% of healing power up for 40%.

Resolute healer : Why can’t we get something useful like mesmer’s feedback on revive? And this only lasts 1 second? Trash. Make it shield of wrath (focus #5) and now we’re talking.

This is an extremely strong trait in PvP and WvW. Doesn’t need to be changed.

Empowering might : 240 radius is too small to be useful. Also the inner cooldown of 1 second reduces effectiveness with weapons that have a 1 second attack time like staff.

Maybe increase the radius. Other then that it’s fine.

Elusive power : More damage when endurance is full.. yet we get perma vigor from having traits in honor. This is poor synergy.

Again you have to look at this from other perspectives. If you had it when endurance is full. It would be useless in PvP and WvW.

Virtues
Retaliatory subconscious : Really? Other classes get things like shadowstep away on cc, mirror the cc back to the enemy, create a static field around yourself… we get.. 3 seconds of retal? SRSLY?

Agreed. Move to Grandmaster. Have it also apply stability. Up CD to 48 seconds.

Improved spirit weapon duration : Enough with the small army of spirit weapon traits. I’m going to go copy paste what I wrote for the last several spirit weapon traits : they are trash!

Same as other Spirit weapon traits.

Elite focus : I don’t know if many people use our tomes any more. Removing our utilities and weapon skills is a bit rubbish. Most of the time I see them used it’s for a quick zealot’s fervor (quickness) or 100% heal and then cancelled. I think tomes need a rework.

Agreed. Have it 50% duration increase and 20% reduced CD.

Supreme justice : Nobody cares about your burning.
Permeating wrath : Nobody cares about your burning.

Again two decent traits in PvP and WvW.

Shielded mind : Decent I guess but highly situational and a long cooldown. Not great for a GM trait.

The reason why this is GM because it’s an AoE stun break. That is extremely strong.

Responses in bold.

fadeaway.2807:

Zeal
Binding Jeopardy : 5 vulnerability for 8 seconds on immobilize.
We have 2 immobs on a 15 and 20 second cooldown. This trait isn’t awful but if it’s damage you’re after, Fiery Wrath is much better.

Agreed we don’t have enough immobilize to make this worth while. That even includes Signet of Wrath.

Revenge of the fallen : People actually take these traits?

Agreed. Needs to be merged with Strength of the Fallen.

Shattered aegis : Damage is far too low to care about. We actually preferred the burning. A very poor change from last patch.

Agreed. Up the damage or change it back to burning.

Spirit weapon mastery : Spirit weapons are garbage except the shield, which isn’t worth traiting.
Eternal spirit : See above comment on spirit weapons.
Wrathful spirit : See above comment on spirit weapons.

The spirit weapon traits aren’t bad. The problem is the weapons themselves, they need a buff to become viable.

Kindled zeal : We don’t have enough conditions to care enough about 13% condition damage.

Agreed, this whole trait needs to be redesigned.

Radiance
Healer’s retribution : 3 seconds of retalliation? Are you kidding me? Useless.

All heals have a fairly long CD. So I think it would be fair to up this to 8 seconds of retaliation.

Shimmering defense : 60 second cooldown makes it worthless.

Agreed, reduce to 30 CD.

Innner fire : How often are we set on fire? 3 seconds is nothing.

This I disagree on. This trait is very powerful in PvP and WvW. In PvE it’s very situational. Only thing I’d change is Zealot’s Flame also procs this.

Searing flames : Boons are too commonly applies in both pve and pvp. 1 boon every 10 seconds is nothing.

Again another powerful trait in PvP and WvW, but some what lacking in PvE.

Radiant fire : Nobody uses the torch.

Torch is used quite frequently in PvP and WvW.

A fire inside : Nobody uses spirit weapons.

This is true.

Inscribed removal : 2/4 of our utility signets have awful passives, none of the on-use effects are great either. Possibly the knockdown in pvp.
Perfect inscriptions : 20% extra of 180 stats = 36. 36 stat points for a grandmaster trait? What a joke.

Works well with Judgment and Resolve. Agreed the others are lacking.

Valor
Valorous defense : I know it’s a minor trait but 90 seconds is a very long cooldown.

Agreed, reduce to 45 seconds.

Defender’s flame : Burn on block. We don’t have enough blocks to make this useful. I care so little about 1 second of burning that I haven’t even tested if it procs of aegis. I’m guessing no.

Aegis does proc it. Guards have plenty of blocks to make this worth using.

Strength of the fallen : People actually take these traits?

Same as Revenge of the Fallen.

Mace of justice : Mace is trash.

Again Mace is quite good in PvP and WvW.

Glacial heart : Recharge is too long, too easily removed.

Agreed. Reduce CD to 10-15 seconds, and have it also add 5% damage to hammer.

Honorable shield : Our shield is rubbish. With some tweaks the projectile block could be useful.

Again another trait that is decent in PvP and WvW. However it’s lacking in pve because of the zerker meta.

Responses in bold.

List of underwhelming traits, and what I would change:

Revenge of the Fallen and Strength of the Fallen need to be combined into one trait.

Shattered Aegis is still very subpar. Either up the damage on it, or go back to the previous burning.

Focused Mastery, not really a bad trait. However it needs something more to make it more viable. Such as remove a condition when using focus skills.

Kindled Zeal, this whole trait needs to be redesigned.

Glacial Heart- Current CD is too long, making it useless. Reduce CD to 10-15 seconds. Also make it increase hammer damage by 5%. Or they could make it apply to all weapons.

Retaliatory Subconscious- Make this a Grandmaster trait. However let it also apply stability. Increase CD to 48 seconds.

Elite Focus- 50% duration increase and 20% reduced CD.

Just get rid of the glass panels, and I wouldn’t have a problem with the map. You could still knock people off. It would be a lot harder, but it would require outplaying your opponent.

You shouldn’t stay out of pvp, anyone can be good at it. You just have to practice and get use to it. PvE and PvP for guards is extremely different. A well-known PvEr isn’t going to do well in PvP for the first time, and vice versa.

You could try a different med build until you get use to the class. This one is very forgiving, and still pumps out a lot of damage.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fUAQRAsd7flUgSDHHyKEfIFRuArHA8g+DXw1DIGxGC-TwAA1CnIKSVkrITRyisFNsYVw+jJEA

Nobody should have it as of now. As I recall that’s the max 80 title. Nobody has even reached 80.

Honestly if Anet really wanted to fix Guard soft CC and mobility problem, there are two simple things that would work, and have been suggested before.

Zealot’s Speed- 5 seconds of swiftness on weapon swap.

Glacial Heart- Now applies to all weapons, reduce CD to 10-15 seconds. Also move it to Zeal to make that line more appealing.

10/30/30/0/0 is pretty much the max dps you can go while still maintaining some sustain. Only thing I would change would be rune for the most part. If you’re going for max dps like this better of just going Scholar. If you don’t feel comfortable with that then Ranger would be a good choice also. It’s bugged so you always get a 5% damage increase when using it.

Mobility has always been a problem for guards. Easiest solution atm is just running Speed Runes, but some people would rather run others and that’s understandable. Running GS and Sword/X is another great way to stay on target. Also hammer for the CC it brings.

Another thing people like to do which has been mentioned is use Sigil of Hydromancy and Ice. I personally never had the need to run them that much (much better sigils out there). However they will help you stay on target.

Empowering Might is nice to have. However I feel it works better if you’re running an AH build with it.

Justice is Blind on the other hand is one of the best minor traits to have imo. Every build I run I make sure to get it. An AoE blind is extremely powerful.

Age: 3,922 hours over the past 501 days.

Kills: 45,473

Deaths: 9,772, if you’re not dying you’re not trying! (Guessing PvP deaths also counts)

A bunch of other stuff, but it doesn’t really pertain to WvW.

I want Anet to buff Spirit Weapons, so we can have more AI!

In my view, nothing has really changed for guards that much. They are still in the same stagnant state. Not OP in anyway, but certainly not UP either. I still do tpvp and roam in wvw. I generally don’t have too many problems.

On the 17th they are doing a stream discussing upcoming balance changes. So pretty much have to wait and see what they have in store for guards.

As stated above I really wish we had more build diversity. Pretty much all builds use the same thing. 30 into Valor for AH or MF. Some type of x/x/x/30/30 build.

No Walking.6349:

Harbinger.8637:

Anet already stated ranks are going to stay.

Anyone have a link?

Hey Guys,

A week ago we were ready to cut ranks. Last week, due to our discussion on the CDI thread, we decided to keep them.

Right now we are trying to determine in what form we are going to keep ranks and how they should be balanced so attaining the rank of dragon is something that you have a reasonable chance of achieving and not a quest that you pass on to your children and your children’s children.

Because we agree with most of you that ranks are too difficult to attain and because it was a very easy change for us we also decided to give players a bonus to players in Solo and Team Arenas.

I’m sorry you didn’t get a response sooner but we didn’t want to jump the gun and say yes or no to this thread. What you are asking isn’t something that we can just turn on so it would have to come in a build later if we decide to do it. At the moment we don’t have a plan to retroactively award points for wins but many of you have brought up some interesting reasons for it so it is something we will take into consideration when we are discussing how to adjust ranks.

Thanks again for your feedback.

John

https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/pvp/pvp/Compensate-won-Solo-TeamQ-with-RankPoints/first

Anet already stated ranks are going to stay.

I commend you for this. I can tell a lot of work went into it. Need more people releasing guides such as this.

What they need to do, which was suggested before is make the Copper-Fed Salvage-o-Matic, usable in PvP. Make it cost 6 glory per salvage, that would roughly be the same cost of the 15 salvage for 100 glory.

I guess Anet doesn’t like money!

Watched most of the video. It’s not a bad or horrible build. However there are better options out there.

General weapon combos I’m fond of:

GS/Staff: This gives you great AoE damage and support. Better for team fights then 1v1.

Hammer/Staff: Similar to gs/staff, however you give up some damage for more CC.

GS/Sword+F: Great for sustain damage. Also offers the max amount of blinds.

M+T/Sword+F: Great for burst damage.

Only weapon I tend to stay away from is scepter. The auto attack is too slow and can be easily avoided, making it unreliable. Smite is decent, however it’s also easy to avoid. Shield can be used as an offhand, but I really wouldn’t recommend it in a dps build.

As for sigils:

GS/Staff and Hammer/Staff I use Sigil of Bloodlust and Energy.

GS/Sword+F I like to go for might stacking. With Sigil of Strength, Battle, and Bloodlust.

M+T/Sword+F is similar to the might stacking. However I’ll throw in a Sigil of Force.

kito.1827:

not to blame matchmaking

blame the lack of players.

Pretty much this. People complaining about premades in team arena is interesting. That’s the whole point of team arena. Which is why I don’t bother with team arena too much because I don’t have a team.

The match making is just pairing them up with the closest rated team. The reason why the gap is so big is because the lack of players. If you made the match making even more strict. GF would probably sit in a que for hours until they got a game.

I voted for Flock. OP attack birds.