Guild Wars 2

Not perma Aegis per say. You only get 1 aegis per second, technically you can get hit numerous times between each Aegis application.

This is what makes it overpowered:
-Aegis gives retaliation
Perma team retaliation
-Shattered Aegis: Aegis can hit up to 500 damage or 1k if it crits.
-Burn on block
-Aegis heals when it ends
In 3s that’s 3k heal
-Writ of Persistence: Symbols lasts 2 seconds
This just broke the game

Any variation of this is very much unbalanced, especially on a full guard team.

The closest you can get to this is Sanctuary. It used to be an elite that was a bigger bubble and lasted longer, until it became a utility skill instead.

In August of 2012 I got into an accident that left me handicapped for 6 months. I suffered a cranium fracture and became completely deaf in my right ear… I rather not explain the trauma I went through in recovery.

Viewing my TV screen made me nauseated. A monitor screen was easier to bare in small intervals, that’s about the time I got into GW 2. After the first week where my nausea settled down, I started playing religiously. The amount of time I played… Into the third month I must have been 7 ranks higher than the average PvP player. I was on less and less as I progressed; able to move around without stumbling and being completely disoriented.

Once I “recovered” and went back to work, I didn’t return to the game till 2014. Since then it’s become a stress reliever. Looking back at it all, the game was the best medicine that I had… well.. aside from Advil. I refused the hospital’s medication.

I agree with the OP completely. The game has been a medicine to me. Definitely a stress reliever while working in the oil field. People will never understand unless they experience (I hope they never ever, do) these things, and remedy themselves with a source suitable to them.
Whether that be through a video game or other form of socialites.

someone.7485:

@Justin: I am glad you keep trying to improve matchmaking and everything. However, a quick forum post before you do it would be nice. Just tell us what disruption you are expecting. I do not even care if you tell us what you are up to at that time, just nice to know what to expect.

I don’t think everyone would completely acknowledge that, being people will still post and complain three days after Justin made a post about it.
He could make 4-5 changes in an hour without us realizing it. He shouldn’t excessively post about each and every change.

Random Weird Guy.3528:

‘Thief at home in stealth’
‘Thief at far!’
‘No, he just came out of stealth at home.’
‘OUR thief is at far!’

#eyiaspvpadventures

I need to play with you guys or just hear in ts3 lol.

Confession:
At least 5 times I’ve given my team strategy away in /map chat… on accident.
/map “Oh just kidding!”
/Team “No but seriously..”

Confession #2
Skyhammer
Following my team partner. He jumps down a ledge. I follow 3 s behind to jump only there’s no glass…

Confession #3
My armor attire costs about 1600 gems.
I’ve spent 4k+ gems on just armor skins and finishers.. I’m troubled.

SilkySmooth.1574:

there is no way you will beat a good shout warrior with ur hybrid build. and with good i mean a warrior which knows how to fear a guards shelter.

and you also cant compare a condi engi to a condi guard. the engi heal + shields make engi already stronger then any gaurd build.

im not saying the build is bad. im just saying you cant say the gaurd build whitout any sustain is as good as any of the other hybrid builds. A good engi will run offpoint, stall for 10 sec and come back full hp where you as a gaurd cant do kitten. as in: you cant keep up with him, you cant outheal him, whitout cooldowns you cant reset the fight and will end up losing. same goes with shout warriors which can escape fights very easy and have a kittenton of cleanses.

Other warrior specs have beaten me but Not shout warriors… Point me to these shout warriors you think are good in 1v1 and I’ll duel them..

Even if this was a conquest scenario…. you’re saying shout warriors and engis can run away, stall for 10s then come back? This is completely unrealistic.

Good warriors peel away because they’ve been beaten, and return to mid or far or where ever people need help. That’s almost the same for any class who peels away. Who runs away from a point, waits 10s, then return on point to do it over again?

Crapgame.6519:

I think this is a moot point outside the trait being broken, if it is. I mean outside our discussion here has any of the developers said anything? Let us say it is working, how many condition based Guardians do you see running around? And even so with this fixed do you expect to see more?

I don’t. Not much survivability and other classes still do the job better.

The point is the trait is either not working at all, or it is working, but unnoticeably so. If it’s the latter then power builds do retaliation better… so there’s no reason to trait for it.
I rather not have a broken grand master trait, regardless if it ever gets utilized.

You’d be surprised how often build composition and Rotations play a role.
If you’re roaming with three people from node to node, downing 1 or two people… odds are the other team is rotating around that zerg… even though it feels like you’re doing work.

Rotations play a bigger role than how good you are with your build. Peeling away from a zerg to uncontest a territory does more for your team than your whole team fighting in mid and risking a wipe.

If they do give us a bow, it’ll be a short bow that has a similiar skill set as our Spirit Bow. Just like our off hand shield and spirit shield…

1. AA faster than the scepter, half the damage. 900 range
2. Barrage location with arrows, healing the area. 5s duration. Channeling: 3s 1200 range. 30s cd
3. (3x) cleansing arrow that cures 3 conditions on yourself and allies. 40s cd
4. Instantly pull targets towards you with a grasping arrow. 15s
5. (Ward) Shoot a slow arcing, blue flamed arrow. Foes struck burn. Allies struck gain 2s regen. Arrow falls to the ground making blue flames in a 120 radius for 2s. Foes caught are burned. Allies inside gain regen 2s.

^ You forgot the underated Wrathful Spirits: Grants retaliation when Aegis ends. Works with your team if you apply Aegis.

Prepatch, Radiant Retaliation doesn’t buff retaliation much at all… spending points for more retaliation damage to match 2k power users, is a complete waste of traits… At least thats how it was before patch…

Change “Radiant Retaliation” to turn Retaliation into physical damage. F1 Virtue of Justice just got a whole lot sweeter

mPascoal.4258:

Saiyan.1704:

Gotcha the build is for WvW. Indeed it’s not in the Ranked PvP tab.

However, in Ranked PvP there are still condi engi, and several condi rangers builds listed as “Great”.
What’s funny is even Condi Warriors got into the “Good” builds when their condition application is 2x less than a guardians… but that could have been the popularity of the build itself; a lot of people voting for it at the time.

My point is, condi guard is most definitely more viable than a warrior’s condi spec. Condi guards can beat these “Great” specs but the build itself isn’t listed.

Warrior condi application is 2x less than a Guardians …. LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

Warriors have bleeds on AA, Torment on #4 of Sword, far better Torment than any Guardians get, they get burning, they even have a low CD elite to proc Krait runes, an elite that also helps because of 5 might stacks … They also have acess to criple and immo in the build.

Please get your info straigth before mentioning it …

…. Condition Application. Not the number of different conditions they have in their skillset… sorry to confuse you.

The warrior’s, easily cleansing fire condi is hardly something to brag about… if you think the warrior’s condition skillset out damages a guard’s constant burning upkeep, then you’re sadly mistaken.
If so then point me to this warrior so I can duel him/her.

Shanks.2907:

Saiyan.1704:

I think these type builds should be in the same league as condi engi, ranger, and other similar builds.

There is no way a medicondi guardian can match up against the survival condi ranger. In both condition output and sustain it is superior in every way. Entangle alone puts it on another level. I don’t know how you can mix up it up with a top tier instead of putting it where it belongs with condi mesmers and eles like Keksmuffin mentioned earlier.

I don’t see many of these, condi-surviving rangers in 4v4/5v5 type zerg scenarios. They are usually point defenders or roamers. Same for condi engi’s and thieves. They all usually sit on point waiting for a 1v1 or 2v2 to happen (low tier tpvp).
High tier, everyone’s celestials. That’s a different topic all together and isn’t considered condition builds.

I’m not saying condi builds are top tier “Meta” builds.. or even close to the top tier “Meta” list on metabattle. That goes into the realm of Celestial builds. I’m saying it sure is a lot better than warrior, thief, and other mediocre builds listed under “Good” condition/hybrid builds on metabattle.

SilkySmooth.1574:

Saiyan.1704:

Keksmuffin.1450:

Saiyan.1704:

I think these type builds should be in the same league as condi engi, ranger, and other similar builds. Unless those specs got a 3 score too… which I doubt. Even though the spec itself isn’t my play style, the build itself is on par with zerk meds in terms of consistency.

I’ll get on the site and vote, for the simple fact that condi excels against other builds that Zerk Meds have trouble with. That in itself is worth a higher grade.

EDITED
Oh and try playing with geomancy + torment sigs. It does more damage in groups as apposed to a single condi condition; doom or Earth.

Condi thief freekills condi engis while zerker thief is pretty much countered by them. Does that mean condi thief is viable now?

Are you saying condi Engi’s are viable? Curious because you used it as an example. If they are then so are condi guards (62600 sw/t sc/f) since there both technically play the same roles in conquest.

You’re right about torment I miss read the toolbar >.<
My mistake!

condi engi’s have been meta since, ever?
just because of this comment i assume you play hotjoin or maby unranked. playing a build that does well in hotjoin doesnt make it meta, or even close to meta. and yes. i have played this build the day after april 2014, after the 33% burn buff. i have played and tested every single possible hybrid build(bullet can approve this, he hates my whispers:D). none of the hybrid builds work as solid as zerg with 4 in virtues.
even if my favorite build is 2/6/6 full zerg dps which i love to 1 shot ppl with, you cant a good sustain build.
so i think it would be nice if ppl would say at which level they play their builds, so it will prevent these useless discussions about proving whos right or wrong.

The question was rhetorical. My point was that if condi engi’s are viable, then so are condi guards. Specifically my build, in a previous thread.

As for experiences I’ve played in king of the hill against top players and continuously duel. I’ve beaten players whove won esl tournaments.
That’s just the 1v1 aspect if it.

As for conquest, I only play tpvp/spvp. My issues are the same for any condi roamer-type class.

Gotcha the build is for WvW. Indeed it’s not in the Ranked PvP tab.

However, in Ranked PvP there are still condi engi, and several condi rangers builds listed as “Great”.
What’s funny is even Condi Warriors got into the “Good” builds when their condition application is 2x less than a guardians… but that could have been the popularity of the build itself; a lot of people voting for it at the time.

My point is, condi guard is most definitely more viable than a warrior’s condi spec. Condi guards can beat these “Great” specs but the build itself isn’t listed.

I’ve noticed Guardian has absolutely no condi specs listed on their front page: Guardian – PvP – Ranked profile. I thought for sure a 6/2/6/0/0 build was listed… but there isnt.

My biggest issue is this:
http://metabattle.com/wiki/Build:Guardian_-_Meditation_Roamer
How is this “roamer” build any more superior to a 6/2/6/0/0 1v1/2v2 build?
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fVAQRAsf7dlsApaolDxbI8DNR8QZ1IUdAUAP61/wMkDA-TJRHwABeCAILDA4kAEa/BA

The above build is on par with Condi Engi, Condi Ranger and definitely Condi Thief. I’ve dueled these classes numerous times in koth and tpvp, I’ve been called op yet they’ve made the “Good Builds” cut.

I wanted to discuss the Guardian “Roamer” build before posting my own on metabattle… but after looking at the Guardian metabattle builds, and knowing similiar 1v1 builds from other classes made the “Good” list, I’m going to make a guide+video regardless.

Keksmuffin.1450:

Saiyan.1704:

I think these type builds should be in the same league as condi engi, ranger, and other similar builds. Unless those specs got a 3 score too… which I doubt. Even though the spec itself isn’t my play style, the build itself is on par with zerk meds in terms of consistency.

I’ll get on the site and vote, for the simple fact that condi excels against other builds that Zerk Meds have trouble with. That in itself is worth a higher grade.

EDITED
Oh and try playing with geomancy + torment sigs. It does more damage in groups as apposed to a single condi condition; doom or Earth.

Condi thief freekills condi engis while zerker thief is pretty much countered by them. Does that mean condi thief is viable now?

Are you saying condi Engi’s are viable? Curious because you used it as an example. If they are then so are condi guards (62600 sw/t sc/f) since there both technically play the same roles in conquest.

You’re right about torment I miss read the toolbar >.<
My mistake!

I think these type builds should be in the same league as condi engi, ranger, and other similar builds. Unless those specs got a 3 score too… which I doubt. Even though the spec itself isn’t my play style, the build itself is on par with zerk meds in terms of consistency.

I’ll get on the site and vote, for the simple fact that condi excels against other builds that Zerk Meds have trouble with. That in itself is worth a higher grade.

EDITED
Oh and try playing with geomancy + torment sigs. It does more damage in groups as apposed to a single condi condition; doom or Earth.

zinkz.7045:

Arena doesn’t work as an e-sport, it is too simplistic and too low skilled

If you’re talking about this game’s pvp then I’m questioning your knowledge of it. The game, with such build diversity, is so complicated that there are numerous more Bad players than good ones regardless if they have a meta build.

Anet wanted to add an aoe damaging condi sigil compared to 1v1 Sig of earth/doom.

It still does less damage than both, especially Doom sigils. It’s basically a weaker Geomancy for people wanting two aoe condi sigils in 4v4/5v5 type zergs.

I see nothing wrong with it… other than the fact that full condi teams just got a big damage buff in zergs.
They kinda needed it, imo, but we’ll see.

Define OP

3v3/4v4 zergs?
1v1/2v2 groups?

1v1/2v2 Category
Most Condi builds, phanta (some shatter) builds, spirit rangers, Minionmancer’s, knight wars w/ intel sigs,
spirit rangers, few celes eles.

3v3/4v4/5v5
Most Celestial builds, sustain builds, shout builds,
Any build that complements one another.

Some people may not know so right on.

Also Torch #4 has 3 burn procs.
The initial burn, when the burn ends, and when you throw it. During your throw’s cast bar, the flame on you still ends to cause burning.

Cleansing Flame isn’t a projectile and can’t be reflected.
#bluefireOP

In my experiences the counters to burn guards are

-Most Diamond Skin Ele’s
With GS you might do enough damage to pierce their 90% threshold, If not, this is the single biggest hard counter we have. It’s not even funny

-Classes high in condi cleanses
Assuming they know you’re a condi guard… most don’t thus you’ll easily outplay them

-“Very” good Medi Guards
not all can use their condi cleanses…

-Some Condi Engi’s and Turret Engis
-Hambow Warriors or equivalent Knights build
-Some Minion Necros
-Some Spirit Rangers
-Some Condi Rangers
-Some Thieves Very rare but can still get outplayed…

The overall condi guard spec is a 50/50 win against the above. If they know every single thing about your build, and they have 4 condi cleanses or more, odds are you’re going to get outplayed.

GS vs Sword Torch
One does more raw Groups damage, the other is for smaller group 1v1/2v2
The main issue about going head to head against a team is that any condition you apply first, will get cleansed right away.
It’s why no one likes using condi in zerg fests. That goes for every single 1v1 condi spec, including condi engi’s, condi rangers, etc.

EDITED
Constructive feedback appreciated!
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/guardian/Vid-Light-s-Condi-Guard-SPvP-1v1/first#post4738627

Vid Walkthrough Continued
The beginning Spvp portion is mainly focused on my condition tick damage and techniques used. Its why i’ve recorded some boring, below average, aspects in the beginning. Even mediocre play like getting my Zealot’s #3 and Torch #4 reflected back on me :P

Notable rotations: Weapon switched the Guard and downed thief. Followed through on guard with Flashing Blade + Torch #4 for an instant proc.

The few people in the beginning video are below average with the exception of one or two. This is usually how most of the population in spvp/tpvp have been, lately.

Slowed down certain parts to emphasize my condi damage, as well as strategy, as seen in the first portion and end portion of the video. First portion shows me blocking numerous attacks, giving me a Might stack of 14, pushing my Burn damage to 1k ticks.

Against the Elementalists; my strategy is working around their Water cleansing attunements, blocking many hit skills for burns and might stacks, and keeping distance when i can. After Water Attunement I usually pop Rune of Krait and follow up with a condi burst.
Cooldowns willing.

Tron.3471:

Agreed! Shield is a worthless weapon and no amount of CD reduction will change the fact that the 4 and 5 skills are just awful. There still is no reason to ever equip one on a guardian. Its a real shame.

I use one with my hammer build. The extra knockback makes for a nice hammer chain… that’s about it :p

Apart from that, the shield is no where near its potential; every other weapon is just better. It needed a “Shield skills grants Aegis” trait :/

My second ever GW2 Video!!

Enjoy!

Video Walkthrough
00:00 – 3:42 – SPvP
Examples of engagement against very little cleanses, no cds, or they didn’t know I was conditions.
Players seen considered average.

3:43 – onward – Dueling
3:43 – 4:30
Power Ranger Twice
(The fights became 50/50 once he switched to Condi build.)

4:32 – 5:00
Shatter Mesmer

5:00 – 5:42
D/D Celes x/x/x/6/6

5:43 – Finish
D/Focus Celes x/x/x/6/6

My Build
http://tinyurl.com/njtpkb7

I’m very glad it’s 5v5 instead of anything bigger. On paper stronghold sounds very awesome. I don’t care much for WvW but this sounds like a 5v5 WvW with conquest mixed in. I can dig it.

If it doesn’t to you because of 6 less players on a map then stick with WvW zerg fiesta.

The Meta 21614
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fVAQNAR7dlsApaolDxbI8DVR8QlZd8i2UVAgz1/QQkDA-TpBFwACeAAOOIA12fYxRAoaZAAXAAA

You can switch a couple traits, sigils or even the rune and go strength runes 00644, for more sustain but you’ll lose damage.

21614 is what the majority prefers.

Everyone knows how much damage spirit weapons do when people eat every hit and burn proc…they’re not very popular because they die all too easily in groups.
Ridiculously easy.

Any condi class can rekt shop if people don’t cleanse…. not a single person in that video (only watched half) did a single cleanse. The one that did was an Engi and it was a 2v1/3v1 fight against him.

I’m glad you’re having fun with the build and all but it’s far from revolutionary
/endcritic
Nice spirit build regardless. It’s better than most in wvw.

Rashy.4165:

Zanthrax.6538:

I never understood the QQ about this, they went from a system where you buy your traits….to a system where you can buy OR unlock your traits and people are complaining? I don’t understand….just unlock them with ingame gold if you don’t like PvE. JUST as it was before.

To buy the traits previously costed about 3-5g tops. You purchased an entire Tier of traits at a time. Purchase the tier, have access to all traits freely. Refunding traits costed money, but it wasn’t really all that bad.

To buy the traits now requires a total of 43g AND 360 Skill points. By the time you’re level 80 playing normally, you’ll have maybe 200 skill points depending on how many challenges you did, and anywhere between 20-40g from drops. Problem is, you’ll be using skill points to unlock skills before purchasing traits. Playing normally to level 80 won’t give you many unlocked traits, due to the arbitrary nature of the unlock requirements.

The best part? You have to repeat the whole process on EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER YOU CREATE.

That’s the problem.

runeblade.7514:

All you needed to do is buy a minimum of 7 traits, every other traits are optional and cosmetic.

7 Traits for one build. ArenaNet has said that they want to allow for free experimentation of builds. You can’t do that with 7 traits. Free experimentation means having all 65 traits, and no, experimenting in PvP does not count for PvE. Some professions only have one meta build, but others have many different depending on the situation. 7 Traits will not let you switch freely between these different situations/playstyles.

The thing is, people WILL experiment and grind for gold/traits/skills.They’re obviously have it set up like this for a plethora of beneficial reasons. In a way you’re going to be grinding towards a build, not just a boss/puzzles/items/gold etc.

The current traits and skills are boring to get at the moment.

Absolutely.

Imagine > moba < character that has a trait set exactly like your gw2 character. Guardian, thief, etc.
Instead of items to buy, you have to build catapults and units instead. You’re either a really good pvper, or darn good at making a horde of minions to fight with you. Either ways you’re going to need a mixture of both (or composition of both… 1 person equipment gatherer 1 person minions, etc.

If they do this right it could be quite awesome.

I recommend this build.
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fVAQJAWRl0ApKoFBxMI8DNh8gkV9qnE4x15eVD-TpBFABCcIAA+CAswDAAqyAAcEAmb/BA

Warning
The build is Very High maintenance.

Signet of Resolve is the very last heal you should use. Your first is either Bow of Truth for your spirit weapons, followed by Empower (use when bow is on command, if health is low)

Empower + Whirling Wrath is a great burst damage. But always play defensively when using staff. Pretend you’re a thief running away until you can use Staff #2, #4 then weapon switch into a whirl.

You’re Always on the defensive if your spirit weapons are gone. You should be tanki enough to last for 20s for another spirit weapon summon + Empower for heals + your main emergency heal as last resort (use at half health)

Everything else is Hammer Command followed by Swords Command

It’s not for everyone due to high maintenance, but good luck!

messiah.1908:

Booms.2594:

messiah.1908:

i see so many not tested qq on this build
1v1 it works better than medzerk
2v2 also work better with aoe burning poison and bleed
3v3 the same

where it isnt shine when its 2v1 so medzerk can put faster and harder burst dmg
or when you need to kill down ppl fast

not true its weaker 1v1 and only better in VERY FEW 2v2s (so worse overall) and way worse in 3v3

Maybe it’s you as for me it works wonder and faster in some cases where the med zerk will has problems like dd ele bunker guard engi etc…

Booms if you meant that Medi Zerk works better overall vs a condi guard build, I’d have to agree with messiah… unless you were talking to the previous guy’s build.

My explanation as to why:
Condi against classes with 4+ condi each is likely to get countered. Med Zerks are the best examples, assuming they know you’re a condi guard. People with <= 3 cleanses, or 3 single condi cleanses, give little to no issues.
Thats the majority of people playing in spvp/tpvp.

Yet, we’re talking about two completely different builds and playing styles. Zerk meds will do “Ok” in 1v1 and “Good” against head-to-head 4v4/5v5 Zergfest scenarios.
They’re “ok” in any team composition actually. It’s why the build is the most popular Meta.

Condi guards will do “Great” in 1v1 and “Ok” in 4v4/5v5 team compositions. Team cleanses are about the same but just slightly favoring Absolute Resolution vs Torch #5.
(And/or if you go Purging Flames)
Making condi work in 4v4/5v5 zerg fests takes a lot more timing and skill for a condi guard to not suck.

TL/DR
Saying zerks do overall better is definitely not true. When every other glassy class in spvp and tpvp are more susceptible to conditions. A Zerk cant roamer/assault-defend nearly as well as a Condi can.
Defending said location and Roaming to decap is 50% of the game.
(Assuming one point is contested)

Black Box.9312:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fVAQRAsd7flsApcoNDxbI8DNR8QZ1IUdAMBP61/wMkDA-TJRHwAf2fAZZABnEAAPBAA

The idea is to take advantage of Amplified Wrath (which is pretty unbalanced IMO) and the carrion amulet to reach ~800 dmg/sec burn ticks, and then start stacking power. The setup works by getting in as many hits as quickly as possible to maximize the output of VoJ’s passive. Enemies will either assume you’re zerker and not pay attention to the burning, or they’ll see the 800 damage burn ticks and be so focused on condi clear that they’ll fail to realize that you’re killing them with direct damage from your 2k power attacks. Doom sigil acts as kind of the nail in the coffin by countering sustain (with a little added DPS as a bonus).

So many people are focused on the “condi guardian” hype train that they’re missing the point entirely. Stacking bleeds and going full condition damage isn’t going to be as effective because none of the guardian’s skills and traits complement conditions other than burning in any way. You’re much better off combining the burning potential with direct damage output to apply more pressure on the enemy in less time.

Thank you for your post sir. Regardless of what build comes my way i’m always optimistic. Else I’ll never learn! If nothing else the build can be effective in other ways.

Before I Carry On:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fVAQRAsf7dlsApaolDxbI8DNR8QZ1IUdAUAP61/wMkDA-TJRHwABOJAILDA4JAEa/BA
This is my build that I’ve been using for quite awhile before discovering the hybrid trait line was considered meta… and a hybrid >.< :p
I respectfully got it from someone else who was 3x better than me (at that time!) Thankfully I’ve been dueling since and improved greatly! Eclipse <3

First Main Differences
My burst is every 10s.
With Flashing Blade or Judges Intervention + swap, it’s a near guarantee burn, bleed poison or 838 + 308 + 205 = 1351 dmg per sec per 4s. Afterwards is the remainder 14s bleeds and 3s poison.
Until 4s worth of initial burn runs out or they cleanse it.
Picked Shattered Aegis for the added damage + burn.

Let me emphasis that this is the first two weapon swaps:
1) Judges Intervention
2) flashing blade
There is no definite rotation.. meaning you can do this for a warrior (before they pop stances) but you definitely don’t want to use this rotation on a Absolute Resolution Medi Guardian… that expects it XD
Every class is different.. you can get hard countered by Medi Guards but they’re still beatable. I don’t recommend facing them in mid until after the fact (see last paragraph)

Secondary Build Differences
Rune of Krait gives about 4k worth of damage. By the time I get to it, no one has enough cleanses because (like you said) no one expects a burn guard… let alone something like rune of krait.

Off record (jk put it on) I’ve downed 3x 30% people in mid while using Judge’s Intervention + Rune of Krait after my team wiped.

It’s an insane power blast if used at the right time. I of course downed them all while getting downed myself… for some reason a guardian running at you from a distance, bent over, is kind of noticeable… i’m sure they had no idea what i was doing lol!

Exedore.6320:

From the Massively HoT Article

Stronghold, a new PvP game mode, was a particular focus during our conversation. According to Johanson, Stronghold was developed as a way to offer a more dynamic PvP experience that’s as fun to watch as it is to play — even for non-PvP players. “You might be somebody who’s not as good at killing enemy players,” he says, “but the thing that you love is gathering supplies, hiring troops, and trying to get them to the stronghold.” Stronghold will give players more roles to play in PvP and ensure those roles are fluid throughout the progression of a match. Match times and team sizes aren’t nailed down, but it sounds as though they’ll be quicker rather than longer and will fall somewhere within the current PvP skirmish size.

Thanks for posting that. It sounds like Anet’s take on a moba style gameplay… mixing mini wvw with conquest objectives. I have to admit it sounds sexy on paper.

tichorum.2415:

ArrDee.2573:

Hang gliders! New profession specialization! Those seem really cool!
PvP changes seem bad! Even with the new specializations and the new class and the effect it will have on the meta, the game mode will still be boring, old, stale, un-esports conquest! Meanwhile the new game mode is even less PvP than conquest! It’s practically PvE! Where are the arenas! Where is true PvP!
Oh wellz! Back to the Killing Floor 2 hype! CSGO until it comes out!

Wahoo! Bye frands!

No healers = no arenas. Wont ever happen.

Don’t you ever say that again. If you want to empty your pockets every month to a stale old fashion mmo then go back to “Thou Shall Not Be Named” game.

Regardless… you’ve obviously never made a cleric x/x/6/6/x guardian… I want a 2v2 game mode so bad I could punch kittens.

Viking Jorun.5413:

Saiyan.1704:

Viking Jorun.5413:

I have 18 characters and have been in and out of actively playing the past several months, however I’m constantly finding that I’m switching classes more than actually playing the game, especially in PvP. I started the game as a warrior, but as of now the class has become incredibly mundane and I’m unable to conjure up a remotely interesting build that’s effective in the least. Perhaps someone could enlighten me, and maybe help find a love for a single class again?

…and I know that classes are getting a bit of a refresher in the upcoming expansion, however this fact won’t help for the foreseeable future while we’re waiting.

Thanks in advance!

Silly question but have you tried every top meta build’s (or non meta) for every class? I’ve seen a power necro down two people in kittens, tankable thieves and Engi’s more frustrating than swallowing gum.

I recently made a rifle kit engi that’s very fun, quickly turning into my second favorite class.

I have. I’ve just found that certain classes (meta builds, more specifically) either have uninteresting mechanics, seem incredibly spammy, or lack viability in PvP formats. I’d love to find a build for a class which either requires a lot of skill to pull off or gives said illusion. It’s not a question of doing well with a class, it’s more a matter of enjoying the feel of it, which nothing is giving so far in my attempts to come back actively.

I think kit engi (non turret/crate) is one of the highest skill classes out their. Only because there’s no definite rotation to them, not like a might stacking ele build. You have to time each skill on the kit yourself since there’s no 10s countdown on the left side like most classes have. Engi’s are easy to get into, but hard to master.

A class I would put close second with are thieves. Not everyone is a good thief; you can’t just spam whatever you want without consequence.

With 18chars you’ve probably tried it all. Hope I helped a little brother. GL!

I wish there were more apparent cast bars with visual skill names on enemy players.

With a game that’s so huge on counter play and reaction time, I expected these cast-time visual sfx to be better… or on par with other mmos. Instead we’re forced to look under each individual enemy’s avatar.

Viking Jorun.5413:

I have 18 characters and have been in and out of actively playing the past several months, however I’m constantly finding that I’m switching classes more than actually playing the game, especially in PvP. I started the game as a warrior, but as of now the class has become incredibly mundane and I’m unable to conjure up a remotely interesting build that’s effective in the least. Perhaps someone could enlighten me, and maybe help find a love for a single class again?

…and I know that classes are getting a bit of a refresher in the upcoming expansion, however this fact won’t help for the foreseeable future while we’re waiting.

Thanks in advance!

Silly question but have you tried every top meta build’s (or non meta) for every class? I’ve seen a power necro down two people in kittens, tankable thieves and Engi’s more frustrating than swallowing gum.

I recently made a rifle kit engi that’s very fun, quickly turning into my second favorite class.

Black Box.9312:

Saiyan.1704:

Black Box.9312:

Saiyan.1704:

Mikau.6920:

I tried a condi/hybrid guard and its worthless, you lose both dps and resistance. If they add at least one dmg contion to the class, thne maybe can work.

Not sure how you can call one of the best 1v1 specs in the game worthless. The best spec is 62600 sc/focus sw/torch carrion krait runes. I’ve had top players, including eles and warriors of all builds, call it OP in that area.

If the build isn’t for you then no prob, it isn’t for everyone. Don’t let a l2p issue tell you it’s worthless when it isnt.

lol krait runes.

Don’t run krait runes on a guardian.

You will when you realize it’s the only way to beat certain specs. It’s thee best 1v1 rune. Thieves absolutely hate the rune. Foxible banned it in koth, he lifted the ban, and instead banned condi guards.

I can guarantee you that I can beat whatever specs you’re referring to with flame legion runes and doom sigils instead.

And also deal more DPS.

I’m always willing to admit that there’s a better build than mine or a better player. The latter of which is definitely true :P

Mind posting your build or shooting me an email? I’d like to duel you sometime too!

Black Box.9312:

Saiyan.1704:

Mikau.6920:

I tried a condi/hybrid guard and its worthless, you lose both dps and resistance. If they add at least one dmg contion to the class, thne maybe can work.

Not sure how you can call one of the best 1v1 specs in the game worthless. The best spec is 62600 sc/focus sw/torch carrion krait runes. I’ve had top players, including eles and warriors of all builds, call it OP in that area.

If the build isn’t for you then no prob, it isn’t for everyone. Don’t let a l2p issue tell you it’s worthless when it isnt.

lol krait runes.

Don’t run krait runes on a guardian.

You will when you realize it’s the only way to beat certain specs. It’s thee best 1v1 rune. Thieves absolutely hate the rune. Foxible banned it in koth, he lifted the ban, and instead banned condi guards.

Mikau.6920:

I tried a condi/hybrid guard and its worthless, you lose both dps and resistance. If they add at least one dmg contion to the class, thne maybe can work.

Not sure how you can call one of the best 1v1 specs in the game worthless. The best spec is 62600 sc/focus sw/torch carrion krait runes. I’ve had top players, including eles and warriors of all builds, call it OP in that area.

If the build isn’t for you then no prob, it isn’t for everyone. Don’t let a l2p issue tell you it’s worthless when it isnt.

Lachanche.6859:

HOWEVER, i was talking about an even more specific situation, a situation where someone from your team stubbornly keeps going far, he doesn’t care whether your team already has 2 points or if his presence is needed elsewhere, he just wants to win that duel with the far holder and he loses everytime.

This is something you should never do regardless of whatever.

This.
If I can go far, win a 1v1 (or 1v2) and cap a node, I’m going to keep doing it until something changes. If I lose one time, I never roam far again unless it’s strategically in my best interests.

Sometimes I’ll get a bad thief and I’m forced to do his job; roam and decap points… I’m a guardian without speed runes and I Far-Point-Assault better than 90% of players on my team :/

Siva Mira.3546:

Completely biased.
How many skills in the game can remove more than one condition?
How many skills in the game that apply 3 conditions?
3 conditions on top of many other conditions = good luck counter play that.
Balthazar rune is broken on Engi.

I’m very bias.
The main reason I use Krait is because it can obliterate d/d cele eles. My 2s invulnerable elite is very noticeable… If the rune becomes dodgeable or blockable then I’m screwed..

The rune wouldn’t be unique otherwise… there would be no reason using it against higher tier teams.

If people are able to dodge it, it’ll be completely useless.
-3 condis can be easily cleansed = counter play
-Already has a very limited range = counter play
-It’s not immune to “Invulnerable” effects = counter play

Balthazar rune’s burn on healing is very much dodgeable… we all know how terrible that rune can be if you’re only counting on its burning application.

He’s basically trading 100pts in Zeal for more Stability utilities in Virtues. Otherwise you would treat the build as the usual Zerk meta; staff is only really useful if you’re running altruistic healing. If not, stay with 1 handers and hammer/gs.

This build, if your using stability correctly, can be very strong when stomping warriors, rangers and guardians.

Chukree.1756:

Your leader board is ridiculous and undermines any form of competitive plays. It’s a farm board, where loses means kitten even. Take a look at my current rank. Only guy in the top with a win % at 88. My wins are far more superior than any current player on the leaderboard, and my loses are very few, meaning that my rank points shouldn’t have been deducted in any way. People with the same wins and a shocking multiplication of 5 times in losses, have, for some ridiculous reason, more points than I do. I have even experienced people getting points for their loses on the leaderboard. It’s a joke. Not feeling a need to be rude, I just think that is inevitable.

Unfortunately, people who participate more, are going to earn more points. If you’re inactive for three days, you’re going to miss points. There is no catering for casuals who play only 3 games a day, or 1 game every three days.
For a season thats on 24/7, I want a rank booster of some sort for not participated for X amount of time.

Phantom’s Hood
Phalanx Shoulders
Zodiac Heavy Warplate
Flame Legion Gauntlets
Zodiac Heavy Legplates
Zodiac Heavy Warboots

Foefire’s Essence ^.^

Phantom’s Hood
Phalanx Shoulders
Zodiac Heavy Warplate
Flame Legion Gauntlets
Zodiac Heavy Legplates
Zodiac Heavy Warboots

Foefire’s Essence

Gear shield and Pry Bar op now? …let me add this to my list of op items next to Eviscerate and Luis Suarez’s teeth…

I’ll reiterate what you all have been saying, since everyone is technically right.

SPvP/TPvP is casual for experienced players but not for newer players. The PvP skill level is high. Failing in SPvP isn’t exactly as forgiving as it is in PvE and WvW.

New players would greatly benefit if their class had 4 predefined build sets that’s accessible through build editor. Skill levels and weaknesses could be listed for these builds as well. For example, a build could say, “Has little condition cleanses but very mobile”, etc.

No one knows about Metabuild sites unless they are told… even if they knew, casuals don’t want to take the time to view the site and learn. It’s why they’re casuals.

The SPvP scene has very little casual play, or replay value, for inexperienced players.

Siva Mira.3546:

It is the game mode.

Every Tournament game mode is the same.

-Three Nodes to capture.
(Extremely simple to grasp)

-Something that effects these Nodes
(treb/stillness/tranquility)

The game mechanics… along with its pvp cheststyle ways, is what makes this game ever so complicated. Even pvp players don’t fully grasp it

Example
I roam far all game… 1v1 and cap the node. Wiped due to a double respawn. 1v1’d again and capped a node. A player from mid leaves to 2v2 me at far. I wipe.
I respawn and a team member decides to follow me at far.
Yelled in map chat that he’s not needed at far, but mid or home instead. We start arguing about me continually dying at far, we need mid, etc etc. A second team member argues against me.
(all the while we’ve had mid and home… but later lose mid)

After we both wiped, I continued to pressure far and 1v1 and decapping it efficiently. Every time my team members looked up, they probably saw me dying or respawning. What they didn’t know was that the hunter I continually rolled died twice as much as I did. My pressure at far always brought two people there, giving my team a better chance. Hardly anyone roamed to our home. My actions helped my team tremendously.

This is why commentators have a hard time keeping up. They talk about the game as a whole. They can’t focus on both, far and home and mid. They talk about rotations, score board, which node just got taken, and stillness/tranq/treb/lord.

What Tournaments need
Tournament highlights. The NFL has it after every football game. We never hear about a “special move” that Wakkey did at far or Phantaram 1v2ing home. No replay video of how Abjured captured three nodes, nearly winning round two in the tournament. There’s never talk about strategies used.

More excitement must be had!