Guardian WvW | Large Group Staff, Hammer | Defender Frontline AH Guardian
Table of Contents
Summary
Basic Frontline Support / Tank Guardian that provides a ton of support for you & your Zerg and survivability to withstand the hardest encounters in WvW.
I. Weapons and Skills
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- 0Retaliation: 5 s
- 0Retaliation: 5 s
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- Flash of LightDetonate the orb to heal nearby allies. Orb of Light takes 4 times longer to recharge.Damage: 222Healing: 788Radius: 240Range: 1,200
- 0Retaliation: 5 s
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- 0Retaliation: 5 s
- 0Retaliation: 5 s
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- 0Retaliation: 5 s
- 0Retaliation: 5 s
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- 0Retaliation: 5 s
- 0Retaliation: 5 s
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- 0Retaliation: 5 s
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- 0Retaliation: 5 s
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- 0Retaliation: 5 s
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- 0Retaliation: 5 s
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- 0Retaliation: 5 s
Weapon and Skill Details
Hold the Line can be swapped for Wall of Reflection for a better defense from ranged DPS classes.
Hold the Line can also be swapped for Judge´s Intervention if you need a big leap to quickly engage the enemy Zerg or Group.
Traits
Honor
- Vigorous PrecisionGain 5 seconds of vigor when you deliver a critical hit. This effect has a 10 second internal cooldown.
- Invigorated BulwarkGain increased healing power, each worth up to 50 attribute points (based on effective level) for a period of time each time you block an attack while wielding a mace. Stacks up to 10 times. Mace abilities have 20% reduced recharge.
- Protective ReviverActivate a shield of absorption when you begin reviving an ally (24 second internal cooldown). Upon successful revival, you and each ally gain aegis, protection , and regeneration for 10 seconds.
- Protector’s ImpactCreate a symbol of protection when you take falling damage. You take 50% less damage when falling.
- Selfless Daringhe end of your dodge roll heals nearby allies.
- Honorable StaffBoon duration is increased while wielding a staff. Staff abilities have 20% reduced recharge.
- Pure of HeartAegis heals when it blocks an attack.
- Empowering MightYou and nearby allies gain 5 seconds of might when you land a critical hit.
- Purity of BodyYour virtue of resolve passive effect also regenerates endurance by 15%.
- Pure of VoiceAllies affected by shouts have 1 condition converted into a boon. Shout abilities have their recharge reduced by 20%.
- Writ of PersistenceSymbol s last 2 seconds longer, are larger, and heal allies.
- Force of WillYour vitality is increased by up to 300 points, based on effective level. Healing effectiveness to other allies is increased on a percentage of your vitality. You gain 1% per 100 points of vitality (including base vitality).
Valor
- Valorous DefenseGain aegis for 5 seconds when you are struck while below 50% health.
- Strength of the FallenLose 1 condition every 10 seconds. Health degenerates 33% more slowly while downed.
- Smiter’s BoonSmite conditions when you use a healing ability.
- Focus MasteryGain 4 seconds of protection when using a focus ability. Focus abilities have a 20% reduced recharge.
- Courageous ReturnVirtue of courage is fully recharged when you revive an ally or when you rally. This effect has a 30 second internal cooldown.
- Stalwart DefenderGain 180 additional toughness while wielding a shield. Shield abilities have 20% reduced recharge.
- Strength in NumbersNearby allies gain up to 150 bonus toughness, based on your effective level. 600 radius.
- Communal DefensesGrant 5 seconds of aegis to allies when you block an attack.
- Might of the ProtectorGain 2 stacks of might for 15 seconds when you block an attack. This ability has a 1 second internal cooldown.
- Altruistic HealingApplying a boon to allies also heals you.
- Monk’s FocusUsing a meditation skill heals you and grants 4 seconds of fury to allies in a radius. Meditation skills have 20% reduced recharge.
- Retributive ArmorGain up to 250 bonus toughness (based on effective level) when blocking an attack. Gain ferocity based on 13% of your current toughness.
Virtues
- Inspired VirtueVirtues apply the following boons to allies when activated: Justice: 3 stacks of might for 5 seconds. Resolve: 5 seconds of regeneration. Courage: 5 seconds of protection.
- Unscathed ContenderDeal 20% more damage while under the effects of aegis.
- Retaliatory SubconsciousGain 3 seconds of retaliation and 4 seconds of aegis when stunned, dazed, knocked back, pulled, knocked down, sunk, floated, launched, taunted or inflicted with fear.
- Master of ConsecrationsConsecrations last 20% longer and have 20% reduced recharge.
- Virtue of RetributionGain retaliation for 3 seconds when you activate a virtue. Retaliation you applies lasts 25% longer.
- Supreme JusticeVirtue of Justice causes burning with 3 strikes instead of 5. When activating virtue of justice, burning duration is increased by 1 second.
- Absolute ResolutionActivating virtue of resolve removes 3 conditions from nearby allies. Virtue of Resolve’s passive effect is stronger.
- Glacial HeartCritical hits with hammer chill enemies for 3 seconds. Hammer abilities have 20% reduced recharge.
- Power of the VirtuousDeal 1% extra damage for each boon you have. Virtues recharge 15% faster.
- Permeating WrathVirtue of Justice’s passive effect no longer only burns your target, but also burns the area around your target each time it activates.
- Battle PresenceNearby allies gain virtue of resolve’s passive effect.
- Indomitable CourageActivating virtue of courage breaks stun and grants 3 stacks of stability for 4 seconds to affected allies. Virtue of courage’s passive effect triggers every 30 seconds, down from 40.
Trait Details
Honor:
IV can be changed to VI of you need more sustained might through longer fights with less regroups. Consider that you will loose a 20% longer might duration from your staff if you do so.
Virtues:
VI can be swapped out for V if you need more Condition remove in your Group / Zerg.
III. Stat Specifics & Effects
Primary Stats
- Health 18275 (+6630)
- Vitality 1663 (+663)
- Armor 3193 (+922)
- Toughness 1922 (+922)
- Attack 3890 (+1724)
- Power 2724 (+1724)
- Critical Hit 13% (+13%)
- Precision 1188 (+188)
Secondary Stats
- Agony Resistance 75 (+75)
- Boon Duration 20% (+20%)
- Condition Duration (self) -60% (+-60%)
- Critical Damage 12% (+12%)
- Damage 1166 (+0%)
- Defense 1271 (+0)
- Endurance Regeneration 15% (+15%)
- Experience from Kills 20% (+20%)
- Ferocity 188 (+188)
- Healing Power 251 (+251)
- Might Duration 10% (+10%)
Boons
Conditions
Control
Fields & Finishers
IV. Food, Armor, Trinkets & Upgrade Items
Food Nourishment
Condition Duration (self): -40%
Vitality: 70
Experience from Kills: 10%
- (30min)
- Condition Duration (self): -40%
- Vitality: 70
- Experience from Kills: 10%
Utility Nourishment
Gain power equal to 6% of your toughness
Gain power equal to 4% of your vitality
Experience from Kills: 10%
- (30min)
- Gain power equal to 6% of your toughness
- Gain power equal to 4% of your vitality
- Experience from Kills: 10%
Armor & Runes
- Defense: 127
- Power: 63
- Toughness: 45
- Vitality: 45
- Power: 25
- Might Duration: 10%
- Power: 50
- 25% chance when struck to gain might for 10 seconds. (Cooldown: 5 seconds)
- Power: 100
- +20% Might Duration; -20% Condition Duration applied to you.
- Power: 5
- Agony Resistance: 5
- Defense: 127
- Power: 47
- Toughness: 34
- Vitality: 34
- Power: 25
- Might Duration: 10%
- Power: 50
- 25% chance when struck to gain might for 10 seconds. (Cooldown: 5 seconds)
- Power: 100
- +20% Might Duration; -20% Condition Duration applied to you.
- Power: 5
- Agony Resistance: 5
- Defense: 381
- Power: 141
- Toughness: 101
- Vitality: 101
- Power: 25
- Might Duration: 10%
- Power: 50
- 25% chance when struck to gain might for 10 seconds. (Cooldown: 5 seconds)
- Power: 100
- +20% Might Duration; -20% Condition Duration applied to you.
- Power: 5
- Agony Resistance: 5
- Defense: 191
- Power: 47
- Toughness: 34
- Vitality: 34
- Power: 25
- Might Duration: 10%
- Power: 50
- 25% chance when struck to gain might for 10 seconds. (Cooldown: 5 seconds)
- Power: 100
- +20% Might Duration; -20% Condition Duration applied to you.
- Power: 5
- Agony Resistance: 5
- Defense: 254
- Power: 94
- Toughness: 67
- Vitality: 67
- Power: 25
- Might Duration: 10%
- Power: 50
- 25% chance when struck to gain might for 10 seconds. (Cooldown: 5 seconds)
- Power: 100
- +20% Might Duration; -20% Condition Duration applied to you.
- Power: 5
- Agony Resistance: 5
- Defense: 191
- Power: 47
- Toughness: 34
- Vitality: 34
- Power: 25
- Might Duration: 10%
- Power: 50
- 25% chance when struck to gain might for 10 seconds. (Cooldown: 5 seconds)
- Power: 100
- +20% Might Duration; -20% Condition Duration applied to you.
- Power: 5
- Agony Resistance: 5
Armor Stat Totals
- Defense 1271
- Power 644
- Might Duration 10%
- Condition Duration (self) -20%
- Toughness 315
- Vitality 315
- Agony Resistance 30
Rune Bonuses
Superior Rune of Hoelbrak- Power: 25
- Might Duration: 10%
- Power: 50
- 25% chance when struck to gain might for 10 seconds. (Cooldown: 5 seconds)
- Power: 100
- +20% Might Duration; -20% Condition Duration applied to you.
Accessories & Jewels
- Power: 5
- Agony Resistance: 5
- Power: 5
- Agony Resistance: 5
- Power: 5
- Agony Resistance: 5
- Power: 5
- Agony Resistance: 5
- Power: 5
- Agony Resistance: 5
- Power: 5
- Agony Resistance: 5
Accessory Totals
- Power:722
- Toughness:278
- Vitality:278
- Precision:188
- Ferocity:188
- Agony Resistance:45
Weapon Set Sigils
- Weapon Strength: 1034-1166
- Healing Power: 251
- Power: 179
- Toughness: 179
- Weapon Strength: -
Weapon Set I
Sigil of Superior BloodlustYou gain +10 power each time you kill a foe. (max 25 stacks and ends on down or weapon change)
- Weapon Strength: 1034-1166
- Power: 251
- Toughness: 179
- Vitality: 179
- Weapon Strength: -
Weapon Set II
Sigil of Superior Fire50% chance to cause flame blast on critical hit causing AoE damage. (This effect cannot trigger more than once every 5s)
- Weapon Strength: 950-1050
- Power: 125
- Toughness: 90
- Vitality: 90
- Weapon Strength: 950-1050
- Power: 125
- Toughness: 90
- Vitality: 90
Water Weapon I
Sigil of Superior Fire50% chance to cause flame blast on critical hit causing AoE damage. (This effect cannot trigger more than once every 5s)
Water Weapon II
Sigil of Superior Fire50% chance to cause flame blast on critical hit causing AoE damage. (This effect cannot trigger more than once every 5s)
Upgrade Item Details
Superior Rune of Hoelbrak can be switched to Superior Rune of Melandru for a more defensive Setup while sacrificing Power and the longer boon (might) duration or to Superior Rune of the Trooper if you need more Condition Removal in your Group / Zerg.
Trinkets can be swapped to Berserker if you feel you are tanky enough and want to deal a bit more damage and / or crit more often to prog Glacial Heart or your Weapon Sigils.
The Superior Sigil of Torment can be swapped out for a Superior Sigil of Blight on the Hammer.
V. Basic Gameplay
Bascially you want to buff your allies with might (Empower & Virtue of Justice), protection & Regeneration (Hold the Line), retaliation (All of your Virtues, Stand your Ground & Light combo Finisher), swiftness (Symbol of Swiftness), stability (Stand your Ground) and aegis (Virtue of Courage) to protect them and buff the damage of your DPS classes. Always remember to provide cc using Line of Warding, Zealot`s Embrace, Banish and Ring of Warding while you are fighting to supress the movement capabilitiies of the enemy Zerg.
While assaulting a Keep or Tower you may encounter Arrowcart or heavy AOE damage at the gate. Use Empower, Virtue of Resolve and Hold the Line to protect against incoming damage and heal up your allies and especially the ones that operate the rams. Also remember to use Mighty Blow to blast water combofields that are dropped in the zerg or at the rams. If you are dealing trash damage at the gate too remember to never use a hammer since his autoattack chain will drop a light combo field at the gate that will negate potential fire combo fields for might stacking or water combo fields for healing.
If you are moving arround the maps use Symbol of Swiftness to prestack swiftness while you are stacking and preparing to move or while moving arround. Try to avoid using it while on the move if you have enough Warrior to provide swiftness while moving to avoid getting in fight from your Symbol of Swiftness.
Main Skill Rotation
Start the Fight with Empower to buff your allies with might, then use Line of Warding for a first cc and Symbol of Swiftness for some range damage into the enemy Zerg. Use Stand your Ground and Hold the Line when you are moving into the enemy Zerg to protect from incoming damage and cc. While going in switch to Hammer, use Zealot`s Embrace to imobalize the Enemy and then leap in with Mighty Blow and use Virtue of Justice for aditional might, retaliation and burning damage. Use Banish and Ring of Warding for cc while inside the enemy Zerg und keep autoattacking with your Hammer using Hammer Swing. While fighting keep using Mighty Blow as soon as you need a leap or for a strong damage spike.
If you are regrouping while a fight is still going on use Empower to refresh might and heal yourself & your allies arround you. Also use Mighty Blow if water combo fields are dropped to heal up your Zerg while in fight or while you are regrouping.