Guardian WvW | Large Group Hammer, Staff | Support 4 shout support frontline. No AH.
Table of Contents
Summary
After having watched the guardian changes in the 4 hour live stream that ArenaNet did a while back I knew that I would no longer be playing the standard AH guardian. Reason for this is as a SiNless guard myself (my guardian partner has SiN), I am not willing to take the valour specialisation just for AH.
So I tried a variety of builds and finally settled on this one as my main build. It is a supportive spec which also deals a nice bit of damage.
I. Weapons and Skills
-
- Hammer Bash½Bash your foe.Damage: 333Range: 130
- Symbol of Protection1¼Symbol. Create a symbol that gives protection to you and your allies.Damage: 370Damage (4x): 740x3Protection: 1 sCombo Field: LightRange: 180Vulnerability: 3 sBurning: 1 s
-
- 0Vulnerability: 3 sBurning: 1 sRetaliation: 5 s
- 0Vulnerability: 3 sBurning: 1 sRetaliation: 5 s
-
- 0Vulnerability: 3 sBurning: 1 sRetaliation: 5 s
- 0Vulnerability: 3 sBurning: 1 sRetaliation: 5 s
-
- 0Vulnerability: 3 sBurning: 1 sRetaliation: 5 s
- 0Vulnerability: 3 sBurning: 1 sRetaliation: 5 s
-
- 0Vulnerability: 3 sBurning: 1 sRetaliation: 5 s
- 0Vulnerability: 3 sBurning: 1 sRetaliation: 5 s
-
- 0Vulnerability: 3 sBurning: 1 sRetaliation: 5 s
-
- 0Vulnerability: 3 sBurning: 1 sRetaliation: 5 s
-
- 0Vulnerability: 3 sBurning: 1 sRetaliation: 5 s
-
- 0Vulnerability: 3 sBurning: 1 sRetaliation: 5 s
-
- 0Vulnerability: 3 sBurning: 1 sRetaliation: 5 s
Weapon and Skill Details
Since Consecrations are now baseline ground target skills the third utility slot has been open for interpretation for me. I have tried Contemplation of Purity and Purging Flames but the first has a long CD for me to take and PF has bugged out on me not removing conditions when running into the circle. Casting it on yourself during a melee engage can also be annoying if you have poor mouse control and your cursor is of centre, I don't have a problem with this but I know some others do.
I have been playing with Retreat for a few days and like how it works with the traits I have selected below and the swiftness uptime.
I have also played around with various healing skills and am pleasantly surprised with Receive the Light. Shelter for me is not reliable enough because the condition damage after the patch has eaten through the block and therefor nullified some of the purpose of the skill. RtL heals for 2k more and removes a condition for 2seconds more CD than Shelter. Now there is nothing wrong with playing with Shelter but I have really come to like RtL in this support frontline guard.
Traits
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.
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).
Zeal
- Zealot’s SpeedCreate a symbol of wrath when you are struck while below the health threshold.
- Wrathful SpiritAegis grants 3 seconds of retaliation when it ends.
- Fiery WrathDamage against burning foes is increased by 7%.
- Zealous ScepterWhile wielding a scepter, gain 10 seconds of might when your justice passive effect triggers.
- Symbolic ExposureSymbols apply 3 seconds vulnerability to foes on each hit.
- Binding JeopardyImmobilizing or blinding a foe also applies 3 seconds of vulnerability to them.
- Zealous BladeGreatsword attacks deal 5% increased damage and heal the guardian. Greatsword skills have a 20% reduced recharge.
- Kindled ZealGain condition damage based on 10% your power attribute.
- Symbolic PowerSymbols have 10% increased damage and have a 33% chance to burn enemies for 1 second.
- Expeditious SpiritSpirit weapons burn foes for 3 seconds when they hit with an attack. Spirit weapon summon and command skills have a 20% reduced recharge.
- Shattered AegisWhen aegis you applied blocks an attack, it damages nearby foes.
- Symbolic AvengerYou deal more damage to enemies standing in your symbols.
Trait Details
Virtues
Since this build does not have a Consecration, III is not worth looking at.
You can take UC but in large scale fights the chances of you having a good Aegis uptime is low. As a result I have gone with RS (II). Works well with pure of Heart especially if you get CC'd in a difficult spot the extra 1k heal from that is nice. Absolute Resolution in my opinion is to good to pass up. If the hammer trait had Slow that was shown in the live stream then maybe you could alternate.
Honour
I have gone with Pure of Heart because while testing it I have come to really like it from all the Aegis procs available. You gain Aegis every 30 seconds from VoC as well as the active, Retaliatory Subconscious and Retreat. Use Renewed Focus and your VoC is ready again.
I did not play with Two Handed Mastery pre patch so I am used to the normal staff CD and the boon duration seems bugged (at time of writing). EA is a nice trait but because of the support aspect I was looking for I did not take it. Both HS and EA can be taken instead of PoH depending on Guild/Group set up.
Pure of Voice for obvious reasons as this build has 4 shouts.
Zeal
As mentioned above this is a SiNless/AHless build so that only left Radiance and Zeal to choose from. I went with Zeal because it works well with the hammer. Binding Jeopardy with Hammer3. As well as 3 traits that will benefit the Hammer Auto 3 Symbol. Symbolic Exposure, Symbolic Power and Symbolic Avenger. These are also not the only symbols you have, Zealots Speed will create a symbol and you have your Symbol of Swiftness. Fiery Wrath got reduced from 10% to 7% but since burning is not hard to come by in a raid this trait is still nice to take.
III. Stat Specifics & Effects
Primary Stats
- Health 20175 (+8530)
- Vitality 1853 (+853)
- Armor 3154 (+883)
- Toughness 1883 (+883)
- Attack 3504 (+1338)
- Power 2338 (+1338)
- Critical Hit 28% (+28%)
- Precision 1362 (+362)
Secondary Stats
- Condition Damage 214 (+214)
- Condition Duration (self) -65% (+-65%)
- Critical Damage 24% (+24%)
- DMG Taken from Guards and Lords -8% (+-8%)
- DMG to Guards and Lords 6% (+6%)
- Damage 1166 (+0%)
- Defense 1271 (+0)
- Endurance Regeneration 15% (+15%)
- Experience from Kills 20% (+20%)
- Ferocity 362 (+362)
- Healing Power 214 (+214)
- Stun Duration (self) -25% (+-25%)
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
- Toughness: 25
- Vitality: 35
- Toughness: 50
- -10% Incoming Condition Duration; -10% Incoming Stun Duration
- Toughness: 100
- -15% condition duration and -15% stun duration
- Vitality: 5
- DMG Taken from Guards and Lords: -1%
- Defense: 127
- Power: 47
- Toughness: 34
- Vitality: 34
- Toughness: 25
- Vitality: 35
- Toughness: 50
- -10% Incoming Condition Duration; -10% Incoming Stun Duration
- Toughness: 100
- -15% condition duration and -15% stun duration
- Vitality: 5
- DMG Taken from Guards and Lords: -1%
- Defense: 381
- Power: 141
- Toughness: 101
- Vitality: 101
- Toughness: 25
- Vitality: 35
- Toughness: 50
- -10% Incoming Condition Duration; -10% Incoming Stun Duration
- Toughness: 100
- -15% condition duration and -15% stun duration
- Vitality: 5
- DMG Taken from Guards and Lords: -1%
- Defense: 191
- Power: 47
- Toughness: 34
- Vitality: 34
- Toughness: 25
- Vitality: 35
- Toughness: 50
- -10% Incoming Condition Duration; -10% Incoming Stun Duration
- Toughness: 100
- -15% condition duration and -15% stun duration
- Vitality: 5
- DMG Taken from Guards and Lords: -1%
- Defense: 254
- Power: 94
- Toughness: 67
- Vitality: 67
- Toughness: 25
- Vitality: 35
- Toughness: 50
- -10% Incoming Condition Duration; -10% Incoming Stun Duration
- Toughness: 100
- -15% condition duration and -15% stun duration
- Vitality: 5
- DMG Taken from Guards and Lords: -1%
- Defense: 191
- Power: 47
- Toughness: 34
- Vitality: 34
- Toughness: 25
- Vitality: 35
- Toughness: 50
- -10% Incoming Condition Duration; -10% Incoming Stun Duration
- Toughness: 100
- -15% condition duration and -15% stun duration
- Vitality: 5
- DMG Taken from Guards and Lords: -1%
Armor Stat Totals
- Defense 1271
- Toughness 490
- Vitality 380
- Condition Duration (self) -25%
- Stun Duration (self) -25%
- Power 439
- DMG Taken from Guards and Lords -6%
Rune Bonuses
Superior Rune of Melandru- Toughness: 25
- Vitality: 35
- Toughness: 50
- -10% Incoming Condition Duration; -10% Incoming Stun Duration
- Toughness: 100
- -15% condition duration and -15% stun duration
Accessories & Jewels
- Power: 5
- DMG to Guards and Lords: 1%
- Power: 5
- DMG to Guards and Lords: 1%
- Power: 5
- DMG to Guards and Lords: 1%
- Vitality: 5
- DMG Taken from Guards and Lords: -1%
- Vitality: 5
- DMG Taken from Guards and Lords: -1%
- Power: 5
- DMG to Guards and Lords: 1%
Accessory Totals
- Power:454
- Precision:362
- Ferocity:362
- Toughness:214
- Vitality:224
- Condition Damage:214
- Healing Power:214
- DMG to Guards and Lords:4%
- DMG Taken from Guards and Lords:-2%
Weapon Set Sigils
- Weapon Strength: 1034-1166
- Power: 251
- Toughness: 179
- Vitality: 179
- Weapon Strength: -
- Power: 5
- DMG to Guards and Lords: 1%
- Power: 5
- DMG to Guards and Lords: 1%
Weapon Set I
Sigil of Superior EnergyYou gain 50% of your endurance when you swap to this weapon while in combat. (This effect cannot trigger more than once every 9s)
- Weapon Strength: 1034-1166
- Healing Power: 251
- Precision: 179
- Vitality: 179
- Weapon Strength: -
- Power: 5
- DMG to Guards and Lords: 1%
- Power: 5
- DMG to Guards and Lords: 1%
Weapon Set II
Sigil of Superior EnergyYou gain 50% of your endurance when you swap to this weapon while in combat. (This effect cannot trigger more than once every 9s)
Upgrade Item Details
Substitutions
Melandru for Hoelbrak. If you want more power and Might uptime Hoelbrak is a solid replacement. For more toughness and vitality stick with Melandru. This come down to preference and Guild builds if that applies to you. I have a set of both and switch around depending on what fighting situation I am in.
Trooper runes is also an option if you really need to extra condi cleanse.
Weapon sigils are also about preference and guild builds if that applies to you.
V. Basic Gameplay
If this is the first time you are playing without AH you might not want to YOLO in to zergs. Play cautiously and know when to go in and especially when to roll away. Watch your party UI and use your shout to cleanse when needed, this also goes for the shout heal (also remember the shout heal is a heal to allies in a cone I front of you). If conditions do get to heavy do not hesitate to use VoR. Renewed Focus if really needed to get out of Well Bombs or tough situations.
Main Skill Rotation
I open with Symbol of Swiftness to proc the Zeal symbol traits. Followed up by Zealots Embrace to proc Binding Jeapardy. If you have trapped enough people in your symbol then Mighty Blow should hit like a truck. Continue this up with hammer autos and repeat whenever you are engaging in fights.