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#Post#: 198--------------------------------------------------
GUARIDAN ADVANCED BUILD
DIR By: neondistraction
Date: November 20, 2013, 4:56 pm
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ADVANCED GUARDIAN BUILD
=========
Introduction
=========
As soon as I learned how to play fractals better and found a
pure zerker team to take intelligent risks with, I switched to
this build. Do not expect to be able to go into high level
fractals with a random team and be able to pull this off,
especially if the DPS is too low or if the team is not
aggressive enough. The idea is to be able to kill things faster
than they can kill you; to block/aegis, reflect, blind, or crowd
control attacks that can one hit down you. There is no practical
way to out-tank or out-heal the auto-attacks of mobs or bosses
in the higher levels, and vitality and toughness cannot
compensate for the sheer volume of incoming damage. Therefore,
damage and tactical strategies are the best way to have a smooth
run. Likely, I will not modify my build post the 11/26/2013
fractals patch because I have found this build to work with my
team, and this theory should still stand for the upcoming new
fractals. Kill or be killed! Also, remember that zerker is not a
right..... it is a privilege. :D
Credits: Much of the influence from the build came from talking
to my fractal friends, trial and error, and was inspired by the
nice theory-crafting of Obal from the elite US PvE guild [DnT]
(click on hammer build link):
HTML http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=girefVuoAuk
=========
Armor Set:
=========
x6 Beserker armor
Rune Set 1: (whenever you can and especially on most bosses)
x6 Superior Rune of the Scholar
Runes Set 2: (boon duration: for places where stability or using
Empower on the staff for might is needed/feasible, possibly also
to buff hammer protection, etc)
x2 Superior Rune of the Traveler (I would not put this in a
helmet, since they are expensive and you would need to buy 3 to
have one for an aquabreather too.)
x2 Superior Rune of the Monk (get with AC dungeon tokens)
x2 Superior Rune of the Water
=========
Trinket Set:
=========
Backpiece: Soldier's (I wish I would have made Beserker instead)
Earrings: Beserker x2
Rings: Beserker x2
Amulet: Beserker
=========
Weapons:
=========
Hammer: Beserker with Superior Sigil of Force (+5% damage)
Greatsword #1: Beserker with Superior Sigil of Bloodlust (alt is
Perception)
Greatsword #2: Beserker with Superior Sigil of Force when stacks
are full
Sword: Beserker with Superior Sigil of Fire (the flameblast aoe
helps in stacking situations when killing mobs)
Staff: Beserker with Superior Sigil of Bloodlust (alt is
Perception)
Scepter: Beserker with Superior Sigil of Force (+5% damage)
Focus: Beserker with Superior Sigil of Accuracy or Super(+5%
critical chance) or Superior Sigil of the Night (since most
fractals are night)
Trident: Beserker with Superior Sigil of Serpent Slaying (+10%
damage to krait)
Spear: Beserker with Superior Sigil of Serpent Slaying
=========
Traits:
=========
CORE TRAITS: 15/15/0/20/10
Two options:
A. 15/15/0/20/20 [better condition removal and Spirit weapon
alternative trait in Virtues]
B. 15/25/0/20/10 [better damage (+10% against foes with
conditions), crit chance, and Sword alternative trait in
Radiance]
Trait Selection
Zeal
II: Fiery Wrath: +10% damage to burning foes [DPS build means
use all the damage multipliers you can synergize together]
When to use: ALWAYS, unless you want to trait for VI to make
Spirit weapons last longer when using the Shield of the Avenger
(e.g. grawl and asura bosses)
Symbolic Exposure (minor 15 point trait): Symbols apply
vulnerability: works great with hammer build, also not bad with
greatsword and staff symbols
Raidiance
Justice is Blind (minor 5 point trait): Virtue of Justice Blinds
nearby foes: great for all foes except the dredge [this virtue
also gives 3 might stacks and retaliation to party (see Virtues
traits below)]
Renewed Justice (minor 15 point trait): Virtue of Justice is
renewed when killing a foe: works great with Justice is Blind
and Inspired Virtue: spam blinds and give party might when
fighting mobs, which also sets mobs on fire and helps with
damage modifier from Fiery Wrath trait
V: Searing Flame: burning a foes removes a condition
When to use: DREDGE (they have too many boons and are immune to
blind, but VI Blinding Exposure can still put vulnerability on
them; up to you)
VI: Blind Exposure: inflicting blindess applies vulnerability;
works well with all minor traits in this line
When to use: EVERYWHERE EXCEPT THE DREDGE (can use but does not
always seem to work since they are immune to blinds)
VII: Radiant Fire
When to use: if you go with build B and do not want to use a
sword
X: Powerful Blades
When to use: build B and you want to use a sword (e.g. HARPIES,
ASURAN BOSS FOR THE ROBOTS, DREDGE MOBS, up to your play style)
Radiant Power (minor 25 point trait): +10% damage versus foes
with conditions [which is practically any time you are fighting
a foe]
When to use: build B if you want to put last 10 trait points
into Radiance instead of Virtues
Honor
Vigorous Precision (minor 5 point trait): chance to gain vigor
on a crit (very good trait!! need to dodge a lot in fractals)
II: Superior Aria: Shouts cool-down 20% faster
When to use: ALWAYS (this build will always have at least one
shout as a utility skill)
V: Resolute Healer: make a shield of absorption when reviving an
ally
When to use: GRAWL FRACTAL ONLY if team keeps going down,
otherwise NEVER
VII: Writ of Persistence: Symbols last 2 seconds longer (all
guardian symbols cause a boon, only use for a hammer protection
build, not needed with boon armor set)
When to use: stacking situations with the hammer and use
auto-attack for permanent protection, usually so much time that
you can swap weapons and come back before protection runs out if
you plan it right with the boon armor set
VIII: Empowering Might: chance on a crit for you and nearby
allies gain might
When to use: Jade Maw, ranged fights where little to no
condition removal is needed and you use a scepter/focus, some
stacking conditions if you can give up other traits
[In my opinion, this trait is very overrated and not worth using
if you can benefit better from another trait in this line.]
IX: Two-Handed Mastery: two-handed weapons cool-down 20% faster
(i.e. spear, trident, hammer, staff, greatsword)
When to use: ALWAYS WATER FRACTAL, usually anytime you use 2
two-handed weapons at the same time (unless you need VII for
hammer)
Virtues
Inspired Virtue (minor 5 point trait): Virtues give extra boons:
Justice- 3 might stacks, Resolve- regeneration, Courage-
protection
I: Unscathed Contender: 20% more damage while under the effects
of aegis
When to use: RANGED boss fights, JADE MAW, any time you do not
need a Wall of Reflection and think you can keep up aegis
V: Improved Spirit-Weapon Duration (+50%)
When to use: build A, when you need reflects and can use both
this and VI Master of Consecration skill (don't forget about VI
in Zeal too)
VI: Master of Consecrations: 20% cool-down and 20% duration on
consecrations [VERY IMPORTANT TRAIT TO USE]
When to use: ANYTIME YOU NEED THE WALL OF REFLECTION [which is a
lot of the time]: grawl final boss and beginning mobs, harpies
and final boss on uncategorized, mossman and bloomhunger bosses,
snowblind when beating the ice elemental when the vets spawn,
charr fractal when killing the mobs in the city and arena,
dredge fractal when killing mobs before the car and at the car
(in front or behind the car), cliffside final boss after
chanters spawn and the boss drops the hammer [you get the point
I think!]
VIII: Supreme Justice: more burning more often and for longer
from Virtue of Justice
When to use: build A, barely use this personally, not a bad
choice for a ranged boss fight so you can have burning more
often (do not activate Virtue of Justice, just let it proc from
every 4th attack)
IX: Absolute Resolution: Virtue of Resolve is stronger and
removes 3 conditions from nearby allies (including self)
When to use: build A, possibly cliffside hammer running, grawl
final boss, any place you might need some conditions removed
quickly
X: Indomitable Courage: using Virtue of Resolve grants stability
When to use: build A, possibly harpy section of uncategorized
fractal, Jade Maw to help run through tentacles, etc.
=========
Skills:
=========
Healing Skill
Signet of Resolve if you can handle a burst heal with a 40 sec
cool-down [also cures a condition every 10 seconds]
Prayer to Dwayna if you are a human and want a medium heal with
a lower cool-down of 30 seconds
Shelter: ok heal with a block, can be very useful (30 sec cd)
Utility Skills
These will vary depending upon the situation. Think about what
the team needs before yourself, especially since the guardian is
a great class for reflects and will be expected to provide them
at certain places, along with stability and aegis.
"Retreat": shout with aegis and swiftness
When to use: i use this almost all the time if i can, aegis at
the right time and place can save yourself or someone in the
team; running and jumping parts with swiftness; use it
sparingly, as it has a longer cool-down than most of the other
shouts
"Stand Your Ground": shout with stability and retaliation
[BREAKS STUN]
When to use: uncategorized harpy section needs stability when
walls run out or aegis; before you attack final cliffside boss
so the team is not stunned; JADE MAW TO BREAK STUN
"Save Yourselves": shout to gain lots of boons and take some
conditions from allies [BREAKS STUN]
When to use: use as a luxury; BREAK STUN at JADE MAW; can hurt
you if you are not careful and a selfish trait if not needed
really because it has a long cool-down
Wall of Reflection: reflects projectiles, lasts for 12 seconds
with trait
When to use: almost every fractal needs a reflect; see above in
Traits under "Master of Consecrations"
Shield of the Avenger: reflective shield that does not always
work perfectly, last 20 seconds if not destroyed; can be
destroyed for a BREAK STUN
When to use: save it to use for the grawl shaman final boss as
soon as he goes into his bubble and the eles spawn, not before
they spawn- just use wall of reflection or dodge until then; can
be used on the harpy run too while jumping, but i prefer
"Retreat", Wall of Reflection, and "Stand Your Ground"; also can
use when killing the dredge by the car and on the ice ele boss
when the vets spawn
"Hold The Line": protection and regeneration
When to use: not very often; i sometimes give to team when we
melee a boss and are getting hit a lot (e.g. Old Tom)
Bane Signet: +180 power, use it to knockdown a foe (so it can
strip one stack of defiance)
When to use: DREDGE FINAL BOSS TO INTERRUPT IF IT STARTS TO HEAL
(not enough guardians do this, sadly); anytime you have a free
utility skill you should use this to boost power (e.g.
ranged/melee boss fights)
Purging Flames: fire field that removes conditions [up to 3]
When to use: for might stacking party; a good way to remove
conditions in this build
=============
Playing this build:
=============
Many of the trait and utility swapping scenarios have been
addressed or explained above, but they are not the only options
so be creative and think of new things too. (you could use Smite
Condition to remove conditions or a cultural healing skill,
etc.)
There are some fine details it is good for a guardian to be
aware of when stacking mobs, like using the Line of Warding #5
on the staff [so use Two-Handed Mastery trait] to interrupt
incoming mobs and putting up a Wall of Reflection (charr and
dredge mobs especially). The crowd control from the greatsword
#5 skill [Binding Blade] is good to use for clumping mobs
together and then aoe-ing them down as a team [especially
uncategorized cat robots and the vet eles on the snow ice ele
boss]. Also, a hammer guardian is slightly less dps than a
greatsword guardian, so I would recommend using a greatsword if
your team does not need the protection. Both are very good
choices.
Use common sense and try to avoid using weapons in a sub-optimal
way, like using a staff auto-attack in melee range for the whole
fight or using a scepter in melee range. Also, remember you can
cure a condition by combo-ing with a Light Field a and using a
Whirl or Projectile finisher (so potentially greatsword #4 then
#2).
I hope I have hit on most of the details about this build and
how the guardian can be useful in fractals. If anyone has
questions or wants to chat about builds, please feel free to
post back or talk to me on the GW2 name "neondistraction.2513"
(guardian Cpt Jean L Picard). Thank you and happy fractaling to
everyone! :D
#Post#: 225--------------------------------------------------
Re: GUARIDAN ADVANCED BUILD
DIR By: neondistraction
Date: June 7, 2014, 3:27 am
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I only use Shelter now for my healing skill.
#Post#: 228--------------------------------------------------
Re: GUARIDAN ADVANCED BUILD
DIR By: neondistraction
Date: September 3, 2014, 11:00 pm
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Also, my new guardian is Neon Distraction.
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