Saiyan.1704

I somehow misread Games Played... I feel silly lol. Thanks guys.

"Lets retreat! Unless of course we are engaging, then lets advance!"

A little long but we can use it in any situation now :3

Just as title says. I have the minimum game requirements but I am not showing up on the leaderboards. Is this a known glitch or am I missing something?

(thought the leaderboards wasn't updated but it has been this way for a week)

(img) https://ibb.co/gSvGNvW

Similar to the above comment, I swap between Core burns and DH power trapper builds. Singling out targets with F1 + Elite trap can be strong, especially against some Necro classes who don't expect high burst power damages.

Voted for Pistols because it would be nice to have another range damage option that doubles as a utility.

Offhand Swords would be my close 2nd pick but I am not convinced that Guardians can be an effective Melee bruiser that's better than a Rev or Engi. Especially considering our lack of "stick to target" type skills.

Perhaps #4 Sword teleport Slice that's on a 3s CD and #5 being an AoE multi-blade defensive attack? One can dream :3

Speaking strictly Solo Queue Ranked.. I'm currently Plat top 50, but to be fair Guardian in solo is really a low Tier1 Plat kind of class at the moment. Right now Trap Burn DH feels a lot stronger than any Core build. A lot of it has to do with DH ability to remove itself from combat with Wings F2 and Trap's stealth. The same goes for Trap DH power variants. I use burn because I never liked Power DH... like, at all lol. That and burn burst builds have the potential to carry soloQ a lot easier than Power builds.

**The build I currently use:** http://gw2skills.net/editor/?PWABs2x7lNwaYOsO2IeMXbtMA-zZx8MSQFkpUQhDA

You really need to be at the right place and at the right time with this build because it doesn't have a whole lot of stability or stunbreakers... so if you know a burst is coming, trap and fly away like a bird with F2. **Renewed Focus** is a must... I don't like the randomness of Dragon's Maw and renewing Virtues is a big woop.

Anet always do ridiculous nerfs and/or skill changes prior to a huge expansion so I'm sure there's a rhyme for their madness.

As for everyone saying Symbols was toxic on node play, it was one of the few things we had going for us Guardians on node contests. You are right in that it was somewhat ridiculous covering an entire node with a single symbol but our sluggish mobility needed that large symbol (albiet minor) sustains and damages in most team-fight situations. The large symbols balanced out our lack of mobility to an extent... I'm all for the symbol nerf as long as we get that needed "OOMPH" in the coming balance patches.

The one thing that bothers me from reading everyone's comments...

**Zeal > Radiance**

* This is 100% true. Zeal is better than Radiance in almost every trait tree with the exception of Radiance 3rd grandmaster trait. **Zealous Scepter's** might stacking + **Kindled Zeal's** combination is second to none when we are comparing damages between Zeal to Radiance. The only thing Radiance is good for is slightly more crit and slightly more burn applications. **Amplified Wrath's** 15% increase to burn damage (and only burn damage) is nothing to brag about and Guardian doesn't need more burn duration. There's a reason why Zeal is used in burn builds as well as Mender's builds. Team wide Retal + Fury on a FB Mender Aegis build's can be a game changer. Also Carrion or Rabid amulet is trash... stick to Sage. There's a reason why Sage is used.

As for Core Burn Guardian being meta... I mean, it's incredible when the stars align just right but it can also get hard countered vs certain classes, rendering the build useless. I've hit Plat with Core Sage burn builds but I wouldn't use the build in AT's unless my random team are running meme builds.

> @"Dave.6819" said:

> So basically as description says. Noticed this thing like a week or two ago. At first i thought it's a bug of Scepter#2 cuz usually in my rotation i use Axe#2 then quick weap swap and Scepter#2. Apparently it's a bug in Axe#2. Might be a hidden overcast or somethin. But when you quickly weapon swap after Axe#2 and you try to use a skill that has atleast a slight casting time (be it Scepter#2 or Sword of Justice or any other skill that has a cast time) you get locked up/delayed for like a 1 or 1.5 seconds. If you use Axe#2 and slowly switch weapon then it kinda works but if you do it in a quick manner you get really locked up on your next skill. Feels very clunky. Talked to some other Guardian players they all confirmed it's the same situation for them. After a quick swap of Axe#2 even something like elite skill "Feel my Wrath" just doesn't activate and you need to spam it until it activates. Only insta casted skills seem to be not affected by this lock-up/delay (like mantras).

>

> (copied this from bug section so idk.. double post i guess. just wanted more guardian players to see it)

Dude I've been struggling to understand why there was a swap delay... so Axe#2 is the culprit.

Hope Anet is aware of this issue, even if it is not a bug... it absolutely needs to be fixed for QoL reasons. I almost don't want to use Axe at all on my FB build.

> @"haenz.9578" said:

> hey mate, really n1 build. but I dont understand rune of the flock?

> you are so slow while moving, that hurts.

> can you explain me your choice pls?

> TY

It's my personal preference but Flock runes is for survivability. It gives 1,092 heals every 10 seconds, which matches our 9s cd on our Mantra healing. The extra 1k heals is very noticeable in a fight. The build focuses more on bunkering a point while also dishing out damage, along with the usual FB team support role. When i am needing to rotate, I find that I am using F2#3 or F3#1 to run to a distant point like Far. The CD usually comes back up if I need these virtues in a fight or i can just Renewed Focus if things get heavy. I've gotten used to not using speed runes but you can for sure swap Flock for more mobility.

Same, good write up @"Buran.3796"

A few things I will say about SPvP:

**[About Honor vs Radiance]**

... I really really like Radiance treeline but the reason why most Guardians use Honor is because of its overall sustainability, not just for yourself but for the team too. Sage/Menders will give you an Aegis heal of 800+ for you and your allies. Add Flock runes 800+ healing every 10 seconds (10s cd) and you have a very strong Mantra heal... it's the only reason why Mantra and Honor is still used actually. (we are all bitter about the healing nerf lol). That, coupled with dodge heals and Symbol support, it really adds up in a team fight which FB is meant for.

FB has always been a Support class as oppose to being a selfish roam burst class which most Guards try to replicate for Firebrand... me included. I personally like Honor for the symbol duration and radius. Hitting more people in an area is really helpful to proc F1. The thing that most people don't realize about FB Menders/Sage support builds is we offer so much support in the initial team fight that even if we go down, our team is at least 20% (or more) healed up. I've been a plat player for a few seasons so I know a thing or two about team plays. Carrion burst builds or similiar, it gets more difficult to be efficient. I find **Swashbuckle** amulet over **Carrion** more efficient because you don't have all of your eggs in one basket... if you run into a heavy condi team then you can at least deal some raw damage. With Sage, if I get countered with a heavy cleanse comp then I can at least support my team a little.

The biggest difference between a burst burn FB (or core) and a Menders/Sage build is the survivability/team support. Burst burn builds has always been a one-trick-poney. Meta builds, especially teams with Ele/Rev/Necro/FB would demolish a burn guard in a team fight. We just can't keep a good number of burn stacks on these classes due to their cleanses and interrupts within a fight... so we are always forced into heavy bunker support roles. It sucks but that is unfortunately the current meta. Sage build FB is a middleground for most Guardians and what most competitive teams would accept because you can potentially deal extra damage within a team fight.

I love burn guard, I was burn guard before it was cool but I'm Sage all the way... (or menders during 2v2 PvP) the longer you can survive even if it's a little, the more you can support and overall help your team :) (Virtues/Honor/FB)

That's just my 2cents brother.

**Firebrand** all the way, climbed from Silver to Platinum (as usual... matchmaking placements always places me in silver/gold -_-)

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?PWABc6t3lRwwYisO2ImWXfvaA-z5YfKJIC6WCkvQIjFgOGA

It's your standard **Sage Virtues Burn** build but with a twist. The heart of the build is procing Glacial Heart with heavy CC.

* Purging Flames + Sanctuary bubble, then troll with Axe#3 pull, Shield#4 push, & F1#3 pull again ^_^ Taunt from F3#2 also procs Glacial Heart too.

What is everyone's Plat builds?

> @"Bazsi.2734" said:

> > @"Saiyan.1704" said:

> > First death respawning 5 seconds

> > Second death, 8 seconds

> > Third death, 10s

> >

> > Deaths needs to feel more important! :3

>

>

> Also if you want to improve the impact of dying on the outcome, don't reduce the respawn timer to 5 seconds. That totally goes against your stated goal.

So what would you suggest?

DH has never been fun for me tbh, it's why I gravitated towards FB so quickly. I've never gotten used to the run strat (DH F2) and trolled a point as if you're a war or engi but some guards like that playstyle.

FB offers so much in a team fight that it's incomparable to DH and Core, regardless if you are Menders or Sage burn build. Axe #2 and #3 CC, F1 CC and dps, F2 offers stability, reflects and condi resistance. FB survivability is greater than Core and it offers more than a DH can give to a team.

FB will always be better than Core and DH but I understand why guards choose DH or Core. Core is definitely a more fun build to use. It's just too bad that it's squishy.

> @"Eugchriss.2046" said:

> > @"Aktium.9506" said:

> > > @"Eugchriss.2046" said:

> > > > @"Aktium.9506" said:

> > > > Terrible idea.

> > > >

> > > > If anything I want a suicide button that I can press to commit sudoku if enemies leave me to bleed offpoint.

> > > Then what s the trade off for using that button?

> > >

> >

> > Maybe a teammate could have snuck in and stealth ressed you when you self-stomped. Bleeding players offpoint has always been lame.

> Well, that's not a trade off. If you don t use it and a mate res you, you re winning. If no one rez you then you die faster and can come back faster -> you loose less. So no matter what you choose it benefits you.

> A kind of trade off would be you respawn with half your health bar for the next 45sec. Or you will have perma slow for the next 45-60 secs.

>

A slow buff would be annoying to be honest.

Self-suicide button would just be abused and there's no real tradeoff there.

What if we had a death counter to monitor for our team on the scoreboard? As of now there's no way to see how many times a person has died, nor is there a stat to see how long a person's been alive on the field.

First death respawning 5 seconds

Second death, 8 seconds

Third death, 10s

Deaths needs to feel more important! :3

I do miss the burn on block before the 1s icd. Rangers and pistol thieves melted themselves.

Yeah this has been a debate since DH. It makes more sense for it to activate on activation. You have my vote.

> @"ollbirtan.2915" said:

> > @"Diak Atoli.2085" said:

> > > @"ollbirtan.2915" said:

> > > > @"Kurowolfe.7124" said:

> > > > But, with the nerf in WvW, the skill now heals for around 400 instead of the 2200 it used to be. And to me, aegis don't mean kitten when you get CC'ed and pushed around like a ragdoll 6 times continuously on an improper zerg push. And bad calls happen.

> > > >

> > > > I suppose it depends on the commanders then, I can adjust my skills to their needs and ask them in advance. Some exclusively wants us support firebrands to only heal and cleanse for some reason, and some only wants us to give as many stability stacks as possible, in face of the strong CC meta atm. Some want all, and I try my best to give all, while staying alive as long as possible xD

> > >

> > > It's taken because of the synergy with Pure of Heart from Honor trait line which heals on every Aegis proc - https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Pure_of_Heart

> >

> > Really? For some reason I was assuming this was with regards to PvE.

>

> PVE is all roses and butterflies where healing and boons are still insanely high so it's even more relevant there I guess. Anyway, usually you don't run a healer FBbut if you must, I'd go with something like Seraph. In that case you take the bottom trait that gives might on crit.

> As for spvp/wvw, after anet gutted FB in competitive modes, don't quote me on that. But yes, even after the nerfs the mantra heal is THE best heal because of that trait synergy.

I agree... it is unfortunate that they nerfed Guardian's Restoring Reprieve but it is still the best heal that we have in PvP and often WvW as well. It is ONLY good because we still have Honor's Aegis that heals for 869 (at 1175 healing power) and Rune of the Flock which heals for 1,342 (at 1175 healing power) every 10 seconds, assuming you chose Weighty Terms to reduce your Mantra CD.

The #1 reason why I don't like the heal mantra nerf change is because it further pigeonhole's our FB builds. There's a night and day survivability difference between my Sage FB build and my Mender's FB build in PvP.... Mender's is now meta simply because I can survive a whole lot longer than Sage builds, or any other power/condi FB build :(!

> @"Stand The Wall.6987" said:

> hmm how about an aoe launch instead B)

The WvW community would RAGE Lol... seeing 10 people fly away from Banish by just a few Guards would be a very awesome sight though.

I will say that the #4 skill is powerful within itself and it serves the purpose it is meant to serve. The main issue with hammer is that the damage from #1 isn't really there... definitely not in PvP or WvW. I don't mind slow bulky weapons but landing a #1 weapon swing is simply not rewarding for how slow the #1 attack is. I think this has been the main gripe with Hammer for a very long time. Keep the hammer bulky, that's kind of the purpose of a big hammer but I feel the weapon isn't as rewarding as it should be.

Probably a bug but speaking of which....

Will two Signets of the same type stack with other guardian signets? Four Guardians on the same team running the same signets, for example?

> @"Ragnarox.9601" said:

> hammer guard is a free kill to my firebrand.

Pretty much this. I've 1v2's a Hamguard and an Ele (granted Ele was Gold 3 level at best) with Firebrand Harrier build. You can easily out sustain a Hammer Guard to the point of uselessness, even if the person gets a dps boost from a Gold player.

The build may be "OK" in seasons and far from useless but it shouldn't be taken over Firebrand if you want to be on a competitive, serious team. (Does this game still have that?).

> @"Jake Orion.2049" said:

> > @"mrauls.6519" said:

> > LMFAO @ focus 5 going from 36 -> 35 seconds

>

> LOL I thought the same thing. I was like what was even the point of this???

>

Probably an outcome of an in-house duel to test RoJ. I'm more concerned on what that scenario would be to warrant this 1 second buff. Regardless, no one here would take much notice.

RoJ changed for the better, IMO. It has a greater chance to change an outcome in a fight (focus target burst) compared to a situational blind & cleanse. But we're comparing defensive gameplay vs offensive gameplay so there'll no doubt be Guardians who don't like the change.

> @"FtoPScrub.5476" said:

> > @"mrauls.6519" said:

> > > @"FtoPScrub.5476" said:

> > > Good on core guard, kinda mixed about it on DH.

> > Why mixed?

> >

>

> The damage is pretty mediocre on DH and you lose the insta interrupt with shield. It's also full counter food unless you use it within the 4s window. I would probably prefer it over shield if they allowed us to use it against opponents behind us.

Our symbols & FB's F1#4 already feed Full Counter, RoJ change just ensures FC never goes hungry XD

It's getting activated twice when you press it twice quickly... they have known about the bug and supposedly fixed it, but it's still around =/

You're basically telling these players to keep "afking" and "dcing" in game... if you're ok with that then give up your gold to them so they can keep doing it. Or don't.

No one will stop you either ways.