Post by melodycross on Feb 18, 2013 5:33:29 GMT -5
A compilation of the builds I've used to get to level 80 so far and others I've found effective. Instead of half a dozen threads, i've decided to place them in a single page and update as I make changes to a character or find something new that works.
Notes on some of my shorthand:
Leveler (a build I used to gain level 80)
Mapper (A build that was used--primarily--to map Tyria)
DoT (Damage over Time)
HoT (Heal over Time)
CC (Crowd Control)
nuke (area of effect damage)
respec (changing a trait's major without paying for a rebuild)
rebuild (paying a merchant to clear your trait points)
facetanking (ah la "tanking" builds of other games)
mob (any enemy in PvE)
ball (any cluster of mobs ranging from 4 or more)
Melody Cross, the Bunny Thumper (Guardian) Leveler Mapper
gw2skills.net/editor/?fUAQJASWlYgqC3FSLEfIFRmCROS7DEE7BGzYHvFA;T4AAyysEYJxSllCLquMdJ6y2lrLZXDIONA
Of all the builds, respecs, reconstructs and rearmors, the cc version 2 has become my old faithful. This one gives the guardian a real "Jack of All Trades" flavor. Its not a tank, its not supposed to be. Its not a pure healer. but it will support. It lets the guardian fight, and still support the team.
Respec for spirit weapons take out Pure of Voice for battle Pressence when you need more healing to the team. The only thing it doesn't do is improve Scepter use, which while a shame, is not a playstyle I tend to focus on with a heavily armored character that can bunny jump onto enemies and smash them with big hammers. Ah, sweet sweet hammers...
Have had some questions about what I mean by "Jack of all Trades" and I want to explain it in better detail. build is versatile in that a few changes in skills and weapons can radically change how it works. Some examples:
gw2skills.net/editor/?fUAQNApeRlYgqC3ESLEfIFSmiVCBtPQQYPwIP6juFA;T4AAyysEYJxSllCLquMdJ6y2lrLZXDIONA
This is my quick and dirty mace tank. Heavy use of symbols and healing regen allow for some pretty solid facetanking ability and frontline assist. With persistance, it can solo most champs.
gw2skills.net/editor/?fUAQNAR5dlYgqCXESLEfIFSmiVCBtPQQYPwoMyjuFA;T4AAyysEYJxSllCLquMdJ6y2lrLZXDIONA
And this is geared more toward damage. Specced similar to the ret build below, it allows you to keep retaliation on yourself and nearby allies for a respectable period of time.
You can-and I have-spec to greater extremes like a full consecration or full signet bar, but you aren't sacrificing utility for other skills, like shouts, when you need them...as we often do.
Melody's Retaliation
gw2skills.net/editor/?fUEQNArfRlYgyCXFyIEfIFSOjVCBtUQQGEmCMyjuFA;T8AgzymEMJZS1kiJKvMdJ6y2lzLJWrQGNM3A
Retaliation took quite the hit in WvW with recent nerfs, but in groups, this offensive support build can prove quite impressive. Condition control through the torch and sigils is solid, but make no mistake, this is not a tank, as I've managed to prove to myself at many an opportunity. Fortunately, Guardians have excellent ranged weapons to take advantage of. The Greatsword is an excellent source for your starting burst, then I swap to scepter and start kiting.
Melody's Slice n' Dice
gw2skills.net/editor/?fUAQJARWlYgSBHCyKEfYFRWBWafggVP2n8sHWBMeLA;T8AAyysEYJxSllCLKvMdJ6yKkzLZXrGGQcaA
One last build designed around The Core (more on that later). Spirit weapon Power builds are becoming fairly common in PvE. This build eschews the Guardian's support capabilities in favor of heightened damage. The Sword and Hammer Spirits are your more than simply backup; they're your bread and butter. GS heals couple with your Resolve to give you plenty of HoT to stand and fight in the front line while you take on just about anything with your little friends flanking.
Explaining The Core
gw2skills.net/editor/?fUAQBgCIrAA2HAArAA3CA
What I call "The Core" is a standardization of the Guardian traits that I believe any beginning guardian and most effective builds should employ. Obviously, there are exceptions. Builds like the 30/30/10 bunker "shout tanks" do not use this, and many spirit or scepter wielding weapon builds would eschew aspects of my core in favor of, say, zeal. But this core allows you to spec the class to any build reliably and still have the flexibility that guardians need to swap their traits and use--effectively use--any skill in the game. The extra 30 points allow for customization without locking you into a single "one trick pony". So when your team needs, say, Wall of Reflection and you're built for Shouts, you can swap the Mater of Consecration and get a boost to the skill you need at the time as opposed to (maybe) buffing recharge of Spirit Weapons that you aren't currently using.
And speaking of builds that don't follow The Core:
Melody Stands Her Ground
gw2skills.net/editor/?fUEQNApeWlUgyCXFSKEfIFRuAbBYPw4H741jEKRGC;T8AgzymEMJZS1kiJquMdJ6y2lrLZXrQGNM3A
The Altruistic Healing Build is a staple of any Guardian in team play. This is my take on the "classic" AH. Discussion with other support characters will tell you if you want to spec for larger symbols and a larger range for your spot heal, or keep Pure of Voice and its excellent condition removal. Personally, I'm constantly swapping Writ of Persistence and Writ of the Merciful between fights dependent on whether I'll be facetanking (which I usually am with something like this) or using the staff and hanging with the backline.
Kali Bay's Crazy Cantrips (Ele) Leveler
gw2skills.net/editor/?fEAQJAoYhMmibzR4gjEAkHn4SJjCiIK8QRxM5A;T8AAyysEQJZS1kCKqdM7I2xujbH5ODIOQMbA
Lots of mobility in combat, and it has the ability to respec for staff use and improve at ranged nuke capability in team play. Cantrips provide the speed to the build to wiggle out of tough situations, while 3(4 with rune combo) auras give you some crazy defense options. Frost and Shocking Aura are castable at need. Magnetic Aura is from the runes, a save your behind instant pop when you hit 20% health--and a good reminder to take a look at your health bar too!
Fire Shield is applied by Combo Finisher using Ring of Fire and then Mag Grasp. Recent nerfs require you to cast this pretty much in sequence; there is much less room for error with the change to Mag grasp.
Slot 3 in Water trait can be changed per need. I often take Vital striking for extra damage, or Stop, Drop and Roll for solo play, but in groups, the additional auras is impressive to say the least.
All combined, it makes the ele a tougher than usual nut to crush for midline and frontline play.
But most groups don't want their squishy ele up in the front line with their warriors and guardians.
Here's a respec for staff use:
gw2skills.net/editor/?fEAQFAWhImibyR1gjEAkHvcCLjChIKURRxM7A;T8AAyysEQJZS1kCKqdM7I2xujbH5ODIOQMbA
Suddenly, we're geared from combat in midrange to backline support. Obviously, you'd prefer to run full clerics gear, but I left the runes as they were because all that increased toughness gives you--now the "healer" in the team--that extra little bit of hardiness to break clear of a situation when things go bad and you get the agro.
And, of course, when wielding staff no one in a team complains when you drop a Frost Bow instead of GLE.
That's why I like this build and haven't made any real modifications to it as I leveled the character...or after! From Dagger/Dagger Damage to Staff wielding group savior in a matter of seconds. Its the best way I can describe an elementalist when people whine about weapon swapping. We don't NEED stuff like that; we're already so very versatile!
Faith Riven; Minion Mistress (Necromancer) Leveler
gw2skills.net/editor/?fQQQNAW7YjEat61ama07JApHRf90xHOmSh7pD;T8AAyysEYJxSllCLqmMNJay2krJZTDIOQ8aA
From 30-80, this build was my necromancer's method for walking to Orr. Accepting the limitation that I can't take 5 karken at once was difficult when the minions seem so capable at ripping any other mob ball to shreds, but once I did accept that, I can easily farm the area solo. Note: I mention from 30-80. I did not use the minions much in the first 30 levels. Mostly I crafted and used a well spammer build. When they buffed the minion heal, I swapped. Avoid using this in WvW, but in PvE, it is a killer.
Faith Fights
gw2skills.net/editor/?fQQQNAW7YjEaJ71ama07JAJFRT90DuBPcIF9KNA;T8AAyysEYJxSllCLqmMNJay2krJZTjFOQ8aA
A rebuild of my MM for more flexibility. Ditching the Bomb build was a tough choise, but the increase in minion DoT is noticeable. Tinkered with Blood Fiend over minions in PvE but have noticed that mobs tend to arget the fiend frequently where the minions make a decent tank wall with the shadow and Flesh Golem. Their biggest asset is actually their frontline nature. They're up there getting regen from my staff and dagger skills just like the other "meat shields"
Working on respecs of this build for combat in WvW. Taking an MM into PvP is like taking chum to a shark fight.
gw2skills.net/editor/?fQAQRAoY3YjMap7xbKb07JAJFWz70jsBnbIF3KNA-T0AAyCsIaS1krJTTymsNNCZ9xBipCvGA
Current version
Alima the Bombing Healbot (Engineer) Leveler
gw2skills.net/editor/?fcAQJAqelspSXnvynF17ISoHS49pWiU8YU2HFyVbB;T4AAyymEYJZS1kiJquMdJ6y2lrLZXDOmlA
The name says it all. If there is a healer in this game, then the bomb spamming engineer is currently it. HoT exceeds the guardian hybrid builds I've tried, and Condition control is just---well, what conditions with three toss-able elixirs. The pros explained, there are a few cons. Primarily, you're need to be face first in the middle of the damage to deal the most effective healing. Get used to dodging. A lot!
Dewon, Who does not Understand Himself(Warrior)Leveler
gw2skills.net/editor/?fIIQJARUjkOFvJPCPMRCA8BrMFM68AqkoSfwOA
This build, in one form or another, got me to 80 without dying every 5 minutes. But saying that, on a warrior, is not much of a statement. While the class has proven easy to play, playing it to its full potential remains a mystery to me. What advice I get, i do not always understand. Guess I sepent too much time in the backline in GW1.
Dewon gets Noisy
gw2skills.net/editor/?fIIQJARUncO08YyDSBxEZA4oAqkUKsrt0jyQLNA;T4Ag0yqEUJpSVliKKvM4IKyqjzLpOrIGEA
Many will have noticed the math flub I made in Veccu's thread about the Sonic Boon Warrior. While I still maintain the build has dubious qualifications as a "support build" it did get me interested in playing a warrior again. This modification of the build has proven effective in PvE combat. I've been able to facetank almost every Veteran solo outside of events, and those I can usually solo with a combination of patience, GS and Riffle swapping.
Colin, The Survivor(Ranger) Leveler
gw2skills.net/editor/?fMMQJATVjEVN2RWGWsWCgVh9aPykTM5MOkxvgSclVA;TwAg1yqEUJpSVliKqiMFJKyWkrIZRA
When I first rolled into GW2, I rolled a ranger. It was the first character I got to level 80, and the first character I deleted. I'd gone glass cannon and found myself dying many a time in WvW and end game content.
Much of what I disliked about the class I came to learn was the squishy nature of my build. By playing other characters, I learned the importance (in my play style) of having sufficient condition removal and a hearty amount of toughness and healing. This build allowed me to spec the class as something more than the backline character I remember from GW1 and--not take the fight like a facetank--take the hits that I previously couldn't.
Dunno what happened but half the post disappeared while making modifications. I'll try to get the other build back up asap.
Notes on some of my shorthand:
Leveler (a build I used to gain level 80)
Mapper (A build that was used--primarily--to map Tyria)
DoT (Damage over Time)
HoT (Heal over Time)
CC (Crowd Control)
nuke (area of effect damage)
respec (changing a trait's major without paying for a rebuild)
rebuild (paying a merchant to clear your trait points)
facetanking (ah la "tanking" builds of other games)
mob (any enemy in PvE)
ball (any cluster of mobs ranging from 4 or more)
Melody Cross, the Bunny Thumper (Guardian) Leveler Mapper
gw2skills.net/editor/?fUAQJASWlYgqC3FSLEfIFRmCROS7DEE7BGzYHvFA;T4AAyysEYJxSllCLquMdJ6y2lrLZXDIONA
Of all the builds, respecs, reconstructs and rearmors, the cc version 2 has become my old faithful. This one gives the guardian a real "Jack of All Trades" flavor. Its not a tank, its not supposed to be. Its not a pure healer. but it will support. It lets the guardian fight, and still support the team.
Respec for spirit weapons take out Pure of Voice for battle Pressence when you need more healing to the team. The only thing it doesn't do is improve Scepter use, which while a shame, is not a playstyle I tend to focus on with a heavily armored character that can bunny jump onto enemies and smash them with big hammers. Ah, sweet sweet hammers...
Have had some questions about what I mean by "Jack of all Trades" and I want to explain it in better detail. build is versatile in that a few changes in skills and weapons can radically change how it works. Some examples:
gw2skills.net/editor/?fUAQNApeRlYgqC3ESLEfIFSmiVCBtPQQYPwIP6juFA;T4AAyysEYJxSllCLquMdJ6y2lrLZXDIONA
This is my quick and dirty mace tank. Heavy use of symbols and healing regen allow for some pretty solid facetanking ability and frontline assist. With persistance, it can solo most champs.
gw2skills.net/editor/?fUAQNAR5dlYgqCXESLEfIFSmiVCBtPQQYPwoMyjuFA;T4AAyysEYJxSllCLquMdJ6y2lrLZXDIONA
And this is geared more toward damage. Specced similar to the ret build below, it allows you to keep retaliation on yourself and nearby allies for a respectable period of time.
You can-and I have-spec to greater extremes like a full consecration or full signet bar, but you aren't sacrificing utility for other skills, like shouts, when you need them...as we often do.
Melody's Retaliation
gw2skills.net/editor/?fUEQNArfRlYgyCXFyIEfIFSOjVCBtUQQGEmCMyjuFA;T8AgzymEMJZS1kiJKvMdJ6y2lzLJWrQGNM3A
Retaliation took quite the hit in WvW with recent nerfs, but in groups, this offensive support build can prove quite impressive. Condition control through the torch and sigils is solid, but make no mistake, this is not a tank, as I've managed to prove to myself at many an opportunity. Fortunately, Guardians have excellent ranged weapons to take advantage of. The Greatsword is an excellent source for your starting burst, then I swap to scepter and start kiting.
Melody's Slice n' Dice
gw2skills.net/editor/?fUAQJARWlYgSBHCyKEfYFRWBWafggVP2n8sHWBMeLA;T8AAyysEYJxSllCLKvMdJ6yKkzLZXrGGQcaA
One last build designed around The Core (more on that later). Spirit weapon Power builds are becoming fairly common in PvE. This build eschews the Guardian's support capabilities in favor of heightened damage. The Sword and Hammer Spirits are your more than simply backup; they're your bread and butter. GS heals couple with your Resolve to give you plenty of HoT to stand and fight in the front line while you take on just about anything with your little friends flanking.
Explaining The Core
gw2skills.net/editor/?fUAQBgCIrAA2HAArAA3CA
What I call "The Core" is a standardization of the Guardian traits that I believe any beginning guardian and most effective builds should employ. Obviously, there are exceptions. Builds like the 30/30/10 bunker "shout tanks" do not use this, and many spirit or scepter wielding weapon builds would eschew aspects of my core in favor of, say, zeal. But this core allows you to spec the class to any build reliably and still have the flexibility that guardians need to swap their traits and use--effectively use--any skill in the game. The extra 30 points allow for customization without locking you into a single "one trick pony". So when your team needs, say, Wall of Reflection and you're built for Shouts, you can swap the Mater of Consecration and get a boost to the skill you need at the time as opposed to (maybe) buffing recharge of Spirit Weapons that you aren't currently using.
And speaking of builds that don't follow The Core:
Melody Stands Her Ground
gw2skills.net/editor/?fUEQNApeWlUgyCXFSKEfIFRuAbBYPw4H741jEKRGC;T8AgzymEMJZS1kiJquMdJ6y2lrLZXrQGNM3A
The Altruistic Healing Build is a staple of any Guardian in team play. This is my take on the "classic" AH. Discussion with other support characters will tell you if you want to spec for larger symbols and a larger range for your spot heal, or keep Pure of Voice and its excellent condition removal. Personally, I'm constantly swapping Writ of Persistence and Writ of the Merciful between fights dependent on whether I'll be facetanking (which I usually am with something like this) or using the staff and hanging with the backline.
Kali Bay's Crazy Cantrips (Ele) Leveler
gw2skills.net/editor/?fEAQJAoYhMmibzR4gjEAkHn4SJjCiIK8QRxM5A;T8AAyysEQJZS1kCKqdM7I2xujbH5ODIOQMbA
Lots of mobility in combat, and it has the ability to respec for staff use and improve at ranged nuke capability in team play. Cantrips provide the speed to the build to wiggle out of tough situations, while 3(4 with rune combo) auras give you some crazy defense options. Frost and Shocking Aura are castable at need. Magnetic Aura is from the runes, a save your behind instant pop when you hit 20% health--and a good reminder to take a look at your health bar too!
Fire Shield is applied by Combo Finisher using Ring of Fire and then Mag Grasp. Recent nerfs require you to cast this pretty much in sequence; there is much less room for error with the change to Mag grasp.
Slot 3 in Water trait can be changed per need. I often take Vital striking for extra damage, or Stop, Drop and Roll for solo play, but in groups, the additional auras is impressive to say the least.
All combined, it makes the ele a tougher than usual nut to crush for midline and frontline play.
But most groups don't want their squishy ele up in the front line with their warriors and guardians.
Here's a respec for staff use:
gw2skills.net/editor/?fEAQFAWhImibyR1gjEAkHvcCLjChIKURRxM7A;T8AAyysEQJZS1kCKqdM7I2xujbH5ODIOQMbA
Suddenly, we're geared from combat in midrange to backline support. Obviously, you'd prefer to run full clerics gear, but I left the runes as they were because all that increased toughness gives you--now the "healer" in the team--that extra little bit of hardiness to break clear of a situation when things go bad and you get the agro.
And, of course, when wielding staff no one in a team complains when you drop a Frost Bow instead of GLE.
That's why I like this build and haven't made any real modifications to it as I leveled the character...or after! From Dagger/Dagger Damage to Staff wielding group savior in a matter of seconds. Its the best way I can describe an elementalist when people whine about weapon swapping. We don't NEED stuff like that; we're already so very versatile!
Faith Riven; Minion Mistress (Necromancer) Leveler
gw2skills.net/editor/?fQQQNAW7YjEat61ama07JApHRf90xHOmSh7pD;T8AAyysEYJxSllCLqmMNJay2krJZTDIOQ8aA
From 30-80, this build was my necromancer's method for walking to Orr. Accepting the limitation that I can't take 5 karken at once was difficult when the minions seem so capable at ripping any other mob ball to shreds, but once I did accept that, I can easily farm the area solo. Note: I mention from 30-80. I did not use the minions much in the first 30 levels. Mostly I crafted and used a well spammer build. When they buffed the minion heal, I swapped. Avoid using this in WvW, but in PvE, it is a killer.
Faith Fights
gw2skills.net/editor/?fQQQNAW7YjEaJ71ama07JAJFRT90DuBPcIF9KNA;T8AAyysEYJxSllCLqmMNJay2krJZTjFOQ8aA
A rebuild of my MM for more flexibility. Ditching the Bomb build was a tough choise, but the increase in minion DoT is noticeable. Tinkered with Blood Fiend over minions in PvE but have noticed that mobs tend to arget the fiend frequently where the minions make a decent tank wall with the shadow and Flesh Golem. Their biggest asset is actually their frontline nature. They're up there getting regen from my staff and dagger skills just like the other "meat shields"
Working on respecs of this build for combat in WvW. Taking an MM into PvP is like taking chum to a shark fight.
gw2skills.net/editor/?fQAQRAoY3YjMap7xbKb07JAJFWz70jsBnbIF3KNA-T0AAyCsIaS1krJTTymsNNCZ9xBipCvGA
Current version
Alima the Bombing Healbot (Engineer) Leveler
gw2skills.net/editor/?fcAQJAqelspSXnvynF17ISoHS49pWiU8YU2HFyVbB;T4AAyymEYJZS1kiJquMdJ6y2lrLZXDOmlA
The name says it all. If there is a healer in this game, then the bomb spamming engineer is currently it. HoT exceeds the guardian hybrid builds I've tried, and Condition control is just---well, what conditions with three toss-able elixirs. The pros explained, there are a few cons. Primarily, you're need to be face first in the middle of the damage to deal the most effective healing. Get used to dodging. A lot!
Dewon, Who does not Understand Himself(Warrior)Leveler
gw2skills.net/editor/?fIIQJARUjkOFvJPCPMRCA8BrMFM68AqkoSfwOA
This build, in one form or another, got me to 80 without dying every 5 minutes. But saying that, on a warrior, is not much of a statement. While the class has proven easy to play, playing it to its full potential remains a mystery to me. What advice I get, i do not always understand. Guess I sepent too much time in the backline in GW1.
Dewon gets Noisy
gw2skills.net/editor/?fIIQJARUncO08YyDSBxEZA4oAqkUKsrt0jyQLNA;T4Ag0yqEUJpSVliKKvM4IKyqjzLpOrIGEA
Many will have noticed the math flub I made in Veccu's thread about the Sonic Boon Warrior. While I still maintain the build has dubious qualifications as a "support build" it did get me interested in playing a warrior again. This modification of the build has proven effective in PvE combat. I've been able to facetank almost every Veteran solo outside of events, and those I can usually solo with a combination of patience, GS and Riffle swapping.
Colin, The Survivor(Ranger) Leveler
gw2skills.net/editor/?fMMQJATVjEVN2RWGWsWCgVh9aPykTM5MOkxvgSclVA;TwAg1yqEUJpSVliKqiMFJKyWkrIZRA
When I first rolled into GW2, I rolled a ranger. It was the first character I got to level 80, and the first character I deleted. I'd gone glass cannon and found myself dying many a time in WvW and end game content.
Much of what I disliked about the class I came to learn was the squishy nature of my build. By playing other characters, I learned the importance (in my play style) of having sufficient condition removal and a hearty amount of toughness and healing. This build allowed me to spec the class as something more than the backline character I remember from GW1 and--not take the fight like a facetank--take the hits that I previously couldn't.
Dunno what happened but half the post disappeared while making modifications. I'll try to get the other build back up asap.
