Hello family! I figured it was time I just went ahead and made an official post here after having been asked so many times about my guardian's build. I admit I don't know how unsual it might actually be, but I personally have never seen anyone else using it and it seems highly effective, so without further ado here it is:
Phantom's Ranged DPS Guardian Build
This build is tweaked specially for PvE dungeon running, most specifically fractals. It is intended to be highly effective at ranged single target DPS, as most fractals seem to be tuned to be more easily completed in that matter, while still having substantial AoE damage via the greatsword and enough survivability to not be constantly downed.
It is a crit-based build that consistantly stacks might (usually around 6-8) on yourself and any nearby allies, and has 100% vigor uptime so you can dodge roll almost constantly (which includes an area healing component).
I also chose to give up the 20% faster cooldown time on Signets (slightly slower self-heal, but it is still a fast cooldown and you usually have other means of survival until it comes back up) in order to gain an enemy boon-strip through searing flames. It unfortunately can only activate every 20 seconds, but that is vastly better than nothing on many fractal bosses if nobody else in your group is running a boon strip (mesmer or necro, generally). You can always ask if someone else has that on innately (like a sword/focus mez) and if so, just flip that trait back over to the faster signets.
For this build I elected to trait out of the 5% scepter damage and 10% damange against burning foes from Zeal in order to get both of the Consecration-based traits in the Virtues line. I consider this to be absolutely pivotal for fractals, especially if you are in a group that only has one guardian. It has also been proven that, in addition to the INCREDIBLY helpful ground targetting given by the Consecrated Ground trait, it also has a hidden bonus of even further increasing the duration and reducing the cooldown of those skills in addition to the boosts provided by Master of Consecrations. This allows you to almost single-handedly keep up a rotating barrier of protection when properly timed between Shield of the Avenger, Sanctuary, and Wall of Reflection, in addition to being able to place them wherever you would like AND add a bit more usefulness to your Hallowed Ground (for use against the Frozen Fractal 1st Boss). Don't forget as well that Purging Flames (our best combo-field generater) is extended for more interaction there, and you can use it more often as a Condition Remover which allows you to pretty much never have to take up a skill slot with Smite Condition or Contemplation of Purity except in very select situations, if even that.
I am geared in 100% beserker items, purely power/prec/crit damage and do seem to hit very hard and fast. Remember that while you wont see huge numbers (generally consistent crits around 1800-2400) you are hitting MUCH faster and more often than most other classes, plus if you use Smite smartly and accurately that is a tremendous amount of burst damage. Add in well-placed Shield of Wrath explosions for your big numbers (upwards of 5k crits, AoE) and skyrocketting Whirling Blade damage in the middle of groups and you are a force to be reckoned with. After much testing it turns out that for pure DPS increase the boring ol' Sigil of Air is the best, as any kind of stack-on-crit sigil is to inconsistent with all the downing in Fractals and sigil or Frailty is just pitiful. You provide all your own boons that you may need, so the only other option you could take (in my opinion) is Sigil of Blood for the (wildly substantial) amount of health leech you would get if you find yourself getting downed a lot. I avoid this simply because in higher level fractals, if you get downed it was usually so fast that leeching wouldn't have saved you anyway. Throw in your Scholar runes for more power and crit damage increase and you are good to go.
In terms of playstyle, it is pretty simple. Stand where you gotta stand, roll all the time for group heals and to avoid any red circles, and pewpewpew. You are stacking Vulnerability pretty well via Chains of Light (use constantly unless you need immobilize specifically, and try to time it so you can hit them with Smite at the same time) and Ray of Judgement. Your survivability comes almost entirely via Blinding, Aegis, and Dodging. You have two powerful blinds (Ray of Judgement and greatsword leap AoE) and the best Aegis in the game with Shield of Wrath and Retreat plus Virtue of Courage. Use them well when you need to defend, otherwise use them for DPS. Drop a Purging Flames on your teammates and use Shield of Wrath inside of it for Area Might plus any other combos they generate and a group condition removal.
Don't forget your shouts have reduced cooldown times, so use them often! Save yourselve's should be on at almost all times as it gives you an effectively 100% crit chance plus every boon there is. Also don't forget that Hold the Line is not only a regeneration, but also gives Protection so try to use it premptively BEFORE scary damage for full effect.
Wall of Reflection is an amazing skill, find every way you can use it against bosses to negate damage for your team (dropping it right in front of them from 600 range is hilariously effective in making any projectile-type enemies useless). Plus anyone shooting through it gets a condition removal! Never forget about your stability skills, as a well-timed Stand Your Ground can be a lifesaver (Cliffside, Frost, and tentacle running on Maw all come to mind).
From my own testing, Signet of Mercy is neigh useless, but Signet of Judgment can be very beneficial in areas where there is a lot of damage coming in from a lot of sources (Shaman boss in Volcano) as it is a straight % Damage Reduction off the top.
Don't forget that weapon swap has a short cooldown, so feel free to drop a purging flames + shield of wrath and switch into Greatsword, leap into the enemies (Flame Shield) and Whirling Blades (Burning Bolts) for huge damage, capped off by your shield exploding for icing on the cake. I HIGHLY recommend you learn to use Binding Blades, get a solid feel for the range on it and dont be afraid to bunch everything up, give them a whack, then roll your way out of danger and finish off the group.
Anyway, there is vastly too much information about my build and some of my own opinions and tips for playing it. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please post them as I would love to chat about it and as always strive to make myself a better player and help any and all I can along the way.
» Edited on: 2013-04-10 19:14:12
