Fractals Of The Mind

  i remember seeing you in many of my gw2lfg pug runs forever ago

- coup de grace

They've done some crazy changes to Fractals, it's going to feel completely different to play.. I'm sure. Especially having 4 fractal levels per difficulty level.

One thing I question about the Agony Infusions is how high do they go up? I don't know if 80PR is out of the question, Stalvros, unless they've completely capped it.

If 1+1 make a +2, and 2+2 make a +3.. 3+3=4, 4+4=5.. 5+5=? if they are removing the chance to get +10 AR on a single item, I cannot see why they would have 50 Fractal levels if the highest you can get it is +40 AR without ascended armors and their infusion slots.

I think I may stock up on a few +5AR infusions and see what happens for tomorrows update.

I'm on board for this. My mesmer will have full ascended gear and 55AR by the 26th (just need to finish my focus, Vision Crystal the only thing that's left), and I've got experience up through 49 prepatch. I want to hit 50 as quickly as possible too, and will be totally free starting at noon EST on the 26th through the weekend!

Greetings to my FOTM guild mates. I was so excited to learn there was a guild dedicated to Fractals. I've gotten to PR 21 and stagnated since folks in my main guild aren't that high and catching friends for it has become harder. Since my main guild is going through some upheaval at the moment, it may be a little while before I can do regular runs with you all. Still, even if I am not repping, feel free to PM me any time for a run.

Best to you all,
Saroya Ravenwind

P.S. Aren't you excited for Nov 26th??
https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/upcoming-changes-for-the-fractals-of-the-mists/

ADVANCED GUARDIAN BUILD

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Introduction
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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.

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):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=girefVuoAuk

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Armor Set:
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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

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Trinket Set:
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Backpiece: Soldier's (I wish I would have made Beserker instead)
Earrings: Beserker x2
Rings: Beserker x2
Amulet: Beserker

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Weapons:
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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

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Traits:
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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.

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Skills:
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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

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Playing this build:
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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!