Curse

Byron · Apr 05, 2006, 07:27 PM // 19:27

This thread is working with http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s....php?t=3000023 to try and establish the basics of the HA warrior, and spread a knowledge of warrior tactics.

Becuase the spike is a necessary tactic in HA, swords have been a distant second to the axe, mainly due to the skill Eviscerate, which does in one skill what swords will do in two. As a measure of capability, though, the sword has a distinct advantage over the axe in its reliability. A sword will never hit a monk for 8 damage, for example. Then there is the staggering and reliable damage of final thrust to consider. So, the objective is to exploit those strengths.

Listed first is build of the team, then equipment, then class of warrior, then attribs, then skills, then synopsis.

1 Warrior, 3 monk team: A

set 1: Furious sword of fortitude/+30 health air magic focus
set 2: Vampiric sword of foritiude/+30 health air magic focus
set 3: Furious sword of fortitude/+30 health tower shield
set 4: Vampiric sword of fortitude/ +30 health tower shield

W/E

16 swordsmanship
10 strength
9 air magic

Res signet ()
Frenzy (other)
Sprint (strength)
Shock (Air magic)
Sever artery(swords)
Gash(swords)
Final thrust(swords)
Distracting blow (other)

The standard build; pretty much a shock axe with a sword. This is the most versatile HA sword build out there, with the advantage being final thrust, which is the most reliable big damage hit in the game. I have to say, unless you're out to prove a point, the better option for a one warrior team is most often axe, unless there is a special idea in mind.

1 Warrior, 3 monk team: B

set 1: Zealous sword of fortitude/+30 health tower shield
set 2: Vampiric sword of fortitude/ +30 health tower shield
get a wand if you can...

W/R

16 swordsmanship
10 strength
9 Beast mastery

Res signet ()
Tiger's Fury (Beast mastery)
Sprint (strength)
Savage slash (swords) or Bull's strike (swords)
Distracting blow (other)
Sever artery(swords)
Gash(swords)
Final thrust(swords)

This is my suggestion for pressure-based builds. Two interrupts will do wonders against bonders and Heal Parties, but if you are aching for KD, then bull's strike fits in nicely where savage slash was. With a zealous weapon, its possible to keep tiger's fury going pretty often, as well. I can say that I've tried this build as part of a degen team, and it works very well, especially considering the interrupt capability, damage output, and finishing move.

1 Warrior, 3 monk team: C

set 1: Shocking sword of fortitude/+30 health air magic focus
set 2: Vampiric sword of foritiude/+30 health air magic focus
set 3: Shocking sword of fortitude/+30 health tower shield
set 4: Vampiric sword of fortitude/ +30 health tower shield

W/E

16 swordsmanship
10 strength
9 air magic

Res signet ()
Frenzy (other)
Sprint (strength)
Shock (Air magic)
Conjure Lightning(Air Magic)
Galrath Slash(swords)
Final thrust(swords)
Hundred Blades (swords)

This is my favorite, though debatable, sword-warrior build, becuase of its DPS value and spike ability. With conjure equippped, hundred blades packs a big hurt, and boosts DPS. The combo for spiking is Frenzy->Shock->Hundred blades->Galrath->Final, while under conjure lightning. This will pack more raw and reliable damage than any 3-attack chain with an axe.

2 Warrior, 3 monk team: A

set 1: Zealous sword of fortitude/+30 health shield
set 2: Vampiric sword of fortitude/ +30 health shield

W/x

16 swordsmanship
9 strength
11 tactics

Res signet ()
Frenzy (other)
Sprint (strength)
"Fear Me!" (Tactics)
"Shields Up!" (Tactics) or "Watch Yourself!" (Tactics)
Galrath Slash(swords)
Final thrust(swords)
Hundred Blades (swords)

Amazingly great support warrior: DPS is of course high, you get constant, supportive, and aoe e-denial with "Fear Me!," and spiking is a thing of beauty when you use Galrath->Final in coordination with an axe warrior using Eviscerate->Executioner's. This would be my first suggestion to all 2-warrior HA builds out there.

2 Warrior, 3 monk team: B

set 1: Furious sword of fortitude/+30 health air magic focus
set 2: Vampiric sword of foritiude/+30 health air magic focus
set 3: Furious sword of fortitude/+30 health tower shield
set 4: Vampiric sword of fortitude/ +30 health tower shield

W/N

16 swordsmanship
9 strength
11 tactics

Res signet ()
Frenzy (other)
Plague touch (Necro other)
"Charge!" (Tactics)
"Shields Up!" (Tactics) or "Watch Yourself!" (Tactics)
Galrath Slash(swords)
Final thrust(swords)
Distracting blow (swords)

This is better for bond-builds or those who don't have the luxury of constant condition control, and "Charge!" to be used for kiting control, kiting aid, and altar capping. Never actually tried this build with an HA group...same idea as the last one, though.

2 Warrior, 3 monk team: C

set 1: Zealous sword of fortitude/+30 health tower shield
set 2: Vampiric sword of fortitude/ +30 health tower shield

W/Mo

16 swordsmanship
9 strength
10 smiting prayers

Res signet ()
Frenzy (other)
Sprint (strength) or Rush (strength)
Smite hex (smiting prayers)
Signet of Judgment(smiting prayers)
Sever Artery(swords)
Gash(swords)
Final thrust(swords)

Dont criticize it until you've tried it, hehe. With all the necro warrior hate going around, a smite hex build makes that Spiteful Spirit your weapon. With 10 in smiting, a smite hex will deal 60 damage to all enemies in the area, making it almost as powerful as an energy-surge. Since you'll be in the thick of the enemy anyway, this means lots of aoe. On teams with no necro, it becomes a greatly needed mesmer hex remover. Signet of Judgment is useful in its undeniable damage, aoe, knockdown, and no energy cost; also deals big damage to necros. I have tried this bulid, and while it isnt the most versatile, it is amazingly satisfying.

Comments, questions, arguments are welcomed (in fact begged for).

Divineshadows · Apr 05, 2006, 07:46 PM // 19:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byron

W/R

16 swordsmanship
10 strength
9 Beast mastery

Res signet ()
Tiger's Fury (Beast mastery)
Sprint (strength)
Savage slash (swords) or Bull's strike (swords)
Distracting blow (other)
Sever artery(swords)
Gash(swords)
Final thrust(swords)

Drop sprint and add charge (this shout affects the ghostly too, right?). Spec for tactics instead of strength. The previous warrior build lacks an elite as well, but not quite as simple to substitute like in this case.

tafy69 · Apr 05, 2006, 07:58 PM // 19:58

Axe warrior has better DPS and better spike than what you posted.

You were right that HA warrior just goes around and tries to spike random people, thats why most teams run Eviscerate + Executioners, and you cannot beat that combo.

The only reason Sword Warriors are even used is because they are still usefull without an Elite, thats why the Charge Warriors in GvG.

DPS: Axe>Sword
Spike: Axe>Sword
Non Attack Elite: Sword>Axe

JR · Apr 05, 2006, 09:50 PM // 21:50

Why on earth do so many of your builds not have an elite?

art_ · Apr 05, 2006, 09:57 PM // 21:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by JR-

Why on earth do so many of your builds not have an elite?

Elite skills are for scrubs.
If you are a leet player every skill is an elite.

Solberg the Exiled · Apr 05, 2006, 11:16 PM // 23:16

What do you mean no elite... I see Hundred Blade / "Charge" / Signet of Judgement, which are all elite. In fact, all of his build except for 2 have an elite skill.

Senty Wenty Wuvvy Woo · Apr 05, 2006, 11:16 PM // 23:16

I think that since you only get one elite skill to use on your 'bar then you should take advantage of it... Any leet player who doesn't use an elite skill just cuts down on his/her offensive or defensive power!

Byron · Apr 07, 2006, 04:30 AM // 04:30

Thanks for the replies, first off.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Divineshadows

Drop sprint and add charge (this shout affects the ghostly too, right?). Spec for tactics instead of strength. The previous warrior build lacks an elite as well, but not quite as simple to substitute like in this case.

Charge is great, but lacks any duration. The difference between 9 and 12 seconds is big enough to not include an elite, especially in a 1-warrior build where you will be running the ghostly to that altar or opening the gate. Subbing out for tactics also rids you of that 10% armor penetration. But if you like charge, then by all means, take it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tafy 69

Axe warrior has better DPS and better spike than what you posted.

No doubts there. As i posted in my build, if you have a typical one warrior team, swords are second to axe. Sometimes, though, i get on a team and ask(very nicely) if I can use sword. When an enemy is getting hit by a sword, they naturally assume noob. Then the gash->hundred->final hits, and they drop, and they cry. 'Nuff said? The DPS isn't so great that you can't sword on a non-spike 1 warrior team, like a hex degen. Sometimes its nice for a change of scenery.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JR-

Why on earth do so many of your builds not have an elite?

A good question to which I have a series of answers:
-Deep wound is needed for final thrust to unleash its full potential. On a one warrior build(which i would suggest axe for) a sword warrior will have to do that himself.
-Shock makes hundred blades an energy disaster. Even with zealous and an air focus, hundred blades puts a hurting on an energy hungry warrior. Tiger's Fury makes that problem even worse with its 10 energy cost and lack of an energy focus. And Blades is the only viable elite attack for a sword wielder in HA.
-Charge won't have a long enough duration to be that useful on a one warrior build.
*This problem will be solved for factions...

Quote:

Originally Posted by art

If you are a leet player every skill is an elite.

Clearly, my friend, clearly. Just look at those first two bulids.

So, to conclude, a sword wariror on a two-warrior team is amazing. The only time I held halls for any respectable duration was with a sword warrior, in particular the "2 warrior, 3 monk team A." And not only that, but with so many axes around, swords are a statement of pride and power. I use them at every opportunity, personally.
But don't bring a sword to a one warrior spike build, please. I'm bolding that in my first build now.

Thom Bangalter · Apr 13, 2006, 08:17 AM // 08:17

I'll give you my super cool shock/sword warrior:
16 swordsmanship
13 strength
whatever is left goes into air.

Bull's charge
Sever artery
gash
final thrust
shock
frenzy
distracting blow
rez sig.

Bull's charge is unbelievably good for kiting players, as you get a speed buff and you knockdown with every hit. It makes it real easy to just keep knocking down any monk/mesmer/whatever over and over again until it wears off. The recharge isn't bad at all, either. It also makes a good cover for frenzy when need be, and frenzy of course is used to build up adrenaline. Shock helps with the knockdown at well.
The build is pretty effective at countering spikes, as distracting blow can knock out the awaken the blood or read the wind, and shock knocks them down long enough that you can counter someone else's spike as well.

as far as equipment, i use victo's blade and victo's bulwark, because pve characters are awesome.

I must say that hundred blades is a real waste of an elite. And, since that opens up a lot of strength based elites, you can have some more fun with the build, like trying something like battle rage.

besides, bull's charge is just sprint/rush+bull's strike, and that combo is certainly popular but bull's strike has quite the recharge on it compared to this, and you don't have to time the bull's strike, just keep whacking away.

coincidentally, I run into byron all the friggin time in ha, normally when i'm doing swords warrior with my character 'The Gypsy King'.

Divineshadows · Apr 13, 2006, 05:59 PM // 17:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thom Bangalter

The build is pretty effective at countering spikes, as distracting blow can knock out the awaken the blood or read the wind, and shock knocks them down long enough that you can counter someone else's spike as well.

How about using distracting blow to interrupt Shadow Strike (you know the skill that is actually used to spike) instead? Let the mesmers or monks on your team deal with removing this enchantment from the blood spikers and it helps them gain some energy in the process.

Byron · Apr 14, 2006, 04:19 PM // 16:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thom Bangalter

Bull's charge
Sever artery
gash
final thrust
shock
frenzy
distracting blow
rez sig.

A respectable set of skills, but you're missing sprint...If you've got a buddy to do the relics and altars for you though, I think this build has some life to it. I am a fan of Bull's charge, especially on a sword warrior (since sword has the best attack speed). Unfortunately, it doesn't work so well on experienced players. The best players out there will kite until they see you are in melee range, stop to take the hit, then kite again as soon as they are hit to avoid any combos. This pretty effectively avoids any bull's strike or bull's charge tactics you got. The best time to hit a enemy with a bull's attack, then, is right when they start moving.

Quote:

as far as equipment, i use victo's blade and victo's bulwark, because pve characters are awesome.

The vamp factor is nice, but rarely is PvE going to make a difference against player skill and experience, especially so in a sword warrior. Frankly, I'm just too lazy to muster the time and money necessary for a PvE character that would be any good in PvP.

Quote:

I must say that hundred blades is a real waste of an elite. And, since that opens up a lot of strength based elites, you can have some more fun with the build, like trying something like battle rage.

In your typical cookie-cutter build, hundred blades doesn't make much sense, I'll admit. But when ran with a zealous weapon and support shouts(ie Fear Me, Watch Yourself), it is definitely a skill worth taking.

Quote:

coincidentally, I run into byron all the friggin time in ha,

Yes, we do see eachother pretty often in HA. Of course, I think you're more often on the losing side of the battle. (Muhaha)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Divineshadows

Let the mesmers or monks on your team deal with removing this enchantment from the blood spikers and it helps them gain some energy in the process.

Agree entirely. There are better skills to interrupt. Shocking one spiker in the middle of Shadow Strike or Dual shot can ruin the whole spike, and it will definitely give your infuser a better chance to hit the heal. Good interrupts and effective prots always win against a spike team...at least on non-altar maps.

Thom Bangalter · Apr 14, 2006, 06:46 PM // 18:46

With Bull's charge, i don't worry about hitting with an adrenal spike, i just throw it up and follow their ass around, knocking them down every time they try to move. Which is arguably why it's better than bull's strike, since the recharge on that takes a while and only works once.

tafy69 · Apr 14, 2006, 07:19 PM // 19:19

And Bulls Charge can be used instead of sprint

The Real Roy Keane · Apr 14, 2006, 10:57 PM // 22:57

And Bull's Charge is a waste of space unless you're running two Warriors.

Thom Bangalter · Apr 17, 2006, 08:04 AM // 08:04

and keane is right. I should really explain myself more clearly, but it's the internet, so I don't care that much. But this IS sword warriors, and I would never have a one warrior team with the warrior using a sword. but that's just me.

Para · Apr 17, 2006, 04:17 PM // 16:17

Quote:

This is my favorite, though debatable, sword-warrior build, becuase of its DPS value and spike ability. With conjure equippped, hundred blades packs a big hurt, and boosts DPS. The combo for spiking is Frenzy->Shock->Hundred blades->Galrath->Final, while under conjure lightning. This will pack more raw and reliable damage than any 3-attack chain with an axe.

The spike can't be used to often (even with the zealous) Frenzy + Shock + Blades = 15 Energy + Exhaustion + 1 Energy Regen :\

Byron · Apr 17, 2006, 06:03 PM // 18:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by tafy69

And Bulls Charge can be used instead of sprint

I suppose if you're running a 12+4 Sword, 12+1 Strength warrior, then yes it could. But then there is the whole issue of energy management with the lack of a focus...

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Real Roy Keane

And Bull's Charge is a waste of space unless you're running two Warriors.

Pretty generally, and very much so in HA, running a sword warrior at all is a waste of space unless you're running two warriors. In that case though, Bull's charge just seems to be the answer to the no-elite-worthy sword.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Para

The spike can't be used to often (even with the zealous) Frenzy + Shock + Blades = 15 Energy + Exhaustion + 1 Energy Regen

Certainly not..But by the time you've gotten the adrenaline for final thrust, you will have hit 8 times anyway, which amounts to 8 energy on the bar. With Zealous, the cost of Blades is effectively brought to 3. That's not to say that energy isnt a problem, only that zealous makes it less of a problem. Combined with an energy focus, though, that build that you commented on does have some impressive spike capability.