casters with sword and shield - Guild Wars Forums

wef1988 · Dec 11, 2010, 09:37 PM // 21:37

Just a quick question here. I have been seeing alot of caster types using a shield and sword. I was wondering what the benefit for this was over using a staff/scepter and focus.

End · Dec 11, 2010, 09:44 PM // 21:44

defence and usually martial weapons/shields look cooler.

Occassionally enchanting but meh

Icecream · Dec 11, 2010, 09:44 PM // 21:44

u can use a enchants last 20% longer on the sword, shield just cuz it looks cool.

wef1988 · Dec 11, 2010, 09:48 PM // 21:48

I see, so for function, a staff/ scepter and focus combo is better?

**Marty Silverblade** · Dec 11, 2010, 09:59 PM // 21:59

Not necessarily. If you plan to sit around casting a lot, you'll want to have a wand/focus set with 40/40 mods. Some reasons for casters using a martial weapon + shield are:

*More defense (especially useful on spirit spammers because they don't cast spells).
*A one handed weapon that can hold a 20% enchanting mod.
*An unconditional +5e.
*Triggering physical damage buffs like Mark of Pain, Barbs, and Order of Pain (you'll need a spear so you can do it from range).

There are probably others, but I can't think of them right now.

wef1988 · Dec 11, 2010, 10:35 PM // 22:35

I see what your saying Marty, and that helps for some of characters. So, for a nuker elementalist, a wand/focus would be best for him?

**Marty Silverblade** · Dec 11, 2010, 10:36 PM // 22:36

Yes, because you'll be casting most of the time and will want the reduced casting time and recharge that a 40/40 set offers.

wef1988 · Dec 11, 2010, 10:38 PM // 22:38

ok thanks man. ill keep what you said for the martial/shield combo in mind as well as the wand and focus.

Boogz · Dec 11, 2010, 11:19 PM // 23:19

martial weapon/shield set is crucial for casters at PvP. Its ideal to have a shield with +10 armor against every damage: slashing, piercing, blunt, fire, lightning, ice, earth

the best option is r7/8 tactics, since casters (usually monks) don't run anything higher than this. more frequently r9 due to rarity/price of r7/8 shields. Eles usually grab r9 command shields (fall back, make haste) since they hardly ever will run a warrior stance. mesmer/necros can benefit from some tactics stances, rits almost never run them so it doesn't matter the attribute of the shield

Wildora Fox · Dec 11, 2010, 11:50 PM // 23:50

The main reason to wear a shield is to increase your armor when you are receiving damage.
But many people just wear it to look "pro". It is completely stupid when a monk is all the time wearing his "black dyed voltaic spear+tormented shield set" even when not receiving damage. For a casting caster it is worst to wear a shield, a shield porpouse is just to increase armor. So while caster is not under attack it is useless.

darthsabbath · Dec 12, 2010, 12:31 AM // 00:31

It's also not uncommon for people to have a "low energy" caster weapon... with a -5e "Brawn Over Brains" inscription. This is useful for hiding energy from e-denial casters.

Dec 11, 2010, 09:37 PM // 21:37	#1
wef1988 Pre-Searing Cadet Join Date: Dec 2010 Guild: Razorback Hawgs	casters with sword and shield Just a quick question here. I have been seeing alot of caster types using a shield and sword. I was wondering what the benefit for this was over using a staff/scepter and focus.

Dec 11, 2010, 09:59 PM // 21:59	#5
Marty Silverblade Administrator Join Date: Jun 2006	Not necessarily. If you plan to sit around casting a lot, you'll want to have a wand/focus set with 40/40 mods. Some reasons for casters using a martial weapon + shield are: More defense (especially useful on spirit spammers because they don't cast spells). A one handed weapon that can hold a 20% enchanting mod. An unconditional +5e. Triggering physical damage buffs like Mark of Pain, Barbs, and Order of Pain (you'll need a spear so you can do it from range). There are probably others, but I can't think of them right now. __________________

Dec 11, 2010, 10:36 PM // 22:36	#7
Marty Silverblade Administrator Join Date: Jun 2006	Yes, because you'll be casting most of the time and will want the reduced casting time and recharge that a 40/40 set offers. __________________

Dec 11, 2010, 11:19 PM // 23:19	#9
Boogz Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Feb 2008 Guild: Variable Speed Farmers[VsF] Profession: Mo/	martial weapon/shield set is crucial for casters at PvP. Its ideal to have a shield with +10 armor against every damage: slashing, piercing, blunt, fire, lightning, ice, earth the best option is r7/8 tactics, since casters (usually monks) don't run anything higher than this. more frequently r9 due to rarity/price of r7/8 shields. Eles usually grab r9 command shields (fall back, make haste) since they hardly ever will run a warrior stance. mesmer/necros can benefit from some tactics stances, rits almost never run them so it doesn't matter the attribute of the shield Last edited by Boogz; Dec 11, 2010 at 11:22 PM // 23:22..

Dec 11, 2010, 09:44 PM // 21:44	#2
End Forge Runner Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rubbing Potassium on water fountains. Guild: LF guild that teaches MTSC (did it long ago before gw2 came out and I quit...but I barely remember) Profession: N/A	defence and usually martial weapons/shields look cooler. Occassionally enchanting but meh

Dec 11, 2010, 09:44 PM // 21:44	#3
Icecream Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ice Tooth Cave Guild: Zealots Of Shiverpeak Profession: Mo/	u can use a enchants last 20% longer on the sword, shield just cuz it looks cool.

Dec 11, 2010, 09:48 PM // 21:48	#4
wef1988 Pre-Searing Cadet Join Date: Dec 2010 Guild: Razorback Hawgs	I see, so for function, a staff/ scepter and focus combo is better?

Dec 11, 2010, 10:35 PM // 22:35	#6
wef1988 Pre-Searing Cadet Join Date: Dec 2010 Guild: Razorback Hawgs	I see what your saying Marty, and that helps for some of characters. So, for a nuker elementalist, a wand/focus would be best for him?

Dec 11, 2010, 10:38 PM // 22:38	#8
wef1988 Pre-Searing Cadet Join Date: Dec 2010 Guild: Razorback Hawgs	ok thanks man. ill keep what you said for the martial/shield combo in mind as well as the wand and focus.

Dec 11, 2010, 11:50 PM // 23:50	#10
Wildora Fox Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Jan 2008 Guild: Nice To Kill You [NTKU] Profession: N/P	The main reason to wear a shield is to increase your armor when you are receiving damage. But many people just wear it to look "pro". It is completely stupid when a monk is all the time wearing his "black dyed voltaic spear+tormented shield set" even when not receiving damage. For a casting caster it is worst to wear a shield, a shield porpouse is just to increase armor. So while caster is not under attack it is useless.

Dec 12, 2010, 12:31 AM // 00:31	#11
darthsabbath Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Apr 2010	It's also not uncommon for people to have a "low energy" caster weapon... with a -5e "Brawn Over Brains" inscription. This is useful for hiding energy from e-denial casters.