Difference between revisions of "Guardian - Core Power"

Latest revision as of 17:12, 8 August 2025

The community gave this build a rating, making it second-tier: Good

Focused on: Direct damage

Designed for: Open World and Open World General

Difficulty:

Easy

This build was last updated on August 08, 2025 and is up to date for the August 19, 2025 patch.

Overview

Power build for guardian which is F2P/Core accessible and can handle most open world content.

This build can be played while levelling, while working on acquiring elite specializations, or by free-to-play players. It leads nicely into power dragonhunter or power willbender.

Skill Bar

Greatsword

Sword/Focus

Utility

Weapon Variants

Always keep Greatsword. Sword+focus can replaced by:

Spear - deals more damage and increases your Resolution uptime. Requires the expansion Janthir Wilds.
Longbow - high damage ranged option. Requires the expansion Secrets of the Obscure for Weaponmastery.

Skill Variants

Signet of Resolve - an easy-to-use, reliable heal.
"Advance!" - defense + mobility
"Hold the Line!" - defense for yourself and nearby allies
Smite Condition - condi cleanse
Wall of Reflection - projectile reflection
Sanctuary - projectile hate and extreme CC; very long cooldown

Template Code

[&DQEqOxA9LjUmDwMBSAEtATYBigD+AP4AiRI3AQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA=]

Copy Template Code

Specializations

Equipment

Ascended gear and stat infusions are not required; you can use exotic gear with the same stats.

Standard Equipment

This setup uses basic, easily obtained equipment that performs very well in open world and is functional in endgame PVE.

Head
Berserker

Shoulders
Berserker

Chest
Dragon

Hands
Berserker

Legs
Dragon

Feet
Berserker

Backpiece
Dragon

Accessory
Berserker

Amulet
Dragon

Ring
Dragon

Greatsword
Berserker

Sigil

Sword
Berserker

Focus
Berserker

Sigil

Rune
x6

Relic

If you are gearing this character from zero, start with exotic quality gear. Search the trading post for "Devona" armor. Then search for the weapons you want to use: "Ebonblade" greatsword, "Bonetti's Rapier" sword, "Adam" focus. Upgrade to ascended gear as you progress. See also: Guide:How to Gear a Character.

Dragon stats are a very minor optimisation. Full Berserker stats is easier to acquire and you won't notice the difference.
Players with access to expansions should run Greatsword + Spear.
You can use Relic of Zakiros to trade a minor amount of damage for sustain, Relic of the Cavalier to start combat with boons, or Relic of Durability for a little extra defense.
For defense, equip the highest tier Jade Core you can afford. Use defensive food or skills if required.

Consumables

Budget consumables are acceptable for use in open world.

DPS

Prioritize Steak Ascended food.
/
/

Defense

Farming

Prioritize Steak Ascended food.
/
(and variants)

Usage

Damage Basics

Maintain Resolution as much as possible to activate Radiance traits. Most notably Righteous Instincts.
Use Virtue of Courage and Virtue of Resolve to maintain Inspiring Virtue and Resolution.
Spam Virtue of Justice against trash enemies. It will reset thanks to Renewed Justice. Avoid this against bosses, as the passive Burning generated from this skill is more valuable due to Radiant Power and Inner Fire.
Your symbols apply Vulnerability every tick.
Unscathed Contender means we want to stay high HP and maintain Aegis when possible, so do your best to avoid damage.

Damage Priorities

Follow the skill priorities below. Fill gaps with auto-attacks and Sword of Justice. Generally, you want to use your symbols at least twice per weapon loop.

Greatsword:

Symbol of Resolution
Whirling Wrath
Binding Blade
Leap of Faith
Do not interrupt your autoattack chain.

Sword/ Focus:

Ray of Judgment
Symbol of Blades
Zealot's Defense
Do not interrupt your autoattack chain.

If using Spear:

Symbol of Luminance
Helio Rush
Gleaming Disc
Solar Storm
Do not interrupt your autoattack chain.

If using Longbow:

Hunter's Ward
True Shot
Hunter's Ward
Deflecting Shot

Defense

Virtue of Courage - blocks attacks, breaks stun
"Stand Your Ground!" - breaks stun
Leap of Faith - blind
Virtue of Justice - blind
Litany of Wrath - massive heal, but requires you to continue dealing damage
Ray of Judgment - cleanses one condition if it hits you

Crowd Control

Binding Blade
Sanctuary consider this if you need lots of cc.
Deflecting Shot if using longbow
Bane Signet (as a last resort)

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 ==Overview==
-This is a very basic guardian build which is F2P/Core accessible and can handle most open world content.
+Power build for guardian which is F2P/Core accessible and can handle most open world content.
+This build can be played while levelling, while working on acquiring elite specializations, or by free-to-play players. It leads nicely into power dragonhunter or power willbender.
@@ Line 30: / Line 32: @@
 ===Weapon Variants===
-Always keep {{Tooltip|Greatsword}}:
+Always keep {{Tooltip|Greatsword}}. Sword+focus can replaced by:
-* {{Tooltip|Sword}}/{{Tooltip|Focus}} - replaces {{Tooltip|Longbow}} if you do not have Weaponmaster.
+* {{Tooltip|Spear}} - deals more damage and increases your {{Tooltip|Resolution}} uptime. Requires the expansion Janthir Wilds.
-* {{Tooltip|Staff}} - alternative ranged option
+* {{Tooltip|Longbow}} - high damage ranged option. Requires the expansion Secrets of the Obscure for Weaponmastery.
 ===Skill Variants===
@@ Line 39: / Line 41: @@
 * {{Skill|"Hold the Line!"}} - defense for yourself and nearby allies
 * {{Skill|Smite Condition}} - condi cleanse
-* {{Skill|Wall of Reflection}} - projectile hate
+* {{Skill|Wall of Reflection}} - projectile reflection
 * {{Skill|Sanctuary}} - projectile hate and extreme CC; very long cooldown
 ==Template Code==
@@ Line 51: / Line 54: @@
 {{Specialization|Radiance|top|bot|bot}}
 {{Specialization|Virtues|top|top|bot}}
 ==Equipment==
@@ Line 58: / Line 62: @@
 This setup uses basic, easily obtained equipment that performs very well in open world and is functional in endgame PVE.
 {{PvE equipment
-| weight = Heavy
 | stats = Berserker
-| rune = Superior Rune of the Dragonhunter
-| rune-qt = 6
-| weapon1 = Greatsword
-| weapon2 =
-| sigil1 = Superior Sigil of Force
-| sigil2 = Superior Sigil of Impact
-| weapon3 = Longbow
-| weapon4 =
-| sigil3 = Superior Sigil of Force
-| sigil4 = Superior Sigil of Impact
-| relic = relic of the thief
-}}
-===Free-to-play Equipment===
-This setup uses basic, easily obtained equipment that performs very well in open world and is functional in endgame PVE.
-{{PvE equipment
 | weight = Heavy
-| stats = Berserker
 | rune = Superior Rune of the Dragonhunter
 | rune-qt = 6
@@ Line 84: / Line 70: @@
 | sigil1 = Superior Sigil of Force
 | sigil2 = Superior Sigil of Impact
-| weapon3 = Longbow
+| weapon3 = Sword
-| weapon4 =
+| weapon4 = Focus
 | sigil3 = Superior Sigil of Force
 | sigil4 = Superior Sigil of Impact
-| relic = relic of the thief
+| relic = Relic of the Thief
+| chest = Dragon
+| legs = Dragon
+| backpiece = Dragon
+| amulet = Dragon
+| ring1 =  Dragon
+| ring2 = Dragon
 }}
+If you are gearing this character from zero, start with '''exotic quality gear'''. Search the trading post for "Devona" armor. Then search for the weapons you want to use: "Ebonblade" greatsword, "Bonetti's Rapier" sword, "Adam" focus. Upgrade to ascended gear as you progress. See also: [[Guide:How to Gear a Character]].
+* {{Tooltip|Dragon stats}} are a very minor optimisation. Full {{Tooltip|Berserker stats}} is easier to acquire and you won't notice the difference.
+* Players with access to expansions should run Greatsword + {{Tooltip|Spear}}.
+* You can use {{Relic|Relic of Zakiros}} to trade a minor amount of damage for sustain, {{Relic|Relic of the Cavalier}} to start combat with boons, or {{Relic|Relic of Durability}} for a little extra defense.
+* For defense, equip the highest tier Jade Core you can afford. Use defensive food or skills if required.
-===Equipment Variants===
-====Other Options====
-* {{Rune|Superior Rune of the Scholar}} - nearly identical damage to {{Rune|Superior Rune of the Dragonhunter}}.
-====Relics====
-There are many good relics for general play in open world and others that may be specific to this build. Swap based on preference.
-* {{Relic|Relic of Cerus}} - dps
-* {{Relic|Relic of the Cavalier}} - dps/defense; use with Skyscale's Fire Field for stacking boons.
-* {{Relic|Relic of Speed}} - mobility
-* {{Relic|Relic of the Adventurer}} - defense
-* {{Relic|Relic of Durability}} - defense
-* {{Relic|Relic of the Zephyrite}} - defense
-====Defense====
-* Invest in a Jade Core for additional HP and access to Jade Protocols.
-* {{Tooltip|Knight|Knight's Trinkets}} - extra defense
-* {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Energy}} - increased evasion
-====Budget====
-* {{Rune|Superior Rune of Infiltration}}
-* {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Air}}
-<br>
 ==Consumables==
 Budget consumables are acceptable for use in open world.
@@ Line 132: / Line 107: @@
 * {{Food|Peppermint Omnomberry Bar}}
 * {{Utility|Sharpening Skull}} (and variants)
-<br>
 ==Usage==
 ===Damage Basics===
-* Spam {{Skill|Virtue of Justice}} against trash enemies. Use {{Skill|Virtue of Courage}} and {{Skill|Virtue of Resolve}} to maintain {{Trait|Inspiring Virtue}} and {{Tooltip|Resolution}}. Avoid this against bosses, as the passive {{Tooltip|Burning}} generated from this trait is more valuable due to {{Trait|Radiant Power}} and {{Trait|Inner Fire}}.
+* Maintain {{Tooltip|Resolution}} as much as possible to activate {{Tooltip|Radiance}} traits. Most notably {{Trait|Righteous Instincts}}.
-* Maintain {{Tooltip|Resolution}} as much as possible to proc {{Tooltip|Radiance}} traits.
+* Use {{Skill|Virtue of Courage}} and {{Skill|Virtue of Resolve}} to maintain {{Trait|Inspiring Virtue}} and {{Tooltip|Resolution}}.
+* Spam {{Skill|Virtue of Justice}} against trash enemies. It will reset thanks to {{Trait|Renewed Justice}}. Avoid this against bosses, as the passive {{Tooltip|Burning}} generated from this skill is more valuable due to {{Trait|Radiant Power}} and {{Trait|Inner Fire}}.
 * Your symbols apply {{Tooltip|Vulnerability}} every tick.
 * {{Trait|Unscathed Contender}} means we want to stay high HP and maintain {{Tooltip|Aegis}} when possible, so do your best to avoid damage.
@@ Line 143: / Line 119: @@
 ===Damage Priorities===
 Follow the skill priorities below. Fill gaps with auto-attacks and {{Skill|Sword of Justice}}. Generally, you want to use your symbols at least twice per weapon loop.
 {{Tooltip|Greatsword}}:
 # {{Skill|Symbol of Resolution}}
@@ Line 148: / Line 125: @@
 # {{Skill|Binding Blade}}
 # {{Skill|Leap of Faith}}
-# Do not interrupt auto-attack chains.
+# Do not interrupt your autoattack chain.
-{{Tooltip|Longbow}}:
+{{Tooltip|Sword}}/{{Tooltip|Focus}}:
-# {{Skill|Symbol of Energy}}
+# {{Skill|Ray of Judgment}}
+# {{Skill|Symbol of Blades}}
+# {{Skill|Zealot's Defense}}
+# Do not interrupt your autoattack chain.
+If using {{Tooltip|Spear}}:
+# {{Skill|Symbol of Luminance}}
+# {{Skill|Helio Rush}}
+# {{Skill|Gleaming Disc}}
+# {{Skill|Solar Storm}}
+# Do not interrupt your autoattack chain.
+If using {{Tooltip|Longbow}}:
+# {{Skill|Hunter's Ward}}
 # {{Skill|True Shot}}
 # {{Skill|Hunter's Ward}}
 # {{Skill|Deflecting Shot}}
-{{Tooltip|Sword}}/{{Tooltip|Focus}}:
-# {{Skill|Ray of Judgment}}
-# {{Skill|Zealot's Defense}}
-# {{Skill|Symbol of Blades}}
-# Do not interrupt auto-attack chains.
 ===Defense===
@@ Line 168: / Line 152: @@
 * {{Skill|Virtue of Justice}} - blind
 * {{Skill|Litany of Wrath}} - massive heal, but requires you to continue dealing damage
+* {{Skill|Ray of Judgment}} - cleanses one condition if it hits you
 ===Crowd Control===
 * {{Skill|Binding Blade}}
-* {{Skill|Deflecting Shot}}
+* {{Skill|Sanctuary}} consider this if you need lots of cc.
+* {{Skill|Deflecting Shot}} if using longbow
 * {{Skill|Bane Signet}} (as a last resort)

Difference between revisions of "Guardian - Core Power"

Latest revision as of 17:12, 8 August 2025

Contents

Overview