From 64183ad9d418450c3ced547da6b971aa3198b8d2 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Daniel Schadt Date: Sun, 30 Jun 2019 02:58:52 +0200 Subject: add guardian blocking guide --- blocking/blocking.tex | 97 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ blocking/images/firebrand-skills.png | Bin 0 -> 51721 bytes blocking/images/guardian-traits.png | Bin 0 -> 168431 bytes 3 files changed, 97 insertions(+) create mode 100644 blocking/images/firebrand-skills.png create mode 100644 blocking/images/guardian-traits.png (limited to 'blocking') diff --git a/blocking/blocking.tex b/blocking/blocking.tex index c4faa56..336a4a2 100644 --- a/blocking/blocking.tex +++ b/blocking/blocking.tex @@ -561,4 +561,101 @@ It is a lot harder to find the Sweet Spot with a lot of people standing there. In addition, you can take the trait \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Gale_Song}{\trait{Gale Song}} (Tempest, first column top). While not particularly useful on its own, it provides an automatic stun break, should you ever get hit by a knockback from a spin or a Veteran Jungle Wurm. + + +\subsection{Guardian} + +Guardians can block all eggs reliably. +In addition, they can block up to two husks each spit. + + +\subsubsection{Basic Mode - Eggblocking} + +As for Guardian eggblocking, you will rely on two skills: +The first one is \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Wall_of_Reflection}{\uskill{Wall of Reflection}}, which is a fairly low-cooldown, high-duration reflection skill. +The downside of this skill is that the placement needs to be a bit more accurate, since it is not a dome. +As such, you should either adjust the angle to cover all three egg spit paths, or you should place the \uskill{Wall of Reflection} right on top of the Sweet Spot. + +The second reflect comes from taking a Shield off-hand, namely \skill{Shield}{5}{\href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Shield_of_Absorption}{Shield of Absorption}}. +This skill is a dome, which means you can cast it as long as you stand somewhat close to the Sweet Spot. +The downside to this reflect is the short duration, which means you have to time it a bit better. +If you are unsure, you can always use \skill{Shield}{5}{Shield of Absorption} first to check the spit, and if necessary follow up with a \uskill{Wall of Reflection} between two coughs. + +If you want to be extra sure, you can take \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Shield_of_the_Avenger}{\uskill{Shield of the Avenger}} as an extra utility. +This will give you another ability that you can use to block eggs. + + +\subsubsection{Advanced Mode} + +The only way on Guardian to block husks is your elite, \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Renewed_Focus}{\uskill{Renewed Focus}}, which is a three second invulnerability. +Sadly, the duration is not enough to block a full husk spit, so you can only block 2 of them. +In addition, you do not have a skill to check a spit if it's husks, which means you can only use \uskill{Renewed Focus} when you saw the first husk already flying, therefore blocking the second and the third husk. + +The cooldown of \uskill{Renewed Focus} is also pretty high at 90 seconds, which makes it \emph{just} line up with the husk spit cooldown. +You should make sure that the cooldown is always low enough by taking the trait \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Monk%27s_Focus}{\trait{Monk's Focus}} (Valor, last column middle). +This lowers the cooldown to 84 seconds, which is enough. + +The next thing that we want to take a look at are ways to avoid dodging so you don't have to move away from the Sweet Spot. +Luckily, Guardian has a lot of access to Aegis to block the spins. +You can take a \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Mace#Guardian}{Mace} main hand, which gives you access to \skill{Mace}{3}{\href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Protector\%27s_Strike}{Protector's Strike}}, a channeled block. + +In addition, since you are already running a Shield, you can use \skill{Shield}{4}{\href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Shield_of_Judgment}{Shield of Judgment}} to give yourself Aegis. +As your healing skill, you can take \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Shelter}{\uskill{Shelter}}, which is a two second channeled block. +You can also take \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/%22Retreat!%22}{"Retreat!"}, which is a Shout that gives you Aegis. +In addition, your F3 class mechanic \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Virtue_of_Courage}{\uskill{Virtue of Courage}} can also give you Aegis. + +Since you already run the Valor traitline anyway for \uskill{Monk's Focus}, you can also take \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Stalwart_Defender}{\trait{Stalwart Defender}} (Valor, middle column top). +This allows you to have \uskill{Shield of Judgment} more often for Aegis. + +Additionally, you can take Honor as your second traitline. +This gives you access to \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Pure_of_Voice}{\trait{Pure of Voice}} (Honor, last column top). +This reduces the cooldown of \uskill{"Retreat!"}, giving you more Aegis. + +If you have access to the Firebrand traitline, you can also take \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Mantra_of_Solace}{\uskill{Mantra of Solace}} as your healing skill. +Using a charge will grant yourself Aegis, and together with the trait \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Weighty_Terms}{\trait{Weighty Terms}} (Firebrand, middle column top), you will generate a charge every 9.5 seconds. +Make sure however to not use the final charge, as otherwise the Mantra will go on cooldown and you have to channel it again. +Using Firebrand also gives you access to \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Chapter_3:_Valiant_Bulwark}{\uskill{Chapter 3: Valiant Bulwark}}, the third skill in your \uskill{Tome of Courage} (F3), which is another reflect dome. +However, accessing it takes some time, as it has a one second cast time in total. + +\begin{figure}[ht] + \centering + \includegraphics[width=0.5\textwidth]{images/guardian-traits.png} + \caption{Traitlines for Guardian/Firebrand blocking. \gwtskills} +\end{figure} + +\begin{figure}[ht] + \centering + \includegraphics[width=0.5\textwidth]{images/firebrand-skills.png} + \caption{Utility skills for Firebrand blocking. \gwtskills} +\end{figure} + + + +\section{General Tips} + +This section has some general tips and tricks that might make blocking (or fullblocking) easier for you. + +\begin{itemize} + \item Deactivate your auto attack chain. Some chains have some rather long cast times, some others can even move you from your place. You don't need to attack the wurm the whole time, as it will be invulnerable, so feel free to disable the automatic attack on your weapons. + + \item Keep the UI targetting trick in mind. It's useful for a lot of ground targetted skills and can make your life a lot easier. + + \item Keep track of your timers. Knowing when the next husk spit will come off cooldown can be very handy, especially for builds like Elementalists. You can use the party chat or whispers to yourself if you have problems remembering the time. Use the event timer as a reference, and subtract 90 seconds after a husk spit to get the time for the next possible husk spit. +\end{itemize} + + +\section{Duo Blocking} + +A lot of the guides above assume that you are the only blocker, and that you will block all eggs and/or husks on your own. +Theoretically, having a second blocker does not change anything about that. +Reflects don't cancel each other out after all. + +There is a very important limitation that you have to keep in mind though: +If you use invulnerability to block or check a spit, \emph{only one of the blockers} will see the floating \enquote{Invulnerable} texts. +This is why it's important to communicate and to tell the other blocker what you have just blocked, if you are the one getting the texts. + +If you don't do that, the other blocker might have trouble adjusting. +For example, Chronomancers needs to know if they need to recharge their \uskill{Distortion} or not. + + \end{document} diff --git a/blocking/images/firebrand-skills.png b/blocking/images/firebrand-skills.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ea929d3 Binary files /dev/null and b/blocking/images/firebrand-skills.png differ diff --git a/blocking/images/guardian-traits.png b/blocking/images/guardian-traits.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000..57296e9 Binary files /dev/null and b/blocking/images/guardian-traits.png differ -- cgit v1.2.3