What builds have you been using in HARD Mode?

kumarshah

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jan 2007

W/Mo

20 Apr 2007 at 13:52 - 1

One thing that I have feared every since the update has been announced is that everything will become like DoA for us Warriors - i.e. people will only be looking for Tanks.

That might not be the case currently in the earlier game areas like Kamadan or Ascalon.

But what has been your experience? Will tanking become a lot more important with Hard Mode update - not only for missions but for also clearing the areas (Vanquisher title)?

I have not done much in Hard Mode yet, so post your builds and lets see what you guys have been doing. Also would be useful if you mention what you did with that build (i.e. did Nolani Academy mission or did Gates of madness mission).

FeroxC

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Mar 2006

EOA

P/W

20 Apr 2007 at 16:03 - 2

PVE Hammer warrior.

Hard mode Missions done-
Frontie gate
Great northern wall

Skills
Mighty blow
Crude swing
Yeti smash
Hammer bash
Belly smash
Flail
Rage of ntouka(elite)
Lions comfort

Tactics
Hit rage of Ntouka, then flail start combo.

or aim for melee monster(char axe warrior) hit hammer bash then belly smash to blind.

you can also hit rage of ntouka and then lions comfot to heal at any time.

No waiting around for adrenaline with this build !

Cathode_Reborn

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Sep 2006

20 Apr 2007 at 22:30 - 3

Quote:
Monsters in Normal mode now respond more slowly to AoE damage.
Monsters in Normal mode are now less likely to kite for long periods of time.
Melee monsters in Normal mode will once again focus all of their attacks on a single target. It seems normal mode is how gw was before the ai update so I'm guessin tanking won't help much in hard mode.

Soulsmasher

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2007

127.0.0.1

R/

21 Apr 2007 at 00:49 - 4

Sever Artery
Gash
Galrath Slash
Watch Yourself
Solders Stance
Solders Defense
Healing Signet
Rez

is what i have been using and its just meh

Seef II

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Nov 2005

US

R/Mo

21 Apr 2007 at 02:00 - 5

Standard hammer build with Watch Yourself. KDs are the best shutdown there is.

Nexus Icon

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2005

Natis Ignigena

Me/

21 Apr 2007 at 06:49 - 6

I haven't modified my previous hammer build, except that I occasionally swap out Restore Life instead of Sunspear Rebirth Signet now. I usually always run Sunspear Rebirth Sig, as with a high Sunspear title, it's probably the best res in the game. That and I don't have to go Wammo

Currently using:
16 Hammer
13 Strength
3 Healing Prayers

[skill]Enraging Charge[/skill][skill]Flail[/skill][skill]Counter Blow[/skill][skill]Staggering Blow[/skill][skill]Backbreaker[/skill][skill]Crushing Blow[/skill][skill]Belly Smash[/skill][skill]Restore Life[/skill]

Template Code: OQMT0mIP5xwyXLLoFzCYxroTAA

I was thinking of putting in Lion's Comfort as only having one monk in the team up until Yak's Bend meant that I felt the pressure more than usual, but now I'm back in areas where you can have teams of 6+ I'm not that worried.
Was REALLY missing Jin packing [skill=text]Infuriating Heat[/skill] mind.

blue.rellik

Forge Runner

Join Date: Feb 2007

Melbourne, Australia

None

W/

21 Apr 2007 at 07:26 - 7

I initially tried a 'Last day dawns' charr farming build but will change that for a hammer build now

Cathode_Reborn

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Sep 2006

21 Apr 2007 at 08:06 - 8

What's with all the hammer builds? I haven't tried hard mode yet.

blue.rellik

Forge Runner

Join Date: Feb 2007

Melbourne, Australia

None

W/

21 Apr 2007 at 08:18 - 9

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cathode_Reborn
What's with all the hammer builds? I haven't tried hard mode yet. I'm guessing it follows the saying 'the best defence is an offense'. After all, the charr warriors can't eviscerate you if they spend all the time on the ground

Dawns Tide

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2006

NY

[BOTO]

W/A

21 Apr 2007 at 16:48 - 10

I've been having a alot of fun with:

[card]"Watch Yourself!"[/card][card]cyclone axe[/card][card]Disrupting Chop[/card][card]Spiteful Spirit[/card][card]"Shields Up!"[/card][card]Distracting Blow[/card][card]Healing Signet[/card][card]Resurrection Signet[/card]

kumarshah

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jan 2007

W/Mo

21 Apr 2007 at 17:29 - 11

Anybody still using any Sword builds like Dragon Slash?

Kraken Hammer

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Nov 2006

E/

21 Apr 2007 at 21:12 - 12

Ive tried my dragon slash build, worked fine, but a hammer would work better

Nexus Icon

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2005

Natis Ignigena

Me/

21 Apr 2007 at 22:49 - 13

Quote:
Originally Posted by blue.rellik
I'm guessing it follows the saying 'the best defence is an offense'. After all, the charr warriors can't eviscerate you if they spend all the time on the ground Got it in one. It also makes killing monks that much easier.
4 seconds of downtime from Backbreaker is a world of hurt for a squishy.

A Leprechaun

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Feb 2006

W/

22 Apr 2007 at 15:06 - 14

against few but tough foes hammers , in my view, well exeed axes and swords. I havent started to play through hard mode yet, but will probably use a hammer build , mabye just the usual devestating hammer build.

~A Leprechaun~

Effigy

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Aug 2005

Illinois, US

Heroes of Talia [HoT]

Mo/

22 Apr 2007 at 16:41 - 15

I imagine a linebacker build would be effective for shutdown.

Dutch Masterr

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2006

Long Island, NY

Elite Knights [SWAT]

W/

22 Apr 2007 at 17:19 - 16

I've been using a pretty simple pressure W/Mo axe build...

15 Axe Mastery
12 Tactics
9 Strength
rest in Healing

Healing Signet, Defensive Stance, Soldier's Defense, "Watch Yourself!", Furious Axe, Dismember, Cleave, Resurection Chant

Kind of basic, but it works great anywhere.

Cathode_Reborn

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Sep 2006

22 Apr 2007 at 18:48 - 17

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dutch Masterr
15 Axe Mastery
12 Tactics
9 Strength
rest in Healing Never lower your weapon mastery just to increase your Strength....you're just lowering your damage output. If you're not using any strength skills, there's no reason to put points in it.

After tryin out hard mode, I don't see how a hammer works any better here than in normal mode o_O

Racthoh

Did I hear 7 heroes?

Join Date: May 2005

Scars Meadows [SMS], Guild Leader (Not Recruiting)

22 Apr 2007 at 19:00 - 18

Going around with:

Shield's Up!
Flail
Dragon Slash {E}
Watch Yourself!
Standing Slash
Sun and Moon Slash
Healing Signet
Sunspear Rebirth Signet

Strength: 9
Swordsmanship: 16
Tactics: 11

Dutch Masterr

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2006

Long Island, NY

Elite Knights [SWAT]

W/

22 Apr 2007 at 19:53 - 19

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cathode_Reborn
Never lower your weapon mastery just to increase your Strength....you're just lowering your damage output. If you're not using any strength skills, there's no reason to put points in it.

After tryin out hard mode, I don't see how a hammer works any better here than in normal mode o_O I use a gladiator's helm+superior axe mastery so i can only have 15 max. The damage difference between 15 and 16 is next to nothing anyway....I'm not buying myself another FoW helm just to add +1 to axe mastery =D

Raxxman

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Dec 2005

TEOC

W/N

22 Apr 2007 at 20:04 - 20

Quote:
Originally Posted by Racthoh
Going around with:

Shield's Up!
Flail
Dragon Slash {E}
Watch Yourself!
Standing Slash
Sun and Moon Slash
Healing Signet
Sunspear Rebirth Signet

Strength: 9
Swordsmanship: 16
Tactics: 11 This is similar to what I use, but I place Enraging charge for shields up and FGJ for Standing. I do this so I can chain Dragon/Sun and moon for 20 seconds.

you find not having a speed boost no problem?

desolatorman

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Jan 2006

W/N

23 Apr 2007 at 02:52 - 21

my build is currently
dwarven battel stance
reneweing smash
staggering blow
auspicious blow
heavy blow
sig of strength
variable skill
res sig

my build centers around DBS and renewing smash... while the other skills are used while waiting for recharge

Arkantos

The Greatest

Join Date: Feb 2006

W/

23 Apr 2007 at 04:20 - 22

[skill]Earth Shaker[/skill]

It works magic.

Nexus Icon

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2005

Natis Ignigena

Me/

23 Apr 2007 at 06:29 - 23

Oh, and a handy hero tip for all you warriors:
Bring one of the ranger heroes packing [skill=text]Infuriating Heat[/skill].
Less of a need for FGJ then, although if you DO bring FGJ, you can quite happily use just 2 skills when they're both active, Standing Slash and Dragon Slash. This is an effective way of bringing a high unconditional DPS Dragon Slash build and a Sever/Gash build on one bar.
I suggest for an effective sword build:

[skill]"For Great Justice!"[/skill][skill]Enraging Charge[/skill][skill]Flail[/skill][skill]Sever Artery[/skill][skill]Standing Slash[/skill][skill]Gash[/skill][skill]Dragon Slash[/skill][skill]Rebirth[/skill]

Code: OQMT8mIT55qYY5r+FyHgZxJTAA

Edit:
Sorry, here's the ranger build too:
16 Expertise
13 Markmanship

[skill]Infuriating Heat[/skill][skill]Read the Wind[/skill][skill]Concussion Shot[/skill][skill]Epidemic[/skill][skill]Distracting Shot[/skill][skill]Savage Shot[/skill][skill]Lightning Reflexes[/skill][skill]Resurrection Signet[/skill]

Code: OgUSc5MPCbYDmxJ8YUNFHBA

Racthoh

Did I hear 7 heroes?

Join Date: May 2005

Scars Meadows [SMS], Guild Leader (Not Recruiting)

23 Apr 2007 at 20:35 - 24

Quote:
Originally Posted by Raxxman
you find not having a speed boost no problem? If I'm fighting with henchmen, they all tend to ball up so I don't need to move all that much. If I'm with people, there is a higher chance of having a better control of the aggro so I don't need to move. The more defense boosts I can put on my bar the better; put less of a strain on the monks.

It would probably be wiser to use a 7/12/16 setup so I can get the 10 seconds for both Shield's Up! and Watch Yourself! and only lose another second on Flail.

And when I hero/henched Raisu Palace, I swapped out my res for Dolyak Signet and went with a 11 strength, 9 tactics split and dropped Healing Signet for Storm of Swords. Got masters so I was rather pleased.

FeroxC

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Mar 2006

EOA

P/W

24 Apr 2007 at 17:01 - 25

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cathode_Reborn
Never lower your weapon mastery just to increase your Strength....you're just lowering your damage output. If you're not using any strength skills, there's no reason to put points in it.

After tryin out hard mode, I don't see how a hammer works any better here than in normal mode o_O Because in HM tanking is less effective the melee monsters are incredibly powerfull its better to prevent as much dmg as possible(knockdowns/blind) and try take them out ASAP.

Exterminate all

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Feb 2007

In a house

Not Behind My Back [Back]

W/

25 Apr 2007 at 21:59 - 26

I have been using the Crippling Slash build.

Crippling Slash, Gash, Flail, Lions Comfort, Sprint, Final Thrust, "For great justice", Jaizhenju Strike

Template Code: OQATER6W1prwXPsAm3Yg5q8XBA

Check that out defenitely... i use it when im farming and when i am with a group of people..pve missions.

Surena

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Mar 2007

N/Me

26 Apr 2007 at 08:11 - 27

Quote:
Originally Posted by Arkantos
[skill]Earth Shaker[/skill]

It works magic. The best hammer elite in PvE.

]SK[

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Feb 2006

Nottingham, UK

GV

W/

26 Apr 2007 at 09:46 - 28

I've only done a few Ascalon type areas. But i've found this works for me. It's great for spiking enemy monks which are actually quite a challenge to take down. Even more so if you get a few of them.

Flail
Eviscerate
Executioners Strike
Power Attack
Wild Blow
Enraging Charge
Healing Signet
Rebirth - Sadly useful in Hard Mode. Taking me back to my Wammo roots

14 Axe
11 Strength
9 Tactics

A hard res is recommended since a party wipeout can be avoided with the gift of Rebirth.

I've found though that different areas have different foes. Theres no standard build that works thoughout which makes hardmode different from normal.

Wild Blow has been useful for removing stances. Substitue this for "For great justice!" if you wish for almost instant charger Eviscerate when used with Enraging Charge.

I've always been a fan of the sword but it lacks power in Tyria where you find a hell of a lot of non-fleshy creatures. This means getting that inflicting that all important Deep Wound is a challenge.

Nexus Icon

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2005

Natis Ignigena

Me/

26 Apr 2007 at 10:36 - 29

Quote:
Originally Posted by Arkantos
[skill]Earth Shaker[/skill]

It works magic. Personally, I'm a bigger fan of [skill=text]Backbreaker[/skill] due to the 4 second knockdown and extra damage. The range on Earthshaker just seems a little too low.
Still, each to their own

axe

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Sep 2005

Pwn Appetit [NJoy]

W/

26 Apr 2007 at 20:09 - 30

Ive been using a Battle Rage Axe bar with good results. The monsters move much faster so keeping a constant movement speed is helpful especially when playing with human players that actually move when something is attacking them

Battle Rage {E}
Protectors Strike (this is for building adrenaline as there is no IAS in this build)
Dismember
Agonizing Chop
Exocutioners Strike
Enraging Charge
Lions Comfort
Death Pact Sig (I love this rez, you have to use it intelligently, but if an important party member goes down rez quick. If youre team is about to wipe, rez someone and hope they die first that way you dont get DP) Also This doesnt synergize well with Lions Comfort so you have to be careful about using lions comfort or you will not have a rez for 12 seconds.

I can spread deep wound very quickly which is great if your team is using AOE damage as it really can get some fast kills. Also agonizing chop is pretty decent disruption on enemy monks and other casters. For Protectors strike obviously hit it if you can vs a moving foe for the damage bonus, but when stationary its still great for building adrenal and getting quick hits in. I usually wait to see the yellow damage numbers above the foe then immediately hit Prot. Strike for a near instant follow up attack, I also try to use it right after exocutioners strike for a decent spike and to try to get agonizing chop fueled back up.

EDIT: ATTRIBUTES
Axe: 16
Strenght: 10
Tactics: 10

Nkah Sennyt

Awaken from hiatus.

Join Date: Apr 2006

Riding the spiral.

No Fun Allowed [Vdya]

26 Apr 2007 at 21:49 - 31

[skill]Furious Axe[/skill][skill]Eviscerate[/skill][skill]Executioner's Strike[/skill][skill]"Watch Yourself!"[/skill][skill]Tiger Stance[/skill][skill]Enraging Charge[/skill][skill]Rebirth[/skill]-optional-

Nothing big, just kinda slopped together. But it works. Evis -> "Charge!" in big areas.

Cathode_Reborn

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Sep 2006

27 Apr 2007 at 00:15 - 32

Quote:
Originally Posted by Surena
The best hammer elite in PvE. I tried using Earthshaker in pve but found it to be very weak. 8 adren is just too much. Combined with Infuriating Heat though, it could be very effective.

[skill]Forceful Blow[/skill]

I use that in pve. Low adren cost, good damage, and it goes well with Heavy Blow now that it got buffed to only 5 adren.

Juk3n

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Dec 2005

Tyria

Astral Guard [AG]

W/R

28 Apr 2007 at 17:52 - 33

so far im 22/25 Tyra HM with thk, glint and Sanctum bonuses, and all the other missions been doing with Heroes and henchi hoos.

14 Axe

12 STR (has to be 11 for my fav shield)

10 Wilderness survival

Troll Unguent - Penetrating Blow - Dismember - Excecutioners - Flail - Enraging Charge - Counter attack - Melandru's ressilly [E] ftw.

Play sword for fun, when i feel like being different,
same stats, all that changes are the Adren attacks

Barberous - Standing slash - and Galrath

That is all