I just recently started using a 2 Handed sword because I was getting bored of the slow DPS coming from my Guard. My question is: What is a good skill combination for a 2 handed sword with Overpower? I want a combination that will finish off my opponent quickly. Also, I don't really want to be waiting for the skills to cool down and start doing other random skills that don't do much (In case I don't finish off the opponent by doing one combo) So I either want a long maneuver or one that has skills with short cool downs, so I can repeat them. Thanks!
I just recently started using a 2 Handed sword because I was getting bored of the slow DPS coming from my Guard. My question is: What is a good skill combination for a 2 handed sword with Overpower? I want a combination that will finish off my opponent quickly. Also, I don't really want to be waiting for the skills to cool down and start doing other random skills that don't do much (In case I don't finish off the opponent by doing one combo) So I either want a long maneuver or one that has skills with short cool downs, so I can repeat them. Thanks!
Parry chain (level 75 parry chain is different than earlier levels, this is the 75 one: retaliation/whirling retaliation(depending on # of mobs on you) -> Overwhlem/thrust + Salt the Wound (depending on target morale, or time remaining against that target) -> To The King. You can use this chain Whenever you get a parry event, or whenever you open the parry chain using Forced Opening or Brutal assault with 3 piece moors set. The parry chain is where most of your dps in overpower will come from.
Skill priority for me when the parry chain is down depends mostly on how many mobs are around me. If it's 2+ then i tend to use vexing blow and sweeping cut pretty often, but if it's only one then I tend to hold off those two skills. sting is great for single target dps, along with Stagger and guardians ward. I tend to mostly use guardians ward to keep the buff up, but with the + damage legacy, the damage output for GW isn't bad. After an overwhelm/TTK stun, I gain position on the target and use stagger, so that they receive the debuff. If you see a target starting an induction, use stamp.
The point of this post is pretty much that there isn't really a "defined" skill rotation. A lot of it is based off of reaction and situation. Use your aoe skills when you're fighting more than one mob. Use mostly single target if you're fighting just one target. To answer your question though, to finish off your opponent quickly, the parry chain is where you will find your most dps. The only problem is you are limited in the way you can access the parry chain, so use the other mentioned skills when you're waiting for a parry.
When it comes to more than 2 mobs, I just work between Guardian's ward, Whirling Retaliation, Vexing Blow and Sweeping cut. That keeps me pretty busy and I blow through mobs (Huge power drain though).
While it is not easy to reply, cause I do not know your level and what skills are available to you right now, I'll try to give some OP advice.
a) Use stagger whenever it is off cd. It is very effective if you have the 3 legacies in you LI. Also very effective if you hit the mob from behind or from the flanks. I usually do that when after TTK or Overwhelm if the mob is stunned I run through it turn around and stagger.
b) Do not use sweeping cut, if you have other choices. In Overwhelm power consumption is a big problem in good days, using SC will only make it bigger...
c) Try to use TTK or Overwhelm a.s.a.p. in the battle. I usually go GW, stagger, force opening, retaliation ( or whirling retaliation), Overwhelm, TTK, stagger (from position), after that try getting some bleeds ticking if it is a large mob or finish up if small mob.
d) Use equipment that has +Might > +Agility > +Vitality, in that order for OP. Also it is very useful to have high critical rating (you can use OP-tactics scroll from scholar) and high ICPR ( the right food help a lot, cook smth, or have someone cook smth for you ).
e) use TtH often to help with power managment.
It takes little time to get used to playing in OP and discovering how it works best and getting some right equipment for it.
I know use 1 set of equip. (armor, jew, LIs, etc) for tanking and 1 set for OP.
In any case , have fun with your 2h,
and enjoy OP (I'm sure you will) ;D
After I got my first 2h and since then I only take a shield when in fellowship instances or raids. (and sometimes not even then :P )
/agree to all the above.
Being a lower level Guardian, I have to say when I read Forohir's Guide, I was intrigued. So, being 47 at the time and having trouble with a particular quest where you have to keep someone alive through the mess, I gave it a shot. I found a nice crafted 2-handed Sword. I put away my one-handed Legendary and my Shield, cringing as I did. I did what Forohir said (as close as possible at 47) and I'll be an Onkey's Muncle it worked! The damage was phenomenal. So I am on the prowl for a Legendary 2-hander. Got a hammer now, but I am looking for either an Axe or a Sword. We shall see.
However the advice above on layout of attack is spot on. I just wanted to comment on how two-handed works for Guardians. It is not great for every situation. Fighting spell-casters for instance, you want a shield for the bashing ability and interrupts. But going through an instance and being able to switch back and forth can be tough. But, I have gotten used to it.
Using overpower is fairly simple because the skill set is simple.
If you're fighting mobs, trait harasser, use the AoE targets legacy and spam all three AoE attacks.
If you're fighting single targets, trait hemorrhage and try to stack bleeds while you spam fast activation attacks from parry chaining. In groups you can put protection by the sword on your tank and hope they have a decent amount of parry, otherwise you're stuck with moors relics (30% parry reaction chance on TTK) or the relics + the full Hlifworth set(70%) to attempt to parry chain over and over. I personally prefer some more DPS oriented stats so I settled for 30% from relics, which is still roughly 1 in 3 TTKs. I would highly recommend at least picking up the relics since they help regardless of whether you're in solo or group play.
Just an FYI, these attack skills are fast activation;
Stagger(it's expensive, but spamming this can increase your DPS quite a bit, especially if you have the legacies.. and you should)
Retaliation
Overwhelm
Thrust
Use these four skills whenever you can to emulate a faster 2-hand attack speed than is possible with regular attacks. Also recommended to reduce the cost of OP as much as you can and to steer clear of the Raw Power trait(not worth it).
I would suggest to concerntrate on single target dps and leave the Aoe skills in the bag even when fighting multiple mobs. this is my theory:
Attack 5 mobs with Aoe skills, all 5 mobs will roughly die at the same time, it may take 2minutes.
Attack 5 mobs with single target skills, each mob will die at a time, it may take 2 and half minutes.
the catch is, you have to take the full damage of 5 mobs for 2minutes.
say each mob does a 100 damage per minute, the total damage taken will be 1000 points of damage.
now if you use the same math and use single target dps you will kill each mob in 30secs you total damage taken will be 750 points.
Sure its not faster, but its safer and economic, add to that when you recieve a stun using Aoes all mobs will be there beating on you
When using single target dps make sure you kill healer mobs 1st, dps/skirmisher/archer mobs 2nd and then brutes/captains/shield holders last.
tough guardians will take more damage
smart ones will take less...
p.s i hope this is good advice and i havent led you astray.
Last edited by snorka; Sep 06 2012 at 08:04 PM.
Kobane Hammerstone High Warden of the Grey Mountains
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