Had a lot of comments on the Reddit thread here, so I wanted to answer some frequently asked questions if you're curious about the discussion! Reddit thread: www.reddit.com/r/Guildwars2/comments/1ddi7zn/core_hammer_guardian_a_low_intensity_build_that/ *Budget options for runes if DH runes are expensive?* Did some very basic golem room testing, so take with a grain of salt! - Ogre (2g each, ~29.5k golem DPS), is power-favored and last stat is vitality instead of ferocity - Deadeye (2g each, ~29k golem DPS), shares all of the same stats except the 6th bonus, which is precision instead of ferocity - Eagle (10s each, ~28.5k golem DPS), honestly this is the one I'd probably recommend the most since it's the cheapest and you can make use of both precision and ferocity (assuming you don't have 100% resolution uptime in fights/open world, the crit chance from precision isnt completely wasted) *Can you solo open world Champions with this?* I just tried it out in open world with the champion mushroom in Auric Basin, and yep I was able to do it without much trouble! Only thing to keep in mind is that you are fully melee, so you can't really kite anything. I was using Stand Your Ground and Save Yourselves stability/stunbreaks (so not just full unga bunga). Then whenever I got low, used Litany of Wrath to full heal back up. Also was running Honor variant, I mentioned it super briefly in the video but it gives you a lot of extra dodges! *Is there a Dragonhunter version with traps?* Here it is, given to me by a friend! gw2skills.net/editor/?PWQAIlVwyYYsJGJO0TvtVA-D2QYhogebcHCKuxISCUpAk+DIIhRvGKMDAA-w Main things to note: It takes a few Assassins pieces + Accuracy sigil to crit cap without the Radiance traitline, and at least this build doesn't seem to run traps? Maybe someone can play around with it and see what the differences are between running them/not running them.

Wait why do I try to play weaver if I can just do this..

Hello, I too am a big enjoyer of this build too! Important to note is that Honor is actually the strongest traitline, since the majority of your damage comes from symbol of protection the increased duration is worth more than radiance or virtues. This means as a 3rd option for core its then best to take the virtues line and press f1-3 for the free damage. Since you dont have radiance you then need mostly assassins with accuracy, which is actually identical to the full raid build on Snow Crows in terms of gear aside from weapons. You can even swap radiance to dragonhunter and take X22 giving you access to DH skills and virtues which can be useful for blocks/pulls/movement/CC. (btw im 100% down to join for anything you plan for this class)

First time discovering one of your videos. I really like your manner and how you presented the material on screen. I've already subscribed and now I need to see what you've already shared that I have missed. And, obviously, to trot out a guardian for some hammer time.

The best player in our static ran this build a few months ago and was alternating between anger and laughter because of how easy and consistent it is. I honestly thought they nerfed it cause I never saw anyone else running it. I hope they don't nerf it, it's the results of a lot of cool synergies playing well together, and that's always neat.

Just tried the game out, thanks for the fun build guide. This will save me a ton of time getting used to the mechanics.

I remember from Ye'olden days, you could run Virtue 1/3/2, Honor 3/3/2, and Zeal 2/2/3. With the increased Symbol duration from Honor, you're able to squeeze in a Glacial Blow between auto attack chains to perform a leap finisher and heal allies whenever it's off cooldown. You'd also have Symbol of Courage and Virtue of Resolve to pulse out passive healing. I hadn't played it in a long time, but I remember using this to run through my first time on Guardian. lol

10 core guard ToF CM when?

emi is too good - 👍 1 thing i like about hammer is the trait n the healing , melee 4 the win.

Nvr expected that my grp’s htcm core guard meme vid would be mentioned in the description of a build vid lmao. And juz saying but we are potentially cooking a febe cm run with it LUL (no promises)

I love this build, Ive been able to solo all Hero Points in Verdant Brink and Auric Basin so far, but since it's a core guardian spec, I don't need the extra points anyway. XD

Hi Emi, I love that build! Bought some cheap Exotics off the TP and it's smooth sailing. What I don't get is how your HP is 14,615 on the Golem while mine is 11,645 like it says on the editor site. Where do these 3k HP come from? Edit: nvm, figured it out. I played for so long with only a single toon that I forgot about Jade Core and Reinforce Armor :D

if it makes you feel any better, people have posted 30k dps auto attack guardian builds MONTHS ago and anet loves guardians so it probably wont get nerfed, especially since spear is also getting another new symbol

Found out this build when electric soldier dropped a video on it a few months back. I use it mostly for LI stuff while on the steam deck.

funny, last weekend I was trying a simple alac willbender build with the goal of being very low apn and I ended up making it hammer auto attack with ~24k dps. These hammer build feels strangely satisfying with all the passive boons they bring! Also, since no weapon swap is needed for these builds, swapping when ranged dps is needed is still better than 0 dps and doesn't have to be high apn to not be horrible ;)

Dragonhunter variant does similar damage and brings enough utility that I would genuinely not be mad to have it on melee high level fights like 97/96 CM and like Gorseval.

I'm currently a hammer core guard and there's like 1 person in every fractal or strike group who says "HaMmEr GuArD?"

You can have lb as a secondary weapon just in case you can't melee and I sometimes play it as Dragonhunter. There is a similar P/P Deadeye build with 3 set to auto but it does not have near the same sustain.

ive been playing from SEA since 2 years ago and lately the ping is unbearable for me. Figured this build might help with the latency issue lol. Thanks for the guide!

Hey I saw you on Teapot's expansion stream, and I noticed you live in a high-rise? I've always wondered what it would be like to live all the way up. I live in Chicago btw, not sure where you're at. That is so cool though!

This is one of the best builds you can give to someone with severe choice paralysis. This build peaks in situations where your cat barfs on the carpet and you have to run away for a moment. This setup makes for a great background while chatting with friends.

Is scholar rune ok with that build?

Is there a noob beginner friendly build that shows how to progress this from level 1? Coming from Diablo 4, all vids talk about elite specialisations, and although i have fast tracked a thief to level 80, I find completing the story difficult when facing level 80 mobs. I really want to get into GW2, but finding it a slog compared with D4.

Hi, Emi! I'm not sure if this was already answered but what food and oils were you running for this build?

You didn't mention that it requires 100% resolution uptime, which is not a given in many groups. There is a massive drop in dps without it. There is a dragonhunter variant which doesn't rely on resolution and does about 30k as well. I prefer it because it also gives permanent cripple and 25% runspeed.

What are the benchmarks for no Zeal and no Radiance? I'm assuming they are lower than the ~30k dps for no Honor and no Virtues?

HAAAMMMMEEERRR!!! 😂

I copied your build, but I can't figure out where all those buffs that seem to refresh automatically come from

On Zeal if your camping Hammer, why take Zelous Blade(Top Bar where its 2-2-3 The middle says 150power while holding a GS. or is it 120 base + additional 120 for GS?

would't hybrid build work with this?

Virtues 1 trait gives 12% damage

you play in EU server??

Seems balanced, time to force another melee weapon on ele or nerf staff.

I’m not seeing a number higher than 8/9k, how is arcdps picking that up at 30k damager per second 🤔😂💀

I've used a very similar build for pvp (staff+scepter+focus), only difference is I use 'right hand strength' and 'wrathful spirit', get top dmg in 8/10 matches... it only works up to mid gold, tho. I never thought about using it for pve, very nice 'meme build', but as said, useful for begginers getting into strike missions who feel pressure at first trying to not mess up.