GW2. Best Open World Build. Celestial Firebrand. Guardian PvE.

Last Update: October 2023
Overview
The Celestial Firebrand is the most versatile build and can perform pretty well as solo or with a group. With a wide array of tools it allows you to share many boons (including permanent quickness), healing and inflict high hybrid damage while having a very decent self sustain.
With the new changes to Firebrand, you can access the tomes as you need them. You are required now more than ever to know and remember what each skill do, and decide “on the fly” how to react to situations. Due to the trait Swift Scholar you want to use three skills on each tome before leaving, in order to gain a free one back, for this purpose you want to wait until you have at least 3 pages before using a tome, unless you need to access it before as emergency (for example Skill #4 in F3 Tome for stunbreaker).
Most of the time you want to use the F1 Tome to do damage, but in some situations you might need the others, so basically use the tomes as 3 skills combos, some examples:
- F1 Tome: 5 > 4 > 2
- F2 Tome: 4 > 3 > 2/1
- F3 Tome: Use only one skill due to their high costs
Axe and Torch is the main weapon set for this build, the priority is to use Torch 4 whenever, then the 2 symbol and 3/5 to fill in the gaps.
Use the mantras off cooldown for permanent burning and quickness. Greatsword is a secondary weapon as utility, useful to pull and cleave groups of enemies.
Equipment
Item | Stat | Rune / Sigil |
---|---|---|
Helm Celestial | ||
Shoulders Celestial | ||
Coat Celestial | ||
Gloves Celestial | ||
Leggings Celestial | ||
Boots Celestial |
Primary Weapon Set
Axe Celestial | ||
Torch Celestial |
Secondary Weapon Set
Greatsword Celestial |
| |
OR | ||
Hammer Celestial |
|
Item | Stat |
---|---|
Amulet Celestial | |
Ring Celestial | |
Ring Celestial | |
Accessory Celestial | |
Accessory Celestial | |
Backpiece Celestial |
Relic
Consumables
Infusions
Optional x18 |
Alternatives
- Jade Bot Core: for extra vitality
- Rune: for more burning instead mobility
- Sigil: instead of Cleansing
- Relic: for more sustain
Skills
Axe / Torch | Heal / Utility / Elite |
Greatsword | |
Alternatives
- Utility: instead Mantra of Flame
- Utility: for more CC
- Utility: for extra reflects
- Elite: for more stun breaks
- Elite: for better quickness uptime
Traits
Alternatives
- Firebrand: for extra tome pages
Build Template
Chat Code: (copy/paste into in-game chat)
[&DQEQOzEvPipLFwMBNgGKABUXLQF6FjUBcRI3AQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABMgAA]
Gameplay
Full Video Guide:
Credit to Vallun for the video.
Updated Gameplay:
Can full dire set work with this?
that would be better with a burn dragonhunter build, firebrand really wants hybrid stats
Could Balthazar rune be used instead of firework?
yeah im also wondering that
I mean you can, but it’s not good because celestial + balthazar will overcap the burning duration, you are basically wasting resources (the limit is 100% duration) but if you still want is not that bad especially for open world. If you want another option for more condition damage you can try Renegade rune
what about traveler runes?
You can yes.
can i use staff in fractals?
Sure you can
Hi, what orange equipment can be used instead of celestial, I’m new to GW2 and can’t have celestial gear yet, thank you!
can trailblazer works with this build?
It could yes, but would be worst
Tried this build
Struggle doing champion HOT hps
I got almost all 80s
Dont struggle on champs so much with my Vindi/Mech/Mirage/Bladesworn/Necro
Only guardian always dying
What am I doing wrong
Just look at the gameplay videos and try to reverse engineer it.