GW2. Best Open World Build. Power Holosmith Open World. Grenade Holosmith. Engineer PvE.
Last Update: September 2024
The Power Holosmith for Open World is an engineer build with mobility, self buffing might, stability, and heavy burst damage from melee and ranged for a fast-paced playstyle.
Going into Photon Forge grants powerful abilities like the Photon Blitz and Corona Burst, but it also generates Heat which can give many modifiers to Sword abilities and Holo Utilities. Also when you lose Heat you heal, however if you reach maximum heat level you Overheat and lose health and access to your tool belt. So you want to get as close to Overheating as possible without actually reaching it. One trick that is useful for maximizing your heat is using Corona Burst right before leaving Photon Forge and since the heat gained is gradual, it will stop at maximum so long as it happens after you exit.
Your strike damage is higher when at critical levels of heat, so save your Grenade Barrage and Prime Light Beam for right before overheating, then exit after a final Corona Burst. After leaving Forge, use Grenades or Sword abilities depending on the range you are at.
Skill Rotation:
- Photon Forge 3 > 4 > (5 if low on heat) > 111 > Prime Light Beam > Grenade Barrage > 3 > Exit
- Grenade 2 > 4 > 5 > Swap
- Sword 3 > 2 > 111 > Reenter Forge at half heat
Grenade Tips:
Setup your Ground Targeting option as “Instant” as well as enabling “Skill Retargeting” and practice aiming with your Grenade Kit while moving for better accuracy. This improves your damage output while under pressure or kiting drastically. If you still have issues to land grenades you can try using the option “Snap Ground Target to Current Target” and the grenades will go to your target as long you are in range, just make sure to detarget before using any other AoE like if you want to throw an elixir at your location. You can see a tutorial on this at the start of this video: Click!
Equipment
| Item | Stat | Rune / Sigil |
|---|---|---|
| Helm Berserker | ||
| Shoulders Berserker | ||
| Coat Berserker | ||
| Gloves Berserker | ||
| Leggings Berserker | ||
| Boots Berserker |
Primary Weapon Set
| Sword Berserker | ||
| Shield Berserker |
Optional Weapon Set
| Rifle Berserker |
|
| Item | Stat |
|---|---|
| Amulet Marauder | |
| Ring Marauder | |
| Ring Marauder | |
| Accessory Marauder | |
| Accessory Marauder | |
| Backpiece Marauder |
Relic
Consumables
Infusions
| Optional x18 |
Alternatives
- Jade Bot Core: for extra vitality
Skills
| Sword / Shield | Heal / Utility / Elite |
| Grenade Kit | Photon Forge |
Traits
Alternatives
- Holosmith: for more cleanse
Build Template
Chat Code: (copy/paste into in-game chat)
[&DQMGOR0aOSsUARQBhgCNAS8WXgFfAQEB8BWJAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA=]Gameplay
Full Video Guide:
Credit to Vallun for the video.