GW2. WvW Build. Power Willbender WvW Roaming Build. Guardian WvW. Small Scale WvW Build.
Role: Assassin 
The Power Willbender is a guardian WvW Roaming build that focuses on assassinating enemies using high burst damage while taking advantage of mobility to find the right timing to get in and get out afterward. While it can sustain decently, it must do so through disengaging and only trading with enemies when cooldowns are available. Aggression is necessary.
The high critical chance modifiers gained from resolution and fury allow the build to take the Dragon stats for high burst damage and enough vitality to stay in fights long enough to get the kill. You gain fury when hitting targets that have at least three burning stacks on them. Using Sword 2 and “Save Yourselves” will add more fury uptime. Resolution is gained by using any virtue or by teleporting.
The basic combo always starts with Sword/Sword by immobilizing the target with Sword 5 so they can’t dodge the combo. Then land your F1 in melee range and swap weapons to do the damage combo of that weapon. Depending on which weapon you use, you’ll set up the combo in a different order but the sword is always used as a combo enabler. Whirling Light can fill in the gaps of your combos since it is a utility skill that does good damage and can be used regardless of your current weapon.
Sword Combo
- Sword 2 > 5 > F1 > (Add Sword 3 and 4 if time allows)
Spear Burst
- Sword 2 > 5 > F1 > Swap
- Spear 5 > 3 > 4 > 2
AoE Engagement
- F3 + Judge’s Intervention > Spear 5 4 3 2 > Whirling Light
| Item | Stat | Rune / Sigil |
|---|---|---|
| Helm Dragon | ||
| Shoulders Dragon | ||
| Coat Dragon | ||
| Gloves Dragon | ||
| Leggings Dragon | ||
| Boots Dragon |
| Sword Dragon | ||
| Sword Dragon |
| Spear Dragon |
|
Alternatives
- Sigil: instead of Cleansing
- Relic: for burst damage after mobility skills
- Relic: for more sustain, bruiser playstyle
Weapon Alternatives
- Always keep Sword/Sword. Spear can be replaced by any of the following, skill combos noted below:
- Greatsword:
- Sword Combo > Swap > Greatsword 5 > 4 > 5 > 2
- Hammer:
- Sword Combo > Swap > Hammer 2 > 3 > 4 > 2
- Mace/Shield:
- Mace 3 > Shield 5 > Swap > Sword Combo
- Scepter/Focus:
- Focus 4 > 5 > Scepter 3 > 2 > Swap > Sword Combo
- Axe/Torch:
- Sword Combo > Swap > Axe 2 > 3 > Torch 44 > 5
- Pistol/Pistol:
- Pistol 2 > 3 > 4 > 55 > Swap > Sword Combo
- Longbow:
- Longbow 5 > 2 > Swap > Sword Combo
- Greatsword:
| Sword / Sword | Heal / Utility / Elite |
| Spear | |
Alternatives
- Utility: for more condition cleanse instead of “Save Yourselves!”
Alternatives
- Radiance: for more power but less Fury uptime
- Virtues: if using Hammer
Chat Code: (copy/paste into in-game chat)
[&DQEQPS45QS44AQAARwEAANgaAACKAAAANwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA=]Updated Gameplay:
Commentary Gameplay:
27 Comments
Would you say this is a harder build to play then the celestial version ?
In some ways yes, its harder to survive on, but i think easier to get kills on
i see builds running full marauder in armour, 3 dragon, 3 marauder in jewel sets, thoughts?
The current stats listed on the build are the most optimal to maximize the critical damage, in roaming/small scale you don’t need 100% critical chance, most builds aim at 80% but this one have even more due to modifiers from Radiance, so you could actually take all Dragon stats. If you take Right-Hand Strength you will reach max while having fury, resolution and burning on enemies as well.
I think switching the runes to superior rune of the pack is stronger for WvW, more damage and nice buffs when engaging into combat.. speed is niche and not really needed as you already have a lot of mobility from your skills.
now could this build be used for opend world pve content i do plan on pvping but im running currently berserker’s and struggling to stay alive
Would you recommend any changes if i wanted to run hammer instead of greatsword?
For hammer you could take Virtues for the hammer trait but with Valor should be fine too, your call
is the zerg willbender possible?
what build do you recommend
what runes will be good except Scholar and Speed
Pack runes
Can’t see the build something with the API
1 hey which relic is used?
you don’t see any in the build.
2 if I want to go in zerg being willbender, what do you recommend?
I’ve seen people playing WB with an axe now, do i use dragon on axe as well and do i need to change any stats on other armor/weapons or any traits/skills to make it work?
Please rate the Build http://gw2skills.net/editor/?PWABk6xzlJwAZqsP2IW8X5RXA-DWRYiBZMHf5nSdChMlAtKC6VRpxrCBIg/W0/1CA-w
with those weapons it looks like a 1v1 build, not great for chasing kills but otherwise its good
(2023-11): In the youtube video it’s a different build using the Meditation line of Utility skills. Is that one still OK to use or is the current build much better? What are the pros and cons? I’m a new player. Thanks for the great site!
the page will always be more updated, if you want to use less optimal setups thats always fine but for the sake of simplicity we’ll suggest the current best in our eyes
Should I be running from celestial catalysts with this build? It’s the only build I feel hard counters me. Fun build otherwise!
It’s not really a build to 1v1, you play as assassin roamer. If you want to 1v1 you need to take different weapons, check the celestial build all the weapons combinations can be adapted to power. But for 1v1 is just better to run the celestial build anyway because is more a bruiser.
Can I use rune of durability for this build?
You can but you will lose plenty damage
Would it be possible to use/tweak this hammer build to pve context? Especially with condi specs in mind?
Would like to know this too. I don’t do much WvW anymore, but I miss the old, old days of playing hammer Guard.
For pve open world you can check this build https://guildjen.com/power-willbender-open-world-build/ and just put a hammer on it, not the best but should be alright, but its not possible for a condition build, hammer is a power oriented weapon.
Is the Meditation Variant still a good Option?
Not really, Virtues is too overpowered.