View source for Firebrand - Support Firebrand

{{MBuild
| profession = guardian
| specialization = firebrand
| designed for = wvw, gvg
| focus = ground control, healing,  support, utility
| rating = great
| meta = y
}}

==Overview==
A support Firebrand build for WvW. Provides a large amount of {{gw2wiki|Stability}} and great downstate control, as well as powerful healing, cleansing and boon support.

==Skill Bar==
{{Skillbar
| profession = guardian
| specialization = firebrand
| set1 = Staff
| set2 = Axe, Shield
| healing = Mantra of Solace
| utility1 = "Stand Your Ground!"
| utility2 = Merciful Intervention
| utility3 = Mantra of Lore
| elite = Mantra of Liberation
}}

{{SwapWeap|Label=Tome of Resolve|Skill1=Chapter 1 Desert Bloom|Skill2=Chapter 2 Radiant Recovery|Skill3=Chapter 3 Azure Sun|Skill4=Chapter 4 Shining River|Skill5=Epilogue Eternal Oasis}}
{{SwapWeap|Label=Tome of Courage|Skill1=Chapter 1 Unflinching Charge|Skill2=Chapter 2 Daring Challenge|Skill3=Chapter 3 Valiant Bulwark|Skill4=Chapter 4 Stalwart Stand|Skill5=Epilogue Unbroken Lines}}

===Weapon Variants===
{{Skillbar variant|guardian|Mace|Shield}}
Brings a powerful block and boon support at the cost of CC.

===Skill Variants===
'''Heal'''
* {{Skill|"Receive the Light!"}} viable burst heal option.

'''Utility'''

Trade {{Skill|Mantra of Lore}} for
* {{Skill|Mantra of Potence}} when quickness uptime is required.
* {{Skill|Contemplation of Purity}} provides more personal sustain at the cost of team supportq.
* {{Skill|Purging Flames}} ground AoE condition cleanse.
* {{Skill|Hallowed Ground}} AoE pulsing stability.
* {{Skill|Wall of Reflection}} if projectile hate is needed
* {{Skill|Bow of Truth}} AoE ticking healing.
'''Elite'''
* {{Skill|Renewed Focus}} Personal defense

==Specializations==
{{Specialization|Honor|top|mid|bot}}
{{Specialization|Virtues|mid|mid|mid}}
'''Variants'''
* {{Trait|Indomitable Courage}} if you are the second guardian in a party.
* {{trait|Master of Consecrations}} if running any Consecration skill.
{{Specialization|Firebrand|bot|bot|bot}}
'''Variants'''
* {{Trait|Stalwart Speed}} if regen/protection uptime isn't an issue.

===Variants===
Swap Virtues to Valor for more personal sustain and {{Skill|Tome of Courage}} availability at the cost of general improvements for tomes. Recommended as a second Firebrand in a party.
{{Specialization|Valor|mid|mid|bot|variant=y}}
'''Variants'''
* {{trait|Communal Defenses}} excellent passive healing bonus, preferred option if having multiple guards using Valor as {{trait|Strength in Numbers}} does not stack.

==Equipment==
{{PvE equipment
| stats = Minstrel
| rarity = Ascended
| runes = 6 Superior Rune of the Monk
| infusions = 18 Healing WvW Infusion
| s1w1 = Ascended, Minstrel, Staff, Superior Sigil of Energy+Superior Sigil of Transference
| s2w1 = Ascended, Minstrel, Axe, Superior Sigil of Energy
| s2w2 = Ascended, Minstrel, Shield, Superior Sigil of Transference
}}
===Consumables===
* {{Food|Delicious Rice Ball}}
:: {{Food|Bowl of Fruit Salad with Mint Garnish}} Feast option with additional concentration
* {{Utility|Bountiful Maintenance Oil}}

===Variants===
'''Stats'''
* '''Giver's''' can be an easier stat to obtain stat in place of '''Minstrel's''' but loses effective health.
* '''Cleric's''' can be used to add healing power at the cost of boon support and personal sustain.

'''Runes'''
* {{Rune|Superior Rune of Durability}} strongest boon support and defensive option with less healing
* {{Rune|Superior Rune of Mercy}} strong option for GvG
* {{Rune|Superior Rune of Altruism}} for more condition clear with stab mantra.

'''Sigils'''

Isn't recommended to drop {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Energy}} for any of the following sigils
* {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Concentration}} for boon uptime.
* {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Benevolence}} when confident on 25 stack uptime.
* {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Renewal}} AoE heal on weapon/tome swaps.

'''Food'''
* {{Food|Plate of Mussels Gnashblade}} Defensive option with boon duration.
* {{gw2wiki|Oysters with Pesto Sauce}} Defensive option with healing power.

'''Utility'''
* {{Utility|Magnanimous Maintenance Oil}} boon duration option.

==Usage== 
'''Settings
* Under General Options / User Interface check "Always show squad health bars" and "Always show party health bars". These will make it much easier to keep track of who needs your support. "Thick squad health bars" and "Thick party health bars" are even better for proper {{Skill|Merciful Intervention}} usage, but are up to personal preference.
* Under "Squad Options" uncheck "View as a grid". This will allow you to keep track of your allies' boons, conditions and health, enabling a better decision-making and skill management.


'''General
* {{Skill|Tome of Resolve}} and {{Skill|Tome of Courage}} both bring new skill sets which grant access to an extremely powerful boon support, healing and cleanses as well as unique buffs for your group. Knowing when to enter or to stow a tome, which tomes skills must be prioritized based on the situation and how to play while a tome is on cooldown are fundamental.
* Outside of tomes usage and in between tomes usage; Staff, Mace and Shield skills along with your Mantras and utilities, coupled with various traits will provide a consistent and strong group support.
* {{trait|Selfless Daring}} and {{trait|Pure of Heart}} make up a significant part of your group healing. Try to use your dodge rolls and {{gw2wiki|Aegis}} skills not only just for personal defense but also when your group requires some healing. Remember, going into/out tomes and swapping weapons procs {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Energy}}.


'''{{Skill|Merciful Intervention}}

'' Merciful Intervention is a 1,200-range shadowstep skill which can instantly rally downed allies, giving the firebrand a great downstate control tool. 
* The more outgoing healing modifiers you have, the better are your chances you have to instantly rally a fallen ally since you will be restoring a big part of his downed health. 
* The longer you take to MI, even with several healing modifiers, your chances of instantly rally (without hand rez) are reduced, since your ally will start being cleaved and will likely have {{gw2wiki|Poison}}. Paying attention to your allies' health is essential so you can MI as soon as they drop.
* If your ally is about to go down and is heavily condi'ed, let him go down and then MI. If you MI preemptively there's a possibility that he has {{gw2wiki|Poison}}, meaning your MI will be less effective compared to a MI used to rally him. If he goes down, he loses all his conditions and goes invulnerable for a brief moment, that is the moment when you MI him.
* Don't try to be a hero and use MI on an ally if you have a great chance to die as well. It is better to only one to die, instead of two.
* MI gives plenty of AoE healing and can be used to teleport away from danger to an ally which can be a life saver. Even without an ally to jump to, the amount of healing this provides can be invaluable for your personal survival too. 


'''{{Skill|"Stand Your Ground!"}}

'' "Stand Your Ground!" is an immensely strong and game changing skill. Being able to deny up to five crowd control skills for ten people makes it an indispensable skill on this build.
* This is your main and most important source of group stability. It is an opener, don't use it prior to an imminent or at the moment the engage happens, use it preemptively (like 3-4s before) since the stability from SYG has a considerabĺe duration and you have other skills that can upkeep stability after that as well. Thus, allies won't get caught behind by CC skills like {{Skill|Drop the Hammer}} or {{Skill|Reaper's Mark}}.
* If you are CC'ed, don't use SYG as a stunbreak unless absolutely neccessary, use {{Skill|Mantra of Liberation}}.


'''Tomes'''
* All tomes retain their passives after activation due to {{Trait|Loremaster}}, so don't hesitate to use them if your group is pressured. It's possible to switch directly from tome to tome.
* There are 2 sources of self {{gw2wiki|Quickness}} in the build: entering a tome and  stowing a tome. Use these brief windows to land tome #4 and #5 skills faster, to recharge depleted Mantras or to {{Skill|Empower}}.
* Swapping out of a tome sends it on cooldown even if you didn't consume all the pages. Therefore, try to only enter a tome if you can make full use of it. Skills #4 and #5 are usually the strongest but with the longest recharge, look after using them at least twice before running out of pages whenever that's possible.


'''{{Skill|Tome of Justice}} 

'' Filler tome that's low on the priority list, won't be used much unless you are out of options: need a quick CC, need to proc Superior Sigil of Energy or have to contribute with some damage.
* Keep in mind that you will be giving free {{gw2wiki|Aegis}} for enemies if they convert your {{gw2wiki|Burning}} from the tome skills. Therefore, try to only pull this tome when it's going to be impactful somehow, like cleaving and snowball'ing on the enemy group.
* {{gw2skill|Epilogue Ashes of the Just}} will be used for a group damage increase.
* {{gw2skill|Chapter 4 Scorched Aftermath}} use this when pushing through enemies, trading sides or cleaving.
* {{gw2skill|Chapter 3 Heated Rebuke}} is the only CC on this tome, and a rather good one at that. As usual, CCs are mostly situational.
* {{gw2skill|Chapter 1 Searing Spell}} spam can add some 600-range cleave, but it's somewhat unimportant in this build.
** On spikes, pull enemies in with {{gw2skill|Chapter 3 Heated Rebuke}} {{to}} {{gw2skill|Chapter 4 Scorched Aftermath}}.


'''{{Skill|Tome of Resolve}} 

'' Tome of Resolve brings high healing and condition cleanse (converts too) as well as unique passive bonus for your party. As a support Firebrand, you will be fulling healing allies with only a few skills, and may sometimes have to camp the tome.
* {{gw2skill|Epilogue Eternal Oasis}} try to use as the first and the last tome skill, for the increased ''incoming'' healing effectiveness on your allies (especially useful there is another support in your party). Can also be used to nullify heavy condition pressure when going through shade bombs or being pushed by enemies, while granting boons to allies.
* {{gw2skill|Chapter 4 Shining River}} is a priority skill and usually the 2nd you going to use after entering the tome for an continuous AoE healing. Since it is static, try to cast it on top of the zerg or, if your commander is moving, a little ahead based on his movement.
* {{gw2skill|Chapter 3 Azure Sun}} won't be used unless you need some {{gw2wiki|Vigor}} uptime.
* {{gw2skill|Chapter 2 Radiant Recovery}} is a solid skill (with low cooldown) that will be used whenever moderate condition clear is needed. It has an average priority and works well with {{Skill|Mantra of Lore}} if Tome 2 #5 is not available. Try to hug your allies to ensure they get affected by the skill since it has a small radius.
* {{gw2skill|Chapter 1 Desert Bloom}} use it if your group is under heavy damage pressure and a quickly health filler is necessary. Also usable, due to the range, to heal caught allies, trying to reposition themselves, from a safe distance. Be careful to not spam since this isn't a priority tome skill.
** Constantly look at your party members' health and conditions. Knowing if it's better to use {{gw2skill|Chapter 2 Radiant Recovery}} or {{gw2skill|Epilogue Eternal Oasis}} based on the amount of condis they have, or if an ally that you can't see on your screen needs healing based on his health for example, are fundamental decisions which optimize pages usage.
** If under heavy damage pressure: {{Skill|Tome of Resolve}} {{to}} {{gw2skill|Chapter 4 Shining River}} {{to}} {{gw2skill|Chapter 1 Desert Bloom}} (x times). {{gw2skill|Epilogue Eternal Oasis}} usable if you need the ''incoming'' healing modifier. Use Mantras as well if needed.
** If under heavy condition pressure: {{Skill|Tome of Resolve}} {{to}} {{gw2skill|Epilogue Eternal Oasis}} {{to}} {{gw2skill|Chapter 2 Radiant Recovery}} (if condi are still an issue) or {{gw2skill|Chapter 4 Shining River}}. Use Mantras as well if needed.


'''{{Skill|Tome of Courage}}

'' Tome of Courage provides a very strong boon support and great access to stability, as well a unique passive bonus for your party. This tome will likely be prioritized over Tome of Resolve unless you are the second FB in the party.
* {{gw2skill|Epilogue Unbroken Lines}} grants allies several defensive boons and extra armor through toughness, enabling a better survivability for DPS classes. Try to use as the 2nd and the last tome skill or whenever committing for a push or being heavily pressured.
* {{gw2skill|Chapter 4 Stalwart Stand}} is your opener tome skill against condition pressure and one of strongest tools in the build. The {{gw2wiki|Resistance}} makes it an extremely powerful ability to temporaly nulify any condition in a large area, notably helpful against negative effects like {{gw2wiki|Cripple}}, {{gw2wiki|Immobilize}} and {{gw2wiki|Chill}}. Use it to negate scourges' shades and red circles in a big area, also usable when pushing or retreating to ensure that allies caught behind receive the resistance pulse. Since it is static, try to cast it on top of the zerg or, if your commander is moving, a little ahead based on his movement.
* {{gw2skill|Chapter 3 Valiant Bulwark}} will only be used to reflect projectiles or to stack {{gw2wiki|Protection}}. Don't prioritize this skill. It can be placed on top of your blob, between zergs or into the enemy zerg to ensure any outgoing projectile gets reflected. 
* {{gw2skill|Chapter 2 Daring Challenge}} is a low priority tome skill. Should only be used while on melee range, when trading sides or going through the enemy zerg and to disrupt enemies trying to manually resurrect or trying to cleave your allies. Can also be used on enemies stuck inside friendly {{Skill|Winds of Disenchantment}} to prevent then from dodging out or escaping.
* {{gw2skill|Chapter 1 Unflinching Charge}} don't spam it mindlessly, use it to fill the stability gaps from SYG. Since it has 600-range, can be used to boon support allies behind from a safe distance.
** Always check your party' boons to be sure you are not wasting a tome page, giving a boon that is well covered or, for example, landing {{gw2skill|Chapter 4 Stalwart Stand}} when there's few red circles on top of your group and no conditions on your party.
** If under heavy damage pressure: {{Skill|Tome of Courage}} {{to}} {{gw2skill|Epilogue Unbroken Lines}} {{to}} {{gw2skill|Chapter 4 Stalwart Stand}}. Use Mantras as well if needed.
** If under heavy condition pressure: {{Skill|Tome of Courage}} {{to}} {{gw2skill|Chapter 4 Stalwart Stand}} {{to}} {{gw2skill|Epilogue Unbroken Lines}}. Use Mantras as well if needed.


'''Mantras
* Position yourself a little behind to ensure your allies are being affected by your mantra skills.
* Given enough time Mantras will recover their charges so long as at least one charge's left, so think twice before using the final charge - that's the most powerful one, but will put the Mantra on full CD.
* You can still use Mantras while CC'ed.

* {{Skill|Mantra of Solace}} is your healing skill. It grants you great {{gw2wiki|Aegis}} share. 
** {{Skill|Restoring Reprieve}} should be shared with as many allies as possible. They do not receive the initial healing, but they do gain {{gw2skill|Aegis}} with all its related trait benefits. 
** The Aegis is essential do negate direct spike damage, mainly from {{Skill|Coalescence of Ruin}} and {{Skill|Phase Smash}}, and to nulify heavy boon corrupt skills like {{Skill|Devouring Darkness}}.
** Aegis can be shared with downed players when you're manually reviving them in case they are being cleaved down.
** {{Skill|Rejuvenating Respite}} is the final charge and only heals you more.

* {{Skill|Mantra of Lore}} is your on demand AoE cleansing skill.
** {{Skill|Opening Passage}} use it whenever minor/moderate condition clear is required for you or your party. Always check if your allies have conditions on then, thus you don't waste a mantra's charge for nothing.
** {{Skill|Clarified Conclusion}} is the final charge. Only use this skill if you don't have any access to condi clear/mitigation sources ({{Skill|Tome of Resolve}} on CD for example) and are being heavily condition pressured. Be sure you are facing the right way to ensure your allies are benefited as well.

* {{Skill|Mantra of Liberation}} is your on demand AoE stunbreak and {{gw2wiki|Stability}} skill. Bear in mind it has a long charge time and recharge time once depleted.
** {{Skill|Portent of Freedom}} will often be used whenever minor {{gw2wiki|Stability}} or a stunbreak is necessary. Recommended to use this skill (along with healing mantra) over SYG if you aren't sure if the enemy zerg is going to push, or if they are just fake pushing to burn your CDs; and when your commander is committing for small and ranged skirmishes. Can also be used as a stability filler if you don't have Tome 3 or SYG available, but is strongly discouraged. At last, will be used as a stunbreak for you and allies if you need to escape, for example, from an enemy {{Skill|Winds of Disenchantment}}. Stunbreaks also deny {{gw2wiki|Fear}} if you can't cleanse it.
** {{Skill|Unhindered Delivery}} is similar to SYG, but 5-man only, will be mainly used for the stability output for your party whenever you lack other big stability sources, or need a stunbreak instantly, don't be afraid to use if your party really needs it. If either Tome 3 or SYG are about to go back, don't use the last charge, try to fill with aegis from mantra or weapon skills. Always check your party' stability to ensure you are not over-booning.


'''Staff

'' Staff brings solid and versatile 1,200-range skills which can be used either offensively, as ground control and CC, or defensively, through Might share, healing and cleanses.
* {{Skill|Holy Strike}} provides an AoE healing burst that can be used to support caught allies, trying to reposition themselves, from a safe distance. Since it's static, try to cast it based on your ally' movement.
** Use it, preemptively, on top of your group to mitigate incoming damage. Also, if possible and opportune, try to cast it on top of combo fields, especially on light and water fields.
** At last, can be used as an offensive skill if the supportive aspect isn't required.
* {{Skill|Symbol of Swiftness}} is useful to upkeep {{Rune|Superior Rune of the Monk}} 6th effect.
** Constantly use it, while your group is standing (not moving), to stack Swiftness for allies. Be careful to not place it when your commander is asking to blast smoke fields, unless you want to get yelled at. 
** Can also be blasted by {{Skill|Holy Strike}} for minor condition clear or used as ranged forward pressure.
* {{Skill|Empower}} It is recommend to have "Stow Weapon" binded for using this skill properly.
** Pay attention to "Empower" call outs. Ensuring your allies get 12 stacks of {{gw2wiki|Might}}, prior to a fight, is essential to hit your enemy harder. Don't drop your current Tome to Empower allies, unless you have few pages left.
** Empower grants a strong healing through its full channel and shouldn't only be used as a pre-buff skill. Use it during the fights whenever swapping to Staff or stowing a Tome.
** Bear in mind this skill has a long channel time, meaning that you stand still for a considerable time. Always be ready to "Stow Weapon" to cancel it if needed.
* {{Skill|Line of Warding}} negates evades frames which means enemies without {{gw2wiki|Stability}} will get knockdown anyway, even if they dodge. You can "Stow Weapon" if you notice the line won't be effective like in situations, for example, where an enemy group is fake pushing.
 

'''Axe/Shield'''

'' Use Axe/Shield for both defensive support from the shield and for offensive plays with {{Skill|Blazing Edge}}, an AoE pull. Synergizes well with 'melee ball' playstyle. 
* {{Skill|Symbol of Vengeance}} use it after pulling enemies with Blazing Edge to AoE {{gw2wiki|Cripple}} then. Can also be used to cleave downed foes and/or to share {{gw2wiki|Fury}} for your party. Useful to upkeep {{Rune|Superior Rune of the Monk}} 6th effect.
* {{Skill|Blazing Edge}} combos effectively with {{Skill|Desert Shroud}} and with {{Skill|Winds of Disenchantment}}, where you can pull enemies back inside of your group's ground pressure.
* {{Skill|Shield of Judgment}} will be used to upkeep Aegis and Protection, mainly when {{Skill|Tome of Courage}} isn't available. Use whenever pushing to give your frontline defensive boons.
* {{Skill|Shield of Absorption}} use it to knockback enemies attempting to res/stomp. Futhermore, use it to support by either double tapping for a large burst AoE heal or channeling for projectile defense.

==Videos==

* {{YouTube|81fkKfv3GdY|[Wavy] Bowdosa}}
* {{YouTube|3fXaqD9DNnI|[RISE] Imetheus}}