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Difference between revisions of "Willbender - Support Alacbender"

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Line 4: Line 4:
 
| designed for = wvw zerg
 
| designed for = wvw zerg
 
| focus = Condition Cleanse, Boon Support, Healing, Crowd Control
 
| focus = Condition Cleanse, Boon Support, Healing, Crowd Control
−
| rating = draft
+
| rating = great
−
| xpac = eod
+
| xpac = hot, eod
 +
| difficulty = 3
 
}}
 
}}
−
 
  
 
==Overview==
 
==Overview==
−
A support Willbender build for WvW. Provides a large amount of {{tooltip|Alacrity}}, cleansing, healing and boon support.
+
A support Willbender build for WvW. Provides a large amount of {{tooltip|Alacrity}} as well as cleansing, healing and boon support. Sustained healing is lower than other secondary supports, but  it can provide significant offensive boons ({{tooltip|Alacrity}}, {{tooltip|Might}}) for a subgroup.
  
  
Line 17: Line 17:
 
| profession = Guardian
 
| profession = Guardian
 
| specialization = Willbender
 
| specialization = Willbender
−
| weapon1 = staff
+
| weapon1 = spear
 
| weapon2 =  
 
| weapon2 =  
−
| weapon3 = scepter
+
| weapon3 = mace
−
| weapon4 = shield
+
| weapon4 = torch
 
| healing = "Receive the Light!"
 
| healing = "Receive the Light!"
−
| utility1 = "Advance!"
+
| utility1 = "Stand Your Ground!"
−
| utility2 = Purging Flames
+
| utility2 = Hallowed Ground
−
| utility3 = "Save Yourselves!"
+
| utility3 = Purging Flames
−
| elite = Signet of Courage
+
| elite = "Feel My Wrath!"
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
;Weapon Variants
 
−
* '''Torch''' provides better cleansing at the cost of shield utility
 
  
−
;Skill Variants
+
===Variants===
−
* {{Skill|"Stand Your Ground!"}} if more stability is needed
+
;Weapons
−
* {{Skill|"Feel My Wrath!"}} good fury uptime + 2 condition removal but lose the burst heal + stab from signet
+
* '''Axe''' for CC
−
* {{Skill|Signet of Mercy}} if you want res utility
+
* '''Scepter''' makes {{Tooltip|Alacrity}} upkeep much easier
 +
* '''Shield''' provides projectile hate, crowd control and protection uptime.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
;Utilities
 +
* {{Skill|Signet of Mercy}}
 +
* {{Skill|Sanctuary}}
 +
 
  
 
==Template Code==
 
==Template Code==
 
{{TemplateCode|
 
{{TemplateCode|
−
code = [&DQEuKzEZQRd/AAAALQEAAEwBAACKAAAAcRIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA=]
+
code = [&DQExOi4rQRt/AAAANgEAAEsBAAAWAQAAiRIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA=]
 
}}
 
}}
  
  
 
==Specializations==
 
==Specializations==
−
{{Specialization|Honor|top|mid|top}}
+
{{Specialization|Honor|mid|top|bot}}
 +
;Variants
 +
* {{Trait|Pure of Heart}} if running shield can improve healing
 
{{Specialization|Virtues|bot|mid|mid}}
 
{{Specialization|Virtues|bot|mid|mid}}
−
{{Specialization|Willbender|bot|top|top}}
+
{{Specialization|Willbender|bot|mid|top}}
  
  
Line 52: Line 59:
 
| weight = Heavy
 
| weight = Heavy
 
| stats = Minstrel
 
| stats = Minstrel
−
| rune = Superior Rune of the Trooper
+
| rune = Superior Rune of the Water
 
| rune-qt = 6
 
| rune-qt = 6
−
| weapon1 = Staff
+
| relic = Relic of Antitoxin
 +
| weapon1 = Spear
 
| weapon2 =  
 
| weapon2 =  
−
| sigil1 = Superior Sigil of Transference  
+
| sigil1 = Superior Sigil of Transference
 
| sigil2 = Superior Sigil of Energy
 
| sigil2 = Superior Sigil of Energy
 
| weapon3 = Scepter
 
| weapon3 = Scepter
−
| weapon4 = Shield
+
| weapon4 = Torch
−
| sigil3 = Superior Sigil of Transference
+
| sigil3 = Superior Sigil of Bounty
−
| sigil4 = Superior Sigil of Energy
+
| sigil4 = Superior Sigil of Transference
−
| infusion1 = Healing WvW Infusion
+
| infusion1 = Concentration WvW Infusion
−
| infusion1-qt = 18
+
| infusion1-qt = 16
 +
| infusion2 = Healing WvW Infusion
 +
| infusion2-qt = 2
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
===Equipment Variants===
+
 
−
;Sigils
 
−
* {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Concentration}} for higher boon uptime
 
−
* {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Water}} healing on crits every 5s, with symbols you'll use it everytime it's available.
 
 
===Consumables===
 
===Consumables===
 
* {{Food|Bowl of Fruit Salad with Mint Garnish}}
 
* {{Food|Bowl of Fruit Salad with Mint Garnish}}
 
** {{Food|Delicious Rice Ball}} personal food option
 
** {{Food|Delicious Rice Ball}} personal food option
−
* {{Utility|Bountiful Maintenance Oil}}
+
* {{Utility|Magnanimous Maintenance Oil}}
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==Usage==
 +
===General===
 +
* Focus on using your skills to cleanse allies
 +
* Make sure to have the active effect from {{Skill|Flowing Resolve}} as often as possible
 +
* Use your burst heal to help during high pressure moments
 +
 
 +
 
 +
===Overall Priorities===
 +
;High
 +
* {{Tooltip|Stability}}
 +
* Condition Removal
 +
* {{Tooltip|Alacrity}}
 +
;Moderate
 +
* Other Boon application {{tooltip|Might}} {{tooltip|Aegis}} {{tooltip|Regeneration}} {{tooltip|Protection}}
 +
 
 +
;Low
 +
* Healing
 +
 
 +
 
 +
====Surviving====
 +
* This build has high passive defense
 +
* This build has high mobility skill access
 +
** Make sure to drop target when using {{Skill|Rushing Justice}} for mobility
 +
* This build has high active defense
 +
** While your active defenses are strong, they are ideally saved for your group and not used selfishly
 +
 
 +
{{Collapse start|Active defense priority}}
 +
* {{Skill|Flowing Resolve}} - for {{Tooltip|Immobilize}}
 +
* {{Tooltip|Dodge}}
 +
* {{Skill|Crashing Courage}} - 600 range shadowstep + personal stability and aegis
 +
* {{Skill|Rushing Justice}}
 +
* {{Skill|Flowing Resolve}} - 3 Conditions cleansed + 3/4s Evade
 +
* {{Skill|"Advance!"}} - {{Tooltip|Aegis}} + 2 Conditions cleansed
 +
* {{Skill|"Receive the Light!"}}
 +
{{Collapse end}}
 +
 
 +
 
 +
===Detailed Explanations===
 +
====Stability====
 +
* Apply {{Tooltip|Stability}} before allies get caught by enemy CC
 +
* When using {{Skill|"Stand Your Ground!"}} cover the application by applying other boons immediately after the cast
 +
* Avoid overlapping multiple {{Tooltip|Stability}} sources on your party, both your own and other players
 +
* Enemy CC is most likely to land when they spike your group, your group is moving through theirs, or your group is moving away from theirs.
 +
* Prioritize {{Skill|"Stand Your Ground!"}} over {{Skill|Hallowed Ground}} since it has a shorter CD
 +
 
 +
 
 +
====Condition Removal====
 +
* Use {{Skill|Flowing Resolve}} to cleanse allies with {{Trait|Absolute Resolve}}
 +
** Be careful not to double tap the skill if not intended
 +
* Use {{Skill|Purging Flames}} to cleanse in static situation (stairs / choke point) or against enemy well bombs
 +
* Use {{Skill|Cleansing Flame}} against pulsing condition application
 +
** {{Skill|Cleansing Flame}} is a great tool to help allies cross wells/{{Skill|Winds of Disenchantment}}
 +
* Make sure you're '''Illuminated''' before using {{Skill|Solar Storm}}
 +
 
 +
{{Collapse start|Condition Removal priority}}
 +
* {{Skill|Cleansing Flame}}/{{Skill|Solar Storm}}
 +
* {{Skill|Purging Flames}}
 +
* {{Skill|Flowing Resolve}} - {{Trait|Absolute Resolve}}
 +
{{Collapse end}}
 +
 
 +
 
 +
====Alacrity====
 +
* Use {{Skill|Flowing Resolve}} before casting your '''Symbol''' skills {{Skill|Symbol of Faith}}/{{Skill|Symbol of Luminance}} on enemies
 +
** {{Tooltip|Alacrity}} is shared because {{Trait|Battle Presence}} interacts with {{Trait|Phoenix Protocol}}
 +
** You need to hit targets to gain {{Tooltip|Alacrity}} while Flowing Resolve is active
 +
* {{Skill|Daybreaking Slash}} is an excellent way to apply many hits for {{Skill|Flowing Resolve}}
 +
 
 +
 
 +
====Boon Application====
 +
* Defensive boons like {{Tooltip|Protection}} or {{Tooltip|Aegis}} should be prioritized when your group is on the defensive
 +
** Apply {{tooltip|Aegis}} for enemy ranged spikes
 +
* Offensive boons like {{Tooltip|Might}} should be prioritized when your group is on the offensive
 +
 
 +
{{Collapse start|Boon sources}}
 +
* {{Tooltip|Resistance}}
 +
** {{Skill|Symbol of Luminance}}
 +
 
 +
* {{tooltip|Might}}
 +
** {{Trait|Holy Reckoning}} gives might when virtues are triggered
 +
** {{Skill|Gleaming Disc}}
 +
** {{Skill|Rushing Justice}} with {{Trait|Inspired Virtue}}
 +
 
 +
* {{Tooltip|Fury}}
 +
** {{Skill|Gleaming Disc}} - when '''Illuminated'''
 +
 
 +
* {{tooltip|Aegis}}
 +
** {{Skill|Protector's Strike}}
  
−
==General Understanding==
+
* {{tooltip|Protection}}
−
===Condition Removal Sources===
+
** {{Skill|Protector's Strike}}
−
* With Trooper runes and Pure of Voice, each shout will remove 2 conditions on 5 targets.
+
** {{Skill|Crashing Courage}} with {{Trait|Inspired Virtue}}
−
* Absolute Resolve will proc on each F2 use, 3 conditions removed 5 targets.
 
−
* Purging flames, works best if we need to stay still (stairs/choke points/hand-rez fiesta...) 7 pulses each removing 1 condition on 5 targets.
 
−
* Blasting symbols with Staff 2 will remove 1 condition on 5 targets
 
  
−
===Alacrity Source===
+
* {{tooltip|Regeneration}}
−
* The alacrity you offer to the party comes from F2 traited with "Battle Presence" and "Phoenix Protocol". After using f2, you'll gain the boon "Flowing Resolve" and every few time you attack an ennemie you'll gain and share alacrity. The easiest way is to put symbols inside the ennemies zerg (or where they are moving). This is why we use scepter instead of mace in this build.
+
** {{Skill|Flowing Resolve}} with {{Trait|Inspired Virtue}}
 +
{{Collapse end}}
  
−
===Healing Sources===
 
−
* With the Honor trait line, you'll gain the ability to heal on dodges and on aegis (shield 4 / Advance x2). Because you're playing with Energy Sigils and with Battle Presence from Virtues you'll have a higher endurance regeneration rate and can use them a bit more "freely" than other classes.
 
−
* You can use Staff 2 and 4 to heal allies
 
−
* Signet of Courage : Passive heal around you every few seconds and a strong active pulsing healing, stability, protection and resolution.
 
−
* F2 spam give perma regeneration to allies.
 
−
* You get extra +120 healing power from playing Willbender
 
  
−
*The healing you offer is less than the other cleansing classes (but higher than firebrand due to regeneration / receive the light and signet of courage)
+
====Healing====
 +
* {{Trait|Selfless Daring}} is a powerful heal but can easily leave you out of position if misused
 +
* Use {{Skill|Daybreaking Slash}} whenever you have downtime for healing
  
−
==Usage==
+
{{Collapse start|Healing priority}}
−
* Cleansing is mostly priority based instead of a real rotation :
+
* '''Dodge''' ({{Trait|Selfless Daring}})
−
** Advance! is used to remove a small amount (2)
+
* {{Skill|"Receive the Light!"}} (Can almost full heal someone if aimed correctly)
−
** Save Yourselves! is used to remove a HUGE amount (beware because you'll transfer a few to yourself, it's best to use it if you can stand inside your purging flames or if you have f2 available)
+
* {{Skill|Solar Storm}}
−
** F2 is to be used to remove 3 conditions on each charge and to give alacrity to allies
+
* {{Skill|Daybreaking Slash}}
−
** Your healing skill will get back someone to full health if you can aim it correctly + removing 2 conditions because it's a shout. It's often better to keep it to heal someone than to clean conditions.
+
{{Collapse end}}
  
−
* F1 and F3
 
−
** They are mobility and boon skills, you can use them to go support someone / come back to zerg and/or to give boon (Might from F1 and Protection from F3)
 
  
−
* F2
+
===Settings===
−
** F2 is a skill you want to use often because it's a good condition removal source + giving regeneration and you source of alac. When you see "Flowing Resolve" going out you can almost re-use F2 to reapply it to yourself to keep giving alacrity. As you have 2 Charges, you can keep one to burst clean with Save Yourself. F2 is also an evade for yourself.
+
* 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.
 +
* Also under '''General Options / User Interface''' turn on '''Thick party health bars'''
 +
** '''Thick squad health bars''' can be used too as a matter of personal preference, but is not recommended for large numbers
 +
* 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.
  
−
* Weapons :
 
−
** Staff is a popular weapon in all game mode for support guardian, it brings healing(Staff 2 and 4), swiftness (Staff 3), might (Staff 4) and a good crowd control skill (Staff 5). You can use Staff 3 inside ennemies to proc alacrity from F2 (you're party will always have swiftness due to running Advance) or to put a light field in case you want to blast it with Staff 2 for the extra condition removal.
 
−
** Scepter is the best weapon to apply alacrity with because the symbol is ranged + extra hits (while pulsing might to allies if we push inside of it). Scepter 3 can be used to root a target from 900 range, it's a fairly deadly skill if used in sync with squad damage dealers or on late ennemies.
 
−
** Shield provides projectile-hate (since firebrand can't spam F3-3 anymore is pretty nice to have), extra healing from shield 5 and the aegis + proection from shield 4
 
  
−
====Surviving====
+
===Tips & Tricks===
−
* This build has high passive defense from minstrel armor
+
* {{Skill|Rushing Justice}} and {{Skill|Crashing Courage}}
−
* This build has mobility skill access (f1-f2-f3)
+
** They are mobility skills you can use them to go support someone really fast to save them with {{Skill|"Receive the Light!"}} (or to come back to squad)
−
* This builds has high active defense (condition removal / burst healing / Aegis)
+
*** F1 will follow a targeted enemy or go straight in the direction your character is facing while F2 and F3 will follow your cursor
−
** While your active defenses are strong, they are ideally saved for your group and not used selfishly
+
* Mesmer with {{Trait|Seize the Moment}} works well in a alacbender party.

Latest revision as of 22:56, 31 August 2024

The community gave this build a rating, making it top-tier: Great

Focused on: Condition cleanse, Boon support, Healing and Crowd control

Designed for: WvW Zerg

Expansions required: Heart of Thorns buildsEnd of Dragons builds

Difficulty:
Hard
This build was last updated on August 31, 2024 and is up to date for the August 23, 2024 patch.

Overview

A support Willbender build for WvW. Provides a large amount of Alacrity Alacrity as well as cleansing, healing and boon support. Sustained healing is lower than other secondary supports, but it can provide significant offensive boons (Alacrity Alacrity, Might Might) for a subgroup.


Skill Bar

Spear
Mace/Torch
Utility


Variants

Weapons
  • Axe for CC
  • Scepter makes Alacrity Alacrity upkeep much easier
  • Shield provides projectile hate, crowd control and protection uptime.


Utilities
  • Signet of Mercy
  • Sanctuary


Template Code

[&DQExOi4rQRt/AAAANgEAAEsBAAAWAQAAiRIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA=]
Copy Template Code


Specializations

Variants
  • Pure of Heart if running shield can improve healing


Equipment

Head
Minstrel
Shoulders
Minstrel
Chest
Minstrel
Hands
Minstrel
Legs
Minstrel
Feet
Minstrel
Backpiece
Minstrel
Accessory
Minstrel
Accessory
Minstrel
Amulet
Minstrel
Ring
Minstrel
Ring
Minstrel
Spear
Minstrel
Sigil
Sigil
Scepter
Minstrel
Torch
Minstrel
Sigil
Sigil
Rune
x6
Infusion
x16
Infusion
x2
Relic


Consumables

    • personal food option


Usage

General

  • Focus on using your skills to cleanse allies
  • Make sure to have the active effect from Flowing Resolve as often as possible
  • Use your burst heal to help during high pressure moments


Overall Priorities

High
Moderate
Low
  • Healing


Surviving

  • This build has high passive defense
  • This build has high mobility skill access
    • Make sure to drop target when using Rushing Justice for mobility
  • This build has high active defense
    • While your active defenses are strong, they are ideally saved for your group and not used selfishly
Active defense priority Toggle
  • Flowing Resolve - for Immobilize Immobilize
  • Dodge Dodge
  • Crashing Courage - 600 range shadowstep + personal stability and aegis
  • Rushing Justice
  • Flowing Resolve - 3 Conditions cleansed + 3/4s Evade
  • "Advance!" - Aegis Aegis + 2 Conditions cleansed
  • "Receive the Light!"


Detailed Explanations

Stability

  • Apply Stability Stability before allies get caught by enemy CC
  • When using "Stand Your Ground!" cover the application by applying other boons immediately after the cast
  • Avoid overlapping multiple Stability Stability sources on your party, both your own and other players
  • Enemy CC is most likely to land when they spike your group, your group is moving through theirs, or your group is moving away from theirs.
  • Prioritize "Stand Your Ground!" over Hallowed Ground since it has a shorter CD


Condition Removal

  • Use Flowing Resolve to cleanse allies with Absolute Resolve
    • Be careful not to double tap the skill if not intended
  • Use Purging Flames to cleanse in static situation (stairs / choke point) or against enemy well bombs
  • Use Cleansing Flame against pulsing condition application
    • Cleansing Flame is a great tool to help allies cross wells/Winds of Disenchantment
  • Make sure you're Illuminated before using Solar Storm
Condition Removal priority Toggle
  • Cleansing Flame/Solar Storm
  • Purging Flames
  • Flowing Resolve - Absolute Resolve


Alacrity

  • Use Flowing Resolve before casting your Symbol skills Symbol of Faith/Symbol of Luminance on enemies
    • Alacrity Alacrity is shared because Battle Presence interacts with Phoenix Protocol
    • You need to hit targets to gain Alacrity Alacrity while Flowing Resolve is active
  • Daybreaking Slash is an excellent way to apply many hits for Flowing Resolve


Boon Application

  • Defensive boons like Protection Protection or Aegis Aegis should be prioritized when your group is on the defensive
    • Apply Aegis Aegis for enemy ranged spikes
  • Offensive boons like Might Might should be prioritized when your group is on the offensive
Boon sources Toggle
  • Might Might
    • Holy Reckoning gives might when virtues are triggered
    • Gleaming Disc
    • Rushing Justice with Inspired Virtue
  • Fury Fury
    • Gleaming Disc - when Illuminated
  • Aegis Aegis
    • Protector's Strike
  • Protection Protection
    • Protector's Strike
    • Crashing Courage with Inspired Virtue


Healing

  • Selfless Daring is a powerful heal but can easily leave you out of position if misused
  • Use Daybreaking Slash whenever you have downtime for healing
Healing priority Toggle
  • Dodge (Selfless Daring)
  • "Receive the Light!" (Can almost full heal someone if aimed correctly)
  • Solar Storm
  • Daybreaking Slash


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.
  • Also under General Options / User Interface turn on Thick party health bars
    • Thick squad health bars can be used too as a matter of personal preference, but is not recommended for large numbers
  • 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.


Tips & Tricks

  • Rushing Justice and Crashing Courage
    • They are mobility skills you can use them to go support someone really fast to save them with "Receive the Light!" (or to come back to squad)
      • F1 will follow a targeted enemy or go straight in the direction your character is facing while F2 and F3 will follow your cursor
  • Mesmer with Seize the Moment works well in a alacbender party.
Retrieved from "https://metabattle.com/wiki/index.php?title=Build:Willbender_-_Support_Alacbender&oldid=19027"


Ratings

This build has a rating of 4 stars based on 4 votes.
Log in or register to rate this build.
5 stars
Peliagudest gave this build 5 stars • August 2023
Same cleanses than druid or ele, good burst healing with some passive heal, a lot of alac and some boons. Really good 2nd supp with different option if you need go more deffensive, stabs, signet, etc. The only thing is has low CC
4 stars
Lyco gave this build 4 stars • February 2023
- Fairly easy to use (No hidden CD compared to Tempest/Scrapper nor the need to do field finishers) but still rewarded for reading the situation well with Purging Flames / Signet of Courage, using your mobility skill to help people stuck and using the CC that comes from guardian weapons. As of patch 14/02/22, you don't lose the active effect of virtues if you use another (so you can use f1-f3 when you wish now as you won't stop the flowing resolve effect). - I believe the closest meta build would be support tempest (Alacrity / Cleansing / Healing), Alacbender gives more alacrity (and as it pulses, even after ennemie corrupt it gets reapplied instantly), Cleansing feels similar but the Tempest really takes it in the healing deppartement (the party with the willbender will get a lot more Aegis compared to other subs tho, helping mitigating damages) while having the best res-utility with Glyph of Renewal. - It really improves the capability of pure damage dealers with perma alacrity and high might uptime due to Empower having low CD from playing Willbender (IE : Revenant hammer skill 3 goes down to 9s, which makes it sync with hydro sigil procs from legend swap which makes the gameplay much more fluid). It's a nice "offensive" support but wouldn't recommend running only that as support class in a squad, it's an exotic Build with niche applications, that can be strong, but is by no means a staple in comps.
3 stars
Dolan gave this build 3 stars • December 2022
Pros: Very fun to play, very good cleanse, good alac reapplication \\ Cons: limited usefulness, lacking lots of necessities \\ Overall: Has no place in a squad in the current iteration. Cannot be the healer/off-support role because close to no healing (and no, signet of courage is not a potent heal), cannot replace chrono for strips (as it does not strip), cannot replace fb as there's literally no stab or group resistance. It's just an awkward cleanse/alac bot. I've really enjoyed playing it (albeit with a bit of a different build) but it just doesn't really fit anywhere in current squads. \\ Note: signet of courage also does NOT apply stability in wvw
5 stars
Fowin49396 gave this build 5 stars • December 2022
Still a solid meta build. An insane amount of relentless a.o.e. cleanses to employee, and just so you don't get bored, you can always play that wonderful little game of drifting, simply the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

Comments

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