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Difference between revisions of "Herald - Power Herald"

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| focus = strike damage
 
| focus = strike damage
 
| rating = great
 
| rating = great
 +
| meta = yes
 
| xpac = hot
 
| xpac = hot
 
| difficulty = 1
 
| difficulty = 1
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==Overview==
 
==Overview==
A power-based {{Tooltip|Herald}} build for open world. This build features very high ally support, good DPS, and relatively high personal defense even in DPS gear.
+
A power {{Tooltip|Herald}} build for open world. Herald shines as a boon dps, providing their allies and themselves with permanent boons, most notably permanent {{Tooltip|Fury}} and {{Tooltip|Quickness}}, and {{Tooltip|Might}} (25 permanent for self, and about 12 for allies). It deals decent damage and has great innate sustain, but it lacks condition removal and requires the player to constantly swap legends to regenerate energy.
  
  
 
==Template Code==
 
==Template Code==
 
{{TemplateCode|
 
{{TemplateCode|
code = [&DQkDPg8/NC7cEQAABhIAACsSAADUEQAAyhEAAAECAADUESsSBhIAAAAAAAA=]
+
code = [&DQkDPg8qNBfcEdwRBhIGEisSKxLUEdQRyhHKEQECAQIrEgYS1BEGEisS1BEBMgAA]
 
}}
 
}}
  
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|legend2 = shiro
 
|legend2 = shiro
 
}}
 
}}
 +
  
 
===Weapon Variants===
 
===Weapon Variants===
* {{Tooltip|Sword|Sword/Sword}} - DPS; replaces {{Tooltip|Greatsword}} if you lack Weaponmaster
+
* If you don't have access to [https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Weaponmaster_Training Weaponmaster Training] with Secrets of the Obscure you will not be able to wield a {{Tooltip|Greatsword}}, use mainhand and offhand {{Tooltip|sword|swords}} instead.
* {{Tooltip|Shortbow}} - ranged single-target; use this in place of {{Tooltip|Staff}} against bosses that require range
+
* {{Tooltip|Staff}} is taken mainly for the defiance damage of {{Skill|Surge of the Mists}}. Only swap to staff when you need to break a defiance bar quickly, and return to your other weapon set as soon as possible.
* {{Tooltip|Hammer}} - ranged AoE; use this in place of {{Tooltip|Staff}} for meta-event farming.
+
* {{Tooltip|Hammer}} - ranged AoE; use this in place of {{Tooltip|Staff}} if you require ranged damage.
* {{Tooltip|Shield}} - defense, pair with {{Tooltip|Sword}} mainhand.
 
  
 
===Skill Variants===
 
===Skill Variants===
* {{Skill|Legendary Dwarf Stance}} - defense/cc
+
* {{Skill|Legendary Dwarf Stance}} - replaces Shiro, trading a bit of damage for defense.
  
 
==Specializations==
 
==Specializations==
 
{{Specialization|Invocation|mid|bot|bot}}
 
{{Specialization|Invocation|mid|bot|bot}}
 
{{Specialization|Devastation|mid|mid|mid}}
 
{{Specialization|Devastation|mid|mid|mid}}
{{Specialization|Herald|mid|bot|top}}
+
{{Specialization|Herald|mid|top|top}}
* {{Trait|Dance of Death}} - sustain
+
===Variants===
* {{Trait|Cleansing Channel}} - condi cleanse
+
* {{Trait|Cleansing Channel}} - condition cleanse.
* {{Trait|Forceful Persistence}} - if someone else is covering {{Tooltip|Quickness}}
+
* {{Trait|Dance of Death}} - sustain.
 +
* {{Trait|Forceful Persistence}} - when playing in groups and someone else is already providing permanent {{Tooltip|Quickness}}.
  
 
==Equipment==
 
==Equipment==
Ascended gear and stat infusions are not required; you can use exotic gear with the same stats.<br>
+
Ascended gear and stat infusions are not required; you can use exotic gear with the same stats. The pure DPS and Boon DPS options for Power Herald use identical gear.
====Standard Equipment====
 
The pure DPS and Boon DPS options for Power Herald use identical gear.
 
 
{{PvE equipment
 
{{PvE equipment
 
| weight = Heavy
 
| weight = Heavy
 
| stats = Berserker
 
| stats = Berserker
| rune = Superior Rune of the Scholar
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| rune = Superior Rune of the Dragonhunter
 
| rune-qt = 6
 
| rune-qt = 6
 
| weapon1 = Greatsword
 
| weapon1 = Greatsword
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| relic = Relic of the Thief
 
| relic = Relic of the Thief
 
}}
 
}}
 +
If you are gearing this character from zero, start with '''exotic quality gear'''. Search the trading post for "Devona" armor. Then search for the weapons you want to use: "Ebonblade" greatsword, "Deathwish" staff, "Bonetti's Rapier" sword. Upgrade to ascended gear as you progress. See also: [[Guide:How to Gear a Character]].
 
* {{Rune|Superior Rune of the Dragonhunter}} and {{Rune|Superior Rune of the Scholar}} are interchangeable.  
 
* {{Rune|Superior Rune of the Dragonhunter}} and {{Rune|Superior Rune of the Scholar}} are interchangeable.  
* Other relics include {{Relic|Relic of the Defender}}, {{Relic|Relic of the Adventurer}}, {{Relic|Relic of Cerus}}, {{Relic|Relic of the Cavalier}}, and {{Relic|Relic of Durability}}.
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* You can use {{Relic|Relic of Zakiros}} to trade a minor amount of damage for sustain, {{Relic|Relic of the Cavalier}} to start combat with boons, or {{Relic|Relic of Durability}} for a little extra defense.
* For defense, equip the highest tier Jade Core you can afford. Use defensive food, traits, or skills if required. If necessary, use {{Tooltip|Knight}} trinkets.
+
* For defense, equip the highest tier Jade Core you can afford. Use defensive food or skills if required.
 +
 
  
<br>
 
 
==Consumables==
 
==Consumables==
 
Budget consumables are acceptable for use in open world.
 
Budget consumables are acceptable for use in open world.
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* {{Food|Peppermint Omnomberry Bar}}
 
* {{Food|Peppermint Omnomberry Bar}}
 
* {{Utility|Sharpening Skull}} (and variants)
 
* {{Utility|Sharpening Skull}} (and variants)
<br>
+
 
  
 
==Usage==
 
==Usage==
 +
===Facet of Nature===
 +
{{Skill|Facet of Nature}} is the profession mechanic of the herald. Activate it to consume 2 energy pips to pulse an effect depending on your channelled legend to yourself and nearby allies. On Glint, this provides +20% boon duration. On Shiro, it provides a small amount of life stealing. On Jalis, it reduces damage taken by 10%.
 +
 +
The facet can be consumed for an additional effect. On Glint, it increases the duration of existing boons on yourself and nearby allies by 2 seconds. On Shiro, it removes 2 boons from nearby enemies. On Jalis, it provides Stability.
 +
===Quickness and Facets===
 +
The key to this build is to maintain permanent {{Tooltip|Quickness}} from {{Trait|Elevated Compassion}} by having an upkeep cost of 6 or higher. When channelling Glint, the best combination for this is {{Skill|Facet of Nature}}, {{Skill|Facet of Darkness}}, and {{Skill|Facet of Strength}}.
 +
* In {{Skill|Legendary Assassin Stance}}, maintain {{Skill|Impossible Odds}}.
 +
** If you replaced Shiro with {{Skill|Legendary Dwarf Stance}}, maintain {{Skill|Vengeful Hammers}}.
 +
* In {{Skill|Legendary Dragon Stance}}:
 +
** Always maintain {{Skill|Facet of Darkness}} for {{Tooltip|Fury}} which also activates {{Trait|Incensed Response}}. Only consume it if you need the stun break.
 +
** Maintain {{Skill|Facet of Strength}} for {{Tooltip|Might}} generation. In short fights, it can be consumed for a small damage buff.
 +
** Maintain {{Skill|Facet of Nature}}. Its passive effects are decent. It can be consumed in Glint to save energy in Shiro, but then you will need to activate other Facets when you return to Glint to maintain an upkeep cost of 6 or more.
 +
** {{Skill|Facet of Light}} is not worth maintaining since regeneration is extremely weak in dps gear. Only maintain it if Facet of Nature is on cooldown and you need the upkeep cost. Only consume it when under much pressure.
 +
** {{Skill|Facet of Elements}} should be consumed off cooldown for damage unless you need the upkeep cost if Facet of Nature is on cooldown.
 +
** {{Skill|Facet of Chaos}} consumes too much energy, only use it if your other Facets are on cooldown and you need the upkeep cost. Consume it if you need crowd control.
 +
 +
As with all revenant builds, you have to swap legends pretty much off cooldown for energy by pressing F1. When you swap legends in combat, you start at 50 energy.
 
===Damage===
 
===Damage===
* Maintain {{Trait|Elevated Compassion}} via {{Skill|Impossible Odds}} or Facets. Generally, use {{Skill|Facet of Nature}}, {{Skill|Facet of Darkness}}, and {{Skill|Facet of Strength}}, but any combination of facets that maintains a minimum of -6 upkeep is valid.
+
* This build maintains permanent {{Tooltip|Fury}} and {{Tooltip|Quickness}} on itself and nearby allies. You will also provide about 12 {{Tooltip|Might}} to allies while you will easily maintain 25 stacks on yourself due to {{Trait|Incensed Response}}.
* This build self-caps {{Tooltip|Might}}, {{Tooltip|Fury}}, and {{Tooltip|Quickness}} on itself (and nearby allies).  
+
* Our main damaging weapon is {{Tooltip|Greatsword}}, use all skills except {{Skill|Imperial Guard}}, save it in case you need an emergency block. Try to not interrupt auto-attack chains.
* In {{Skill|Legendary Assassin Stance}}, simply use {{Skill|Impossible Odds}}
+
**If using {{Tooltip|sword|swords}}, use {{Skill|Chilling Isolation}}, {{Skill|Shackling Wave}}, and {{Skill|Deathstrike}}.
* In {{Skill|Legendary Dragon Stance}}, maintain any number of facets to hit -6 upkeep, though prioritize maintaining {{Skill|Facet of Darkness}} as this is both our stunbreak and our primary {{Tooltip|Fury}} source. Consume {{Skill|Facet of Elements}} off cooldown.
+
* Watch energy in {{Skill|Legendary Assassin Stance}}, do not consume all your energy, you want to maintain {{Skill|Impossible Odds}}.
* If using {{Skill|Legendary Dwarf Stance}}, ensure you are maintaining {{Skill|Vengeful Hammers}}.
 
* Our main damaging weapon is {{Tooltip|Greatsword}}. Follow a loose priority of {{Skill|Eternity's Requiem}}, {{Skill|Mist Unleashed}}, and {{Skill|Phantom's Onslaught}}. It is very important to not interrupt auto-attack chains.
 
* It's important to watch energy in {{Skill|Legendary Assassin Stance}}. Sometimes, it's better to not use {{Skill|Phantom's Onslaught}} and just auto-attack instead.
 
  
 
===Defense===
 
===Defense===
* {{Skill|Infuse Light}} is one of the strongest heal skills in the game.
+
* {{Skill|Infuse Light}} converts all damage to healing, but watch its long cooldown.
* {{Skill|Facet of Chaos}} provides nearly permanent {{Tooltip|Protection}} uptime.
+
* {{Skill|Facet of Chaos}} can be used for {{Tooltip|Protection}} uptime.
* Both {{Tooltip|Greatsword}} and {{Tooltip|Staff}} have very powerful channeled blocks.  
+
* Both {{Tooltip|Greatsword}} and {{Tooltip|Staff}} have channeled blocks.
* {{Trait|Dance of Death}} is a relatively small DPS loss but a massive boost to personal sustain.
+
* {{Trait|Roiling Mists}} heals you for a percentage or your critical strike damage.
* {{Trait|Cleansing Channel}} helps cover one of the build's main weaknesses, condi cleanse.
+
* Consider {{Trait|Dance of Death}} for a relatively small DPS loss but a massive boost to personal sustain.
* {{Skill|Legendary Dwarf Stance}} has many powerful defensive tools. If you want a more comfortable playstyle, it may be better to use this over {{Skill|Legendary Assassin Stance}}, though you must still upkeep {{Skill|Vengeful Hammers}} to maintain {{Trait|Elevated Compassion}}.  
+
* Use {{Trait|Cleansing Channel}} if you need condition cleanse.
 +
* {{Skill|Legendary Dwarf Stance}} can replace {{Skill|Legendary Assassin Stance}} to trade damage for more defense.
 
** {{Skill|Vengeful Hammers}} provides passive damage reduction.
 
** {{Skill|Vengeful Hammers}} provides passive damage reduction.
 
** {{Skill|Inspiring Reinforcement}} provides {{Tooltip|Stability}} for yourself and allies.
 
** {{Skill|Inspiring Reinforcement}} provides {{Tooltip|Stability}} for yourself and allies.
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** {{Skill|Soothing Stone}} is a fantastic heal that cleanses conditions
 
** {{Skill|Soothing Stone}} is a fantastic heal that cleanses conditions
 
** {{Skill|Rite of the Great Dwarf}} breaks stun and provides significant damage reduction.
 
** {{Skill|Rite of the Great Dwarf}} breaks stun and provides significant damage reduction.
* In rare circumstances, it may be beneficial to use {{Skill|Legendary Centaur Stance}} for {{Skill|Protective Solace}} as a powerful projectile hate. This shouldn't be common, as even very powerful projectile-based attacks can often simply be dodged.
+
* In rare circumstances, it may be beneficial to use {{Skill|Legendary Centaur Stance}} for {{Skill|Protective Solace}} as a powerful projectile block. This shouldn't be common, as even very powerful projectile-based attacks can often simply be dodged, and the upkeep cost of it is massive.
  
 
===Crowd Control===
 
===Crowd Control===
We lose a lot of damage by swapping to {{Tooltip|Staff}} for {{Skill|Surge of the Mists}}, so it should be a last resort if we absolutely need to break a bar. {{Tooltip|United Legions Waystation}} can provide sufficient CC for most encounters. On encounters with a very early breakbar, opening on {{Tooltip|Staff}} with {{Skill|Legendary Assassin Stance}} and using {{Skill|Surge of the Mists}} into {{Skill|Jade Winds}} can be beneficial.
+
We lose a lot of damage by swapping to {{Tooltip|Staff}} for {{Skill|Surge of the Mists}}, so it should be a last resort if we absolutely need to break a bar. On encounters with a very early breakbar, opening on {{Tooltip|Staff}} with {{Skill|Legendary Assassin Stance}} and using {{Skill|Surge of the Mists}} into {{Skill|Jade Winds}} can be beneficial.
* {{Skill|Facet of Chaos}}
+
* {{Skill|Facet of Chaos}} {{to}} {{Skill|Chaotic Release}}
* {{Skill|Jade Winds}} - emergencies only
+
* {{Skill|Jade Winds}}
 
* {{Skill|Surge of the Mists}}
 
* {{Skill|Surge of the Mists}}
 
==Video Examples==
 
* [https://youtu.be/FEBAh71nJm4?si=nfTv1ERcK-tz9SrW Power Herald vs Egg Clutch Hero Point (Wrin)]
 

Latest revision as of 10:17, 15 August 2025

Part of the current metagame

Our curator decided this build is in the current metagame regardless of rating. The community gave this build a rating, making it top-tier: Great

Focused on: Strike damage

Designed for: Open World and Open World General

Expansions required: Heart of Thorns builds

Difficulty:
Easy
This build was last updated on August 15, 2025 and is up to date for the August 19, 2025 patch.

Overview

A power Herald Herald build for open world. Herald shines as a boon dps, providing their allies and themselves with permanent boons, most notably permanent Fury Fury and Quickness Quickness, and Might Might (25 permanent for self, and about 12 for allies). It deals decent damage and has great innate sustain, but it lacks condition removal and requires the player to constantly swap legends to regenerate energy.


Template Code

[&DQkDPg8qNBfcEdwRBhIGEisSKxLUEdQRyhHKEQECAQIrEgYS1BEGEisS1BEBMgAA]
Copy Template Code


Skill Bar

Greatsword
Staff
Utility
Utility


Weapon Variants

  • If you don't have access to Weaponmaster Training with Secrets of the Obscure you will not be able to wield a Greatsword Greatsword, use mainhand and offhand swords swords instead.
  • Staff Staff is taken mainly for the defiance damage of Surge of the Mists. Only swap to staff when you need to break a defiance bar quickly, and return to your other weapon set as soon as possible.
  • Hammer Hammer - ranged AoE; use this in place of Staff Staff if you require ranged damage.

Skill Variants

  • Legendary Dwarf Stance - replaces Shiro, trading a bit of damage for defense.

Specializations

Variants

  • Cleansing Channel - condition cleanse.
  • Dance of Death - sustain.
  • Forceful Persistence - when playing in groups and someone else is already providing permanent Quickness Quickness.

Equipment

Ascended gear and stat infusions are not required; you can use exotic gear with the same stats. The pure DPS and Boon DPS options for Power Herald use identical gear.

Head
Berserker
Shoulders
Berserker
Chest
Berserker
Hands
Berserker
Legs
Berserker
Feet
Berserker
Backpiece
Berserker
Accessory
Berserker
Accessory
Berserker
Amulet
Berserker
Ring
Berserker
Ring
Berserker
Greatsword
Berserker
Sigil
Sigil
Staff
Berserker
Sigil
Sigil
Rune
x6


Relic

If you are gearing this character from zero, start with exotic quality gear. Search the trading post for "Devona" armor. Then search for the weapons you want to use: "Ebonblade" greatsword, "Deathwish" staff, "Bonetti's Rapier" sword. Upgrade to ascended gear as you progress. See also: Guide:How to Gear a Character.

  • Rune of Superior Rune of the Dragonhunter and Rune of Superior Rune of the Scholar are interchangeable.
  • You can use Relic of Zakiros to trade a minor amount of damage for sustain, Relic of the Cavalier to start combat with boons, or Relic of Durability for a little extra defense.
  • For defense, equip the highest tier Jade Core you can afford. Use defensive food or skills if required.


Consumables

Budget consumables are acceptable for use in open world.

DPS

  • Prioritize Steak Ascended food.
  • /
  • /

Defense

Farming

  • Prioritize Steak Ascended food.
  • /
  • (and variants)


Usage

Facet of Nature

Facet of Nature is the profession mechanic of the herald. Activate it to consume 2 energy pips to pulse an effect depending on your channelled legend to yourself and nearby allies. On Glint, this provides +20% boon duration. On Shiro, it provides a small amount of life stealing. On Jalis, it reduces damage taken by 10%.

The facet can be consumed for an additional effect. On Glint, it increases the duration of existing boons on yourself and nearby allies by 2 seconds. On Shiro, it removes 2 boons from nearby enemies. On Jalis, it provides Stability.

Quickness and Facets

The key to this build is to maintain permanent Quickness Quickness from Elevated Compassion by having an upkeep cost of 6 or higher. When channelling Glint, the best combination for this is Facet of Nature, Facet of Darkness, and Facet of Strength.

  • In Legendary Assassin Stance, maintain Impossible Odds.
    • If you replaced Shiro with Legendary Dwarf Stance, maintain Vengeful Hammers.
  • In Legendary Dragon Stance:
    • Always maintain Facet of Darkness for Fury Fury which also activates Incensed Response. Only consume it if you need the stun break.
    • Maintain Facet of Strength for Might Might generation. In short fights, it can be consumed for a small damage buff.
    • Maintain Facet of Nature. Its passive effects are decent. It can be consumed in Glint to save energy in Shiro, but then you will need to activate other Facets when you return to Glint to maintain an upkeep cost of 6 or more.
    • Facet of Light is not worth maintaining since regeneration is extremely weak in dps gear. Only maintain it if Facet of Nature is on cooldown and you need the upkeep cost. Only consume it when under much pressure.
    • Facet of Elements should be consumed off cooldown for damage unless you need the upkeep cost if Facet of Nature is on cooldown.
    • Facet of Chaos consumes too much energy, only use it if your other Facets are on cooldown and you need the upkeep cost. Consume it if you need crowd control.

As with all revenant builds, you have to swap legends pretty much off cooldown for energy by pressing F1. When you swap legends in combat, you start at 50 energy.

Damage

  • This build maintains permanent Fury Fury and Quickness Quickness on itself and nearby allies. You will also provide about 12 Might Might to allies while you will easily maintain 25 stacks on yourself due to Incensed Response.
  • Our main damaging weapon is Greatsword Greatsword, use all skills except Imperial Guard, save it in case you need an emergency block. Try to not interrupt auto-attack chains.
    • If using swords swords, use Chilling Isolation, Shackling Wave, and Deathstrike.
  • Watch energy in Legendary Assassin Stance, do not consume all your energy, you want to maintain Impossible Odds.

Defense

  • Infuse Light converts all damage to healing, but watch its long cooldown.
  • Facet of Chaos can be used for Protection Protection uptime.
  • Both Greatsword Greatsword and Staff Staff have channeled blocks.
  • Roiling Mists heals you for a percentage or your critical strike damage.
  • Consider Dance of Death for a relatively small DPS loss but a massive boost to personal sustain.
  • Use Cleansing Channel if you need condition cleanse.
  • Legendary Dwarf Stance can replace Legendary Assassin Stance to trade damage for more defense.
    • Vengeful Hammers provides passive damage reduction.
    • Inspiring Reinforcement provides Stability Stability for yourself and allies.
    • Forced Engagement provides heavy CC
    • Soothing Stone is a fantastic heal that cleanses conditions
    • Rite of the Great Dwarf breaks stun and provides significant damage reduction.
  • In rare circumstances, it may be beneficial to use Legendary Centaur Stance for Protective Solace as a powerful projectile block. This shouldn't be common, as even very powerful projectile-based attacks can often simply be dodged, and the upkeep cost of it is massive.

Crowd Control

We lose a lot of damage by swapping to Staff Staff for Surge of the Mists, so it should be a last resort if we absolutely need to break a bar. On encounters with a very early breakbar, opening on Staff Staff with Legendary Assassin Stance and using Surge of the Mists into Jade Winds can be beneficial.

  • Facet of Chaos Chaotic Release
  • Jade Winds
  • Surge of the Mists


Ratings

This build has a rating of 5 stars based on 2 votes.
Log in or register to rate this build.
5 stars
Fenrisulfr gave this build 5 stars • September 2023
Busty damage with amazing sustain, absolutely unkillable in open world when used at its full potential. The quickness generation with fury and might absolutely carry in small groups without having to run concentration. Whether you want to play it on sweat mode with no sustain, or easy mode with some dragon stat swap-ins and play it safer (if the amazing synergy with battle scars isn't enough for you) - this destroys the open world scene as hard as scourge. I use Greatsword w/ shortbow for extra ranged potential in the build, allows you to kite-sustain almost anything with absolute glass HP while maintaining good damage. Hardly anything competes this hard right now with an intense power boon carry.
5 stars
Starlitjupiter gave this build 5 stars • September 2023
It is impossible to overstate how absolutely broken this build is for open world right now. The only thing that can compete with it is Scourge.

Comments

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