Firebrand - Celestial Firebrand

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

Focused on: Condition damage, Support and Defense

Designed for: Open World and Open World General

Expansions required:

Difficulty:

Normal

This build was last updated on August 21, 2023 and is up to date for the October 8, 2024 patch.

Overview

A powerful, hyper-versatile condition-based build for open world Firebrand which offers one of the only Jack-of-All-Trades playstyles in the game. This build maintains permanent Quickness, Might, and Fury on itself and allies while also providing very high uptime on Regeneration, Stability, Aegis, Protection, and Vigor. It works very well both in groups and solo play and is one of the only builds capable of very high healing and boon support while also having very high DPS.

This build features several variants: Bruiser-DPS, Boon-DPS, and Healer. Pay attention to trait and skill recommendations as these are the levers which control what this build is good at.

Advanced Build

This is an advanced build for Guardian and is only recommended for players that are relatively familiar with the class, especially Firebrand. For more introductory builds, see Build:Firebrand_-_Condi_Firebrand and Build:Firebrand_-_Group_Support.

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Skill Bar

As mentioned above, this build has many variants. These variants all use the same armor and trinkets, but use weapons, traits, and skills as levers to control which variant is being played. The intention of this guide is for you to flexibly play all of the variant options below. See weapon variants for a detailed breakdown of exactly what weapons and sigils are needed for this. The Bruiser-DPS variant is considered the "default" for this build and is intended for playing solo. Play the Boon DPS or Healer variants with allies.

Bruiser-DPS

The Bruiser DPS variant is the best option for solo play. It lacks some of the boons and healing of other variants but maximizes personal DPS and defense.

Axe/Torch

Scepter/X

Utility

Boon DPS

Click to expand

The Boon DPS variant can be used to provide very high boon uptime to yourself and allies while maintaining very high DPS.

Axe/Torch

Scepter/X

Utility

Healer

Click to expand

The Healer variant can be used in groups to provide very high boon uptimes and moderate healing while maintain decent DPS.

Staff

Axe/Shield

Utility

Weapon Variants

This build makes use of several different weapon sets as a lever to flex the chosen role. It is recommended to carry each of the weapons and their respective sigils below. This is further detailed in the Build:Firebrand_-_Celestial_Firebrand#Equipment section below.

DPS

For the DPS variants, the following weapons are recommended:

• Axe + Sigil of Superior Sigil of Smoldering
• Scepter + Sigil of Superior Sigil of Smoldering
• Torch + Sigil of Superior Sigil of Bursting
• Optionally, a Torch with Sigil of Superior Sigil of Concentration can be used to assist with boon uptime in the Boon DPS variant. This isn't required, but can allow for more comfortable boon uptime.
• Optionally, a Greatsword with Sigil of Superior Sigil of Smoldering and Sigil of Superior Sigil of Bursting can be carried for high-burst opening DPS and extra mobility.
• Optionally, a Sword with Sigil of Smoldering can be carried for a more mobile alternative. It also has a reflect!
• Optionally, a Focus and Shield with Sigil of Energy can be carried for very difficult solo encounters.

Healer

For the Healer variant, the following weapons are recommended:

• Note that the Healer variant does use the Torch listed in the DPS variants by default.
• Shield + Sigil of Superior Sigil of Transference
• Mace + Sigil of Superior Sigil of Smoldering or Sigil of Superior Sigil of Transference can be carried as an optional weapon over Axe. It provides higher healing but lacks Fury and CC.
• Staff + Sigil of Superior Sigil of Smoldering + Sigil of Superior Sigil of Transference.

Skill Variants

A major aspect of mastering Guardian, especially Firebrand, is making use of our incredible flexibility. This is one of the class's primary strengths; ignoring this will put you at a significant disadvantage compared to most classes.

DPS

Never replace Sword of Justice.

• Signet of Wrath - passive DPS
• Mantra of Flame - high consistent burning

CC

Defiance Break is absolutely critical for some encounters. Typically, utilizing United Legion Waystations is enough, however if more CC is needed, the skills below can be used.

• Sanctuary - absolutely massive CC for boss encounters, though it's very bad for trash mobs.
• Hammer of Wisdom - decent CC that works on both bosses and trash

Support

Firebrand has access to a large number of support abilities. Especially when playing the Healer build, being familiar with these abilities and staying flexible in what you choose to use is essential.

• "Hold the Line!" - 47.5% Protection and Regeneration uptime for yourself and nearby allies. Combine with proper use of Tome of Courage for permanent Protection.
• "Stand Your Ground!" - a personal stunbreak that grants allies Stability
• Merciful Intervention - a shadowstep that heals allies; note that this ability can target spirit weapons and other summons, such as Sword of Justice
• "Advance!" - area Aegis and Swiftness
• Hallowed Ground - area Stability and Resolution; note that this skill is a long-duration, immobile field.
• Wall of Reflection - projectile hate
• "Feel My Wrath!" - can be taken on the Healer variant when stability is not needed
• Mantra of Liberation - significant ally stability; if using this on the Boon DPS variant, take 24px Stalwart Speed

Specializations

Bruiser DPS

This option should be used with the other Bruiser DPS options within the build. It focuses on maximizing personal DPS and defense when solo.

• Note that Legendary Lore is nearly identical in DPS to its counterpart. Use this if you decide to forego Mantra of Flame or Mantra of Potence in lieu of Signet of Wrath.

Virtues

While in groups where Vulnerability and Might are already being handled, replace Zeal with Virtues for higher personal DPS.

Boon DPS

Click to Expand

The Boon DPS variant should be played with allies, so its default build includes Virtues over Zeal.

• Legendary Lore provides additional boons and should be taken if using "Feel My Wrath!" instead of Mantra of Liberation

Healer

Click to Expand

The Healer variant should only be played with allies. It is by far the most flexible variant, however, and Honor can be traded out with any of the options listed above for an increase to DPS.

• Legendary Lore provides additional boons and should be taken if using "Feel My Wrath!" instead of Mantra of Liberation
• It should be noted that Honor is an incredibly flexible specialization and virtually every trait option in Honor carries some value. Pure of Voice and Force of Will in particular are flexible options that can be adjusted depending on the situation.

Equipment

All variants of this build utilize the same armor, runes, and trinkets. This means only weapons and sigils change between the variants; to play this build to its full potential, carry one axe, one torch, one sword, one scepter, one staff, one greatsword, one mace, and one shield on you, referencing the sigils below. A secondary torch may come in handy for more comfortable boon uptime.

Bruiser DPS

This variant is used with the Bruiser DPS traits and skills above. It is a selfish build that maximizes personal damage and defense, however due to the nature of Firebrand it still retains relatively high potential party support through tomes.

Head
Celestial

Shoulders
Celestial

Chest
Celestial

Hands
Celestial

Legs
Celestial

Feet
Celestial

Backpiece
Celestial

Accessory
Celestial

Accessory
Celestial

Amulet
Celestial

Ring
Celestial

Ring
Celestial

Axe
Celestial

Torch
Celestial

Sigil

Sigil

Scepter
Celestial

x
Celestial

Sigil

Sigil

Rune
x6

Boon DPS

Click to Expand

This equipment should be used with the Boon DPS variant above. Note that a Sigil of Superior Sigil of Concentration can help keep more comfortable boon uptime but comes at the cost of DPS.

Head
Celestial

Shoulders
Celestial

Chest
Celestial

Hands
Celestial

Legs
Celestial

Feet
Celestial

Backpiece
Celestial

Accessory
Celestial

Accessory
Celestial

Amulet
Celestial

Ring
Celestial

Ring
Celestial

Axe
Celestial

Torch
Celestial

Sigil

Sigil

Scepter
Celestial

x
Celestial

Sigil

Sigil

Rune
x6

Healer

Click to Expand

This equipment should be used with the Healer variants above. A mace or scepter can replace the axe, depending on what's needed.

Head
Celestial

Shoulders
Celestial

Chest
Celestial

Hands
Celestial

Legs
Celestial

Feet
Celestial

Backpiece
Celestial

Accessory
Celestial

Accessory
Celestial

Amulet
Celestial

Ring
Celestial

Ring
Celestial

Axe
Celestial

Shield
Celestial

Sigil

Sigil

Staff
Celestial

x
Celestial

Sigil

Sigil

Rune
x6

Consumables

Budget consumables are acceptable for use in open world.

DPS

• Prioritize Flatbread Ascended food.
• /
• /

Farming

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

Usage

• Editor's Note: This usage section works well but needs some expanding. Expect a more detailed version of this sometime in the near future.

Tome Breakdown

Firebrand has three tomes. Each is dedicated to a different specialty.

1. Tome of Justice - Damage via Burning
2. Tome of Resolve - healing and condition cleanse
3. Tome of Courage - defensive boons and projectile hate

In each of these tomes, you can often just spam skills to great effect, but it is strongly advised you sit down and learn what the skills in each tome do. Some big ones to memorize:

1. Tome of Justice
   1. Chapter 3 Heated Rebuke - circular pull that can group enemies
   2. Epilogue Ashes of the Just - provides a very powerful buff to nearby allies
2. Tome of Resolve
   1. Epilogue Eternal Oasis - increases all healing allies (including you) receive
   2. Chapter 4 Shining River - a large waterfield that heals
   3. Chapter 1 Desert Bloom - a powerful heal
3. Tome of Courage
   1. Chapter 1 Unflinching Charge - Provides stability, which grants quickness
   2. Chapter 3 Valiant Bulwark - a projectile-hate bubble
   3. Epilogue Unbroken Lines - provides extreme defense to nearby allies for 5 seconds, also triggers Stalwart Speed

Damage

• Tome of Justice is the main source of your damage, and it gains pages whenever you kill an enemy thanks to Renewed Justice. Try to stay in it often, spamming Chapter 4 Scorched Aftermath, Chapter 2 Igniting Burst, and Chapter 1 Searing Spell.
  • Chapter 3 Heated Rebuke can be used as an opener to pull enemies together.
  • If there are nearby allies you can use Epilogue Ashes of the Just. You can also apply ashes to your Sword of Justice.
• Outside of Tome of Justice, your primary damaging skills are:

1. Purging Flames
2. Sword of Justice
3. Zealot's Flame
4. Zealot's Defense
5. Symbol of Blades / Symbol of Vengeance
6. Mantra of Flame

• Use Zealot's Flame whenever available.
• If everything you have is on cooldown, fill with axe skills.

Boons

• Use your "Feel My Wrath!" and Mantra of Potence off cooldown for Quickness.
• Use your Mantra of Solace approximately every 7 seconds for Quickness from Liberator's Vow and Stalwart Speed.

Defense

• Tome of Courage has many good defensive skills. You can go into it and press a few skills (including Epilogue Unbroken Lines if possible) to quickly stack defensive boons.
• Carefully time your activation of Mantra of Solace to block dangerous attacks.

Crowd Control

• Blazing Edge
• Chains of Light
• Chapter 3 Heated Rebuke
• Chapter 2 Daring Challenge
• Hammer of Wisdom or Bane Signet