Vindicator - DPS Vindicator

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

Focused on: Strike damage, Dps and Boon support

Designed for: WvW Zerg

Expansions required:

Difficulty:

Normal

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

Overview

A Power based Vindicator build for WvW. The power of greatsword, the durability of Jalis, and the damage of Coalescence of Ruin allow this build to deal strong damage with great survivability.

Skill Bar

Hammer

Greatsword

Utility

Utility

Template Code

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Specializations

Variants

• Assassin's Presence worth it if two other DPS in your party lack fury uptime
• Brutality constant stability removal with quickness uptime but less DPS.

Variants

• Leviathan Strength if your party is providing might cap on spikes without your help

Equipment

Head
Marauder

Shoulders
Marauder

Chest
Marauder

Hands
Marauder

Legs
Marauder

Feet
Marauder

Backpiece
Marauder

Accessory
Marauder

Accessory
Marauder

Amulet
Marauder

Ring
Berserker

Ring
Marauder

Hammer
Marauder

Sigil

Sigil

Greatsword
Marauder

Sigil

Sigil

Rune
x6

Infusion
x17

Infusion
x1

Relic

Equipment Variants

Stats

• Feel free to use as much Berserker stats as you feel comfortable with

Relic

• Relic of Speed
• Relic of the Thief - more damage if fights are ranged heavy

Sigils

• Greatsword Sigil of Superior Sigil of Hydromancy
• Sigil of Superior Sigil of Stamina

Consumables

• • personal food option

Usage

Priorities

High

• Ranged Spike

Moderate

• Sustained damage
• Might

Low

• CC

Surviving

• This build has moderate passive defense
• This build has moderate mobility skill access
  • Phantom's Onslaught will lunge towards a target if they are within range, otherwise it moves you considerably less than 900 range
    • Neutral creatures can be used as targets
• This builds has high active defenses
  • Only use Phase Smash defensively if desperate, it will likely leave you more out of position than when you started
  • Toggle Vengeful Hammers on whenever you expect significant pressure, its upkeep is cheap
  • Rite of the Great Dwarf breaks stuns at the beginning of the cast, dodge or weapon stow to cancel the cast if you're in danger

Active defense priority Reaver's Rage - for stunbreaking Rite of the Great Dwarf - for stunbreaking Soothing Stone - for Immobilize Alliance Tactics - Saint Viktor Awakening - for stunbreaking Battle Dance - for Immobilize Tree Song - for Immobilize Vengeful Hammers Dodge Energy Meld - if short on Endurance Imperial Guard Rite of the Great Dwarf - general use Selfish Spirit/Soothing Stone - general use Alliance Tactics - Saint Viktor Battle Dance Selfless Spirit Phase Smash

Detailed Explanations

Ranged Spike

• Casting Coalescence of Ruin immediately before Phase Smash will make both hits land at the same time
  • Phase Smash is the priority skill if you can't use both
• Swap legends during Phase Smash at 3/4ths through the cast to activate Sigil of Superior Sigil of Hydromancy
• Avoid casting Phase Smash as groups cross each other so you aren't left behind

Sustained damage

• You can Phase Smash through traps and marks to activate them without taking any damage.
• Try to place Inspiring Reinforcement in the direction your group is pushing if possible, but prioritize hitting enemies
• Toggle on Vengeful Hammers any time you're in range and in Jalis, but prioritize other skills when energy is limited

Skill priority Scavenger Burst - if lacking Fury or Quickness Forerunner of Death Nomad's Advance Scavenger Burst - general use Inspiring Reinforcement Vengeful Hammers Greatsword True Strike (Vindicator) - 5 charges Eternity's Requiem Phantom's Onslaught Mist Unleashed Hammer Phase Smash Coalescence of Ruin

Might

• Your might is mostly passively generated through Amnesty of Shing Jea through using Aliiance skills and Energy Meld
• Stay close to your group, Amnesty of Shing Jea has a small radius
• Before leaving Alliance stance, use Alliance Tactics to swap to Saint Viktor and proc Amnesty of Shing Jea
  • As soon as you reenter Alliance stance, use Alliance Tactics again to get access to Archemorus skills

CC

• Use Forced Engagement when:
  • Your group calls a spike:
    • Winds - Winds of Disenchantment
    • Wells - Well of Corruption+Well of Suffering
    • Shades - Desert Shroud
    • Traps - Procession of Blades+Test of Faith
  • On top of enemy downs (while alive players are on top of them)
  • Enemy groups moving defensively while your group is pushing
• Use Drop the Hammer when all other skills are on cooldown and projectile block is stopping your Hammer Bolt