Build:Vindicator - Hammer Vindicator

The community gave this build a rating, making it second-tier: Good

Focused on: Strike damage, Dps and Boon support

Designed for: WvW Zerg

Expansions required:

Difficulty:

TBD

This build was last updated on August 02, 2022 and is up to date for the April 16, 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
• Reaver's Curse with extremely high vigor uptime and regularly hitting 3+ targets with Forerunner of Death

Equipment

Head
Berserker

Shoulders
Berserker

Chest
Berserker

Hands
Berserker

Legs
Berserker

Feet
Berserker

Backpiece
Berserker

Accessory
Berserker

Accessory
Berserker

Amulet
Assassin

Ring
Berserker

Ring
Berserker

Hammer
Berserker

Sigil

Sigil

Greatsword
Berserker

Sigil

Sigil

Rune
x6

Infusion
x18

Equipment Variants

Stats

• Marauder stats/ Dragon stats if you find you need extra defensive stats, but do not go over crit cap

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
• 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