Firebrand - mace or axe? (primarily WvW)

[Pacificterror.7805]

I'm looking at creating a Guardian (and will primarily be using him in WvW, at least initially anyway).

 

Before that time, I plan on obtaining my first Legendary weapon (working toward it at the moment) but ideally I'd be making something that I can use effectively across multiple characters.

 

I was stoked to see that Guardians can/do use axes - since I was leaning toward making an axe so I could also use it on my Necro and Warrior (if I ever decide to log on my Warrior again) - but I'm seeing clashing advice regarding the best setup for a Guardian Firebrand in WvW. Some builds show them using a Staff / Axe & Shield while at least just as many builds show them as using Staff / Mace & Shield.

 

Especially in a group setting, I want to be running a setup that's most beneficial for my team so if it's an issue I'll just end up running an exotic/ascended Mace - but just hoping to seek opinions from people that already play Guardian.

[Infusion.7149]

Mace is the preferred weapon in WVW since you usually have heralds for fury or the DPS has their own fury generation. In addition, mace provides added sustain in the form of aegis + block as well as heal on auto.

Axe is only useful for the CC in WvW. Because you are mobile and not stationary for the fury symbol duration (symbol of vengeance), the fury uptime is far lower than in PVE. In addition, because of the superspeed and stealth gyro meta the Purity of Purpose trait converts conditions meaning the added conditions from axe hurts more than helps since it doesn't do much damage on a healer.

That said I wouldn't make a legendary mace (just make ascended) unless you like playing warrior or condi renegade. Mace is a good weapon for warrior in PVE and the primary condi weapon for revenant, it is rarely used on PVE guardian. Axe has far more potential.

Edited May 20, 2021 by Infusion.7149

[Hogwarts Zebra.8597]

if u wanna main guard, i'd suggest shield (flameseeker prophecies). it's used on nearly every guard build except for dps roles in pve (the skin is also much prettier imo than mace/axe). shield is also used by basically every class that can equip it in pvp/wvw

Edited May 20, 2021 by Hogwarts Zebra.8597

[Pacificterror.7805]

On 5/21/2021 at 1:38 AM, Hogwarts Zebra.8597 said:

if u wanna main guard, i'd suggest shield (flameseeker prophecies). it's used on nearly every guard build except for dps roles in pve (the skin is also much prettier imo than mace/axe). shield is also used by basically every class that can equip it in pvp/wvw

 

The only problem is that my current main (Necro) can't use a shield (although maybe the expac will change that) 😛

 

You make it sound appealing due to the utility though, so that might be the second legendary I work on.