(WvW) Why staff over longbow?

[aaron.7850]

https://gw2mists.com/builds/guardian/power-dragonhunter

 

According to this site, you should use staff /scepter+torch...

 

like, why on earth? Why torch? Its a condi weapon, focus or shield seem much better for zerging.

 

and why staff over longbow? staff is a support weapon, sure it can do damage but surely longbow does more damage and bring better CC

 

 

[Infusion.7149]

Longbow is projectile and focus is single target. The build's focus is on burst from symbols and staff provides might via Empower.

 

gw2mists builds are for squad play not roaming. There's some choices on there I would not make myself.

[aaron.7850]

Longbow also has a symbol

and still most puzzling of all, why torch?? :S

[Lan Deathrider.5910]

Zealot's Fire has a 1.75 coefficient for power and Cleansing Flame has a 2.8 coefficient for power (and condi cleanses fwiw). And these are condi/hybrid dps moves.

 

For reference a Tier 3 Eviscerate from warrior, which is a power DPS move, only has a 2.0 coefficient.

[Hogwarts Zebra.8597]

8 hours ago, aaron.7850 said:

Longbow also has a symbol

and still most puzzling of all, why torch?? :S

The symbol is a projectile, which means it can be reflected/destroyed. 

 

Torch is something im against tho. Torch4 is projectile and thus useless, and torch5 takes an absurdly long time to cast. Especially since as a DH u already have enough melee dmg, I would recommend focus or shield offhand. 

[Lan Deathrider.5910]

21 hours ago, Hogwarts Zebra.8597 said:

The symbol is a projectile, which means it can be reflected/destroyed. 

 

Torch is something im against tho. Torch4 is projectile and thus useless, and torch5 takes an absurdly long time to cast. Especially since as a DH u already have enough melee dmg, I would recommend focus or shield offhand. 

Torch 5 will fish out dodges though, and Torch 4 being a projectile only matters in Zerg v. Zerg.

[Hogwarts Zebra.8597]

1 hour ago, Lan Deathrider.5910 said:

Torch 5 will fish out dodges though, and Torch 4 being a projectile only matters in Zerg v. Zerg.

And this is about zerg vs zerg.... If it wasn't there'd be 0 reason to run staff lol. And torch5 will fish out absolutely nothing in zerg fights. Even tho the total dmg looks good the dps is actually weaker than sword autos. 

[Lan Deathrider.5910]

2 minutes ago, Hogwarts Zebra.8597 said:

And this is about zerg vs zerg.... If it wasn't there'd be 0 reason to run staff lol. And torch5 will fish out absolutely nothing in zerg fights. Even tho the total dmg looks good the dps is actually weaker than sword autos. 

True, but at somepoint a zerg breaks and Torch 4 can be used to down someone that gets separated from the projectile hate. Torch 5 is still condi cleanses for your zerg in the meantime.

[Grand Marshal.4098]

Torch is useful for cleave. I know people running this type of setups (although Core burn guard is reccommended) who can top dps without sacrificing a spot due to the presence of condi. Also this type of builds are also extremely useful in group vs cloud.

[Faridah.8431]

Staff has had some nerfs through the years, but back in the day it was the best way to tag tons of players when your zerg went against another zerg. Good loot. Probably still is, but I haven't played WvW in years. 

 

But primarily, staff is good for empowers and might.

 

If I was doing a roaming build, I would change it up though.

Edited July 16, 2021 by Faridah.8431

[ArchonWing.9480]

Zerg fights are all about AOEs on lower cooldowns.

 

Longbow is not good in zergs because of reflects. Longbow 5 is decent but on a long cooldown. Staff 2 and 3 do a significant amount of damage and are on lower cooldowns.

 

Torch is pretty w/e; any of the offhands have a use but not a big deal.