Comprehensive 2025 Guide to Guardian Weapon Sets in Guild Wars 2 ~ HaploGamingChef

Getting Started: Why Guardian Weapons Matter

If you’re diving into Guild Wars 2 and have chosen the Guardian as your profession, you’re in for a treat. Guardians offer a flexible playstyle with access to a wide variety of weapons that support power, condition, and hybrid builds. Whether you’re into PvE, PvP, or World vs. World, there’s a Guardian weapon setup that fits just right.

This guide is built to help you understand how each Guardian weapon performs across game modes. From beginner-friendly setups to more niche or high-skill options, we’re covering everything. We’ll break down weapon synergy, strengths, weaknesses, and which builds they work best with — all in a casual, easy-to-follow format.

Let’s jump into the big hitters first — the two-handed weapons.

Hammer: A PvP Specialist with Surprising Combo Depth

Role: Burst Control / PvP Utility
Builds: Power-focused, PvP-centric
Best For: Crowd control, combo chaining, zone defense

The Guardian hammer isn’t just a slow-hitting two-hander anymore. It’s become a real threat in PvP due to its surprising utility and combo potential. The skill chain lets you immobilize, knock down, and even reset your teleport skill — which creates some crazy plays if you know how to time things.

In PvE, it’s mostly used for its powerful auto attacks and passive pressure. It fits well in low-effort power builds due to the raw damage output of its symbol. If you're running Dragonhunter, the hammer can be a simple yet powerful option. Just don’t expect it to keep up with meta DPS builds — it shines more in utility than numbers.

Key Takeaways:

Not meta, but a strong pick for PvP control.
Combos well with Guardian traits for burst damage.
Power only — no condition application.
Lacks synergy with popular relics like Fireworks.

Longbow: The Dragonhunter’s Signature Weapon

Role: Ranged DPS
Builds: Power Dragonhunter (PvE and PvP)
Best For: Safe ranged DPS, burst setups, heart-of-thorns nostalgia

The Longbow is what really gives the Dragonhunter its identity. With high burst damage, solid range, and a responsive kit, it's one of the most satisfying ranged weapons available to Guardian players. Whether you’re playing open world, strikes, or PvP — Longbow finds a solid place in many builds.

Its symbol and true shot skills offer great value in PvE, making it one of the best Guardian weapons in Guild Wars 2 for ranged power builds. While it can be reflected or blocked in PvP or WvW, it’s still viable if used smartly and combined with traits or combos that mitigate projectile counters.

Key Takeaways:

Excellent ranged power weapon for PvE.
Strong burst potential in the right hands.
Lacks condition utility — purely for power.
Best paired with Dragonhunter builds.

Greatsword: Classic Guardian Power at Its Best

Role: Melee Burst DPS
Builds: Power Willbender, Dragonhunter
Best For: Close-range damage, leaping attacks, burst combos

The Greatsword has been a staple in the Guardian arsenal since the game launched. It's still a powerhouse when it comes to dealing burst damage in close quarters. With access to leap finishers, AoE damage, and a symbol that grants boons, it’s a strong pick for both open-world and instanced PvE.

In GW2 Guardian build 2025 discussions, Greatsword often comes up as the go-to for melee power builds. Its cooldowns are short, making it feel fluid and aggressive. In PvP or WvW, you’ll likely see it as a burst tool or finisher in a Willbender setup. It’s not flashy, but it’s consistent — and still hits like a truck.

Key Takeaways:

Best power DPS melee weapon in Guardian’s kit.
Solid in PvE and competitive modes.
Short cooldowns make it fast-paced and rewarding.
Competes with Spear for some roles in PvP.

Staff: The Ultimate Support Tool

Role: Healing & Utility
Builds: Heal Firebrand, Support Guardian
Best For: Group healing, condition cleansing, stability support

Staff isn’t for dealing damage — it’s a support-only weapon and excels at it. It grants swiftness, offers strong healing through symbols and empowers allies with might. The line of warding (Skill 5) is a game-changer in WvW and PvP — blocking enemies and disrupting pushes.

In PvE, it’s typically seen on healing Guardian builds like Healbrand. While not "broken" in PvE scenarios, its value skyrockets in competitive modes where mobility and CC denial matter. It doesn’t scale with power or condi, so it has a very niche but important role.

Key Takeaways:

Not for damage — pure support tool.
Must-have in group content where healing or stability is needed.
Essential for Heal Firebrand builds.
One of the best tools for CC denial in competitive play.

Land Spear: High Utility Meets High Damage

Role: Power DPS / Hybrid Support
Builds: Power Willbender, Hybrid Firebrand
Best For: Burst DPS with support potential, versatile gameplay

Land Spear is one of the most well-rounded additions to the Guardian weapon pool. It combines healing, damage, and strong utility in a single kit. Its auto-attack heals allies while dealing damage, and the rest of the skills scale up depending on the "Illumination" mechanic, which enhances your next ability after hitting a target.

This fast-paced setup works especially well on power-focused Guardian builds but also brings value to hybrid and even some off-meta support setups. In PvP and WvW, it’s become a top-tier pick, particularly for Willbenders who can capitalize on its fast cooldowns and disruptive CC.

Key Takeaways:

Exceptional damage and support in one weapon.
Strong synergy with aggressive builds.
One of the best Guardian weapons in GW2 for versatility.
Dominates in both PvE and competitive content.

### Underwater Spear: Basic but Effective

Role: Melee Power DPS (Underwater)
Builds: Power Guardian
Best For: Simple underwater combat

While underwater combat isn’t the main focus in GW2 anymore, it still matters for specific encounters. The underwater Spear offers straightforward melee DPS — nothing flashy, but it works. The two skill is your bread-and-butter for damage, and there are no tricky combos or conditions to juggle.

It's not winning any innovation awards, but when you need reliable underwater power damage, Spear gets the job done.

Key Takeaways:

Straightforward melee damage.
Best for quick underwater bursts.
No utility, but high uptime on core skills.
Still useful for certain underwater encounters in PvE.

Trident: The Underwater Support Hybrid

Role: Hybrid Support / Ranged Damage (Underwater)
Builds: Support Guardian, Hybrid Firebrand
Best For: Underwater healing and condition support

The Trident is often compared to the Staff — but for underwater content. It includes condition application, healing, and ranged attacks. One of its biggest perks is the ability to block projectiles, which is rare in underwater combat.

It’s more relevant for hybrid Guardian builds or players who enjoy niche gameplay roles. That said, underwater content isn’t a core part of modern GW2, so this weapon is rarely prioritized in builds.

Key Takeaways:

Only useful in underwater scenarios.
Ranged hybrid kit with healing and condi tools.
Best for support-heavy roles.
Niche but functional if needed.

Sword (Main-Hand): The All-Rounder Power Weapon

Role: Mobility / Power DPS
Builds: Power Willbender, Core Guardian, Support Hybrid
Best For: Balanced DPS, mobility, and block utility

The main-hand sword is one of the most reliable power weapons for Guardians. It offers great burst potential with its teleport (Skill 2), consistent DPS from auto-attacks, and a skill that grants fury and lets you move while casting. It also provides a projectile block, which is a huge plus in competitive environments.

You’ll find sword in many GW2 Guardian builds in 2025 because it fits almost anywhere: open world, fractals, PvP, and WvW. Whether you’re focusing on power DPS or hybrid support, it’s a solid and flexible choice.

Key Takeaways:

High mobility and burst.
Projectile block adds utility.
Great for power and hybrid builds.
Reliable in both PvE and competitive content.

Axe (Main-Hand): Niche Hybrid Option

Role: Hybrid / Condition DPS
Builds: Condi Firebrand, Hybrid Healer
Best For: Condition application with some support utility

Axe leans more into the condition damage side, but it’s still considered a hybrid weapon. It doesn’t offer the raw damage that sword does, but it shines when used with traits that enhance condition output, especially burning. There’s also some minor healing and fury upkeep built into the kit, making it useful for more niche builds.

In WvW or PvP, it can be effective in condi-heavy bunker setups. In PvE, it’s usually paired with pistol or torch for burning-heavy Firebrand setups.

Key Takeaways:

Better for condi and hybrid builds.
Can support fury generation and pulling enemies.
Situational utility in WvW bunker builds.
Not ideal for pure power setups.

Mace (Main-Hand): The Pure Support Weapon

Role: Healing / Defensive Utility
Builds: Healbrand, Support Firebrand
Best For: Bunker play, healing, and group protection

Mace is built purely for support. It has no damage scaling worth mentioning, but it excels in healing, regeneration, and frequent symbol application. Its final hit on auto-attacks heals allies, and the third skill gives protection and aegis — ideal for group survivability.

Mace appears mainly in support Guardian builds for World vs. World and PvE healing roles. It’s a poor choice for damage-focused builds, but a go-to option when tanking or bunker-style support is needed.

Key Takeaways:

Purely defensive and healing-focused.
Great for bunker and support Guardian roles.
Excellent synergy with Firebrand traits.
Not suitable for damage-oriented builds.

Off-Hand Sword: Power Burst Finisher

Role: Power Burst / Mobility
Builds: Power Willbender, Core Guardian
Best For: Quick burst, gap closing, PvP combos

Off-hand sword delivers powerful burst combos and mobility. The five skill is a teleport that immobilizes and deals significant damage, making it excellent for chasing or interrupting foes. The four skill hits twice — landing both strikes can dish out high burst damage, especially in competitive play.

This weapon is especially useful in PvP and WvW builds due to its combo potential and power-based scaling. It’s a top pick for Willbenders aiming to chain quick kills and maneuver fast.

Key Takeaways:

High burst damage potential.
Teleport with immobilize for strong engages.
Powerful in PvP, WvW, and power-focused builds.
Skillful timing required for full value.

Off-Hand Pistol: Ranged Condition Specialist

Role: Condition Damage / Ranged Utility
Builds: Condi Firebrand, Hybrid Celestial Builds
Best For: PvE condi DPS, long-range burning setups

The off-hand pistol is clearly a condition-damage-focused weapon, with strong synergy when paired with the main-hand pistol. Its skills apply burning, immobilize, and provide solid ranged utility, making it ideal for long-range condi Guardian builds in PvE.

In competitive content, it sees limited use due to its slower activation time and lack of defensive tools. Still, it’s a great pick for PvE scenarios where ranged burning builds are preferred.

Key Takeaways:

Long-range burning and immobilize.
Works best when dual-wielded with main-hand pistol.
Strong for PvE condition builds.
Weaker in PvP and WvW.

Focus: Outclassed Utility Weapon

Role: Support / Minor Power
Builds: Formerly used on Core Guardian and Healbrand
Best For: Niche utility, minor blocks, outdated builds

Focus used to be a viable support tool but has fallen behind compared to shield. It offers three projectile blocks, a blast finisher, and some burst potential, but these features don’t compete with other off-hand options in 2025.

While it still has use in some legacy or thematic builds, most players favor shield or sword for actual performance. It's mainly chosen for roleplaying or niche combo setups.

Key Takeaways:

Projectile block and ranged burst.
Minor utility; largely power-crept.
Rarely seen in modern meta builds.
More thematic than competitive.

Torch: Aggressive Condition Damage Tool

Role: Condition Burst / Utility Cleanse
Builds: Condi Firebrand, Hybrid Celestial Builds
Best For: High burning application in PvE

Torch is a key off-hand weapon for condition Guardians, particularly Firebrand. The four skill applies high, unblockable burning damage. The five skill adds more burning at the final hit and cleanses conditions from allies, offering minor support.

This weapon is used almost exclusively for PvE DPS. In PvP or WvW, it’s only seen in very specific condi setups. While it’s aggressive, the five skill feels underwhelming and is often overlooked.

Key Takeaways:

High burning application from four skill.
Minor support with condition cleanse.
Great for PvE condition builds.
Five skill is underpowered; potential rework needed.

Shield: The Ultimate Support Off-Hand

Role: Healing / Protection / Crowd Control
Builds: Healbrand, Bunker Support
Best For: Defensive PvP/WvW builds and group support

Shield remains one of the strongest support tools in the Guardian's arsenal. It offers protection, aegis, knockback, and projectile block, making it a must-have for support and tank builds. It’s ideal for PvP and WvW bunker roles as well as healing builds in PvE.

It fits in almost any Guardian support setup and is especially good on Healbrand. Unlike Focus, it has not been outclassed and remains meta.

Key Takeaways:

Excellent protection and utility.
High-value healing and support.
Ideal for PvE, PvP, and WvW bunker builds.
One of the top off-hand choices for support roles.

Spear: The Preferred Power Option

Role: Power DPS / Utility Support
Builds: Power Guardian, Support Hybrid Guardian
Best For: Damage-focused underwater fights

Spear remains the most reliable Guardian weapon for underwater content. It combines strong AoE damage, mobility, and light support tools. Skills offer teleports, explosions, and burning, making it flexible for both solo and group gameplay.

Its five skill helps reposition or chase targets underwater, while its two and three skills provide quick bursts. The spear works well with power and hybrid builds, staying relevant in fractals, strikes, and open-world diving areas.

Key Takeaways:

High AoE burst with strong mobility.
Good synergy with power-based traits.
Effective in solo and group PvE.
Preferred weapon for underwater combat.

Trident: Niche Condition Tool

Role: Condition Damage / Combo Finisher
Builds: Condition Firebrand, Celestial Builds
Best For: Specific underwater condi builds

Trident offers decent burning and condition combo potential, especially with celestial or Firebrand setups. Its skills chain well for bleeding and burning, and one skill leaves a fire field, allowing for blast combos if supported.

It’s not as consistent as spear due to its slower activation times and limited defensive mechanics. Most builds use it only when a condition approach is required in underwater settings.

Key Takeaways:

Focused on burning and combo utility.
Works with celestial or hybrid condi builds.
Less flexible and mobile than spear.
Rarely used unless for condition-based setups.

Final Thoughts: Guardian Weapon Strength in GW2 (2025)

Guardian weapons in Guild Wars 2 offer diverse gameplay options across all game modes. Whether you're playing PvE, PvP, or WvW, the class has weapons suited for power, condition, support, or hybrid builds.

Highlights:

Greatsword and Longbow lead for power DPS.
Pistol and Axe are excellent for condition builds.
Staff, Mace, and Shield provide strong support tools.
Spear (land and water) brings versatile strength across all modes.

For new players, Guardian weapons are intuitive and rewarding. For experienced build crafters, the weapon diversity offers deep customization potential.

Tip for 2025: Focus your builds around weapon synergy — e.g., Longbow + Greatsword for power, or Pistol + Axe for burning damage — and don’t ignore defensive tools like Shield or Staff when needed.

FAQ – Guardian Weapon Guide in Guild Wars 2

Q1: Which is the best weapon for a Power Guardian in PvE?
A: Greatsword and Longbow are top picks for Power builds in PvE. Greatsword excels in burst damage and symbol usage, while Longbow offers strong ranged power options, especially for Dragonhunter.

Q2: Are there any good condition (condi) weapons for Guardian?
A: Yes. Pistol (main and off-hand) and Torch are the main condition damage weapons, ideal for burn-heavy builds like Firebrand. Axe is also viable for hybrid setups.

Q3: What weapon should I use for healing or support?
A: Mace and Shield are great for healing and defense. Staff and Focus provide solid utility in support-focused builds, with Staff being especially strong for PvP and WvW.

Q4: Is Hammer still viable in competitive modes?
A: Absolutely. Hammer is not meta but remains very strong in PvP due to its control and combo potential. It’s also easy to use in PvE for strong passive damage through auto-attacks.

Q5: What underwater weapons are worth using for Guardian?
A: The Spear is a straightforward melee damage option, while Trident serves more as a support or hybrid tool. However, underwater combat is niche in GW2, so their use is limited.

Q6: Can I mix power and condi weapons?
A: You can, but for optimal performance, it’s better to align weapon choices with your primary damage type. Hybrid builds like Celestial can support mixed setups effectively.

Q7: Are off-hand weapons important?
A: Very. Off-hand Sword and Shield are standout choices. Sword adds burst and mobility, while Shield enhances defense. The right off-hand can significantly enhance your build’s effectiveness.

Q8: What’s the most beginner-friendly Guardian weapon set?
A: Greatsword and Sword/Shield provide a simple, effective Power build with strong survivability and utility, ideal for new players learning Guardian mechanics.

Q9: Is Guardian good in all game modes?
A: Yes, Guardian is versatile and performs well across PvE, PvP, and WvW. Weapon variety supports multiple roles—DPS, support, and hybrid—making it a solid all-around class.

Q10: How should I choose weapons for my Guardian build?
A: Base your choice on your role (Power DPS, Condi DPS, Support), game mode, and playstyle. Try different combinations to find what feels best and fits your trait setup.

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