The powerful, combat-oriented elite specialization of Guardians, the Willbender, has replaced its F1-3 Virtue skills with powerful martial arts combat skills with varying usages in battle since their introduction in End of Dragons. It gives the core Guardian mobility that rivals that of the core Thief. Here are some of the most powerful Willbender builds you can try out in order to make use of their new powers and abilities.

5. DPS Alacbender - World versus World (Zerg)

Nothing can be scarier while being lost in World versus World and seeing a fast-moving heavy-armor clad opponent that can make quick work of you and chase you around ceaselessly.

The DPS Alacbender is a fearsome combatant within the ranks of the WvW zerg, capable of unleashing powerful AoE strikes with its greatsword and scepter skills while rushing down straggling foes with their various Virtue and Willbender skills. They specialize in generating Alacrity by using Flowing Resolve (their activated F2 skill) and providing constant pressure.

Why DPS Alacbender Willbender is great

• Because of its nature, the DPS Alacbender can easily generate Alacrity for itself, so you don't have to worry about it being provided by others.
• The build allows you to deal constant damage while moving quickly thanks to your high mobility.
• They can team up with Firebrands to provide additional Stability buffs, further protecting your team from enemy CC attempts.

Choose this build if...

• You want access to one of the best providers of Alacrity buffs in game.
• You are knowledgeable with your skills and are able to think quickly in the middle of battle.
• You are tired of being slow as core Guardian and your other elite specializations and want to zip across the battlefield.

Full build details:

Traits and Major Perks

• Zeal - Fiery Wrath, Zealous Blade, Symbolic Avenger
• Virtues - Unscathed Contender, Inspiring Virtue, Battle Presence
• Willbender - Power For Power, Restorative Virtues, Phoenix Protocol

Equipment

• Armor with Marauder stats (power + precision + ferocity + vitality)
• Superior Runes of the Scholar (increases power, ferocity, and when health is around 90% further increases striking attacks)
• Main-hand Marauder two-handed greatsword with Superior Sigils of Hydromancy (after swapping from scepter/torch, inflict damage and Chill debuff on enemies around you) and Energy (after swapping from scepter/torch, gain some Endurance).
• Switch to a Marauder stat scepter and off-hand torch with Superior Sigils of Bloodlust (gain a charge that increases power whenever you kill foes with a cap of 25 charges) and Energy.
• Trinkets and backpiece with Marauder stats.
• 18 Mighty WvW Infusions (increases power)

Consumables

• Food - Fried Oyster Sandwich (reduces incoming damage while increases power and experience gained from kills)
• Utility - Superior Sharpening Stone (increases power based on your precision and ferocity, and increases experience gained while killing foes)

Utility Skills

• Heal Slot - Shelter - A core Guardian heal skill that blocks attacks while healing you.
• Skill 1 - “Stand Your Ground!” - A core Guardian Shout skill that breaks you and your allies out of stun and gives Stability buffs.
• Skil 2 - Sword of Justice - A core Guardian Spirit Weapon skill that summons a spirit sword to follow you around and attack nearby foes. Activate it again to deliver a powerful attack.
• Skill 3 - Whirling Light - A Willbender Physical skill where the user rushes towards their enemy and performs a whirlwind kick to damage and inflict Burning debuffs.
• Elite Skill - Renewed Focus - A core Guardian Meditation elite skill that temporarily makes you invincible and refreshes your Virtue skills.

For more details, check this link: Metabattle.com

4. Burn Condition Willbender - Structured PvP

Watch your opponents writhe on the floor in pain as you set them ablaze with your martial prowess.

Willbenders aren't just masters of combat; they can also constantly inflict the Burning debuff status on their enemies. Their passives alone transform their attacks into ferocious strikes, making them a formidable opponent in PvP. Their Virtue F1-3 skills have also been improved to provide offensive capabilities for dealing damage while putting pressure on opponents.

Why Burn Condition Willbender is great

• If necessary, the build can quickly rush down unsuspecting opponents and chase them across the map.
• They can use their scepter skills to immobilize and punish enemies.
• They have access to a variety of condition cleanses, which can be useful for their team when needed.

Choose this build if...

• You want a good Willbender build that can roam and help in team fights while also providing some utility.
• You are confident in your map awareness and can get to key areas quickly to defend and/or capture them.
• You can flank your opponents quickly and set up ambushes against those that try to pick off the team from range.

Full build details:

Traits and Major Perks

• Virtues - Master of Consecrations, Absolute Resolve, Permeating Wrath
• Radiance - Inner Fire, Radiant Fire, Righteous Instincts
• Willbender - Conceited Curate, Holy Reckoning, Tyrant’s Momentum

Equipment

• PvP Amulet with Carrion stats (condition damage + power + vitality)
• Superior Runes of Balthazar (increases condition damage, outgoing Burning duration, and maximum health)
• Main-hand scepter and off-hand torch with Superior Sigils of Superior Sigils of  Energy (after swapping from scepter/torch, gain some Endurance) and Smoldering (increases outgoing Burning debuff duration).
• Switch to dual swords with Superior Sigils of Energy and Smoldering.
• Infusions not applicable in PvP

Consumables

• Not applicable in PvP

Utility Skills

• Heal Slot - Shelter - A core Guardian heal skill that blocks attacks while healing you.
• Skill 1 - Purging Flames - A core Guardian Consecration skill that creates an AoE of flames on a targeted area that cleanses conditions on you and your allies while inflicting pulsing Burning debuff damage on enemies. It also functions as a fire combo field.
• Skill 2 - Whirling Light - A Willbender Physical skill where the user rushes towards their enemy and performs a whirlwind kick to damage and inflict Burning debuffs.
• Skill 3 - Roiling Light - A Willbender Physical skill where the user dives backwards, breaking out of stun while blinding foes, gain Swiftness boons, then access Quick Retribution temporarily.
• Quick Retribution - Follow-up attack after using Roiling Light. After using Roiling Light, activate the skill to lunge at your foe and inflict a damaging Daze debuff.
• Elite Skill - Renewed Focus - A core Guardian Meditation elite skill that temporarily makes you invincible and refreshes your Virtue skills.

For more details, check this link: GuildJen.com

3. Celestial Willbender - Overworld PvE

Use the Level 80 booster you get from purchasing the expansion pack to quickly get a leg up in creating a powerful Willbender capable of handling content on its own.

The Celestial build allows the Willbender to be a more well-rounded fighter, making it a fantastic profession to travel the world in. As a hybrid build, it uses its ability to deal constant Burning damage to clear enemies from its sight while also being tanky enough to sustain itself. Because of its Righteous Justice, the Celestial Willbender is a powerful force in the right hands.

Why Celestial Willbender is great

• The build makes use of its Righteous Justice buff to constantly apply Burning damage on foes, making short work of them with multi-hit attacks.
• Celestial builds make almost any profession more tanky and Willbenders benefit from this. Not only do they become more lethal, but they are also harder to kill.
• If you have saved the level 80 boost you get from buying the End of Dragons expansion pack and decide to use it for a Guardian, you easily gain free exotic weapons and armor the build uses.

Choose this build if...

• You are looking to roam the land with a powerful and sustainable Willbender build.
• You can either splurge for their armor, weapons, and trinkets or have the level 80 boost saved up.
• You want a less squishy build to help you with some difficult open-world content or want to attempt to solo certain fights.

Full build details:

Traits and Major Perks

• Honor - Protector’s Restoration, Honorable Staff, Writ of Persistence
• Virtues - Resolute Subconscious, Absolute Resolve, Battle Presence
• Firebrand - Liberator’s Vow, Weighty Terms, Loremaster

Equipment

• Armor with Celestial stats (increases all stats)
• Superior Runes of the Scholar (increases toughness, healing, and provides healing whenever you block attacks)
• Main-hand Celestial stat sword and off-hand torch with Superior Sigils of Energy (after swapping from scepter/torch, gain some Endurance) and Smoldering (increases outgoing Burning debuff duration).
• Switch to a Celestial stat scepter and off-hand Sword with Superior Sigils of Energy and Cleansing (after swapping from sword/torch, cleanse 3 conditions from yourself).
• Trinkets and backpiece with Celestial stats.
• 18 Malign +9 Agony Infusions (increases condition damage and agony resistance for Fractals)

Consumables

• Food - Fishy Rice Bowl (increases outgoing Burning debuff damage, condition damage, and experience from killing foes)
• Utility - Master Tuning Crystal (increases condition damage based on your precision and expertise, and increases experience from killing foes)

Utility Skills

• Heal Slot - Shelter - A core Guardian heal skill that blocks attacks while healing you.
• Skill 1 - Purging Flames - A core Guardian Consecration skill that creates an AoE of flames on a targeted area that cleanses conditions on you and your allies while inflicting pulsing Burning debuff damage on enemies. It also functions as a fire combo field.
• Skil 2 - Whirling Light - A Willbender Physical skill where the user rushes towards their enemy and performs a whirlwind kick to damage and inflict Burning debuffs.
• Skill 3 - “Stand Your Ground!” - A core Guardian Shout skill that breaks you and your allies out of stun and gives Stability buffs.
• Elite Skill - ”Feel My Wrath!” - A core Guardian Shout elite skill that generates Fury and Quickness buffs for you and your allies. When you already have Fury on you, the duration is doubled.

For more details, check this link: GuildJen.com

2. Celestial Willbender - World versus World (Roamer)

Take the gear from the previous build, swap things around, and have some fun chasing down enemies and destroying their flanks in World versus World.

The simplicity of the build comes with how similar it is to its open-world counterpart. The Celestial Willbender WvW build is almost exactly the same with a few slight tweaks to make it more streamlined for combat and roaming in the game mode. With the proper investment, Celestial Willbenders become very powerful roamers and scouts for any WvW commander looking to take advantage of their enemies’ flanks.

Why Celestial Willbender WvW is great

• You can simply switch several perks and utility skills around and go from the open world build to WvW and vice versa, although you may want to have another armor set for the runes required.
• Thanks to the Celestial stat, the build has much-needed sustain and boon duration to help you keep fighting while roaming or to assist nearby friendly zergs with objectives and battles.
• The build allows the Willbender to potentially chase after targets and strike them down before they try to flank your team.

Choose this build if...

• You want a highly mobile yet tanky profession that can take the fight to other WvW roamers looking for a fight.
• You are knowledgeable with WvW and can think steps ahead of your enemies. You attempt to flank unaware enemy players and show no mercy.
• You know when to back down and go back to your zerg when the situation calls for you to retreat.

Full build details:

Traits and Major Perks

• Radiance - Inner Fire, Radiant Fire, Righteous Instincts
• Virtues - Unscathed Contender, Absolute Resolve, Permeating Wrath
• Firebrand - Conceited Curate, Vanguard Tactics, Tyrant’s Momentum

Equipment

• Armor with Celestial stats (increases all stats)
• Superior Runes of Balthazar (increases condition damage, outgoing Burning duration, and maximum health), OR
• Superior Runes of the Defender (increases toughness, healing, maximum health, and provides healing whenever you block attacks)
• Main-hand Celestial stat dual swords with Superior Sigils of Energy (after swapping from scepter/torch, gain some Endurance) and Cleansing (after swapping from sword/torch, cleanse 3 conditions from yourself).
• Switch to a Celestial stat scepter and off-hand Torch with Superior Sigils of Energy and Cleansing.
• 18 Mighty WvW Infusions (increases power)

Consumables

• Food - Bowl of Orrian Truffle and Meat Stew (provides Might when you dodge with a cooldown, increases Endurance and experience gained from killing foes)
• Utility - Superior Sharpening Stone (increases power based on your precision and ferocity, and increases experience gained while killing foes)

Utility Skills

• Heal Slot - Shelter - A core Guardian heal skill that blocks attacks while healing you.
• Skill 1 - Judge’s Intervention - A core Guardian Meditation skill where the Willbender blinks towards a valid target to inflict Burning debuff damage and break out of stun.
• Skil 2 - Whirling Light - A Willbender Physical skill where the user rushes towards their enemy and performs a whirlwind kick to damage and inflict Burning debuffs.
• Skill 3 - “Stand Your Ground!” - A core Guardian Shout skill that breaks you and your allies out of stun and gives Stability buffs.
• Elite Skill - Renewed Focus - A core Guardian Meditation elite skill that temporarily makes you invincible and refreshes your Virtue skills.

For more details, check this link: GuildJen.com

1. Condi Willbender - Instanced PvE

The combat skill of the Willbender makes it a great candidate to be a superb DPS for raids, strike missions, fractals, and dungeons.

Take the Willbender's pure offensive skill, team up with some friends, and watch it do some lasting damage on your foes with non-stop Burning damage. Condi Willbender combines offensive DPS with the ability to provide utility. When needed, it can dish out tons of CC with its Heaven's Palm skill or swap for better support with its other skills.

Why Condi Willbender is great

• The Condi Willbender burns foes non-stop and can be simple to use. It has skill rotations that are easy enough to perform and is great for beginners.
• The build has multiple variants that can make it more offensive or support-heavy, making this base build a versatile one to use.
• The normal utility slots are useful on their own but can be switched around based on the encounters you will be facing with your team in Raids, Strike Missions, Fractals, and Dungeons.

Choose this build if...

• You are fully knowledgeable about your profession and can constantly pour condition damage on your enemies.
• You know the upcoming fights in the raids/strike missions and can prepare the utility skills for the encounters ahead of time.
• You aren’t intimidated by long, drawn-out fights and can maintain your mobility and DPS while occasionally providing some additional boons.

Full build details:

Traits and Major Perks

• Radiance - Right Hand Strength, Radiant Fire, Amplified Wrath
• Virtues - Master of Consecrations, Inspiring Virtue, Permeating Wrath
• Firebrand - Searing Pact, Restorative Virtues, Tyrant’s Momentum

Equipment

• Armor with Viper stats (power + condition damage + precision + expertise)
• Superior Runes of Balthazar (increases condition damage, outgoing Burning duration, and maximum health)
• Main-hand Viper stat sword and off-hand torch with Superior Sigils of Torment (whenever you do a critical hit, inflict Torment debuff on enemies around you) and Bursting (increases outgoing condition damage).
• Switch to a Viper stat main hand scepter with Superior Sigil of Geomancy (after swapping from sword/torch, inflict Bleeding debuff on enemies around you)
• 5 Trinket pieces with Sinister stat (condition damage + power + precision), and one ring with Viper stat.
• 18 Malign WvW Infusion (increases condition damage and outgoing damage to WvW Guards, Lords, and Supervisors)

Consumables

• Food - Cilantro and Cured Meat Flatbread (gain a percentage chance of leeching health from while landing a crit, increases condition damage and expertise, and increases Karma, experience, Magic Find, Gold, and WvW experience gains)
• Utility - Toxic Focusing Crystal (increases condition damage based on your current power and precision, and experience gained from killing foes)

Utility Skills

• Heal Slot - Reversal of Fortune - A Willbender Physical healing skill that protects you even against potentially lethal strikes then provides a massive heal. If no lethal strike is dealt, gain a minimum amount of healing.
• Skill 1 - Whirling Light - A Willbender Physical skill where the user rushes towards their enemy and performs a whirlwind kick to damage and inflict Burning debuffs.
• Skil 2 - Purging Flames - A core Guardian Consecration skill that creates an AoE of flames on a targeted area that cleanses conditions on you and your allies while inflicting pulsing Burning debuff damage on enemies. It also functions as a fire combo field.
• Skill 3 - Signet of Wrath - A core Guardian Signet skill that passively increases your outgoing condition damage. When activated, it immobilizes your targeted enemy.
• Elite Skill - “Feel My Wrath!” - A core Guardian elite Shout skill that grants Fury and Quickness boons for you and allies. If you already have Quickness on yourself, you receive it doubled.

For more details, check this link: Hardstuck.gg

Closing Thoughts

The Willbender may be a more offensive damage dealer than its Guardian elite specialization counterparts, but that doesn't mean they aren't adaptable. The builds presented provide you with more options for creating a more well-rounded Willbender that can be used in a variety of game modes, allowing you to enjoy the class wherever you choose to play. If there are any other builds that we have missed, please let us know, especially if you have tried any that have performed surprisingly well despite being unconventional.

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