Part 39

Dive into the intricacies of the Frostmaw Auraway build in Guild Wars 2. This guide covers skill interactions like GDW and Grenth's Aura, damage calculations, and team play dynamics.

Alright, let's talk about the Frostmaw Auraway build! This section is a bit of a deep dive into some of the more technical aspects, so think of me as your experienced friend walking you through it. We're not lecturing here, just figuring things out together. ### GDW & Grenth's Aura: Do They Cancel Each Other Out? This was a big question that came up: does Great Dwarf Weapon (GDW) and Grenth's Aura cancel each other out, effectively making one useless? The short answer is no, they don't cancel each other out, but it's a bit more nuanced than that. Initially, the thought was that GDW might be pointless against wurms because they're resistant to Knockdown (KD). However, the discussion revealed that the damage aspect of GDW is still very relevant. Here's a breakdown of how the damage stacking works: * Base Damage: Scythe damage (around 11, maybe less) * +15: From EBSoH (Enchantment of Shadow) * +20: From GDW (and KD vs. non-wurms) * -21: From Grenth's Aura This calculation aims to hit the Shadow Form damage cap. The key takeaway is that GDW contributes to the direct damage, even if the KD effect isn't always active on the main targets (the wurms). Important Note: While wurms might have a skill like "Stun on Critical Hit" that seems to grant immunity, it only affects *their* attacks. It doesn't mean *they* can't be knocked down. It's also been noted that GDW's KD effect *can* still apply to wurms, even if it's not the primary focus. ### Damage Caps and Other Skills When you're stacking damage modifiers, you can hit a cap. For example, with GDW and EBSoH, you might reach a certain damage output. Adding skills like Order of Pain (+10 damage) can push you right up to the 26 damage cap for Shadow Form hits. The discussion also touched on how skills like Insight (from attackers) can block enemy skills, which is a nice defensive bonus for your team. ### IAU and Armor Stacking Bug There was a specific point about the Inner Amity Unbound (IAU) skill and how it interacts with armor stacking. It seems IAU might be bugged, and the armor calculation happens *after* the maximum armor stacking is calculated. This means you should actually get additional armor from IAU, which is a good thing! It stacks with pretty much every armor boost out there. ### Skill Placement: EBSoH on the Caller Someone moved EBSoH onto the Caller. This makes sense because you want that setup before the team engages. GDW was moved to the shouter, though SYG (Shadow's Embrace?) might be an even better choice there. The article itself was also rewritten to reflect these changes. ### Team Play vs. Solo Play This part of the discussion got a little heated, but it's a common topic in Guild Wars 2. Some players feel strongly about the importance of team play, especially in group content like Frostmaw SC (Super Challenge). Others champion the solo aspect that made GW1 great. The core of the argument is about efficiency and the nature of an MMORPG. While solo play is definitely a part of GW2, some feel that players who *only* play solo or exhibit anti-team behavior can ruin the experience for others in group activities. There's a frustration with players who might be great at soloing but struggle to coordinate or contribute effectively in a team setting, potentially causing wipes. Ultimately, the consensus seems to be that while soloing has its place, a well-functioning team is crucial for many of the game's challenges. And hey, if a build works, it works! It opens up more opportunities for everyone to enjoy speed clears and experience what the game has to offer beyond just one or two specific metas. Remember, the goal is to have fun and progress together. Don't be afraid to ask questions or experiment!