Currently I am forcing myself to play in a full Guardian set. I am learning to be patient, accurate, how to have better shielding reaction.
I have learned how to use the sword charge, how to gun safely, and how to pull off a standard set combo (sword combo followed by single bullet).
If there are any Guardians out there who consistently play in the full set I would like some pointers on what else I can do to better myself.
PVE. I mean the armor/weapon sets that Izola in the HOH sells.
http://wiki.spiralknights.com/Izola
The only kind of success I've had with guardian armor is in using charge attacks. I like to pair the armor with either seerus for guns, or with volcanic demo for pure bombing. My advice is not to use the normal damage swords with the guardian set, as using specialized damage to carry you will pan out much better.
If you're using heavy swords then you might enjoy reading threads about those techniques?
Are you using Callahan? That's one of the most fun guns. It's also great for sniping silkwings inside a crowd.
As I've mentioned in other threads, I enjoy the Infantry/Artillery play style. One or two party members are infantry, which means that they have strong shields and wide swords. They are defense: interrupt the enemy, and shield. The other two or three party members are artillery, which means ranged offense. They fire gun charges (often Blitz) from behind the infantry. So infantry could be a good role for you?
I don't play with Guardian gear much, so that's all I have for you. Anyway, enjoy.
The reduction in ASI for this set is actually more useful when you lunge with a heavy sword, and makes it a little easier to get off the second swing without fear of retaliation because you can back up as the opponent readies their attack. Not to mention you can simply use the second swing by itself if you don't have time to charge, and it'll usually knock the foe back safely out of reach. I particularly love this playstyle, and I'm glad someone else is using it too.
@ Bopp The magnus line in general is great for devilites, it may be slower than flourish or blitz but I feel safer, more aware (you learn this quickly with devilites), and more in control that with any other weapon.
Your strategy certainly is viable but most if not all the people I play with are impatient gamers, quickly cutting down anything not caring if they get hit, as a guardian the only thing I can do to help them out is try to cover their backs with sword attacks and well timed gunfire (I have my seraphynx heart attack too).
@ Hihoryu
When I play guardian I often sidestep charging enemies (the ones that jump or dash at you) and hit them with a sword swipe. The swing pattern of the heavy swords is perfect for this (I have tried fast swords but most swing the wrong way and the flourish is so fast the timing has to be perfect). In fact one of my first high-ish level sword was the Heavy Hatchet. The only complaints with using large swords is pretty much the same complaint I have with catalyzers.... everyone else screwing up what I'm trying to do (It's hard to aim that charge when teammates won't stop knocking stuff around).
The magnus line in general is great for devilites, it may be slower than flourish or blitz but I feel safer, more aware (you learn this quickly with devilites), and more in control that with any other weapon.
I'd much rather use the pulsars and elemental drivers to fight devilites. While magnus line does work on devilites, pulsars and drivers are far more mobile, allowing for better executed evasive maneuvers. Their damage also ramps up more quickly in crowds.
PvP or PvE? What do you mean by "Guardian set"?