Guild Wars 2

Larcenous Strike is an interesting skill because it allows thieves to be more effective against boon-heavy builds. However, currently I don’t think it’s fitting it’s niche adequately. Stealing only one boon at a time does very little against the builds that have lots of boons and can consistently refresh those boons. However, stealing 2 boons consistently is too powerful given that the skill can be used repeatedly. I feel a middle ground needs to be reached so that Larcenous Strike can fulfill it’s intended goal.

I suggest Larcenous Strike steal 2 boons if it hits an enemy from the side/behind, and only 1 boon otherwise. This would allow a skilled thief to have more of an edge against boon-heavy builds while guaranteeing that spamming the skill won’t be as effective as stealing 2 boons consistently. This change rewards good positioning on the thief’s side and overall increases the skill cap for the weaponset. It also offers good synergy with the 1st half of the skill, Flanking Strike.

Yes please. The previous nerf to LS rendered it terrible at its own job. From a PvE standpoint even because the boon strip made a nice team role.

I call Bull!

/15 chars

I was against the idea of having it strip 2 boons, although having a catch like this does make it seem a bit more feasible.

And while we’re at it, can we get rid of that godawful animation for infiltrator’s return? I don’t even mind the .25 second delay so much as the horrendous aftercast time due to that wonky animation.

>>>stolen from Jumper
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/pvp/pvp/Jump-s-Ultimate-PvP-Teef-Wishlist-Jump-Doc

Suggestion:
Larcenous Strike – If target has 4 or more boons, this skill steals 2 boons.. Decreased damage by 10%. Increased cost from 2 to 4 initiative. This ability now restores 2 initiative upon hitting a target.

this ability is way to spammy and for this still to strong

In my opinion, no.

I’ve already seen thieves spamming that skill to hell and completely wipe any boon from the enemy.

It is just two casts of the skill and 4 boons are stolen from the enemy and an huge amount of damage is dealt. That means that it will be an huge nerf to Elementalists, more than on Guardians.

Hitting from behind or the side, also, is extremely easy when Flanking Stike reposition you right behind or beside your target. You just need to press the 3 button repetitively and all the job is done. I see no skill in that, honestly.

I would agree to the 2 boons stolen only if the damage is severely nerfed and to make LS to be available only when Flanking Strike actually lands.
This will seriously reward skilled thieves and push the skill cap to higher levels.

sorrow.2364:

In my opinion, no.

I’ve already seen thieves spamming that skill to hell and completely wipe any boon from the enemy.

It is just two casts of the skill and 4 boons are stolen from the enemy and an huge amount of damage is dealt. That means that it will be an huge nerf to Elementalists, more than on Guardians.

Hitting from behind or the side, also, is extremely easy when Flanking Stike reposition you right behind or beside your target. You just need to press the 3 button repetitively and all the job is done. I see no skill in that, honestly.

I would agree to the 2 boons stolen only if the damage is severely nerfed and to make LS to be available only when Flanking Strike actually lands.
This will seriously reward skilled thieves and push the skill cap to higher levels.

This is what would push the skill cap to higher levels:

Larcenous Strike – Increased cost from 2 to 4 initiative. This ability now restores 2 initiative upon hitting a target.

Spammers dont hit their targets as often, thus get punished more often. Skilled players hit their targets so they will be rewarded.

If it stays the way it is, I would like them to drop the initiative cost back down to compensate. Especially since most S/D Thieves I know—including me—now use this skill chain less for the lackluster boon stealing and more for the evade/gap closing ability of the first skill.

A single boon stealing is lackluster. It helps, that’s for sure, but makes the skill too unreliable at boon control, which was the most interesting thing it seemed to offer.

The biggest problem with LS is, IMHO, that it plays on the limits of counterplayability. It’s a quite fast attack and its tell is not as readable as it could.
A slightly longer and/or easier to spot animation would be enough for it to stay powerful as a damage and boon control tool.

Buffing that ability in the way you suggest is making thieves hard counter for shout Guardians/Warriors… hell even for Medi guards that rely so much on Fury. What do you give up for that IWIN button against those specs? Nothing? oooh… ok… sure.

At least be reasonable in your suggestions and think them through.