Theif and personal stories
Or, change up your utility and weapon choices. Not every challenge should be easy for every weapon.
Change your tactics, plenty of others have gotten past it so it cannot be that hard.
i had trouble on the same mission on my ele; with a little persistance (and utility changes) i got through it
i cant recall whether blindness affects doc howler; but dagger/pistol may be worth a shot (just keep them in the smoke field and auto attack) along with signet of agility (to cleanse poison before healing)
Desolation: 80 ranger [Nightwither], 80 necro [Dusk Grimsoul]
80 warr [Blaze Steelsoul], 80 ele [Blaze Nightstrike], 80 mesmer [Grim Shatterwhirl]
80 guard [Dusk Grimlight], 80 engi [Flintgear]
80 warr [Blaze Steelsoul], 80 ele [Blaze Nightstrike], 80 mesmer [Grim Shatterwhirl]
80 guard [Dusk Grimlight], 80 engi [Flintgear]
Just got past it, took tons of trys, but finally got him.