Guild Wars 2

(April 27, 2013) Updated Mesmer Shatter build as informed by Kavia
(April 26, 2013) Updated all links to tinyurl’s as I hit my character limit for this post

I often find myself researching and theory crafting more than I play as of late. What I was hoping to do with this post was to consolidate the most popular builds for each profession in sPvP/tPvP. I did some preliminary searching but there are a lot of theory craft builds, so not sure which ones are effective and used or not.

If anything other players could then have a consolidated list of starter builds off this post, so please help me fill out this list:

Elementalist :

• Jsu’s Burst Cantrip D/D (reference post)
• Defensive Cantrip D/D (reference post)
• Aura Share (reference post)
• Phantaram’s Arcane Burst (reference post)
• D/D (reference post) unsure of weapon sigils

Engineer:

• HGH (reference post)

Guardian:

• Point Control Bunker (reference post)

Mesmer:

• s/tPvP Shatter (reference post)
• Shatter Cat (reference post) unsure on amulet/gem as it was a wvw build link
• Phantasm (reference post) unsure about elite

Necromancer:

• Conditionmancer (reference post)
• Khalifa’s D/D (reference post)

Ranger:

• Trapper (reference post)
• Beast Master (reference post)
• additional references

Thief:

• compiled builds

Warrior:

• Captain Hammer (reference link)
• Defektive’s Longbow/GS (reference post)

i only can say that some classes that get pigeonhole into 1 major build with minor variation.

Ele- dd, cantrip/aurashare, 0/10/0/30/30
Engineer – Hgh
Ranger – Pet/trap semi bunker.

If you have reference links to posts or even a build link that is complete that would be good. I am currently looking at the d/d ele build by daphoenix, but there are so many variations.

Someone post good necro builds please for tpvp I need something new to try.

D/D cantrip/aurashare is either 0/10/0/30/30 or 0/0/10/30/30. S/D works as well.

The first one would look this this:
http://imgur.com/wjkYZ

The second one would use Earth’s Embrace instead of Zephyr’s Boon.

(https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/elementalist/Guide-Mastering-the-D-D-ele-3-29-12/first for further information)

Some builds are more effective/ more popular than others.
d/d bunker ele, d/d glass ele, staff glass ele, s/d bunker ele, s/d burst ele
d/d instagib, d/d bleed evasion. p/d bleed bunker, d/p backstab, s/p daze/immob thief, venomshare support thief
Shattercat mesmer, Glamour mesmer, bunker/ retal immortal mesmer
GC guard/triplemed guard, point defense guard, teamfight support guard
beastmaster ranger, bleed/trap ranger, direct dmg ranger
hgh engie, condibunker engie, 100nades engie
100b warrior, cc/tank warrior, longbow/100b hybrid, sustained dmg war
MM power tank necro, conditionmancer necro, well/condition support necro, power necro

Am i going to post up the better builds? ofc not i am a lazy kitten

Tired of digging through forums for builds for now, will pick it up later tonight. Feel free to link better/more used builds than what I posted as I just took the most viewed and talked about builds in each forum.

I play d/d ele quite extensively. I haven’t posted my build / runes etc b4. Feel free to use it with credit.

Jsu’s – Burst Cantrip D/D Ele
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fEAQJAoYhMmgbzR5gjDAkHn4CLiCPUeMTO2A-ToAg0CvIQShkDJDSSksINKYKC

Ps. Your current ele d/d build doesn’t make much sense for spvp. This shouldn’t be the standard. IMO

The build I have above is for people who are already fimular with D/D. If you are just starting out or moderate experience I would recommend this variant:

Cantrip D/D Ele (Tankier)
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fEAQJAoYhMmgbzR5gjDAkHn4CLiCPUeMDO2A-ToAA1CnIQShkDJDSSksINgYKC

And… if your’re looking for Aura-share build (I don’t like using it; but it works great for team fights): http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fEAQJAoYhMmKbkR5gjDAkHmgSJiCPUeMDP2A-ToAA0CnIQShkDJDSSksINKYKC

Cheers

I don’t think Phantasm mesmers are that popular in PVP. Most Mesmers tend to run a variation of the shattercat build:

https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/mesmer/Guide-WvWvW-Pve-Shatter-Cat-Updated-24-4/first

those builds seem a bit off. Shatter build is much more popular for mesmer then phastasm. That guard build doesn’t really seam quite right either, but i could be wrong about that. I wouldn’t use a main hand sword on any map except kyhlo for guard. Should also link Trapper for ranger D/D or D/P burst for thief. For war idk. Longbow/X i guess.

The most popular is that gimmick D/P perma invis thief.
But hey, suddenly no one complains about “22222” anymore.

Rezz.8019:

The most popular is that gimmick D/P perma invis thief.
But hey, suddenly no one complains about “22222” anymore.

I roll a d/p thief and personally i think this is a much greater evil… well, whose fault is it that thiefs are pushed this way, i guess…

We’re not allowed to complain about gimmicky builds for Thieves, or Elementalists. People might get offended.

jsu.4370:

Cantrip D/D Ele (Tankier)
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fEAQJAoYhMmgbzR5gjDAkHn4CLiCPUeMDO2A-ToAA1CnIQShkDJDSSksINgYKC

And… if your’re looking for Aura-share build (I don’t like using it; but it works great for team fights): http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fEAQJAoYhMmKbkR5gjDAkHmgSJiCPUeMDP2A-ToAA0CnIQShkDJDSSksINKYKC

A small critique – Renewing Stamina (Arcana VI) will provide much more survivability than either Arcane Energy or Final Shielding.

Also, Cleric’s amulet is generally the way to go for a d/d ele bunker.

THIS is the d/d bunker ele build that should be listed — http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fEAQJAoYhMmgbzR5gjDAkHn4CLiCPUeMTO2A-ToAgzCmI8S1lrLjXyas1MgYKC

And (pretty much) the only other viable ele build is the S/D arcane burst build popularized by Phantaram – http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fEAQJArYhImKbkR5gjDAEFmgiQhFOUeETO2A-ToAg0CvI8SVjrGjXyas1MsYKC
^ That’s my variant but there are a couple of interchangeable traits.

I’ll come back with builds for other professions!

Back and going to dig through some more to post the “right” popular build. Thanks for updates guys. Kind of surprised at how undocumented the builds are. At least on these forums. Everyone knows the names but not the actual build it seems.

For Eles, there are only two build available that is competitive, the variation of 0/10/0/30/30 or 0/0/10/30/30 or 0/20/0/20/30,…regardless of what the variation is, to go bunker you need at least 20 in water and 20 in Arcana. Sigils mainly is superior of engery, battle or fire depend on people want to push their dam or not. The other build I mention is Signet build using 20/10/30/10/0 with signets as ultilities. The point is to talk around with permanent protection, furry and swiftness. Very survive against burst and easy to die with condition. Runes of earth is the runes for this build. Signils is variety. If you need more Infomation about signet build, contact me in game Kanne Moka and I will explain the build to you, server Fort aspen wood NA.Cheer

rsq.3581:

A small critique – Renewing Stamina (Arcana VI) will provide much more survivability than either Arcane Energy or Final Shielding.
Also, Cleric’s amulet is generally the way to go for a d/d ele bunker.
THIS is the d/d bunker ele build that should be listed — http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fEAQJAoYhMmgbzR5gjDAkHn4CLiCPUeMTO2A-ToAgzCmI8S1lrLjXyas1MgYKC

In reply to Renewing stamina, it only works with crits; so no that’s not viable with a power build / soldier’s amulet. With higher crit chance, i always will recommend that but not with a base of 10%.

In reply to your D/D build vs the build I posted: The build I posted wasn’t for a full bunker spec. It was for decent damage with survivability. All 3 variants are valid builds IMO, just for higher level of pvp you’re not going to bring a bunker ele your going to bring a Gaurdian.

I see what you mean jsu, for sake of argument I put both of them up there, but without utilizing fury or precision, Renewing Stamina is not getting utilized as much as it could be.

As more people chime in I will clean up the lists but will just cross off things for now so they are still visible and can be maybe built upon or verified.

Also having problems finding specifics for the warrior/thief/ranger builds, so any help with these would be appreciated.

Yeah, most of (I’m not reading every single one of them) the ranger builds are either PvE or WvW centered, or garbage.

I can provide basic outlines for the two most common variations of competitive builds, but they will be basic and quite a bit of them is left up to player choice (heal and stunbreaker, for example).
Copy and Paste links:

Trap:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fMAQNAV8fjAV11xVuVoWCg2jM1ET2DDd8xvAvgC2UB-TsAAzCpIaS1krJTTymsNN+Y9xeBA

BM:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fMAQRAnf8YjAV91BWKWo2Bi2DNZeM9eEL13eXhRVwmK-TwAg2CrIuRdj7GzNybs3M8Y5x+g5CA

Obviously, traits and sigils and runes can be swapped around based on preference, these are just some basic layouts.

awesome thanks jcbroe, a starting point is better than nothing. Yeah I noticed a lot of those were pve, but hoped they translated to other areas or someone like you could pick them apart and find the good ones.

CMF.5461:

awesome thanks jcbroe, a starting point is better than nothing. Yeah I noticed a lot of those were pve, but hoped they translated to other areas or someone like you could pick them apart and find the good ones.

I’ve main’d ranger in PvP since launch lol (couldn’t drop the class after 7 years of it in guild wars 1). I like the purpose of this thread a lot. So far it’s the closest thing to an active pvxwiki(active build database) guild wars 2 has. There are databases out there, but not ones that sort through meta builds and for what areas of the game they are meant for (efficiently).

So great thread. Keep it up.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fEAQJAoYhMmKbyR4gjDAkHnYSJiCPUegzM2A-ToAA0CnIqRVjrGTNyas1MgYKC

This is the build I use on my D/D ele for roaming. Swoop in and out. Good support, dps, and survivability. I swap cleansing fire or teleport in for wave or armor of earth depending on the map or opposition. Works pretty well for me.

I’ve had fun playing these builds as warrior:

Captain Hammer CC/Healing build:
http://taugrim.com/2012/06/21/guide-to-gw2-captain-hammer-warrior/

Defektive’s Longbow build:
http://forum-en.guildwars2.com/forum/pvp/pvp/Defektive-s-tPvP-Longbow-GS-Warrior-Build/page/2#post1418061

For rangers…

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fMAQFAlC11xVBg2jMlET2DAc8xBUB-TEADPA
Is the basis for the vast majority of trap builds.

The most common varient by far is…
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fMAQNAV8PjAV11xVo2Bi2jMZeMxecIH9oXh0fxSVJB-TsAAzCuIaS1krJTTymsNNAZ5x+DA

Because sword gives such great mobility it allows for the high toughness setup since it can drag on fights for a good deal of time. The third utility is really just up to your playstyle, for competitive tournaments, running the poison trap is always an option, so is signet of renewal and lightning reflexes.

I personally run…
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fMAQNAV3YnAVUXZcFaBBaZgYVQQtHZSSYi9g/O6RXsRVSA-TsAgyCqIKSVkrITRyZszM8Y5x+DA
But that’s just because I’m weird.

Oh and the Beastmaster bunker build, I don’t like the spec so I probly won’t post it, its just the worst kind of bunker, an evade spam pet AI deeps monstrosity…

There is also a pretty offensive greatsword build floating around that more than not, flails a big sword around to sneak in more jaguar/stealth or possibly bird dmg. It does stuff like ‘pet swap->maul and bird F2’ for a pretty solid spike. I’m not too sure on the specifics since I’ve never really played it or seen it more than a time or 2.

Updated links and added some more of the suggestions. If there are any builds that are complete BS and need to be removed or bad/redundant/misdirected links, let me know and I’ll fix them as best as I can.

I mostly want the “meta” builds that are working now the theory craft builds. Multiple roles under one profession are fine, but we have two ele d/d builds right now so need to select one.

Offensive Cantrip D/D (reference post)

As a request if your are putting names beside builds, please give credit to my build I haven’t shared it with anyone yet & I use it in the some of the highest level of tpvp.

Jsu’s – Offensive Cantrip D/D

Of course, Jsu. I apologize.

Mesmer shatter builds generally use Bezerk/Bezerk for amulet/jewel.

jcbroe.4329:

BM:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fMAQRAnf8YjAV91BWKWo2Bi2DNZeM9eEL13eXhRVwmK-TwAg2CrIuRdj7GzNybs3M8Y5x+g5CA

Signet of the hunt is rarely ever used.
A utility slot for movement speed and 1k~ more pet dmg at best every 30s just doesn’t tend to be worthwhile.
PvP beastmaster specs pretty much never run two canines and only spastically even use one. They are pretty much required to have a jaguar, you can land massive amounts of dmg threw its stealth crits buffed by beastmaster tree stats.
A raven fills the other spot usually as much, if not a bit less often, than a wolf.

Very few if anyone nowadays runs axe/torch, its mainly sword/torch shortbow.
I am the only decent ranger I’ve seen lately who even uses mainhand axe at all and I won’t ever drop dagger offhand for torch because an evade and cripple on that weapon set are just that nice.

In reply to Renewing stamina, it only works with crits; so no that’s not viable with a power build / soldier’s amulet. With higher crit chance, i always will recommend that but not with a base of 10%.

But part of the magic of the bunker ele is that it almost always has fury up. Even with no precision, thats 30% crit chance at all time. Couple that with the fact that many of D/D’s attacks hit many times in a quick window — you’ve got a lot of opportunities for crits — or, at least, enough for one every five seconds, as is Renewing Stamina’s ICD.

In reply to your D/D build vs the build I posted: The build I posted wasn’t for a full bunker spec. It was for decent damage with survivability. All 3 variants are valid builds IMO

Therein lies the problem with ele traits at the moment — grab the 10/30/30 build (or a slight variant), throw on your amulet of choice, and you fulfill a completely different role! :P

just for higher level of pvp you’re not going to bring a bunker ele your going to bring a Gaurdian.

I feel you here. However, eles are capable of more sustain against some targets than Guardians. And I think it depends on the map; a bunker ele on some maps will be more successful than a Guardian, especially with mobility — for instance, when needed to move to support at another point.

Sorry it took me so long to respond! Keep up the good work with this thread, it will be pretty cool to have the meta build of each profession in one place.

Thanks for doing this CMF – long past due. I object to the mesmer shatter build posted as it is a WvW build and the guy posting it himself says he doesn’t sPvP much. No sPvP shatter build would be complete without Shattered Concentration (20 point trait in Domination).

http://intothemists.com/calc/?build=-NFcZ;1VPkz0A7JVV71;9;4JJ;0T06-39;525AURk6;2sV2DsV2D5Bu

Adept major trait in dueling flexible, adept and master major trait in illusions also flexible. Ether Feast best heal hands down. Utilities somewhat flexible – some people like blink or decoy or null field, but with the three in the link that’s basically the six you have to choose from. Elite is Mass Invis or Time Warp. Weapons are somewhat flexible, as you can make a workable build with Greatsword instead of staff, and with pistol offhand instead of focus.

Cheers,

Thanks Kavia, I put a strike through on the Shatter Cat build and added a s/tPvP Shatter version on top of the list. Keeping the older Shatter build for building blocks/reference but will most likely remove and put in a separate list later to truncate it, as well as the other variants seen.

One interesting thing is how the builds will change with the new PvP patch. This whole list may change.