Guild Wars 2

Hello guys.

Im a relatively new player in this game, and have been trying to play the thief profession in SPVP. i really like the concept of “assassinating” enemies , due to high burst damage , but as it seems im most likely doing it wrong.

Have tried ALOT different builds , skill combos , traits , sigils/runes that i found on the internet , that authors claim to be the way to achieve victory … but nothing really helped me succeed…

My main issue is that i cannot produce enough dmg through my “opener” ( Steal dmg /precast CND/precast Bas.Venom/ Backstab) to kill the enemy. Its either lacking dmg , or backstab not critting for example , depending on the current build im testing.

If i fail to kill my enemy on my opener moves , then i most likely lose the fight. having no gapcloser (steal CD ) , have no CC , im forced to run away using bow , and wait for my cooldowns to come off again..

I certainly do not stand a chance in a fight that includes more than 2 enemies , and i find it VERY hard to survive even when stealthed. these builds i find online( that supposedly do enormous dmg ) are pure glass cannons , meaning 14 k hp , which goes down by even gettin hit from aoe’s while in stealth…

So my questions basically are :

1) how to make my dmg be enough to kill ppl on opener ? ( got 3,2 k power and around 55% crit chance if traited full power / crit build)

2) how can i follow up my attack if my opener fails to kill ? ( eg: enemy dodges / blinks etc)

3)how do i survive in a base capture fight in spvp , which usually consists on more than 3 enemies ?

4) i would appreciate any helpfull tips in general….

Thank you all in advance.

People most likely trying to figure out if your a troll or not.
Basically : No Gap closer…really? Heartseeker maybe?
No enough burst…this has to be troll, Take the 100% crit chance while stealthed to make sure those Pro Back stabs land just right.
If you can’t get away or reset a fight try watching ANY thief video;
It will take you 5min to become pro and maybe a week to master.

Short Bow is the answer to groups/retreating

Ragnarok.8325:

having no gapcloser (steal CD )

Think more about it mate..

Steal = gap closer

Utilities:
Shadow step = gap closer
Infiltrator Signet = gap closer
Scorpion Wire = gap closer

Dagger\Dagger Set:
Heartseeker = gap closer
Dancing Dagger = cripple (I consider this one as a gap closer)

Sword\Dagger Set:
Infiltrator Strike = gap closer
Dancing dagger = see above

Sword\Pistol Set:
Infiltrator Strike = see above

Dagger\Pistol Set:
Shadow Shot = the best gap closer in the game in my opinion
Heartseeker = see above

Pistol\Dagger Set:
this set is the only one that realy lack of gap closers
Just Dancing Dagger = see above

ShortBow Set:
Infiltrator Arrow = gap closer

just saying….

Your best bet is to attack people who are lower on health, preferably softer targets. Let your team engage first and pick the right moment for your lethal teleport in, quickness/stealth stomp then get out.

The above advice works well for question 3. Your SB does a lot of damage too, so you can soften targets up with that from a safe place until the time to strike. Be careful of the aoe.

In 1vs1 you are unlikely to oneshot anyone with decent toughness, but if you get that opener downpat you should be able do do well.

I used to regularly get 20 kills a match on my thief when GW2 launched (and I didn’t even know how to use the C&D teleport opener) but people are wiser to thieves now so you will just have to practice and get good at it.

Caino.7130:

People most likely trying to figure out if your a troll or not.
Basically : No Gap closer…really? Heartseeker maybe?
No enough burst…this has to be troll, Take the 100% crit chance while stealthed to make sure those Pro Back stabs land just right.
If you can’t get away or reset a fight try watching ANY thief video;
It will take you 5min to become pro and maybe a week to master.

Short Bow is the answer to groups/retreating

1 ) The answer to HS , is lack of initiative.
2 ) 100 % crit chance on stealthed backstab is cool , but doesnt kill the enemy. its the afterwards part that im having issues with , meaning how to follow up my attack.

Steal = yeah ok. count this as on CD, since u open with it.

Utilities:
Shadow step = gap closer , which is a fine spell that i will give it a go.
Infiltrator Signet = gap closer , which is a poor version of Shadow step imo
Scorpion Wire = gap closer , which misses alot due to evades and stability boons

Dagger\Dagger Set:
Heartseeker = gap closer , that burns ur initiative instantly.
Dancing Dagger = cripple (I consider this one as a gap closer) , which also destroys initiative.

There is no point reaching the enemy and emptying your initiative in the process. u cannot do anything without initiative.

im tryin to play as D/D only weaponset due to CnD. tried some other weaponsets but i think they arent that powerfull.

ShortBow Set:
Infiltrator Arrow = gap closer , well no shi , 5 initiative cost for each skill use tho.

Everyone with experience in PvP will be running enough defense to withstand an instagib. I played D/D last night for the first time in weeks just to troll around a bit and had the most fun executing folks from the periphery of a fight.

Release your inner vulture and finish people off rather than start them off.

There are builds out there that people still play even in competitive environments that lack bulk. If they can’t click their invulns quick enough then it’s simply over. The general goal anyway is to put a big dent into the opponent and finish them off with either the Shortbow or Heartseekers. The advice to finish people off rather then start on them is excellent though.

Best advice OP, test things out. Keep testing them out. I said," to grenth with the internet and its lies, I’m making my own build". It may or most likely has already been thought of but I don’t sweat it. I experimented, adjusted to w/e it was that I was missing. Internet builds are usually cheesy and work sometimes but you arn’t likely to have fun with your profession unless you try things out yourself. If you want to play a burst thief I would do 2 things
1. Pick your fights. Don’t jump into group fights if you know you will die in there.
2. Pick your target. Look for a light armor profession or someone with low health. With only a few seconds on stealth, it may be difficult at first but you will get the hang of it. If you can master this you will truly feel like you assassinated the enemy and raise your ale to the victory.

If for whatever reason you are unable to finish an enemy off (downed state)such as too many enemies around or your low health, don’t risk it. There are other fights to be won, and it isn’t worth tossing your dead body into someone’s lap. I retired my power thief, didn’t really care to spam stealth anymore but it suits some. When I did play power thief, I looked for people who were alone or low health and I would blow their minds in seconds. Also, never spam HS. Use it as the last few hits (it does more dmg the lower health they are) or as a gap closer. Iniviative isn’t limitless so saving it for escape/dodge skills is important. Also ALWAYS keep atleast 1 stun breaker in utility(steal with a certain trait technically behaves like a stun breaker but you just sit there invisible) and a good escape utility skill either a retreat skill or a stealth skill.

Leaving shadow refuge b4 the circle effect ends will reveal you. IF you chose this utility skill, do not leave the circle. If you are getting pumeled by attacks while in there, go to one end of the circle, and dodge towards the center to maintain the stealth and avoid an attack or two. Once the effect is over, you are free to run around but do not shadowstep anywhere, that also reveals you

Hope this helps ^^

I appreciate ur input NinjaEd, thank you.