Guild Wars 2

Ohai other infamous D/D eles,

I wanted to post some builds that (for me at least) yield a balance between damage/crit and healing/condition removal. Something that could truly test your dodging and attunement swap skills. These builds are a bit on the glass cannon side, so might take a bit of getting used to.

Video
1:15-20-0-20-15 Not a frag, full tourney game
2:10-25-0-25-10 :Video coming soon

1 15-20-0-20-15 Build Link (Old)
2 10-25-0-25-10 Build Link (New(YaY!))

Note: These build works better if in a tournament setting, 5v5 or less. Due to the squishy nature you will most likely not find success in hot-join 8v8.

Update 5/13.

well played mon

I think the gameplay was perfect for this build. Also like your rushing under auras.

Well that was really cool. It’s stuff like that that always makes me want to try and get better with my Elementalist. Daggers are so fuuuuun!

Also, thank you for showing a full match and not just clips! It’s SO much better for figuring out how you do what you do!

Thank you for the positive feedback guys!

@Strifeshines
Auras are my favorite. I try to have 1 on at all times during a fight. Can really make a difference. (against melee)

@Chompie
Yeah I learned quickly that clips even if edited nicely, really didn’t shine a light on how a build works and what its good for. I wish 8-team ques weren’t awful or I would be playing those lol. They really show the pros and cons of going against different team make ups.

Nice video!

I’ve been trying to do the exact same thing with my build – something with a little less survival than a bunker making up for that loss with damage.

I’m currently at 10/20/0/25/15. I think the 2% damage per boon might be better than the 5 more fire and minor trait. Also, I picked VI in the fire line (10 % more damage in fire) because I find that I’m usually in fire when trying to dish out some hurt or finish someone off.

Still working on the gear to go with it, aside from the obvious choices for weapon sigils. Your choices are interesting, maybe I’ll give them a go. Thanks again for sharing.

JCorcoran.4081:

Nice video!

I’ve been trying to do the exact same thing with my build – something with a little less survival than a bunker making up for that loss with damage.

I’m currently at 10/20/0/25/15. I think the 2% damage per boon might be better than the 5 more fire and minor trait. Also, I picked VI in the fire line (10 % more damage in fire) because I find that I’m usually in fire when trying to dish out some hurt or finish someone off.

Still working on the gear to go with it, aside from the obvious choices for weapon sigils. Your choices are interesting, maybe I’ll give them a go. Thanks again for sharing.

I overlooked the trait that gives 2% damage per boon. This made me want to double check everything and I’m currently testing an alteration that is impressing me so far. (tyvm) Especially with Temple of the silent storms, 3 buffs as the secondary. Not to mention people tend to hold points better when there isn’t a shiny orb in the middle of the map. So dropping bunkers/roamers quickly is a must.

The weapon sigils were really me just testing things out, trying to get as much synergy as possible. When I heard they fixed the weapon swap sigils for ele with the way I play, I knew it would be a good way for me to get some extra might. Also if Im doing well the extra crit chance i get is always nice

Awesome. Please post a build update if you find a revision that you like. I’m always looking to improve mine.

I’m also working on a WvW version where traits can easily be swapped out for staff traits when I need to hole up in a keep. I’ve got 10/20/0/20/20 because I like blasting staff, but I’d like to work in 25 water somehow.

I dunno how much WvW you do, but if you have any advice I’m open to suggestions. I suppose the easiest is just to learn to live without blasting staff and go with the same build that I posted earlier.

Build update, I’ll get that video up soon-ish. Hope this gets some of you out of that 0-10-0-30-30 rut hehe

Nice vids, great teamplay.

However I fail to understand how is 25 air better than 30 water.

innocent ouarior.1954:

Nice vids, great teamplay.

However I fail to understand how is 25 air better than 30 water.

I guess it depends on play style. Sure the vulnerability on crit may not seem worth it, I think of it as just another boon the enemy has to take off. In most cases saving my fire or bleed from getting removed. I’ve had success of getting 10+ stacks (very quickly) while auto attacking in water on a bunker. Also switching to berserker will drastically improve results.

Im not ignorant of the survivability of the water trait line, but my goal is to get away from both water and arcana trait line. Its mostly due to my personal vendetta with the bunker builds. lol

I play a lot with 30 in fire, 30 in earth and 10 in water and i had no problem of survivability in dungeons … ( i tried even 30 fire, 20 earth ,20 water with good profit) .

Justbob.5897:

innocent ouarior.1954:

Nice vids, great teamplay.

However I fail to understand how is 25 air better than 30 water.

I guess it depends on play style. Sure the vulnerability on crit may not seem worth it, I think of it as just another boon the enemy has to take off. In most cases saving my fire or bleed from getting removed. I’ve had success of getting 10+ stacks (very quickly) while auto attacking in water on a bunker. Also switching to berserker will drastically improve results.

Im not ignorant of the survivability of the water trait line, but my goal is to get away from both water and arcana trait line. Its mostly due to my personal vendetta with the bunker builds. lol

This right here is like my own personal mantra written by another man. Bob, I admire your endeavor.

I also happened to see that you’ve played two builds that I played as well. Though, I dont go for might stacks via Battle. I figure, sense we are a close-quarters profession, Hydromancy’s chill will help with slowing enemy CDs.

Have you tried 10/20/10/20/10, taking Earth’s Embrace and substituting armor of earth with Arcane Wave. Since you like might stacks the blast will help, and you still have Armor of Earth when you get low.

I, myself, play with two arcanes (wave and blast) because I figure that the best way to ensure my survival is by killing my opponent as quickly as possible.

Well done, Bob. I like your play style and video, just wondering how does it go for you when it comes to 1vs1. I tried it but it lacks too much of survivability, but again probably I am not that skill yet.

Well spending 25 points into water and using 3 Cantrips isnt really “staying away from bunker”, no offence. And Arena Net made intelligence so stupidely important for Elem gameplay that you cant really stay away from it.

You can be midly successful with 30/30/0/10/0 also with a good team.

Asurmir.7956:

This right here is like my own personal mantra written by another man. Bob, I admire your endeavor.

I also happened to see that you’ve played two builds that I played as well. Though, I dont go for might stacks via Battle. I figure, sense we are a close-quarters profession, Hydromancy’s chill will help with slowing enemy CDs.

Have you tried 10/20/10/20/10, taking Earth’s Embrace and substituting armor of earth with Arcane Wave. Since you like might stacks the blast will help, and you still have Armor of Earth when you get low.

I, myself, play with two arcanes (wave and blast) because I figure that the best way to ensure my survival is by killing my opponent as quickly as possible.

10/20/10/20/10 is indeed a great build. I might just have to give it a go again. I’ve been trying to think of which cantrip to drop so what you mentioned would work out perfectly. I just remember feeling weak with that 10 in earth but that was before I started might stacking.

I think if I started running two arcane skills I would use the shield with wave. Whats your average crit with blast?

Stealth.9324:

Well done, Bob. I like your play style and video, just wondering how does it go for you when it comes to 1vs1. I tried it but it lacks too much of survivability, but again probably I am not that skill yet.

I would say with the new build I’m working with.. its decent. Don’t get me wrong they still work great but for the cheese builds that some Engi, Ranger,thief and Mes run around with it can feel like hitting a brick wall sometimes. So I’m currently working towards something that might fit this meta better than the updated pre April build.

@Justbob
I haven’t been keeping record of my crit damage with arcane blast since I typically use it to either bait a dodge or finish an escaping opponent. I could start using it more often for the middle of the fights and get back to you.

Recently, I’ve started taking cleansing fire for the condition removal instead of arcane blast. My reason for this is because A. Wave feels like just enough to keep the pressure on for most fights. I’v also been switching between LF and MF depending on whether the enemy has a thief or mesmer (MF against burst) on their team.

Arcane shielding would be a great substitute for blast, since it would aid in getting off churning earth. Even if you do not use it for churning, the block is still work it.

@Stealth
This build can work quite well in duels. With that said, I believe a disclaimer is in order. If you were/are having issues fighting engis, rangers, thieves, and mesmers in their fotm builds while using Ele bunker/hybrid, don’t expect to do well with this build.

The reason I say this is because of the 3.25 second increase on the attunement recharge. Typically, we swap into water when are having trouble. The first swap is fine. However, if you find that you swap in and out of water whenever it is up, you’re going to have a bad time. You need (read: it is absolutely necessary) to have good micro-managing skills and dodging skills. Or else you will meet your fate over and over—which may drive you to pick up the bunker set-up again.

It takes time, and patience to get use to the higher CD on swaps. But, I believe it is worth it.
I would actually like to make a detailed comparison of what 30 in arcane actually gives us.

Asurmir.7956:

@Justbob
I haven’t been keeping record of my crit damage with arcane blast since I typically use it to either bait a dodge or finish an escaping opponent. I could start using it more often for the middle of the fights and get back to you.

Recently, I’ve started taking cleansing fire for the condition removal instead of arcane blast. My reason for this is because A. Wave feels like just enough to keep the pressure on for most fights. I’v also been switching between LF and MF depending on whether the enemy has a thief or mesmer (MF against burst) on their team.

Arcane shielding would be a great substitute for blast, since it would aid in getting off churning earth. Even if you do not use it for churning, the block is still work it.

@Stealth
This build can work quite well in duels. With that said, I believe a disclaimer is in order. If you were/are having issues fighting engis, rangers, thieves, and mesmers in their fotm builds while using Ele bunker/hybrid, don’t expect to do well with this build.

The reason I say this is because of the 3.25 second increase on the attunement recharge. Typically, we swap into water when are having trouble. The first swap is fine. However, if you find that you swap in and out of water whenever it is up, you’re going to have a bad time. You need (read: it is absolutely necessary) to have good micro-managing skills and dodging skills. Or else you will meet your fate over and over—which may drive you to pick up the bunker set-up again.

It takes time, and patience to get use to the higher CD on swaps. But, I believe it is worth it.
I would actually like to make a detailed comparison of what 30 in arcane actually gives us.

Yes, I am using this build against all class, but except Eles (thanks to their low dams as a bunker) Warrior (able to burst them down thanks to their squishiness),Mesmer is 50/50 ,pretty much all other class, I have trouble dealing with, including Guardian. It is not direct dams that worries me, it is the condition dams that eat me alive due to no longer have access to Water as fast as bf,what is your tips on dealing with in this matter?

25 air gives a stack of vulnerability each time you crit. With ice shards for example and 30% crit chance + fury 20% allows you to have around 10 stacks of vulnerability on someone which adds up to 10% more damage by all your allies on that target. Its a pretty strong mostly overlooked minor trait. 30 in water would have you share your auras but when you’re doing a 1v1 that don’t matter. Removing condition on getting regen would be sweet. Whichever one you like more I guess.

I would prefer having a few more points into arcana though since the atunement recharge is really a core thing with elementalists but I find 20 points in arcana more than enough.

Stealth.9324:

Asurmir.7956:

@Justbob
I haven’t been keeping record of my crit damage with arcane blast since I typically use it to either bait a dodge or finish an escaping opponent. I could start using it more often for the middle of the fights and get back to you.

Recently, I’ve started taking cleansing fire for the condition removal instead of arcane blast. My reason for this is because A. Wave feels like just enough to keep the pressure on for most fights. I’v also been switching between LF and MF depending on whether the enemy has a thief or mesmer (MF against burst) on their team.

Arcane shielding would be a great substitute for blast, since it would aid in getting off churning earth. Even if you do not use it for churning, the block is still work it.

@Stealth
This build can work quite well in duels. With that said, I believe a disclaimer is in order. If you were/are having issues fighting engis, rangers, thieves, and mesmers in their fotm builds while using Ele bunker/hybrid, don’t expect to do well with this build.

The reason I say this is because of the 3.25 second increase on the attunement recharge. Typically, we swap into water when are having trouble. The first swap is fine. However, if you find that you swap in and out of water whenever it is up, you’re going to have a bad time. You need (read: it is absolutely necessary) to have good micro-managing skills and dodging skills. Or else you will meet your fate over and over—which may drive you to pick up the bunker set-up again.

It takes time, and patience to get use to the higher CD on swaps. But, I believe it is worth it.
I would actually like to make a detailed comparison of what 30 in arcane actually gives us.

Yes, I am using this build against all class, but except Eles (thanks to their low dams as a bunker) Warrior (able to burst them down thanks to their squishiness),Mesmer is 50/50 ,pretty much all other class, I have trouble dealing with, including Guardian. It is not direct dams that worries me, it is the condition dams that eat me alive due to no longer have access to Water as fast as bf,what is your tips on dealing with in this matter?

Stealth, tell me the traits you are using and the utilities. If possible, tell me your opponent’s profession.

Conditions are a nightmare, plain and simple. Not to say that you can’t do anything about them, but it will be an uphill battle the whole way. You’ll need to create pressure on your opponent from start to finish. Depending on the opponent, this can be difficult or insufferably hard. So, give me your set-up and we’ll workout a strategy.

I’ve been playing around with Chill and its duration. I really love that condition. http://tinyurl.com/aszbmnf

Never underestimate the power of a 66% increase in enemy CDs. It is magical.

Hey there, I am running typical Cantrip Build in Tourney. I have no problem to survive with this build. What I want to ask us tips on how to deal with condition with Bob build with only 10,15 in Arcana. That reduces a lot in term of our Condition Cleanse. I have no doubt that the build works wonder in team fight, what I have trouble with is 1on1 duel and I can not survive Conditions with BoB build, exactly the same and I tried with all the weapon set, some works better than others but overall result is still very hard time against Conditions. thanks.

Stealth.9324:

Hey there, I am running typical Cantrip Build in Tourney. I have no problem to survive with this build. What I want to ask us tips on how to deal with condition with Bob build with only 10,15 in Arcana. That reduces a lot in term of our Condition Cleanse. I have no doubt that the build works wonder in team fight, what I have trouble with is 1on1 duel and I can not survive Conditions with BoB build, exactly the same and I tried with all the weapon set, some works better than others but overall result is still very hard time against Conditions. thanks.

Conditions are one tough game mechanic. More so seen in those 2v2 custom arena lobbies, I remember joining and watching two necro’s hold the floor for 2 map rotations. Anyways back on topic, I see Asurmir trying to help you out
(in most cases taking the words right out of my mouth ty)

You can get up to 5 conditions removed just by switching to water~cleansing wave~cleansing fire. Which is very easy to cast and be on your way. Helpful? Maybe. What matters is how you use them. I can sit here and talk about every rotation and tactic I picked up while playing, but I feel the best way to learn a class is first hand experience.

Try adding your skills to your body clock (“What the heck does that mean bob”-you)
What I mean is try to get your rotations down to the point where you are subconsciously already switching to skills as soon as they’re off CD. Sounds weird but hear me out, this game is really big on keeping you focused at the middle of the screen. Its only natural to start developing such skills when you play a class/build long enough. Embrace it and challenge yourself to do just that. (Cntr+shift+H if you’re feeling crazy) Its the greatest tip I can give. Not only will it help you theorycraft your own build but once you know what skills to dodge, what AOE not to stand in and what rotation will work best with your play-style against other classes. Its a breeze to make those life saving split second decisions once all of it comes naturally. It’s a good skill that can’t be picked up from reading about it, thats why you don’t see a step by step guide on how to play this build. Everyone is different

On that note, the only other thing I can say that will truly help is… Practice makes perfect.

Agree with most of you said. To some classes, Conditions is way more easy to reapply, take Engines or Necro for example. First rotation, you will cleanse 5 cons using the method mentioned. However, once you switch out of water, you are blocked out of water for the next 13s with only 10 pts in Arcane, cleansing Fire is put into 50s CD. The only other way to save you from Conditions is ER now,but the heal is way too easy to be disrupted with no Armor of Earth back up. So that is what worries me the most. Have you tried S/F for this build to help out a bit on Condition cleanse?I tried it, improve survival but less Dps and kind of awkward to use.

If you take 10/20/10/20/10 and grab Earth trait III- Earth’s Embrace, you’ll then have 2 Ar of Ea. So if you want Ether Renewal, you can still use it. Or you can keep using signet of restoration. Either way, you’ve got 4 cantrips now (12 might stacks) so something should die within that time.

Or, you can take 0/20/10/20/20 and grab Final Shielding to couple with your two Armor of Earths, keeping sigil of battle since you won’t betting might from cantrips anymore.

Just be careful when you trait into arcane. It’s very tempting to just go back to 30. I assure you, we can live at 20 and below.

If you are feeling up to it, try this variation: http://tinyurl.com/baa7qgf
10/15/10/20/15

Attunement Recharge- 11.5s (~12s on your utility bar since the display rounds up)

Fire – IV
Air- VI (you can take ‘I’ if you wish. I personally favor ‘VI’ over ‘I’)
Earth- III
Water- III and V
Arcane- V

Sigil of battle and accuracy
4 Ogre runes and 2 Fire (might duration)

With four cantrips, attunement swaps, and significant might duration you are looking at an avg of 18 stacks of might (+ or – 3) over the course of a fight. The rest is up to you.

Asurmir.7956:

If you take 10/20/10/20/10 and grab Earth trait III- Earth’s Embrace, you’ll then have 2 Ar of Ea. So if you want Ether Renewal, you can still use it. Or you can keep using signet of restoration. Either way, you’ve got 4 cantrips now (12 might stacks) so something should die within that time.

Or, you can take 0/20/10/20/20 and grab Final Shielding to couple with your two Armor of Earths, keeping sigil of battle since you won’t betting might from cantrips anymore.

Just be careful when you trait into arcane. It’s very tempting to just go back to 30. I assure you, we can live at 20 and below.

If you are feeling up to it, try this variation: http://tinyurl.com/baa7qgf
10/15/10/20/15

Attunement Recharge- 11.5s (~12s on your utility bar since the display rounds up)

Fire – IV
Air- VI (you can take ‘I’ if you wish. I personally favor ‘VI’ over ‘I’)
Earth- III
Water- III and V
Arcane- V

Sigil of battle and accuracy
4 Ogre runes and 2 Fire (might duration)

With four cantrips, attunement swaps, and significant might duration you are looking at an avg of 18 stacks of might (+ or – 3) over the course of a fight. The rest is up to you.

Will try it out. Thank you.