Guild Wars 2

Ive done a lot of testing since the patch came out, this build seems to be extraordinarily effective. Here is a video explaining the build and showing a little bit of game play.

After I made the video, I spent the rest of the day dueling, and have not lost to anybody.

For a quick look, the build is 4/0/2/2/6, battle sigil, doom sigil, strength runes, and celestial amulet.

An engineer probably stands a fair chance. Other than that, yes, ArenaNet has finally made hybrid builds viable, it’s nice.

Edit : btw, any shatter mesmer/ necro/ s/d thief will destroy you because they will remove your mights and you will hit like a wet noodle :p

I’ve been playing this build for the last few hours, it’s really good! Thanks for sharing, best one I played since patch. And thats coming from someone who barely knows the d/f skillset.

Awesome build and video!

looks hella fun! tilllll you run into a trickery s/d theif xD haha but props! if no mesmers or trickery theives are around you are gonna dominate lol

Very nice 25 stacks of might.

Very nice build! Going to try it out very shortly, I feel inspired :p

Quad cantrip Ele with Spell Slinger. Looks super fun.

This build is amazing! +1 to you!

I was just about to give up on sPvP and then I found this.

I was using a similar build for WvW and looks like this is a great variation, especially with the new Runes of Strength.
Thanks for posting this!

Build is alot of fun. I’m pretty dang casual these days for spvp (play 5 matches a week), and I definitely am feeling like this build is easily not the weak point… its me haha.

Looks very good —thx for sharing!

I just wanna come by, say hi, and tell everyone that I am having great succes with the build!

Running three cantrips instead (lightning flash, armour of earth and cleansing flames) since I like the escapability it gives me if needed…

The fact that Focus gives you so much to survive, combined with evasive arcana for condis, while being able to deal some good sustained damage gave me the upper hand in many battles…

The build is also realiable enough to stay at home, since you can semi-bunker long enough, or simply win the duel even…

So yea, thanks a bunch! Currently working on my title now, and so far it’s been going great!

Love your build . The one thing I cant get used to is the focus, so I been going d/d, less might stacks but great chaise capability, unless im doing something wrong!! I been using this to roam in wvw. Have you any wvw roaming/small group fight builds?

been running this with s/d loving it! will try s/f though but currently not needing the earth immunities

Why not go 6 fire, ditching 2 earth and gain 10% bonus damage to burning foes and blinds?

Malcastus.6240:

Why not go 6 fire, ditching 2 earth and gain 10% bonus damage to burning foes and blinds?

I can’t speak for the OP but I think it is because the the burning damage is not the primary method of dealing damage. Glyph of elemental power only has a 25% chance to proc every 5 seconds so building around it is pointless. most of the dps on this build is from using stacking might via fire shield, cantrips and sigil of battle and not sticking to only one attunement.

silvermember.8941:

Malcastus.6240:

Why not go 6 fire, ditching 2 earth and gain 10% bonus damage to burning foes and blinds?

I can’t speak for the OP but I think it is because the the burning damage is not the primary method of dealing damage. Glyph of elemental power only has a 25% chance to proc every 5 seconds so building around it is pointless. most of the dps on this build is from using stacking might via fire shield, cantrips and sigil of battle and not sticking to only one attunement.

I know it’s not a primary method of dealing damage (it plays a big part though), but if you have access to that many sources of burning and aim to apply it constantly for pressure, might as well reap the benefits of 10% bonus damage and blindness every five seconds. Even the notorious Flamewall becomes usable, as it lasts for eight seconds, which means you can dance around it and blind opponents who cross it while having fun with other attunements, if not having the GoEP off CD.

GoEP procs easily if with dagger or scepter mainhand, due to fast attacks.

What are you talking about, silvermember? Why would anyone stay in one attunement? GoEP triggers in all attunements, as long as you activate it in fire. Might stacking will not suddenly be impossible, because a 60 sec CD skill that ONLY triggers when below 50% hp is out of the equation. It’s not a great loss in the might stacking department.

Malcastus.6240:

silvermember.8941:

Malcastus.6240:

Why not go 6 fire, ditching 2 earth and gain 10% bonus damage to burning foes and blinds?

I can’t speak for the OP but I think it is because the the burning damage is not the primary method of dealing damage. Glyph of elemental power only has a 25% chance to proc every 5 seconds so building around it is pointless. most of the dps on this build is from using stacking might via fire shield, cantrips and sigil of battle and not sticking to only one attunement.

I know it’s not a primary method of dealing damage (it plays a big part though), but if you have access to that many sources of burning and aim to apply it constantly for pressure, might as well reap the benefits of 10% bonus damage and blindness every five seconds. Even the notorious Flamewall becomes usable, as it lasts for eight seconds, which means you can dance around it and blind opponents who cross it while having fun with other attunements, if not having the GoEP off CD.

GoEP procs easily if with dagger or scepter mainhand, due to fast attacks.

What are you talking about, silvermember? Why would anyone stay in one attunement? GoEP triggers in all attunements, as long as you activate it in fire. Might stacking will not suddenly be impossible, because a 60 sec CD skill that ONLY triggers when below 50% hp is out of the equation. It’s not a great loss in the might stacking department.

I am saying that the burn up time is not enough to go all in fire for that trait. And yes GoEP triggers in all attunement but it still doesn’t change the fact that there is no guarantee it will proc every 5 seconds since it is a 25% chance ever 5 seconds.

And the reason why you stake Armor of earth is for the 3 might including the extra nice 6 seconds worth of protection because protection is always nice to have especially when your health is at 50%.

With that said, I don’t see why you couldn’t modify the build to suit your needs. If you think that that 10% damage is worth it you could always good all in, into fire for the 100 more power and the 10% boost. I am thinking of replacing GoEP with Signet of Fire for a 10 second burn every 20 seconds and a bonus 10% crit chance. The only thing holding me back is the cast time.

ADDED: take out ten in earth put in fire get pyro puissance, GoEP or signet of fire both give might.

Kouryuu.4213:

I’ve been playing this build for the last few hours, it’s really good! Thanks for sharing, best one I played since patch. And thats coming from someone who barely knows the d/f skillset.

Same here, did a couple matches and have been winning 1v2’s consecutively even against a thief-necro combo. Plus a necro that my mate had had trouble with.

Though after a while I did notice that the survivability is slightly lacking. Thinking of throwing the 10 of earth into water. Also wondering if there are any other skills that can be used besides that glyph…

Swimsasa Stoon.8936:

Kouryuu.4213:

I’ve been playing this build for the last few hours, it’s really good! Thanks for sharing, best one I played since patch. And thats coming from someone who barely knows the d/f skillset.

Same here, did a couple matches and have been winning 1v2’s consecutively even against a thief-necro combo. Plus a necro that my mate had had trouble with.

Though after a while I did notice that the survivability is slightly lacking. Thinking of throwing the 10 of earth into water. Also wondering if there are any other skills that can be used besides that glyph…

I posted my own take on this a bit ago. I think 20/0/0/20/30 and three cantrips on your utility bar is very strong (I take Cleansing Fire, Lightning Flash, and Armor of Earth).

Neko.9021:

Swimsasa Stoon.8936:

Kouryuu.4213:

I’ve been playing this build for the last few hours, it’s really good! Thanks for sharing, best one I played since patch. And thats coming from someone who barely knows the d/f skillset.

Same here, did a couple matches and have been winning 1v2’s consecutively even against a thief-necro combo. Plus a necro that my mate had had trouble with.

Though after a while I did notice that the survivability is slightly lacking. Thinking of throwing the 10 of earth into water. Also wondering if there are any other skills that can be used besides that glyph…

I posted my own take on this a bit ago. I think 20/0/0/20/30 and three cantrips on your utility bar is very strong (I take Cleansing Fire, Lightning Flash, and Armor of Earth).

Yea the regen for extra survivability and the vigor for more dodges of the 20 in water can help alot. I was more so thinking of the flame axe environmental weapon for the excess in fire fields you can cast and the extra jump for more flame aura. It also has a decent long range attack.

just checked flame axe and it has been buffed

What do you think about 4/0/0/4/6 OP?

I find the extra vigor and regen + the heal from the major minor trait to be better than the additional armor of earth.

EDIT

Seems Swimsasa and Neko use it as well.

Oh and by the way, I kittening love this build.. I can easily kill most powerbuilds with it and managed to wreck a few condi engis and necro’s as well. It’s really good.

Guys I want to ask how doest third water minor trait work – it gives +1% dmg for every stack or just for boon type? I am using it hoping to get extra 25% dmg from might…

What is the extra 10 points in fire really getting you that an extra 10 points in say water (so you could get the GM trait for cleanse on regen) wouldn’t also get you + extra damage from boons? Once you get to that point it’s essentially a x/x/x/6/6 again? Just curious, I am very much enjoying celestial/might build on my ele. I still don’t feel as useful as my hambow because I lack the skills to play ele well, but I don’t feel like a liability any more.

@Rudy It’s per boon rather than per stack, you correctly identified that if it was per stack it would be ridiculously OP and every single ele build would have 5 in water as mandatory. I can dream at least

Enigma.6089:

What is the extra 10 points in fire really getting you that an extra 10 points in say water (so you could get the GM trait for cleanse on regen) wouldn’t also get you + extra damage from boons? Once you get to that point it’s essentially a x/x/x/6/6 again? Just curious, I am very much enjoying celestial/might build on my ele. I still don’t feel as useful as my hambow because I lack the skills to play ele well, but I don’t feel like a liability any more.

@Rudy It’s per boon rather than per stack, you correctly identified that if it was per stack it would be ridiculously OP and every single ele build would have 5 in water as mandatory. I can dream at least

Thx alot, now I think i’ll take off from that 6 in water. Yup it would be really op, so i started to think about it XD.

Enigma.6089:

What is the extra 10 points in fire really getting you that an extra 10 points in say water (so you could get the GM trait for cleanse on regen) wouldn’t also get you + extra damage from boons? Once you get to that point it’s essentially a x/x/x/6/6 again? Just curious, I am very much enjoying celestial/might build on my ele. I still don’t feel as useful as my hambow because I lack the skills to play ele well, but I don’t feel like a liability any more.

@Rudy It’s per boon rather than per stack, you correctly identified that if it was per stack it would be ridiculously OP and every single ele build would have 5 in water as mandatory. I can dream at least

the extra 10 means I dont burn my cantrips before engaging the fight like the video shows and whenever I use a any skill while in fire, I get 1 stack of might. with cantrips 4 stacks of might. 6/0/0/2/6. I use signet of fire to force them to use their condition clesnse every 20 and a bonus might while in flames.

what about 5/0/0/3/6? Get the extra heal from water and the 10% vs burning and since the enemy is constantly burning it should do something good.

Kouryuu.4213:

what about 5/0/0/3/6? Get the extra heal from water and the 10% vs burning and since the enemy is constantly burning it should do something good.

the 10% only works when burning but there are no guarantees that your opponents will be in constant burn. Thte extra 1k heal + the health boost is nice though.

I had no idea when I posted that this build would be as popular as it is.
I read through everybody’s comments, and there are many good suggestions.
I designed this build to win 1v1’s on back point, and have enough survivability to live 2v1 for a good amount of time, that’s the reason for double armor of earth.

If you want more damage, 5/0/0/3/6 is a good way to get it.
If you want more defense, 2/0/2/4/6 is my suggested way.

All that being said, I wouldn’t give up Glyph of Elemental Power for the world.
The utility it provides through cripple, weakness and burning is just invaluable to me.
Permanent weakness destroys thieves and mesmers, cripple stops anybody from kiting, and the burning is so constantly applied it is almost unremovable.

After playing mostly d/d pvp wise I wanted to try something fresh and new, so I came here looking for tips. After maybe 2-3days of rolling with this build I must say its really fun to play and wanted to thank OP for sharing it :]

I’d like to see more videos if you have them Cryo.

I tried it. Not a bad build. A tad slow for my tastes on ele.

EvilSnowflake.1453:

I had no idea when I posted that this build would be as popular as it is.
I read through everybody’s comments, and there are many good suggestions.
I designed this build to win 1v1’s on back point, and have enough survivability to live 2v1 for a good amount of time, that’s the reason for double armor of earth.

If you want more damage, 5/0/0/3/6 is a good way to get it.
If you want more defense, 2/0/2/4/6 is my suggested way.

All that being said, I wouldn’t give up Glyph of Elemental Power for the world.
The utility it provides through cripple, weakness and burning is just invaluable to me.
Permanent weakness destroys thieves and mesmers, cripple stops anybody from kiting, and the burning is so constantly applied it is almost unremovable.

Thanks for sharing your build, I’m completely into my elementalist again now and am suggesting this build to all my ele guildies

the 25 stacks of might gives valuable condi damage that makes that glyph of elemental power quite useful. I have tried using different utilities but have yet to receive similar results.

Thank you for this build! I love it!

I think Ill give the build a go, TY

Just to be clear, you don’t need spell slinger to hit 25 might stacks, or 2 fire shields, its fairly easy to hit 25 stacks in 2 full rotations with out spell slinger or fire shield. Spell slinger will allow you to hit 25 stacks in a smaller time frame though.

Build looks pretty cool snowflake, I’ve been using GoEP my self, but mainly for the constant weakness or cripple, depending on who I’m fighting or how many people I’m fighting.

Thank you thank you thank you for this. I had given up on my ele about 7 months ago, and I’ve only been playing my mesmer. After this build, I’m excited about playing my ele for the first time in months.

I’m still debating between D/D and D/F though. I feel like ALL the o.h. dagger abilities are useful; whereas focus has some really great ones and some really crap ones. I also think it is just as easy to get might stacks with D/D by using fire 4, water 3, earth 3 to get aura, and then 4, 5 for two additional blasts. However, I was appreciating the condi removal and immunity from focus. And I did find the air 4 useful against rifle/pistol engis, SB rangers, daggerstorm thieves, and longbow warriors. ……soooooooo decisions decisions….

IIRC, sigil of battle and sigil of doom don’t stack.

I made a PvP celestial cantrip build with the traits, 2/2/2/2/6. The results have been pretty nice so far. Perfectly well rounded. Really the jack of all trades.

Really liking this build, but I’m having a hard time with the combos and might stacking. Any tips on combos? Been going Fire: Fire field>Water: blast for might>Air:Get up my shields>Fire: Fire Field> Earth: Blast and condi clear.

Anomaly.7612:

Really liking this build, but I’m having a hard time with the combos and might stacking. Any tips on combos? Been going Fire: Fire field>Water: blast for might>Air:Get up my shields>Fire: Fire Field> Earth: Blast and condi clear.

Based on his gameplay video you don’t even need to worry about blasting fire fields for might stacking. You can easily obtain up to 25 might by activating your cantrips and swaping attunement.

LightningBlaze.4913:

Anomaly.7612:

Really liking this build, but I’m having a hard time with the combos and might stacking. Any tips on combos? Been going Fire: Fire field>Water: blast for might>Air:Get up my shields>Fire: Fire Field> Earth: Blast and condi clear.

Based on his gameplay video you don’t even need to worry about blasting fire fields for might stacking. You can easily obtain up to 25 might by activating your cantrips and swaping attunement.

Well, would it not stack them faster if you’re doing fire fields and swapping at the same time per usual?

Anomaly.7612:

LightningBlaze.4913:

Anomaly.7612:

Really liking this build, but I’m having a hard time with the combos and might stacking. Any tips on combos? Been going Fire: Fire field>Water: blast for might>Air:Get up my shields>Fire: Fire Field> Earth: Blast and condi clear.

Based on his gameplay video you don’t even need to worry about blasting fire fields for might stacking. You can easily obtain up to 25 might by activating your cantrips and swaping attunement.

Well, would it not stack them faster if you’re doing fire fields and swapping at the same time per usual?

Of course it would. You just don’t have to worry too much on blasting fire fields specially if those blasts are not hitting your opponent.

Hi!
I really enjoy your build but have an incredibly difficult time against GS Mesmers.
Basically I can withstand every class on 1vs1, hoover about long enough for someone to come in 1vs2, handle noobish 3 people as well, but a moderately good GS Mesmer and Im gone just like that ;/
Any tips on how to handle those?

@Tife :

1. Close the gap between you and the Mesmer to reduce the damage from the AA.

2. Save your dodges for two moves, one when they throw their GS at you, second, when they raise their GS in the air (Summons the Berserker). Either passively get rid of the Berserker with AoE burns, or just remember to dodge every 5-6 seconds while it’s out. It’s generally not worth completely ignoring the Mesmer to go kill the Berserker.

3. Keep moving and stay behind them, to prevent them from being able to easily target you with a boon-rip or knockback.

4. Don’t stop attacking when they go into Stealth, just keep looking for the right one, based on movement, dodges, chaos armor, stuff like that.

Don’t worry, I hate mesmers too :P Takes a bit more effort and concentration away from my attunement rotation.

Thank you for the response