Guild Wars 2

I’d like to share with you guys a build that I have been using for the last couple of months with “great” success. Unfortunately I have no video for you, all I can do is to outline the strengths and weaknesses of this build, 1vs1 matchups win/lose ratios and teamfight potential

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fFAQJAodhcMacW4wyBd0AfAFxPICGXABQ/XcFSBA-TJRHwAQLDQ4EAYc/BAPAAA

I’m using Diamond skin in some cases and Stone heart in others, I have never tested this build at high level of competitions or against extremely strong teams, therefore I would consider this build a “fun solo-player alternative to common cele d/d” . Be always mindful of the enemy team composition, this build while extremely strong in some cases; it can still become a liability in others.

So let’s start with the 1vs1 matchups:

-VS Pure Terrormancer ( plague form) = 9:1 , a no brainer with DS as GM you win easy, the fight won’t last very long on average

-VS Hybrid condi Necro (flesh golem +well ) =7:3, you still hold a great advantage , but you still need to pay close attention, a well placed combo on you and this fight can become problematic

-VS Power necro = 8:2, easier than against hybrid necro as the condi application is weaker..but still be careful. Use wisely your reflects as smart necros will start DS 1 spamm as soon as they realize your build, step out the well and you’re gold

-Vs Cele Engi = 7:3, a fun and interesting fight, you still hold the best cards as long as you know what you’re doing and know how engi plays…you win, the engy has quite strong direct dmg with this build, but it’s 80% ranged and you can negate it with reflects and high toughness

-VS Turret Engi = 6:4, this really depends on the skill level of the engi, if bad you win 10/1 easily, the engi will be dead before using all his turrets. If you’re facing a decent engi, I think it’s ok to remain on the point ( assuming you’re contesting it ), he won’t be able to kill you with direct dmg alone

-VS Shout warrior = 8:2, you hold the advantage and you only need to pay attention to the LB combo, a long fight, but one that you’ll win

-VS D/D ele (cele) = 7:3, the build has simply not enough direct dmg to get past your high toughness, with wise gameplay you should be able to avoid all major combos, this one is a very long fight, one that I would not suggest most times unless necessary…but in the end you will still win the fight

-VS Staff ele (cele+ ER) = 1:9, you won’t win here..ever, you better run away because you’ll die on the point ( no quickly but you will )

-VS Thief s/d = 8:2 ( using stone heart version ), an annoying fight, the length of which depends on the aggressiveness of the thief, the more aggressive he is….the quicker you’ll win

-VS Thief d/p = 5:5 ( using stone heart), a tricky fight as smart thieves will use SA trait line and get rid of one condi every 3s while stealthed. The smartest player wins here

-VS Shatter Mesmer = 2:8, regardless of the GM trait you use…this is possibly a loss. If you’re facing a smart Mesmer, then this one will give the point and just snipe/kite you to death, as you’re using a mele focused build…you’re at disadvantage here.

-VS PU Mesmer = 9:1 , you don’t even need to bother with him, just hold the point and / dance / laugh :-)

-VS Med Guardian = 8:2, an exciting fight, these guys do have the burst! This battle won’t end fast but you still hold the advantage and should win np

-VS Power ranger = 8:2 , just block/reflect the ranged attacks, get close and win, easy.

-VS Condi ranger = 6:4, if facing a good condi ranger…the fight can become quite challenging, this build is no joke to face if used well, be careful here.

And this would be all for the 1vs1 matchups against the most common meta builds

About the teamfight potential of this build, as you imagine it’s not very high, and the value get lower as you face teams with better communication and organization

It really depends on what the enemy is running, if for example you see an enemy team with double necro, double engi and warrior, go on and use this build, chances are you’ll make quite a difference somehow.

By no means I think this build can be meta but again as I have said before, it can be a fun build to use in duels and low/average solo pugging.

With smart playing is possible to stay above the 90% threshold for diamond skin, not really a great trait but it can be used in some instances with great results

-edit: if people are interested, will post the WvW version of this build

I am interested in your wvw build. Go ahead and post it.

Reminds me of that earth-build someone posted long ago, which used conjured weapons while always staying in earth-attunement. It’s obviously not the same build, but I remembered it due to both focusing on earth while being very (or at least quite) tanky.

Your build looks good to me. I always like to see builds which are non standard and unique in some way (should be effective too yeah obviously). Your build looks quite similar to the one I came up with a few months back and it still works great, it does have condi cleanse issue but that can easily be worked out by swapping burning fire trait or utility. I would like to share it here again, it’s a fully earth camping heavy condi damage mono-attunement build with 100% immunity to critical hits.

Diva’s Condi Signet Build for PvP

This is the WvW version of this build

Both the builds have gameplay video included.

Out of my own experience, I can promise pure Earth condi ele is really baddass in WvW roaming

Well thx guys, shame the build wasn’t well received, but that’s to be expected.
The majority of players simply won’t move from meta unless they see the build used in ESL or similar; I bet the sword ele specialization won’t receive a warm welcome as we will lose arcana to use that specialization and I don’t see people renouncing to EA, elemental attunement or renewing staming…..anytime soon

@Alkalne this is the WvW version, especially effective against fully traited SA thieves, who may prove to be more than a challenge for your average d/d ele cele/mix- to remember that fully traited SA thieves differ from D/P thieves, against which d/d cele is suggested

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fFAQJAodhcMacW4wyBf0AfAGxPQEYcBIA8ALuCSBA-TVSFwAMeAAg0TAwEjelgSVegb/Baq/AWJGiTAQAAEAm5MnZysUAwMHA-w

Supreme.3164:

Well thx guys, shame the build wasn’t well received, but that’s to be expected.

Hold on… did you expect people to throw a party and proclaim you the new god amongst elementalists or something? Because every single post in this thread was positive among the lines of “your build looks really interesting”. So how exactly do you come to the conclusion that the build wasn’t well received? o.o

hmmm…God amongst elementalists doesn’t sound bad…xd, lol jokes aside I was simply hoping to receive a bit more responses, you never know, somebody may come and present an improved version of this build as I have said already this is a fun build, no ESL material so….wasn’t expecting proclamations of any sort, but still glad you find my build interesting, cheers

I used to run a very similar build for WvW purposes, but I just didn’t end up liking how it operated. The damage just seemed to low, and it didn’t really have the sort of survivability I expected it to have. I later switched to a d/f build with a more standard trait spread, and I just liked the way it played better overall.

I can’t remember if I ever tried this sort build in PvP though, maybe I’ll give that a go.

Supreme.3164:

Well thx guys, shame the build wasn’t well received, but that’s to be expected.
The majority of players simply won’t move from meta unless they see the build used in ESL or similar;

No, it’s because many have tried a whole bunch of wacky builds and found they aren’t as good.

I tried this build last night and it was pretty fun. I did get mistaken for an “OP Cele” too.

As far as Condi/Diamond Skin/Stone Heart builds go, this felt much more overall flexible and capable than something like 62600 S/F Signet Earth Camper.

Thanks for posting this build! (Me likely the match-up analysis too!)

OMGimAnoobLOLOL.4730:

I tried this build last night and it was pretty fun. I did get mistaken for an “OP Cele” too.

As far as Condi/Diamond Skin/Stone Heart builds go, this felt much more overall flexible and capable than something like 62600 S/F Signet Earth Camper.

Thanks for posting this build! (Me likely the match-up analysis too!)

Glad you like the build, I’m about to post another “crazy” build ^^

I think you should Take rock solid over the slight damage increase. Going that deep in earth and missing out on aoe stability on an extremely Short CD. Do You Need the Xetra punch?

Could Open up aether heal and runes of balthazar combo for a 4 Second pbaoe burn on a short cd.

Although i guess the signet is crucial for the sustain.

The build looks like a lot of fun and am going to try it tonight