Some help! (PvP based)
Firstly, let me say that I havent had GW2 all that long (2 weeks or so) Iv not played Gw1, so I am still inexperienced that is for sure.
Now thats out the way, I wanna say I really do like the principles of the elementalist and Iv been reading a fair bit on suggested builds/play styles for sPvP but so far I have to admit, Im struggling in PvP and a bit confused.
Im currently favouring S/D but do sometimes use D/D.
Im running a 20/0/30/20/0 with cleansing fire, armor of earth and lightning flash (Toughness/Condition with precision).
However I have to say Im really struggling against some other professions in particular, Theifs, warriors, mesmers to a lesser extent and necromancers just seem to out live me. I think mesmers and warriors is a bit of a learn to play issue, but for theifs I get removed in a matter of second and I just have zero idea how to play against them. Any advise against the above mentioned proffs would be great.
Also about traits, runes and sigils. Im currently using Rune of the undead, sigil of earth and 5% crit sigil. Do the runes/sigils seem ok?
For a S/D and D/D could any one please provide some alternative builds I could try around with (Iv looked at a signet based spec which seems quite cool), however most other specs Iv tried that take a bit more damage with less survivability just seem to leave me dead to anything that even tickles me, so Iv been going back to the build I listed above.
Any advise for someone a bit lost would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Dunno much about your traits and gear but I can give some general advices.
D/D = You’ve got shocking aura-frost aura-frozen burst for example, when you see a thief going stealth wait 1-2s accordingly to the distance and pop a shocking aura if it’s up, you’ve got also lightning flash that you can use to blink away after being stunned.
A general suggestion is to be mindful of the black shadows appearing on screen, they’re created by the thief exiting stealth and because of the video bug they remain stealthed on your screen for other 2-3s, you may want to quickly turn 180 degree( to avoid backstab bonus dmg from the back) or roll dodge back.
The moment thieves use shadow refuge is the moment you want to start using your aoe less wisely because at start many thieves will use hide in shadows as first stealth and in that they can move freely.
Bait them in using shadow step(stun break), then punish them with burning speed combo( of your likes), drake’s breath and ring of earth are your best friends, cheap to use and with devastating effects on thieves who lack strong condition removal, try to use frozen burst as often as possible when they’re in range ( generally chill doesn’t work on initiative regeneration but works on utilities and main heal).
Many thieves are glass cannons so they can be easily dispatched once you learn their tricks, rare thieves run with cantrips ( just stay out of red circle-strife and kill-laugh at them), I chase thieves for fun as they try to run away ( unfortunately shortbow thieves can get away …sometimes).
For more, just add me in game and I’ll show you.
For S/D really the strategy is close related, avoid to use updraft-DT/phoenix unless you’ve got the thief pinned down ( hide in shadow and shadow step used) and just range him down with bleeding, but again this depends on how you wish to play.
Against warriors, it is pretty easy in every situation like whichever set they use, if they go ranged while you’re d/d..you can lol at them, magnetic grasp-ring of earth-frozen burst- drake’s breath etc etc; if you’re s/d you can still lol at them just dodge the overly predictable 100b and return the favour in all kindness( be mindful of their shield set, they can block attacks as you can see a double shield icon under their name do no waste your combo!), do no forget to blind their killshot ( they crouch and take aim for 2-3s, just blind that 1.5s after they start).
Also be mindful of their “endure pain” trait which activate at 25% HP i think, they don’t take dmg while is up
Against mesmers , avoid to attack them while they’ve got chaos armour up ( purple bubble around them), avoid chaos field ( purple lightning storm area), prioritize in destroying : illusion berseker ( 2h sword purple mesmer which cripple you), illusion duellist ( 2 guns purple mesmer); pay attention of the surrounding clones and when they start running toward you for the shatter , save a dodge for that( lightning flash in your case works wonders).
In d/d is useful to have shocking aura ready for when they try their sword combo, you can follow with updraft and burning speed, end with earthquake and ring of earth ( many mesmer will have used all thei daze by that time so feel free to use churning earth to destroy all clones and hopefully hit the mesmer), generally use both your breath ( cone of cold and drake) to make short works of illusions.
Do not attack with more than 6 stacks of confusion on you, be extremely aggressive when using d/d, do not show restraints or pity, a good mesmer is a dead mesmer!
Thanks a bunch for the reply Arheundel, thats some really good advise there.