Guild Wars 2

Hi there,

I was wondering what builds for PvE are viable. I’ve been levelling my Elementalist (playing a Lightning Hammer Build) and the majority of people I know who play them usually go D/D Zerker.
Are there viable PvE (specifically Dungeons/Fractals/World Bosses) Support Builds or Condition Damage Builds (such as bleeds in Earth Attunement) or anything else?
If there are could you please give examples or links to them, as I’d be interested in trying something other than the cookie cutter builds that the majority use. Being the highest damage, etc., isn’t my priority, I’d rather play a fun build that I’d enjoy, even just different takes on the more common builds.

Any build is viable for PvE. Killing mobs doesn’t require anything.

I posted a build in this thread that I run everywhere:

https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/elementalist/PvE-Staff-Ele/first#post2063402

It’s balanced and quick around the map. I almost never change it because staff has a role in everything except remote 1v1s against other players.

ARM.3912:

Any build is viable for PvE. Killing mobs doesn’t require anything.

This type of response is why we can’t have nice things.

10/30/10/15/5 does the job. Obviously in Berzerker. Weapon usage depends on the fights and the team, D/D will aways be ahead but many events requires you to be ranged.

There are other builds, perma fury25might with 30 fire and EA is a good group buff but it only shines if noone else supplies fury and might.

Perma burn25bleed with heavy cond damage and cond duration using Rampager can also pull impressive damage but if you have already bleed or/and burn in the group you wont be half as effective as a direct damager.

As for defensive support even if you can actually pull some decent HPS out of S/D with EA and healing ripple you have to understand the PvE right now is almost only about damage. And guardians, but also damage. And guardians.

Here’s what I use pretty much everywhere. I like it because it has pretty good defensive capabilities without skimping too much on damage. It’s also a very versatile build that allows me to switch between direct damage, condition damage, support healing, and control as I please, plus it has good mobility and a ton of dodges. Arcana 6 gives you permavigor and my Sigil of Energy procs every 9 seconds giving you basically 4x the base amount of Endurance regen. Oh, and you get permaswiftness just by casting 6 in Air, which is great for getting around the map.

I also like this build because it gives me a solid foundation on which to make changes out in the field. The utilities are all negotiable depending on what the situation calls for, and I can even swap to Staff if I need the range or AoE (just swap Arcana 6 for Arcana 8 and you’re good to go).

Anyway, it’s what works for me. (I actually use Water runes but since the #6 is bugged I’m hesitant to recommend them.)

Blaine Tog.8304:

Here’s what I use pretty much everywhere. I like it because it has pretty good defensive capabilities without skimping too much on damage. It’s also a very versatile build that allows me to switch between direct damage, condition damage, support healing, and control as I please, plus it has good mobility and a ton of dodges. Arcana 6 gives you permavigor and my Sigil of Energy procs every 9 seconds giving you basically 4x the base amount of Endurance regen. Oh, and you get permaswiftness just by casting 6 in Air, which is great for getting around the map.

I also like this build because it gives me a solid foundation on which to make changes out in the field. The utilities are all negotiable depending on what the situation calls for, and I can even swap to Staff if I need the range or AoE (just swap Arcana 6 for Arcana 8 and you’re good to go).

Anyway, it’s what works for me. (I actually use Water runes but since the #6 is bugged I’m hesitant to recommend them.)

Where did you get that Beserker back piece? What is its name?

Baladir.2736:

Where did you get that Beserker back piece? What is its name?

I didn’t, I have some random backpiece that’s a placeholder until I can get a nice one without breaking the bank. I’m saving up for my Bifrost, so I don’t wanna blow 50 gold on a back piece with 3% better stats.

The Boz.2038:

ARM.3912:

Any build is viable for PvE. Killing mobs doesn’t require anything.

This type of response is why we can’t have nice things.

It´s true though, randomly throwing points around will get you through all of the content.
If we start talking about farming dungeons you need to go look at the warrior forums, and if it´s about high level fractals you´ll figure out a build when doing lower levels.

don’t bother, make a GS mesmer or warrior for PVE if you like damage.

If you absolutely insist on Ele, and don’t mind doing substantially less damage than an equivalent mesmer/warrior, go 30/30/10/0/0 with full zerker gear.

Well the OP asked about condition and support builds too besides raw damage Iread glass). The highest possible DPS on ele is with a lighting hammer S/D might/fury stacking rotation, with 30 points in fire, and II reccomend the other 40 points in arc/water or 10 in earth so you’re not dead on the floor all the time. Plus the 20% damage on enemies with vuln while is water is a very good trait as you can sit in water on LH and as long as a teammate applies vuln, you’ll deal great DPS.

As for condition or support, a condi build is pretty awful for PvE, and slighly viable but completely outclassed by almost every other profession other than guardians for pvp/wvw. Instead value the fact that conditions are supplemental parts of the burst/sustained damage skills you’ll use in fire and earth to help pressure a foe, rather than actual great damage dealers. As far as support goes, D/D aura/boon share with rock solid/zephyr’s boon, is the best I can reccommend for organized groups in WvW, but gimmicky at best and only viable when in a synergistic and organized group.