Guild Wars 2

i just made an elementalist and im not sure how to play WvW with one exactly im not sure which would give me more dps and more of an ability to help my group out while still maintaining decent survivbility.

for 1vs1 and small scale battles scepter and dagger, its what do you prefer better, for larger battles best is staff.

You’re kinda pinholed into going dagger/dagger. Despite nerfs to RTL, cleansing wave, and other traits that synergize with dagger/dagger, its best to still do this. Unless however, you can find a way to wield a scepter in the offhand. No one has really tried a dagger/scepter build though.

The war experience has changed a lot for the Ele. I used to run with PTV + Rabid. It was great for d/d, and the staff damage was not aweful. Staff is the most important weapon for the Ele in WvW. You will use it more than you like, even if you despise being a staff caster. I was eventually in conflict with that fact. YouTube videos showed me what damage I should be getting on the staff to be useful. I switched to Berserk + Rabid, but that still was not enough. You need to go all in on dps to get the result the game is balanced for. Either go max Power and Condition Damage with reliance on traits, skills and morphs to max dps, or push Power, Precision and Critical Damage. The second option is probably the best right now. The only offensive counter to loads of conditions is loads of unmitigable instant damage. Invulnerability will defeat you still.

Remm.2375:

i just made an elementalist and im not sure how to play WvW with one exactly im not sure which would give me more dps and more of an ability to help my group out while still maintaining decent survivbility.

Staff.

Learn it, live it, love it.

In big fights you won’t even get in range to deal damage with a d/d setup unless you go full bunker, but then you won’t really be dealing damage (always a bit funny/sad to see videos of some bunker d/d rocking 3k crits with churning earth).

S/D has great single target burst and some good pbaoe burst from OH dagger, but requires a target for many attacks, which can be difficult in large fights or fights with thieves (click that low health guy in the middle of the stack for a lightning burst? gl with that).

My advice to new WvW elementalists is as follows:

Spec: Basic zerg support Elementalist.

The basic idea with this build is a live elementalist is better support than a dead elementalist. It’s tanky enough to stand front line combat in large groups, does halfway decent damage and oozes supportive boons and heals mostly just by doing it’s own thing. Feel free to adapt that to your preferred gear/style, add in more damage gear as you learn positioning and get more experience. Weapons and utilities and traits can be changed depending on situation.

ImProVocateur.5189:

The war experience has changed a lot for the Ele. I used to run with PTV + Rabid. It was great for d/d, and the staff damage was not aweful. Staff is the most important weapon for the Ele in WvW. You will use it more than you like, even if you despise being a staff caster. I was eventually in conflict with that fact. YouTube videos showed me what damage I should be getting on the staff to be useful. I switched to Berserk + Rabid, but that still was not enough. You need to go all in on dps to get the result the game is balanced for. Either go max Power and Condition Damage with reliance on traits, skills and morphs to max dps, or push Power, Precision and Critical Damage. The second option is probably the best right now. The only offensive counter to loads of conditions is loads of unmitigable instant damage. Invulnerability will defeat you still.

Running glass in WvW is asking to be rally bait. Please don’t listen to this one, unless you are uber and run with a very experienced team.

Start off with dagger/dagger set because it is a lot easier than s/d. Once you get used to the Elementalist mechanic and mastered d/d only then switch to s/d as it is better for larger scale battles.

went from d/d all a rounder (knights armor so not pvt and not zerker) to now going to s/d and trying s/d zerker and didn’t like.

my take s/d is looking really it to me seems still viable in knights but I am working to celestial. others will say (an probably better than me) the s/d really needs full zerker but I tried it and died horribly everytime. so far celestial with knights mix I can live and burst down players (im no pro but neither are they). yes my engi is still easier but now my ele can kill again too rather than try an tickle em to death. also scepter gives you more time to dodge.

S/D Fresh air burst/sustained dmg build. I use it and love it and have zero problems taking down any class. Some fights are longer then others, ie, stealth Mesmer, bunker build guards/wars, hammer stun wars. But only longer in the sense that they’re either just bunker and have a ton of regen/toughness/protection or they’re incised 90% of the fight.

Most stealth thieves are running condi specs and can’t take even the air attunements burst, let alone the fire attunement burst.

I will say though that it’s taken me a long time to get my build just right and find the perfect gear set and skills to run with. It’s also an entirely different style of play and you need to know who you’re fighting and what they’re (probably) specced for.

But for just a safer all around roaming build, go with a d/d hybrid bunker build that you can slap a staff on when you’re with a Zerg. With d/d you’re basically locked into using the SoR for your heal and then you need evasive arcana for the condi cleanse and maybe even CF depending on who you’re fighting.

That’s one of the reasons I chose s/d over d/d because it let me use ER for my heal and if I’m fighting an super aggressive bunker condi build then I just throw SoW for the passive EA condi cleanse(1 condi cure every 10 secs). But usually I’m good with using my standard skills and haven’t had to put SoW on my bar lately.

My gear, full celestial armor/beryl orbs… Valk scepter,SOF/celestial dagger,SOB… Cavalier, zerk/valk, pvt trinkets.

Bhima.9518:

ImProVocateur.5189:

… You need to go all in on dps to get the result the game is balanced for …

Running glass in WvW is asking to be rally bait. Please don’t listen to this one, unless you are uber and run with a very experienced team.

True, and true. You do need to go all in on dps if you want to make an impact as an Ele, but that is not the path recommended. I agree with the people that say a dead Ele is not helping. I urge players to think about playing something else. If you are not going to figure out how to do full dps, and you don’t have the skills to bunker roam, then the only advice everyone gets is to play buff bot spec. I would rather support you in trying the challenge of full dps.

l2mix gear

My build, used in raids with 25people and now in small scale roaming
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fEAQJAoIGAIPOxFWEFeo8YmcsB-jEDBoLBkEBgIAM5DI9RZNBKilhCRVNasqaRWZDT5CQFLpCBIaMA-w

Stack Bloodlust(get 2 weapons to get 25 stacks after 13 kills)
For staff, just switch to Blasting Staff and Bolt to the Heart
Water line can we changed around(faster recharger on Water skills, condi cleanse when you switch to water, aura share)

other builds:
0 15 0 25 30
0 20 0 20 30
0 15 10 15 30

Acotje.5689:

l2mix gear

My build, used in raids with 25people and now in small scale roaming
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fEAQJAoIGAIPOxFWEFeo8YmcsB-jEDBoLBkEBgIAM5DI9RZNBKilhCRVNasqaRWZDT5CQFLpCBIaMA-w

Stack Bloodlust(get 2 weapons to get 25 stacks after 13 kills)
For staff, just switch to Blasting Staff and Bolt to the Heart
Water line can we changed around(faster recharger on Water skills, condi cleanse when you switch to water, aura share)

other builds:
0 15 0 25 30
0 20 0 20 30
0 15 10 15 30

30 arcana is just an old crutch that people need to learn to get over. Max should be 20 if you want to run blasting staff, but its definitely not needed. I would even say that only 10 is the max in arcana and thats just for the extra boons/fury on attunement. If you want more endurance, run a sigil of energy in a wep.

I run this retro light bunker build in wvw DnD and in spvp but the crit is way lower. http://gw2buildcraft.com/calculator/elementalist/?1.0|8.5i.h1h.8.5j.h1.e14.0.0|0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0|1c.71j.1c.71j.1j.71j.1c.71j.1j.71j.1c.71j|2s.d1a.2v.e14.3v.0.2v.0.3v.0.1g.67|0.p16.0.f5.u65b|0.0|1m.24.25.1s.29|e Very tank and explosive crit. It’s also fairly expensive or time consuming Also having Vitality stack helps. Switch the heals if fighting a conditions tank or change an air signet out for a cantrip via viability of the opponent. Please remember to feed the small bunnies when roaming.

Treborlavok.3504:

Acotje.5689:

l2mix gear

My build, used in raids with 25people and now in small scale roaming
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fEAQJAoIGAIPOxFWEFeo8YmcsB-jEDBoLBkEBgIAM5DI9RZNBKilhCRVNasqaRWZDT5CQFLpCBIaMA-w

Stack Bloodlust(get 2 weapons to get 25 stacks after 13 kills)
For staff, just switch to Blasting Staff and Bolt to the Heart
Water line can we changed around(faster recharger on Water skills, condi cleanse when you switch to water, aura share)

other builds:
0 15 0 25 30
0 20 0 20 30
0 15 10 15 30

30 arcana is just an old crutch that people need to learn to get over. Max should be 20 if you want to run blasting staff, but its definitely not needed. I would even say that only 10 is the max in arcana and thats just for the extra boons/fury on attunement. If you want more endurance, run a sigil of energy in a wep.

I dunno, I have 30 in arcana and am quite happy with it. It lets me cycle to water that tiny bit earlier if my group needs it (combined with shorter water cooldowns) for regroups, and also gives EA for condi cleanses and blast finishers.

(Source: 210k WvW kills)

Staff is not viable in a discussion about daggers and scepters..

(Source: 56,700,000 Pvp kills since June 2005 in Guild wars series TA, RA, GvG, HOH, AB, FA, JQ, CODEX and silly Costume brawl. Well lets not even talk about Guild Wars 2 lol.)

Atrophied.8725:

Treborlavok.3504:

Acotje.5689:

l2mix gear

My build, used in raids with 25people and now in small scale roaming
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fEAQJAoIGAIPOxFWEFeo8YmcsB-jEDBoLBkEBgIAM5DI9RZNBKilhCRVNasqaRWZDT5CQFLpCBIaMA-w

Stack Bloodlust(get 2 weapons to get 25 stacks after 13 kills)
For staff, just switch to Blasting Staff and Bolt to the Heart
Water line can we changed around(faster recharger on Water skills, condi cleanse when you switch to water, aura share)

other builds:
0 15 0 25 30
0 20 0 20 30
0 15 10 15 30

30 arcana is just an old crutch that people need to learn to get over. Max should be 20 if you want to run blasting staff, but its definitely not needed. I would even say that only 10 is the max in arcana and thats just for the extra boons/fury on attunement. If you want more endurance, run a sigil of energy in a wep.

I dunno, I have 30 in arcana and am quite happy with it. It lets me cycle to water that tiny bit earlier if my group needs it (combined with shorter water cooldowns) for regroups, and also gives EA for condi cleanses and blast finishers.

(Source: 210k WvW kills)

I don’t use staff often, if at all. But if I were to use it full time for zerging over my s\d build I would probably go full bunker/buff bot for the Zerg. So in that area, yea sure I can see your point about the arcana line. But for d/x and s/x it’s wasted points that you can better spend in attaining more dmg and dmg mitigation and learning better tactics for solo/small group roaming.

Arcana is not wasted points for any weapons. I have rebelled against Arcana since the nerfs started, even though I have felt the drop in quality play ever since. Check out my thread here: my post . Use that spreadsheet to check what I’m saying.

Reasons why players serious about winning feel stuck with Arcana:
.. All the weapon specific traits are in Arcana
.. 2 of 4 “on crit” procs is in Arcana (the 25 freebie trait is one)
.. 1 of 2 “on dodge” procs is in Arcana
.. 4 of 6 Endurance buffs is in Arcana (the 25 freebie trait is one)
.. 2 of 4 “by attunement” multiple spell option traits is in Arcana
.. the most accessible Fury proc is in Arcana
.. freebie boons are in Arcana

If you do not spec 30 in Arcana, then you are rebelling against the system, like me. That makes us both wrong, and to advise others to do the same is irresponsible.

May i ask here for help?
I need a www build with following things:

1) i want to use both d/d and staff (so 0/10/0/30/30 or 0/20/0/20/30?)
2) i want a balanced build to be able to roam if needed or zerg
3) i can get any staff needed but i’d like to use zerk daggers
4) i can use any armor/trinkets needed
5) don t want a support role…..
6) don t want to use scepter

can anyone help me?

ImProVocateur.5189:

Arcana is not wasted points for any weapons. I have rebelled against Arcana since the nerfs started, even though I have felt the drop in quality play ever since. Check out my thread here: my post . Use that spreadsheet to check what I’m saying.

Reasons why players serious about winning feel stuck with Arcana:
.. All the weapon specific traits are in Arcana
.. 2 of 4 “on crit” procs is in Arcana (the 25 freebie trait is one)
.. 1 of 2 “on dodge” procs is in Arcana
.. 4 of 6 Endurance buffs is in Arcana (the 25 freebie trait is one)
.. 2 of 4 “by attunement” multiple spell option traits is in Arcana
.. the most accessible Fury proc is in Arcana
.. freebie boons are in Arcana

If you do not spec 30 in Arcana, then you are rebelling against the system, like me. That makes us both wrong, and to advise others to do the same is irresponsible.

All the weapon trait in arcana are all fluff trait that no one uses.

Endurance by vigor(VI) is your only valid point with the “on crit” in arcana. But even that has little use if you know what you’re fighting and how they’re going to attack you.

Evasive arcana is the biggest crutch ppl have and need to learn to play without it. It’s 9 sec internal cd removal of 1 condition is useless, just like the signet of water with the same passive.

You’re counting 3 “endurance” buffs that mean nothing and just fill a slot in the trait tree because they’re never used it you’re taking arcana. The only endurance trait worth taking if you’re in arcana is renewing stamina(VI). Like I said the other 3 are useless and horrible choices over the main 3 arcana chosen skills. (V, VI, XI)

On crit skills… Again VI is the only worthwhile trait, the minor 25 means nothing to your overall dps.

Like I said, the only worthwhile trait to pick in the arcana line in V. Putting 10 points in arcana to give you 12 second attunement CDs(20%), 10% boon duration, elemental attunement(fire/might, water/regen, air/swiftness, earth/protection), and lastly the minor 5 points giving you fury on attunement.

Instead of wasting 20 points to get EA and renewing stamina. Take 20 points and put them into air, earth, or fire for more dmg, dmg mitigation. Use ER for your heal and trait/gear properly. I’ll say it again, it’s not “irresponsible” to tell people to not put 30 in arcana. It’s advising them that they can be just as successful, if not more so, by allocating those extra 20 points elsewhere.

You’re basically telling people they simply cannot survive without 30 in arcana. You sound like the guardians that were screaming, and still do, about AH or the heal away build. Those builds are nice and make playing easy, yes. But I’m advising them to learn to play smarter and better and succeed without the crutch of lower attunement CDs and EA.

But it also depends on your build and how you spend time in game.

I can’t believe you just called a 2k+ burst heal with condition cleanse useless. 30 in arcana boosts survival in so many ways. First of all the obvious evasive arcana. Second it lowers cd on water attune so you can trigger healing ripple more often. And then you get lower attunement swap for earth which means more protection. Not going 30 in arcana might as well be glass, since it is the only thing right now that compensates for our low hp and armor. We don’t have some uber healing signet like war that we can plug into any build, you need full arcana if you don’t wanna run a burst or die build.

And of course ER is mandatory for all ele builds at the moment. So that’s why you take it on top of 30 arcana, not in place of it.

I haven’t had any problems with my build and I’m the furthest from glassy and I’m def not bunkered.

I’m sure the guardians say/said the same thing about AH and heal away builds. I haven’t lost a fight to an ele yet over the past several months. So im obviously doing something right there’s ways around being a nice hybrid between tanky/glassy. The last time I ran 30 in arcana was when I first made my ele. I hated it then and I hate it now. It’s my point of view on the subject so take it with a grain of salt. You make your build work, I make mine work. Apples to apples really.

My key point to everything was to find what works best for you, and run with it. Be it 0 or 30 in arcana or however you want to spec. If you can make it work and be successful that’s what counts.

LordByron.8369:

May i ask here for help?
I need a www build with following things:

1) i want to use both d/d and staff (so 0/10/0/30/30 or 0/20/0/20/30?)
2) i want a balanced build to be able to roam if needed or zerg
3) i can get any staff needed but i’d like to use zerk daggers
4) i can use any armor/trinkets needed
5) don t want a support role…..
6) don t want to use scepter

can anyone help me?

Going to avoid the above debate, but, I would go something like 0/0/20/20/30. I use this spec with staff for zergs and with D/D to get to and from the zerg, havoc, and roaming. Take rock solid (earth), cleansing wave and evasive arcana and stack boon duration runes. Swap out between renewing stamina and blasting staff depending on if you are using daggers or staff.

The idea here is that rock solid gives 3-4 sec of stability on demand but you keep all the important stuff in water and arcane. this means you can get off your Ether Renewal without getting interrupted, you can stomp without blowing mist form, and you can Meteor Shower off a tower without getting pulled down.

This is a link to Intigo’s build (D/D), and I’d put him as easily one of the best elementalists in the game right now. http://en.gw2skills.net/editor/?fEAQJAoYhMmkbwx5gjDAkHm4CLiCPUeMTO2A-jEEBYgAYjgkIgUBAJfCiZPKrlhRs6KZlXBVbDT5CV7CWFTIyIGzaeI1G0QyAoPGA-w&2

Here is his channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/IntigoGW2/about

He uses a different build, but what I want to highlight is his stats. These are the stats to shoot for if you want great damage and survivability (so take the build i suggested, and try to hit the stats he has). One huge downside of GW2 right now is that elementalists NEED celestial armor to be this good, and you have to jump through rediculous hoops just to get it (5 days of charging crystals per 1 piece of gear, +400 tailoring, expensive material cost). The state of aquiring celestial armor is total BS at the moment. They really need to add this to a dungeon token.

Meanwhile any necro can pick up a full set of Dire and be a god for 18g.

Edit: a possible 0/0/20/20/30 keeping Intigo’s stats (you will eventually have to lose the zerker daggers i think, but notice the crit damage is still very high): http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fEAQJAoYhEmkbwx5gjDAEFm4yQRIjUeMTO2A-jEEBYjBkEBkKAI5TQM7RZtMMiVXJr8KoqaQabYKXoaXJWFDwIGzaeI1G0QyAoPGA-w

I rotate between soothing disruption, cantrip recharge and falling damage for that slot depending on what im running and what map im on, as i expect many do.

One of the big reasons I like 30 in arcana is because the reduced recharge + Rock Solid means more frequent applications of stability for both me and my teammates (that also lasts longer thanks to the boon duration bonus). Stability is so so clutch in large engagements, and also very useful against the stun warriors because their crit chance is usually crap when you aren’t stunned.

Do I think there are builds that can do fine without 30 in arcane? Yes. Do I think 30 arcana is a crutch? No. There are too many goodies there for it to be a bad idea, imo.

Also, no, you don’t have to run full bunker to successfully D/D in big battles as long as you/your commander are good. You need more than base toughness obviously, but not full bunker. EDIT: I dunno if I would even say you must be “good” so much as you must have done it enough to understand zerg mechanics a bit. Takes a little practice, but once you get it you will very rarely end up downed.

Treborlavok.3504,
I will try to shed some light on the Armor inefficiency conundrum for the Elementalist. Please refer to the small .jpeg attachment for figures. Aside from any hidden code limiting the effectiveness of Armor for the Elementalist, damage reduction is less useful for a character that has less Health. We know every point in Vitality adds 10 to Health. We can calculate how much Health each point in Armor is worth by factoring its efficiency. Now, I won’t try to explain the whole equation, but you can see in the attached Microsoft Excel screen shot that the equivalent Health value of Armor points increase as the Armor moves further from the mean (Armor 2600). It makes sense to put a small number of points into Toughness to raise Armor at the low level, but Armor efficiency is reduced greatly as it nears the mean. Using a Cavalier back piece makes sense. Maybe even using one other +Toughness item. The build you have shown uses too many Cavalier items. It would be best for the Ele to use Valkyrie because of the inefficiency of Armor due to the low Health.