(edited by Cold Hearted Person.6154)
Condition damage or duration?
In my experience Solo-Roaming/Small Group or sPvP, stacking up on Condi DMG vs. Condi Duration is best, just for the reason that, no matter if you have 100% Condi Duration Bonus, they can just Clense/Remove it. So hitting them with as much Condi DMG upfront in my experience is best, and makes a lot of people freak out when Condi’s is hitting like a truck.
https://www.twitch.tv/amazinphelix
For PVE Condition damage for all gear. Condi duration comes in with runes/food and you can actually get close/hit the cap (100%). So giver’s weapons aren’t worth it (only gear with duration).
Damage over duration, for the aforementioned reason that cleanse will make your duration meaningless anyway. Better to get as much damage off up-front before the condi is removed.
:: |SPvP | Rev | Engi | ::
For PVE Condition damage for all gear. Condi duration comes in with runes/food and you can actually get close/hit the cap (100%). So giver’s weapons aren’t worth it (only gear with duration).
Tho, runes for general condition duration can get only up to +15%, only on runes for specific condition the duration can reach up to 30%, but then just 1 of your condition will reach close to cap.
Also rune with duration on it are not always paired with condition damage stat, and that may potentially lower your damage, so there still is some mutual exclusiveness here.
specific is 45% for burning, general is 15% with nightmare, though you can get 25% with 2X trapper.
Combine that though with 10% tuning, 33% trait, 40% food, well, you’re at 69-83 with that(69 without tuning/rich food, it’s expensive), 15% on top and you’re at 84-98%, go balth and you’re at over 100% on burning (which apparently the pistol condi trait overlooks cap).
Now, the main reason I prefer condi damage is that burst matters. Condi already lacks in that area compared to power and I’d like to get as much as I can.
You’ll want either Balth runes, Nightmare X5 + chrysblahblah jewel/Anti-toxin run, or NightmareX4 + trapperX2. Any of those sets are solid. Nightmare+ trapper is best overall duration, Balth maximizes burn, the last is overall duration with higher damage. With optimal consumables I think the 5XNightmare option is best, without optimal consumables then Nightmare/Trapper I think is best, and Balth is also an option though ignoring bleeding is not the best idea IMO.