Rifle Build -Just The Rifle No Other Weapon!
Poor craftsman blame their tools. Poor players blame their Engineer.
(edited by Cempa.3645)
Since I have yet to really see my particular build discussed much I figured I should share It with fellow rifle loving engineer’s. It’s pretty much a Elixir glass cannon build with a few little quirks that I absolutely love using in both sPvP and WvW.
So this build is based around the “Invigorating speed” Major trait in the Alchemy tree. It provides Vigor(Which is 100% endurance regeneration) for 5secs whenever you gain swiftness. With the combination of Elixir B, Rune of the Centaur(When you use a heal skill you and nearby allies gain swiftness for 10s) and Major trait “Infused Precision”(50% chance on crit to gain swiftness for 5 seconds, 5sec cool down) in the Firearms tree this gives you a near-permanent 100% endurance regeneration. This feels amazing to have that mobility.
The other major thing worth mentioning is the healing turret trick I learnt from these forums. Taking the Major trait “Accelerant-Packer Turrets” gives you a great AoE knockback that can be used to escape an “Oh crap” moment, or for simply placing while running and zoning out pursuers. This extra knock back also get’s applied to your Elite skill turrets which for point defense is great since AoE tends to kill them if you’re hugging the point. It’s a pretty short range explosion but pulling it off doesn’t seem like an issue.
The firearms tree is pretty standard taking the 20% reduced cool downs and the 10% extra damage for rifles. I prefer this over the extra range since once a fight breaks out I’m usually the one controlling the field of battle (Also for chasing my perma-speed+Vigor never lets me down).
For the other skills I take Elixir B, R and U. Elixir B is just a great all round skill and shouldn’t need explanation. As for U I find it provides that little bit of burst that I feel lacking at times and gives great utility for quick stomps/revives. While the random toss can be quite frustrating at times, i find it really helps out with ranged opponents(Blind/reflect wall mainly).
And last but not least Elixir R, this skill has drawn a few nerd rages from players in sPvP and is absolutely amazing. Not only does it provide a counter to the “haste” condition of Elixir U(Instant endurance refill), it also allows for a self revive. I’ve gotten quite good with the timing and can nearly pull it off 100%. My mark for tossing it is around the ~2k health mark(depending on opponent) and simply standing in the AoE getting ready to down. If you are up against 1 opponent it is a guaranteed revive provided you hit them with the #2 skill and cast #4 right after. As soon as you get back up they are usually right on top of you so use the heal knock back and you are right back in the game.
The general combat strategy is to Pop Elixir B then U(If in combat I hit U first for a quick B ) following up with either an aggressive charge if ranged or back peddle with net if melee. I find the best combo you can deal is a #4 instantly chasing them as they fly away, and as soon as they start to get up hit them with a net(Nearly guaranteed from knockback) into a #5 getting both the jump and landing damage on them. If using this on a melee you still have the heal knock back to keep them off you.
Overall I’m in love with the build. You get an amazing amount of control and I have nearly no trouble 1v1 or point defending with it. I think there is room to drop some of the movement buffs(ie Infused precision) and still get a major benefit from the Vigor trait. I hope you give it a shot and critique away
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P.s Longer then I thought. Got carried away :P