Guild Wars 2

Hey, so I’m looking to enter the BOTM contest, and wondering if anyone wouldn’t mind helping to test/refine a build I’ve been using. It’s somewhat similar to others here (but honestly, at this point, what isn’t?), but I’ve been having a good amount of success with it.

Name: As yet undecided, probably something to do with cripple

This is a power-focused cripple build which relies on PU for defense and puts out near-perma cripple, weakness, and retal.

It’s a 20/20/30 Greatsword & Scepter/Torch (or sword/torch) with a mix of Zerker, Knight’s, and a little Rabid, with damage about 80/20 direct vs. condition. (I swap in more knights for running with zerg.)

But the unique(er) element, I think, is the playstyle. Basically, the goal is to get two phantasms up and then to spam the hell out a single clone, constantly overwriting the clone (which should be sticking to target) and taking full advantage of the clone-on-death traits. I’ve managed to easily get upwards of 15 seconds of cripple and weakness doing this, and they can be constantly reapplied. It also allows swapping into torch trait if you need better condi clearing.

It takes the best elements of Blackwater and phantasm builds, but adds some more burst and control, and takes full advantage of retaliation as well.

Anyway, I’d love some input or help testing it out. I’m on the fence about swapping scepter for sword, too, and wondering if anyone has an opinion. Also, I can’t really figure out the min/max element of whether the condition damage is incidental enough that I should just go all out power and ignore the rabid.

Thanks.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fgAQNAR7flwzKqHUTmGb9IipHBnvBckUUapWJF62FC-jUDBYLAINRm+AmABiEBI5BKBiIjtMsIasqaA6FYqUJV5KyeDKrSBAzYA-w

nb. sorry for the abbreviations in the title. kitten those character limitations.

edit: subbed in correct build. sorry.

edit2: swapped in sigil of hydromancy on scepter (after 25 stacks, of course). been playing with it tonight and I’m never dying.

Sup Bunda. Glad you be joining us in our build of the month contest. Here is my thought on this build, since I used to use this build for my Apex Predator build instead of the one I have there. I have been using this build since September, so I know this build inside out, and I was the first on to post a build on it and make a vid of it. So take my word for it everything I say right now:

This build is generally really really really bad when it comes to handling more than 1 people. That is the sad truth I will have to say. I know I am coming on a little too strong, but it is the sad truth. If you get spotted in GS, or you run out of stealth in GS, you are screwed. There is just no melee capabilties to deal with this situation when it comes, notice how I said when instead of if. It also isn’t worth the time in Zerg fights. It’s only best option is to roam and try to find one on one fights, or try to run with At least 3 people or more. Running with just a thief isn’t even close to increasing your survivability. If your enemy chooses to target you the whole fight, you are bound to crumble under pressure. I saw this happen to me A Lot in my time running this build. This build is too easy to figure out. At least with the sword combo, you know how to gap close and manipulate your way around your opponents to get a better advantage. With this build, your only souce of survive against 2 or more people is Blink. Once you use up blink, you only have your stealths to save you. If your enemies spot you and immobilizes you, you will die very fast. I am so very sorry if I discouraged you and sounded like a total, massive jerk. I’m just trying to warn you what will happen in situations that are very very very common in WvW. Continue to put this build onto the BotM if you would like. It’s still very cool definitely.

Thanks for feedback.

Yeah, I play with sword sometimes as well when outnumbered (and in zergs), but like scepter more for roaming. I feel build gives me enough speed/stealth/control to dictate terms of fight re: positioning.

So keep in mind that these are the build’s (Scepter/Torch- GS)major weaknesses that needs to be known.

1. Very bad in 1 vs X (You will need veil to last longer tho, but doesn’t give you higher chance of coming out alive)

2. Control attacks are death of this build(Chill, Cripple, Weakness, immobilize, and most fearful of them all, Stunsss.)

3. too dependent on Blink as a source of repositioning and survivability when out of stealth.

Just Watch outfr these things when you roam, I’m talking about the Scepter/Torch- GS combo rather than having Sword/Torch

I’m done talking now and bothering you. Have fun and enjoy the contest! Good luck!

-from a fellow competitor.

Bunda, go ahead and link this build into the OMFG testing thread for some testers to see.

I’ve been playing something kind of similar to this in WvW recently, and it’s been pretty effective imo. Differences being I have no condition gear at all (knight/zerk/cavalier mix), and I’m running dual-swords with Blade Training instead of Scepter/Torch. Also moved 10 points from Dom to Inspiration for glamor cooldowns (veil/feedback/null/portal all useful in wvw).

In general, I’m fairly happy with it, although I’ve also been thinking about swapping in some condition gear to add more pressure. I will say it’s very durable and generally capable of handling 1vX fights given all the stealth and boons from PU.