Guild Wars 2

I decided to have some fun yesterday and started changing the trait lines (mostly reordering but also some modified/new traits) in a way which I prefer. I initially did that for myself only, especially since I do not expect the devs to reorganize things so much. But at the end decided to share it anyway.

I used a very rationale approach, with a set of rules:

• a clear theme for each line
• GM actually build-defining, often centered around the phantasm, shattering or interrupt playstyles
• always something useful for any build on each tier (not necessarily ideal, but useful): this one is obviously tricky so I don’t think I necessarily managed
• associate weapons and utilities to the most obvious trait line, never put 2 weapon trait on the same tier
• when a weapon is only one hand, the trait also has a benefit non bound to the weapon to increase choices and keeping traits as strong

The traits are arranged as 3 minors, 3 adepts, 3 master and 3 GM

Domination
direct damage line. Weapons= GS, sword/spear. Utility = mantra (mantras are bursty and usually damage related). 3 GM adding big damage.

• Dazzling (3 vuln for 5s), Illusion of Vulnerability (5 vuln for 8s), Fragility (multiplier apply also to phantasm)
• Fencer’s Finesse, Furious Interruption, Shattered Strength
• Imagined Burden, Harmonious Mantra, Confounding Suggestion
• Power Block, Mental Anguish, Empowered Illusion

no much changes, mostly exchanging the two first minors to reward interrupts more than dazes and acknowledging phantasm builds as “being a thing” and not a side. Because Dueling was changed to a mostly condi line, many dueling traits ended up here.

Dueling
mostly condi line (we know condis are best for dueling and not group) but also crits to be still useful to power builds. Weapons= scepter. 3 GM themed on confusion

• Master Fencer, Phantasmal Fury, Master of Misdirection
• Duelist’s Discipline (without the bleeds on pistol but including Sharper Images), Maim the Disillusioned, Tormenting reflection (reflected projectiles inflict torment)
• Distracting perplexity (add 20% crit chance vs confused enemies), Malicious Sorcery (+ increased torment duration) , Rending Shatter
• Mistrust (Reduce daze duration to 0.25s, dazed foes are blinded, interrupted foes are inflicted 4 stacks confusion for 5s), Illusionary Retribution, Confusing Combatants (Phantasms apply 2s confusion on crits)

This is the biggest change. Most of the condi traits from illusions are transferred here. Illusionary Retribution in particular is now GM, because let’s be honest, it is very strong and defines the condi shatter build. One can still use this line to good effect for power builds mostly thanks to Distracting perplexity. Really not sure about Tormenting reflection, but was lacking idea… Reduced daze duration for Mistrust is I believe a great way to not counteract the confusion and torment. Confusing combatants can be used on fast hitting phantasm (iDuel/iWar) for high condi damage or on regularly hitting ones (sword) on power builds to just maintain permanent confusion to proc Distracting perplexity.

Chaos
Defensive line. Weapons= Staff. Utility = Manipulation. 3 GM based on boon generation (interrupts, shatters and Stealth, as currently)

• Evasive Infusion (gain 5s vigor when evading an attack, 10s iCD), Metaphysical Rejuvenation (+Illusionary Membrane), Chaotic Persistence
• Master of Manipulation, Mirror of Anguish , Ineptitude
• Evasive Mirror, The Pledge (+ Desperate Decoy), Chaotic Dampening (+ Descent into Madness)
• Bountiful Disillusionment, Chaotic Interruption, Prismatic Understanding

Not many changes. Evasive infusion replaces Critical Infusion (makes more sense in a defensive line I believe and still accessible to the current meta shatter builds to proc DE). The fall trait was merged with the staff trait because let’s be honest, it is very situational and thus currently reduces build diversity.

Inspiration
support line. Weapons: focus. Utilities: glamour. 3 build defining GM: phantasm, boonshare, supportive shatter

• Healing Prism (percentage of healing you give to self also heals allies), Mender’s Purity, Chaotic presence (nearby allies gain a random boon every 3s)
• Warden’s Feedback (+ Medic’s Feedback), Mental Defense, Inspiring Distortion (+ whenever you dodge your phantasms get 1s distortion)
• Temporal Enchanter, Protected Phantasms, Restorative Mantras
• Persisting Images (buffed to 100% health+ Phantasms grant regeneration to nearby allies), Bountiful Inspiration (cast signet of inspiration whenever 4 or more boons on you. Whenever cast signet of inspiration, convert 2 condis on nearby allies to boons), Restorative Illusions (slightly buffed and AOE now)

not many changes. Added Chaotic presence as an “aura”, like all other classes but engineer has that gives unique support by “just being there”. Tried to significantly buff phantasm survivability here.

Illusions
the illusion line, focused on both illusions and shatters. utility: illusions + signet (signets have no real themes, but many affect illusions, my other idea was dueling since many also affect conditions). 3 GM : different ways to boost illusion generation

• Illusionist’s Celerity, shatter virtuoso (Reduces recharge of shatter skills), Master of Fragmentation
• Compounding Power, Blinding Dissipation, Blurred Inscriptions
• Phantasmal Haste, Shattered Concentration, Illusionary Defense
• Deceptive Evasion, Persistence of Memory (buffed), Sum of All Fears (cast a clone whenever you interrupt a foe)

I know some people suggested that instead of being forced into dueling for DE, we should add one illusion generation on each trait line. However, having played often without DE, I really think DE is not needed. And in particular, with this trait changes, I tried to make sure that non-shatter builds (in particular interrupt and phantasm) are viable.

As I said, I don’t expect this to be used, but since it took me some time, I would welcome comments and suggestions.