Guild Wars 2

I am sure many people have posted their thoughts and builds for this, but I chose to make my own and check its validity with others. This is the build I would like to use, http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fRAQNAW3djc00UbbNu2webicBR6Y3qN5xnQGYGA-TFiGABP/AAu+gAQkyPAOCASpEM3LAAgq/wx+DBAOAs8yL/8zP3vDP8wDPcpAuYoF-w I have based it heavily off of what I have used in SPVP since the game came out. (With minor tweaks as updates came) Can anybody produce a solid argument as to why this is not a good roaming spec? I am well aware that for “group fights” or “zerging” it is wiser to run wells. But I am set on (attempting) MM being a valid spec for me to run and hope that me posting this may turn out well.

I can’t speak much on specific stat choices, but Soldier is probably the best for WvW. Also there isn’t necessarily anything wrong with MM in roaming, I’m not sure if I’d recommend it because roaming exacerbates AI issues, but barring that its fine.

Bloodthirst is not worth taking. It just mathematically isn’t worth it, Mark of Evasion is literally better in every way if you want damage and healing. If you had Dagger it would be somewhat debatable, although transfusion is still too good to pass up, but at least then it’d be close. I’d take transfusion though, the ability to heal your minions, especially in the face of a strong AoE build is really helpful.

Use Bone Fiend over SG. You’re missing out damage, a really strong immobilize, you’re missing all the minion benefits you’d get as well, and Bone Fiend is a really reliable minion AI wise. It also fills nearly the exact same role.

If you’re going to use staff then use dagger on your extra weapon set or you lack damage way too much. Axe is only worth taking on an MM build if you are using it with dagger on the other set. I’d also really recommend a warhorn, everything it has synergizes with MM, plus the interrupt is insanely useful against blocks.

For runes I’d suggest a different set. Dolyak’s isn’t bad but the healing isn’t amazing, and MM’s issue isn’t living long enough, its not killing things fast enough. Pack runes, Ogre runes, even Traveler since you’re in WvW. Also you really want leeching on each weapon set (same deal, mo damage, plus healing), and the other is kinda open but energy is really strong (nothing wrong with condi removal though like you have now).

Overall though MM is fine, there are just small changes and you’re good to go.

@Bhawb
I suppose it would not kill me to explain my choices no? Alright. So as I said, this is based off of my TPVP build. The dolyak runes are because I prefer to survive long enough for my pets to make the kill. As you can see from the build, it is heavily put into the fact that my pets damage is based off of my power while still giving me a ton of vit and tough. With that said, I am unsure of this, but I remember reading somewhere that bloodthirst would actually count towards my pets. As in when they are siphoning hp towards me in order to heal me. That is why I use that, but you make a good point with the mark trait. The bone fiend is truly nice, and I had to pick between those two pets and SG seemed to not bug out as often as the bone fiend did. That is really the only reason. I chose to use focus for the 5 skill. It removes 3 buffs (which I noticed a ton of people in WVW battles stack for might) and does extra damage for each buff. I am attempting to stack vulnerability on them. That number 4 skill makes 3 stacks every time it returns to them while also giving me regen (if I am in range). Thus my number one skill (on its first two hits) gives 1 vul while that skill does 6 if I am within range. The axe and focus are mainly meant to keep stacks of vul up to maximize my pets damage while still giving me some attack. The bone minions attack (when they explode) does a ton of damage when vul is 10 or more. It also poisons. I am not disregarding your thoughts, only sharing on my reasons why I put what I put. In all honesty though, I am unsure what to put in the skill slots. Or at least the 4th. I put a well, but I may change it. I used that one in order to pull them near me so I could get regen off my number 4 skill of focus. But maybe the Well of Power would also be suitable?

Nevermore.6542:

With that said, I am unsure of this, but I remember reading somewhere that bloodthirst would actually count towards my pets.

Bloodthirst works on all of your siphoning traits, Dagger 2, downed state 1, and Signet of the Locust (maybe others I’m forgetting, not sure). It does not heal your minions though, if that is what you are asking

In your build, you have two siphon traits and nothing else. Vampiric Master will trigger 2.167 times per second on average in ideal situations (falls to 1.75 any time bone minions are blown up).

I don’t actually trust the build editor, but according to it that means 2.167(58)1.2 for DPS and 2.167(49)1.2 for HPS, or 151 DPS and 127 HPS. The bloodthirst addition to that is only 25 DPS and 19 HPS.

On the other hand, Mark of Evasion is 2 Bleeds for 850 damage over 10 seconds (technically 10.5 but we will ignore the possibility for the 11th tick). That is 85 DPS, over 3 times as much DPS as Bloodthirst’s addition. It also grants a 6 second Regen, for 1050 HP, or a 105 HPS (10s ICD on MoE), this time 4 times higher healing. Both of these are also AoE, meaning your minions can be healed, and you can hit multiple enemies. On top of that is the cover condition that bleeds provide, meaning even if they get removed they will very likely cover your important conditions.

So basically, there is no reason to take Bloodthirst in an MM build, it just works out to be worse in every way.

Nevermore.6542:

Or at least the 4th. I put a well, but I may change it. I used that one in order to pull them near me so I could get regen off my number 4 skill of focus. But maybe the Well of Power would also be suitable?

If you are going to use your extra utility slot for a non-minion, use Bone Fiend instead of Shadow Fiend, and Well of Suffering. Extra vulnerability, a lot of extra damage (which you are going to lack), and you take Bone Fiend because it is much more reliable than Shadow Fiend, and the active is massively better, plus it will synergize with your well.

Running without a stunbreak and no swiftness will be incredibly frustrating for you in wvw tbh. Replace grasp with walk maybe?

@manveruppd
Perhaps you are right. And that is valid! The only reason I put grasp is for 1.) to pull them closer for my pets to hit and 2.) for the chill to cripple them. But I suppose I can see how zero stability is annoying. But in all honesty, I have not had any stability for awhile. Never known how to get alot of it without having to get it via one of the two elite skills that give it.

No stunbreak isn’t that big of a deal on MM. If it really becomes an issue you can just work in energy sigils.

Not stability: swiftness! WvW involves a lot of running around!