Guild Wars 2

Out of all the Trait lines this one is the best, not even close. I really can’t think of a reason not to take soul reaping now. And even before there really wasn’t a reason not to at least invest 2 into it. We still seem to be in a Similar situation though. I don’t think Soul Reaping is too good. I do however think the others are a bit too weak in comparison. Even if you are going to be crazy and decided to dedicate to healing(A decision I have no idea why you would even consider) Foot in the grave coupled with amazing lower traits is still a very valid option. This line as everything you could want from life force generation, to Unyielding Blast, and just all around making Death Shroud better for you. You have Dhuumfire for pure condi, Deathly precision for Power and Foot in the grave for defense. If this trait line isn’t an auto include for almost every necromancer build ever I’ll be surprised. Cursing has become too niche and cut throat with itself, Blood has no real use outside of powerwells(or powermancer which are basically the same thing) and Death is kinda niche as well but far better off then Cursing and Blood. Spite seems like it has some solid options but something feels off about it. Can’t quite put my finger on it.

Conclusion, Soul reaping is the best trait line, not even close.

Agreed, no real surprise but SR is still the best trait line after the changes. I do feel there could still be a change or two here and there to fix it up a bit, for example I’d like to see Vital Persistance raised to 20% CDR for DS.

Otherwise, it was the strongest tree we had pre-patch, and then they pushed an improved Dhuumfire, and buffed a few of the traits by condensing them, so it is still really strong. I see it being included in every single build-type,

The only build I can think of that would probably pass up soul reaping, is a condition based MM and possibly power based MM.

Condi MM goes for Curses instead of SR:

- Barbed Precision or Target the Weak
- Weakening Shroud
- Path of Corruption
- Lingering Curse (Longer durations that hopefully apply to minions transfers from you to them to enemies via Necromantic Corruption) or Parasitic Bond (for more sustain in addition with vampiric, or when minions go down you’re still regening with condis).

Power MM goes for Spite instead of SR:

- Siphoned Power or Spiteful Renewal
- Reapers Might or Spiteful Talisman (problaby talisman for Chill of Death combo)
- Chill of Death
- Close to Death.

Both MMs go for Death Magic and Blood Magic for minion boosts/support:

- Beyond the Veil
- Flesh of the Master
- Greater Marks
- Necromantic Corruption.

- Vampiric
- Bloodthirst or Mark of Evasion
- Life Transfer
- Deathly Invigoration or Unholy Martyr (if it works well with Necromantic corruption… doubt it).

Every other build gets a lot by going into Soul Reaping as a must one way or the other. I’m happy about it though as it makes sense that the class specific trait line (previously at least), has major benefits for every build save for MMs, which main trait line has always been Death Magic and Blood Magic to a lesser extent.