Guild Wars 2

The Reapers Grimoire
This book comes complete with a short story, builds, pictures and videos!

Introduction:

Hi folks!
I’ve been a Reaper main for 2 years now and been doing WvW mostly.
I’ve tried many builds, fought many fights, and I would like to share this knowledge with all the Reaper-hopefuls.
Reaper is reaping fun and you should try!

Short Story:

The story tells of how the Reapers we see in the game came about!
How did Necromancers evolve into Reapers?
Hope you are chilled by it!

Story’s Picture: https://gw2style.com/look.php?id=11700
Also, if you look closely at the picture, you might just see hidden words!

• The cell was dark, save for a faint moonlight that shone through a tiny barred opening high above the wall, casting a pale bluish glow on the ground. And upon the bluish glow, a book was laid. It was a weathered book, blacken and torn from age, its cover carved with intricate blood-red symbols.

• A tiny hand reached out from the shadows and caressed the cover, as wisps of dark mists rose, curling over his hand like a lover returning the affection. He was a practitioner of the dark arts, a necromancer. Thrown into the dungeons and left to rot, he was forgotten by the world. Night after night, he cursed the world for his plight. And then the book found him. It had appeared overnight out of thin air and whispered its dark secrets to him. And now, he was ready to learn its secrets.

• The necromancer began to chant. It was barely audible at the beginning, but slowly grew into a crescendo as the book reacted to the incantation. The book floated and hovered in the air, its pages flipping wildly. As the incantation reached its end, the book fell back unto the ground, opened. The necromancer scurried forward, eager to gaze upon the open page. This was the prophecy that the book has chosen to reveal to him!

• As he took in the page, eyes widening in horror, a painful gasp emitted from his throat as the book flashed a fiery red, searing the contents of the page into his very soul. His eyes turned blood red, glowing with an infernal flame, as his tiny body thrashed and writhed in agony on the ground. Minutes felt like years to him as the pain gnawed and grew from within. And then the pain passed as suddenly as it had began. Crawling slowly back up on his tiny legs, the picture on the page came unbidden to his mind again.

• Reapers…eight of them…and he was to be the first…

WvW – Main Game Modes

• The Solo Roamer: Someone who runs around alone or in pairs, mainly looking for one-on-one fights, taking small objectives like sentries and supply camps.
• The Havoc Grouper: Someone who runs around in small groups of 3-7 looking for group fights, taking medium objectives like towers.
• The Zergling: Someone who runs around in medium-large groups of 8-50 looking for blob fights, taking large objectives like garrions.
• The PvEer: Someone who runs around doing dailies

Builds within each mode:

I have created 8 Reapers, each suited for different flavors within the game modes above.
And I would like to share their builds with you, if it will ease you into the WvW Reaper scene easier.

• Introducing my eight reapers:
  http://imgur.com/SqOoTyi

The main character in the story above is actually the Asura in the picture (bottom row, third from left).
He was my very first necromancer and I had lots of fun playing him. He used to be my main roamer in WvW but I’ve since retired him to doing PvE!

PvE build:

Anything goes really. Just need to run fast and be tanky. So tanky armor like Dire or Soldiers and all the running skills and weapons.

• PvE Build: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vRAQNBmQDbkjGqsxibwvG4vxC0gR1C6Bvg4UYLsGK1ACALLA-TVhXABAo8jH1fcQJoo7PAiuBA-w

My Reaper in picture: bottom row, third from left (Asura)

Zergling build:

You need to decide if you want to go front-line melee style or mid/back-line range style.
Front-line melee, you need to be tanky, you need to survive.
Mid/Back-line range, you need to deal massive damage.

• Front-line melee style build: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vRAQNBmOD7kZToyGsaTwdTg/GsYNYUtgYwIQKAEy+VxZwQYKE-T1BIABBcRAAf/BAeCA9p+TTKBDT3gQK/IFglDtA-w

My Reaper in picture: top row, third from left (Norn)

• Mid/Back-line range style build: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vRAQNAW4djc0QfN2SD20A/NOgGqZF0BlANH6hPV2ABwyC-TFCEABtpbAl9HM4KAAwDAIR1fg4gAslSQmU+RKArmgB-w

My Reaper in picture: top row, second from left (Human)

Havoc Group Build

When you roam in a group, and meet enemy havoc groups, chances are high that the first one the enemies target is the Reaper. So you need to have decent survivability and damage/boon removals. The easiest choice would be a dire/carrion set, or if you’re more adventurous, a full melee reaper set!

• Corrupto-reaper build: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vRAQNAW7Yjc0Q5N2ZDW3A/NWKGsoAwAIBQ9EmC3q4f4QMJC-T1RAQBlU5HqU/pmKBtwFBQR6G6x+DA4JAQKArmgB-w

My Reaper in picture: top row, fourth from left (Human)

• Sustain-shout build: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vRAQNAW7YnMbClbid2AubC0biFoBjKH0DCVSNgAwyKuE2CjhA-T1xFABst/giq/0nSw20NAwVAYhHCQTK/IFgVTwA-w

My Reaper in picture: bottom row, second from left (Charr)

• Pure-melee build: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vRAQNBhQDbkjGatxObwlGYvxCugBd1CAHAquQb4ZFnF7ilRA-T1xFABHp8LhnAgZ6GA4iAUlSQBV/5t9HAA-w

My Reaper in picture: bottom row, fourth from left (Asura)

Solo-Roamer Build

You should be geared for 1 vs 1. Since that’s what you are mostly looking for. Also unlike most other classes, reapers got little chance of escaping enounters. So gear to kill, fight to the death, whether it is 1 vs 1 or 1 vs 2 or 1 vs 20!

• Terror-Reaper Fear Build: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vRAQNAW7Ync0Al3gd2A+2A0bilgBj6KsF+VxFxlYUMKpFAiAA-TFyXwA/fAADV/pmSw5HBAA7PYS3A9LCQBlfAA-w

My Reaper in picture: top row, first picture (Human)

• Pure-power Burst Build : http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vRAQNAW3YnMbC12gd2Am3A0biFcBLuK2FDjUdh2wzC6qFAaBA-TVCFABJpEDJlGFcRAuSJIAPBgS2fINdDFq+zSKDIFQgDrA-w

My Reaper in picture: bottom row, first picture (Sylvari)

• Corrupt-Spectre Build : http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vRUQNBHhZ6kjGo8Gs4Gw3GgeTsYMYR/sAwAIuHGELiUBhqwQA-TVSDwATOFAKUCCwE0M1fot/AjnAgUlBPV6BSfQAAEA25O35RPaA-w

Pictures of my new Reaper running this build
https://gw2style.com/look.php?id=11799

Videos of Pure-power Burst in action:

I really enjoyed this. Thank you.

Calanthe.9415:

I really enjoyed this. Thank you.

Glad to hear that!

I forgotten about my condi build for solo roaming…
Added a Terror-Reaper Fear build under solo roaming!

Just out of curiosity but did you get the inspiration for the title from the mesmer sub forum? I am pretty sure I read a topic by that name at some point over there xD

Oslaf Beinir.5842:

Just out of curiosity but did you get the inspiration for the title from the mesmer sub forum? I am pretty sure I read a topic by that name at some point over there xD

um…I remember reading one similar compilation somewhere quite a while back but I can’t remember which forum or what the title was.
That said, it did inspire me to create one for necros/reapers too.

FYI, it looks like the food/utility buffs are missing on a few of the links; or in the case of the Corrupto/Reaper its got the wrong food (power food for condi build).

I presume master/toxic tuning crystals + koi-cake/veggie pizza is the norm?

Tor.1365:

FYI, it looks like the food/utility buffs are missing on a few of the links; or in the case of the Corrupto/Reaper its got the wrong food (power food for condi build).

I presume master/toxic tuning crystals + koi-cake/veggie pizza is the norm?

Ah yes, I neglected the food department for most of the listed builds.
I’m not really a food person actually, not because it isn’t good, but because I don’t have spare gold for it lol. But I’ll probably update it over the weekend when I have more time.

And yes you’re right. it’s usually condi duration and condi damage food/utility. the new writs look pretty cool too but even more expensive I reckon.

Great Post, EremiteAngel!

I loved the creative story and the videos. I was really rooting for you when you fought that one Chrono that moa’d you twice - you stuck with it, came back, and killed him! BRAVO!

Very cool post you got here! Oh and I loved the music in your vids! (You make me want to create a Reaper!)

All Hail Aberration – Demon Possessed!

Terror Reaper? People still use Terror? XD

Krypto.2069:

Great Post, EremiteAngel!

I loved the creative story and the videos. I was really rooting for you when you fought that one Chrono that moa’d you twice - you stuck with it, came back, and killed him! BRAVO!

Very cool post you got here! Oh and I loved the music in your vids! (You make me want to create a Reaper!)

All Hail Aberration – Demon Possessed!

Kind Sir, thank you for your kind words =3
And glad you enjoyed it!

Cecilia.5179:

Terror Reaper? People still use Terror? XD

I still find it decent lol.
The other 2 options in the curses tree aren’t that much of a game changer either. More boon corrupt on shroud 2 or shorter corruption CD…hmm nope.
Lets go with fear damage.
Never give up on fear!

EremiteAngel.9765:

I’ve been a Reaper main for 2 years now and been doing WvW mostly.

I have to poke a bit of fun at you over this, but how have you been playing Reaper for two years when it hasn’t even been out one year yet?

Morfedel.4165:

EremiteAngel.9765:

I’ve been a Reaper main for 2 years now and been doing WvW mostly.

I have to poke a bit of fun at you over this, but how have you been playing Reaper for two years when it hasn’t even been out one year yet?

This made me wake up when I first read it lol.
Funny how I’m now associating all my Necros as Reapers now.

I miss Necro’s range instant cast fear =(

On a side note, I’ve plans to add a few more builds here.
If anyone has builds to add/modify/propose for WvW, feel free to post!

• Undying-Commander Build for Zerging
• Condibomber frontline Build for Zerging
• Minion-Reaper Build for Havoc Roaming
• Spectral-Reaper Build for Havoc Roaming

How come knights instead of marauder+cavalier?

Now most of the time I die in a zerg it’s the godkitten epi bombs everywhere.

Condi aids are the worst.

Zenith.7301:

How come knights instead of marauder+cavalier?

Now most of the time I die in a zerg it’s the godkitten epi bombs everywhere.

Condi aids are the worst.

I assume this is referring to the the front-line melee zerg build.
I went with full toughness because theme =D
wanted to maximize the build’s niche towards an area.
Also if the worry is about condi bombs in a zerg fight, then I would choose Sentinel over marauder. Marauder feels too squishy to me to run with the commander in front.

Trait wise shrouded removal is great and can help to a certain extent.

Hi all! I added a new build:

• Corrupt-Spectre Build : http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vRUQNBHhZ6kjGo8Gs4Gw3GgeTsYMYR/sAwAIuHGELiUBhqwQA-TVSDwATOFAKUCCwE0M1fot/AjnAgUlBPV6BSfQAAEA25O35RPaA-w

Pictures of my new Reaper running this build =D
https://gw2style.com/look.php?id=11799

I’ve been experimenting with the FITG trait and this build has work very well for me in many fights. Solo roaming. Try it!

It is basically synergy between spectral and corruption utilites and heal, 7sec stun-break, weakening shroud, fury. So I called it the Corrupt Spectre.

I even have moments where I escape outnumbered situations with this build =/ (escape as in juke out of combat with spectral walk, wall and reaper dash and teleport to camp when outnumbered =D)

EremiteAngel.9765:

Cecilia.5179:

Terror Reaper? People still use Terror? XD

The other 2 options in the curses tree aren’t that much of a game changer either. More boon corrupt on shroud 2 or shorter corruption CD…hmm nope.

Never undersell these two traits, especially Master of Corruption. There’s a reason why Terror sees so little play anymore: The other two traits are as highly, if not more competitive. With stability always running around, it’s better to have more boon corrupts to get rid of stability than it is to have fears deal damage when the target doesn’t have it. Also Master of Corruption gives the spec something Condition Necro has always lacked: sustain. More frequent Consume Conditions usages means higher HP recovery, as well as playing very well in the current condition-heavy meta.

Terror is simply too inconsistent and unreliable.

Zero Solstice.9754:

EremiteAngel.9765:

Cecilia.5179:

Terror Reaper? People still use Terror? XD

The other 2 options in the curses tree aren’t that much of a game changer either. More boon corrupt on shroud 2 or shorter corruption CD…hmm nope.

Never undersell these two traits, especially Master of Corruption. There’s a reason why Terror sees so little play anymore: The other two traits are as highly, if not more competitive. With stability always running around, it’s better to have more boon corrupts to get rid of stability than it is to have fears deal damage when the target doesn’t have it. Also Master of Corruption gives the spec something Condition Necro has always lacked: sustain. More frequent Consume Conditions usages means higher HP recovery, as well as playing very well in the current condition-heavy meta.

Terror is simply too inconsistent and unreliable.

Thats true =)
You have a good point sir.
I guess that is why i seldom see terror reapers now XD