Given that our class is really good for theory crafting, I have been messing with a new hybrid build, that I have found rather fun, though I am not sure if it is as effective, and I would like community input.
Essentially, the build comes down to being a watered down power build, to allow for some condition damage, while not sacrificing all toughness. Maybe I have erred but it seems to work.
I am currently running a 30 (II – focus skills), (X spinal shivers at 25%), (XII close to death), 15 (II or III depending), 10 (wells provide protection), 0, 15 (path of midnight) – sorry writing this at work, and don’t have access to the specific trait numbers off the top of my head.
Utilities:
Sigil of Spite: Yes, I actually run the Sigil of Spite with this build (+180 power, and it does not hurt to actually slam on this sigil if you’re at a clear advantage (spec with bloodlust stacks) and to add condition effects. ((I have swaped this out for blood is might on occasion as well.))
Well of Suffering: Does great damage when you have over 3k attack. If close to death kicks in, i haev seen the wells crit for 1800 in this build (which if it crits 5x in row can help out).
Well of Corruption: Add this well into the mix, and boons are stripped, and more damage is added (good mix with Dagger 3 if running a dagger).
—- note: with traits, wells add protection.
Lich form: I like it with this build. I hit for over 3200 dmg each hit, and lich offers some useful boon stripping skills. That said, plague is also not bad, because I typically run Curses III, which chills on blind.
Gear:
1 – ARMOR: PVT armor, with crests of the soldier
2 – ASSESSORIES: Perc/tough/Cond dmg asscessories with esquisite ruby orbs for added crit dmg (Kilbrons ring for one – like the 103 cond dmg).
3 – BACK PIECE: Soldiers back piece with esquisite ruby orb
4 – WEAPONS SETS (yep, no staff): Power/perc/cond dmg scepter (ember) with generosity sigil. Perc/toughness/condition dmg dagger with Earth sigil
– Zerker Axe with bloodlust/Zerker Focus with accuracy sigil (Also sometimes I swap out a zerker dagger insead of the axe.
Important Stats (Scepter/dagger vs Axe/Focus):
2970/3082 Attack (depends on weapon set) add 250 additional attack with full bloodlust stacks
2611/2539 Armor (depends on weapon set)
~ 24,000 hps (with the bowl of curry 100 perc/70 vit)
48% crit/53% crit (with bowl of curry/master maintenance oil)
22% crit dmg/ 33% crit dmg
750 condition dmg – bleeds tick at 80 with no might stacks (easy to maintain 8-10 stacks) Duration definately takes a hit on condition damage, not so bad with +20% bleed duration)
Benefits/Pros:
Decent toughness (~2611), Decent Hps (~24000)
Weapons: Decent hits with axe, dagger, and Scepter as you usually have over 3100 attack with just a few bloodlust stacks.
— Scepter/Dagger: get the bleed/poison on auto #1, #2 cripples/bleeds and hits for about 700-800 on a crit, scepter 3 crit hard and can exceed 2k dmg, dagger 4 – blinds/chills (Curses III), and dagger kitten for 800-900 and bleeds.
— Axe/Focus: Axe 1: hits, does decent damage (550-800 on each hit), and vulnerability, Axe 2 channel starts at about 3300 on heavies, to 4700 with 10 vuln stacks, to about 5500 when close to death kicks in (enemy below 50%). Axe 3 gives retaliation and hits for about 1200 on a crit. Focus 4 – good vulnerability/regen (12 stacks vuln if you bounce and 700 dmg each bounce hit) and focus 5 gives you a nice boon strip/chill, and not bad damage.
—Dagger is def beneficial: d1 give syou about a 1.2k crit on the first two hits, followed by a 2.8k+ crt on the third chain attack. D2 channel can get you 3800 easy. D3 also great for 1k hit and imobilize (use with wells).
- Added condition damage on scepter and crit hits – 80 per tic, cripple effects on scepter and axe, and duration is decent as you have 30 in spite (+30%). Not difficult to get 10, and maintain 10 stacks of bleeds.
-Access to death shroud (15 SR) – Path of midnight allows DS 2, 3, and 4 to be off cooldown faster. Popping into DS gives you fury (3 secs), and allows you to hit rather hard (crits for 2800-3200 dependign on situation), and refersh is not to bad with gluttony and axe use (or dagger).
Cons:
— Mid range fighter – tougher to stay at far range without staff, and staff utility.
— Cond dmg is low compared to some hybrid builds, and really low compared to even average condition builds (80 tics vs 130+ ticks)
— Cond duration is def below average, and whie you can maintain it, you will see it drop off quick when you swap to axe or dagger mainhand.
— mid range toughness 2600 is ok, but not exceptional, and 24000 hps is not the top for sure.
— no increased boon duration.
— dont hit as hard as a power build
Anyways, what do you guys think? Been playign it on solo roaming in WvW a bit, nothign amazing, but I would love to have input.
(edited by Gryph.8237)