Guild Wars 2

Hi guys,

I have a question abou the current viper horror meta build, to be more precise, about the use of warhorn in the build, like e.g. shown here:

- http://metabattle.com/wiki/Build:Reaper_-_Viper_Horror
- http://qtfy.enjin.com/necromancer

I just don`t understand why the use of a 2nd scepter + warhorn is superior to e.g. using staff.

With scepter + warhorn you get a daze + access to speed and crippling, from scepter you get bleed and torment. On the other hand, staff would give you a poison field, bleed (although less than scepter), condi transfer and fear.

So, from my current perspective, scepter + warhorn does not bring more to the table, than staff does, to me it seems to even be less. They both have some cc (daze vs. fear) and bleed (although in different quantities). Speed and cripple is actually not needed from warhorn 5. But staff has, in addition, a poison field + condi transfer which comes in handy very often.

So, why are you even kicked from groups if they see that you use a staff? Is scepter + warhorn really that superior that usage of staff automatically equals ultranoob? Is it because of the lifeforce generation by locust swarm? I`d maybe understand another set of scepter + dagger for the condis, but scepter + warhorn?

Maybe someone can explain to me what I fail to understand currently. Thanks in advance.

I might be wrong but this meta build is thought for PvE raid. Simply put staff is and will always be vastly inferior to scepter (traited) in this gamemode so a switch to staff hurt a lot your overall damage. The warhorn on another hand is probably the very best all around off hand weapon of the necromancer with a long daze + cripple as a CC, interesting free damage that may cause bleed on crit and doesn’t hinder your condition output and some swiftness.

Now, is it a reason for kicking someone? Well I don’t know but yes, Sc/Wh is clearly superior to staff. Well, to be more accurate, In all instance, staff will be a DPS loss against Sc/X. So understand that the issue is more the fact that you lock you out of scepter for 10 second than the fact that you don’t use warhorn.

You’re using warhorn for the additional source of breakbar damage and a weapon swap to proc Geomancy. (I suppose to a lesser degree Locus Swarm as an “oh crap” swiftness for things like making it to a green circle in time on VG—but ideally you should never have to use this.) Arguably, it’s not as important of a choice now that a lot of necros are running Flesh Golem for break bars since the Jagger Horror nerf made Lich subpar, but the only other realistic choice would be focus, as having your scepter out at all times is pretty mandatory for your max DPS.

The problem with staff is that when you swap to it, you’re only getting 5 stacks of bleed and 3 stacks of poison across the ten seconds you’re stuck there… Ten seconds on the scepter nets ~12 stacks of bleed, 3 stacks of poison, and 7 stacks of torment. So there’s really no comparison.

That said, I sometimes use staff for solo’ing the back worg during escort as it gives me an extra chill and I can have a full set of staff marks down on their spawn point for extra condi’s without actually having to switch to the staff and be shackled to it for 10 seconds.

As for groups kicking you for it…? I mean, I dunno… It SOUNDS elitist, but look at it this way: Wouldn’t it be super disappointing if your PS Warrior was using dual axes instead of mace/shield for breakbar control? Raids are all about maximizing your output and usefulness to the group, so every little bit helps.

Thanks for your feedback guys.

I didn`t really expect the damage loss to be that big and did not factor in cripple as an additional soft cc. In this light I understand why scepter/horn as a second set is more desirable than staff. Although I still like the utility staff has with poison field, chill and condi transfer. But granted, this does not make up for the severe damage loss.

Neycan.9237:

Thanks for your feedback guys.

I didn`t really expect the damage loss to be that big and did not factor in cripple as an additional soft cc. In this light I understand why scepter/horn as a second set is more desirable than staff. Although I still like the utility staff has with poison field, chill and condi transfer. But granted, this does not make up for the severe damage loss.

In raids you dont really need the utility as wh 4,reaper shroud, and golem will provide more than your fair share of cc. Also people might have assumed you are a power necro, because lets face it, staff sucks for condi dmg.

FrostDraco.8306:

Neycan.9237:

Thanks for your feedback guys.

I didn`t really expect the damage loss to be that big and did not factor in cripple as an additional soft cc. In this light I understand why scepter/horn as a second set is more desirable than staff. Although I still like the utility staff has with poison field, chill and condi transfer. But granted, this does not make up for the severe damage loss.

In raids you dont really need the utility as wh 4,reaper shroud, and golem will provide more than your fair share of cc. Also people might have assumed you are a power necro, because lets face it, staff sucks for condi dmg.

Staff just sucks for damage in general PvE-wise

Scepter has enough poison application, you already have a poison field with CPC and you want to whirl in your ice field anyway, you got condi transfer and you got tons of chill sources. Staff adds absolutely nothing to your build you don’t already have in a way or two, except 300 more range, which is just… nah.

I do not know if viper’s horror is a meta build, anymore, since the horror nerf.

Sceptre is a dps weapon while staff is a utility weapon. Maining staff shows your team you will not contribute much to burning down the boss and may not understand the raid mechanics.

Someone should have explained the kick, if you were not frustrating them too much. Raiders are very often rude, impatient, and immature. You must be a newer player to not be used to it in group PvE as a Necromancer.

Anchoku.8142:

Raiders are very often rude, impatient, and immature.

Can’t say I agree with this part actually.

NovaanVerdiano.6174:

FrostDraco.8306:

Neycan.9237:

Thanks for your feedback guys.

I didn`t really expect the damage loss to be that big and did not factor in cripple as an additional soft cc. In this light I understand why scepter/horn as a second set is more desirable than staff. Although I still like the utility staff has with poison field, chill and condi transfer. But granted, this does not make up for the severe damage loss.

In raids you dont really need the utility as wh 4,reaper shroud, and golem will provide more than your fair share of cc. Also people might have assumed you are a power necro, because lets face it, staff sucks for condi dmg.

Staff just sucks for damage in general PvE-wise

Scepter has enough poison application, you already have a poison field with CPC and you want to whirl in your ice field anyway, you got condi transfer and you got tons of chill sources. Staff adds absolutely nothing to your build you don’t already have in a way or two, except 300 more range, which is just… nah.

I argue otherwise for power builds. But yes, for a condi scepter build, staff isnt useful.