Guild Wars 2

Haven’t played my thief in a long time, but I’ve been getting back into it lately and I want to make sure I’m acting as effectively as possible. So there’s a few things I’d love to know:

1) Using a typical meta PvE build, what should you be doing in situations where you can’t flank your target? Sword autoattacks? Dagger autoattacks? Continue using the CnD->Backstab rotation despite the drastically lower backstab damage?

2) Around how much less damage do you put out when using Pistol Whip over Sword #1?

3) Can you flank objects?

In PvE situations:

1) I just do autoattacks or HS until I can then backstab from behind.

2) Depends on your build. If you’re running full glass with scholar I’m guessing pistol whip does more damage…plus it evades. Without full glass in dungeons ive gotten 10k on pistol whip with might. I don’t really autoattack with sword unless im out of initiative.

3) I think so…Not entirely sure though. Ive done it on the crystals in CoF p1.

If you’re facing mobs of enemies, generally you should be using S/P and using Black Powder and autoattacking.

If facing a boss, the only time you won’t be able to flank is in a stacked fight. Generally I’d still use S/P and #3 occasionally for the evades. I try to maintain 6+ initiatives though for the 10% damage increase and only use pistol whip if I see a large attack coming. Spamming pistol whip means you usually don’t end up timing the evades very well.

A perfect example of this would be in CoE and stacking for Subject Alpha. For the first 50% you’d want to use S/P and time pistol whip to evade his AoEs. After 50% you can go to Dagger and spam HS.

Objects can be flanked I think, but since some of them have no indication of which side is their back or front (and I haven’t really tested it out).

Vargs.6234:

Haven’t played my thief in a long time, but I’ve been getting back into it lately and I want to make sure I’m acting as effectively as possible. So there’s a few things I’d love to know:

1) Using a typical meta PvE build, what should you be doing in situations where you can’t flank your target? Sword autoattacks? Dagger autoattacks? Continue using the CnD->Backstab rotation despite the drastically lower backstab damage?

2) Around how much less damage do you put out when using Pistol Whip over Sword #1?

3) Can you flank objects?

1) if you’re fighting 2+ mobs sword auto is your best option, and your second best is Dancing Dagger. If you’re fighting a single mob you’ll want to CnD -> Backstab until 50% and then switch to Heartseeker.

2) it’s variable, due to traits such as First Strikes and Lead Attacks, which reward you for having higher initiative. Under average circumstances it’s only a 1% difference. There’s a thread with some discussion here: https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/thief/Pistol-Whip-DPS-Sword-Autoattack

3) yes.