Guild Wars 2

I have been playing a thief casually for a few months and am still experimenting on builds and how to play them. I have learned from this forum that the best gear depends on build, which depends on play style. I am still learning these.

Currently, I am running S/P and SB in an attempt to learn the class well enough to try dungeons. I also like playing D/D. I am not in a guild so I want to make sure I can play my class well, before I run a dungeon with anyone.

I currently have exotic P/T/V in everything but legs, for which I have Valkyrie. My Weapons are Berserker and my jewelry is a mixture of Berserker and Caviler.

Where my confusion starts is how I balance my stats. Tonight, I get my 30th Laurel so want to make sure I don’t buy the wrong necklace. I currently have a mixture of Superior Runes of the Scholar (5) and Soldier (1) on my armor, Ruby Orbs on my weapons and Exquisite Ruby and Emerald Jewels on on my jewelry and a Soldier’s back brace.

So my three questions are….

1. Are there general rules of thumbs or minimum level a thief should have in certain key characteristics, regardless of build type? For example, 18,000 HP, x amount of power, x amount of crit., etc

2. Should I use the upgrade slots to add to the existing stats of the armor like more power or vitality or should I use something like a Superior Rune of the Scholar to give power and crit. Same thing for weapons – If I have a power/precision weapon, is it better to add more power and precision, balance it with some vitality or use a sigil to get another effect. I fear I may have way too much in one stat and not enough in another. I have not figured out how to tell when enough is enough in a specific stat.

3. I guess which ascended piece to get would depend on the other jewelry and how I use upgrades. Is there a particular piece that stands out better for a thief?

I really want to get my first ascended piece tonight but I don’t want to make a mistake and waste 30 Laurels.

Thanks

Get 15 in acrobatics for the reduce dodge cd, then go full berserkers, and evade everything.

For amulet, get the berserkers with utility slot and chuck a +20%gold find.