Guild Wars 2

Due to so many SA thieves running around, and the fact that I want to enjoy something different, I decided to craft a build for D/D around evades as a method of defense, rather than stealth. It takes some getting used to, but I was actually quite surprised that I wasn’t insta-dying from not having SA.

Here’s the build:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fZAQRAoY8Yl0Mp0pdPxwJ8PNhPBtdAedD4KEdPjekWA-TFUBABlqChlqEokSiIOBAYpECBTCP8QAURLAaKBvSZSXKFuRNAi2fAFdD5oqCAHBASBIwWA-w

Basically standard crit strikes traits, with usual acro traits. I have the 2 in SA for the extra condi clear, which is a trait that I just needed with the overload of condi builds.
You have to give up mug sadly for it, which is something that I really had to get used to.

Signet of agility for extra evades, and a condi clear.
Withdraw for easy quick heal + vigor uptime, standard for an acro build.

S/D offhand actually works very well especially against power builds now. If you’re in trouble you can spam evades + Flanking strike. The evade is actually stronger than shortbow #3, it has a 1/2 second evade rather than a 1/4 second evade, and same init cost.

I just wanted to make something different that people don’t really use in WvW for D/D. I wanted to make something new that I could learn to master. For me I’d rather be an acrobatic fighter rather than a stealth fighter. However, due to prolonged use of SA, it will take some getting used to for me.

Pros of this build:
-Does very well against power/zerker builds from lots of evades
-Good damage (might be slightly less than 2/6/6 but I haven’t really tested it yet)
-High mobility
-Good fury uptime (from pack runes and furious retaliation)
-Good condi clearing for an acro build

Cons:
-Less might stacking
-No mug
-No blinds (but you don’t need them since you have evades)
-You have to have last refuge

May put up a video of this build in WvW. Just thought I’d share this build with the forum. Let me know your guys’ thoughts!

I actually have been running a D/D SB acro build in wvw for a while and it works pretty well. I usually run 0 6 3 5 0 but lately I have been trying out 0 6 2 6 0. Both work very well and it’s actually a strong build, you may not be able to have the burst from a 2 6 6 0 0 build but I find the survivability just from dodges makes it worth it. It defiantly is a harder build to play than SA but it makes for better fights. I still can almost always win 1v1s and usually 1v2s and everyone once in a while a 1v3 1v4 1v5 but they have to be pretty bad.

I’d like to see a video, I would record my game play but currently on a crappy Macbook GG.

you’ve tried the new evasion runes with it? think they would fit perfectly

Actually I was thinking about trying the evasion runes. I think they would work great, but for my playstyle I’d rather have more swiftness uptime and more power. Honestly though I think they’d work great. You might lose some dps though, since you’re getting ferocity instead of power and power > ferocity but I’m sure there are ways around it.

alchemyst.2165:

Actually I was thinking about trying the evasion runes. I think they would work great, but for my playstyle I’d rather have more swiftness uptime and more power. Honestly though I think they’d work great. You might lose some dps though, since you’re getting ferocity instead of power and power > ferocity but I’m sure there are ways around it.

Love the build, I like it better than SA build for small scale battles.

And why not strength runes + might on dodge/endurance regen food? I think that’s the superior setup for DPS.

Also, you may want to consider assassin’s equilibrium trait, I’m certainly enjoying it

Cam Ron.4170:

alchemyst.2165:

Actually I was thinking about trying the evasion runes. I think they would work great, but for my playstyle I’d rather have more swiftness uptime and more power. Honestly though I think they’d work great. You might lose some dps though, since you’re getting ferocity instead of power and power > ferocity but I’m sure there are ways around it.

Love the build, I like it better than SA build for small scale battles.

And why not strength runes + might on dodge/endurance regen food? I think that’s the superior setup for DPS.

Also, you may want to consider assassin’s equilibrium trait, I’m certainly enjoying it

That’s a great question. It’s mostly because I like the extra swiftness, fury and might buff from the 4 on pack runes, and also because I’m trying to save money for Incinerator Also I feel Pack runes are also more versatile between builds, since I switch builds a lot.

But I might buy them once I have spare money.

And thanks for the feedback

alchemyst.2165:

Cam Ron.4170:

alchemyst.2165:

Actually I was thinking about trying the evasion runes. I think they would work great, but for my playstyle I’d rather have more swiftness uptime and more power. Honestly though I think they’d work great. You might lose some dps though, since you’re getting ferocity instead of power and power > ferocity but I’m sure there are ways around it.

Love the build, I like it better than SA build for small scale battles.

And why not strength runes + might on dodge/endurance regen food? I think that’s the superior setup for DPS.

Also, you may want to consider assassin’s equilibrium trait, I’m certainly enjoying it

That’s a great question. It’s mostly because I like the extra swiftness, fury and might buff from the 4 on pack runes, and also because I’m trying to save money for Incinerator Also I feel Pack runes are also more versatile between builds, since I switch builds a lot.

But I might buy them once I have spare money.

And thanks for the feedback

Yea, stick with pack if you like to switch builds a lot, most versatile thief rune. but as long as you have shadow’s embrace traited, I’d definitely give assasin’s equilibrium a shot over pain response (though PR is good option too, I just hate getting pulled/knocked down!)

and HIGHLY recommend dodge food, regardless of runes. I like this food on all non-shadow arts power builds