Guild Wars 2

It seems to me that the caltrops from the trait line that you use when you dodge aren’t nearly as effective as the caltrops you use from the skill. It seems the skill caltrops apply bleed and cripple on use and to a much greater effect. The trait line caltrops only seem to apply cripple and bleed when an enemy moves over them and to a lesser effect (like 2 stacks of bleed for the trait as opposed to 5 or 6 for the skill). Am I correct in this assessment, and is the trait line caltrops even worth it if this is correct?

yes you are correct, the on dodge caltrops are inferior to the skill caltrops, however they are still extra caltrops that help slow down anyone chasing you as you dodge them.

It’s always a choice between dodge-caltrops and dodge-swiftness in some situations. I find dodge-swiftness to be more universal than dodge-caltrops since in PvE it can generate unnecessary aggro.

But most of the time, it’s better to carry a shortbow since the goal is to get away and save your endurance when it is really necessary.

Sir Vincent III.1286:

It’s always a choice between dodge-caltrops and dodge-swiftness in some situations. I find dodge-swiftness to be more universal than dodge-caltrops since in PvE it can generate unnecessary aggro.

But most of the time, it’s better to carry a shortbow since the goal is to get away and save your endurance when it is really necessary.

You probably mean dodge might instead of swiftness. Swiftness is the default 5pt trait

http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Uncatchable

Basically, because the skill has a cast time and cooldown but pulses it’s effect and stays on the ground longer, it’s MUCH more useful to stack bleeds than as an escape tool.

The trait on the other hand isn’t very good at stacking bleeds at all, but because of the virtually non-existent cooldown, it’s incredibly useful as an escape tool.

peter.9024:

Sir Vincent III.1286:

It’s always a choice between dodge-caltrops and dodge-swiftness in some situations. I find dodge-swiftness to be more universal than dodge-caltrops since in PvE it can generate unnecessary aggro.

But most of the time, it’s better to carry a shortbow since the goal is to get away and save your endurance when it is really necessary.

You probably mean dodge might instead of swiftness. Swiftness is the default 5pt trait

I was talking about my choice to either trait Acro or Trick to get either of those effect. And no, I don’t trait for both even if you can.

Remember, the trait line ‘trops drop where you begin your dodge roll. IF you’re trying to use them offensively, you just about have to be on top of your target. It’s that or evade away from the threat to put the field between you and it. Otherwise, it’s just a bonus that you value more than the other options in the first Major Slot that sort of helps now and then.

I’m doing the evade/caltrops/leaping death blossom thing in hotjoins, and I can’t get a picture out of my head. There’s no thief strong enough to pull this off. The amount of metal you must be carrying to drop all those caltrops would render you immobile, crushed to death beneath the caltrops pile. Your enemies would be laughing thinking that yes, technically, you evaded the attacks, somehow.

a wizard did it! :P