Guild Wars 2

So, being a roleplayer. Even before the game was released, I know what Weapon combination I was going to use for my character for combat and dungeons. [I decided early that I’m not going to do much WvW cause, it’s just not my thing.]

That concept, was Sword/Dagger with Dual Pistol as a secondary.

I know, most people are upset with the Sword/Dagger sets because they say it’s hard to find a build for it. I’ve been happy with my build for PvE, it’s served me well.

Dungeons on the other hand? I didn’t know I was going to have problems with Dungeons. [Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy them, just want to be helpful to the team.]

Now, my big thing is that I’m stubborn when it comes to characters, and don’t like breaking concepts so I can ‘fit the mold’ or whatever.

Now, from what I’ve seen, most topics about Sword/Dagger are people asking how to be better at PvP/WvW with.

I’m asking if anyone can help me with a Dungeon build. I’m sure different dungeons require different alterations to a build, but I can figure that out as I go.

As it stands, my traits are just kind of everywhere:
Deadly arts – 20; Venomous Strength, Combined Training
Critical Strikes – 15; Side Strike
Shadow Arts – 20; Cloaked in Shadow, Leeching Venoms
Acrobatics – 0
Trickery – 15; Thrill of the Crime.

Then my Utility Skills tend to swap out when I feel like, I usually have two venoms, and alternate between Caltrops and other a couple others to test them out during runs.

My stats are all over the place because I’m just weird when it comes to armor/gear. I expect to make many purchases to fix things up.

Anyway. If anyone could give me a little hand with a Dungeon Build that Compliments Sword/Dagger and Dual Pistol?

Thank you in advance.

Try [Infusion of Shadow] (Shadow Arts), it gives you 2 Initiative whenever you stealth yourself so basically C&D costs only 4 Initiative. The combo is to stealth yourself using C&D and then use Tactical Strike to daze the foe for 2 seconds and do the same 3 seconds later, basically removing that one foe from the battle. [Cloaked in Shadow] (Shadow Arts) complements this play style because you frequently blind everyone around you.
Some champions (golden swords) and maybe even legendary (purple swords) are not immune to interrupts so test out if Pistol #4 works against them.

Well, thank you for the feedback. I do appreciate that. May give that a try.

Think I forgot to mention though, that I’m willing to redo my Traits and such, if someone thinks they have a workable build that compliments Sword/Dagger and Dual Pistol.

Bumping cause I’d like a little more advice.

I’m still going Sword/Dagger and Dual Pistol.

But I thinking of redoing my traits as, Toughness/Critical/condition Damage. With a focus on slot skills of being Venoms with Thieves Guild as my Elite.

I’m not sure what sort of Weapon/Armor Stats to focus on though, items that further boost those three? or stats that make up for the one’s I’m not boosting with traits.

Critical damage and conditions don’t mix very well. If you want crit damage, go 30 into CS and pick up Executioner. The other choices are yours. 20 into SA is also a good idea. Pick up Infusion of Shadow and then your choice of a trait. Then maybe 20 into Trickery, or maybe just 15 ( but you’ll want that extra 3 initiative). Have Shadow Refuge equipped at all times; it can and will prevent your party from wiping dungeons.

Good luck!

Stick with your pistols while in dungeons. You’ll usually want to avoid being in melee range.

Well, it is possible to mix crit damage and conditions, but not with the weaponsets you want to play.
Sword/Dagger is totally based on direct dmg and Pistol/Pistol has only vital shot for condition dmg (which isnt worth it to get condition dmg for)

Sword/Dagger relies on tactical strike to daze your opponent pretty often. To get that off you need to stealth often with Cloak and Dagger. Since it gives you a pretty stealth heavy playstyle, several points in Shadow Arts would be very useful.
Infusion of Shadows is pretty much a must have for it as it allows you to use Cloak and Dagger back and forth. The blind can also be helpful, but in the end you will struggle alot with groups of mobs, which is why P/P might be better for groups and S/D for single targets.

Pistol/Pistol is based on… well based on nothing but spamming unload… if you are in mood you can use black powder now and then and be a blindbot for non veteran mobs.

So if you INSIST to keep these two weaponsets (you picked exactly the 2 worst sets which a thief can take), then try to focus on direct damage and drop conditions totally. You wont deal much damage with your weapons (thank Anet for the Dancing Dagger nerf), wont have much buffs for your team and except on single targets, wont help much with your dazes.

Try to focus yourself on Critical Strikes, Shadow Arts, Acrobatic… maybe even Trickery if you want to toss out some buffs for your team.