Perhaps you wanted to try out a Condition Build, or you already have and didn’t like it. On this segment of Classic’s Classics I’m going to walk you through the Ins and Outs of Condition Spec in PvP. How to Get the most out of your DoT’s.
The Build – 25 Power / 20 Acrobatics / 25 Trickery
- Potent Poison
- Dagger Training
- Power of Inertia
- Quick Recovery
- Thrill of the Crime
- Trickster
The Slots
- Hide in Shadows
- Roll for Initiative
- Caltrops
- Infiltrator’s Signet
- Dagger Storm
The Weapons
- Double Dagger
- Shortbow
The Runes, Sigils, and Amulet
- Sigil of Superior Agony (On Both Daggers)
- Sigil of Minor Corruption (On Shortbow)
- Rune of the Afflicted (4/6) Put one on your Water Breather too
- Rune of the Krait (3/6)
- Carrion Amulet with Carrion Jewel
The Breakdown
This build sets you up to do maximum damage with DoT’s. Condition Builds are initiative consuming, so this build has been set up to have a large initiative pool as well as the best regen speed. Also this build allows you stack around 4-5 stacks of might giving you a nice condition dmg bonus. Your crit chance will be 4% with this build. Extremely Low. But it doesn’t matter as DoT’s dont crit. And your critical multiplier isn’t impressive even if you did crit. That being said your non criticals through weapon skills are sufficient in conjunction with DoT’s to fell any class.
To explain the slot choices :
I’ve elected to use Hide in Shadows, more for its condition removing qualities than the stealth. Signet of Malice is also a good choice for this build, but i prefer HoS.
Roll for Initiative is important as it is a stunbreak and allows you to regen 6 initiative.
Caltrops on a 24sec CD with a 14Sec duration, will allow you to get stacks of upwards of 20+ Bleed Conditions on your target. It is the bread and butter utility skill of this build.
Infiltrator’s Signet Assists with energy regen, which is important in this high consumption build. It also acts as your second stunbreak, and has the added benefit of Shadowstep to your current target. Useful if you find yourself snared.
Dagger Storm Typically viewed as weak compared to Thieves Guild, with a condition build this move shines. Bleed and Slow targets around you. Use this ability after dropping Caltrops and Spending all your Initiative on DB’s, i like to steal right before poping DS, that way i stack all of the buffs from Thrill of the Crime. Your initiative will regen during the storm and the bleeds will continue to stack on your targets. The damage this move inflicts when stacked in this manner will astound you.
How To
This build focusing around DoT’s and Kites. You aren’t the melee powerhouse of your PWing or HSing counterparts. Your are the agile thief. Acrobatically slicing arterial weak points. Dodging and avoiding damage while debilitating your target, slowing them to a crawl. Your damage is back end loaded, meaning, slow at the start but gaining unparalleled DPS as the fight progresses.
The tendancy with most abilities is to spam. But spamming Death Blossom will result in wasted Initiative and ultimately death. Get familiar with the ability and only use it when it will get its full 3 DoTs off. Slow your targets with Dancing Dagger before you start to DoT and you will find much more success. The Daggers auto attack applies a poison and does decent damage on top of DoTs. Use Caltrops to kick your DoT Stacks above 20 and give you an AoE Slow in addition.
People will cleanse your DoTs. It is Inevitable. You’ll get a feel for what classes do and the spell effects of when it happens. Predicting enemy player behavior in PvP in response to DoT builds is rather strait forward. As most classes have limited response to removing conditions. But the speed at which you can reapply DoTs in the Thief class, is its own saving grace. And thus gives you a cushion to get your damage re-rolling again before your health deficit becomes an issue.
The Shortbow is in this build to allow to the opportunity to escape should you need to, It’s Poisons and Bleeds are AoE and will help get DoTs rolling before you close to melee. The Choking Gas DoT lasts for roughly 25secs, so apply it accordingly but Cluster Bomb will be your go to move. The bow with this build doesnt preform as strongly as a Pistol would. BUT having the shortbow for escape will mean you die less. And ultimately be better for your team.
I’ve really enjoyed this build. As well as watching people melt to its DPS.
(edited by Classic.4072)