Guild Wars 2

Is it possible to beat anything except mesmer/thief/warrior 1v1 without heavily investing in shadow arts?

Yes. You need to significantly outskill your opponents though. If you’re talking about equal skill though, then no. I’d wager, depending on level of skill you’re talking about, even the matchup between shatter mes vs D/P thief turns to the mesmer’s favor.

IMO 26006 D/P is at, or very near the bottom of terms of relative power of builds atm, especially for 1v1s.

60206 Panix Strike with withdraw is slightly better, but still not great.

I use withdraw with 2/6/0/0/6. Is panic strike better for group PVP than critical strikes as well?

Shiyo.3578:

I use withdraw with 2/6/0/0/6. Is panic strike better for group PVP than critical strikes as well?

Problem with using withdraw on 26006 is your condi management. You’re relying on shadowstep alone, and that often won’t cut it in WvW. 60206 lets you take shadow’s embrace, which helps a ton with condi clear.

As for which trait spread performs better in a group, it’ll depend on what your group needs. 26006 will hit harder and finish targets faster, especially when your target is below 50%, but 60206 gives you more utility with immob, weakness, and possibly improvisation. I also think 60206 is a bit more forgiving because you can use shadow’s embrace to clear condi’s, and you can use withdraw instead of hide in shadows for your heal.

Shiyo.3578:

I use withdraw with 2/6/0/0/6. Is panic strike better for group PVP than critical strikes as well?

Definitely.

I’ve found if you run panic strike though, you lose the damage necessary to kill things like celestial engis or warriors, or even some eles 1v1 though.

mango.9267:

As for which trait spread performs better in a group, it’ll depend on what your group needs. 26006 will hit harder and finish targets faster, especially when your target is below 50%, but 60206 gives you more utility with immob, weakness, and possibly improvisation. I also think 60206 is a bit more forgiving because you can use shadow’s embrace to clear condi’s, and you can use withdraw instead of hide in shadows for your heal.

Eh. I’d say a 4 scond UNDODGEABLE immob at 50% is far better than 20% extra damage, especially in a group situation. 1v1 you can argue either way, but in a group situation that immobilize will help get the kill far more than 20% extra damage from a single thief will.

You can try 0/6/2/0/6 with invigorating precision. It does quite well with majority of specs out there if played well, to sum it up it packs a punch. I never liked going into a fight without shadow’s embrace. Conditions are just too dangerous.