(edited by johnIV.3849)
General D/D leveling
I got to 80 very, very easily with D/D as my main set, and P/P for Ranged, Champs, and Kiting. I always put my points into crit first, then 10 points into Shadow Arts for the +2 initiative every time you stealth (this ability is underplayed and it’s quite amazing). Then, points into the Power tree.
General Rotation for mobs
1. Death Blossom when in range
2. Cloak & Dagger (then run behind the mob and turn to face him)
3. Backstab
4. Heartseeker
Most mobs are dead by this point. If they arent, just start over again with C&D. Easy stuff.
For aoe I use Death Blossom x3 then the elite trait Dagger Storm. We have great aoe if you do this right.
Gate of Madness – Chaos Legion (CL)
(edited by Santent.3647)
I am also planning out my D/D build as well. I really enjoy backstabbing. After playing most of the other classes I’ll have to say thieves got thekittengood end of the stick on traits and utilities. I am going with a few traits to buff up steal, the poison, mug and stealth on steal. Then I’m going to head for the ability that once you get CC’d automatically shadow steps you away. Not sure what else to grab from their. I’m looking to be hovering around 40-50% Crit rating. I would like to get some points into toughness and vitality so I might toss some points into those trees on necessity.
Also that 100% Crit chance while stealthes looks good.
Guardian-Blueprinted, Warrior- Grizzilli
[JCM] Guild: Ehmry Bay WvW
What trait does insta shadow step when CCed that sounds super powerful for PvP. Only thing bad I think is the trickery line reduces steal CD and some buffs. But the exact opposite deadly arts tree has a bunch of good traits for steal too.
Don’t really think a Power/condition/shadow arts build would work because you either go bleeds with LDB or straight dmg with C&D+backstab+HS. Guess you can’t have your cake and eat it too.
Also I would rather go with executioner(+20% dmg when mob is below 50% hp) than 100% crit when stealthed. But to each their own.
I’m at work so I can’t tell you the exact trait location but it is on a 90 sec cool down, but with the amount of cc’s out there from players and mobs it’s with it. I think it was in the shadow arts free. Hmm executioner is that the one that gives you might when below 50%? Or is it a flat 20% damage increase? Im tryingto think about whether the 100% Crit rate is worth it if I have 40-50% Crit rate. So I’m still not sure. I’m going With a backstabbing build as I have found that is where most of my damage is comig from in a D/D build.
Guardian-Blueprinted, Warrior- Grizzilli
[JCM] Guild: Ehmry Bay WvW
It is pure 20% increase when your targets health is below 50%. So once you backstab the mob your HS will hit for 20% more dmg on regular mobs. But on champions and such this skill is really good because even after their health is below 50% they last for a while.
Gather a bunch, Blossom across. Blossom back across. Stealth. Blossom back. Heal stealth. Blossom. Insert your dodge/caltrops whenever.
10 in shadow arts and the rest in trickery.
Maizen Blue – Thief
Pretty much levelling as d/d power/precision/crit. Not getting to caught up in theorycrafting or min/maxing. Just levelling solo.
Since I started out with p/p for simplicity and not getting hurt in large fights I use that for champs/events, etc.
47 at the moment.
smack..Wut?…smack…smack…
See thats what I am thinking full trickery and then acrobatics or power and shadow arts. Also this way you will have some good +healing for malice or hide in shadows, and a bit of defence so you can take a hit.
Because very very rarely do I actually face a single mob in world hearts or events. And even if I do I destroy them in 2 LDBs and a HS.
Keep your thief tactics coming guys.