Guild Wars 2

Well, it’s been a very long time since I played my thief, and I tried to do some browsing of websites and the forums to figure out what build would be best for me to use to get back in the swing of things..? I was running D/D and Shortbow for PvE previously, and I’m 0/10/10/02 (@lvl 32). I’m dying all the time, and I’m sure it’s a combo of build/skill choice error and my play ability in general. I suck, but I just need to be advised and guided into doing better. I really love the class skills and idea, so I’m willing to do my best to learn to excel. Hopefully someone/people will help guide me.

Signet of Malice tends to be the best heal skill for PvE especially when you hit multiple foes. Whenever you do PvE, use it. Another thing is we have no damage mitigation so if you are going to trait, trait for survivability.

As for utilities, you really need to pay attention to what the focus of your build is going to be. I have a condition build that works very well in PvE:

p/d-s/p
10/0/0/2/10
I/-/-/-/III
Signet of Malice, Signet of Agility, Signet of Shadows, Caltrops, Dagger Storm (if you can)
Weapons and armor are Power/Condition Damage
Trinkets are all Lapis
Runes are 50/50 on power and condition damage runes.

Use Shadow Strike to keep some distance and inflict Torment.
Use Pistol Whip on a group of 3 to heal and deal damage.

Most importantly, don’t attempt champs solo or you will die.

Safe Mode for thief open world PvE is sword/pistol for melee using black powder, pistol/dagger with dancing dagger for kiting, and shortbow for events. Revisit dagger/dagger at higher levels, maybe 60+, as it doesn’t have the right sort of defense for newcomers.

I had a really hard time leveling up but that was mostly because I didn’t understand the game. I didn’t know even spvp existed until I was level 80.

Honestly, doing some spvp will help you out a lot with using your weapon skills and abilities at the right time in a fight.

I’d probably use d/p and s/p if I were to do it all over again. For doing hearts and skill point fights etc. maybe shortbow for champions and bosses.

Leveling up for me was really tough. I almost quit several times. I didn’t understand the game at all. Practice in spvp. It will help you out a lot.

I remember gathering 5+ mobs and with signet of malice up, cluster bomb kiting to level. Make sure you find mobs that have been alive a while to get xp bonuses.

Also WvW zergs gets you tons of xp. Just follow along, cluster bomb, and cap those towers, keeps, supply camps.

Some DE’s give a ton of xp.

Don’t forget the speed run dungeons.