Guild Wars 2

Go when to use improvise when to use exec?? Right now i use exec full time. Seen some vids and might try improvise.

Executioner basically is just full dmg at <50% hp, which in most cases is actually not really neccessary, since your base dmg is extremely high anyways.

Improvisation on the other hand, has many benefits. It can reset one skill or even an entire group of skills, depending how many skills of one type you have ‘equipped’.
Although it is random, which type of skill is reset, once a reset happens on important skills, like an elite or healing skill, it can decide a fight.

In the end it’s just a matter of choice, both have their ups and downs. I personally used Impro ever since I started playing the game and therefore thief. I’ve tried Exe a couple times, but it just doesn’t make a HUGE deal.
20% is alot of extra damage, but already having high base damage, interrupts (which also deal damage if you have Pulmonary Impact), tps etc makes Improvisation just superior because of the insane utillity it can provide.

When you can push 4100 power, as a thief, you can drop someone fast when you have the extra 20% damage boost. I hate fights that drag on so if I can get them below 50% HP, it tends to end a bit quicker. I used to use improv but switched to executioner probably 3 months ago, I am totally glad i did…but as mentioned, its a preference thing. If improv works better for you then go for it. Where the name of the game is to kill things, you can never have enough damage (In PvP/WvW anyway, PvE may be a diff story)

There certain steals that can really put you in control of a fight and If you are one of those that likes to set up further actions from a steal Improv might be preferred. Just as example a double steal of fear can be huge when an opponent close to death or for that matter if you are and need some time to recover.If I had the choice between more damage or preventing an enemy from blocking and dodging because he feared , I would lean towards the fear. Consume Plasma doubled up is a tremendous advantage.

Any skill reset is just an added bonus. When I use improv in a build, I really am looking for the stuff from the steal so if nothing resets i am not all that concerned. When I do get a reset of a key skill it can be huge.

Exec is a damage multiplier and a big one at that. Exec makes every other damage multiplier 20% better including Havoc Mastery, Staff Mastery, Bound, Exposed Weakness, Lead Attacks, etc. It can easily be 30% or more total DPS when a target drops below 50%.

Damage > People’s feelings.

Depends on game mode. I am fan of improv due to high utility of the trait (reduces CD, gives double stolen item) -> great if you play solo in pvp and don’t have teammates to rely on.

Exec is nice for dmg but tbh there is so many things like block/dmg redux/blinds etc. flying around in pvp that at the end you are better off with second plasma than that extra 500 dmg (after all reduction traits/condis etc.), imo. Dead thief doesn’t dps, dead thief just feeds points.

Lots of utility is better than a bit of damage. Recharging your Shadowstep is massive value. That being said, it’s not like Exec is bad, damage is still damage, so you’re not suddenly going to become useless if you pick it.

In PvP, there’s so much protection for someone dropping below 50% (i.e. Valorous Defense, Defy Pain) that makes Executioner not very appealing to take. Not only it does nothing above 50%, at below 50%, defense mechanism can trigger that the 20% bonus damage is nullified anyway.

In PvE, the only practical use of Executioner is against boss mobs with high max HP. Other mobs die quickly even without it. Even then, I think, Improv is way better in any situation.

Ive never been with out executioner and am afraid to switch but i keep forgetting about the recharge skill thing. Granted all of my utilities are defensive idk how muh the rechagre will help

https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Improvisation

Improvisation is a random skill group. Executioner is more reliable IMO. Improvisation could recharge a group you don’t even use, or it could recharge something useful.

IMO I’d rather have a baseline damage increase 50%> hp, over a skill based on a dice roll.

Sir Vincent III.1286:

In PvP, there’s so much protection for someone dropping below 50% (i.e. Valorous Defense, Defy Pain) that makes Executioner not very appealing to take. Not only it does nothing above 50%, at below 50%, defense mechanism can trigger that the 20% bonus damage is nullified anyway.

In PvE, the only practical use of Executioner is against boss mobs with high max HP. Other mobs die quickly even without it. Even then, I think, Improv is way better in any situation.

Lol, Aegis and Defy Pain are hardly preventing the damage off of executioner since it’s a baseline 20% damage increase below 50% hp. On the contrary, that’s what makes it so powerful.

As a Thief you should be kiting defy pain regardless, and soon as it drops, unloading on the Warrior.