Guild Wars 2

Hello everyone,
I recently just started playing a thief, been maining a ranger mostly. So I’m still trying to kinda learn the ropes and understand the class as a whole. However, after trying out all the weapons thief has to offer I’ve come to see that I enjoy using either the D/D or D/P configurations. I mostly do PvE with a few of my buddies, I may occasionally jump into some PvP or WvWvW just to mix it up, but I still spend the majority of my time in PvE.

So anyway, I was looking for some good builds that revolve around the D/D or D/P use and hopefully some advice on how to use them effectively and properly. I honestly prefer more direct damage dealing rather than relying on conditions if that is a choice. I’m currently building up toTHIS build. But I’m not entirely sure if I’m using it correctly or to it’s highest potential. I would honestly prefer D/D over D/P, but any and all help is appreciated.

The utilties are mainly for PVP. Until you get all your trait points you will probably need some extra defense from utilities so you could put in smokescreen and blinding powder or a signet.

Trait for reduced Deception cooldowns. Then slot 3 stealthing Deception utilities. Spam stealth and Backstab. That’s about as direct damage as you can get and the trait is available at lvl 20.

My porcine pets were always my favs when I played ranger. I loved the dug up items but thought the utilization was clunky. Thief gets that but better implemented with Steal. I’m traiting into that so that I can steal on a 19sec CD and get stealth, regen, daze enemy, boon steal, might, vigor, condition cleanse and/or initiative every time I use it. Sounds like too much fun not to try. Something like this maybe.

Alright thanks for the replies so far guys. So what I gather is that I should look into utility skills that I can use for mobility and defense to stay alive. And as far as traits go it seems like shadow arts is a must for some good burst damage with daggers from backstabs and HS. What do you guys think about something like this one? Should I put more into power or should I do less in critical strikes? Or should I switch points in shadow arts and put them in acrobatics for some survivability?