Guild Wars 2

I have been building up my thief but still not comfortable playing the class. I have mostly been in PVE because WVW scares me since I am so weak playing it.

I need advice on playing a thief mostly, but especially skill rotation and how to pull off a backstab. I seem to never get it in PVE. Also any other good advice for the thief would be most welcome.

build
http://en.gw2skills.net/editor/?fYAQNAoYVlUmiO3eS+E+5Ex2jeuTiy9wpJtpdFwKA-jEDBYfBCbBkoAksAiIAI9pIaslhFRjVXDTVSpW5KQmzCaeDK1SBonwI-w

Check out this video guide by Nike of DnT, it’ll help.

For backstabs, you need to be beside or behind your target. Most applications of stealth give you 3 seconds of it, which is more than enough time to reposition yourself for a backstab. Practice in the PvP lobby, and soon you’ll have it.

Link is dead.

So is skill rotation attack three times with #1 skill, then use #4 to go invisible, then hit from behind with #1?

I really need skill rotation and brief guide. Some of the videos move so fast it is hard to see what they are really doing without a voice over.

NOTE: I see a lot of thieves steal before they back stab. Why is that?

I now see a lot of builds 30/30/0/0/10
Is that still good? How does my build compare?

I think I need some chat here not just a video since I can’t ask questions to a video.

That trait set up is very glassy, if you want a standard build, an you want to backstab, an last a fight go 0/30/30/10/0 or replace that first 0 with a 10

@RedSpectrum if you checked out the build I am using (top post) I am currently using 0/30/30/10/0

Lemme correct the link, shoulda checked before posting, lol.

Alright I fixed it, forgot to add http.

When you steal, it instantly places you directly adjacent to your target without interrupting whatever you’re doing. If you steal while your target’s back is facing you, you’re in a prime position to land a backstab.
Pro tip: first use Cloak and Dagger, then steal before you fully execute the attack. You will stab your target and go into stealth before they can react, from there just backstab.

Angelica Dream.7103:

@RedSpectrum if you checked out the build I am using (top post) I am currently using 0/30/30/10/0

whoopsies :/
well if you have any more questions I’d ,among others, would be happy to answer them. I assume you want to try Dual Daggers?

I’d love to give a tutorial, but it’s so much easier to show you as opposed to a wall of text that’s easy to misinterpret. I can see your build link from my phone but I’m assuming it’s d/p or d/d I have allot of solo roam xp with power sets, catch me in game and I’d love to show you the little ins and outs that come with the class, it’s tricky but so much fun.

@Lindbur Thanks for the video. Also loved your Steal info it helped a lot.
But pro tip is so hard to pull off. I need to practice that.

@RedSpectrum yes duel daggers

So is my Valkyrie armor with Sup rune of the Traveler OK for a noob thief?
I was going for Berserker for toys as per by build.
Also is build selection OK for a 0/30/30/10/0?

Valk is great to learn with and you maintain crit dmg, I started all valk, and add I got better I would swap in zerk throughout time. Any x/30/30/x/x is generally a power roaming build, the extra ten points is to what ever flavor you like.

Acro = fall trait, and stealth move speed
Power = mug
Trickery = long reach (1500 range steal) ,thril of crime for fury proc, and there’s a +5% dmg trait as well

Sure I missed a few traits but that’s a good idea of em. If your running valk I’d suggest at least one fury proc to boost your out of stealth dmg a tad.

And on a side note give withdraw a try, there’s a vigor trait that goes well with it, bind a about face key and it can be a gap closer as well.

As a d/d I find inifiltrstors sig invaluable, for a easy cnd combo and gap closer. When your in a pickle it stun breaks as well if your shadow step is down.

I wanted to thank all you that took the the time to help me with my thief, I really learned a lot here.

Though I need massive work on the Cloak and Dagger, then steal technique. I am doing just as the hand goes back but only end up being invisible 20% of the time. So going to practice, practice, practice.

Keep at it, I found the more practice and technique you learn through trial and error, the more rewarding the class gets, it definitely pays off

Splatter Paw.7238:

And on a side note give withdraw a try, there’s a vigor trait that goes well with it, bind a about face key and it can be a gap closer as well.

As a d/d I find inifiltrstors sig invaluable, for a easy cnd combo and gap closer. When your in a pickle it stun breaks as well if your shadow step is down.

Regarding the about key, I tried that but it doesn’t work while you have your right mouse key pressed down. Any work around that or do you press right mouse button to re-position camera and character—>release right mouse button—>about face key—>use skill—>about face key?

Mines bound on “v” with my heal on ’e", my hand come off everything the movment keys and mouse, and i just slap out V —-→ E, and reset my hands to play again. you just gotta trust it works lol however the mouse button will stop it and it does take some getting used to.

Angelica Dream.7103:

I wanted to thank all you that took the the time to help me with my thief, I really learned a lot here.

Though I need massive work on the Cloak and Dagger, then steal technique. I am doing just as the hand goes back but only end up being invisible 20% of the time. So going to practice, practice, practice.

Just in case there is confusion but I’m sure there’s none, you don’t wait for anything before stealing, like the millisecond you press your CnD button, you steal and your character will do the rest….. Well not really but you know why I mean

It’s all about timing and cast times/animations.
For example, CnD has a cast time of 0.5 seconds. That 0.5 seconds is the leeway to use Steal or Infiltrator’s Signet.
Another example is using your Basilisk Venom + Dancing Dagger to make the venom bypass Aegis. Activate BV, use Dancing Dagger, Shadowstep/Steal to your target and hit him/her to remove Aegis before the Dancing Dagger with the BV buff hits him/her. This one gets harder to pull off if your target’s closer, your reaction window’s like 1 second at most.

kitten , it is hard to explain with words.