Guild Wars 2

Going to craft my thief to 80. With that in mind I am completely lost on how to build a thief. I plan on using SB and I can’t decide between D/P, S/P, and D/D. I have tried and enjoyed all the combinations so what is most viable overall? For PvE?

What gear do you get exactly if you want high burst, but to not die instantly upon being hit? Trinkets, signets, runes… Everything.

Just put me on the right track please experienced thieves. I too want to become a WvW menace and perform well in PvE.

There’s no way to survive after being hit ;-; such is the life of the Thief.

If you want a powerful single-shot cannon, use Valkyrie or Berserker gear and D/P. Good luck staying alive afterwards.

Armor: Berserker or Valkyrie (Runes of the Thief/Scholar/Divinity or Ruby/Emerald Orbs)
Trinkets: Berserker or Cavalier (Ruby/Emerald Orbs)
Weapons: Berserker (1x Sigil of Air/Fire and 1x Sigil of Bloodlust/Perception)

If you want a really strong hybrid condi/control melee DPS build (with a bit of survive), go D/D Rampagers and might stacking with Sigil of Battle and foods. One of the most versatile builds in PvE/WvW, made possible because of all the extra might-stacks from PvE food.

Armor: Rampager (2x Rune of Hoelbrak, 2x Rune of Fire, 2x Rune of Strength)
Trinkets: Rampager or Rabid (Coral Orb)
Weapons: Rampager (1x Sigil of Battle and 1x Sigil of Perception/Bloodlust on each set)

S/P is an interesting option that takes a good bit of skill to play and utilize properly. IMO it’s the most powerful Thief set in PvE/WvW. If you’re smart, just go full Berserker’s and watch ‘em cry, but if you don’t play the weapons right you’ll die more than you’d like.

Armor: Knight or Berserker (Runes of the Thief/Infiltration or Ruby/Emerald Orbs)
Trinkets: Berserker or Knight/Valkyrie (Ruby/Emerald Orbs)
Weapons: Berserker (1x Sigil of Air/Fire/Force/Accuracy and 1x Sigil of Perception/Bloodlust)