Guild Wars 2

So, as the title says, I’m having a bit of trouble getting into being a thief proper. My problem stems from the fact that i have a hard time moving quickly and evading, so fragility is a big issue with me. Is there any way around it? I want to optimize my damage if I can, so either zerker or knight’s builds are preferable, but if that’s not in the cards I’ll understand. I’m used to playing a mace/shield warrior and a BM/Bunker ranger, so I’m used to being capable of taking a lot of hits. I guess I’m maybe looking for something where I simply won’t take damage if i do it properly, I guess? I want this to be effective in all three setups if possible; PvE, WvW, and PvP

Can anybody help me?

A thief cannot magically become sturdy. If you do that, you will hit like a wet noodle. You’re spoiled with bunker classes; you will just have to learn how and when to evade, every profession skill and tactic in order to have somewhat of a counter. Good luck!

Deathspike.1870:

A thief cannot magically become sturdy. If you do that, you will hit like a wet noodle. You’re spoiled with bunker classes; you will just have to learn how and when to evade, every profession skill and tactic in order to have somewhat of a counter. Good luck!

I’m a monster hunter Vet; for the most part, I know how to avoid if it’s an AI trying to tackle me with a mountain sized critter. what I have problems with is WvW and sPvP, as dodging players is a whole other ball game. I’m not asking for a build that magically makes the thief sturdy. I’m asking for a setup so that, if all goes well, I won’t need to be.

Look up the perma dodging s/d build. It doesn’t take much skill to use and doesn’t do much damage as you will be spending the majority of the time just dodging. You will, however, be taking 0 damage so you will win any fight. It feels like cheesing as you will be 100% visible but “evaded” is the only messages your enemies will see

Use blind more in PvE. Smokescreens. Blind nullifies a lot of damage from trash and veterans and you don’t need to be dodging all the time. That still leaves the champions but you don’t want to be in front of champions anyway.

Why not? Annoy them a bit and they’ll be running around the place trying to reach you while you blink around the place and everyone else unloads their pain on them. Hilarious.

I have a build that’s 2500 attack, 57% crit chance, 1800 toughness, 99% crit damage (all unbuffed), it’s in the way you theorycraft. Thief can absorb a little damage but we have RFI, SS, and IA for a reason. To book it if things get bad.

Harnel.6810:

I want this to be effective in all three setups if possible; PvE, WvW, and PvP

Can anybody help me?

My only real complaint with Thief in PvE and WvW is that I feel like I have to respec and switch gear all the time. For PvE, you can be pretty tanky with S/P, a mix of Soldier/Knights gear (and Berserker if you want), and lifetap food (Omnomberry Ghost, for example). Each hit during pistol whip can proc the lifetap. For WvW, you want to rely on stealth, especially the Shadow Arts line. For example, Cloaked in Shadow and Shadow’s Rejuvenation are very helpful for surviving (as is Shadow’s Embrace, but it’s hard to fit all three into your build with how many good major traits are in that line).

There are far better thieves than me around, but I hope that helps

KeyLimPi.9031:

I have a build that’s 2500 attack, 57% crit chance, 1800 toughness, 99% crit damage (all unbuffed), it’s in the way you theorycraft. Thief can absorb a little damage but we have RFI, SS, and IA for a reason. To book it if things get bad.

wow 2500 attack is low. u must be running full condition build. :P anyway dont use IA…..HS is much muuuuuch better. IA only does about 175 distance more.

randomfightfan.4091:

Look up the perma dodging s/d build. It doesn’t take much skill to use and doesn’t do much damage as you will be spending the majority of the time just dodging. You will, however, be taking 0 damage so you will win any fight. It feels like cheesing as you will be 100% visible but “evaded” is the only messages your enemies will see

usually you and me agree on here…..but this is generall not true….i mean perhaps close in PVE….but playing against 3+ mobs….or a real player…. its far from it. death blossom is a 1.25 sec animation skill and it only gives you a 1/4 sec dodge consequently leaving you open to hits for 1 sec without any way to dodge move etc. most of the skills are like this. RFI is the only skill that really has a decent evade time (.75secs) although usually reacts slow to when u click it. theres a few tricks you will learn along the way.

Travlane.5948:

KeyLimPi.9031:

I have a build that’s 2500 attack, 57% crit chance, 1800 toughness, 99% crit damage (all unbuffed), it’s in the way you theorycraft. Thief can absorb a little damage but we have RFI, SS, and IA for a reason. To book it if things get bad.

wow 2500 attack is low. u must be running full condition build. :P anyway dont use IA…..HS is much muuuuuch better. IA only does about 175 distance more.

Sorry, could you un-abbreviate those for me? I haven’t played thief enough yet to figure out what those mean.

RFI is ROLL FOR INITIATIVE
DB is DEATHBLOSSOM
PVE is PLAYER VS EVERYONE/ENVIRONMENT

Travlane.5948:

RFI is ROLL FOR INITIATIVE
DB is DEATHBLOSSOM
PVE is PLAYER VS EVERYONE/ENVIRONMENT

thank you, though the PvE one was unnecessary. What about IA and HS?

Harnel.6810:

thank you, though the PvE one was unnecessary. What about IA and HS?

IA = Infiltrator’s Arrow
HS = Heartseeker