Guild Wars 2

I run d/d, with sb backup.

d/d is so reliant on getting off c+d then backstab, those other 3 buttons are generally a no-no, unless you just want to get off a few heartseekers to finish off.

I rarely switch to the second set in a fight generally. Mainly because it doesn’t benefit me and if I have used up my initiative as i’m on a new bar with just the ability to press the auto attack.

Other classes get a full 4 new abilities (plus auto), to dish out and can activate weapon swap sigils. Being off your main bar for 10 seconds as a thief is generally a very bad thing as a d/d thief.

When i played other classes I would swap every 10 seconds (5 on the warrior) to max out skill rotations.

Playing a d/d thief I can see how it’s completely nescessary to be able to chain c+d’s, or other skills, as without them i’d fall over, but I envy the wide range of skills other classes can pump out.

I just think initiative has made it too hard to balance the thief. Consequently any change you make either op’s it or nerfs it. Since anet don’t seem to want to buff/change the functionality of the thiefs abilities, most changes are nerfs.

I use all of my skills from d/d constantly: HS is decent damage, DD for anti-kite, DB for evading while immobilized.

If you want to utilize on swap sigils, you can use another d/d set or use this trick:

weaponset 1: mainhand dagger, offhand nothing
weaponset 2: mainhand nothing, offhand dagger

Then you can trigger weapon swap effects every 10s while constantly running around with d/d.

phaeris.7604:

[…]
I just think initiative has made it too hard to balance the thief. Consequently any change you make either op’s it or nerfs it. Since anet don’t seem to want to buff/change the functionality of the thiefs abilities, most changes are nerfs.

Correct. The currently Ini system is very hard to balance, but that is the reason for the ini change at 10 Dez. The balance between builds with and without Initraits (especially Opportunist) is to difficult.

But generally: The inisystem is fine and make the class to something special in this game.

Absolutely not!

Part of playing the Thief profession is knowing how to budget Initiatives. If you prefer a cooldown mechanic and you enjoy playing that kind of profession, feel free to roll a Warrior (or an Elementalist) and leave the Thief as is.

Note: Outside of auto-attack, Elementalist gets 4 skills per swap for each element for a total of 16 skills plus utilities. Engineer gets 4 skills per kit for each heal and utility slot for a total of 16 skills. You might like these professions instead.