Guild Wars 2

I hope this build makes it into pvp.

I really like your build. I run a P/D perplexity thief myself.

I run 10/0/30/0/30 for stealth and steal traits, since I typically use steal’s traited daze for interrupts, boon removal, and applying poison.

Right now I run D/P in the offhand for more poison and headshot, but I think having P/P in the offhand would perform better simply due to keeping the bleed pressure while having the blinds and interrupts ready.

These runes are cheap as hell.

Even though you need to interrupt people (which implies you need some skill to do that like in GW1 but not the case here), even auto attack has cast time so you can basically spam it for interrupts. Furthermore every action the enemy take makes them take damage, that includes healing, using some mobility skill to run, or even just auto attacking.

I would love to see a slightly weaker version of these in sPvP without an ICD and a reduced amount of stacks as you suggested. We may finally see a viable build for a P/P Thief, even if the rest of the set would still be crap.

Yes, make this rune to spvp.

This makes p/p fun to play compared to unload spam.

That P/P build looks fun, but it was painful to watch.

Sir Vincent III.1286:

That P/P build looks fun, but it was painful to watch.

Why is it painful to watch?

Excalibur.9748:

Sir Vincent III.1286:

That P/P build looks fun, but it was painful to watch.

Why is it painful to watch?

Because there were many times that I’m itching to swap to me S/D when watching the video, but all I can do is to sit here and watch. :/

One comment on the youtube also noticed that the build takes too long to kill something and also thinking about swapping to melee weapons.

it’s a condi build so switching to S/D or other melee sets makes no sense.

Excalibur.9748:

it’s a condi build so switching to S/D or other melee sets makes no sense.

Yes I get that, that’s why it’s painful. It’s like watching Fear Factor, I know what’s the point of the show, but it is still painful to watch.

None of the other event items have been added. *Skins are the exception

-Runes of the Mad King
-Sigil of Generosity / Night
-Sentinels Gear

It’s nice to think of having alternates to current builds and I would love to have an interrupt spec, however I would be surprised to see this leave PvE/WvW. It’s good to see new things being tried though, because that’s what keeps the game fresh.

I’m glad to see someone is able to make the P/P viable

Thing seems kittened.
I don’t support sets hinging on few of their skills being viable. Leaves a poor taste in my mouth. If this thing was in Spvp it would just speak poorly of the game.
Use 3/5 skills, rival complete sets. Playing S/P, D/P, SB, even S/D who wants 3/5 to beat 5/5 No thanks jeffery. Then again don’t know if in reality it actually holds up, but the idea of it doing so doesn’t sit right with me.
TY for the video though, not playing WvW this showed me the runes.

Sorry If this sounds pessimistic but I wouldn’t rely too much on these runes, there’s been a bit of speculation on a potential nerf on them.

It’s also unlikely to make it into pvp, just look at the mad king runes , they have been out for around 10 month and have barely even been mentioned in SoTG etc.

Any experience trying this with D/P or S/P?

Just as good, worse, better?

Meyrink.6792:

Any experience trying this with D/P or S/P?

Just as good, worse, better?

In theory, doesn’t sound very good, no.

Jumper.9482:

Meyrink.6792:

Any experience trying this with D/P or S/P?

Just as good, worse, better?

In theory, doesn’t sound very good, no.

You’re just spamming #4 though, right? What’s the difference? The ranged auto basically?

Meyrink.6792:

Jumper.9482:

Meyrink.6792:

Any experience trying this with D/P or S/P?

Just as good, worse, better?

In theory, doesn’t sound very good, no.

You’re just spamming #4 though, right? What’s the difference? The ranged auto basically?

There is a bit more to it than just “Spamming”, you have to actually watch for skills to be used or you are just wasting ini.

As for D/P I tried that out first with these runes, but i find that when someone has 20+ stacks of conf on them, they tend to just try and run, which makes trying to stay in melee range a hassle. Id rather just have a constant auto attack, with bleed(which ur geared for).

I must say tho, stacking 20+ conf on a warrior as he keeps auto attacking is freakin awesome. and its so fast!!!

Oh. Okay, thanks. I forgot the pistol auto stacks bleeds too. Good point.

The only time I was pseudo-“spamming” #4 was when it was in duels vs the thief.
Shortbow attacks are near instant. You just have to predict when he’s going to use it and time it perfectly, rather than watching and reacting, like against the Warrior.

Sure, the first few fights playing this build I started out by just trying to 141414141. I found out very quickly mindless play like that doesn’t work and just eats your initiative leaving you helpless.

Meyrink.6792:

Jumper.9482:

Meyrink.6792:

Any experience trying this with D/P or S/P?

Just as good, worse, better?

In theory, doesn’t sound very good, no.

You’re just spamming #4 though, right? What’s the difference? The ranged auto basically?

D/P and S/P are just not a good weapon set for condition build, you need pistol main hand for bleed and pistol off hand for interrupt.

I dont know, i think this is quite easy to counter since you cannot really stack many bleeds (not enough access to stealth without dagger off hand) and even if you could, you’re applying 4 conditions in total (bleed, poison, confusion and blinds) which i think are pretty easy to manage (cleanse). You’re too reliant on ur utlitys (stealth) to stack bleeds.

It might work if you run P/D as a second weapon set. But i dont know, it’s definetly interesting and i might try it out.

By the way you can get 2 stealths out of Refuge (tho only in WvW cuz of 3 sec revealed instead of 4), it might help you stack bleeds.

Also, this rune set will be nerfed in the next few patches you can count on that.

For this build you don’t need anything in the deadly arts or critical strikes tree.

0/0/30/10/30 is what is going to be one of the most viable with P/P.

Shadow Arts- Shadow’s embrace, Hidden Thief (Stealth on steal) , And Shadow Rejuvenation.
Acrobatics- Either Power of Inertia, Or descent of Shadows (Of your choosing)
Trickery- Sleight of hand, Ricochet or Bountiful theft, and for the first tier either uncatachable or instinctual response (Of your choosing)

Your armor stats should have Precision/Toughness/Condition damage (Being your main stat). x6 runes of perplexity of course.
Pick the sigils of your choosing.
Utilities: Shadow refuge, Caltrops, 3 utility anything of your choosing, and Elite skill any of your choosing. Bassi venom would be preferred.

I started this build about 4-5 days ago. It’s worked well. My armor rating is roughly around 2.8, with 16k hp. Condition damage I can get up to 2k with might stacks, and food.

Thanks for letting me share some insight.

AikijinX.6258:

For this build you don’t need anything in the deadly arts or critical strikes tree.

0/0/30/10/30 is what is going to be one of the most viable with P/P.

Shadow Arts- Shadow’s embrace, Hidden Thief (Stealth on steal) , And Shadow Rejuvenation.
Acrobatics- Either Power of Inertia, Or descent of Shadows (Of your choosing)
Trickery- Sleight of hand, Ricochet or Bountiful theft, and for the first tier either uncatachable or instinctual response (Of your choosing)

Your armor stats should have Precision/Toughness/Condition damage (Being your main stat). x6 runes of perplexity of course.
Pick the sigils of your choosing.
Utilities: Shadow refuge, Caltrops, 3 utility anything of your choosing, and Elite skill any of your choosing. Bassi venom would be preferred.

I started this build about 4-5 days ago. It’s worked well. My armor rating is roughly around 2.8, with 16k hp. Condition damage I can get up to 2k with might stacks, and food.

Thanks for letting me share some insight.

I think the build should be 0/0/30/20/20, so you get extra dodge.

Caltrops are only useful vs melee, but even then its easy to avoid. I think blinding powder might be better since you have guaranteed stealth with condi removal, heal and a sneak attack.

Rissou.7213:

AikijinX.6258:

For this build you don’t need anything in the deadly arts or critical strikes tree.

0/0/30/10/30 is what is going to be one of the most viable with P/P.

Shadow Arts- Shadow’s embrace, Hidden Thief (Stealth on steal) , And Shadow Rejuvenation.
Acrobatics- Either Power of Inertia, Or descent of Shadows (Of your choosing)
Trickery- Sleight of hand, Ricochet or Bountiful theft, and for the first tier either uncatachable or instinctual response (Of your choosing)

Your armor stats should have Precision/Toughness/Condition damage (Being your main stat). x6 runes of perplexity of course.
Pick the sigils of your choosing.
Utilities: Shadow refuge, Caltrops, 3 utility anything of your choosing, and Elite skill any of your choosing. Bassi venom would be preferred.

I started this build about 4-5 days ago. It’s worked well. My armor rating is roughly around 2.8, with 16k hp. Condition damage I can get up to 2k with might stacks, and food.

Thanks for letting me share some insight.

I think the build should be 0/0/30/20/20, so you get extra dodge.

Caltrops are only useful vs melee, but even then its easy to avoid. I think blinding powder might be better since you have guaranteed stealth with condi removal, heal and a sneak attack.

Yes having the extra dodge is very useful with 20 in acrobatics. No disagreements there. But from my experience with playing, Having the 30 in trickery is much more convenient, which is obviously because of the sleight of hand trait. You need to be careful with your dodges. You don’t always need to dodge via “V default key bind” You can blinding powder stand in the aoe for melee, with range you have 1 of the best advantages ever since it is range, and more than likely you will be able to see the precast. So your daze will be handy. You have access to stealth, Shadow refuge, last refuge, Hide in shadows, instinctual response, blinding powder (third utility if preferred), Black powder+Shortbow combo, and by then you are up for another round of instinctual response, last refuge, hide in shadows etc.. As you and everyone know, with P/P there is Little to No room for error. So use all your cast wisely. But i do agree with you about the 20 in acrobatics, but I just want the maximum amount of condi damage as well as the reduced CD via steal.

Speaking on caltrops, this is the combo you should more than likely use. Trigger one of your venoms while in stealth, Optimally Basi venom, Then Precast+Steal or Shadow step or Infiltrator signet to your foe, and you would have stunned him in the caltrops, the automatic response from the foe is to dodge away now, interrupt the initial dodge, then the other dodge if possible, then the other instinct is to now heal. If it is not an instant cast, interrupt the heal. It all takes timing, and anticipation with P/P Percep runes.

Thanks for sharing your concern.

AikijinX.6258:

For this build you don’t need anything in the deadly arts or critical strikes tree.

0/0/30/10/30 is what is going to be one of the most viable with P/P.

Shadow Arts- Shadow’s embrace, Hidden Thief (Stealth on steal) , And Shadow Rejuvenation.
Acrobatics- Either Power of Inertia, Or descent of Shadows (Of your choosing)
Trickery- Sleight of hand, Ricochet or Bountiful theft, and for the first tier either uncatachable or instinctual response (Of your choosing)

Your armor stats should have Precision/Toughness/Condition damage (Being your main stat). x6 runes of perplexity of course.
Pick the sigils of your choosing.
Utilities: Shadow refuge, Caltrops, 3 utility anything of your choosing, and Elite skill any of your choosing. Bassi venom would be preferred.

I started this build about 4-5 days ago. It’s worked well. My armor rating is roughly around 2.8, with 16k hp. Condition damage I can get up to 2k with might stacks, and food.

Thanks for letting me share some insight.

Hmm, I like this build and the synergy of Sleight of Hands + Rune of perplex for extra interrupt.

Thanks for sharing, I might even make a set for this build.

Well, since Mug can’t crit, you really aren’t losing anything by taking it on a condi spec if you run Carrion. It also puts out a good amount of poison with the reduced cd due to 30 Trickery.
Sneak Attack doesn’t do that much more damage than Mug with poison, so I don’t feel it’s worth taking Stealth on Steal.
Hard to catch also finds a potentially useful niche here.
Sleight of Hand+Bountiful Theft combo is INCREDIBLE utility (The only reason why D/P is viable atm) and no way I’d want to lose that.

Jumper.9482:

Well, since Mug can’t crit, you really aren’t losing anything by taking it on a condi spec if you run Carrion. It also puts out a good amount of poison with the reduced cd due to 30 Trickery.
Sneak Attack doesn’t do that much more damage than Mug with poison, so I don’t feel it’s worth taking it.
Hard to catch also finds a potentially useful niche here.
Sleight of Hand+Bountiful Theft combo is INCREDIBLE utility (The only reason why D/P is viable atm) and no way I’d want to lose that.

I can agree with you about the mug serving no purpose on condi, or taking little to nothing from condi spec, but with this spec you want to be able to survive. There is little to no mistake that should be made with P/P. If you use mug trait while having the hidden thief trait(stealth on steal) you will go immune, which will then serve no purpose to having mug. Yes the poison is nice, but with your short bow you can always use choking gas, or for your 3rd utility skill you can use the poison utility venom.

Hard to catch is always a good thing to have, but i rather t3 my shadow arts tree rather than acrobatics. Toughness over Vitality is always the better option. While maintaining good condi removal in stealth, access to a proc’d stealth via last refuge, and hp regen.

I watch your video and you said the that unload “3” was not one of the main sources of dmg to be used while running this spec. I would have to disagree.. Shoot i’m not here to give a lecture.

but you guys get the point

Sir Vincent III.1286:

AikijinX.6258:

For this build you don’t need anything in the deadly arts or critical strikes tree.

0/0/30/10/30 is what is going to be one of the most viable with P/P.

Shadow Arts- Shadow’s embrace, Hidden Thief (Stealth on steal) , And Shadow Rejuvenation.
Acrobatics- Either Power of Inertia, Or descent of Shadows (Of your choosing)
Trickery- Sleight of hand, Ricochet or Bountiful theft, and for the first tier either uncatachable or instinctual response (Of your choosing)

Your armor stats should have Precision/Toughness/Condition damage (Being your main stat). x6 runes of perplexity of course.
Pick the sigils of your choosing.
Utilities: Shadow refuge, Caltrops, 3 utility anything of your choosing, and Elite skill any of your choosing. Bassi venom would be preferred.

I started this build about 4-5 days ago. It’s worked well. My armor rating is roughly around 2.8, with 16k hp. Condition damage I can get up to 2k with might stacks, and food.

Thanks for letting me share some insight.

Hmm, I like this build and the synergy of Sleight of Hands + Rune of perplex for extra interrupt.

Thanks for sharing, I might even make a set for this build.

Anytime my man, yeah I’ve ran this build and theory crafted with it alittle bit. You guys can call it what you want but i chose to call it my Thiefsmer build. (Thief- Mesmer confusion build)

AikijinX.6258:

Jumper.9482:

Well, since Mug can’t crit, you really aren’t losing anything by taking it on a condi spec if you run Carrion. It also puts out a good amount of poison with the reduced cd due to 30 Trickery.
Sneak Attack doesn’t do that much more damage than Mug with poison, so I don’t feel it’s worth taking it.
Hard to catch also finds a potentially useful niche here.
Sleight of Hand+Bountiful Theft combo is INCREDIBLE utility (The only reason why D/P is viable atm) and no way I’d want to lose that.

I can agree with you about the mug serving no purpose on condi, or taking little to nothing from condi spec, but with this spec you want to be able to survive. There is little to no mistake that should be made with P/P. If you use mug trait while having the hidden thief trait(stealth on steal) you will go immune, which will then serve no purpose to having mug. Yes the poison is nice, but with your short bow you can always use choking gas, or for your 3rd utility skill you can use the poison utility venom.

Hard to catch is always a good thing to have, but i rather t3 my shadow arts tree rather than acrobatics. Toughness over Vitality is always the better option. While maintaining good condi removal in stealth, access to a proc’d stealth via last refuge, and hp regen.

I watch your video and you said the that unload “3” was not one of the main sources of dmg to be used while running this spec. I would have to disagree.. Shoot i’m not here to give a lecture.

but you guys get the point

Sorry, I mis-worded that, I meant to say Mug was not worth losing over Stealth on Steal.

This is bad. Your build are base on the rune, which is wrong. Rune and other stuff should be supporting your build, not the other way round. When EZNET finally decided to nerf the rune, then the build will be useless.

Buzzcrave.6197:

This is bad. Your build are base on the rune, which is wrong. Rune and other stuff should be supporting your build, not the other way round. When EZNET finally decided to nerf the rune, then the build will be useless.

Have you not seen the video in which he states that that is the point of this build? The reason why this is so interesting is because it opens up options that thieves don’t usually have on their regular weapon set. It’s called improvisation.

Well everyone has a preference. I’d choose Hidden thief over mug on condi any day. Unless i run 10/30/0/0/30. Perplex runes x6

10/30 would assume you would be going Power damage.
Power with perplexity is not very smart imho. Every headshot you fire is initiative that could have gone to an unload or stealthing for backstab or something. It will also be doing half-damage.
The only possible scenario I can see a power/perplexity setup working is with S/P PistolWhip, in which case Ogre runes would easily outdps it (one exception being a shortbow spirit ranger with 0 awareness). That’s if PistolWhip were viable in the first place…

Again, you don’t lose anything running Mug in a Carrion spec since Mug isn’t affected by precision/critdmg. It will hit ~1900+~2k in poison in a condi spec and ~2000+~1k in poison in a power spec.

Jumper.9482:

10/30 would assume you would be going Power damage.
Power with perplexity is not very smart imho. Every headshot you fire is initiative that could have gone to an unload or stealthing for backstab or something. It will also be doing half-damage.
The only possible scenario I can see a power/perplexity setup working is with S/P PistolWhip, in which case Ogre runes would easily outdps it (one exception being a shortbow spirit ranger with 0 awareness). That’s if PistolWhip were viable in the first place…

Again, you don’t lose anything running Mug in a Carrion spec since Mug isn’t affected by precision/critdmg. It will hit ~1900+~2k in poison in a condi spec and ~2000+~1k in poison in a power spec.

Well My main source of damage would not be from P/P it would be from Shortbow- evasive build play style. The Automatic proc’d confusion (3 stacks) + all the other conditions I will happen to give while in Shortbow will be well enough. It wouldn’t be wise to run such an initiative heavy build with P/P as 10/30. But as i said everyone has their preference. I like to have the advantages in my duels. here is a duel i did today. Warning: My skill proc and evasion’s were slow due to my kitten laptop
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmk6qds6pZk