Guild Wars 2

So i’ve read somewhere in the forums that the “1” skill on the sword does more damage than the pistol whip “3”, is this true? I found it quite hard to believe as “3” costs initiative whereas “1” does not. However, after a few tests by myself they are quite similar, and i’m finding it hard determining which skill i should be spamming on PvE mobs. Obviously , PW has the 1 sec stun, but does this alone cost 5 initiative? Not to mention, PW locks you in place for a short duration.

Auto attack will do in most situations. Combine it with blackpowder for blinds.

PW is situational.

PW is great for a few things:

Evading a big attack while still doing damage
Regen from SoM

Otherwise, it’s really meh. They overnerfed its damage due to Haste, instead of just nerfing Quickness which would have been the obvious thing to do.

Does this make my PW build utterly useless? >_>;;

TakaEagle.9486:

Does this make my PW build utterly useless? >_>;;

Not at all, there are tradeoffs.

Auto Attack
+Two conditions
+Better DPS
+Initiative Free
-Totally destroyed in DPS/conditions if you break the chain or miss the last hit
-Relatively low hit volume, especially against single targets

PW
+Evade
+Excellent hit volume, allowing for lots of on-hit/crit synergy
+Interrupt
-Less DPS
-Eats initiative (could be a plus if you’re using Assassin’s Reward to heal)
-Roots in place

PW is still a very solid skill and brings a lot to the table that auto attack doesn’t, just not in the raw DPS field. PW, for instance, works far better than auto attack for healing with life leech foods and Signet of Malice. A well-timed PW evade also allows you to stick around in melee range on, for example, bosses that do very obvious and painful melee AEs.