Guild Wars 2

Hello, I am currently sitting at 56% crit chance, 73% crit dmg, and 313 cond. dmg. Trying to do a hybrid build or maximize dps and still be liable in group play.
Does any one have suggestions? And has our class changed for the worse since they nerfed our agro/stealth mechanic in the recent patch?

Build: http://www.guildhead.com/skill-calc#mckzMc0zMMFrMmMFrMmfGxV0ozacsb

I run this, use daggers/pistols/sb depending on the fight.
http://www.guildhead.com/skill-calc#mckc0zzzMoFlCMMFrMm0xax0caqzMsa

Of course it is very flexible but I will highlight some choices.
You want the 30 in critical strikes because it adds the most damage, it makes up for the lack of power traits.
15 in acrobatics is basically mandatory, it gives you so many more dodges. I run 30 in it because I run full zerkers gear and need the hp.
Signet of malice seems necessary for me (however you were running shadow protector so that is a good substitute), I stack it with assassin’s reward because when you run p/p, you tend not to stealth much and need a way to heal, assassin’s reward is very bad though.
For skills, Thieves Guild tends to be better than Basilisk because of the damage, but if you use it to stop major attacks it is just as useful.
Shadow refuge is good, Shadowstep is very strong because it allows you to run away from bosses to leave combat, breaks stuns, removes conditions, skip mobs, kite bosses/mobs (blink, then when they get to you blink back).
I also switch between signet of shadows and smoke screen. The blinds and block projectiles is very good against trash mobs. Which is why i run Master of deception (20% on deception skills).

Stealth didn’t do much, anyone who is complaining is using stealth wrong (or kittening for no reason). Shadow refuge, basically the only way to escape previously, is the same, You can’t stealth and stand still for 3 seconds and expect to escape, but then again you couldn’t do that before. The down skill stealth are almost useless now however.

what about stats? What is a good amount of condition dmg? 300? or would i need to sacrifice all my crit dmg and try for 1k ?

jROON.7501:

I run this, use daggers/pistols/sb depending on the fight.
http://www.guildhead.com/skill-calc#mckc0zzzMoFlCMMFrMm0xax0caqzMsa
Stealth didn’t do much, anyone who is complaining is using stealth wrong (or kittening for no reason). Shadow refuge, basically the only way to escape previously, is the same, You can’t stealth and stand still for 3 seconds and expect to escape, but then again you couldn’t do that before. The down skill stealth are almost useless now however.

I respectfully disagree. If you feel stealth didn’t change much then I would guess you don’t frequent dungeons or group content. Running a high crit/power build, with emphasis on backstab it is very challenging to get behind targets when you’re the focus of attention.

Other professions don’t have the same issues:
Guardians, Thiefs, and Eles are on the low-end of the HP pool, however our defensive mechanism… stealth.. doesn’t even diminish threat… and we don’t have a way to run the boons or buffs like the others.
Professions like Warriors for example top the HP pool so they can focus on damage statistics. However Thieves are now put in a tough spot now because if we don’t stack Vitality then we’re hurting, and if we Stack toughness there is potential to be focused even more.

If you need a point of reference check this out: http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Aggro

So does the Stealth change affect everyone? No.
PvP? There isn’t much of a change at all unless you count monsters in WvW.
Solo play? You now have to get out of combat like anyone else.
Group play (i.e. Dungeons)? ABSOLUTELY.

I would run FotM & Explorables pretty much every night with Guildies and almost a week into the patch I’m really wondering what my future as a Thief may be. I obviously love the profession but with absolutely no aggro reduction I’ve been hurting… and so has my ability to do a fair amount of damage as I’m switching to short bow, kiting, and hiding away from the group for 15+ seconds in a Shadow Refuge just to get a heal going. It’s terrible

The Guardian and Warrior I run with know this best.

I don’t get the change, stealth never dropped aggro for me unless I worked to have it do so…which, I did. It was my main use for the short duration of stealth. This is pve, not sure what this change really does for pvp. Not much I suppose.

Some people really like the change, I am one who does not.

Anyway, I liked the ability to drop aggro if I wanted stealth to do so, and I did. Now, I emerge from stealth and no matter where I am, no matter how far, the enemy is on me. It is more of taunt now. So, I just don’t waste resources on it really.

Now, I am changing everything, I have not used stealth at all since a day after the patch. Much duller now. Not really a thief but a sort of duelist to me now. Capable but not as fun really.

Of course SR is good, but that will probably be the only stealth tool I use now. Maybe I’ll go all ranged, not sure. Just not as much fun now. And more stealth nerfs are planned I hear. So, if I play my “thief”, it’ll be a duelist or some such thing.

I am finding my necro to be more fun anymore.