Guild Wars 2

Hey guys,

I’ve been looking and asking around for a generally flexible PvE guide for playing the Thief. And all I’ve been able to come back with is:

1) Don’t use conditions cause they get removed easily by bosses; and
2) Don’t play glass cannon backstab spec

I was just wondering if anyone on here can tell me anything more specific and perhaps point me in a direction for PvE’ing as the Thief (stats, armor, traits etc.)

Thanks

THATS GOLD.2806:

1) Don’t use conditions cause they get removed easily by bosses; and
2) Don’t play glass cannon backstab spec

Neither of these is 100 % true. Conditions are awesome in PvE with the caveat that everyone else around you plays nice. That means they’re perfect when soloing, and awesome in groups where you coordinate who is using conditions, but very weak in mass-player situations where big enemies will always be full-stacked.

Glass cannon is very viable in most PvE situations, once you’ve learned how to avoid most damage without using stats. In open-world PvE glass cannons end fights much faster and enjoy the benefits of both more loot/exp and less survivability issues than their tankier counterparts simply because fights end before they really begin. That said, there are times when it is a bad idea. Theoretically you can dodge everything in most boss fights, but unless you’ve got god-tier evasive skills you’re best leaving yourself some room for error and losing a bit of offense. I, for instance, support full-berserker armor on the condition that you’re using Divinity runes, all-stat jewelry, or investing a solid number of points into something like Acrobatics.

General things about PvE:
1. You should be avoiding most damage via movement. Primarily this means WASD, don’t stand still and most mobs will straight-up flail around uselessly for half of a fight. This also means using dodge when appropriate. Your endurance should almost never be full, particularly if you’re running Might-on-Dodge. Finally, this means learning how your evade abilities function and timing them properly. See above for how you can spec more into offense once you stop relying on vit/toughness for defense.
2. AE damage is way better than single-target damage in most situations. The glassiest most well set-up backstab does far less DPS than a sword auto attack smacking three mobs at once. In open-world PvE you can govern how many mobs you’re usually engaging, engage lots and utilize that AE damage. In most dungeons, there’s still plenty of AE opportunity. If you enjoy the P/P or (non-Death Blossom)D/D playstyle by all means go for it, but shortbow, death blossom, and sword-based builds absolutely wreck groups of enemies in PvE.