Guild Wars 2

Hey everyone!

I used to be a P/D thief but it wasn’t very challenging so I thought I’d give S/D build a go and I’m absolutely loving the new dynamic. (Keep in mind this is primarily for WvWvW!)

Some questions for anyone who has more expirience with S/D. What armor combination are you using? Currently I have a mix of AC Gear with Valk and then for jewlery I have full bers. I’ve only been using it very briefly and it seems to be working well.

Also what runes and sigils are you using?

Anything a MUST have? (A specific trait, sigil, rune set… Amount of toughness vs vitality, amount of precision/crit chance..)

I’ve heard paralyzation sigil (I think?) is useful for S/D Thief’s daze. Can anyone confirm if that’s actually true?

Thanks for all the input. I’ve honestly tried searching and I don’t think a S/D thief is very popular?

Mix of Berserker, Knight and Valk, Sigil of Paralysation (yes, it gives an extra second of daze in WvW as it still counts as PvE), 30 Shadow Arts for regen in stealth and condition cleanse on stealth – good to go.

Adaneshade.2409 has a great guide for S/D. I am following it almost to the letter and it is fantastic for wvw for my play style, I suggest you look up their posts and review it.

Auesis.7301:

Mix of Berserker, Knight and Valk, Sigil of Paralysation (yes, it gives an extra second of daze in WvW as it still counts as PvE), 30 Shadow Arts for regen in stealth and condition cleanse on stealth – good to go.

Condition removal is not really needed. I’d rather trait AoE blind on stealth. The only opponent condition removal really helps against are P/D thiefs, and i dont encounter that many of them (they’re still beatable without it). On the other hand the AoE blind helps in a lot of situations, especially if you are behind enemy line and taking out ranged classes. But to each his own !

Yes I agree I would never trait condition removal with this build. Just not my playstyle but thanks for the recommendation!

Also I’ve looked into Adaneshade.2409 guide thank you for bringing that to my attention!

Shizzlenit.7648:

Auesis.7301:

Mix of Berserker, Knight and Valk, Sigil of Paralysation (yes, it gives an extra second of daze in WvW as it still counts as PvE), 30 Shadow Arts for regen in stealth and condition cleanse on stealth – good to go.

Condition removal is not really needed. I’d rather trait AoE blind on stealth. The only opponent condition removal really helps against are P/D thiefs, and i dont encounter that many of them (they’re still beatable without it). On the other hand the AoE blind helps in a lot of situations, especially if you are behind enemy line and taking out ranged classes. But to each his own !

I use both traits situationally, but I disagree with AoE blind being THAT much more useful. Many opponents I come across barely notice the difference of one attack out of a large flurry being missed. I’d rather get rid of that burning or other damaging condition that might catch up on me (I’m in the midst of battle for a while, and it’s important I keep cleansed to ensure my regen can keep up). One source of cleansing from the heal usually doesn’t feel like enough when I’m against multitudes of opponents (which I often am, it’s my role within the group, to pseudo-tank and dazelock while doing decent damage). More often than not, I’ve had to dodge someone else’s attack from a range outside the blind regardless, so I end up dodging close range hits while I’m at it. I also like the cleanse’s ability to remove chills, cripples etc. when I get caught in a pinch. In 1v1, situations, with a non-condition heavy opponent, yes, the blind is more useful, but I get more usage out of the cleanses.

Like you said, each to his own. It depends how you’re playing.

I use both myself (IV V VI). Blind can actually cover you for the time in between the dazes.

As for OP, I felt lacking bit too much for my taste when I’m using my soldier set. I enjoy staying full berserker/asc since you have a lot more control over the fight kitten D.

For the gear set, i think valk armors+full zerk acc is the most reliable dps gear for thief (non cond-damage) . And atm i run 0/30/30/0/10 , with Sigil of Rage + force , because i think quickness is a very powerfull buff for Sword , with a very high cleaving damage.

Oh yeah, i frequently saw many people said that Sword only deals descent damage, i think its totally wrong, well compared to GC backstab that can deal 10k damage, but with 30 Crit trait IX(executioner) , full chain #1 can deal massively 8k damage, and its still modifyable , with Rune of Infiltration or Rune of the Thief. Even Infiltrator’s Strike+Flanking Strike can deal a massive damage nearly equal to Back Stab

any thoughts?

Swap that 10 from trickery into deadly arts and grab mug, puts the burst to insane levels not far from that of backstab builds. Plus give you a reliable application of poison which is great to keep your target from healing too much.

Noktern.1395:

For the gear set, i think valk armors+full zerk acc is the most reliable dps gear for thief (non cond-damage) . And atm i run 0/30/30/0/10 , with Sigil of Rage + force , because i think quickness is a very powerfull buff for Sword , with a very high cleaving damage.

Oh yeah, i frequently saw many people said that Sword only deals descent damage, i think its totally wrong, well compared to GC backstab that can deal 10k damage, but with 30 Crit trait IX(executioner) , full chain #1 can deal massively 8k damage, and its still modifyable , with Rune of Infiltration or Rune of the Thief. Even Infiltrator’s Strike+Flanking Strike can deal a massive damage nearly equal to Back Stab

any thoughts?

I’ve run a very similar set up, and people do largely underestimate the power of the swords free auto attack. The true power is the cleave. It isn’t unusual in a group setting to down several people all at once. Or very near it.

in wvw/pve.
10/30/30.
Paralyzation + Flame.
Shutdown for 3s, get some healing/condt removal.
When ready hit haste, Mug and burst to kingdom come if necessary.
or do FS + Mug. FS is only 7% weaker than Backstab.