Guild Wars 2

Can you guys share your insights regarding creative use of our Shadowstep mechanic?

Aside from Shadowstep stomps I use one to immediately standup from a knockdown. One example is that when I am hit by a Ranger longbow #4 I will Shadowstep to their back since a clear hit from it will result to a massive damage from Rapid-fire.

heartseeker —> shadowstep = 1200 range heartseeker. Same with backstab. you can also use it to port up walls etc.

you can also use it whilst chanelling skills like dagger storm.

Pro thieves please step in because I’m just part-time scrub thief.

Shadowstep backstabs/CnD (has to have good ping) and clusterspam
Shadowstep HiS (to make it uninterruptible at max range) and rarely Basi
Various blink spots to get you out of all sorts of situations (e.g. best map is Khylo around clocktower, from windows to just off the mid point, up on the roof from mid or ground etc.)
Shadowstep stomps (using Shadowstep utility or, Shortbow 5 + Steal/Signet)
Shadowstep stomp Guardians
Shadowstep stomp downed 2 if projectiles (port behind then as proj is flying port back)
Generally you don’t really want to stomp because Thief can’t take cleave.
Shadowstep + Sword jukes, combined with CnD/stolen stealth allows you to escape.
Juking with Shadowsteps and Sword also allows you to evade telegraphed skills. I’ve seen a SB 5 port out of an Evicerate in this game, once.
Shadowstep + Signet (+ Sword 2) + Steal
As you mentioned making directional (180 degree) abilities whiff. Acutally vs LB if you’re not outside 900, you can wait till RF starts and immediately steal to daze (even when disabled), using 6 Trickery builds.
If you really need stealth (don’t want to use SR) and other person AoEing the crap out of your BP, you can HS then immediately Shadowstep out, wait till last moment of BP and return to HS again (on that note, players watch out for your stealth jukes and will sometimes stand between your Shadowstep initial landing and the return spot or just AoE when you hit return because circle disappears prematurely)
Using Shadowstep to remove Immob/Burning/whatever in an emergency.

shadowstep up onto ledge and short bow from the top.

Shadow step up to the mansion on the clock tower pvp map.

Hold shift to look backwards and shadow step behind an enemy chasing you – then shadows refuge – then shadow step back and keep running if they turned around.

It’s many thieves only stunbreak, use it for that only. Or if you need to run. It should never be used for offense, much how like lightning flash on ele is. This is just my opinion.

This trick I’ve never seen anyone else utilize, but for context if you’re low on health and have condi’s you need removed…

…when you shadowstep for distance, if you swap to short bow and fire your shortbow 5 twice at the same spot shot then shadow return while the 1st projectile is in the air the second projectile will still be queued and make you reach your end destination.

Here’s a brief video of this in action:
http://www.twitch.tv/the_infinet/c/5422572

A large number of bridges/platforms can be shadow stepped up to from below. (ie pretty much anywhere on Spirit Watch/Khylo though this extends also to WvW).

When playing d/p you can press #3 a split second before using infiltrators signet to get what becomes around 1500+ gap closer. Good for getting the drop on people, especially other thieves.

When stomping a someone, press #5 on shortbow then start the stomp, you will be teleported away but the stomp is still queued, use steal or infiltrators to complete the stomp. (best for stomping guardians since it will put you out of knockback range, but if you’re clever with your use of LOS with the #5 placement it can guarantee a safe stomp against most classes while also avoiding cleave.)

if u have steal traited for daze, u can also, when stomping someone and their ally tries to res, steal to that ally and daze them to complete ur stomp

Can someone tell me if we are allowed to Shadowstep on higher platforms much like Mesmer teleport? Whenever I try to do it I end up on the edge instead.

Reinn.7436:

Can someone tell me if we are allowed to Shadowstep on higher platforms much like Mesmer teleport? Whenever I try to do it I end up on the edge instead.

In short, yes we can. Its more a matter of knowing the spots and being able to hit them in the heat of the moment than anything. The majority of hills/cliffs can be shadowstepped up if approached correctly.

-Sometimes creative use of stealth+shadowsteps are useful in stomping. In WvW you can sometimes get a stomp with a small group on you by putting the edge of SR on a body and using Shadow step to the other edge of SR and returning.

-Shortbow5 and steal before the shadowstep. Uses Mug for sustain. I normally would advise using a wide “V” pattern to force opponents to shift their eyes.

-Dagger offhand. D5 then stepping is a good trick to have.

-Pistol offhand. Black Powder then stepping is often better than BPing and stepping a heartseeker as the BP can often be high enough pressure to force a reaction. (Forcing sudden reactions often means forcing people to make mistakes)

-Dagger mainhand. Backstab THEN step. You only need stealth to start a backstab, not finish one. Especially useful when you lay down SR against a high pressured target and they run away thinking they have 4 second head start. Nope.

-Dagger/Pistol3. While stealth use 3 and mash 1. You’ll perform a backstab instead of the normal dagger hit. The normal dagger hit does more damage when not on the back though.

S/D Feel free to use that Steal or whatever to stick those 3rd hit AAs against kiters and FS and LSs.

S/P. In PvE I make HEAVY use of Pistol Whip’s backloaded animation! PW→Dodge→Walk in during PW animation for safety or Shadowstep right before (or after depending on situation) the whip hit for sword evade frames.

-Shadowstep Return is a strong way to keep you safe from typical cleaving, enhance with stealth if needed.

A key thing with using steps to create pressure is to NOT BE PREDICTABLE. These are things to have up your sleeve. BP+Heartseeker and stepping Shadowstep+Infil Signet+Steal won’t make you an MLG 1 shotter all day.

The Game Slayer.7632:

It’s many thieves only stunbreak, use it for that only. Or if you need to run. It should never be used for offense, much how like lightning flash on ele is. This is just my opinion.

To be fair, there are Elementalists who use Lightning Flash offensively, just like there’s Mesmers who use Blink for offense. But that’s obviously something you should only do if you’re positive that you won’t need it to survive in the next x seconds.

Oh, and you’re talking about the utility skill of course. The other shadowsteps that Thieves have, are almost always used offensively (except IA on Shortbow).

OMGimAnoobLOLOL.4730:

A key thing with using steps to create pressure is to NOT BE PREDICTABLE. These are things to have up your sleeve. BP+Heartseeker and stepping Shadowstep+Infil Signet+Steal won’t make you an MLG 1 shotter all day.

Lol, I’ve just looked up “MLG” on urbandictionary, and found that both definitions may fit sometimes. “Major League Gaming” or "Men Lacking Girlfriends, aka ‘pro’ gamers ".

Saturn.6591:

The Game Slayer.7632:

It’s many thieves only stunbreak, use it for that only. Or if you need to run. It should never be used for offense, much how like lightning flash on ele is. This is just my opinion.

To be fair, there are Elementalists who use Lightning Flash offensively, just like there’s Mesmers who use Blink for offense. But that’s obviously something you should only do if you’re positive that you won’t need it to survive in the next x seconds.

Oh, and you’re talking about the utility skill of course. The other shadowsteps that Thieves have, are almost always used offensively (except IA on Shortbow).

OMGimAnoobLOLOL.4730:

A key thing with using steps to create pressure is to NOT BE PREDICTABLE. These are things to have up your sleeve. BP+Heartseeker and stepping Shadowstep+Infil Signet+Steal won’t make you an MLG 1 shotter all day.

Lol, I’ve just looked up “MLG” on urbandictionary, and found that both definitions may fit sometimes. “Major League Gaming” or "Men Lacking Girlfriends, aka ‘pro’ gamers ".

That was what I was trying to say. My bad, I should’ve said “unlike how lightning flash for ele is”

How do I shadow step stump? I seen people do it, but don’t know how it works.

Knighthonor.4061:

How do I shadow step stump? I seen people do it, but don’t know how it works.

Start stomp, shadow step away and step back when the stomp animation is about to finish.