Guild Wars 2

Is it almost always required to have a short bow in sPvP/WvW? (I know it is AMAZING to have in WvW since it’s one of our only ranged dps choices, plus infiltrator’s arrow gives amazing mobility around the map)

For example: If I’m running a D/D back stab/stealth focused build (not glass cannon) is it really required for the short bow for the off set? Can I run D/P instead for supporting allies for denying/helping stomps get off, and to stick to my target with shadow shot? I know the mobility with short bow is great, but can it be substituted for something else?

An example of a build I was thinking of running was this: http://tinyurl.com/8akjep5

Thanks for the help.

of course you can run a different swap set. D/P provides pretty good support of a different sort. rather than ranged damage support and combo finishers, it provides some extra battlefield control (as you point out). is that a more valuable form of support? not sure. it depends on what you’re trying to do.

I think the more you start to tinker with this kinda thing though the more you eventually realize that the cookie cutter specs exist for a reason. OH Pistol is great and really worth having. The best weapon set for it Sword+Pistol though so it becomes natural to build around using that as your melee set (instead of D/D backstab) so you get to keep the utility of the Shortbow.

so you can, for example, adapt the build you linked and instead play something like this|

and use Sword+Pistol instead of Dagger+Dagger, and just keep Shortbow on your swap set.

I have run a P/P, D/D Thief since the first BWE and been in love with the whole idea of it. I started using a SB in WvW out of what I felt was necessity (It’s just more useful to me there). Last night I crafted the Mystic Crescent for WvW and started running around in PVE with it. As much as i hated to admit it, it was A LOT better (at least for my play style). So then i went into sPVP and changed out my P/P setup for a SB and was blown away my the increase I saw in my PVP performance, I could take on groups of 2-3 and not have to just cut and run because I was outnumber, it was fun (Won quite a few 2v1’s).

But to address your question: Really you can run any weapon set you want if you’re able to make it work with your play style. If you tend to run with groups a P/D or D/P could be nice for support and combos if you run solo a lot a SB is a must IMO for making a quick getaway. carry more than one set up and you can switch as needed, out of combat of course.

I have run a P/P, D/D Thief since the first BWE and been in love with the whole idea of it. I started using a SB in WvW out of what I felt was necessity (It’s just more useful to me there). Last night I crafted the Mystic Crescent for WvW and started running around in PVE with it. As much as i hated to admit it, it was A LOT better (at least for my play style). So then i went into sPVP and changed out my P/P setup for a SB and was blown away my the increase I saw in my PVP performance, I could take on groups of 2-3 and not have to just cut and run because I was outnumber, it was fun (Won quite a few 2v1’s).

But to address your question: Really you can run any weapon set you want if you’re able to make it work with your play style. If you tend to run with groups a P/D or D/P could be nice for support and combos if you run solo a lot a SB is a must IMO for making a quick getaway. carry more than one set up and you can switch as needed, out of combat of course.

I personally seem to do better with P/P than SB, although I definitely think P/P needs some improvements.

P/P for PvP, SB for PvE IMO.

Rocking out a couple Unload’s on a speed proc is just butter.

I’d say it’s required for anything except sPvP. Mobility and AoE are what define the short-Bow, both of which tend to shine more in PvE and WvW than sPvP.

I think the popularity of Short-Bows also has to do with the lackluster appeal of akimbo Pistols, the only other “pure” ranged option we have.

For power build, SB would be the best ranged weapon compared to pistol due to the fact that pistol autoattack trade off dmg for bleed, pistol would be useful only for unload spam…