Guild Wars 2

I was wondering if signet passives are only in effect if the signet is off-cooldown? Seems to be that way with Signet of Malice. If so should I not be triggering my signets in PVE?

Thanks

Yeah, only off cooldown. Signets are supposed to make you choose between thier active and passive.

Yes, activating signets turns off the passive for the cooldown duration.
The usage is fully situational.

Whether to use them or not is fully situational.
Trigger agility if you really need to dodge something,
Infiltrator’s Signet if you really need to break a stun,
Assassin’s Signet if you need to burst down something fast,
Malice if you are critically in need of a heal.