Guild Wars 2

Hey guys,

So we’ve all seen some pretty bad thieves out there, and they give us all a bad name or stigma making it hard for all of us to get in harder dungeons or speed runs based on prior fails.

I think one of the main reasons is people ask for builds and get the same ‘meta’ nonsense of full zerk 6/6/x/x/x for dungeons and general pve content. While I agree it makes sense to run that, it may not make sense for newer players to run it. You will die.. A LOT.

So here are two build i whipped up for newer players or players who struggle with the ladder. These will still give you great damage, while keeping you alive longer.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fZAQNAsaVl8MpwpdPx6J0PRBOBt9uLQC4qF+lF9CAA-ThSBABWqyCfHBAKVnwMlgXpMKiTAAWKdA5QAQ0+DA8AAIFggKjA-e

This is a S/P build where you will be spamming pistol whip for damage/heals/evades or black powder for group support against certain mobs. You can substitute assassins signet for smoke screen for more damage, stealing will give you 2 extra ini and grant might and fury to team. Pretty easy to run. Switch to shortbow if you need range/poison. Dagger Storm for reflects/heals.
Useful for fractals as well.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fZAQNAoYVl8MpwpdPxxJ0PNBOBt9uLQC4uFjoDaFAA-TBSJwA2VZhy+DcPCA0VnwoSwbKjwp0BwhAgUACqMC-e

This is a D/D build. Again this build trades off top damage for more survivability. The damage trade off really isn’t that much different either. The only time it’s noticeable is when you have a party that is upkeeping 25 stacks of might since might stacking is how you get your power back up to the ‘meta’.
Again simple stuff here, you will be using Cloak n Dagger to blind mobs and give you stealth for condi removal and might stacking and set ups for backstab. Use auto attack chain and repeat. Heartseeker when enemy at 25% health.
I like to run with Infusion of shadow to keep initiative up. It helps with constant backstabs on longer boss fights and allows you to use death blossom as an evade rather then just evading without attacking.
If you need more healing try shadow rejuv instead of cloaked in shadows, or put in hide in shadows over signet of malice. Again, smoke screen can be subbed in if you need more group support. Dagger storm for reflects / heals with SoM.

Hope this helps. Cheers!

Oh yea, you can use S/D for the second build instead of D/D if you like the playstyle better.

Personally, I find the “issue” with thief is that it requires a good understanding of the mechanics of the game to be played effectively. This takes a little patience and a little practice (or for some, a lot of both). A good PvE thief must be among the best at taking advantage of blinds and dodges to make the most out of themselves. The ones who are good at this can get the most out of their characters.

I would strongly suggest running the Feline Grace build to newer players instead, taking smokescreen, signet of agility, and Shadow Refuge or Assassin’s Signet.

The build: 5/6/0/3/0

Link: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fZAQNAoYVl8Mp6pFOx7JsPNRLBtdHi+H09CBovqA-ThRBwAX3fU+dT9HU6DAcKAy/EAMrEEA-e

This is a great build for both new and old thieves for dungeons and fractals. Keep a short bow on your swap, run S/P for trash mobs and D/D for bosses. The build is very forgiving for wasting dodges. If you run this and still find yourself with out endurance and need a dodge, you can pop signet of agility for a full bar. Also if you don’t think you can have a good up time on scholar runes, you can swap them for something else.

I don’t really see how the 2/6/6/0/0 build is going to help out much. The blind on stealth won’t do anything against bosses and against trash you are better off using S/P and black powder.

For the first build of 3/6/2/0/3, the 3 points in trickery don’t do anything to improve survivability and the 2 points in shadow arts only net you condition removal in stealth which isn’t really an issue in PvE.

This is why I’m a big supporter of the 5/6/0/3/0 build for people needing a little bit more from their thief. It’s all about learning to use blinds on trash mobs and dodge attacks from bosses (and in a feline grace build, you can dodge liberally).

I like that you are out here trying to help the thief cause though. Please keep in mind I’m not saying your suggestions are bad! I’m just giving some personal opinions of mine!

Edit: P.S. My favorite part about your post is that you didn’t say “Just run PTV and expect to not have to learn to dodge instead”.

thx for this, I was just looking for a Sword / something setup for PvE.

A question: for… underwater combat… I sometimes spot a rich ore node in Orr and there are plenty of undead around. Do I want to pew pew them? What wep should I use / what sigils? Or just go in mine and get out?

one more question, if I may.
What kind of food should I run, in dungeons for example, to supplement the potions specific for every dungeon (outlaw/dredge/etc slaying)? Something with lower condition duration? I care nothing for MF, I just want something that will help me(low-medium skill) perform better in a pug.

For underwater combat, grab a berserker spear, and if you want to minmax it, force sigil+ something. I use wrath because the only moment where I’m underwater is hotw, but you could take undead if you’re wandering in orr. Spam 4 and 2 to win.
There’s cheap food on the tp giving power andprecision, use those.

RagNoRawk.3625:

For the first build of 3/6/2/0/3, the 3 points in trickery don’t do anything to improve survivability and the 2 points in shadow arts only net you condition removal in stealth which isn’t really an issue in PvE.

The 3 points in trickery is pretty vital to the Pistol Whip build. The 3 extra initiative plus the 2 you gain on steal will allow you to pistol whip a lot more frequently. Also the fury buff to party isn’t too shabby from thrill of the crime.

As for the feline grace, I get what you are saying about the extra dodges, but I’m a big believer in using those dual weapon skills to evade while still attacking and hanging on to your dodges for those ‘oh s***’ moments. Plus I’m also assuming there might not be condi cleansing class in the party and I think 2 in SA for cleanse is needed. But if you have a condi remover class in party, then yea, don’t waste points in SA and hop into another trait line. But that’s something you learn as you play. I didn’t want to get too deep into all the different scenarios out there.

As for the cloaked in shadows, it’s more useful than you think, it’s only about 1 sec less blinds than BP since nerf. And it’s an alternative for someone who WANTS to play D/D and doesn’t like sword. I still agree with you that you can swap that out with something more useful in a lot of situations. I think i mentioned shadow rejuv might be a better alternative or even go 3/6/5 .

Thanks for the input as well.

isn’t Exposed Weakness something you want in a power build?

oxtred.7658:

For underwater combat, grab a berserker spear, and if you want to minmax it, force sigil+ something. I use wrath because the only moment where I’m underwater is hotw, but you could take undead if you’re wandering in orr. Spam 4 and 2 to win.
There’s cheap food on the tp giving power andprecision, use those.

No offense to you or anything but you should really change your sig. It makes you sound like a 7 year old who wants people to think he’s a super amazing forum troll…lol js.

That’s the point, my sig is sarcastic. I will change it when I’m in the mood, though.

kitten you got me