Guild Wars 2

I can’t seem to decide on a build. I think I’m set on a S/ something build, but can’t choose between S/P or S/D?

I know 30 in critical strikes is a must but not sure what to do past that. Looking for a build with a good balance of damage, and survivability (not a low health pool, good evasion etc)

Any tips? And yes I’ve looked around the internet and gw2guru and still can’t determine what’s right for me.

I’m looking for a build that can WvW/PvE btw

I considered a Venom Share build, but learnt its kinda useless in PvE and WvW because of the range and team mates having to stack on you.. so i’m open to suggestions

In my experience, S/P for PvE unless you need allot of condition purging then go S/D for that encounter. For WvW I prefer S/D all the way due to it’s easy access to stealth and, more importantly, Tactical Strike. I have a S/D WvW guide posted on my server forums, PM me if you’d like a link.

Here are some potential trait milestones for you to aim at. Think about these and pick what you think is best for you.

Deadly Arts 10: Vunerability on Crit. Not bad if your geared includes a good chunk of precision.
Deadly Arts: 15 points gives you weakness in poison. Weakness is a strong condition and you can apply poison with dagger autoattacks and steal… and also apply it by the truckload with a shortbow!
Deadly Arts 25: 10% increased damage when an enemy has a condition… so 10% damage increase all the time.

Shadow Arts 10: Regeneration on stealth. If you’re using a dagger offhand and plan on going into stealth often this is nice. (it also works on you)

Acrobatics 15: This is almost like “you can dodge 3 times instead of 2”. Very strong.
Acrobatics 20: Initiative regen. Initiative is your limiter on skill usage, so more regen is great. 1 per 5 seconds is a lot.

Trickery 10: Buffs while stealing are nice.
Trickery 15: Some people love this, I don’t find this that great because it just increases the max and I prefer increasing regen, but this does make it easier for you to stay over 6 initiative for the damage boost from Critical Strikes.
Trickery 20: Even more buffs when stealing and also ripping buffs from enemies.

Poki.8235:

Here are some potential trait milestones for you to aim at. Think about these and pick what you think is best for you.

Deadly Arts 10: Vunerability on Crit. Not bad if your geared includes a good chunk of precision.
Deadly Arts: 15 points gives you weakness in poison. Weakness is a strong condition and you can apply poison with dagger autoattacks and steal… and also apply it by the truckload with a shortbow!
Deadly Arts 25: 10% increased damage when an enemy has a condition… so 10% damage increase all the time.

Shadow Arts 10: Regeneration on stealth. If you’re using a dagger offhand and plan on going into stealth often this is nice. (it also works on you)

Acrobatics 15: This is almost like “you can dodge 3 times instead of 2”. Very strong.
Acrobatics 20: Initiative regen. Initiative is your limiter on skill usage, so more regen is great. 1 per 5 seconds is a lot.

Trickery 10: Buffs while stealing are nice.
Trickery 15: Some people love this, I don’t find this that great because it just increases the max and I prefer increasing regen, but this does make it easier for you to stay over 6 initiative for the damage boost from Critical Strikes.
Trickery 20: Even more buffs when stealing and also ripping buffs from enemies.

I’m currently running 10/30/20/0/10 I believe (I hope that added up right lol)

however I notice you don’t have an option for 20 in shadow arts, would you recommend retraiting those points?

And isn’t that many points in deadly arts only useful if you’re running a condi build, really? Or am I mistaken? I’m aiming for a melee DPS kinda build atm, that can go S/D but also be viable if I were to go D/D (just by changing a few traits around)

And yet another question: as far as equipment goes, what should I aim for kitten D that isn’t looking for glass cannon set up? I want to be able to survive a hit so I’m not sure if I should be taking Power/vit/whatever set with berserker accessories, amulet and ring? And Power/precision weapons?

Poki.8235:

Deadly Arts 10: Vunerability on Crit. Not bad if your geared includes a good chunk of precision.

This is so not a good trait. Max and I mean MAX if your lucky is 4% damage.

Ush.4312:

Poki.8235:

Here are some potential trait milestones for you to aim at. Think about these and pick what you think is best for you.

Deadly Arts 10: Vunerability on Crit. Not bad if your geared includes a good chunk of precision.
Deadly Arts: 15 points gives you weakness in poison. Weakness is a strong condition and you can apply poison with dagger autoattacks and steal… and also apply it by the truckload with a shortbow!
Deadly Arts 25: 10% increased damage when an enemy has a condition… so 10% damage increase all the time.

Shadow Arts 10: Regeneration on stealth. If you’re using a dagger offhand and plan on going into stealth often this is nice. (it also works on you)

Acrobatics 15: This is almost like “you can dodge 3 times instead of 2”. Very strong.
Acrobatics 20: Initiative regen. Initiative is your limiter on skill usage, so more regen is great. 1 per 5 seconds is a lot.

Trickery 10: Buffs while stealing are nice.
Trickery 15: Some people love this, I don’t find this that great because it just increases the max and I prefer increasing regen, but this does make it easier for you to stay over 6 initiative for the damage boost from Critical Strikes.
Trickery 20: Even more buffs when stealing and also ripping buffs from enemies.

I’m currently running 10/30/20/0/10 I believe (I hope that added up right lol)

however I notice you don’t have an option for 20 in shadow arts, would you recommend retraiting those points?

And isn’t that many points in deadly arts only useful if you’re running a condi build, really? Or am I mistaken? I’m aiming for a melee DPS kinda build atm, that can go S/D but also be viable if I were to go D/D (just by changing a few traits around)

And yet another question: as far as equipment goes, what should I aim for kitten D that isn’t looking for glass cannon set up? I want to be able to survive a hit so I’m not sure if I should be taking Power/vit/whatever set with berserker accessories, amulet and ring? And Power/precision weapons?

Deadly art traits are mostly useful if you’re playing venom builds.
Shadow arts is actually pretty good for dps; 25 shadow arts gives you 2 might on stealth, and if you stealth a lot, you can get 4-6 stacks of might every battle (more if you trait might on venom)

Here’s a good video I found on it when I first hit 80, and wanted to try out Sword/Dagger combo.