Guild Wars 2

http://www.guildhead.com/skill-calc#mckzzc9colvLMoaLvmpx9Mfcscoqm

I’d like some opinions on whether this build is good for both pvp and pve, or if it is good in general, and some advice on what sigils / runes to use.

Basic idea is a high-burst and high crit thief build aimed towards taking the person out before they have a chance to kill you.

In my honest opinion, the game has progressed to a point where other players can counter an initial thief burst, and being raw dps, you’ll lawn chair if they react to you. You tried to supplement this with converting prec to health and skelk venom it looks like but regardless those in of themselves won’t save you from being hit rather hard. You dont have any gear set up so Ill focus on traits and skills:

Trait wise, I’d take furious retaliation as it will give a +20 crit chance when the target is at half health. Mainly I say that since you are taking executioner so you’ll want that crit chance to be high for the benefits of overlap. Side strikes is constant, but not as high and you won’t always hit from the side or back.

Signets of power would be better off for ya since you already have two signets and you seem to want to end things very quickly. Keep in mind, what you’re going for is very high risk. If you dont want that playstyle where you try to burst in three hits, keep Practiced tolerance. Executioner is fine. Sidenote: Id use assassins signet over scorp wire for your cause. would give more power and might if you choose Signets of power.

You have dagger training, and it’s easy to see why but you also have skelk venom, which would allow you to get the benefits of Venomous strength. Improvisation will also be very good since youre going to steal to start an encounter and youll get bonus damage wielding a bundle ( i think more than Dagger training will offer).

Last, Flanking Strike seems good, but I recommend Thrill of the Crime.

P.S. If you choose Sig of Malice over skelk venom, that benefits from signets of power but then dont use Venomous strength for obvious reasons, and signets stack their might with that trait. I should also mention that basilisk venom will be used to start an encounter to venomous strength also wins there.

Above post did traits very well if your going for quick drops. As far as sigils, force is a good start ( might have name wrong +5%dmg one ) and air is also good for single target dps. Fire sigil can be opted out too does less dmg but can be nice for clones and such but since your going for a kill before they can fight then its kinda poinltess.

Runes your gonna want to go for sets with crit damage and power. I’m not good with this off the top of my head but id peek at rune of rage, it supplements your fury very well with crit dmg still. The other popular ones i think are ogre and idk what else. Do realize as already stated though many people are good now at nullifying our first BS cycle and these one hit wonder builds can be very tough as you’ll drop in a hit or two. However the big #s when it works will always make you smirk

If you’re reliant on backstab for the majority of damage, hidden killer is better in PvP considering the lack of precision available. It also allows you to switch to a valkyrie amulet since there’s a lack of need for precision.

PvE wise you only use D/D when you’re facing bosses. The build seem to be primarily fit for PvE. PvP wise I usually go for 10/30/0/0/30 since the daze + steal boons is extremely valuable against other human players.

Don’t use skelk venom unless you’re in a small havoc squad in wvw or like venomshare in dungeons. It’s overall sustain it grants to thieves is next to nothing not to mention it requires you to hit to gain any real heal from it and there are many ways to consume a charge without actually applying it (blind, evade, block, invulnerability, etc).

Take HiS for the extra condi clear and stealth to reset your BS or withdraw if you want to be on your feet a lot.

Hey, thanks so much for all the replies. With your advice I’ve updated the build:

http://www.guildhead.com/skill-calc#mckzzc9cRlvLmRo0vmpx9MfcszMqV08kiG7khA7khT7070M7kGs70V7ofD70m

I went for the Rune of Rage on my armor, but I also noticed the Infiltration Rune, which gives additional precision, and a damage boost towards foes below 50% health. Do you think that would be a better choice?

Also, if I used it for all 6 slots, it would grant a bit of survivability and a passive “oh kitten” ability if I got below 10% health (cloaking)

Solid advice has already been given for PvP (10/30/0/0/30) so I’ll talk about PvE/dungeons. For PvE your trait distribution is right, but I’d change weapons. D/D should be kept on one weaponset, but the other should be S/P. Shortbow is not needed in PvE. S/P would be for trash mobs, as the AoE blind pulses and cleave are extremely useful. D/D would be for bosses, where single-target damage is more useful. For gear, Berserker everything with Scholar runes. If you can’t afford Scholar runes, you can use Rune of the Ranger, or Ruby Orbs (they are the absolute cheapest option).