Guild Wars 2

So a myself and a friend decided to make alts that we would ONLY play together for the sake of staying close in level. We decided it might be fun to both play asura thief.

So the question is then, what’s the most effective way to play it? What builds? What gear?

- It would be preferable if one of us could focus on one set of stats, while the other utilizes different stats. This way even though we use the same armor, we can still split loot based on stats. Is this practical, or do Thieves pretty much need to focus on the same stats regardless of build?

- We are PvE focused atm, with the goal of PvPing in endgame.

I’ve been doing a bit of research on builds, and came across Lowell’s guide which I was impressed with. So my initial theory was to have 1 of us Venom Share (and focus on condition stats), while the other Unicorns (focusing on power or precision). The Unicorn would be altered to also take Thieves Guild and Ambush to create an army of 10 (8 plus the 2 of us) thieves to maximize the venom sharing.

The problem is (a) the guide seems very PvP focused and (b) I blindly assumed that venoming sharing would utilize condition stats. However, it seems both venom sharing and unicorn both utilize power as its primary stat. So that throws a big wrench in my gear sharing plan.

Should I stick to my initial theory and dump my condition gear for power? Are there any other options that a pair of thieves could utilize that I hadn’t considered? If we end up using same stat gear anyway, is there any strong build out there, that if doubled up, would get incredibly strong?

Venom sharing can go both ways but lends toward power builds.

Also impractical levelling since it requires 60+.

Splitting gear wouldnt be bad if one was cond, other pow/pre. Though with both of you, cond would be rough on single to single mobs unless vet/champ – dies too quick.

Were very flexible, and by the time you have 10 in a tree you can respec free (w/book) and try another traitline.

Sword – control
Mh dagger – single target
Mh pistol – cond, single.
Oh dagger – kite utility, cnd
Oh pistol – melee mitigation, combo field, interrupt
Shortbow – mobile, cond/power mix, finisher(blast), poison ezmode.

If I always ran around with another Thief, I’d have one of us venomshare in PvP/WvW. Being able to share your stealth utilities etc. as well, and it just gets ridiculous.

Both should use D/P.

That way, one guy can put down a black powder and both of you can heartseeker through it, effectively sharing stealth and saving so much initiative.

A solid duo would probably be D/P Direct Damage, and P/D Condition Damage.
D/P guy can get a lot of Shadow Arts to help the two of you stay alive, and P/D guy can get a lot of Deadly Arts to control and weaken the enemies.
With P/D guy taking a lot of Trickery, he can also apply boons to the two of you.