Guild Wars 2

I admit I am newer to the game. I chose thief because it looks like a lot of fun to play. In any other games I have played I was prominent damage dealers. I know this is not the primary goal of a thief. But I am trying to focus on attack and critical hits to increase damage output.

So far I am not 80 but I have been putting all of my traits into power and critical hits. Is this a smart way of approaching thief for end game type things?

Well you can always reset your traits at any time if it’s not working out for you. Personally I leveled with points in Power/Precision like you are but I put quite a few points into Acrobatics. Dodging is pretty essential against PvE. The additional Vitality bonus is useful as well.

Otherwise Shadow Arts will give you some toughness if your getting blown away.

There isn’t really an “end game” in Guild Wars 2 unless you consider farming a Legendary endgame.

So nothing fundamentally changes once you hit 80.

There are two fundamentally different ways to build a Thief.

One focuses on Critical Strikes, the other on Condition Damage. Both are viable, although more so in different environments. Both builds have synergy with the _ Deadly Arts_ tree with Condition build benefiting from the Venom enhancements and Critical Strike benefiting from the damage increases.

Survivability is a matter of personal preference and experience and the only thing you might really want to reconsider at 80 when farming explorable modes will become a common past-time.

Generally I recommend you invest heavily into at least one “defensive” tree, aka Shadow Arts or Acrobatics. You should also use gear that has more than just Power, Precision and Critical Damage. Otherwise you’ll be in constant need of a rezz in Dungeons since a lot of damage is virtually unavoidable.