Guild Wars 2

Ever since the update I’ve been messing with Trapper runes and some of the trap traits and have been enjoying the strategic gameplay that comes out of it. Figured I’d start a thread and see who’s like minded here.

Who here likes playing trapper thief? What sort of builds/setups do you run to have fun with it or make it viable? What sort of tricks do you all have to mess with your enemy’s heads/control the playing field?

I’d love to hear what you all have to say and what you all find fun/useful!

I play P/P trapper thief in a condition build.

P/p obviously lacks stealth for that sneak attack but using trappers runes and trappers respite along with hide on steal I have as much stealth as I need.

I like using either 2 or three traps. Needle trap a staple and then Shadow trap and or Tripwire. While currently bugged one can get 15 stacks of might off the Shadow trap which makes for a very nice boost to conditions. (this added to all that Vulnerability)

Depending on circumstances I will use in place of one of those traps the Spider venom for loading on poison or shadowstep which is a stun break and acts to disorient the enemy in addition to removing conditions.

Trappers respite a must in this build as it gets that extra stealth on heal which instantly allows another sneak attack and the bonus of vulnerability and might one gets can add up. Improv is also a must in the build as with basi venom as an elite (2 interrupts for my pressure strike) , the trick as heal , and the three traps or two traps and a venom or deception , There a very good chance one of those recharges and any of those recharging is a tremendous boon.

Shadowtrap stacked on top a needle trap at distance allows you to step to the foe when it triggerred and get off a real nice attack as he immobilized. You can then drop tripwire right on top of him.

When fleeing an enemy i will run while dropping the traps. This stealths and gives superspeed and if the chase behind they trigger it. This helps make up for the lack of ports and or leaps on the P/P set.

I have sometimes dropped Shadowtrap on top of an enemy corpse in battle. Generally battles are fluid but if someone tries to rez that person while I am no longer in that immediate area I get an immediate tell and step back to dissaude him.

Needle traps can be used to “track” an enemy. As example we were once flipping a keep and all in the lords room. I had set a needle trap on that bridge in hills and could tell right away someone was coming in. I could see the bleed and poison ticks at distance so knew he had run into a corner where he tried to stealth even as I could not see him due to LOS. It was a mesmer who might have avoided our notice otherwise.

You can also use shadowtrap in such a manner laying it prior to entry to an area at distance and this giving you a tell as soon as it triggered that someone might be on the way in allowing you to get that INC warning off to your group earlier . I have also used this as an early warning while solo flipping camps. I hear that sound and see that trigger icon trip and I know I might be in trouble.

If you have a good line to that trap set you can wait a few seconds then port right behind the group so as to make your escape.

If facing superior numbers I will often have a shadowtrap set some distance away and “behind me” . I can use withdraw as a heal and get that instant stealth then cast the early trigger of shadowtrap which will pull me way out of their area. It sort of like 45 infiltrators arrows in one in a set that lacks such escapes.

babazhook.6805:

I play P/P trapper thief in a condition build.

P/p obviously lacks stealth for that sneak attack but using trappers runes and trappers respite along with hide on steal I have as much stealth as I need.

I like using either 2 or three traps. Needle trap a staple and then Shadow trap and or Tripwire. While currently bugged one can get 15 stacks of might off the Shadow trap which makes for a very nice boost to conditions. (this added …) -snip-

Thank you for such a comprehensive run down! I appreciate you sharing your insights!

I’ve still been exploring the finer points of the build, been running P/D -Shortbow with Dire sigils and Trapper runes, working on getting condi trinkets set up too. (Though I’m starting to lean toward other weapons just for fun) Traited to confuse on steal and torment on interrupts, as well as quickness on side strikes.

I admit I’ve never thought to use some of the shadowtrap techniques (or stacking them on top of another) but that is an awesome setup! I enjoy locking down folks with immob via the Trappers Respite and Needle Trap, works wonders in a team setup!

Aftertouch.5437:

babazhook.6805:

I play P/P trapper thief in a condition build.

P/p obviously lacks stealth for that sneak attack but using trappers runes and trappers respite along with hide on steal I have as much stealth as I need.

I like using either 2 or three traps. Needle trap a staple and then Shadow trap and or Tripwire. While currently bugged one can get 15 stacks of might off the Shadow trap which makes for a very nice boost to conditions. (this added …) -snip-

Thank you for such a comprehensive run down! I appreciate you sharing your insights!

I’ve still been exploring the finer points of the build, been running P/D -Shortbow with Dire sigils and Trapper runes, working on getting condi trinkets set up too. (Though I’m starting to lean toward other weapons just for fun) Traited to confuse on steal and torment on interrupts, as well as quickness on side strikes.

I admit I’ve never thought to use some of the shadowtrap techniques (or stacking them on top of another) but that is an awesome setup! I enjoy locking down folks with immob via the Trappers Respite and Needle Trap, works wonders in a team setup!

There not enough trapper theives around. What would be fun is to have 3 work in conjunction saturating an approach/area with traps.

babazhook.6805:

Aftertouch.5437:

babazhook.6805:

I play P/P trapper thief in a condition build.

P/p obviously lacks stealth for that sneak attack but using trappers runes and trappers respite along with hide on steal I have as much stealth as I need.

I like using either 2 or three traps. Needle trap a staple and then Shadow trap and or Tripwire. While currently bugged one can get 15 stacks of might off the Shadow trap which makes for a very nice boost to conditions. (this added …) -snip-

Thank you for such a comprehensive run down! I appreciate you sharing your insights!

I’ve still been exploring the finer points of the build, been running P/D -Shortbow with Dire sigils and Trapper runes, working on getting condi trinkets set up too. (Though I’m starting to lean toward other weapons just for fun) Traited to confuse on steal and torment on interrupts, as well as quickness on side strikes.

I admit I’ve never thought to use some of the shadowtrap techniques (or stacking them on top of another) but that is an awesome setup! I enjoy locking down folks with immob via the Trappers Respite and Needle Trap, works wonders in a team setup!

There not enough trapper theives around. What would be fun is to have 3 work in conjunction saturating an approach/area with traps.

That would be deliciously wicked to pull off. I can practically see the QQ now.

We where nerfed on poison damage by a lot and our bleeds also deal little less damage.

Even if there’s been a nerf to poison damage it’s still possible to take someone down if you pay attention and position yourself correctly. Doesn’t make it any less fun to experiment with!

Aftertouch.5437:

Even if there’s been a nerf to poison damage it’s still possible to take someone down if you pay attention and position yourself correctly. Doesn’t make it any less fun to experiment with!

It is good but now it just seems lame lol back to max dps

Forsaken.4215:

Aftertouch.5437:

Even if there’s been a nerf to poison damage it’s still possible to take someone down if you pay attention and position yourself correctly. Doesn’t make it any less fun to experiment with!

It is good but now it just seems lame lol back to max dps

To each their own! Won’t stop people from wanting to try out alternatives and confer with those who like stuff other than the meta.

Aftertouch.5437:

Forsaken.4215:

Aftertouch.5437:

Even if there’s been a nerf to poison damage it’s still possible to take someone down if you pay attention and position yourself correctly. Doesn’t make it any less fun to experiment with!

It is good but now it just seems lame lol back to max dps

To each their own! Won’t stop people from wanting to try out alternatives and confer with those who like stuff other than the meta.

I posted an OP build last week for condition theif and i was so keen to be on that other level, now it seems kind p since pugs ruin it for me.

Forsaken.4215:

We where nerfed on poison damage by a lot and our bleeds also deal little less damage.

Ah you are talking about pre-patch?

Not material really . Prior to the patch one stack of poison made no difference from 10 damage wise. I really do not see the poison as a damage source unless I have a build applying more poisons. I used it then as an inhibit to heal and that has not changed. The damage per tick loss is not all that great (130 per tick with 2k condition damage) and can be made up for rather easily with another stack of poison and then exceeded.

If i wnated a poison build i would take spider venom and dagger training.

As to bleeds , I am having no problems applying bleed stacks and get 2 k ticks with regularity. My weaponset remains the primary source of bleeds, the trap bleeds are secondary.

Durations of both did in fact go up after the patch and I prefer those longer durations.
Vulnerabilty stacks applying to poison and bleed ticks also made up for some of the loss in the formula and is applied when traps triggered.

Forsaken.4215:

Aftertouch.5437:

Forsaken.4215:

Aftertouch.5437:

Even if there’s been a nerf to poison damage it’s still possible to take someone down if you pay attention and position yourself correctly. Doesn’t make it any less fun to experiment with!

It is good but now it just seems lame lol back to max dps

To each their own! Won’t stop people from wanting to try out alternatives and confer with those who like stuff other than the meta.

I posted an OP build last week for condition theif and i was so keen to be on that other level, now it seems kind p since pugs ruin it for me.

That’s understandable, hopefully you can adapt the build with current update! I’m sure folks would appreciate it.

Forsaken.4215:

Aftertouch.5437:

Forsaken.4215:

Aftertouch.5437:

Even if there’s been a nerf to poison damage it’s still possible to take someone down if you pay attention and position yourself correctly. Doesn’t make it any less fun to experiment with!

It is good but now it just seems lame lol back to max dps

To each their own! Won’t stop people from wanting to try out alternatives and confer with those who like stuff other than the meta.

I posted an OP build last week for condition theif and i was so keen to be on that other level, now it seems kind p since pugs ruin it for me.

Oh some people have more than one character slot and play more than one version of the thief. I play power builds as well. It does not prevent me from playing with condition builds.

The way i see it we have diversity for a reason. people want to try things other than “the meta” and since my interest is WvW , the only measurement I need as to how effective a build is would be one that is a measurement against myself and how well i do respectively with each.

In WvW i do pretty good with Thief trapper using P/P and have fun doing it. Another insisting it not optimal does not change that. Play your way.

babazhook.6805:

Forsaken.4215:

We where nerfed on poison damage by a lot and our bleeds also deal little less damage.

Ah you are talking about pre-patch?

Not material really . Prior to the patch one stack of poison made no difference from 10 damage wise. I really do not see the poison as a damage source unless I have a build applying more poisons. I used it then as an inhibit to heal and that has not changed. The damage per tick loss is not all that great (130 per tick with 2k condition damage) and can be made up for rather easily with another stack of poison and then exceeded.

If i wnated a poison build i would take spider venom and dagger training.

As to bleeds , I am having no problems applying bleed stacks and get 2 k ticks with regularity. My weaponset remains the primary source of bleeds, the trap bleeds are secondary.

Durations of both did in fact go up after the patch and I prefer those longer durations.
Vulnerabilty stacks applying to poison and bleed ticks also made up for some of the loss in the formula and is applied when traps triggered.

Yes, I’ve been seeing similar duration extension on mine, it’s been great.

If I might ask, what kind of weapons/sigils you running to get such high bleeds? They sound quite fun.

Aftertouch.5437:

babazhook.6805:

Forsaken.4215:

We where nerfed on poison damage by a lot and our bleeds also deal little less damage.

Ah you are talking about pre-patch?

Not material really . Prior to the patch one stack of poison made no difference from 10 damage wise. I really do not see the poison as a damage source unless I have a build applying more poisons. I used it then as an inhibit to heal and that has not changed. The damage per tick loss is not all that great (130 per tick with 2k condition damage) and can be made up for rather easily with another stack of poison and then exceeded.

If i wanted a poison build i would take spider venom and dagger training.

As to bleeds , I am having no problems applying bleed stacks and get 2 k ticks with regularity. My weaponset remains the primary source of bleeds, the trap bleeds are secondary.

Durations of both did in fact go up after the patch and I prefer those longer durations.
Vulnerabilty stacks applying to poison and bleed ticks also made up for some of the loss in the formula and is applied when traps triggered.

Yes, I’ve been seeing similar duration extension on mine, it’s been great.

If I might ask, what kind of weapons/sigils you running to get such high bleeds? They sound quite fun.

I switch between sets quite often dependent on the battle at hand. d/d DB has a 10 second base bleed. Remember I am doing WvW so we do have that food there. I also use toxic focusing crytsals.

Now with the p/p set I stack bleeds using sneak attack using the trappers. it a matter of timing my weapon swaps. I find I do not need SB for escape as the traps are plenty. I can not get as many stacks if I stick with that (p/P) but the utility of bleeds at range free of INI and the torment off head shots is real handy. The flow of battle and who I am fighting and his tactics determine when I switch to p/p and to d/d.

I use geomancy as a sigil as well for more bleeds when i swap. if you not in the habit of swapping this would not work. Some prefer to stay with one weapon set and use the alternate for utility only.

So as example. He trapped in my needle trap and immobolized or cripped/DB perfect here to quickly load long lasting bleeds. get three in, swap, lay a trap stealth sneak attack. headshot steal.

babazhook.6805:

Forsaken.4215:

We where nerfed on poison damage by a lot and our bleeds also deal little less damage.

Ah you are talking about pre-patch?

Not material really . Prior to the patch one stack of poison made no difference from 10 damage wise. I really do not see the poison as a damage source unless I have a build applying more poisons. I used it then as an inhibit to heal and that has not changed. The damage per tick loss is not all that great (130 per tick with 2k condition damage) and can be made up for rather easily with another stack of poison and then exceeded.

If i wnated a poison build i would take spider venom and dagger training.

As to bleeds , I am having no problems applying bleed stacks and get 2 k ticks with regularity. My weaponset remains the primary source of bleeds, the trap bleeds are secondary.

Durations of both did in fact go up after the patch and I prefer those longer durations.
Vulnerabilty stacks applying to poison and bleed ticks also made up for some of the loss in the formula and is applied when traps triggered.

No not pre patch wtf do you know anything shut up stopcommenting

Forsaken.4215:

babazhook.6805:

Forsaken.4215:

We where nerfed on poison damage by a lot and our bleeds also deal little less damage.

Ah you are talking about pre-patch?

Not material really . Prior to the patch one stack of poison made no difference from 10 damage wise. I really do not see the poison as a damage source unless I have a build applying more poisons. I used it then as an inhibit to heal and that has not changed. The damage per tick loss is not all that great (130 per tick with 2k condition damage) and can be made up for rather easily with another stack of poison and then exceeded.

If i wnated a poison build i would take spider venom and dagger training.

As to bleeds , I am having no problems applying bleed stacks and get 2 k ticks with regularity. My weaponset remains the primary source of bleeds, the trap bleeds are secondary.

Durations of both did in fact go up after the patch and I prefer those longer durations.
Vulnerabilty stacks applying to poison and bleed ticks also made up for some of the loss in the formula and is applied when traps triggered.

No not pre patch wtf do you know anything shut up stopcommenting

Please give the link to these changes.

No I will not stop commenting. You are irrational.

babazhook.6805:

Forsaken.4215:

babazhook.6805:

Forsaken.4215:

We where nerfed on poison damage by a lot and our bleeds also deal little less damage.

Ah you are talking about pre-patch?

Not material really . Prior to the patch one stack of poison made no difference from 10 damage wise. I really do not see the poison as a damage source unless I have a build applying more poisons. I used it then as an inhibit to heal and that has not changed. The damage per tick loss is not all that great (130 per tick with 2k condition damage) and can be made up for rather easily with another stack of poison and then exceeded.

If i wnated a poison build i would take spider venom and dagger training.

As to bleeds , I am having no problems applying bleed stacks and get 2 k ticks with regularity. My weaponset remains the primary source of bleeds, the trap bleeds are secondary.

Durations of both did in fact go up after the patch and I prefer those longer durations.
Vulnerabilty stacks applying to poison and bleed ticks also made up for some of the loss in the formula and is applied when traps triggered.

No not pre patch wtf do you know anything shut up stopcommenting

Please give the link to these changes.

No I will not stop commenting. You are irrational.

Look man im sick of you trying to justify me. You don’t play a trapper thief and you never have okay shut up.
On patch day traps with full dire in wvw output 1800 poison damage over 11sec
Now they output 1300 damage over 11 sec
In pvp it was 1800 and now 1115 poison damage over 10 sec
I can see it on my skillsi am not blind.
Now scram forum troll stop commenting you have no intelligence

Formula posted for poison June 16 dulfy Archives.
New damage over time: 3.5+(0.375*Level)+(.06*Condition Damage)

Formula posted GW2 june 23 for release day Patch.
New damage over time: 3.5+(0.375*Level)+(.06*Condition Damage)

Current build 1541 base condition using d/D set
Expected damage per tick of poison using June 16 formula

1541*.6 80*.3753.5 = 126

Damage per tick in wvw 125.

Where is your 40 percent cut? Your own build link shows nothing . No numbers appear that support your claim poisons ticked 40 percent higher.

Screenshot existing Thief Condi damage matches June 16 formula. It out by 1 per tick. Note due to the nature of build Condi damage varies slightly frpm moment to moment. It was 1531 when I inflicted damage and 1541 when I took screenshot of build this that 1 per tick anomaly. there is no 40 percent cut to poison since patch that I can see.

Forsaken.4215:

babazhook.6805:

Forsaken.4215:

babazhook.6805:

Forsaken.4215:

We where nerfed on poison damage by a lot and our bleeds also deal little less damage.

Ah you are talking about pre-patch?

Not material really . Prior to the patch one stack of poison made no difference from 10 damage wise. I really do not see the poison as a damage source unless I have a build applying more poisons. I used it then as an inhibit to heal and that has not changed. The damage per tick loss is not all that great (130 per tick with 2k condition damage) and can be made up for rather easily with another stack of poison and then exceeded.

If i wnated a poison build i would take spider venom and dagger training.

As to bleeds , I am having no problems applying bleed stacks and get 2 k ticks with regularity. My weaponset remains the primary source of bleeds, the trap bleeds are secondary.

Durations of both did in fact go up after the patch and I prefer those longer durations.
Vulnerabilty stacks applying to poison and bleed ticks also made up for some of the loss in the formula and is applied when traps triggered.

No not pre patch wtf do you know anything shut up stopcommenting

Please give the link to these changes.

No I will not stop commenting. You are irrational.

Look man im sick of you trying to justify me. You don’t play a trapper thief and you never have okay shut up.
On patch day traps with full dire in wvw output 1800 poison damage over 11sec
Now they output 1300 damage over 11 sec
In pvp it was 1800 and now 1115 poison damage over 10 sec
I can see it on my skillsi am not blind.
Now scram forum troll stop commenting you have no intelligence

I am not trying to “justify you”. do you understand what that term means?

You claimed that poison was nerfed by 40 percent since patch and I am trying to get you to answer how you arrived at the conclusion and a link if you have one that indicates this has happened something which you have not yet done.

I play a trapper and have played one ever since trappers runes came out. You are in no position to tell me what builds I have played. You are under no obligation to either read or respond to my posts so I will continue to do so and not “scram”. If you think I violate terms of service you are free to take your concerns to Anet.

Have a nice day