Guild Wars 2

OK, need some help on my new spec

People ragged on d/p. So I switched to a d/d spec.
People ragging on d/d. So I switched to s/p.

I change my spec to s/p, 10/30/0/0/30. Apparently this is “hardcore” and will make me better.

But for the life of me, with so much conditions and crap flying around in this game… especially when you get into a fight 1 vs 2/3, how on earth is a thief with this spec supposed to survive? Is there a video or something out there, proof of some sort that this can be as successful as 30 in shadow arts vs. multiple players? Or even this spec vs a competent 30 in shadow arts spec?

For my initial playing tonight, all I really got out of this was faster killing of players that weren’t expecting pistol whip. I just find myself out of endurance relatively quickly, less stealth, no condition removal and thus no way to recover except shelter and run away.

Any advice or commentary (not l2p :p ) that could help me? Having trouble wrapping my head around this one

And FYI I play guardian/necro as my main. Thief is just fun!

You pretty much nailed the problem. without shadow arts condi removal and sometimes healing, we cannot hold up well. I’ve played sword builds s/d and s/p since beta and sword has been nerfed into the ground at this point, yes you can still play it, but against competent players you will not do as well as a stealth based thief, and of course come the next patch we get more and more stealth traits with no defense out of stealth, so just give up and play a stealth build, anet isnt leaving us much choice

lyssa runes and withdraw is a good combo for 0 SA thieves

When I train I use full green armor with a green mainhand sword with no off hand and 30/30/10/0/0. Try surviving in that! It doesn’t really happen very easily.

Try 10/30/0/30/0

30 acrobatics is great for survivability

With a pistol whip build, if you need to evade.... you just... well... pistol whip. It wards you, it evades, and it does damage should anything get too close. Less stealth of course comes with that weapon set, so shortbow alternate is ideal to range, evade-retreat, and infiltrator’s arrow up and down places.

Conditions can be managed by combining infiltrator’s return and sigil of generosity/purity. Additionally there’s runes of lyssa for full cleanse with basilisk venom every 45 seconds, and pain response (20 acrobatics) for removal of damaging conditions every 30 seconds if below 75% health.

All that being said, people will rage about anything. If you like/want to use D/P, use D/P.

Precast PW and only teleport in with steal when you’re in the evade form. It’ll trigger all necro traps without being hit.

I run a 10/30/0/0/30 build with S/P in tournies. For as far as surviving goes:
-In a 1v1 (when decapping far) i mostly survive through cc: You have pistolwhip, baselisk venom, Sleigth of hand and Headshot. And pistolwhip offers enough evades in between that cc. Ofcourse if the opposing player is competent he will be able to avoid half your cc. Depending on the class i pop baselisk for teh Lyssa Proc at teh start (for stability vs warriors, engi’s, ..) or mid fight (vs condi builds, engi’s, necro’s). Further condi cleanse through skill 2, and signet of Agility (also giving you more dodges).

Dangerous situations:
#1. Opposing player is tanky: You are a killfast or be killed spec. If your target is still over 50 % (i use executioner) when i am down to my last initiative. I know i have to get out or he will eventually put you down (wasting time, better go cap somewhere else since you probably cant kill that bunker before all your utilities reset)
Side note: In killing bunkers, timing of your cc is essential

#2. Watch out for additional players coming in (especially when decapping far). Your CC’s are your best survival but are also single target. When additional players join, be ready to disengage (SR or switch to sb and evade, infiltrator arrow) because if they cc you at that point and your stunbreak is on cd, you sir are dead.

-In a team fight: You are basically glass so what i first do is use shortbow to apply poison and blast it for weakness, then i go s/p, use skill 2 to pop in, spam my whip, skill 2 again to go out. Dont stay in the fight since even weak aoe will probably end you. Stay at the outside of the fight and time your PW burst to help your team put down bunkers.

Hope this helps!

Guys this is some great advice. Thanks so much.

I have a little bit of pain because I spent $$ on a full set of runes of divinity :p.
Will have to re-work my armor set a bit for Lyssa as has been mentioned multiple times already.

Thanks again guys/gals

Keep in mind that Lyssa runes won’t be as effective as they currently are when the patch hits next week. I believe the main change is that they won’t provide a full condi clear, although I believe they’ll still do up to 5, which can often be enough. Not sure if the cooldown on it is being adjusted.