Guild Wars 2

Currently I a running the s/p 10 30 0 0 30 build that utilizes stealing and stuns/immob. I found that comboing Devourer venom and infiltrators strike gives me quite a bit of immobilize on my opponents. I was talking about it in map chat and someone said that I was a liability to my team and only bad players are using devourer venom. He also said that I should be using shadow refuge to res and stomp players since blasting powder/dazes was not good enough.

Am I doing it wrong?

Honestly, unless you’re on a VOIP program, Shadow Refuge is a waste of a utility slot because most people will keep attacking while downed and get revealed anyway. Devourer Venom is aided by VOIP too, but at least you can use it for your bursts.

You’re doing nothing wrong, enjoy your build and have fun.

I never really use Devounom since it’s inferior to IDnom. It’s the only venom with one effect.

Spider poison deals damage + reduce healing.
Ice Drake slows movement + slow skill recharge.
Skale vulnerability + Torment.
Devourer immobilizes only. It should also cause cripple IMO.

So I get it when someone has a negative view on Devounom.

However, with your weapon set of choice (S/P) it is a perfect choice.

Ironically, the one who suggested that you should bring Shadow Refuge is obviously the liability — he would need you to rez him. lol.

okay thanks all

While I wouldn’t say you’re a liability, there are definitely FAR better utilities to choose from when playing in a group. Personally I feel as though a 4 second immob on a 45 second cooldown is a complete waste of a utility slot unless you’re traited specifically for venom use or venomshare and are running in a small man group, in which case all your utilities should be venoms. Also if you were playing a one trick pony burst build you might have use for it but even then I wouldn’t recommend. Additionally, other classes are far more capable of applying good immobilise without having to sacrifice a utility slot.

With regards to shadow refuge, it is true that it is sometimes difficult to pull off a save without good communication but i’ve found that it’ll work more often than it doesn’t. Also it’s a terrific escape and clutch heal for yourself as well as a pulsing blind field if you trait for it. SR is definitely a powerful utility but it is in no way necessary, especially in larger groups.

Just my 2 cents, likely biased though because I prefer to have defensive utilities.

By itself it’s a very powerful skill but in terms of team play, all it does is let you rez others and maybe get the jump on another group. Just play how you want. Different teams need different things

Most people don’t understand shadow’s refuge and continue to attack in it. It’s very rare to see someone playing it smart. Also many people run in and out of the circle, thinking they can just soak up stealth and move on. Clearly it backfires when they are the only player being targeted and melt in seconds but hey, they had it coming. Thief is so rare in dungeons that when they see a thief put up a wall or stealth they squeal with excitement, “WHAT IS THAT????”. In spvp its just a trash fest so don’t expect any real competence from your team aside from zerging.

Personally, I almost never use SR to stomp. If I’m X/P, then almost every stomp is done with Black Powder.

If you use SR, you can still get knocked back by Guard’s #2 or Engi #3. You can also get hit by a chained Thunderclap if you have an ally nearby that isn’t stealthed. The only time a stealth is really better than a blind field is when you’re 1v1 against a mesmer and no one else is around for them to target for their port.

That being said…I think venoms are still very weak compared to other options and SR does still work very well for stealthing allies to rez or for sneaking past enemies to back cap. It’s also one of the best escape tools for getting away from losing fights and can often save you from dying if you drop it right before you get downed and teleport away with #2 downed skill after the ring fades.

Personally, I use this a lot at the start of Forest of Nifhel to hang out waiting for enemies to get their beast at low health at the start of a game so that I can jump in and steal the killing blow.