Guild Wars 2

I’ve been having some trouble playing in WvW since the latest patch and it would be great if you guys could help me out.

I run 10-30-0-30-0, zerg signet build with d/d and sb

I use the sb to get away and aoe with fire burst rune. Use the dagger for burst damage.

My build has a substantial amount of healing but lately it’s rendered pretty much useless. I can get 1 hit by mesmers, stealth rogues, and ranger’s pets.

This is the best non-stealth build I could think of but it seems that the only way a thief can be done is with stealth. Should I just switch to a different profession or are their any viable non-stealth thief builds?

May I ask why you want a non stealth build?

Zikory.6871:

May I ask why you want a non stealth build?

It’s weird but I wouldn’t feel like I won something if I just killed them without them even having a chance to respond. I know this sounds like a warrior mentality but warriors don’t have the cool initiative system that thieves have.

Evernessince.8035:

Zikory.6871:

May I ask why you want a non stealth build?

It’s weird but I wouldn’t feel like I won something if I just killed them without them even having a chance to respond. I know this sounds like a warrior mentality but warriors don’t have the cool initiative system that thieves have.

I only ask because I feel your gimping your self by not using stealth. Personally I think its silly to play a thief and refuse to use stealth as a offensive or defensive tool.

Either way I’m interested in seeing what people bring up. If there is a competitive build that doesn’t use stealth, I’d be interested enough to try it. I’m just skeptical…

Also forgot to mention, they really need to fix all the shortbow bugs. Slowed animation/projectiles really makes is useless for anything but cluster spam and support spam.

people have been making s/d builds rellying on evades and teleports…it’s still hard in wvw when you get focus fired on.

The problem with thieves is that no matter what you do, you’ll still be somewhat squishy (especially if you put 0 points in shadow-arts -so no traited toughness). In wvw there tend to be situations where superior numbers are focus-firing on you. For example in a zerg v zerg fight.

Shortbow doesn’t have the range to stay far back and spam enough damage to be worthwhile, so you kinda need to be up close. d/d absolutely needs to be up close…and if you’re not stealthing, then what; death blossom / heartseeker? These will get you targeted.

So now you’ve got a group of players focus firing on you and you’re already the squishiest class, even if you built (somewhat) tanky. So either you evade forever…which is impossible with cc. Or you have at least some access to stealth as a defensive tool. Think of it as /drop target. The goal is not to cheaply perma-stealth, but just to get people to switch targets so you can stay alive in a zerg v zerg battle. You need a way to reset aggro, if not the whole battle. S/D’s 2 skill gives you this option as well, so that may be more up your alley than stealth.

Even the D/D condition tank videos that I’ve seen out there use stealth once in a while to reset fights or get out when things go bad. These builds don’t really get the massive burst backstabs anyway, so even using the occasional backstabs isn’t really a “cheap” tactic in them. As you’re someone who is trying to play an “honorable” rogue, I think you should give s/d a shot, and see how it works for you.

Otherwise just accept some stealth as a defensive tool (if only that)

bobross.5034:

people have been making s/d builds rellying on evades and teleports…it’s still hard in wvw when you get focus fired on.

The problem with thieves is that no matter what you do, you’ll still be somewhat squishy (especially if you put 0 points in shadow-arts -so no traited toughness). In wvw there tend to be situations where superior numbers are focus-firing on you. For example in a zerg v zerg fight.

Shortbow doesn’t have the range to stay far back and spam enough damage to be worthwhile, so you kinda need to be up close. d/d absolutely needs to be up close…and if you’re not stealthing, then what; death blossom / heartseeker? These will get you targeted.

So now you’ve got a group of players focus firing on you and you’re already the squishiest class, even if you built (somewhat) tanky. So either you evade forever…which is impossible with cc. Or you have at least some access to stealth as a defensive tool. Think of it as /drop target. The goal is not to cheaply perma-stealth, but just to get people to switch targets so you can stay alive in a zerg v zerg battle. You need a way to reset aggro, if not the whole battle. S/D’s 2 skill gives you this option as well, so that may be more up your alley than stealth.

Even the D/D condition tank videos that I’ve seen out there use stealth once in a while to reset fights or get out when things go bad. These builds don’t really get the massive burst backstabs anyway, so even using the occasional backstabs isn’t really a “cheap” tactic in them. As you’re someone who is trying to play an “honorable” rogue, I think you should give s/d a shot, and see how it works for you.

Otherwise just accept some stealth as a defensive tool (if only that)

Thank you for the very kind input! A have a few questions though. If I were to go s/d, would I have to retrait everything again, and what would be a good build to complement that. I’ve tried using a sword before but flanking strike and it’s other abilities just seemed to basic to have any kind of utility.

Well I haven’t received any new feedback from the community but I would like to post that I found a build that works better.

I went 0 30 30 10, with d/p and it does amazing burt damage! Not only that but escaping is easier with all the stealth that comes with that build.

This question seems to be asked alot lately. I’ll make a guide on how not only me but most d/d sb thieves build to literally survive anything. While putting out huge damage of course.

I have tried a number of Non-Stealth builds in WvW and found little return. Thief has two powerful defensive mechanics: Stealth and Evasion. Without stealth you only have evasion. I have tried Numerous Evasion/Dodging Builds and they are good in certain circumstances. Those circumstances being, the majority of the time, 1v1’s or on the rare occasion a 1v2. I have never, ever been able to come close to winning a fight with more than 2 enemies without using stealth, and you can only dodge so many times. The thief just does not have the staying power for non-stealth combat, at least in group play, or 1vX.
Edit: If you would like I would be happy to share my Non-stealth/Evasion builds with you. These builds also work much better in sPvP,

Rastaman.9015:

This question seems to be asked alot lately. I’ll make a guide on how not only me but most d/d sb thieves build to literally survive anything. While putting out huge damage of course.

Please do. I recently rolled a theif and I’m also trying to learn about different builds and playstyles. Current I like D/P but I am open to anything. =)