Guild Wars 2

I’m currently running a S/D build using a mix of zerkers, valk and soldiers gear. now I wanted to tweak that up a little and was wondering what people could suggest for an event stat balance between survivability and damage output, do I want more soldiers pieces? or is the zerks/valk combo fine given the toughness from the 0/30/30/10/0 build? now i understand everyone will have their own ideas on what’s best but I’d just be interested to see what others may suggest.

Full zerk imo. Survivability is from traits and sword#2. Downing people faster helps you survive too.

IMO:

Zerker Weapons (Para Sigil/Ruby Orb) Zerker/Knight armor (50/50 w/ Power Runes Ala Scholar, but if you don’t have the $ just throw some ruby orbs), Soldier Trinkets w/ Ruby Jewels, and a Valk Amulet.

Lots of toughness, decent HP, high crit chance & + crit dmg. Mix with Truffle Ravioli is what I do (100 Tough/70 Vit).

Despite what Stiv said, I still think doubling down on toughness > raw damage.

http://gw2buildcraft.com/calculator/thief/?7|c.1g.hd.8.1g.a7|0.0.0.0.0.0|1n.7e.1g.7e.1n.7e.1g.7e.1n.7e.1g.7e|1p.67.1c.67.1c.67.1c.67.1c.67.1i.67|a3.u36b.u045.0.0|0.0|e

(link to how I roll)

I actually really like that set up laika, cheers mate

Laika.8795:

IMO:

Zerker Weapons (Para Sigil/Ruby Orb) Zerker/Knight armor (50/50 w/ Power Runes Ala Scholar, but if you don’t have the $ just throw some ruby orbs), Soldier Trinkets w/ Ruby Jewels, and a Valk Amulet.

Lots of toughness, decent HP, high crit chance & + crit dmg. Mix with Truffle Ravioli is what I do (100 Tough/70 Vit).

Despite what Stiv said, I still think doubling down on toughness > raw damage.

http://gw2buildcraft.com/calculator/thief/?7|c.1g.hd.8.1g.a7|0.0.0.0.0.0|1n.7e.1g.7e.1n.7e.1g.7e.1n.7e.1g.7e|1p.67.1c.67.1c.67.1c.67.1c.67.1i.67|a3.u36b.u045.0.0|0.0|e

(link to how I roll)

Very similar to my build for WvW. Someone has been paying attention to their crit damage optimization

Heh, I’m running that build as well. Just move the 10 from DA to Acrobatics, and I like stealth on steal > Daggerstorm.

Running Rubicon/Lyssa Temple armor tho… and D/D + SB.

http://gw2buildcraft.com/calculator/thief/?7|8.1g.h2.8.1g.h14|5.1g.h4|1g.a7.1c.a1.1p.a1.1g.a7.1g.a7.1g.a7|2s.d14.1c.61.1c.61.1p.61.1p.61.8g.67|a3.u6ac.u56b.0.0|40.1|e

this is the build I run daily in WvW

not the best but it works for me.

This is what I’m currently working on changing to.

http://gw2buildcraft.com/calculator/thief/?7|c.1g.hd.8.1g.h1|5.1g.h4|1p.a1.1p.a1.1p.a1.1p.a1.1p.a1.1p.a1|1g.67.1i.67.1i.67.1n.67.1n.67.8g.67|0.p6a.u46b.f2.0|1b.7|e

I think it’s important to understand the concept Battou.7832 eluded to in his post when he complimented Laika.8795. If your going to mix different types of gear, there are certain pieces that are better used for % value stats (Boon duration, condition duration, critical damage, and magic find) and certain pieces that are better for numeric value stats (Power, precision, toughness, vitality, condition damage, and healing power)

For example look at the stats when compare two different exotic Jewels and two different Exotic Medium Helms.

Jewel: Say you want to add some Crit Damage at the loss of some Toughness by switching out a Exquisite Emerald Jewel with a Exquisite Ruby Jewel in any item:

Exquisite Emerald Jewel
+25 Precision
+15 Power
+15 Toughness

Exquisite Ruby Jewel
+25 Power
+15 Precision
+3% Critical Damage

Summary: By doing this you are gaining 3% Critical Damage and only lose 15 Toughness, which is a 1:5 Ratio (you get 1% Crit Damage per 5 Toughness).

Medium Helm: Now lets do the same thing on a Helm. Lets say you have the Karma Helm and you want to swap it out for something crafted with % Crit Damage.

Medium Arcon Mask
+45 Power
+32 Vitality
+32 Toughness

Valkyrie Emblazoned Helm
+45 Power
+32 Vitality
+2% Critcal Damage

Summary: By doing this you are gaining 2% Critical Damage and losing 32 Toughness, this is a 1:16 Ratio (you get 1% Crit Damage per 16 Toughness).

So if you are adding a % stat to your gear by replacing a numeric stat – you are going to get the most bang for the buck starting with the 1:5 ratio jewels. If you are going the other way and adding replacing a % stat item with a numeric item, you will want to start at the 1:16 ratio items so you lose the least amount of % stats, but gain the higher number stats.

Here is an overall Item by slot breakdown – based on the following chart from the official GW2 Wiki http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Item_nomenclature#Comparison_of_numeric_vs._percentage_attributes

1. 1:5 Ratio
– Jewels (x6)

2. 1:12 Ratio
- Shoulders
- Gloves
- Boots

3. 1:13 Ratio
– 1h Weapon (x2)
– Amulet
– Accessory / Earing (x2)

4. 1:14 Ratio
– Chest
– 2H Weapons

5. 1:16 Ratio
– Legs
– Head
– Rings (x2)
– Back Item

I heard someone say in another thread that thieves do well in WvW to run P/T/H (rather than the traditional P/V/T). And I’m also finding a lot of people that feel that running high points into Shadow arts for the tough/healing is a must.

Keeping in mind that I prefer to run around with a zerg, or at least a small group of 5, in WvW rather than run around solo, can anyone confirm or deny this claim? Or would zerker’s still be the best?

NickelQuack.3216:

I heard someone say in another thread that thieves do well in WvW to run P/T/H (rather than the traditional P/V/T). And I’m also finding a lot of people that feel that running high points into Shadow arts for the tough/healing is a must.

Keeping in mind that I prefer to run around with a zerg, or at least a small group of 5, in WvW rather than run around solo, can anyone confirm or deny this claim? Or would zerker’s still be the best?

depends on how you want to play.
if you want to just down someone and run away.. go full GC with zerkers
if you want to be able to stay up a but while still doing good dmg have a mix of vit and toughness while keeping a good crit dmg %