So, I was disappointed to find out that no class in this game is kinda like a Fencer or Musketeer type class, so I decided to make my own, using the game’s own limitations to do so.
Here’s the “rules” I set up for myself:
1.) All chosen weapons, skills, and traits must closely match what the Theme Build’s goal is.
2.) All chosen weapons, skills, and traits must have a brief description of WHY it fits the Theme Build.
3.) The Theme Build must be as viable as possible for PvE, PvP, or WvW while still fitting the theme!
4.) The theme build must be FUN!
So, without further adeui, here’s my theme build…
The Musketeer
Base Class: Thief
Class Feature(s):
Steal – A Musketeer must be clever and resourceful, sometimes a foe’s weapon can easily become your own!
Initiative – As ferocious as a well-trained Musketeer can be, one must always be mindful of their own physical limitations. Mastering one’s stamina can help one to achieve victory.
Weapon(s):
Sword/Pistol – A Musketeer’s bread and butter. Although fencing is the Musketeer’s primary skill, one must always be mindful of their enemies and be prepared to engage enemies at a range.
1 Slice, Slash, Crippling Strike, Tactical Strike – The most basic of swordplay techniques, but, among the most effective.
2 Inflitrator’s Strike – A Musketeer can move quicker than the eye to engage their foes face-to-face.
3 Pistol Whip – A quick strike with the butt of your gun to catch your foe off guard, followed by a flurry of blades. En guarde!
4 Headshot – Sometimes all it takes is a quick, painful diversion to turn the flow of battle in your favor!
5 Black Powder – An excess of gumpowder can prove to be a useful tool to save onesself from harm.
Pistol/Pistol – Sometimes it is disadvantegous for a Musketeer to be in the thick of things, or perhaps an enemy is simply out of reach. Sheath that sword, and pull out your other gun!
1 Vital Shot, Sneak Attack – In addition to being master fencers, Musketeers are also master marksmen, as demonstrated by these basic, extremely well-aimed attacks.
2 Body Shot – Rend your foe’s armor with a well-aimed shot!
3 Unload – A hail of bullets works almost as well as a storm of blades… almost.
4 and 5 – see above.
Utilities:
Withdraw – If the going gets tough, the upper hand can be achieved with a backflip and a bandage.
Haste – In moments of extreme concentration, a Musketeer can unleash a flurry of blades like no other.
Signet of Shadows – Musketeers are trained to be light on their feet. This is handy for evading, as well as engaging foes.
Shadow Refuge – A Musketeer must be prepared to protect allies, as well as onesself.
Thieves Guild – All for one, and one for all! Three Musketeers, strike!
Traits: (20/20/0/30/0)
Deadly Arts – +200 Power, +20% Condition Duration
Minor Adept: Serpent’s Touch – Coating your gloves in a fine poison can prove useful against foes that go toe-to-toe with you.
Major Adept: Mug – A Musketeer cannot afford to be light-handed when wresting a foe’s weapon.
Minor Master: Lotus Poison – Apply a more poweful poison to your gloves.
Major Master: Combined Training – A Musketeer is a master of many weapons, especially when used together.
Critical Strikes – +200 Precision, +20% Critical Damage
Minor Adept: Keen Observer – If a Musketeer feels safe, one can plot their attacks with more precision.
Major Adept: Pistol Mastery – Rigorous training with firearms has made you a crack-shot.
Minor Master: Opportunist – Hitting a foe’s weak spot fills the Musketeer with great joy, and helps them to fight even harder.
Major Master: Combo Critical Chance – A Musketeer feels right at home wielding two weapons, and can easily catch a foe off-guard.
Acrobatics – +300 Vitality, +30% Boon Duration
Minor Adept: Expeditious Dodger – Mastery of swordplay is not simply about offense – one must be careful to not get hit as well!
Major Adept: Power of Inertia – Fencing is all about positioning. Quick movements can confuse a foe, opening up potential weaknesses.
Minor Master: Feline Grace – Musketeers take great pride in being nimble.
Major Master: Quick Recovery – Musketeers often undergo rigourous training to improve their stamina.
Minor Grandmaster: Fluid Strikes – If a Musketeer is constantly on the move, then victory will surely be theirs.
Major Grandmaster: Assassin’s Reward – A rush of adrenaline as the Musketeer attacks can cause their wounds to sting a little less.
But realistically you can’t have a 100% musketeer if you want to do WvW.