Hello there.
Since there has been a few threads on this build I thought I would throw in my setup, and reason for it too. Heck! I might learn something, and perhaps helping some of you guys as well, so it is a win win..right?
Like most others I started with the glassy HB build, but I grew tired of it, as it felt like a on trick pony. And as I learned the mechanics better along the way, I experimented with several other builds.. Axes, maces, Bows, before I decided I would go for Sword/board and rifle as I had planned before launch. I just hadn’t figured out how to take it on, and make it work for me. So before I start it is important that this build works for me, and is not some magical setup that rules all the others out.
Rifle and Sword Synergize well around bleeds, so I went down that road with the following skills to boost it on its way.
Sigil of Superior Earth for Rifle & Sword. This grants you 60% chance to put on bleeds when you crit instead of 33% from the Precise Strike. This is great for stacking bleeds since you often get more then one bleed jsut from hitting with your Sword or Rifle this way.
Sigil of Geomancy for the Board to put on 5 stacks of bleed while shifting to Sword and Board.
Mending for heals and to remove conditions.
Dolyak Signet: Reduce incoming damage, and Stabillity.
Fear Me!: Scares people off, a nice abillity if you need a breather for a few seconds.
On My Mark: Adds a stack of 10 Vulnerability. I love this one, it helps my damage on the way on top of the Vulnerability I get from Rending Strikes.
Signet of Rage: Several Boons to help your dps.
Strength 10: Primary for the Beserkers Power, to get the extra overall dps.
Arms 30: Deep Cuts (50% longer bleeds), Rending Strikes (33% chance on crits for Vulnerability) & Crack Shot. On top of these I get +10% Bleed damage, and 10% Crit-chance with my Bursts.
Defense 20: Turtle Defense, & Shield Master. They are pretty straight forward, and I’ve become a great fan of my board skills recharging 20% faster – Sweet.
Tactics 10: Empowered. This further increases my dps whenever i got one or more boons on me, and scales depending on the number of boons – Very nice!.
For the Armor I’ve chosen Rune of Hoelbrak. For the Power, Might, and especially for the -20% Condition Duration.
Amulet & Jewel = Rabid.
Power 1181
Presicion 1860
Thoughness 1950
Vitallity 1021
Attack 2386
Crit-Chance 49%
Armor 3161
Health 19422
When I play I try to go with the rifle for as long as possible. Kite, apply Bleeds, & Vulnerabillity mixed with Rifle Butt, and Aimed Shot for the Cripple. And ofcause all helped along with my Utils.
Sometimes I just use the rifle to close the gab, since there are some classes and builds i deal with easier in close combat. Again, I try to make good use of my Utils to boost the DPS of my Sword, helped along with the defense of the Board.
I play it very situational, as I don’t have a cycle. But it is mostly about applying bleeds and Vulnerabillity and then stay a live, while dealing the pain with sword or rifle.
KillShot hits for 2500-5800 depending on amounts of boons, stacks of Might and stacks of Vulnerabillity – Or it did so during testing against the Heavy Golems.
I guess thats about it – Input welcome.
