Guild Wars 2

I recently tested the Rune of Vampirism on my mesmer; I was considering buying a set of them because I felt like the 4pc set bonus could have a lot of synergy with Mantra of Recovery, especially if you use the Harmonious Mantras trait like I do. It all depended on whether or not the 4pc bonus triggered when readying the mantra — casting Mantra of Recovery — or when using the mantra — casting Power Return.

As it turns it, it doesn’t trigger on either. Confused, I tried my other two healing skills, Ether Feast and Mirror. The set bonus does not trigger on those, either. Even more confused, I gave it one more shot, and this time I actually did manage to get the bonus to trigger — except not by using my healing skill, but by getting hit. The ‘leech’ buff appeared on my bar and indeed my next attack stole 975 health from my target.

Long story short, the 4pc set bonus on Rune of Vampirism triggers on being struck, not on using your healing skill. Whether the description is what needs changed or if the functionality needs changed I can’t say, but the two definitely don’t mesh as they currently are.

If anyone is wondering, I tested this by going to the Heart of the Mists, equipping 6 PvP Superior Runes of Vampirism and then fighting the engineer NPC in the Fallen Halls of Glory.

Also, as an aside, the 6 piece bonus for the Superior Rune of Vampirism does not function at all. It completely fails to proc. Which is a shame, because it seems quite nice.