Guild Wars 2

Ah, that’s right about mac3…everyone always stands there awkwardly with the block up waiting to get hit. Too good to be true expecting it to act like foc5 I guess.

Yeah, thanks guys. And looking at it again, i’m betting the PvE-meta build 20/25/0/0/25 with GS, like you were pointing out Harbinger, would be a higher/easier burst to pull off than what I originally posted. Especially with that slick gs5 and JI combo I hear gives you more than 1 hit on a single target. That really work? Still gotta try it…

I expect this build would be like a comparable glass bursting thief destroying the squishies. Just for fun kind of thing… …but, instead of the nice working stealth get away or teleports, we only have shelter and RF for a few seconds to try and get back in the keep or something risky. I like it.

So I’ve read multiple times about Guardians and how they can actually bring burst to the table…especially in comparison to a Warrior.

I want to know the forums thoughts on the best way to accomplish this?

I came up with my own idea for a burst build 15/30/0/0/25 and this seems to me to bring the most damage in the shortest amount of time out of any of our builds.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fUQQRAsf5dlUgSD33ROEf4ESOjCMBteAQHk/UfIeA-jECBYfFRjmsYIaUBhOzsIaslhFRjVXDT5iIq2auIa1A-w

Of course this is with no thought of surviving in mind, this would be best in picking out a lone target or 1v1 scenario. Especially compared to say a Meditations build, or taking Abs Resolution or Vig Precision. All that takes away from the burst damage.

So how it works. It seems to me the optimal rotation would be:

Prepare foc5 and mac3 from far range. Hit foc4 from range for the damage and vuln stacks (from vuln on blind trait) and start casting mac2 (which will bring more vuln through traits) and SY (for the extra boons and Power of Virtuous damage) and quickly JI onto target so that the mac2 symbol lands. Immediately swap weapons—popping VoJ (vuln stacks and burning), VoC (for extra boon Stability), Smite Condi (for the extra dmg), and tor4 all at same time. And right away lay down your main burst, which is sw3. At this point, your foc5 and mac3 bursts should proc, and if still alive, target may react, but you can finish off with Zealots fire part of tor4 and sw2 (with its sticking to target potential and extra vuln).

I realize doing this will take major focus on popping all those abilities so quickly, and that you’ll pretty much have everything on cd, but that’s the point of “burst”, getting off as much as you can in shortest amount of time. and this seems to be the best way to do it.

Some things to note and questions I have. A lot of this damage, if done fast enough without giving enemy time to respond, should be done with Aegis up, allowing Unscathed Contender to do its thing. Am I right in thinking that if mac3 gets procced, that Aegis will no longer be up? That sucks if so. Also what about blinds? will mac3 proc even if target is blinded? And does blind remove first or Aegis, or will blind getting used up also remove Aegis?

Also, for Power of the Virtuous, does it take into account boon stacking? or is it just the each different boon you have? Like does more stacks of might increase the +1%dmg of it? what about boons that stack duration? Just want to know if it worth popping VoR as well in rotation and if it worth getting more shouts for more boons, compared to using Smite condition.

Okay that’s it. Any critiques or problems you see…please hit me up on it.

Thanks!

why doesn’t siphon scale off of healing power, or amount of damage done or something? This game has no mechanic for building to increase attack speed, so you cant increase amount of hits to add to the life siphoned. So really, only thing we have to scale up the power of our life siphoning is just the few traits…

Man! I so badly want to get the Daggers/Vampire/Blood archetype working on this class, but with reading this and trying it out…i’m not feeling confident.

Always been a big fan in all games of dumping into damage-increase, and relying on life-stealing for sustainability, but in this game it’s not looking too promising. Life siphon probably isn’t enough to stay tanky…need more than that (vit/tough gear, wells, minions). Wanting to get crit hits, deathshroud and life siphon to compliment and work together nice. something like 0/20/0/20/30. who mants to manage minions anyways? yuck…

Is the dagger wielding, life stealing, dark and sinister vampire just a dream?!?

Thanks for the replies guys.

So I take it then, that Siphoning Health does not scale with healing power (think I just recently read that somewhere)? That sucks. In that case I will most definitely go with mostly Soldiers gear over clerics (vit over hp, and more power).

I do see more use out of staff rather then axe over all, but I was just thinking I could switch it out for siege and zergs, but use axe for more small scale 1v1 type situations…or is staff still more viable in that regard (for kiting and cc)?

Also, with the dagger, warhorn seems weak compared to focus. Focus has shorter cd’s, regen (for this tanky build), vuln for more dmg, and still some cc with chill. While I only see use in warhorn for swiftness and traveling (which I would most definitely switch in when needed). Thoughts?

Finally, for slot skills:
I was thinking well of blood, suffering, and corruption—with last slot trading out usually between another well, spec walk, or signet for travel. Also did you see my Q on elite? is the flesh golem at all good or should i just go for lich form (as i’m power, less condition)?

Hey all!
I am new to the Necromancer and am wondering if this build would be viable? especially for wvw?

I usually play a guardian and am a big fan of the cleric stats, as power/tough/healing power seem like the most useful stats when not speccing for crit dmg/chance. The cleric/healway guard build relies on attrition and outlasting your opponent with enough power to hurt, and defense to out last, with things like retaliation adding to the pain your opponent receives. Figured Necro would be a good candidate for attrition builds, and the life siphoning system seems very intriguing to me.

Now the build:
http://gw2buildcraft.com/calculator/necromancer/?5.5|8.1k.h1m.d.1k.h2|7.1k.h1m.g.1k.h4|1k.7f.1k.7f.1k.7f.1k.7f.1k.7f.1k.7f|1k.68.1k.68.1k.68.1k.68.1k.68.1c.68|f5.0.p47.u28c.0|4d.1|3t.4a.4d.4b.u|e

-all clerics gear (could trade in some soldiers for more power if healing is overkill)
-vamp runes (thinking possibly monk/water for boon duration to keep retal/prot up)
-sapph jewels
-sigils of leech, force, bloodlust (but many others would work fine: energy, life, etc)
-relies on wells and dagger for siphoning health
-lots of condition cc/blind to help keep opponent off of you

Questions:
-how well does siphoning health scale off of healing power? is it enough?
-can’t decide which is better to match up with dagger compared to the axe, focus or warhorn? or should I just forget the axe all together and go for staff (and more kiting)?
-my necro is sylv, so was thinking Take Root for the elite, but my next pick would probably be Lich Form…thoughts?

Thanks for checking this out…let me know what you guys think!

Hey all and Chris!

I’ve been following this build quite a bit (currently trying to get my guard leveled so I can put it to use), and don’t know if this is the place for it, but got a couple questions…

1. From what I’ve gathered on this thread and my own understanding, stat wise, we try to max power/hp/tough with this build. Clerics gives more hp. Soldiers gives more power, but sacrifices the hp for vit (not too bad). So I was wanting to do a mix of the two. How much is appropriate and where? I can get soldiers stuff easy enough from AC runs and Karma vend in Orr. Just need to know where its best to put the more expensive Clerics equipment I get, and how much compared I need? Maybe just trinkets? Weapons too? etc…

2. With the staff buffs are you thinking about incorporating one into your build? especially as you have the two-hand mastery trait and would pay off more there with staff than 1h sword…?

3. Along those same lines, have you ever thought about double GS? This got me thinking of a different sort of build going 30/0/0/20/20 and getting Zealous Blade for more heals with GS. I know you do sacrifice some good stuff going this route (PoV, Ind Courage, and burn on block), but seems like you could add a lot more dmg for your Greatswords and still get away with it from more heals with ZB, and still have the dodge heals and Absolute Resolution heals. Thoughts on this idea? Also GS has tons of mobility so having two doesn’t seem to harm you that much and you only lose out on some extra blocks which doesn’t really pay off as much in this build anyways…

Either way I’m sold on Healing Power…Thanks for input!

I was going to say the same thing about venoms (especially since you initially didn’t even lay out any utility skills besides withdraw heal). I like this idea about the healing/tanky shortbow thief, but I think taking your points out of say, trickery, and putting them into DA for venoms and the heals off venoms might pay off more for healing. Then you can spam cluster and auto attack for spreading them and still heal through assassins reward…and continue with the rest of your dodge and heal ideas for the build.

So maybe something like this:
20 DA – IV VIII
30 SA – II IX XII
20 Ac – III X

Or…
30 SA – II IX XII
20 Ac – II X
20 Tr – V VII
And you just get a little longer cd on venoms but more initiative and useful steal.

Then Withdraw with all util slots venoms or roll for initiative and rest venoms for more spamming of cluster bombs and what not.

Same gear choices as you: PVT or clerics, and keep the energy sigils…Thoughts?

So from this logic…since power seems to affect dmg more…would making sure that every item of gear has power as the main stat and throwing points into deadly arts over worrying about crit and prec be better? and to just build tanky with rest of stats? For example what this thread is initially about…PVT? Cause I don’t see thiefs having that many “on crit” traits…

Oh dang…so i just need to work on my Jeweler crafting and get gold? I thought Zerk accessories I could buy with Karma, and it’s just the orbs/jewels I had to buy off the TP because they come from crafting? there’s no other way to get the accessories/trinkets then?

Also, is there no dungeon that offers Valk or knight stat armor?

Thanks guys…

maybe you are asking what gear as far as stats go that you should get? Cause I am sort of in the same dilemma. Since I hit 80 been running dungeons to get Berzerker armor and weapons. But now I think I am going to go Berzerker weapons and accessories, and valk armor. Also, ruby orbs to start out, as I hear they are cheap and get runes later…

I think running dungeons is nice cause you just run a couple of the easy ones a day…the ones with the stats and skins you like…and they give you decent gold and drops, and I usually get most of the daily filled up after running them.

Thanks guys. I do understand that Zerk accessories pays off more than armor, so I am now thinking mostly: zerk accessories+ruby jewels, valk/knights armor, and zerk weapons…?

Now what’s the best way going about getting this stuff? I been running dungeons(CoF and CoE) and actually have mostly zerker armor and weapons. Should I just stop now and go for the valk? and then get the zerker accessories, cause those what I haven’t really obtained yet, and from my understanding karma/gold best way to get those?

Help much appreciated.

P.S: why does everyone put so many points into CS traits? I really don’t like them. Would I be just shooting myself in the foot by not traiting there and going with the 20/0/30/20/0 way? Only thing I see in CS line is stats and from what I hear that’s a “no-no” to trait that way…

Reached 80 and am now trying to gear up. Currently running CoF and CoE to obtain Berzerker gear. I enjoy doing dungeons and really enjoy WvW. I want a Direct dmg build (over condition p/d type) that can be used in both WvW and PvE, however I want it to be balanced and not Glass so I can take some hits and be a bit forgiving with some mistakes.

I am currently thinking about a 20/0/30/20/0 build, with mostly zerker gear, with some valk and knights possibly. My question is, which gear exactly should I get for armor/weap/accessories for a well rounded build that still deals good damage? And if at all possible, the best place to get that gear? Am I on the right track running CoF and CoE right now?

Just want a bit of guidance for the best route to take in obtaining exotic gear for the balanced build I want, so that I can get into WvW and enjoy myself…

Also is 20/0/30/20/0 a good idea? I just see the CS line as useless with not much useful traits, and I love feline grace too much. Also the build here seems to me to offer good variety for changing build around as I want and offering balance…

I get tired of having to reset traits all the time. Between WvW and PvE, and all the various builds I like to play, I want a setup that works for them all. An All-Around Build…

So my question…would a 20/0/30/20/0 build work good?

Reasonings with the build:
-I only pay once to reset traits and don’t have to keep finding a trainer
-On-the-fly I can change my build out from Pwr/Crit to Condition to Venom Share, by just switching out gear and utility slots, and changing my major traits
-Allows me to easily hop between PvE, dungeons, and WvW, and with different build styles depending on my mood or what I want to play

Why I don’t take Counter Strikes line:
I know with power/crit builds it is almost required. However, I see it as there is only 2 good major traits (Hidden Killer and Executioner), and you waste 30 trait points in the CS line for them. The rest all seem pretty boring and repetitive (in some form or way adding to crit chance). And unless going full Glass Cannon, I think you can get enough Crit Chance and Dmg from gear. Just seems like I get more variety and useful trait options going down other lines.

Various builds for the 20/0/30/20/0 set-up:
Pwr/Crit d/d or d/p build
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fYAQRAoa8YlUmaPHdS+E+5EB3Dna0mqpgmtsTBWtKA;TABg0ynEOJdS9kyJKuMcJ4yyljLJXLEGUsLYWA
Condition p/d build
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fYAQNAqYVlUmaPHdS+E+5EB3Dna0mqpgmysTxVtKA;TABgyyuEcJ5S1liLKfMwIgx+lzH5XrAGBs/YWA
Venom Share build
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fYAQNAV4YlYmCNXaS1E/5EB3DmC1nqp4m2sTBX1KA;TABg2yrEWJtSdlyKKvMeJ8y6lzLpXrAGfs/YWA
*/p Spam build
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fYAQRAqa8alcmaPHeS5E+5EB3DjmUkqpAnvsTxVtKA;TABg0ynEOJdS9kyJKuMcJ4yyljLJXLLGUsLYWA

I would use the 1st build the most, in most situations as a survivable dmg build. I would obviously use the 2nd p/d build, mostly for trolling in WvW. Venom share mostly for dungeons and WvW zerg. And the spam build I find boring, so would mostly be for dungeons and high dmg/sec output if needed. All just depending on what I feel like playing atm.

So is this a good idea? I know usually Jack-of-All-Trades builds would be Masters of None, but in my mind for some reason, these build forms would seem to hold their potency.

Help and thoughts please!?

Question for the pros, and maybe help for more noobish…
Is the 20/0/30/20/0 build viable?

I get tired of having to retrain my trait points all the time. Going in and out of WvW, to doing dungeons, to going condition spec, to crit/pwr spec, and back again.

I tried to allocate my trait points so that I’d have a build that would be viable being used anywhere and in a number of ways, by just swapping out gear and changing the major traits…

My build tries to fit as many of the styles of play that I like. So here it is in its most basic form, filling the role I’ll most often use, which is the direct power and crit damage build (copy/paste link into browser):

Power/Crit Dmg
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fYEQRAoa8YlUmaPHdS+E+5EB3Dna0mqpgmtsTBWtKA;TABg0yvEOJ9S9kyJKcM4IwxijDHJOLEGUsLYWA

Now this is a more survivable (not GC) Power/crit dmg build. I like d/p just cause it different and more enjoyable to me. But just the same it can be swapped out for d/d. Utility skills can also be swapped for Withdraw, Bas Ven, Sig of Agil, Haste, whatever. Shortbow could also be used instead on the offhand.

Reason I don’t go down the Critical Strikes trait line:
The only real useful traits I find from this line don’t come to me unless I put a whole 30 points into it (Exec & HK), and I feel more useful traits are easier to get spreading out into other lines and they offer more variety to the different roles/builds I’ll be swapping into. I can just get the precision and crit dmg I’d need from gear instead; not worth it for one trait all the way at the end.

Now if for some reason, I hop into WvW, all by myself, and want to troll with a pistol/dagger build All I have to do is swap out my zerk/valk gear with carrion, change a couple major traits and util skills, and I’m good to go with the build below (keeping the same 20/0/30/20/0 trait allocation):

Condition p/d
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fYEQNAqYVlUmaPHdS+E+5EB3Dna0mqpgmysTxVtKA;TABgyyuEcJ5S1liLKYM+I8x+lDG5XrPGBsLY+B

Now let’s say I go to a dungeon and want to share some venoms with my buds. Again, swap some gear (once I obtain it), util skills, and major traits, and I get the following build:

Venom Share
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fYEQNAV8YlYmCNXaS1E/5EB3jkC1nqp4m2sTxV5KA;TABg2yrEWJtSdlyKKvMeJ8y6lzLpXrFGis/Y+B

Finally, likewise, a p/p or s/p power build (aka boring builds) can be made with these traits for PvE or dungeons. p/p more for single target, s/p for single or multiple. Could still use a SB with either of these:

p/p or s/p Power
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fYEQRAqa8alcmCPncS4E95EB3DjiUlqpAnvsTxVtKA;TABg0ynEOJdS9kyJKuMcJ4yyljLJXLCGEsLYWA

So, I am looking for thoughts on this idea. I enjoy (save for the last one listed) all of these builds and style of play, and think they all have their purpose depending on what you’re doing. And I think being able to have a trait allocation that doesn’t have to change (just gear, skill slots, and major traits used) makes it very versatile and usable throughout the game.

Plus, I’ve never really liked the trickery line…thoughts are it is useless besides the extra initiative for spams, which is only good for the build I don’t like

And I previously gave my thoughts on the Critical Strikes trait line: I think you get more out of branching to DA and Acro (I love feline grace too much), stuff that can be used in more variety, than the awesome 2 traits that you get at the end of the CS line (HK & Exec). Rest of CS’s traits just seem so dull and repetitive to me: adding to crit chance in various ways…I mean how often do you need to crit?! I feel good at ~50%. Only reason I would ever see the CS line worth it is if I wanted to go full GC d/d zerk thief.

Or am I wrong? Would my number 1 build up top be better if I went more GC and went fully into CS? I think I like the survivability and option to build differently without having to reallocate traits more than the GC/CS build.

Thoughts or advice anyone? Much appreciated…