Guild Wars 2

martin.1653:

Wait, OP is actually serious? I thought he was gonna turn it into a joke how other classes can thief better than thief.
Heh heh heee.
Back to my ‘blocking everything’ I guess…

I too was astonished..

Quick guys, thief is performing well for once, better nerf it immediately!!! /S

Yannir.4132:

Wondering if anyone has an answer to a quick side-question. Do venoms shared with allies use your personal condi dmg/healing power for skelk, or theirs?

I’d imagine that since it’s a buff that’s applied to them it uses their stats.

DrDivine.5378:

Not because I think they’re OP, in fact, I like that they can do their job well again but also be countered, all in all I like the spot it’s in right now.

Forgive my ignorance as I just returned to the game after about a year long break (thank you BDO) and I know the situation with thief was looking very dire when I left (pun intended to condi builds). So what exactly did they change to make their job well again?

alemfi.5107:

CondiDevil is definitely the way to go now. While on paper, Bound is stronger than impaling dagger, the implementation just doesn’t work. The reason is Lotus training allows you to dodge INTO your opponent to gain the benefit, while Bound requires you to dodge and land ON your opponent. In addition, the evade attack skill for the weaponset Dagger/Dagger allows you to Evade while Engaging your opponent, as opposed to disengaging, and is not a 2 part clunky evade like s/d, or a root like s/p. Staff Vault just costs a lot, and suffers similar issues to bound.

I’ve seen a lot of variations on CondiDevil, yours is definitely more offense focused, and less focused on the sustainability of your resources. If you were to fight a similar build focused more on the replenishment of initiative and energy, your build would probably lose. However, as an example, my personal variation has effectively zero mobility, giving up one of the strongest aspects of thief.

Refuge is definitely one of the things you could replace for either the replinishment of initiative or endurance. There is a lot of cleave floating around so rezzes are a LOT more situational, and stealth engage does nothing for condi.

I second what he’s saying in this post. The main reasons I run the vigor heal, roll for ini, and signet of agility is so that I can constantly be with evades ready be it through ini or dodges. You honestly don’t lose that much mobility with a sb offhand and the runes I run as well. As far as what he said on the SR, he hit the nail on the head, replace it for signet of agility for a free two evades (which means more damage cause more condis). I was thinking about running the venom as well, but I calculated it out and I figured the initiative return from roll for ini actually makes me dps MORE than just having the venom, plus you get another evade to top it off (and stunbreak).

I run a very similar build, but more of a wvw variant. I don’t take acro, instead Deadly arts/Trickery because I like the confusion on steal and poison dmg from trickery. I recently posted a video showcasing the build, here it is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aGMYxDwnF0 enjoy!

Belzeber.4351:

Good stuff. I, personally, have been running Superior Runes of Thorns and have been loving it with my D/D condi thief (Whenever you take damage every 10 seconds, you gain +50 condi damage and each stacks last for a minute). Also going almost full dire with some sinister trinkets. I use this setup for both WvW roaming and PvE and it works wonders. <3

Yeah i’m trying to get as much to dire as possible. I was eyeballing those runes, but went with speed for 25% movespeed and extra vitality. Super fun/strong, that’s for sure.

Jana.6831:

reinforever.8902:

I believe in build diversity too. All I was saying above was that if you feel like you’re struggling with fighting other current meta builds, that my build is a good solution as it works well. Not saying it’s the end all be all.

reinforever.8902:

I get it though, it’s something different than you’re used to so you don’t like it. But like I said the meta is changing so we have to adapt or die.

I don’t need to comment on that, do I?

reinforever.8902:

I was also replying to fat disgrace bout the d/p trapper question, not trying to sound kitteny to you. You should make a goodbye thread tho, it ended up renewing my love for the game.

Yes, I realized that after my edit.
I won’t make a goodbye thread which will get closed anyway as there’s no use to it – and I’m pretty much a “that’s it” person, I rarely have second thoughts. It takes a while for me to say “this is the end” though – Not happy about that fact.

It’s a commonly well known fact that most of the old meta builds don’t work against new meta builds. However there are newer power builds that seem to fit in better. This is healthy for build diversity in thief. Adapt or die still applies, but I’m not saying use my build or give up. You just misunderstood me.

Jana.6831:

Yes, most other thief builds when played good aren’t just one button spam – I thought you were a thief yourself?

No, we/I want build diversity and personally I don’t like condis, it’s not my style – it’s fine if others use it (to an extend as anet should look into condi/power balance for wvw) but I don’t want to be told “Yo scrub, get this condi build and smash #3 – stop complaining”
I loved this game for 2 things; wvw and thief – both is dying and I will fight until I have no hope anymore. I won’t make a goodbye thread though

Edit: I never heard of the D/P power trap build- but good for you =)

I believe in build diversity too. All I was saying above was that if you feel like you’re struggling with fighting other current meta builds, that my build is a good solution as it works well. Not saying it’s the end all be all. Most that know me know that I like to make weird builds that aren’t quite meta and share them with others. I was also replying to fat disgrace bout the d/p trapper question, not trying to sound kitteny to you. You should make a goodbye thread tho, it ended up renewing my love for the game.

Fat Disgrace.4275:

Exactly this, never understood the “skillful” play behind deathblossom spam, I watched bit of the video and most of the time you was either spalding #3 or the Condi dodge trait. Not to mention dire gear.

Also didn’t you play d/p trapper power thief too?

Jana.6831:

Most of the time you had an ally (distraction works wonders for a thief) and the rest of the video didn’t really look like skilled players.
If your idea of “skillfull play” is to smash one button, then the new meta is for you, yes.
I don’t want this though – I want to think.

Half the vid is an outnumbered fight with a friend and I, but the other half is a bunch of duels and me ganking. But outside of the video I’ve been going up against pretty highly skilled players and winning/losing some. I’m on NA but I’m down to duel anytime. You guys act like most other thief builds aren’t just one button spam for most of the fights. Knowing to use autos and dagger 4 is also really important for this build as well as 2 for kiting enemies. I get it though, it’s something different than you’re used to so you don’t like it. But like I said the meta is changing so we have to adapt or die. Also yes, I made the d/p power trapper build.

Jana.6831:

reinforever.8902:

Refer to my latest post. The key to your problems is in d/d condi evade spam.

That works against noobs.

Actually no, I’ve had luck with it against skilled players in wvw and pvp alike. Usually takes at least 2 people to kill me with some exceptions. The sustained dmg from death blossom and the condi dodge from DD make it have impressive dps potential. That mixed with evades + more defensive stats (condi dmg only needs one stat unlike power prec ferocity) make it extremely hard to kill.

Refer to my latest post. The key to your problems is in d/d condi evade spam.

Spleen.7836:

I’ve played that kind of build too. Fear the QQ and the nerfs ! Even if it is shut down easily. And if you try to spam, you will not last much. Like someone said it’s more like a bunker build, you have to manage your ressources to stay alive. I’ve been called cheap by bad DH trapper when I killed them. Good ones are a nightmare.

All of the qq in wvw. So much hate “wow spam 3 more”. Even good DH’s don’t stand much a chance as long as you dodge the sword ring. I also spam 3 and v so much, I don’t really ever run out unless ALL of my utilities are on cooldown. But that said the condis are actually pretty bursty (with my wvw build) but you’re right, it is almost like a bunker build

Forgot to mention! For people who recognize me from my previous trapper back stab thief videos, I have since then upgraded my rig so the quality of the video has improved. If that’s what turned you off from watching, then give this one a try.

Kolly.9872:

Your fault because thief is not meant to 1v1 any class but other thieves.
Also thief role is +1, next time wait for 1 teammate to engagé so you can be his pet.

I disagree. I can 1v1 most meta builds. People just need to learn to adapt to the changes. It isn’t a year ago when you can run a glass power build and get away with it.

reinforever.8902:

Hey guys, just came back from my gw2 hiatus for the xpac. I got pretty frustrated at the game and decided to “quit” and that didn’t last long. But i’m back and I have a new build with daredevil. I’ve never really delved much into the condi builds for thief, but I figured why not give it a shot. Like a few others, as soon as I laid eyes upon the new condition dodger trait, I fell in love. Here’s what came as a result of that love: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aGMYxDwnF0&feature=youtu.be

Build link is in the description.

here’s my other post. Similar to your build, but a wvw variant. super fun to play.

Hey guys, just came back from my gw2 hiatus for the xpac. I got pretty frustrated at the game and decided to “quit” and that didn’t last long. But i’m back and I have a new build with daredevil. I’ve never really delved much into the condi builds for thief, but I figured why not give it a shot. Like a few others, as soon as I laid eyes upon the new condition dodger trait, I fell in love. Here’s what came as a result of that love: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aGMYxDwnF0&feature=youtu.be

Build link is in the description.

Check out black desert online. I can get behind your reasoning for playing stealth classes only, as I’m the same way. That said you would really enjoy BDO, look up some info on it.

kitten you beat me to it. I’ve been putting together 1v2 clips for the last few days.

bliss.4305:

This is probably the worst time to leave GW2 for an “action MMO” especially after yesterday’s Guild Chat revealing the new action combat mode for GW2’s future.

One of the best published, developed and managed MMO’s of our time is GW2. It’s so exceptionally good, that even after playing TERA and falling in love with its combat system, I compromised by returning to GW2. And now Anet is introducing the same combat system… I couldn’t be happier.

Mark my words, GW2 is going to be the best action combat MMO come HoT.

Don’t get me wrong, the action combat is really exciting and I’m glad they’re putting it in the game. But I don’t think It’s nearly as polished as tera, Bns, Black desert, etc. I think the main problem with it is any kind of pvp as it’s going to limit your field of vision compared to people who will play with normal camera AND ground targeting abilities is going to be a little harder (take more time). I downloaded a action camera mod for guild wars 2 a while back because I had heard about it, the game just wasn’t designed for combat like that. For PvE, it’ll be a lot of fun. My main interests are pvp and wvw though, so it’s not really enough to hold me to the game. That kind of feature has to be something the game is designed around to truly flourish, not added at a later date.

ColdHuh.6785:

Like Lamuness.3570 said everybody were waiting for Archeage like they are waiting now for Black Desert and I kinda feel it will be the same fail. Bots, hacks, hardcore p2w model and after few months you realise that the only people still playing the game are the cheaters and the guys from the “MasterCard Warriors” guild

Well the game is going to be buy to play, so the bots portion is already severely reduced. There’s not really any hacks known to date. And they have stated the cash shop for the game will be strictly cosmetic with no pay to win element. I expect a severely different outcome compared to archeage.

Shogun.7401:

I am interested, let me know when to contact you.

pm me your Facebook info and I’ll put you in the guild group!

Zero Day.2594:

Following that game as well, just need more details on the business model – I know it’s B2P, but besides that will there be a cash-shop (how harmful?) or will there be “privileged”/subscription (again, how harmful?)?

There’s also Tree of Savior, which is having it’s “open” CBT. You can get into the CBT by simply registering on their site, till I think the 19th – and past that date you won’t be able to join in anymore (hence it’s kind of an “open” CBT).

There’s also Blade and Soul, same situation as Black Desert, just need more info on their business model. I think it’s a freemium.

WoW’s next expansion is supposedly something that will be grand, so I might follow that and might pick it up again (since now you can pay for subscription via gold).

As for GW2, I’ve re-rolled a necro, trying to get back into the game… I think I will get HoT, for the sake of 1 play-through (and tbh I’m a fan of the GW franchise/world – despite some of the game decisions that they have made and will probably make). If stuff doesn’t improve for the thief, and/or rewards in game remain mediocre (at best) – I don’t feel like I’m tied down to it, and will just play something else whilst they figure their kitten out.

As much as I would love to call GW2 my MMO-“home”, over the past 3 years, I’ve grown more distant and more detached from it – due to their decisions on things. The game itself, bulsheet aside, is great – I just don’t feel connected to it much anymore.

I definitely understand your concerns, and the devs have said that they want NA to have a cash shop with purely cosmetic stuff. I think they saw the success in gw2’s pay model and are trying to emulate it. Smart move. I also have been waiting for blade and soul for just as long as black desert, but honestly black desert seems like a better version. Combat seems more fluid and the graphics are flawless. Never got into WoW, not my thing. I also already bought HoT so I’ll probably at least go through the story but that’s about it. Currently so focused on maxing my Korean ninja out so I can do some serious BDO pvp. Like you I’ve grown detached to gw2, and it’s sad but I’m ready to move on.

Lamuness.3570:

Isn’t this what people said about Archeage? Good luck on your travels. We will still be here hopefully.

My problems with archeage was definitely all about the combat. Action combat has spoiled me so I can’t play rooted skillbar combat anymore. Black desert is all about combos with left and right click with f q and e in certain directions, it’s great!

Sagat.3285:

So far the korean version became a lot more casual and less sandbox than it was at first closed beta. They kind of turned on their original players but since they mentioned NA version will be different I’ll wait.

Yeah that’s what I had heard. But the current build of it is great and a lot of fun. Still very successful as well. I’m not sure the specific changes they’re making for NA besides making it buy to play and only having cosmetics in the cash shop. I know they are planning to seriously listen to the NA alpha and beta players to implement changes suggested. It still has a lot of its main sandbox features but took out stuff like losing loot upon death. That IMO is just a bit much and would kitten me off. I definitely think you should give it a shot once it goes into beta and see how you like it if you’re questioning it. One of my favorite things to do is you can do parkour similar to assassins creed and get really cool places.

Sagat.3285:

I played 2 of their previous game C9 and Vindictus the potential and fun is amazing but their publisher usually mess up somewhere C9 is currently dying due to amazing stupidity I guess Vindictus is just struggling but I hope Black Desert doesn’t disappoint or at least not in 2034 NA version Pearl Abyss was harsh on it. Good luck on your road.

I really like pearl abyss and I think they do a great job. They’re really worried about how NA receives the game and are trying hard to localize it in both language and mechanics wise. I also love how black desert is so sandboxy and pvp based. Open pvp anywhere in the world? Yes please! Something I always wished guild wars had. It’s almost like archeage game mechanics with gw2.0 combat mechanics had a baby. The game is simply beautiful too, I play on medium graphics and it still has the best graphics out of any mmo I’ve played.

I know what you’re expecting, and this is not it.
You may or may not have heard of me as the trapper backstab thief, or #traplord, original pioneer of the backstab trap stealth thief. But that’s kind of beside the point. This is my official retirement of thief and gw2 in general.

I don’t blame the devs, I don’t blame the game, I don’t blame my skill level. In fact I think guild wars 2 is in a really great position and I’m happy thief finally got looked at by a dev and given some treatment. I give props to you all who stuck it out this far for the love of Teef. It’s been some great times and this had been my favorite game for a very long time.
Thank you all who supported my short YouTube video run, and thank you to all my guild mates and thief masters who helped me with my countless build reforms. Now I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m even quitting and the answer is short, black desert.

I’ve been following black desert since its initial announcement back in 2010. I finally got my hands on a Korean account for the KR servers, and let me tell you this is the most fun I’ve had on a game in a long time. With the announcement of the NA alpha servers and the NA release right around the corner this game now has my full attention. I’m playing a ninja class so the soul of my Teef lives on! Check it out, seriously. I’ll also be forming my own NA guild whenever the alpha starts up, so if you’re interested get in contact with me. I’ll be filming some gameplay videos on the same channel the trapper back stab thief was on.

Thank you gw2 and thank you to the community for all the great memories. Hope to see some of you on black desert!

Nice, pretty much the same for my wvw test build. Im trying swapping out DA for Trickery for the extra ini, decent utility but idk how i feel about losing executioner and panic strike.

For pvp and wvw. I wanna see what everyone else is coming up with?

babazhook.6805:

Trapper runes also work nice with p/p power or condition. That loss in power from the runeset itself is made up for when gaining might on the trap triggers and the stealth adds to much needed survivability.

I currently use this rune on my own P/P thief. You can get some massive unloads when Shadowtrap is triggered. (trick is not to use unload first use the AA than the unload not only does the AA itself do decent damage with the 5 shots but they tend to dodge block that ensuring more unloads hit)

Yeah I did some mild testing last night, I’m playing with some decent valk armor mixed in so I can survive a little more. The main problem I ran into was reflection spec mesmers. I might end up swapping my sb from my normal d/p trapper build for p/p for ranged pressure. I really like unload and it gives some really good ranged burst for adaptability and being unpredictable.

DarkSyze.8627:

reinforever.8902:

Kocoff.7582:

Trapper Thief is a great build. It is OK. Reinforever made a real hype out of this, and it was really fun. Unfortunately, this build will go extinct when HoT releases.

Ps: we need to meet that Thief, he is getting infamous for his nice display to skill lol.

I’ve been on hiatus. Jesus, is this what the forums have come to?
The ghost trapper is balanced from a viewpoint of it will never kill you if you know wtf to do. As far as the power version goes, it’s far from permastealth and has it’s cons. for people that were wondering about the backstab trapper that I originally posted, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpiAUU9b3Ew here ju go.

I’m working on a p/p trapper pew pew build as my final hurrah before HoT comes out and breaks the spec. I’ll keep y’all posted.

so all those players you killed didn’t know “wtf they were doing”? So….. that makes you being The Only One player “who knew wtf you’re doing?”

Interesting!

Well no, cause I don’t play the ghost trapper. I play backstab power trapper….
I think you misunderstood me. I was saying the condition trapper that focuses on staying permastealth to kill people with caltrops and traps can only kill people that aren’t paying attention. I’m not saying I’m the only person who knows what I’m doing lmao.

I was the OP for the backstab trapper build. Not sure who made the condi ghost build. They both have pros and cons that go back to burst vs sustain dmg. If you like burst, go for the power, if you like pure sustain go for condi. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpiAUU9b3Ew link to my videos with build link in description.

Kocoff.7582:

Trapper Thief is a great build. It is OK. Reinforever made a real hype out of this, and it was really fun. Unfortunately, this build will go extinct when HoT releases.

Ps: we need to meet that Thief, he is getting infamous for his nice display to skill lol.

I’ve been on hiatus. Jesus, is this what the forums have come to?
The ghost trapper is balanced from a viewpoint of it will never kill you if you know wtf to do. As far as the power version goes, it’s far from permastealth and has it’s cons. for people that were wondering about the backstab trapper that I originally posted, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpiAUU9b3Ew here ju go.

I’m working on a p/p trapper pew pew build as my final hurrah before HoT comes out and breaks the spec. I’ll keep y’all posted.

Just curious what other people are trying and how it’s working out for them. http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vZAQJAsan0MBFmiFOB+OBkmiFqiyLE+gSoLCCgDY+67+xH-TVBFgACnAQJotyPU1fy0DA8AAAA-w this is what I’ve been trying mainly. Evade spammer with pistol whip and Bounding dodger as my main sources of damage. Been thinking of trading Acro for DA to pickup mug and panic strike. Really squishy, don’t know if I want to trade some zerk pieces for valk.

Sandrox.9524:

the condi trapper thief take the cake you litreally run around spam dodges and traps

Truly permastealth and does dmg without leaving stealth. Maybe more appropriate for OP’s wants. Just won’t really work against people who know about the build at all.

YOUNGaz.5690:

lol. the perma stealth trap thief would work pretty well. Take the condi immob, knockdown one, probably the +1 trap. Take trapper runes as well. Seen a few videos, it’s hilarious

He’s referring to my trapper backstab build. https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/thief/Trapper-Backstab-Thief-part-2/first#post5420541 heres the video he references. Pretty fun, you can message me also if you have questions about it. Build link is in description of the vid.

Karl McLain.5604:

Trying to answer questions within this thread (when possible)… Per the question thread – Yes, it does stack. If you have Impacting Disruption equipped and interrupt a foe with Palm Strike, you’ll apply two strikes of Pulmonary Impact to the target.

As far as the new ultimate goes, can you wait to activate the third portion of the combo? Example can you press the first two parts right away and wait 4 seconds to try and down the target so you can finish the target with the 3rd part of the ult combo?

Toss up between DA and acro. I want to get as close to a perma evade as I can since I’m taking the bounding dodge. I was going to math if the dmg from dodges works out to make it more worthwhile to take acro.

Good is subjective lol. I still upload and some people seem to enjoy the vids. Do wvw roaming. I’m going to be making some daredevil roaming vids from this upcoming beta weekend.

Rune of the adventurer!!!!! Gives endurance on heals. So every withdraw gives you a dodge.

Karl McLain.5604:

Lyger.5429:

Volrath.1473:

Volrath.1473:

Lyger.5429:

Hey Karl, kudos to you and the devs working on this spec. However I noticed that during the stream impairing daggers cost initiative, is that intended?

i did not notice that…

Karl?!

just saw the stream again on youtube and it was Fist Flurry that used up 4 init and not the daggers, still it makes no sense that a UTILITY skill uses init…

Actually I think both imparing and fist used it. Most likely a bug though.

Totally a bug.

Can you save the third part of the new elite for a short period of time or does the chain automatically go through itself?

Inb4 dodging onto keep and tower walls.

We can clear their massive chills if we spec for it, or with withdraw/ini evade.

Treetoptrickster.4205:

I was expecting more of a lunge or slide instead of ‘really fast running go time.’ I wouldn’t mind seeing the animation changed a bit, but for the love of Karl please don’t get rid of those sexy swirling shadow effects.

Basically. It’s like a faster swiftness which doesn’t look cool.

I support this. I thought it looked pretty lame to be honest. Maybe even an poof anf repoof where we needed to go (still making the duration of the dodge the same). Or if anyone has seen ridkitten, the big bossess cool shadow swiftness thing. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WPqtCfbLQug

Edit: wow it won’t let me say the name of the movie. But the scifi vin diesel movie

Can you cast the first two sections of the elite and save the third section (say for up to like 5 seconds) So you don’t have to do the entire combo once the enemy is downed to get the finish? I was hoping to see information on this during the stream but they actually didn’t do much variation on the execution of the elite.

Efface.8460:

reinforever.8902:

Gray.9041:

I’d say dire, but I’d also say that condi thief’s not really doable.

with sinisters, you take advantage of the power on the daredevil, but even with all those evades, it’ll only take a couple of slip ups, a few moments without endurance, and you’ll be dead.

with dire, you’ll be tankier, but won’t do much damage – thief just can’t dump the amount of Damaging Conditions it needs to.

if you’re looking for something in between though, maybe try carrion? it give CD, power and vitality, so it’s a bit of damage and a bit of tankiness.

Curious, but why is condi thief not viable?

Cuz every tiger lily that posts here is a top teir super thief…. Every word is accepted doctrine… Like duh, everyone knows this

Helpful
/15chars

Gray.9041:

I’d say dire, but I’d also say that condi thief’s not really doable.

with sinisters, you take advantage of the power on the daredevil, but even with all those evades, it’ll only take a couple of slip ups, a few moments without endurance, and you’ll be dead.

with dire, you’ll be tankier, but won’t do much damage – thief just can’t dump the amount of Damaging Conditions it needs to.

if you’re looking for something in between though, maybe try carrion? it give CD, power and vitality, so it’s a bit of damage and a bit of tankiness.

Curious, but why is condi thief not viable?

For a D/D DD condi thief. Sinister seems to be more of a hybrid dmg while Dire gives a lot of tankiness. We’ll have a kitten-load of evades so maybe having extra tankiness is not so useful? Worth noting I’ve been maining a power backstab built since I made my thief so this entire playstyle will be new to me.

treizebee.2091:

Any chance we can get an answer on how long the 2nd and 3rd skill in the Impact Strike chain will last?
Will using a weapon skill or another utility in the middle of Impact Strike reset/cancel the chain?

Really important info I was hoping to get from stream. Basically I want to know if I can use the first two and then save the third for right after I down the guy for insta finishes. LET US KNOW KARLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL