Thieves in a nutshell/general advice for new thieves (wvw)
Hello fellow thieves,
since it is that time of year I am going to share my insights into the thief class,make of it what you will.
So here it is thieves in a nutshell (WvW):
There are things about this class that make it wastely more fun than any other the most important of those is the ability to use any combination of your attacks in any sequence as needed due to the unique initiative mechanic.
This leads to very creative gameplay if you so chose and the ability to adapt to a vast range of different situations on the fly. Ifit is needed you can repeat the same skill or combine different skills no other class has that choice.
Going on from there the most creative strategy is to build for that ability to adapt, so ignore the one trick pony specs and go for diversity.
Unfortunately in that regard your choices in weapons will be limited very much.
So weapons:
You will end up with d/p and sb if you compare the weapon sets. The reasons are rather simple, those weapons provide the most diverse options.
They got the greates number of different fishers and combo fileds the class can offer.
And provide the most control.
d/p 4 is the only repeatable ranged “hard cc”in the game, the blind field and d/p 3 also provide unparalelled control from range before engaging in melee, aditionally stealth becomes available for bs and escape and condition removal. Also group stealth can be applied via the blind field realiably.
The bild field is also ideal to "protect stomps " sice interrupts will miss you if you stomp in a blind field.
sb provides the best defensive movement with again control via aoe weakness and cripple. It also provides spammable blast finishers if needed.
Traits:
Now with traits you need to think diversity and control again which leads to traiting steal. Again this limits you choices somewhat. The things you really need are condition removal on stealth and daze on steal (which also reduces steal recharge).
The reasons for both are as I said control you need to control the enemies conditions and be able stop them from useing their most powerful abilities. Sleight of Hand/Steal is the only absolutely unavoidable ranged interupt, you can use it even while disabled to make it even better you will want to also trait Bountyful Theft this trait steals stability 1st due to the boon steal priority so you can even interrupt targets who have stability.
Steal will also become a low cd emergency escape this way.
Try to make your build starting with this and then consequently go for control. Try Long Reach and Hidden Thief or blind on stealth with it to strengthen this even more. But there are lots of different options. EVEN s/x if you want to not us sb for more boon removal and daze.
Skip the crit trait line go for utility and control in wvw you can get enough crit from the gear. You can even skip the power trait line if you want the damage will still be enough due to food stacks and group boons.
Utilities:
Use roll for initiatve as main stun/imobilize breaker it beats shadowstep by far it also grants initiative, if you use sb 3 after it you can disengage while spaming evade (yes thanks to roll for ini you will have the ini to do that).
Switch you other utilities often to be less predictable and adapt to the situations, think about your combo options (cross class combos, especially aoe combos, will always win out in the end, the game is designed that way, remember blinding powder is another blast finisher).
Elite:
Use daggerstorm everything else is not even half as good, remember you can cancel the skill anytime by useing dodge but you will still get the full 8sec stability. It also reflects projectiles (once you have reflected a rifle warriors burst or a p/d condi unload or a imobilize rangers burst you will understand why this is awesome). If you use lyssa runes you will get the 6 point benefit even if you cancel daggerstorm.
Gear:
Mix your gear this is easy in wvw start with pvt armor zerker weapons and mixed jewellery, then modify to your preferences.
When you start out pvt is verry good since you will meet players in ascended gear you will need the vitality and armor, trust me, this will make your life a lot easier.
Good Luck and HAVE FUN.
