Guild Wars 2

Tips*

I find when using S/P it’s very helpful to have an immobilize to land all the hits or a shadowstep to follow them.

http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Basilisk_Venom
http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Devourer_Venom
http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Steal
http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Shadowstep
http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Infiltrator%27s_Signet

Bread and butter combo
Infiltrator Strike -> PW

*Note- You can use all of these while in the animation for PW except Basalisk Venom.

http://bit.ly/wBf9a8

Homonavn.6348:

Also, i don’t get why people transmute their legendary… If you have full zerk armour + trinkets ONE WEAPONS doesnt matter that much… if zerkers really can’t stand having PVT why do they even go for a legendary?

One weapon will reduce your damage. The purpose if going all Beserker is to do maximum damage. Having Defensive Stats works against that, and reduces your damage. It wouldn’t be a lot, but every bit counts.

I chose to go for a legendary because I like the looks of it + Perma BiS

You know all those duplicate pvp armors you get from the achievement chests? Well you can break them down and get mats to make dye.

1 Consumable Token, 200 glory + 1 Arcane Orb + 1 Arcane Sliver + 10 Arcane Dust = 1 Account Bound Unid Dye

Source – http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Consumable_Token

Full Combo(s)

Edit: Added Source – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FC

4th from the bottom under “Other Uses”
(Was new to me as well lol)

IMO-
The Celestial gear was a test to see how to community would to the new way of crafting.

Source – https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/looking-ahead-guild-wars-2-in-2013/

“This tier is time-constrained, so each item can only be made once per day in order to help give high-level crafters their own economy of items to build and sell that retain their value and rarity.”

Give Me Hammer Thief!

Hammer + Iniative System = Saucy KD’s
Ohh bring back the 1/4 knock from GW1

^^^^^^^^^^ this

If you are curious about PvP
www.twitch.tv/loljumper

Bonus: http://sittingonacouch.com/guild-wars-2-thief-podcast-revealed-episode-1/

Podcast for Thieves and last I checked it’s up to episode 8

Paken Kai.5970:

it feels like I’m constantly trying to run through water. But it’s not enough to make me change my race.

Try this.

1. Activate Box-O-Fun
2. Trigger it until you get the “Giant Form”
3. Dodge Roll

The animation is really slooooowwww

*Note using the kite while in Giant Form will give you an even bigger Kite

Instead of giving me Blinding Powder at 25% health Give me
http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Black_Powder

eh? eh?

1. Watch the Ele
2. Wait for Ele to swap out of water attunement
3. Burst

*When in Water Attunement they have more access to defense.

This is if you are not S/D and don’t plan on stealing the boons he will get in Water Attunement

GL Mate.

Yes! especially if they say the magic word!

*Note the above is using the un-nerfed Mug

Edit 7/16/2013 12:51 CST

To: Zeke , look at the damage and you will see Mug doing more damage than is possible now. I am not sure how long a while ago is , but to me it seems this is dealing

SS1 – over 3k damage
SS2 – 3,647 Damage

Do you get this much damage on Mug current form?
I would encourage you to double check the time-stamp on the screenshots
(If nothing else you can look at the creation date of the SS. If I am wrong I will edit this to avoid any confusion)

Edit 2 – 7/16/2013 1:03 CST

I completely disregarded the potential of players not wearing BiS gear/ being up-leveled

Thank you for your reply.

Hi creative GW2 crew,

Can anyone inform me as to where I can get an (action figure/ mini /doll) made of my character?

If you are interested in doing this send a PM and I will send you whatever you need.

Hi I would like to hire you to create several images if you are available for that. Let me know if I can put you on retainer. If not I would like to start with my character being inked with no background. I will send the pictures when I get home.

I agree it isn’t certain, but it is implied. (We get a trait point when we level past 11).
I disagree that the trait system is fine as it is.
I would love to have more master and grandmaster traits.
I disagree that more trait points would certainly imbalance the game.
It would be possible, but also it could be possible that it just adds more build variety.

Better…. hmmm yeah, worth using…hmmmm no not IMHO

The only thing I have heard that would imply we are getting more trait points was the comment that they expect to raise the level cap.

Mike O’Brien wrote:

“In GW1 we never advanced the level cap through four campaigns/expansions. The game design didn’t allow for it. But GW2 was designed without those restrictions, and we’ve always expected that we will someday raise the level cap in GW2.”

-Source
http://www.gamefront.com/guild-wars-2-level-cap-raise-confirmed-for-future/

Another option would be http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Haste

Gain quickness. Lose all endurance and reduce endurance regeneration by 50%.
Quickness: 6 s: Skills and actions are 50% faster.
Haste (6 s): Reduces endurance regeneration by 50%.
Breaks stun

*Note this used to be 100% faster buff, but was changed to it’s current weaker version.

Over 2000 hours and I have gotten 1 as a drop

Where: FotM (Water Fractal )
Which: Venom (30g at the time)

Herr der Friedhoefe.2490:

At the moment Ascended Back Pieces only come from the Fractals. We were once told that Ascended items would be brought to all parts of this game, but Anet is dragging their heels on it. We can’t get the back pieces even from WvW rewards yet and it has been months since Ascended stuff first appeared.

Being able to craft an all stat back piece would have been a nice alternative because I really, really, hate the Fractals.

So far there doesn’t seem to be a recipe for an all stat back piece and I would like to know why not.

*edit
You could get an Ascended Back Piece w/o Fractals.

1. The Triforge upgrade (First Ascended Amulet)
2. Mystic Forge – The Quivers and Books that use mats you can buy (Second Option)
1. The Living Story Scelerite backpack (non fractal option)

So I would say it hasn’t been brought to all parts of the game (technically) since in PvP you still can’t get them. Everywhere else as long as you have access to the TP + Forge you can have them at a moments notice. (If you have the funds)

I agree I would also like an all stat back piece.

Why don’t we have it? Really good question.

(Edited the incorrect information out to help avoid confusing others- Sorry )

To get 25 stacks of bloodlust

I would suggest

1. Solo? Kill Coyotes outside of spawn. They will summon a buddy when they get low and you get stacks twice as fast.

2. With a group? Do the same as above but it will just be faster

3. With a Zerg? Get out of the zerg

Note*
http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Ashnod

This is an NPC named after me in GW1 If you are familiar with Stronghold then your are most likely familiar with the Brothers War and how Ashnod played a part as a General. I will keep from telling you the rest of the lore. GL Mate!

Hi Crovax Windgrace
Birthplace Urborg, Dominaria
Lifetime 4168-4205 AR
Race Vampire/Phyrexian, formerly Human

^_^

I would suggest that you try
S/D (Force + Fire) unless you fight a lot of 1v1’s then get Force + Air

Reason?
It boosts AoE damage you area already doing with sword. If you 1v1 often I would suggest using a dagger.

Shortbow (Bloodlust, or Fire)

Reason?
Bloodlust is a really nice +250 power, and Fire allows you to dish out even more AoE Damage with Clusterbombs.

Utilities

Shadowstep
Shadow Refuge
Infiltrator’s Signet

This enables you to cover large areas, or to stay on a target that blinks a lot.

While out of combat and running somewhere I will temporarily swap Shadow Refuge for Signet of Shadows for the additional mobility.

IMO
D/D ( Force/Air) SB- Bloodlust

I would suggest something more along the lines of this. This is a glass cannon, however it’s safer than D/D for starters.

http://intothemists.com/calc/?build=-c;4ZwF_05-V-kd0;9;4OT;0E59-17A;44;0LJk0LoHAudbTudbTo-Fv-A-6-N_scOVTWYXcYi3o4230C-2i;9;9;9;9;9;9;1Ek3c

*Note The second Sigil on the shortbow denotes stacking Bloodlust on one, then swapping to a secondary shortbow with sigil of Fire on it.

I used this leveling primarily in dungeons. Once you know the attack animations of the mobs you fight you can time the pistol-whips to perfection.

Yes it’s good for leveling, and viable for level 80. (Good as in safe, less damage than D/D however)

I suggest S/P to newbies until they learn the class better. When you are better you can use D/D to get off the super high CnD + BS combo chains going.

Jakare.6807:

Wtf… is this thread even…

You’re talking about *2-3 stat points of precision… …isn’t worth wasting this much time over…

While this may be true for you, however you can see for the OP this is not true. I would always rather have more stats. I also greatly appreciate someone who will dedicate their time to doing the math to min-max.

Anet please send a source to confirm how this works since the values appear to be off from what they are offering.

No it does not sadly

At one point during early development, stealing would force an environmental weapon in the character’s hands. This was accompanied by a trait which allowed the thief to “pocket” the stolen item, which later evolved into the stealing system as it functions today.

Source – http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Steal -

I have confirmed you get a damage boost when using summoned Ele weapons with this trait.

I tried it and my conclusion is…

Just say no to S/D + S/D in WvW

This is coming from the perspective of group play not solo.
You can use that in solo but it will be less effective than a damage thief as Wolfe stated.

Thief seems to be what you are looking for sir!

I main one and have done all the content your are interested in. I like the active play that forces you to be aware and dodge or die. It makes it more interesting to me.

For a new Thief let me suggest this
S/P + SB

For weaker mobs you can use skill 5 , stand in it, and auto-attack to deal cleave damage while blinding them all and laughing. (Laughing optional)

There is also Skill 3 which will daze (just as good as stun in pve) followed by a flurry of attacks. During the flurry you will evade. This is another way to deal damage and be safe.

For SB

You can use skill 5 to shadowstep a short distance to get to a safe spot.
You also have skill 3 with an evade and a cripple arrow. If you get in a bind while learning some mobs behavior you can chain skill 3 and maintain evades as long as you have iniative.

Last and most important

LoS – Line of sight, you can hide around a corner and then aggro mobs they will usually walk right up to you and stack so you can cleave them all down

Circle Strafe- Running in a circle around a mob will allow you to outpace it due to the choppy turning the AI uses. If you have further questions let me know I will try to assist.

Hi Yama.9376

BiS = Best In Slot

BiS Armor = Exotic
BiS Weapons = Legendary (Currently same stats as Exotic)
BiS Accessories = Ascended (backpack, rings, earrings, amulet)

Highest Crafting Level is 400 still and will still allow you to craft exotics.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask

Edit: Also make sure to optimize your food and nourishment to your particular play style.

DrixTrix.7168:

Thief’s use whatever they can get there hands on, if you ask me the whole arsenal should be available, except maybe scepter and focus as there centered around magic, a staff can be used as an offensive melee weapon.

Hey I just wanted to note that the Thief DOES use magic. I have compiled a list of some quotes for you

“Thieves use a sub-branch of the Denial School called “Shadow Arts.” It’s derived from Canthan practices. You can see some of the similarities it shares with mesmerism—stealth and instant teleportation being the two big ones.”

http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/An_Empire_Divided
(From GW1, however it mentions shadowstepping)

“Ash Legion Necro Charr, and one of the Ash Legion NPCs said something like, “Don’t worry about those guards, we can get by them with my stealth magic.”

“So Thieves really do use magic to turn themselves invisible, it’s not just a gameplay mechanic to set up for a backstab.”

Thanks pants I would like to see it as well.

“If you guys truly are among the best, then you have a responsibility to help others and to improve the quality of these forums, not the opposite.” RD.2408

http://www.youtube.com/user/strife025/videos?sort=dd&tag_id=&shelf_index=0&view=1

This is proof of them doing better than posting on the forums. Showing game play and hand-holding over builds which are often given in explicit detail. Which have helped many. (You can just read the comments or other posts on the forums if you want to validate it)

DnT has provided a wonderful service by training GW2 players.
Good Data > Bad Data even if it comes with a side of Nikado Sass.

We are getting nerfs, but keep in mind that this is how Anet likes to do balance in order to buff other skills.

Example
They nerfed Mug so it can’t critically hit
later
They gave us the ability to use steal for something besides just burst damage and now it’s considerably more interesting.

Hoping for the best
Answers would be nice

There was a time when P/P was good, sadly it was in Beta.
Leaching Venoms would trigger with each venom strike and if you had multiple venoms on at once they all individually triggered Leaching Venoms.

Anyway I hope you appreciated the history lesson and I hope we get Pistol Buffs as well my friend. I have everything for the Quip save map completion. One day I hope to unload with either Dual Quips or with Quip and a new Legendary Pistol should they make another one.

Beep! Beep!
Jeep Out!

I was looking at this from the perspective of dealing damage efficiently, however upon re-reading it looks to be a “fun/casual” build. I hope they buff the pistols for us as well sir, but for now I am going to leave this thread to the casuals.

I have tried P/P and I was able to either Spam Unload or Burst at times with it. The damage was considerably lower than my standard builds to I stopped using it. Keep in mind that in GW2 ranged weapons deal less damage.

I like the idea of a P/P thief but right now when I play it, it’s more like a QQ thief (LOL)
I hope this was helpful for you, if you have any questions shoot me a PM or in game message. I will run DPS tests or w/e if you are interested.

*Note the DPS tests will have to be based on Time to Kill. Thhis is not the best method, but the best I have atm.

I think it would be best for you to see it in action. Because to explain it in text would take many many words. I even left out a lot from the above to be brief.

Jumpers Twitch Stream
http://www.twitch.tv/loljumper

You can look at recorded videos he has made.
There will also be a link to the builds he suggests. GL

If you want to melee safely I would suggest S/P vs just trash mobs
AKA mobs w/o defiant (also dredge are immune to blind)

The S/P allows you to http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Black_Powder
then you just auto-attack and dish out AoE blinds.

If you need evades then Pistol-whip will give that to you. There is a slight delay before the evades kick in so it will take practice to get used to the timing.

As far as when to melee
Anytime you can do so w/o going down. This will be different with each players skill level.

“So what’s the appeal to PvP as a thief?”

First off http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Larcenous_Strike
This allows us to tear down boon based bunkers.

The Thief has the highest Mobility (Back capping in sPvP, Scouting in WvW)

Redguard used them for Daggerstorm (GvG’s)

It sounds like you have not see the Dual S/D + S/D evasive thieves. If this is the case make sure to check some out. Jumper X is a well known player that uses this build.

“Their inability to constantly go in and out of stealth due to the reveal debuff seems like the only suitable damage mitigation is dodging, which can be traited to essentially give a third dodge, but is still relatively limited. "

Note it can be traited to do the following on stealth
Blind
Remove Conditions
Regenerate Health not to be confused with applying Regeneration boon

These are the more common damage mitigation for stealth users

Sigil of energy has a really nice synergy with the S/D+S/D for damage mitigation

Dodge + Dodge Standard
Extra Dodge from Acrobatics
Signet of Agility (full endurance regen aka 3 more dodges)
weapon swap (1/2 endurance)
The Evade on the weapon set 3 (just the first part)

Now this is not even including the traits for initiative regen.

Quick Recovery
Signet of the infiltrator
Quick Pockets.

This is getting kind of long so I will end it here. If you have any other questions I will be happy to help however I can.

I would suggest the shortbow to stay ranged until you can identify the attack animations.
After you know what to look for it’s a matter of keeping up a dodge at the right time.

SB is a low damage weapon that is safe to use. In emergency you can use Shadow Shot to get to a safe place, or you can use the Evade shot to avoid what would otherwise be a lot of damage. Once you know the fight, I would suggest D/D for CnD + BD spam. When things get hot you can get out with the SB.

Also I would highly suggest using Physical Damage over Condition Damage for Guild Wars 2. I have found that I can pump out considerably more damage with Physical Vs Conditions.

GL Mate.

The Critical Strikes trait tree gives us the most damage.
Examples of Grandmaster Traits

Executioner +20% damge vs tagets under 50% health
Hidden killer +100% crit chance when in stealth

It’s very difficult to invest 30 points into Critical Strikes with Venom Share builds.

I have not tested this, but it’s my understanding that

Person A used V-Share and shares Basalisk Venom
Person B is also using V-share in range and uses Basalisk Venom

The venom shared from Player A will be overwritten by the venom shared by player B.

If anyone has tested this please speak up I would like to confirmation on this. However V-share is so far at the bottom of my list of things to test. If it gets a buff at some point it may be worth considering, but currently I have no interest in it.

“An area of effect skill may only affect a maximum of 5 targets, determined by proximity… when affecting allies, closest party members are affected first, followed by closest non-party member allies.”

Source
http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Area_of_effect

I hope this helps Let me know if you have any more questions.

I would consider it in a limited stealth build. WvW S/D Swashbuckler

I would not take it over Shadows Rejuvenation in anything that uses stealth for longer that just a few seconds.

The trap works 100% for me. If you need help on where to place it I will assist.
Just message me in game.

Hi Dirty, first off I would like to suggest not using venomous aura. It really cripples the damage. Now to the question.

You should find all you need to know in this thread.
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/game/gw2/AoE-Buffing-Healing/first#post775876

To Yasi.9065
^^ No Value Added (Dan is uninformed and it’s not going to help insulting him)

To DanH.5879
The reason there are no 4 Thieves + 1 Mesmer (commonly seen) is because of the following

Warriors are easier to play / more forgiving for bad players due primarily to
Higher Base Armor + Higher Base Health

Here is a video of my group.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jyl7BvFKb4g

It’s a bit older , but compare it to the time you do it in.

“Edit: I’m reading some more of this “advice” and it’s making me cringe. -RFF”
^^ I agree. This is why I offer to tutor players