Guild Wars 2

What I meant was, if I equipped with say, a mix of soldier’s and Rabid (Or Rampagers, which I love but just can’t make work anywhere). Then set up something for Retaliation and Condi Dmg trait/skill wise. Likely would lots in common with the Immortal traits/skills.
In W3, where it’s usually lop-sided fights here on Kaining (T2 With plenty of organized groups), I’m guessing when I’m outnumbered the CD/Retal would definitely catch some groups unawares.

@EasymodeX:
“As a general observation, condition damage + v/t kittens all over PVT when the target has 100% Protection.”
Cond. Dmg + Retaliation – No opponent armor involved!
Thanks for giving me another set of equipment to go try out.
Any specific build you’re thinking of for Cond. Dmg/V/T equip? Aside from the obvious “Immortal” from this thread.

Good points all around, and great food for thought.
The normal “Here’s my build” replied with “looks interesting” was getting boring:
Playing devil’s advocate here to see what drummed up.
Thanks for the civilized discussion that certainly has brought up new points for consideration.
I certainly don’t run a PVT toon, and am busy trying to find the lowest HP/Tough combos that I can get away with in dungeons vs W3.

Note to Pyroatheist:
I’m happy to delete my posts should you feel they detract from your thread- just let me know.
Again, thanks for sharing your build and keeping the thread up for us readers.

@EasymodeX
Ah, irrelevant?
Indulge me by considering the following:
1. Legendaries are PVT. (http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Legendary_weapon)
-They are not for casual pickup. People have spent long play periods before obtaining them.
2. Invaders Exotic Gloves are 238 badges of honor. Someone will have played a fair amount of W3 before buying just one piece, let alone a set.
3. All armors have at least one of the “big three (PVT)” in their stats. (I think)
4. [Big Picture Alert] – Anet is always walking a tightrope of fun/interesting stuff for people to play and having balance between the multitude of options.
How do you balance scales? With standard weights.
I conject that PVT is the “Golden” standard that Anet uses when developing other options, based on the above two points.
…drum roll please…
Nothing will ever, in total sum, be “better” than the standard of PVT, because that would then prove unbalancing with other things in the game.

I’d love to see Osicat, completely outfitted with PVT Exotic equipment, but his choice of Traits/Weapons/Skills, try to play his style of game. I’d bet he notices very little difference in end outcome (Him alive, opponent(s) dead). I’d also conject he could handle more opponents it that scenario, albeit taking longer to finish them off.

While I agree that Theorycrafting is a mental game, understanding the underlying game mechanics/balance is important.

Regards!

@G-Wolf & Pyroatheist:
My post was mostly intended to spark discussion. I surely agree that there are far more variables than I could account for simultaneously.

That said-
1. Why are all legendary weapons PVT? Why does “Invader” armor exist for WvWvW?
2. The active/passive damage mitigation argument is flawed: Any player given more efficient armor stats than what they are currently successful with should improve. I’m not suggesting different traits or skills, just different armor stats.

From a DPS standpoint, combining straight damage and condition together was the highest I found in my armor only comparison (but using numbers from in-game for opponent armor/self stats):
Assuming a round of 15 sec that you hit with 1. Blurred Frenzy once and 2. Had 3 bleeds on someone:
1. Rabid, 2. Rampager, 3. Berserker, 4. Knights/Soldiers.

But comparing DPS over a life-span based on damage you take:
1. Soldiers, 2. Knights, 3. Rabid, 4. Rampager, 5. Berserker.

Is the answer finding somewhere in the middle? Does the game reward moderation?

Hmmm.

Pyroatheist-
Just a note-
I’ve just spent an absurd amount of time generating spreadsheets to determine my next set of armor. I ultimately worked up to estimating how long you could take damage multiplied by how much damage you could dish out in that time.

Basically a higher armor value/Lower attack stats = living longer, lower DPS
vs.
Lower armor value/Higher attack stats, = shorter life, Higher DPS

No matter how I massaged the data- (all the various armor sets- rampager, berserker, rabid, etc.)

PVT (Soldier’s) was always the most damage dealt due to staying alive longer. By a 10-30% margin.

My findings confirm your build as being “Immortal” vs other builds.

Thanks for taking your time to write your build up, I’ve certainly enjoyed it in sPVP and PvE.

Thank you lime for taking the time to work things out the best you can.
I’m gonna contact Olonnais to request a confirmation/correction.

Thank you for your reply.
I had no idea such things as the gaming pad existed- wow.
So power over precision?

Thanks

Hello all,
After hitting 80, trying out W3, enjoying exploring/farming- I’ve settled on using a staff most of the time (I like running around in little circles with lots of bouncing pink balls) and using the sword/sword during cool downs.

I really tried to do Lazy Kai’s build, after reading his build (and the best comic post of the year,) but just prefer the staff.

I cannot perform (or even really catch what’s happening in his videos) Osicat’s combos. [I actually mouse pointer click on each attack, rather than press buttons]

The question:
What should my goal be in putting together armor/runes/upgrades?

I don’t fully understand the mechanics of staff clones and critical hits.
They always hit for a condition with WoC, but does a critical hit add an additional bleeding stack with sharper images?

Would power actually be more important in the overall picture than precision from the phantasmal warlock/swordsman?

Given the slower kill rate I’ve got with the staff, should I be looking at vitality, toughness, or critical damage for the third trait with power and precision?

I looked up condition damage calcs, and it doesn’t seem like a good return on investment.

Thank you for any advice.