Guild Wars 2

Researching a P/P build and see that Black Powder is an automatic combo (Blindness). This is in addition to the skill itself that pulses blindness four times if I understand correctly. So am I missing something (for example, does the combo field blindness have a wider AoE than the skill’s blindess?) or is the automatic combo on this skill superfluous because enemies are already blinded by the skill itself?

PS: Yes, I know that P/P thief gets no love, but I like playing the off-builds.

Also, be sure to work in redundancy joke if you can #Tonight I’m Gonna Rock You Tonight.

AlphaDawn.9042:

Hi Anet and Tech support for Guild Wars 2 …. I am an avid player since GW2 launch and have well over 1500+ hours of play…
I am aghast at your inability to solve issues in a timely manner with MAC users … This is entirely inexcusable …
Come on Tech support and Anet …. There is NO reason to have so many problems with MAC let alone have those problems be allowed to make it into gameplay….
Do you NOT test your updates-patches with MAC client prior to launching for
gameplay …
UNREAL
This current problem with BLTC ( Black Lion Trading Co. ) and all of its functions not working for thousands of players is shameful at best … The game is unplayable at some point, which I am sure most of us have reached , due to being unable to sell items from your inventory as well as with progression help in crafting
( i.e.. buying and selling items ) …
There should be not only timely and swift explanations to this and all issues concerning MAC clients but this whole half kittened hack solutions at temporary fixes to this issue make me sickened ( paste this, paste that, make a dummy folder and erase lol ) …
WE DESERVE things tested for MAC before patches are released and if by some chance that something gets by an immediate response as well as a real and permanent fix …
You not only owe us this but should send some form of value back to us for all the game time you have wasted for us …
I should not feel bad for writing this or even have to write it … This IS on point and needs to be adressed …
Please get it together …
Loyal GW2 fan ( but not sure why anymore )
Ck

+1
Dingo

I finally got it to work on my third or fourth try following Anet’s instructions. A full download of the game was the only choice it gave me, but eventually it worked. (Obviously, this work-around would not be an option for anyone with a data plan.) TP worked for about an hour, now TP is down again. Oh well, I guess I had enough time to sell all the stuff that was clogging up my inventory. Without access to the in-game economy, I’m pretty much left doing map completion. I think the mac beta has worked well for me up to this point, but allowing this glitch to go on for a week is pretty sad

KeairaPhoenix.6123:

to baby stealing dingo. Don’t reopen the renamed application. Delete the 2nd one, then return it to the original name and open it. It didn’t’ specifically say that in the instructions, but I think the rename was just to differentiate the files and prevent a total rewrite.

Thanks Phoenix; I’ve already tried this as well, to no avail. Perhaps somebody else reading this thread might have some luck though.

SarahWitter.2317:

Hello,

We’re going to need to spend some more time on getting a patching resolution. As this could carry into the weekday, the team would like to give you an optional workaround.

1. Rename your existing application file to something other than “Guild Wars 2”.
2. Download a new “Guild Wars 2.dmg” from here:
http://cloudfront.guildwars2.com/client/branches/Gw2Setup.dmg
(or) from the account manager on guildwars2.com.
3. Open the file and install the application. This installation should fix the certificates issue you’ve been experiencing.
4. When the installer completes and the Guild Wars 2 client begins patching, close the application.
5. Delete the new “Guild Wars 2” application that the installer placed in your Applications folder.
6. Relaunch the original application that you renamed in step 1.
7. The application will patch to the latest version.

Thank you for your patience and see you in Tyria!
~Sarah

I’ve tried this three times, and when I follow these instructions to the letter it does not work. Every time I reopen the original, re-named application (after deleting the new “Guild Wars 2” that was created), it insists on a full game download. This is way too big to be a patch (420 mb so far and only 1% complete). OS 10.7.5 if it matters. To be clear, no matter how many times I close the application and restart it, I get a full game download and I cannot click on the red “Play” button because it is grayed out.

noor.7960:

that baby stealing dingo.7216:

Spent an hour downloading the entire game again (apparently), same result.

You didn’t have to download the whole game, It’s just when the launcher starts downloading, stop it, close it, delete Guild Wars 2.app that been created in applications folder, and the rename the original one “that you had before” back to the original name….. did you do that and didn’t work ?! or you miss-read the steps that SARAH gave us?!

in the beginning, it didn’t work, I just forgot to rename the original game back to it’s original name and it worked instantly.

Keep us updated, please!?

I followed the instructions, or so I thought. I guess I’ll keep messing around with something that I paid for a year ago just to make it work. My patience is pretty thin at this point.

Spent an hour downloading the entire game again (apparently), same result.

noor.7960:

Ok That’s it for me tonight, I can’t stay awake any longer, In case this issue didn’t get resolve. I will be happy to login tomorrow and help more people.

And thank you so much for whoever is awake and working on solving the problem and Sarah On top of that list.

Thanks for being one of the good ones.

SarahWitter.2317:

Thank you for the updates all. As you can imagine, we are saddened this attempt was not successful. I will need to continue some coordination and do not have an update or eta for resolution at this time.

Thanks for keeping us updated, glad to hear you are still working away at this.

JustTrogdor.7892:

UrsaMaritima.8604:

snowfaire.2781:

I came here to see if there was magically a fix since Friday night, but just more complaining. lol.

Haha, that’s these forums for you. Sigh.

Can you blame people though? This isn’t some small bug or glitch. Without access to the TP the game starts to become borderline unplayable because you can’t sell items, you inventory fills up, and you can’t buy items. If this affected PC and it was in the same state we are now it would be the single biggest thread in the history of the forums and I guarantee you it wouldn’t be filled with posts like, “Hang in there everyone. I know they promised a fix that didn’t happen but stay happy!”

1,000 times this. It would be the biggest thread in the history of the internets.

Just here to say “Same problem, I also tried the suggested fixes to no avail.”

Sigh

PvE zergs like the Queensdale train (and the whole “save the world from the poison tower” thingy) are actually the most fun I’ve had in this game. Which maybe explains why I don’t play the game much anymore.

Balefire –
I am relatively new to the Necro, having recently taken my first one to level 80 only a few weeks ago. But I agree that it would be encouraging to see the Devs:

a) Acknowledge some of the legitimate, recurring concerns found in the Necro 12-10-13 subthread (and others)
b) Acknowledge some of the good ideas for fixes in that thread (and others)
c) Acknowledge that Necros are a little confused by some of the changes with respect to the Devs’ stated intentions

If you’re sensing a theme, that’s because there is…it starts with an “A” and ends with “cknowledgement.”

Vayne – I agree that the necro is much better now than at launch. However, as you yourself state, the class was virtually unplayable at launch. Rather than turn this thread into a “how good is the necro, really?” discussion, I suggest you read through some of the very well-written posts in the Necro 12-10-13 patch subthread.

Lorelei.3918:

Spectral Staff Build

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fQAQNAW4djMah7VbabM8JEJFXzzEpAZUGqHwD78hA-jEDBYLRGfBggAgIAiKAO9pIasVSFRjVZDT5CQ7KyqXJ1iuIa1SBIoyI-w

Edit: oops looks like when I changed the build descrip I forgot to change the build link to go with it. That is now fixed.

This is a unconventional build, so please be forewarned. This build is a Death Shroud centric build. It leverages the staff as both a LF generation tool, aoe dmg source and dmg modifier.

Explanation Let me go over the theory with you. Look at the staff. None of its attacks really jive with power. Yet it has the best power coefficient by far for us. You really don’t need crit for any staff skill. Now look at DS. Mostly power skills, even ds5 hits hard at the end. DS benefits heavily from crit. Now you got this nifty trait that gives your 50% crit in DS. You got another nifty trait that gives you fury when you enter DS. So, 70% inherent crit just for hitting f1. So thanks to traits you don’t need to stat much precision, which frees you up to stat vitality. Which leads to the next section…

Gearing: I run all Valkyrie because you don’t need precision, but crit dmg is still very useful. Runes of the pack ties the whole thing together. The 20% swift buff gives you one button perma swiftness via S. Walk. The call of the wild procs give you extra fury time and swiftness. The precision makes sure you are close to 100% crit in DS. All of the gear has vit, which increases the amount of dmg you can soak in DS.

As for weapons its staff and dagger/focus. After practicing with this build I’ve found that in some 1v1 situations, being able to rip off boons can be invaluable.

Utilities Now lets talk about the utilities. If you look over the build you see you have all spectral utilities. You want to fight in ds form for as long as possible to maximize dps. Well thanks to the patch you can now gain lf while in ds if you have either spectral walk or armor up. If you are being attacked head on, put up armor right before going into DS. You will tank their dmg output without getting a scratch on your hp. Knowing when and how to use armor and walk is very important. There is a variety of tricks you can play with Spectral Walk alone. Play around with it.

Summary When fighting a extended fight, because you simply manufacture so much LF, you can’t be killed (not easily). This fusion of survivability and huge crits will simply overpower most builds or force them to run away. You’ve got a extensive toolbox including Lich form, 2 fears, 1 yank, 2 total cleanses, 2 stun breakers, a boon rip, and a reverse blink. Use them wisely and you can win.

EDIT After testing I found that the build simply doesn’t need condition damage. Maxing out crit damage is far more useful.

I’ve been thinking about making a “death shroud first and always” necro. I may have to try this build.

Berengar.6951:

by random utility skill they mean random debuff from one of the other profession’s quickness skills.

So when activating Elixir U I get:

Quickness (always), and
Either Haste or Frenzy as the associated debuff?

Good grief the in-game description is confusing then. It makes it sound as though you get something useful, not a 50/50 chance between two debuffs.

Anyway, thanks for the info.

Sorry if this has been answered already, but I was not able to locate an existing thread on this subject.

Elixir U supposedly grants “…a random utility skill from another profession,” in addition to quickness/haste/frenzy. This according to the wiki and the in-game description.

I see no evidence of being granted such a random utility skill when I use this. Is it bugged or am I missing something?

Titan Cronus.9216:

I know there has been a lot of topics about the male/female bodies but just wanted to get a post for thoese who whould like to see a new male norn body. One slightly more human, with less widely spaced hips and a smaller neck/sholder. Maybe even get some feedback form a dev.

So, all in favour say “Aye!”

Aye.

It’s impossible to craft a (male) Norn that does not look like a bloated, shaved gorilla toon. Crom’s demons they look awful.

Signet Powermancer – No Minions (no, not even a flesh golem)

Summary for those who don’t want the details:
30/0/25/15/0
Heal: Consume Conditions
Weapon Sets: Dagger + Warhorn, Axe + Focus
Utility Skills: Signet of Locust, Signet of Spite, Signet of Undeath
Elite Skills: Plague (or Charzooka!)

I soloed this to 80, and through 98% of the personal story and had a good time. Lots of life steal and vulnerability when properly traited, and good direct damage.

Details for those who want them:
Basic Theme
Do something a little different (no real condition damage, no minions, no staff), maximize Power attribute, maximize life steal, use all signets on utility bar, multiple ways to apply vulnerability, heavy use of warhorn #5 (Locust Swarm) to stack damage and life siphons with Vampiric minor trait.

Death Shroud
This build makes heavy use of Death Shroud, even though there is no real investment in it for traits or skills. Death Shroud provides great AOE damage for a powermancer and is an extra life bar for any necro. Being in DS also gives your other skills time to recharge, which is handy because this build does not have reduced recharge times for weapons, except for Axe Mastery.

Weapon Set 1: Axe, Focus
Weapon Set 2: Dagger, Warhorn

Traits
Spite: 30 – Signet Mastery, Axe Training, Close to Death. Minor traits Parasitic Bond and Death into Life provide direct healing and improve healing power, respectively.

Death Magic: 25 – Dark Armor, Death Shiver. Minor trait Deadly Strength (Master level) gives a further bonus to Power.

Blood Magic: 15 – Blood Thirst to improve Life Siphon (dagger 2), Locust Signet, and Vampiric.

Skills
#6: Consume Conditions (this build has no other way to deal with conditions, so you need this)
#7: Signet of the Locust (AOE life steal is frickin awesome against mobs, and and permanent swiftness is always nice)
#8: Signet of Power (constant power bonus plus the ability to lay massive conditions on one enemy for that Oh Noes moment)
#9: Signet of Undeath (faster life force regen and some support ability with long-distance reviving of downed comrades)
Elite: Plague form

Strategies
Against Mobs
i. Direct damage against mobs with Warhorn #5+F1 to enter DS+Tainted Shackles+Life Transfer (you will also apply AOE vulnerability while in DS). Plague form using No. 1 (Bleeds every second) is also great for softening up mobs.

Against 1 or 2 enemies
ii. Toe-to-toe melee with dagger/warhorn

Staying alive
iii. Use Life Siphon (dagger 2) and Signet of Locust for life stealing. Minor Spite trait Parasitic Bond and Vampiric give you constant proc healing without having to think about it. Plague form gives you insane bonuses to vitality and toughness, and Signet of Undeath gives you quicker life force recharge.

Against Champs, Vets, Hard hitting melee types
iv. Against hard hitting enemies use Focus and Axe to stack vulnerability from a distance, and use Spinal Shivers to slow them down. Follow up with dagger/warhorn, life siphons.

Oh Noes strategy No. One
v. Locust Swarm + Wail of Doom or Dark Pact + Plague form. Plague gives you 20 seconds of stability, plus perma-blind or perma-cripple to get away. This is also great for kiting while your buddies hack away at the monster.

Oh Noes strategy No. Two
vi. Activate Spite Signet for multiple conditions, Locust Signet for life steal, and you also get 6 stacks of might out of it from Signet Mastery.

Weaknesses
i. No stability except for when in Plague form. You will get knocked on your butt a bit. Good news is that when in DS, if you get knocked on your butt after casting Tainted Shackles or Life Transfer, you will continue to cast it while laying on your back! You also have perma-stability in Plague form.

ii. No way to deal with conditions except for using Consume Conditions. However you could swap out one of my listed signets above for Plague Signet, which would also give you more party support power.

iii. Well of Suffering would help this build do more damage, no doubt. But I wanted to do something different so I stuck with signets.

Notes
Vampiric life siphon procs on every hit. For skills like Locust Swarm (warhorn 5), Life Transfer (DS 4), and Ghastly Claws (Axe 2), this is a lot of procs. Granted, you can’t siphon health in DS, but the little bit of additional damage from the life siphon will still proc on your enemy.

Caveats
I’ve only played this character up to level 50. But so far, so good. It’s fun, does good damage to both mobs and single targets, and the multiple heal options keep me alive.

GuildWarsPlayer.5608:

I was thinking about making a necro but not a big fan of pets, which is the reason I never made a ranger. Is there a such thing as a necro build absent pets ( minions ) that is viable in pve ?

Also do necro’s have any type of stability ? or does that come in later by way of traits ?

Thanks.

To answer your last question first, the only stability that Necros have access to is via the elite skill: Plague, and the Soul Reaping grandmaster trait: Foot in the Grave. The elite skill: Lich Form also grants stability I believe.

My level 45 Necro runs with no minions, not even a flesh golem, and I do fine. I use signets and plague form for my elite. Necros are fun and versatile.