Loperdos

http://gw2buildcraft...|57.5a.0.0.5w|e

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P/P: Superior Sigil of Accuracy + Ruby Orb
SB: Superior Sigil of Accuracy

Since the guide is a P/P and SB guide, it would be pretty silly to state that the weapons are anything different. Sigil of Accuracy + Ruby Orb on the pistols and Accuracy on the SB.

• The main reason for stacking crit is because as a P/P SB build, you will be running and gunning less damage overall than a melee, its just the nature of GW2, so stacking crit is going to help increase overall damage.
  
• Another major reason is that having a limited number of init regen skills (which is purposeful) means that the build mainly relies on crits to trigger init regen, especially in regards to Unload on the P/P.
  
• When using SB, there’s no init problems. When using P/P and low on init, popping stealth and using the Stealth Attack usually gains enough init back that there aren’t too many times that the build finds itself completely out of init.
  
• Also, in general, when fighting 2 or fewer mobs, P/P is the go-to set, whereas in groups (like dungeons and Fractals) and against 3 or more mobs, the SB is usually a better choice.
  
• Its been pointed out to me that the way I stated these choices made it seem like they were the *best* choices for the weapons.  This isn't quite the case.  These are the ones I use because I am the most comfortable with them.  It is perfectly acceptable to swap out the Sigil of Accuracy for Sigil of Perception (or Bloodlust if you feel the need to do so).  Just keep in mind that in order to keep up the same 5% bonus to crit chance, you have to AVERAGE 13 stacks of the Sigil of Perception.  It mostly comes down to player preference and skill level.  Same thing goes for the Ruby Orb on the OH pistol.

Heal slot:

• Hide in Shadow: A lot of builds use this heal skill because it has a lot of efficacy in a lot of different situations. This is the recommended one for this build because of the additional benefit of being a relatively reliable on-demand stealth.
  
• Withdraw: This would probably be the second recommended heal as it provides a free evade, as well as another way to remove cripple, immobilize and chilled. With this build if you are standing still or slowed for any length of time, its a good way to end up dead.
  
• Signet of Malice: It can work when paired with Unload from the P/P, but for burst healing/utility on this particular build, its not that useful.

The five utility slots that I personally rotate between are as follows:

• Blinding Powder: The only utility that does seem to be a requirement for this build. Since neither P/P or SB have a consistent, on-demand stealth function, Blinding Powder is a good alternative. It particularly synergizes with P/P, especially when low on init.
  
• Signet of Agility: This utility is more useful when running this build solo and using P/P for a lot of content because the extra precision helps with the init maintenance, which an Unload spam build can sometimes run into. Additionally, the condition removal is good because the build has low Vitality.
  
• Signet of Shadow: Another utility that is more useful when running solo. The 25% passive speed boost can be the difference in having to evade or just being able to strafe/walk backwards when a mob gets too close.
  
• iHouse (Shadow Refuge): This is one of the utilities that stays on the bar (in general) when running dungeons or fractals with a group. The stealth rezzes and ability to run past with this utility makes it a very good pick for groups.
  
• Shadowstep: One would think that this utility is not all that great due to its longer (40s traited) CD, but when actually running with it, the utility of it becomes apparent. The 1200 range on it plus the return gives new meaning to the word ‘mobility’ for thieves. Being able to instantaneously teleport from one end of a room to the other is quite useful (and back again if trouble follows). Also the condition removal is a nice bonus.

The next few utilities are ones that can be used, but its more circumstantial than the first five:

• Smoke Screen: This utility is very useful on certain Fractals and Dungeons, but unfortunately it does not synergize really well with the rest of the build, as it works better with something with a leap finisher, which is why it is under this section rather than the top section.
  
• Caltrops: In case of emergencies where escape is necessary but things are surrounding you, the cripple is useful. Not highly recommended, but a possibility.
  
• Roll for Initiative: This particular utility has good efficacy as well, but its main purpose is a burst of init regen, which this build doesn’t really have much issue with, so it is relegated to the “feasible, but situational” section. The evade and stun break is nice, but both of those can be fulfilled by Shadowstep.
  
• Haste: Can be nice for some quick burst dmg through some quickened Unloads, but its very situational. If you have a good anchor and can live for a bit without dodges, then its becomes more attractive. Overall though it definitely fits in the “feasible, but situational”.
  
• Scorpion Wire: Again, very situational and not much use in PvE. But if you want to run the build in WvW (which it hasn’t been tested in extensively), its one that may be useful in certain circumstances.

The other utilities just don’t really work with the build very well, but it could possibly be open to discussion with a build variant:

Assassin’s Signet, Infiltrator’s Signet, All Traps and Venoms

Armor is standard for a dmg build, full Berserker’s for armor and trinkets with Ruby Orbs and Ruby Jewels in your slots. The build doesn’t have Ascended trinkets on there yet, but your “basic” Berserker/Berserker stats will do just fine.

• These can certainly be changed out for Valk if the player needs a bit more survivability. I would STRONGLY advise Valk over and above Knights for two reasons:
  
  
• The build already has quite a bit of prec and isn’t really going to benefit ALL that much (if we really wanted to buff it up some more, just plop on a Bowl of Butternut Squash Curry)from more prec.
  
  
• For a dmg build, it already has WAY too much toughness (from SA) and putting more on there will just attract too much unwarranted attention.
  
  
• Knights doesn’t have Crit Dmg on it, which is really where this build shines in its DPS...the ability to drop large crits on both Unload and Clusterbomb(and yes, I realize that this was 3 reasons, not 2 ).

(Credit for the description of the 30 points in Critical Strikes line goes to Phenn, borrowed from below)

“Thirty points in Critical Strikes is all but necessary in any crit build because it gives us access to Executioner (CS XI). The universal boost in damage will make finishing enemies a breeze. Additionally, First Strikes (Grandmaster minor trait) give a 10% damage boost when our Initiative is over 6. Any time we have to sit back on SB’s auto attack, the damage boost is very noticeable.

For the remaining Major traits, we’ll pick up CS V and CS IX. The former gives a 10% boost to pistol damage, and the latter increases damage for Unload. Both of these are critical for our build as we’ll depend on our pistols for single-target attacks and cleaning up low-health mobs.

If, when in a group setting, we find that we can capitalize on flanking, CS III can be swapped for CS IX as an across-the-board crit chance boost.”

25 points in Shadow Arts (SA I - Master of Deception | SA VII - Power Shots)

The main reason for traiting so deep in SA is for the Power Shots (SA - VII) trait that gives us an additional 5% dmg on the shortbow. This may not seem like a whole lot, but it is definitely noticeable, especially when using Clusterbomb. Picking up Master of Deception (SA - I) is a logical and probably the best choice for the first major trait slot because the build utilizes quite a few deception skills. The final 5 points in SA is movable to anywhere that the player feels would help their playstyle, but the Might on stealth does increase the build’s overall dmg by a noticeable amount.

15 Points in Acrobatics (Acro II - Power of Inertia)

15 points in Acro is actually more for the minor trait Feline Grace because it essentially gives you an additional evade. Since the gear is all Berserker’s, this extra evade gives a nice little bit of cushion for those times where the player makes a mistake and mis-times the evade. Also, it works well with the major trait, Power of Inertia. With this combination it shouldn’t be difficult to sustain 3-5 stacks of Might. In conjunction with 25 points in SA and the minor trait there (Hidden Assassin), its generally doable to sustain 7-10 stacks of Might, by yourself.

Consumables are largely optional, but the suggested ones are:

• Orrian Truffle and Meat Stew which gives more Might because it stacks with the Might from Power of Inertia.
  
• Curry Butternut Squash Soup for additional Prec and Crit dmg;
  
• Plate of Truffle Steak for a flat increase to power and precision.
  
• For the “utility” consumable, either power, prec or area specific works out fine, which more depends on where the player feels they are lacking.

P/P: Superior Sigil of Accuracy + Superior Sigil of Stamina
SB: Superior Sigil of Accuracy

Our build will utilize the same weapon setup as Loperdos’ above, with the exception of a change to sigils. We’ll still take a Sigil of Accuracy on our shortbow and one of pistols. But a very valid option is to, instead of a Ruby Orb on the offhand pistol, take a Sigil of Stamina. This particular sigil refills our endurance bar after every kill. Because our build relies so heavily on dodges, this setup will ensure that we have as many dodges as possible on tap at all times.

15 in Deadly Arts (DA III - Mug)

Fifteen points in Deadly Arts gives us Lotus Poison (DA minor trait), which is the only important trait in the tree for our build. Since we’ll rely on the Short Bow for AoE, Lotus Poison makes our Choking Gas automatically apply and stack Weakness. And because we can spam Choking Gas with blast finishers to our hearts content, we can keep up Area Weakness nearly indefinitely.

This is good for two reasons:

• It provides substantial support to groups running dungeons or fractals. It mitigates half of incoming, non-crit damage and will increase survivability for melee toons.
  
  
• Since we’re a fragile ranged build, getting caught in melee can be our downfall. A quick AoE weakness will increase chances of survival by half.

It’s your choice for your major trait in this tree. Mug is powerful, and is usually my go-to.

30 in Critical Strikes (CS III - Side Strike | CS IX - Combo Critical Chance | CS XI - Executioner)

Thirty points in Critical Strikes is all but necessary in any crit build because it gives us access to Executioner (CS XI). The universal boost in damage will make finishing enemies a breeze. Additionally, First Strikes (Grandmaster minor trait) gives a 10% damage boost when our Initiative is over 6. Any time we have to sit back on SB’s auto attack, the damage boost is very noticeable.

For the remaining Major traits, we’ll pick up CS III and CS IX. The former gives a flat increase of 7% crit chance when flanking, and the latter increases damage for Unload. Both of these are critical for our build as we’ll depend on our pistols for single-target attacks and cleaning up low-health mobs, as well as being constantly on the move.

If, we find that we can utilize the other damaging skills on the pistol (interrupts, body shot, etc.), we can take CS V which will increase damage from all non-dual pistol skills by 10%.

25 in Acrobatics (Acro II - Power of Inertia | Acro III - Vigorous Recovery)

Twenty-five points in Acrobatics helps us do what thieves do best: evade. The first fifteen points give us swiftness on dodge, might on dodge (Acro II), and an extra dodge. The synergy should be obvious thus far. Our Master tier trait can be one of two: Take Acro III for Vigor-on-Heal. We’ll be dodging a lot in order to maintain might stacks and the bonus of Fluid Strikes (Grandmaster minor trait). Vigor helps us do that, and since Withdraw (the heal we’ll be taking) is an evade, we’ll have new dodges up fast. Alternatively, if we’re having trouble maintaining Initiative, we can take Acro IX giving us two extra Initiative every ten seconds.

Rationale for Taking Acrobatics over Shadow Arts

Perhaps the most (if not only) significant difference between Loperdos’ build and my own lies in the choice of the Acrobatics line over against the Shadow Arts line. I’ve opted for this shift for a few reasons. I must mention, however, that the shift by no means implies that the Shadow Arts line is less-than-useful. Loperdos has already outlined its impact on a ranged build quite well.

Instead, I’ve opted for an Acrobatics build for a few reasons. First, it gives us Vigor on Heal. This trait cannot be underestimated; for our purposes the primary way we’ll boost our damage is through might-stacking. But because we haven’t gone 25 points into the SA tree, we’ll have to get our might purely through dodges. With a strong uptime on Vigor, we’ll be able to get in a lot of dodging in order to build might, and we won’t have to “save” each dodge for those critical moments of evasion.

Furthermore, because we’re going to be using up endurance on a regular basis, we’ll have a near 100% uptime on Fluid Strikes, which is a flat increase on damage of 10%. This increase will compensate for any loss of damage by not taking the Power Shots trait in SA. Finally, going 25 points into Acrobatics gives a 25% boost to boon uptime, which will help in keeping might stacks up for as long as possible, as well as increasing uptime on Vigor.

Heal Slot:

• Withdraw: Because we make no investment in stealth with this build, Withdraw will form the center of our dodging defense. As Loperdos says, “It provides a free evade, as well as another way to remove cripple, immobilize and chilled. With this build if you are standing still or slowed for any length of time, its a good way to end up dead.” Because we gain Vigor every time we heal, Withdraw gives us: Evasion, cripple, immobilize, and chilled cleanse, just under half our health back, and more dodges.

Utilities (Some descriptions borrowed from Loperdos above.):

Slot One:

• Shadowstep: One would think that this utility is not all that great due to its longer (40s traited) CD, but when actually running with it, the utility of it becomes apparent. The 1200 range on it plus the return gives new meaning to the word ‘mobility’ for thieves. Being able to instantaneously teleport from one end of a room to the other is quite useful (and back again if trouble follows). Also the condition removal is a nice bonus.
  
• Roll for Initiative: An alternative to Shadowstep, Roll for Initiative provides a stun break, a gap-maker, and a condition cleanse for a few immobilizing conditions. Also, it provides a near-complete refill on Initiative. The 60 second CD on RfI makes it nearly as situational as Shadowstep, so depending on the situation, we can swap these two out for each other.

Slots Two and Three (from Loperdos):

• Signet of Agility: This utility is more useful when running this build solo and using P/P for a lot of content because the extra precision helps with the init maintenance issues, which an Unload spam build can sometimes run into. Additionally, the condition removal is good because the build has low Vitality. For the purposes of an Acrobatic build, the SoA becomes powerful in that it allows for extra dodges.
  
• Signet of Shadow: Another utility that is more useful when running solo. The 25% passive speed boost can be the difference in having to evade or just being able to strafe/walk backwards when a mob gets too close. Because we’re trying to avoid contact with any enemy at any time, this signet is very useful. The blind functions well as a panic-button when knocked down or stunned.
  
• iHouse (Shadow Refuge): This is one of the utilities that stays on the bar (in general) when running dungeons or fractals with a group. The stealth rezzes and ability to run past with this utility makes it a very good pick for groups. Even though we’re not taking any stealth-buffing traits, iHouse is a key support skill to take.

Slot three is really a flexible utility slot that is open for whatever may be necessary for the instance or group’s demands. But we will always have a mobility skill on the bar (Shadowstep or RfI) and a Signet (Agility or Shadow).

Orrian Truffle and Meat Stew is a key component to this build, because we’ll rely on stacking might through dodges. Additionally, the food provides a 40% recharge buff to our endurance, which will keep our dodges up at maximum. Keep in mind, this does not stack with Vigor, but it does allow us some flexibility with how we use our heal and when we time Vigor.