Thief sPvP | Tournament Dagger/Pistol, Shortbow | Support Thief sPVP D/P

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Summary

I put this under "Support" because I feel like that's what a Thief does. We're the Ace in the hole so to speak.

 

I'm not going to wax poetic on builds as the meta is still up in the air, but I found that survivability with all the conditions running around was fairly tough. I understand that a lot of people feel Acrobatics is bad, but this build has helped me stay in fights way longer than I deserved to be.

 

You're still able to burst down prime targets, which is difficult to do while dead. Acrobatics helps keep you in fights you otherwise would have had to bounce out of early to reset or just flat out got sauced.

 

Tips to make life easier:
1. Immediately find out what you're going up against and adapt your strategy before the match even starts.
2. Recognize the map you're on, coupled with the knowledge of what professions you'll be facing, formulate a strategy post haste!
3. PICK GOOD TARGETS
4. Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em
5. Know when to get into Shortbow and when not to.
6. Don't bother with Guards. It ain't happening.


I. Weapons and Skills

PvP Dagger
  • Weapon Strength: 924-981
PvP Pistol
  • Weapon Strength: 876-1029
PvP Shortbow
  • Weapon Strength: 905-1000
PvP
  • Weapon Strength: -
PvP
  • Weapon Strength: -
PvP
  • Weapon Strength: -
  • Hook Strike¾
    Attack your foes with stealth, knocking enemies down.
    Damage: 163Knockdown: 2sRange: 130
  • Double Strike
    Strike your foe twice.
    Damage (2x): 188Range: 130
    • Wild Strike
      Strike your foe again. Gain endurance with a successful strike.
      Damage: 286Endurance gain: 10Range: 130
    • Lotus Strike¼
      Strike your foe and inflict poison.
      Damage: 286Poison: 4 s (336 damage)Range: 130
  • Heartseeker¾ 3
    Leap and strike your foe. The less health your target has, the more damage you cause.
    Above 50%: 420Below 50%: 504Below 25%: 672Combo Finisher: LeapRange: 450
    • 0
      Might: 10 s
    • 0
      Might: 10 s
  • Shadow Shot4
    Dual wield. Fire a blinding shot at your foe, then shadowstep to them for a dagger strike.
    Blind: 5 sDamage: 420Combo Finisher: ProjectileUnblockableRange: 900
    • 0
      Might: 10 s
    • 0
      Might: 10 s
  • Headshot4
    Daze your foe with a head shot.
    Damage: 84Daze: ¼ sCombo Finisher: ProjectileRange: 900
    • 0
      Might: 10 s
    • 0
      Might: 10 s
  • Black Powder½ 6
    Fire a black powder shot, blinding nearby foes with the smoke cloud.
    Damage: 84Duration: 4Combo Field: SmokeCombo Finisher: ProjectileRange: 900
    • 0
      Might: 10 s
    • 0
      Might: 10 s
  • Withdraw15
    Trick. Roll backward while healing and evade attacks. Cures immobilized, chilled, and crippled.
    Healing: 3,960
    • 0
      Might: 10 s
  • Shadow Refuge ¼ 60
    Deception. Create a pulsing refuge at the target area that heals allies and cloaks them in stealth.
    Stealth: 3 sHealing: 1,420Combo Field: DarkRange: 600
    • 0
      Might: 10 s
  • Shadowstep50
    Deception. Shadowstep to the target location. Becomes Shadow Return, which returns you to your starting area and cures three conditions.
    Breaks stunRange: 1,200
    • Shadow Return
      Return to your starting location and cure three conditions.
      Break stunRange: 1,200
  • Infiltrator's Signet24
    Signet Passive: Regenerates one extra initiative every ten seconds.
    Signet Active: Shadowstep to your foe.
    Initiative gain per 10 s: 1Breaks stunRange: 900Might: 10 s
    • 0
      Might: 10 s
  • Basilisk Venom1 45
    Venom. Your next attack turns your foe to stone.
    Stone duration: 1½ sVenom duration: 30
    • 0
      Might: 10 s

Weapon and Skill Details

ANet is forcing a D/P meta so that's the direction we go. The skills are nothing new. They should appear familiar. Blinding Powder is a good alternative if you're feeling froggy.

 

Stun breaks coupled with Acrobatics line creates some fun situations where you're able to get out of a tight situation and reset.


Traits

Critical Strikes

  • Keen Observer
    Critical-hit chance is increased by 5% while your health is above the 90% threshold.
    • Side Strike
      Gain 7% bonus critical-hit chance when hitting a foe from behind or the side.
    • Signet of Power
      Activating a signet grants 5 stacks of might for 10 seconds. Signet recharges are reduced by 20%.
    • Flawless Strike
      Critical damage is increased by 7% when your health is above the 90% threshold.
  • Unrelenting Strikes
    Gain fury for 4 seconds when striking a foe whose health is below 50% health. This effect has a 10 second internal cooldown.
    • Sundering Strikes
      Critical hits have a chance to cause 6 seconds of vulnerability.
    • Practiced Tolerance
      Gain ferocity based on your precision at a rate of 10%.
    • Ankle Shots
      Critical hits with pistols and harpoon guns have a 60% chance to cripple foes, with an 8 second cooldown. Pistol and harpoon gun attacks deal 10% increased damage to crippled foes.
  • Ferocious Strikes
    Critical damage is increased by 10% to foes above the 50% health threshold.
    • No Quarter
      Landing a critical hit while under the effect of fury extends the duration of fury by 2 seconds (this effect has a 2 second internal cooldown). Gain up to 250 ferocity (based on level) while under the effects of fury.
    • Hidden Killer
      Gain 100% bonus critical-hit chance while in stealth
    • Invigorating Precision
      You are healed for 15% of outgoing critical hit damage.

Deadly Arts

  • Serpent’s Touch
    Stealing inflicts 2 stacks of poison for 10 seconds. Your attacks while in the downed state apply 2 seconds of poison.
    • Dagger Training
      Dagger attacks have a 33% chance to poison enemies for 2 seconds.
    • Mug
      Deal damage and gain life when stealing. This attack cannot critically hit enemies.
    • Trappers Respite
      Drop a needle trap when you use a healing skill. 30 second icd
  • Lotus Poison
    Weaken targets for 4 seconds when you poison them.
    • Deadly Trapper
      Traps apply vulnerability to enemies and grant you might. Trap recharges are reduced.
    • Panic Strike
      Striking a foe that is below the health threshold immobilizes them for 2.5 seconds. This trait has a 20 second internal cooldown.
    • Revealed Training
      Gain up to 200 extra power while you are revealed, based on current level.
  • Exposed Weakness
    Deal 10% more damage if your target has a condition.
    • Potent Poison
      Poison you apply has a 33% increased duration and deals 33% more damage.
    • Improvisation
      One random skill category is immediate recharged when you steal. You can use stolen items twice.
    • Executioner
      Deal 20% extra damage when your target is below the health threshold.

Acrobatics

  • Expeditious Dodger
    Gain 4 seconds of swiftness upon dodging.
    • Fleet Shadow
      Move 50% faster while in stealth
    • Vigorous Recovery
      Gain vigor for 7 seconds when using a healing skill.
    • Pain Response
      Gain regeneration for 10 seconds and remove damaging conditions when struck while below 75% health.
  • Feline Grace
    Gain 4 seconds of vigor upon successfully evading an attack. This effect has a 1 second internal cooldown.
    • Guarded Initiation
      Remove vulnerability, weakness and slow from yourself when striking an enemy while above the 90% health threshold.
    • Swindler’s Equilibrium
      Successfully evading an attack while wielding a sword recharges steal by 1 second. This effect has a 1 second internal cooldown.
    • Hard to Catch
      Break stun and refill endurance when you are disabled (stun, daze, knockback, pull, knockdown, sink, float, fear, taunt, or launch)
  • Endless Stamina
    The effects of vigor on you are enhanced by 50%.
    • Assassin’s Reward
      Heal yourself whenever you use a skill that uses initiative. Heal yourself for each point of initiative spent.
    • Upper Hand
      Gain one initiative when you evade an attack. This effect has a 3 second internal cooldown.
    • Don’t Stop
      The effects of cripple and chill on you are reduced by 50%, meaning your movement is decreased by 25% and 33% respectively, rather than 50% and 66%. If you would become immobilized, you are instead crippled for 4 seconds. This effect can only occur once ev

Trait Details

Critical Strikes and Deadly Arts aren't necessarily rewriting the book on the Thief. Acrobatics, on the other hand, is. Especially since everyone feels it's garbage now. Condi's and damage are through the roof right now. Thieves are squishy once they've been hit (the idea is not to get hit), and any kind of root, stun or slow is a death sentence. This build counters these things. You're virtually impossible to catch if you don't want to be caught.


III. Stat Specifics & Effects

Primary Stats

  • Health 17245 (+5600)
  • Vitality 1560 (+560)
  • Armor 2064 (+0)
  • Toughness 1000 (+0)
  • Attack 3230 (+1225)
  • Power 2225 (+1225)
  • Critical Hit 54% (+54%)
  • Precision 2050 (+1050)

Secondary Stats

  • Critical Damage 51% (+51%)
  • Damage 1005 (+0%)
  • Defense 1064 (+0)
  • Ferocity 765 (+765)

Boons

  • Aegis
    Block the next attack.
  • Distortion
    Allows mesmers to evade attacks for some time.
  • Frenzy
    Increases damage taken by 25%. It typically seen as a mechanic to offset a beneficial effect such as quickness.
  • Frosty Armor
    Chills foes that hit you.
  • Fury
    20% critical chance increase. Stacks in duration.
  • Haste
    Regenerate endurance at 50% effectiveness when under the effects of this skill. It's typically seen as a mechanic to offset a beneficial effect such as quickness.
  • Invulnerability
    Prevents the target from taking damage or receiving conditions. It is also placed on rallied players for one second.
  • Might
    X damage per attack increase. Stacks intensity.
  • Protection
    33% damage reduction. Stacks in duration.
  • Quickening Zephyr
    Prevents healing. It typically seen as a mechanic to offset a beneficial effect such as quickness.
  • Quickness
    Makes all skills and actions 50% faster.
  • Regeneration
    Regenerates X health per second. Stacks in duration.
  • Rejuvenation
    Regenerates health. This effect is exclusive to the guardian profession through the Virtue of Resolve.
  • Resistance
    Resistance temporarily negates the affected target of all effects caused by conditions.
  • Retaliation
    Does X damage to an opponent each time they hit you. Stacks in duration.
  • Smiting
    Causes every fifth attack to apply burning. This effect is exclusive to the guardian profession.
  • Stability
    Cannot be knocked down, pushed back, launched, stunned, dazed, floated, sunk, or feared.
  • Stealth
    Allows the user to be invisible to enemy players and avoid being spotted by enemy NPCs.
  • Swiftness
    33% movement speed increase. Stacks in duration.
  • Vigor
    Faster endurance regeneration. Stacks in duration.

Conditions

  • Agony
    Agony is an effect unique to Fractals of the Mists that removes a percentage of the player's health every second and reduces received healing by ~50%.
  • Bleeding
    Bleeding is a stackable condition that deals damage over time.
  • Blind
    Causes the target's next hit to miss instead.
  • Burning
    Inflicts X damage per second. Stacks in duration.
  • Chilled
    Reduces movement speed and skill recharge by 66%. Stacks in duration.
  • Confusion
    Inflicts X damage each time a foe uses skill. Stacks in intensity.
  • Crippled
    Crippled is a condition which decreases movement speed by 50%. Stacks in duration.
  • Fear
    Causes the target to run directly away from the caster.
  • Immobilized
    Immobilized is a condition which prevents movement and dodging. Victims also can't turn. Stacks in duration.
  • Poison
    Inflicts X damage per second. Reduces outgoing heals by 33%. Stacks in duration.
  • Slow
    Slow is a condition that reduces the activation time of skills and abilities.
  • Taunt
    Taunt is a control effect that forces the affected target to run towards the source of taunt with all skills except stun breakers disabled while using their auto-attack skill.
  • Torment
    Deals damage every second; deals additional damage if moving; stacks intensity.
  • Vulnerability
    Increases damage the target takes by 1%. Stacks in intensity.
  • Weakness
    Causes 50% of attacks to be glancing and reduces endurance regeneration by 50%. Stacks in duration.

Control

  • Break Stun
    Stun break is an effect which can break control effects on a character.
  • Daze
    Interrupts and prevents the target from using skills for a period of time.
  • Float
    Forces the affected target(s) to move towards the surface.
  • Knockdown
    Interrupts and causes the foe to be unable to move or use skills for a short duration. Knocked down foes fall to the ground.
  • Launch
    Interrupts and tosses a character into the air.
  • Pull
    Shortens the distance between the user and the foe by drawing one of them to another. If a foe is pulled, this can result in an interrupt.
  • Push
    Physically pushes foes away from the player and interrupts them.
  • Sink
    Forces the affected target(s) to move away from the surface.
  • Stun
    Interrupts, immobilizes, and incapacitates foes for a short duration.
  • Teleport
    Teleport to target location.
  • Teleport
    Teleport (alternatively, flash) is a mechanic that causes the user or target(s) to instantly move from one location to another.

Fields & Finishers

  • Dark Field
    Dark Combo Effects

    Blast Finisher: Area Blindness
    Leap Finisher: Blindness
    Projectile Finisher: Life stealing
    Whirl Finsher: Leeching Bolts
  • Ethereal Field
    Ethereal Combo Effects

    Blast Finisher: Area Chaos Armor
    Leap Finisher: Chaos Armor
    Projectile Finisher: Confusion
    Whirl Finsher: Confounding Bolts
  • Fire Field
    Fire Combo Effects

    Blast Finisher: Area Might
    Leap Finisher: Fire Shield
    Projectile Finisher: Burning
    Whirl Finsher: Burning Bolts
  • Ice Field
    Ice Combo Effects

    Blast Finisher: Area Frost Aura
    Leap Finisher: Frost Aura
    Projectile Finisher: Chilled
    Whirl Finsher: Chilling Bolts
  • Light Field
    Light Combo Effects

    Blast Finisher: Area Retaliation
    Leap Finisher: Retaliation
    Projectile Finisher: Remove Condition
    Whirl Finsher: Cleansing Bolts
  • Lightning Field
    Lightning Combo Effects

    Blast Finisher: Area Swiftness
    Leap Finisher: Dazing Strike
    Projectile Finisher: Vulnerability
    Whirl Finsher: Brutal Bolts
  • Poison Field
    Poison Combo Effects

    Blast Finisher: Area Weakness
    Leap Finisher: Weakness
    Projectile Finisher: Poison
    Whirl Finsher: Poison Bolts
  • Revealed
    Revealed is an effect applied when stealth is broken, for example by entering combat or exiting a Shadow Refuge circle prematurely.
  • Smoke Field
    Smoke Combo Effects

    Blast Finisher: Area Stealth
    Leap Finisher: Stealth
    Projectile Finisher: Blindness
    Whirl Finsher: Blinding Bolts
  • Super Speed
    Activate your slick shoes, enabling you to move at superior speeds.
  • Water Field
    Water Combo Effects

    Blast Finisher: Area Healing
    Leap Finisher: Healing
    Projectile Finisher: Regeneration
    Whirl Finsher: Healing Bolts
Combo
  • Blast Finisher
    Blast Combo Effects

    Dark: Area Blindness
    Ethereal: Area Chaos Armor
    Fire: Area Might
    Ice: Area Frost Aura
    Light: Area Retaliation
    Lightning: Area Swiftness
    Poison: Area Weakness
    Smoke: Area Stealth
    Water: Area Healing
  • Leap Finisher
    Leap Combo Effects

    Dark: Blindness
    Ethereal: Chaos Armor
    Fire: Fire Shield
    Ice: Frost Aura
    Light: Retaliation
    Lightning: Dazing Strike
    Poison: Weakness
    Smoke: Stealth
    Water: Healing
  • Projectile Finisher
    Projectile Combo Effects

    Dark: Life stealing
    Ethereal: Confusion
    Fire: Burning
    Ice: Chilled
    Light: Remove Condition
    Lightning: Vulnerability
    Poison: Poison
    Smoke: Blindness
    Water: Regeneration
  • Whirl Finisher
    Whirl Combo Effects

    Dark: Leeching Bolts
    Ethereal: Confounding Bolts
    Fire: Burning Bolts
    Ice: Chilling Bolts
    Light: Cleansing Bolts
    Lightning: Brutal Bolts
    Poison: Poison Bolts
    Smoke: Blinding Bolts
    Water: Healing Bolts

IV. Runes, Sigils, Accessories & Jewels

Armor & Runes

PvP Rune of Vampirism
  1. Power: 25
  2. 15% chance when struck to cause your next attack to steal life. (Cooldown: 25 seconds)
  3. Power: 50
  4. After using a healing skill, your next attack steals health.
  5. Power: 100
  6. When struck below 20% health, you become mist. (Cooldown: 60 seconds)
PvP Rune of Vampirism
  1. Power: 25
  2. 15% chance when struck to cause your next attack to steal life. (Cooldown: 25 seconds)
  3. Power: 50
  4. After using a healing skill, your next attack steals health.
  5. Power: 100
  6. When struck below 20% health, you become mist. (Cooldown: 60 seconds)
PvP Rune of Vampirism
  1. Power: 25
  2. 15% chance when struck to cause your next attack to steal life. (Cooldown: 25 seconds)
  3. Power: 50
  4. After using a healing skill, your next attack steals health.
  5. Power: 100
  6. When struck below 20% health, you become mist. (Cooldown: 60 seconds)
PvP Rune of Vampirism
  1. Power: 25
  2. 15% chance when struck to cause your next attack to steal life. (Cooldown: 25 seconds)
  3. Power: 50
  4. After using a healing skill, your next attack steals health.
  5. Power: 100
  6. When struck below 20% health, you become mist. (Cooldown: 60 seconds)
PvP Rune of Vampirism
  1. Power: 25
  2. 15% chance when struck to cause your next attack to steal life. (Cooldown: 25 seconds)
  3. Power: 50
  4. After using a healing skill, your next attack steals health.
  5. Power: 100
  6. When struck below 20% health, you become mist. (Cooldown: 60 seconds)
PvP Rune of Vampirism
  1. Power: 25
  2. 15% chance when struck to cause your next attack to steal life. (Cooldown: 25 seconds)
  3. Power: 50
  4. After using a healing skill, your next attack steals health.
  5. Power: 100
  6. When struck below 20% health, you become mist. (Cooldown: 60 seconds)

Rune Stat Totals

  • Power 175

Rune Bonuses

PvP Rune of Vampirism
  1. Power: 25
  2. 15% chance when struck to cause your next attack to steal life. (Cooldown: 25 seconds)
  3. Power: 50
  4. After using a healing skill, your next attack steals health.
  5. Power: 100
  6. When struck below 20% health, you become mist. (Cooldown: 60 seconds)

Accessories & Jewels

Marauder's Amulet
  • Power: 1050
  • Precision: 1050
  • Vitality: 560
  • Ferocity: 560

Accessory Totals

  • Power:1050
  • Precision:1050
  • Vitality:560
  • Ferocity:560

Weapon Set Sigils

PvP Dagger
  • Weapon Strength: 924-981
PvP Pistol
  • Weapon Strength: 876-1029
Sigil of Superior Air
50% chance to cause a lightning strike on a critical hit. (This effect cannot trigger more than once every 3 seconds)
Sigil of Superior Fire
50% chance to cause flame blast on critical hit causing AoE damage. (This effect cannot trigger more than once every 5s)

Weapon Set I

Sigil of Superior Air

50% chance to cause a lightning strike on a critical hit. (This effect cannot trigger more than once every 3 seconds)

Sigil of Superior Fire

50% chance to cause flame blast on critical hit causing AoE damage. (This effect cannot trigger more than once every 5s)
PvP Shortbow
  • Weapon Strength: 905-1000
PvP
  • Weapon Strength: -
Sigil of Superior Air
50% chance to cause a lightning strike on a critical hit. (This effect cannot trigger more than once every 3 seconds)
Superior Sigil of Generosity
60% chance to transfer a condition to your foe on critical hit. (Cooldown: 10 Seconds)

Weapon Set II

Sigil of Superior Air

50% chance to cause a lightning strike on a critical hit. (This effect cannot trigger more than once every 3 seconds)
PvP
  • Weapon Strength: -
PvP
  • Weapon Strength: -

Water Weapon I

Water Weapon II

Upgrade Item Details

I'm not completely sold on Vampirism yet, but it is a great choice. I don't feel like the life steal is enough to counteract all the damage going out right now. The 6 set is nice as it just adds to our ability to not get caught.


V. Basic Gameplay

Nothing has changed. If you continue playing Thief the same way you did last meta, you'll find you'll be OK. +1ing a node is still a solid tactic. Bouncing around and ganking between nodes is still possible. Harassing DPS classes and peeling for your DPS is still a Thief's goal in a teamfight.

 

You absolutely must pick your targets correctly. By now, we all know how to do that.


Main Skill Rotation


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