May 22nd: Unrated GvG vs TSF

[Malae]

LogoEdit: Sign up for your spot for tonight's GvG on the roster below!

Not sure if this will happen, but if you can come, please sign up. They wanted to start at 9 Eastern.

They are a fairly high ranked guild and definately know what they are doing. This will be a challenge and also a learning experience, so I encourage you to play.

Any build suggestions?

[somefool]

I have history finals at night. Won't be there. D:

[Kaiser]

Softball playoffs start tonight. My game is at 7, so I should be able to get on by 9, unless the game goes long. Are we planning to run the standard build again, or are we going to modify it a bit more? Just let me know what role you want me to play.

[goingincognito]

I should be around, wooooooot!

If you guys have a standard build I'd suggest using it (with possible minor modification) because that would be the easiest thing.

However, we may want to begin picking and practicing a main GvG build based on the metagame. Unfortunately I'm at work right now and fairly busy, so I don't have time to write a full opinion. I will say however that we should go with a two-monk backline (boon prot is fine) and a split-friendly design.

[Triia]

I'll be there.

It seems that TSF is known for their eight monk smite build although I don't know if they use it much anymore. I think we might want to start off with either a slightly tweaked axe/degen build or the Tank 'n Flank build. In any case, we should consider this practice and hopefully have a chat with TSF afterwards to see if they have any advice for us.

I'll play whatever is needed that I can do competently. Hmmm... I might need to try to find some time for a bit of boon protection practice this afternoon.....

[Jupiter]

I'll be around for a little while but if someone who is less time constrained is available to fill my spot, I'll watch over Kaiser's shoulder.

[goingincognito]

One more quick thing I forgot to add earlier. Axe/Degen is a fine build, so I don't want anyone to think I'm knocking it. If that's the standard build everyone has been using then by all means, let's use it. It should be modified, if necessary, after it has had ample playtesting. However, I'd suggest we all get comfortable with GvG and the basics first (again, I'm not implying anyone is anything but knowledgeable, I'm simply saying that a good foundation is what success is built upon) before beginning to try totally new, heavily modified, or complex/advanced builds. If we go Axe/Degen that's all fine and dandy, but I hope we can still incorporate a two-monk backline and a split-friendly design. Many of the top guilds are running two-monk backlines and splits, so I think we should as well. It'll be harder for us to make the switch to a two-monk backline/splits if we don't practice it now, and if later we decide to go from a two-monk to a three-monk the switch will be easier (more healing to go around vs. less).

Following is your GvG Axe/Degen build from another thread.

Axe Spike 1
Axe Spike 2
Degen Necro 1
Degen Necro 2
Energy Spiker
Healing Rit
Healer Monk
Protector Monk

I'd like to suggest to the guild that the following small changes be made:

Axe Spike 1 (bring sprint)
Axe Spike 2 (bring sprint)
Degen Necro 1 (possibly /Mo or /Me)
Degen Necro 2 (Possible /Mo or /Me)
Utility Ranger OR Utility Mesmer (Interrupts, plus Running, Traps, or possibly Spirits) OR (Hexes [defensive OR damage] and E-Denial [E-Surge, et al], or Interrupts, possibly /Mo)
Utility Elementalist/Mo (Water Snares/Damage, Interrupt [Gale], Running, Heal Party, Additional Spike)
Boon Prot 1
Boon Prot 2

Point of clarification: We don't need 3 /Mo's, but those would be good places to put 1 or 2 with Heal Party or another efficient single healing skill to combat against opposing degen teams (since boon prot is weak against degen).

I believe that the above is the basis for a very versatile and relatively easy to run build. We retain the ability to split into 4/4, 5/3, and 6/2 if necessary.

I think everyone should read the newest State of the Game article since it's a nice FYI: www.guildwars.com/competitive/articles/stateofthegame/factionsbasedpressure.php

Phew...I wrote more than I originally intended...

[Logo]

I remember that towards the end of our last run, Delor had a pretty successful assassin build. Would it be possible to tweak it into an R/A that could double as a runner? Then it could possibly fit into the Utility Ranger/Mesmer spot.

The water elementalist idea could work for slowing the targets of the axe spiking. Do you have any more specifics on what you'd like the build to do, Bryce? I might have to run around unlocking skills ahead of time.

[tri]

If you need me I could be a monk

[goingincognito]

It doesn't have to be a Ranger/Mesmer. It's a Ranger OR a Mesmer ;D. It's a utility spot because the Ranger (and Mesmer, for that matter), have lots of utility skills, such as blinds, speeds, interrupts, defenses, etc. I'm not sure an Assassin could really fill the utility role quite as well, although he could certainly do more damage. It's something we can definitely try, though! Personally I think Assassins are great but require lots of finesse in their playstyle. Once people are used to them I think they'll find their niche much like any other profession. They have lots of useful skills, but they're still too new to be totally certain what's going on with them. I've only just now started seeing Ritualists pop up in HA, and I'm sure Assassins are soon to follow.

I'll have to look into some builds in a bit, but a water ele should take some of the following skills: blurred vision, deep freeze, frozen burst, ice spikes, ice prison, Rust, and maybe Maelstrom. Vapor Blade is an excellent spiking skill ([at 16 Water]15/2/7, Spell. Target foe is struck for 127 cold damage. Vapor Blade deals half damage if that foe has any Enchantments on them), although it isn't a Hex which we really need for coverage if we're a degen team (plus that slow is always helpful). Mixing that Ele with /Mo means you can take along HP or HO/GoH/RoF for some Johnny on the Spot healing. Of course, some Air skills are always helpful as Windborne Speed and Blinding Flash are air. Arc Lightning is a nice synergy skill, as well.

I'll try to find a build for it, but we may have to make it up as we go along.

[Malae]

I'd like to go with the two monk backline. With our standard two axe spikers and degen necros. Runner is necessary. I tried a R/A last time for some shadowstepping (recall on the thief sitting right outside the gate.) It worked pretty well. I'd reccomend a standard crippling shot ranger tweaked for one or two assasins skills. As for the last slot, a utility mesmer or an ice ele would fit nicely. I personally would like an ice ele for snaring and a little extra damage.

Yes, TSF is known for their smiting. They took the halls a couple nights ago with it, I believe.

Splitting would be pretty simple. Monk, Necro, Warrior on the flank side. Monk, Necro, Warrior and Ele/Mes on the other.

[goingincognito]

Yup, a Cripple Ranger is niiiiicce ;D

I should have a water ele build soon, sorry for the delay.

Edit: I hope they don't go smiting...bah. To effectively counter an all monk smite team you'd need some specialization for sure.

[Delor]

The assassin CANNOT work as a secondary. It relies too heavily on the dagger mastery. I only carried one interrupt skill, and that was Temple Strike. It's elite, and interrupts current spell, blinds and dazes target for X seconds. I think it maxes at 8. Then throw out some damage ASAP. Every time you hit them it interrupts. I think that assassins don't quite fit into our build, at least not an A/Mo smiter like I was running. I should probably skip the secondary skill and throw in shadow refuge, and caltrops.

I will be there hopefully on time tonight, if my track banquet goes quickly, and of course assuming my mom doesn't flip on me and make me do thank you's right away.

[Logo]

The roster for tonight:

Axe Spiker: Malae
Axe Spiker: Syb/Jupiter
Degen Necro: Delor
Degen Necro: Kaiser
Water Ele: Logo
Runner (Cripshot Ranger): Bryce
Boon Prot Monk: Triia
Boon Prot Monk: Norm

Sign up!

Note: The degen necros no longer need to take slow skills, as the water ele will handle it.

[Malae]

Doesn't look like they're smiting. Expect warriors.