The One Open World Build to Rule Them All

[thepenmonster.3621]

>As a result, I am looking for a build that can trivialize Open World and story content.

 

Are you saying you want brain-dead play that makes trash mobs a speed bump more than anything? Level 1- 80? Have you considered grenadier engineer? You can toss grenades over your shoulder as you run away from the small army of centaurs. It's fun and only requires being able to reach the 1-5 keys.

[Providence.7185]

> @"thepenmonster.3621" said:

> >As a result, I am looking for a build that can trivialize Open World and story content.

>

> Are you saying you want brain-dead play that makes trash mobs a speed bump more than anything? Level 1- 80? Have you considered grenadier engineer? You can toss grenades over your shoulder as you run away from the small army of centaurs. It's fun and only requires being able to reach the 1-5 keys.

 

I stated clearly my thoughts. Your re-statement misses the mark.

 

I had not considered grenadier engineer so thanks for the thought. If memory serves, Wooden Potato on youtube has a video with such a build. Is that the sort of build you have in mind?

[thehipone.6812]

> @"Providence.7185" said:

> > @"Alexa Scorpionwitch.8567" said:

> > My main is a GS Power Reaper. I've soloed core and both expansions and haven't run into much that's given me any problems. As others have stated here, pair it up with a staff for when you need to back off for a quick break. I run Marauder and a few Soldier for the extra vitality and toughness. She's my absolute "go to" for story and open world.

>

> Thank you to yourself and all others writing in the thread.

>

> A number of people have suggested Power Reaper as a very strong option. As mentioned above I am not opposed to Necro (and elites) generally but simply don't care for the look of the minions. Does your build rely on minions?

>

> Do you or anyone else know of a no-minion Reaper build (we have a Scourge above) that can easily handle open world and story without breaking a sweat? Or do all strong open world Reaper builds rely on the minions?

 

Following on from my prior comment, try this:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?PSwAEd3lZwOYJMFWJOSTdNdA-zRIYRUzXGRkAVUB2ONUYZD-e

 

It is not absolute max DPS, but has plenty, and easily generates might. All of the wells siphon and grant protection. You have two AoE blind pulsing fields that trivialize non-champion encounters while barely needing to dodge. You have enough hard and soft CC to break bars yourself - something that is often overlooked and means that you have no need for extra vitality because the mobs are cc'd and not hitting you. Finally, it brings aly support to things like world bosses with the double rez capability of traited well of blood and the condition to boon conversion on allies from well of power. Lastly, it uses meta dps gear, so if you feel like it in the future you can simply swap out the blood traitline for soul reaping and try it in fractals or raids without having to get new gear.

[Dante.1508]

> @"Ashen.2907" said:

> I would say that its not> @"Dante.1508" said:

> > I love how people call open world pve trivial.. yes Tyria was but season 2 onwards was far from trivial.. Go up against 5-10 mordrem or worse forged veterans and see how trivial it is being dead on the ground 24/7.. imo its harder than pvp or wvw because you are 99% on your own..

> >

> > 7 years i've been playing GW2 on and off and its still not easy..

>

> Depends on build I guess, Pretty faceroll IMO.

 

Let me guess Guardian or Necro player.. Thief and Ranger can also be ok in most situations but the rest die fast.. with the right combination of pve enemies and condition stacking.. Even warrior has a tough time maintaining heals..

 

But i assume you are all in legendary/ ascended, i only have exotics.. Knock off all those ascended then fight those 10 forged and see how well you survive.

> @"thepenmonster.3621" said:

> >As a result, I am looking for a build that can trivialize Open World and story content.

>

> Are you saying you want brain-dead play that makes trash mobs a speed bump more than anything? Level 1- 80? Have you considered grenadier engineer? You can toss grenades over your shoulder as you run away from the small army of centaurs. It's fun and only requires being able to reach the 1-5 keys.

 

Yes that is what i enjoy to be honest not brain dead but content at a casual level not this twitch white knuckle content 24/7, it honestly just frustrates me and i stop playing after about a month.. Yes i can pass it after a few deaths but i don't find it fun at all and it just makes me tired and look for other games..

 

Just being Honest, after season 2 onwards the content just upsets and annoys me a lot.. Tack on the stupid Ascended mobile game crafting experience and you have a pretty depressing game imo..

[Dante.1508]

> @"ugrakarma.9416" said:

> > @"Dante.1508" said:

> > I love how people call open world pve trivial.. yes Tyria was but season 2 onwards was far from trivial.. Go up against 5-10 mordrem or worse forged veterans and see how trivial it is being dead on the ground 24/7.. imo its harder than pvp or wvw because you are 99% on your own..

> >

> > 7 years i've been playing GW2 on and off and its still not easy..

>

> to the most necro builds this is just blink of eye to kill. i remember how ppl struggled to fight the pre-nerf soul-eater, struggled unles theyre the pre-nerf Scourge, the pre-nerf Scourge can solo any champion in the game.

 

> @"Alexa Scorpionwitch.8567" said:

> My main is a GS Power Reaper. I've soloed core and both expansions and haven't run into much that's given me any problems. As others have stated here, pair it up with a staff for when you need to back off for a quick break. I run Marauder and a few Soldier for the extra vitality and toughness. She's my absolute "go to" for story and open world.

Try using something outside of the op "i have five other creatures defending me" meta.. Try a Chronomancer or a Druid and see how well you survive.. Try an ele on its own.. Even my Staff thief goes down constantly with marauder and valk gear..

 

Pve is far from trivial..

 

[TheAgedGnome.7520]

> @"Providence.7185" said:

> As a result, I am looking for a build that can trivialize Open World and story content. The build does not necessarily need to excel in Fractals/Raids since in a game in which most items earned are account wide I am fine with a handful of specialists as opposed to only one generalist.

 

Hizen has some great OW builds. I like the mesmer (mirage) build, but you might like the warrior (Part I video) better.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpuUtDBPZYklA6hVyxqxNuQ

 

 

[Ayakaru.6583]

How to beat the game:

- Roll a warrior.

- Get into berserker gear.

- Get a greatsword, two axes, and a hammer.

- Get some fancy skins that say "don't f* with me".

- Find Balthazar. Show that quaggan of fire and war you are not to be trifled with.

- ???

- You became the god of war as soon as you rolled a warrior. What did you think killing Balthazar would do?

- no, seriously, there's nothing else. You rolled a warrior, you won.

[Teratus.2859]

> @"Dante.1508" said:

> I love how people call open world pve trivial.. yes Tyria was but season 2 onwards was far from trivial.. Go up against 5-10 mordrem or worse forged veterans and see how trivial it is being dead on the ground 24/7.. imo its harder than pvp or wvw because you are 99% on your own..

>

> 7 years i've been playing GW2 on and off and its still not easy..

 

That's likely because of your builds and playstles.. Personally I never found HoT overly hard when everyone was complaining about mordrem being OP.

I always attributed that to Mordrem being designed to steamroll your typical pure melee glass canon zerker players which was the meta at the time HoT came out and a meta I to this day am not a fan of.

PoF was the same.. forged are a joke to my builds although Awakened annoy me pretty good, not because they're hard to kill though but because I detest the slow condition and those stupid smelley skeletons love nothing more than to spam the ever loving hell out of attacks that inflict slow.

Slow makes me waste my time and I can't stand annoying mechanics like that which drag out fights just to annoy people, horrible condition with no place in PvE imo.

[Teratus.2859]

> @"ugrakarma.9416" said:

> > @"Dante.1508" said:

> > I love how people call open world pve trivial.. yes Tyria was but season 2 onwards was far from trivial.. Go up against 5-10 mordrem or worse forged veterans and see how trivial it is being dead on the ground 24/7.. imo its harder than pvp or wvw because you are 99% on your own..

> >

> > 7 years i've been playing GW2 on and off and its still not easy..

>

> to the most necro builds this is just blink of eye to kill. i remember how ppl struggled to fight the pre-nerf soul-eater, struggled unles theyre the pre-nerf Scourge, the pre-nerf Scourge can solo any champion in the game.

 

I never got that one either lol

I wiped the floor with it on the first try.

When everyone was complaining about it being hard I was just sitting here wondering what the hell they were talking about lol

[Teratus.2859]

> @"Providence.7185" said:

> > @"Ashen.2907" said:

> > I would say that its not> @"Dante.1508" said:

> > > I love how people call open world pve trivial.. yes Tyria was but season 2 onwards was far from trivial.. Go up against 5-10 mordrem or worse forged veterans and see how trivial it is being dead on the ground 24/7.. imo its harder than pvp or wvw because you are 99% on your own..

> > >

> > > 7 years i've been playing GW2 on and off and its still not easy..

> >

> > Depends on build I guess, Pretty faceroll IMO.

>

> That is the point of this thread. Even Open World here, unlike most other MMO's, is a real threat and that appears to be by design. Clearly, the way to play this game is not to take damage or rely on another mitigating strategy such as the Scourge barrier build outlined above.

>

 

Aggro manipulation was a favourite of mine before the Ranger spirits were "updated"

I used to play with them all the time back in the day, manipulating the enemy's aggro using Hunter's Shot to stealth.

That's how I was able to solo explorable dungeons on a glass canon Ranger lol

[Voltekka.2375]

> @"Dante.1508" said:

> > @"Ashen.2907" said:

> > I would say that its not> @"Dante.1508" said:

> > > I love how people call open world pve trivial.. yes Tyria was but season 2 onwards was far from trivial.. Go up against 5-10 mordrem or worse forged veterans and see how trivial it is being dead on the ground 24/7.. imo its harder than pvp or wvw because you are 99% on your own..

> > >

> > > 7 years i've been playing GW2 on and off and its still not easy..

> >

> > Depends on build I guess, Pretty faceroll IMO.

>

> Let me guess Guardian or Necro player.. Thief and Ranger can also be ok in most situations but the rest die fast.. with the right combination of pve enemies and condition stacking.. Even warrior has a tough time maintaining heals..

>

> But i assume you are all in legendary/ ascended, i only have exotics.. Knock off all those ascended then fight those 10 forged and see how well you survive.

> > @"thepenmonster.3621" said:

> > >As a result, I am looking for a build that can trivialize Open World and story content.

> >

> > Are you saying you want brain-dead play that makes trash mobs a speed bump more than anything? Level 1- 80? Have you considered grenadier engineer? You can toss grenades over your shoulder as you run away from the small army of centaurs. It's fun and only requires being able to reach the 1-5 keys.

>

> Yes that is what i enjoy to be honest not brain dead but content at a casual level not this twitch white knuckle content 24/7, it honestly just frustrates me and i stop playing after about a month.. Yes i can pass it after a few deaths but i don't find it fun at all and it just makes me tired and look for other games..

>

> Just being Honest, after season 2 onwards the content just upsets and annoys me a lot.. Tack on the stupid Ascended mobile game crafting experience and you have a pretty depressing game imo..

 

I breezed through all open world content, Hot and PoF with all classes, the vast majority had exotics. No issues. Ascended vs exotics are a 5% stat difference, trust me, those 10 forged hit just as hard if you have leggy/ascended/exotics. Plus it is so easy to get ascended gear these days, in most cases it is easier than getting exotics. This game has no gear treadmill.

[Ashen.2907]

> @"Dante.1508" said:

> > @"Ashen.2907" said:

> > I would say that its not> @"Dante.1508" said:

> > > I love how people call open world pve trivial.. yes Tyria was but season 2 onwards was far from trivial.. Go up against 5-10 mordrem or worse forged veterans and see how trivial it is being dead on the ground 24/7.. imo its harder than pvp or wvw because you are 99% on your own..

> > >

> > > 7 years i've been playing GW2 on and off and its still not easy..

> >

> > Depends on build I guess, Pretty faceroll IMO.

>

> Let me guess Guardian or Necro player.. Thief and Ranger can also be ok in most situations but the rest die fast.. with the right combination of pve enemies and condition stacking.. Even warrior has a tough time maintaining heals..

>

> But i assume you are all in legendary/ ascended, i only have exotics.. Knock off all those ascended then fight those 10 forged and see how well you survive.

> > @"thepenmonster.3621" said:

> > >As a result, I am looking for a build that can trivialize Open World and story content.

> >

> > Are you saying you want brain-dead play that makes trash mobs a speed bump more than anything? Level 1- 80? Have you considered grenadier engineer? You can toss grenades over your shoulder as you run away from the small army of centaurs. It's fun and only requires being able to reach the 1-5 keys.

>

> Yes that is what i enjoy to be honest not brain dead but content at a casual level not this twitch white knuckle content 24/7, it honestly just frustrates me and i stop playing after about a month.. Yes i can pass it after a few deaths but i don't find it fun at all and it just makes me tired and look for other games..

>

> Just being Honest, after season 2 onwards the content just upsets and annoys me a lot.. Tack on the stupid Ascended mobile game crafting experience and you have a pretty depressing game imo..

 

Ranger main. I camp pet merge soulbeast so no pet to tank for me. No meta build, but I do put effort and thought into it. Currently all viper gear so pretty glassy in terms of defense. Mixture of exotics and ascended. I dont deny at all that some open world content is more difficult than others, but, short of champs and the like, its not particularly challenging and most is very faceroll-ish.

 

[Providence.7185]

> @"Ayakaru.6583" said:

> How to beat the game:

> - Roll a warrior.

> - Get into berserker gear.

> - Get a greatsword, two axes, and a hammer.

> - Get some fancy skins that say "don't f* with me".

> - Find Balthazar. Show that quaggan of fire and war you are not to be trifled with.

> - ???

> - You became the god of war as soon as you rolled a warrior. What did you think killing Balthazar would do?

> - no, seriously, there's nothing else. You rolled a warrior, you won.

 

Do you play core Warrior or an elite spec? Do you have a build link handy?

 

Also how do you make use of all those weapons? Would the 4 weapons mentioned not require 3 weapon sets?

[Providence.7185]

> @"Teratus.2859" said:

 

> That's likely because of your builds and playstles.. Personally I never found HoT overly hard when everyone was complaining about mordrem being OP.

> I always attributed that to Mordrem being designed to steamroll your typical pure melee glass canon zerker players which was the meta at the time HoT came out and a meta I to this day am not a fan of.

> PoF was the same.. forged are a joke to my builds although Awakened annoy me pretty good, not because they're hard to kill though but because I detest the slow condition and those stupid smelley skeletons love nothing more than to spam the ever loving hell out of attacks that inflict slow.

> Slow makes me waste my time and I can't stand annoying mechanics like that which drag out fights just to annoy people, horrible condition with no place in PvE imo.

 

Would you mind sharing a minion build that you find strong?

 

It is true that I am not fond of the appearance of Necro minions. But you have stated a long history of success with minion builds and many players might benefit from your build/experience. As to myself, this thread has benefited from a shared Scourge and Reaper (non-minion) build. I might be inclined to try the minion variety to see how it compares to the non-minion varieties.

[Providence.7185]

> @"TheAgedGnome.7520" said:

> > @"Providence.7185" said:

> > As a result, I am looking for a build that can trivialize Open World and story content. The build does not necessarily need to excel in Fractals/Raids since in a game in which most items earned are account wide I am fine with a handful of specialists as opposed to only one generalist.

>

> Hizen has some great OW builds. I like the mesmer (mirage) build, but you might like the warrior (Part I video) better.

> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpuUtDBPZYklA6hVyxqxNuQ

>

>

 

Thanks for the link.

 

Looking around I found a number of mirage build very similar in concept to the one put out by Lord Hizen. Here is one thread with such a mirage build.

https://en-forum.guildwars2.com/discussion/30394/open-world-domination-mirage

 

Please note that I have not tried these builds but the gameplay video in the link looks very promising. I am a bit concerned as to whether core Mesmer has what it takes to get the hero points to unlock the Mirage elite spec. My initial attempts with core Mesmer in Silverwastes were less than encouraging.

[Blood Red Arachnid.2493]

If you're talking about leveling builds, I don't really have a "best" one. However, for ease of use overall, there are a couple of builds that will work, but there's one that I put above the rest, and that is Power Chronomancer.

 

Woodenpotatoes has a version of the build [here](

"https://youtube.com/watch?v=StKF0AqXrdE") that is meant for overworld and nothing else. Personally I just use is a modified version of the raid build, so it is easy to just swap to the raid build in case the situation demands.

 

Gear: Full Berserker

Runes: x6 scholar

Sigils: Force + Impact

Weapons: Greatsword, Sword + Sword

 

Traits:

Dueling: Phantasmal Fury, Fencer's Finesse, Superiority Complex

Illusions: Persistence of Memory, Phantasmal Haste, Phantasmal Force

Chronomancer: Time Catches Up, Danger Time, Chronophantasma

 

Utilities: Signet of the Ether, Phantasmal Disenchanter, Mirror Images, (Filler), Gravity Well.

 

The filler portion is situationaly dependent and also dependent on preference. Mantra of Pain is a good DPS skill, but it can be hard to see the numbers for older/blinder players. Well of Calamity is what I generally use, but that is just for damage. A few other skills include Feedback for projectiles, Arcane Thievery for conditions, Well of Precognition as a sort-of invulnerability skill, Mantra of Distraction for CC, Illusion of Life as a revival skill, and Mantra of Concentration for more stun breaks. You can also replace Gravity Well with Time Warp if you want to buff a group with quickness.

 

The hardest part about the build is getting used to the shatters. The reason I have mirror images on the bar is because it makes it really easy to go into the Chrono Burst. What you do is use Mirror Blade and Mirror Images to get 3 illusions up almost instantly. Then, you activate continuum split, and begin hammering your opponent with every phantasm you've got. It looks like this:

 

Phantasmal berserker (greatsword 4)

Disenchanter

Signet of the Ether

Berserker

Disenchanter

Well of Calamity

(continuum split ends)

Berserker

Disenchanter

Signet of the Ehter

Berserker Disenchanter

Well of Calamity

(weapon swap) Phantasmal Swordsman

 

What either mine or woodenpotatoes' build can do on the overworld is insane. The chronomancer quickly builds to 25 might, permanent fury, half vigor uptime, high quickness uptime, and also bursts of self-alacrity. Those phantasms and clones will tank a lot of damage for you, and also this build is extremely adept at running around in circles while spamming phantasms. This makes it quite difficult to kill, while also being capable of high burst damage at a distance. The tricky toolbox means you'll almost always have the right tools for the job. The chronomancer also has the best single CC in the game via Gravity Well, and can can shred breakbars by itself. Using this build well will let you solo champions and dungeons.

[TheAgedGnome.7520]

> @"Providence.7185" said:

> > @"TheAgedGnome.7520" said:

> > > @"Providence.7185" said:

> > > As a result, I am looking for a build that can trivialize Open World and story content. The build does not necessarily need to excel in Fractals/Raids since in a game in which most items earned are account wide I am fine with a handful of specialists as opposed to only one generalist.

> >

> > Hizen has some great OW builds. I like the mesmer (mirage) build, but you might like the warrior (Part I video) better.

> > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpuUtDBPZYklA6hVyxqxNuQ

> >

> >

>

> Thanks for the link.

>

> Looking around I found a number of mirage build very similar in concept to the one put out by Lord Hizen. Here is one thread with such a mirage build.

> https://en-forum.guildwars2.com/discussion/30394/open-world-domination-mirage

>

> Please note that I have not tried these builds but the gameplay video in the link looks very promising. I am a bit concerned as to whether core Mesmer has what it takes to get the hero points to unlock the Mirage elite spec. My initial attempts with core Mesmer in Silverwastes were less than encouraging.

 

I confess that shortly after I created and boosted my mesmer, I followed an HP train (several run, at least on NA, on the weekends) to get the HPs I needed for mirage. However, I do think core can do the job, especially if you farm PoF HPs instead of HoT.

[knite.1542]

Full trailblazer scourge is pretty easy mode in my opinion.

 

If you prefer power, I recommend reaper.

 

No minions needed for either spec.

[Ayakaru.6583]

> @"Providence.7185" said:

> > @"Ayakaru.6583" said:

> > How to beat the game:

> > - Roll a warrior.

> > - Get into berserker gear.

> > - Get a greatsword, two axes, and a hammer.

> > - Get some fancy skins that say "don't f* with me".

> > - Find Balthazar. Show that quaggan of fire and war you are not to be trifled with.

> > - ???

> > - You became the god of war as soon as you rolled a warrior. What did you think killing Balthazar would do?

> > - no, seriously, there's nothing else. You rolled a warrior, you won.

>

> Do you play core Warrior or an elite spec? Do you have a build link handy?

>

> Also how do you make use of all those weapons? Would the 4 weapons mentioned not require 3 weapon sets?

 

Berserker, to be specific. But honestly, Headbutt and the berserker heal is all you need. You can ignore the rest.

How to make use of the weapons. Greatsword for wide cleave, axes against groups, and hammers to knock down big foes.

Never, ever, use autotarget on a warrior. Learn the size and breadth of your cleaves, and move and attack on your own skills, not the targeting systems'.

 

[PeerlessArch.6547]

> @"TheAgedGnome.7520" said:

> > @"Providence.7185" said:

> > As a result, I am looking for a build that can trivialize Open World and story content. The build does not necessarily need to excel in Fractals/Raids since in a game in which most items earned are account wide I am fine with a handful of specialists as opposed to only one generalist.

>

> Hizen has some great OW builds. I like the mesmer (mirage) build, but you might like the warrior (Part I video) better.

> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpuUtDBPZYklA6hVyxqxNuQ

>

>

 

 

 

He solos fractals with this build, along with a lot of open world group events....insane.

[Providence.7185]

> @"Koen.1327" said:

> Condi mirage with rune of tormenting

 

A few people in this post, and a number of other sources online have a high regard for a Condi Mirage with superior rune of torment. Does anyone have a link to a published build of this type?

[Teratus.2859]

> @"Providence.7185" said:

> > @"Teratus.2859" said:

>

> > That's likely because of your builds and playstles.. Personally I never found HoT overly hard when everyone was complaining about mordrem being OP.

> > I always attributed that to Mordrem being designed to steamroll your typical pure melee glass canon zerker players which was the meta at the time HoT came out and a meta I to this day am not a fan of.

> > PoF was the same.. forged are a joke to my builds although Awakened annoy me pretty good, not because they're hard to kill though but because I detest the slow condition and those stupid smelley skeletons love nothing more than to spam the ever loving hell out of attacks that inflict slow.

> > Slow makes me waste my time and I can't stand annoying mechanics like that which drag out fights just to annoy people, horrible condition with no place in PvE imo.

>

> Would you mind sharing a minion build that you find strong?

>

> It is true that I am not fond of the appearance of Necro minions. But you have stated a long history of success with minion builds and many players might benefit from your build/experience. As to myself, this thread has benefited from a shared Scourge and Reaper (non-minion) build. I might be inclined to try the minion variety to see how it compares to the non-minion varieties.

 

This is what i'm using.

 

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?PSyAg2FlFwYYUsK2IeqS+teA-zRQYbEIS01XORFF5FCJmIdGgtWAlEQecBAA-e

 

I also carry around and use when I need the extra stats or am in the right situation for.

Tropical Peppermint Cakes (30min) Gain Health Every Second, +70 Vitality, +10% exp from kills, +10% Karma

Plates of Truffle Steak Dinner (30min) +200 Power for 30 seconds on kill, +70 ferocity, +10% Exp from killls

Flasks of Pumpkin Oil (30min) On Reviving an ally +100 Power, Toughness and Vitality for 20 seconds, +10% Exp from kills, +30% Magic Find.

Potions of Karka Toughness (1hour) +150 Toughness (Rarely need to use them)

 

And just for fun because you can't have enough minions :p

Pocket Jade Armours

 

Main feature of the build when I originally designed it was massive incoming healing.

I life steal, Blood minion heals and life steals, every other minion life steals and feeds me as well (so the more the better), passive regen from runes, food and random boons from other players.. Dagger skill 2 becomes the dedicated heal skill when you need to use it.

It all adds up to make a tough character to kill.

Over time though i've refined it to try and squeeze as much power and support out of it without sacrificing the tankyness.

That's one reasons why it's a Reaper and not a core Necromancer.

 

(Dagger 2 being the dedicated heal skil is important to keep in mind.. never sacrifice the blood minion unless it's a last resort and you need the health to back off or something, Dagger 2 provides more healing at a shorter CD than the Blood minion.. the only downside is that Dagger 2 can miss and be blocked and evaded so you'll need to get used to picking your moments against some enemies, You'll also need to keep in mind that you get more damage from Dagger 2 when the enemy is bleeding and more healing on you if you are bleeding so it is very beneficial to use Dagger 3 to imob the enemy and apply bleed on yourself before you use Dagger 2, just be quick though as minions do pull condis from you regularly.)

 

For solo PvE play there won't be much that can give you trouble unless you go hunting down the strongest champs and legendaries for the fun of it, You'll still need to dodge etc when you do that stuff.. can't facetank absolutely everything lol but for most things in the game you'll be outhealing their damage most of the time.

 

For group PvE play though you'll notice that you get even harder to kill and you'll essentially hit the builds maximum potential.

You're hard to kill by your own abilities but when you've got a large or small group around you, you'll be getting things like protect and regen boons, spotter, banners, quickness, alacrity etc etc which are going to make you damn near invincible!

In these groups, tougher and larger boss enemies are almost constantly going to have high/max vun stacks allowing you to take advantage of that free 50% crit chance from Decimate Defences, and you can add to that using the Plates of Truffle Steak Dinner for the ferocity and the power boost when you kill the additional trash.

If you've max precision stacks from your Sigil too you're looking at around 66% crit chance on this build without ever investing armour and weapon stats into precision which is very nice, even though your ferocity is on the low side.

That said though you will get a free +300 ferocity while in shroud.. another +70 from the right foods and there are also some additional damage bonus's from traits like Cold Shoulder +15% dmg to chilled foes.. so it does add up with your base damage and the incoming damage from all the minions damage and all the small pockets of lifesteal that you and every minion you have is outputting.

 

Groups are also where those blood magic support traits really come in becuase you are going to essentially become this nearly unkillable thing that also has the ability to output some pretty decent AoE healing while in shroud (I've clocked Soul Spiral outputting between 4-6K AoE healing) and add to that Soul Spiral will pull and revive downed players as well.

That right there is where that Flask of Pumpkin Oil food item becomes very useful :D

Because every time you pull and revive someone.. you're getting that Pumpkin Prowess buff which is a free 100 power, toughness and vitality for 20 seconds, making you even harder to kill and giving you a bit more power to hit harder with.

I affectionaly refer to the build at times as a combat medic because it's so good at getting other players back up while being rewarded for it.

 

If you do decide to try it I hope you enjoy it and maybe it'll change your mind about minions :)

I am with you on their appearance though they are ugly lol but they're also a great mechanic for Necromancer in Gw2.

You can always swap out some Soldiers for more damage stats if you want to sacrifice some of the tank for power, it's really upto you there.. I personally prefer the tankyness more than the power though and am very content with the amount of damage this build can do with full Soldiers.

Spceically when you take into account that tanks are typically defined by being really hard to kill and utterly useless for dealing damage..

This build imo gives you the tankyness without fully sacrificing the damage.

[Painbow.6059]

Power Reaper is fantastic, high damage and survivability. I don't know why people overlook Power Chronomancer, it has high damage and fantastic self-buff potential - you have good survivability too, although it relies on active defence. It is far superior to the popular condi mirage which is utter trash for everything except soloing champions. DH is also a strong pick with good damage and survivability. Really you can build any class for a strong open world build, although I would avoid condi builds aside from those with high burst damage. Pistol/Pistol DE is strong too, although it lacks cleave. With Maleficent Seven and Invigorating Precision you can maintain high single target damage with constant healing by spamming unload - ideal for soloing champions.

[Alexa Scorpionwitch.8567]

> @"Providence.7185" said:

> > @"Alexa Scorpionwitch.8567" said:

> > My main is a GS Power Reaper. I've soloed core and both expansions and haven't run into much that's given me any problems. As others have stated here, pair it up with a staff for when you need to back off for a quick break. I run Marauder and a few Soldier for the extra vitality and toughness. She's my absolute "go to" for story and open world.

>

> Thank you to yourself and all others writing in the thread.

>

> A number of people have suggested Power Reaper as a very strong option. As mentioned above I am not opposed to Necro (and elites) generally but simply don't care for the look of the minions. Does your build rely on minions?

>

> Do you or anyone else know of a no-minion Reaper build (we have a Scourge above) that can easily handle open world and story without breaking a sweat? Or do all strong open world Reaper builds rely on the minions?

 

I don't use minions at all. Mainly signets for speed, power, and a condition field.