User:Hyprodimus Prime/secretbuildarchive

 Hyprodimus Prime

=BoA Sin=

The BoA Sin (also called Burst Sin) is a fragile yet very deadly assassin used to take down targets quickly while making use of Shadow Prison to snare the target long enough to unleash the build's vicious assault.

Equipment

 * A Full Set of Radiant (insignia) armor.
 * Zealous, Vampiric and Ebon Daggers of Fortitude.

Usage

 * The spike is done quickly, in the following order:
 * Shadow Prison -> Burst of Aggression -> Black Lotus Strike -> Twisting Fangs -> Black Spider Strike -> Blades of Steel.
 * Execute the attack chain with Vampiric daggers.
 * Switch to Zealous daggers if energy runs low.
 * Use Ebon daggers when fighting a Warrior or when you are not engaged in combat.
 * Use Expose Defenses if your target is protected by any skill (Aegis, Guardian, Weapon of Warding, Ward Against Melee) that gives a chance to block attacks.

Counters

 * Standard Melee counters.
 * Restore Condition will basically ruin a spike of this build, it remove all the conditions you have put on the target and heal most of the damage dealt.
 * Hex Breaker will cause problems, as your initial 'Hex Jump' will be disabled, leaving your combo in shambles unless you can cast both hexes in quick succession.
 * A well-used Contemplation of Purity.

Variants

 * Horns of the Ox is a common variant that sacrifices damage for a knockdown, and can therefore replace Blades of Steel.
 * Another Shadow Step or an additional healing/defensive skill (such as Feigned Neutrality) can replace the Resurrection Signet for Alliance Battles or Competitive missions.
 * Siphon Speed can replace Expose Defenses as a backup hex to trigger the attack chain, and to quickly escape.
 * Impale can be used in conjunction with different dual attacks (Horns of the Ox in Particular).


 * Death Blossom can replace Blades of Steel.
 * Assassin's Promise and Dark Prison can be used as a more PvE or AB/CM oriented version.

Templates
=Mobius Impaler=

The Moebius Impaler is primarily a frontline GvG build (also usable in HA), combining fast attacks via Flurry with almost no loss in damage (most of which is armor-ignoring "bonus" damage, from Moebius and Death Blossom).

Attributes and Skills

 * Drop Dash for Resurrection Signet if you want; however, the build performs optimally with the above bar.
 * Also consider dropping Dash for Critical Strike if you're having energy problems.

Equipment

 * Vampiric, Zealous and Ebon daggers, all 15^50 and of Fortitude.

Usage

 * Pick a target to pressure. This build is an effective Linebacker, dealing ~60 armor-ignoring damage per second; you can pressure a Warrior just as well as a Monk.
 * Use Leaping Mantis Sting -> Exhausting Assault -> Moebius <-> Death Blossom.
 * When your target gets below 50% HP, use Impale.

Counters

 * Standard Melee counters.
 * Diversion/interrupt of Leaping Mantis or Moebius, leaving you unable to start (or continue) the attack chain.

Attributes and Skills

 * Optional slot: Vital Boon, Extend Enchantments, Conviction, Mystic Regeneration, or Shroud of Distress
 * In AB or CM, Swap resurrection Signet for One of the above

Equipment

 * Full Radiant armor with runes of attunement.
 * Zealous Scythe of Enchanting with an Energy +5 inscription.

Usage

 * Cast Faithful Intervention before battle.
 * Find a Target and cast Vow of Strength, Death's Charge, Shadowy Burden, and Heart of Fury.
 * Let rip as many attacks as possible.
 * Use dash to anti-kite or get away from sticky situations.

Counters

 * Mass Conditions (Blind) pose the biggest threat to this build. Try and team with a monk.

Attributes and Skills
=Harrier Dervish=

This build uses the powerful effects of the Dervish elite skill Avatar of Melandru to give a constant Health bonus and condition immunity. In combination with powerful Scythe Mastery attacks that would normally incur a penalty towards the player, that is neutralized, resulting in an extremely powerful Melee build.

Equipment

 * Radiant's insignia is required to maintain your energy level.
 * A Scythe with "Guided by Fate" or "Strength and Honor" inscriptions.
 * If you want an even larger energy pool, look for the "I Have the Power" inscription.
 * Runes of Major Mysticism, Superior Vigor, Minor Wind Prayers, Minor Scythe Mastery.

Usage

 * Keep Avatar of Melandru active as much as possible, and as energy allows for.
 * Victorious Sweep, Wearying Strike, and Mystic Sweep are your primary attack skills.
 * Follow up Wearying Strike with Mystic Sweep for a fast Deep Wound spike.
 * Use Wild Blow to remove stances.
 * Featherfoot Grace should be used as a speed boost. Note the reduced duration for Conditions can be helpful when not under the effects of Avatar of Melandru.
 * Maintain Harrier's Grasp for chasing down kiting foes.
 * Resurrection Signet is to be used on fallen party members.

Counters

 * This build has no means of removing hexes and is vulnerable to the same types of hexes as most melee oriented builds such as Spiteful Spirit and Empathy.
 * Heavy Energy denial can be troublesome, especially if trying to activate Avatar of Melandru.
 * Heart of Fury can be used for an attack speed boost.
 * Fragility has a nasty effect on AoM because conditions are immediately removed.

Variants

 * Instead of Featherfoot Grace, consider Pious Haste, Enchanted Haste, Lyssa's Haste, or Harrier's Haste.
 * Harrier's Grasp can be replaced with other anti-kiting skills.
 * If under high energy constraints, such as not having an enchantment caster in your party, consider replacing an attack with an enchantment such as Guiding Hands, Intimidating Aura, or Zealous Renewal.

=Promise Nuker=

This build is meant to cap mines and break gates only in CM!

Equipment

 * Armor: All Radiant
 * Weapons: Insightful Fire Staff of Enchanting.

Usage
Whenever a mine has been taken by the opposing side, run just out of the range of the NPCs. Cast Glyph, MS, Death's Charge, Assassin's Promise, and then all other PBAoEs to kill the NPCs. This works on Gates and Mines.

Counters
Really any intelligent enemy. This isn't supposed to kill people, just NPCs. Do not go after a gate covered in enemies.

Variants
If you fear damage, you could replace Assassin's Promise with Shadow Form. But then You wouldn't be able to use Glyph of Sac+MS very often.

Usage
A Starburster's main job is to deal big damage to all nearby foes by using skills based on striking nearby foes. It uses Death's Charge to quick approach enemy and strike him with his deadly skills. Fire Attunement gives some energy back so it's easy to strike many times. When enemies are weakened it's good to use Meteor Shower after using Glyph of Sacrifice to finish them off.

Equipment

 * A fire wand and flame artifact set with 20% HCT/HSR
 * A second set with +15 energy and -1 energy regeneration.
 * Full Battlemage's Armor (Stalwart Insignia: +10 vs. physical damage)

Variants

 * Glyph of Sacrifice or Flame Burst can be replaced by Bed of Coals.
 * Take Glyph of Lesser Energy if you expect to be spamming your skills constantly.
 * For a speed buff try Flame Djinn's Haste or Burning Speed.
 * Other common choices of Fire Magic skills include Teinai's Heat, Searing Heat, Breath of Fire, Mark of Rodgort, and Phoenix.

Templates
=Savannah Heat=

This build uses Savannah Heat, and 2 other AoE fire spells to apply pressure to the other team and keep them moving, and possibly off a certain target. Also, if a monk is trying to run out of the AoE spells, they are not healing which gives your team a big chance to get a few kills.

Equipment

 * Radiant Insignias and Attunement/Vitae Runes.
 * Insightful PvP Fire Staff of Enchanting.
 * OPTIONAL * 20/20 Wand or Off Hand for better recharge/casting time on the long recharge times of the AoE spells.

Usage
Before you start the fight, cast Fire Attunement, followed by Arcane Echo, Savannah Heat, Gale, and Another Savannah Heat. Use the other two AoE spells when Savannah Heat is recharging. For relic matches in HA, use Flame Djinn's Haste to run the relic.

Counters
=Terra Tank=
 * Interruption, since the main damage spells have a 2 sec cast time.
 * Ward of Stability would let them just run out of the AoE.
 * Diversion
 * Daze skills like Awe
 * And all other standered anti-caster tactics

This build uses Stone Striker to convert damage received into Earth Damage, which trigger Mantra of Earth to reduce the damage and gain energy. Stoneflesh Aura then reduces the damage further. By using high damage dealing skills, this build may be used to solo the Smite Crawlers in the Underworld within 10 minutes.

Equipment

 * Geomancer armor, though not required, will provide you with 20 extra armor.
 * Anything along the lines of Galigord's Stone Staff.

Clear the Chamber

 * Upon entering the Underworld, watch the patrolling Bladed Aatxes in front of the Lost Soul.
 * When they are far away from him, use Storm Djinn's Haste to run and take the Clear the Chamber quest from him.
 * Run back as soon as you accept it and wait in the centre. Make sure you retarget yourself with the "F" key.
 * The best way to do this is if you press the "R" key after the "X" key. Which will auto-reverse and run you back.
 * Kill any Dying Nightmares along the edge if you popped them
 * If they are patrolling wait for them to leave before the next step.
 * Do not forget to re-target yourself before proceeding as you will eventually enchant the NPC instead of you.
 * Cast Stone Striker, Mantra of Earth and Storm Djinn's Haste.
 * Cast Stoneflesh Aura and Aggro 1 group of Grasping Darkness’ at a time and return back to the centre as far back as you can.
 * Use the same X-R technique to make this safer.
 * Wait until all of the Grasping Darkness’ use up their Distracting Blows. This is about 5 seconds.
 * Attacking them will induce their Interrupts but make sure you count how many Grasping Darkness' there are and how many have interrupted you.
 * Cast Ancestor's Visage, wait another 5 seconds.
 * Recast Stoneflesh Aura then use Sandstorm followed by Dragon's Stomp 1 second after and Aftershock immediately after.
 * Those that are not dead will run, this is your chance to renew your Stone Striker.
 * Those returning will attack with Distracting Blow as soon as they get back, and remember to count.
 * Cast Ancestor's Visage again and wait 5 seconds.
 * Recast Stoneflesh Aura and use Aftershock.
 * Those still not dead you may simply wand to death.
 * Another method for killing the Grasping Darkness' is to do exactly the same thing, but wait about 1 second before activating Dragon's Stomp, this way, they will often die before running.
 * Do the same for the other groups.
 * Agroing multiple groups of grasping darknesses can be dangerous because of all the interrupting, it's best to go one group at a time.

Getting to the Ice Wastes

 * After killing the 3 mobs of Grasping Darkness' you will be able to leave the central chamber.
 * Carefully watch the Bladed Aatxe patrols East of where you first entered the Underworld.
 * Make sure that they are away from the tunnel leading into the next room.
 * Run out of the chamber with Storm Djinn's Haste.
 * In the tunnel, wait until the Grasping Darkness' and Dying Nightmare patrol are far away (marked by the X in the map).
 * Run into the Ice Wastes with Storm Djinn's Haste.
 * Once in the Ice Wastes you can farm the Smite Crawlers in the same way you killed the Grasping Darkness’ except use Sandstorm immediately followed by Dragon's Stomp and Aftershock without the 1 second delay.
 * Watch out for Coldfire Nights, do not aggro them.
 * If you do, instantly hit Storm Djinn's Haste and try to run away in a zig-zag pattern to dodge Shard Storm.


 * When Dying Nightmares do pop, let it strip you, then put all enchantments back on. Smite Crawlers can’t kill you before you replace Stoneflesh Aura.

List of Farmable Areas

 * The Underworld
 * Minotaurs at Elona Reach (Recommended to bring Glyph of Elemental Power)
 * Mountain Trolls outside of Droknar's Forge
 * Kirins outside of Maatu Keep (Pongmei Valley exit) (bring a snare skill)
 * Ice Imps outside of the Ice Caves of Sorrow
 * Icy Dragon Sword farming in the Mineral Springs, (build explained in talk)
 * Minotaurs outside Ice Tooth Cave
 * Insects in Arkjok Ward just outside Yohlon Haven.

Farmable Bosses

 * Zelnehlun Fastfoot in The Floodplain of Mahnkelon, a short distance east of Rilohn Refuge (bring Aura of Restoration)
 * Exuro Flatus in Domain of Secrets
 * Bring Aura of Restoration, Armor of Earth and whatever damage skills you see fit. Do not forget to turn your Lightbringer title on.
 * Or use Glyph of Renewal, Sliver Armor, Crystal Wave and Ether Feast
 * Riktund the Vicious in The Mirror of Lyss
 * Bring Storm Djinn's Haste and run out of Beetle's and take Aura of Restoration.

Counters

 * Degeneration (unless you bring either Aura of Restoration or Ether Feast)
 * Enchantment stripping.
 * Stance removal.
 * Interrupts coming from those not adjacent to you.
 * Heavy damage output. (for example Bladed Aatxes or Coldfire Nights)

Variants
Glyph of Restoration.
 * Using Glyph of Concentration is an option. By precasting before agroing the Graspings, you can save yourself the risk of being interrupted. Th downside: losing time on killing smites.
 * To farm easier places, you need to consider any interrupters or enchantment strippers around and modify the build to counter. You may also like to replace Storm Djinn's Haste with Glyph of Elemental Power if running is not needed.
 * For longer fights, bring more armor instead of Ancestor's Visage.
 * Damage skills are very open depending on the circumstance.
 * This build may be replicated with Prophecies and Nightfall only. Dragon's Stomp may be replaced with Earthquake and Ancestor's Visage with Sympathetic Visage.
 * If a particular mob does not need Ancestor's Visage or Storm Djinn's Haste, replace it with a utility skill like, like Grasping Earth or Ward Against Foes and put the extra attributes into Energy Storage or Inspiration Magic.
 * If you are finding it hard to do Smite runs, look on the talk page for variants.
 * If you intend to farm enemies giving out very large damage output, you could bring Kinetic Armor. This needs to be maintained by spamming Stone Daggers.
 * When going into AB, switch out illusion magic and Ancestor's Visage for more Energy Storage and
 * Using the build in the same fashion as killing Smites, you can solo nodes, all except the Mesmer one.

Templates
=EP hybrid healer=

This build is used in GvG to run flags, securing Morale Boosts, while also assisting the team with hex snares and heals.

Equipment

 * Archmage's Armor
 * +5 energy or Halves Skill Recharge 10% sword of Enchanting or Spirit of the Forgotten and hsr 20% Health +30 water focus (weapon slot 1); +5 Energy sword of Enchanting +15/-1 energy Health +30 water offhand (slot 2) and a -5 energy or Halves Skill Recharge 10% sword and focus set to switch to in order to prevent damage from Ether prodigy. A Reduce Cripple 20% Health +30 shield is useful to reduce the duration of enemies that may try to snare you while flagging.
 * Empty armor slots can be filled with Runes of Vitae or a Rune of Restoration, depending on preference.

Usage

 * Your primary job is to run the flag. As such, do not get overly involved in the fighting unless you have superiority at flag stand.
 * Keep Storm Djinn's Haste up while running the flag.
 * Use Blinding Flash to protect yourself and your team from warriors, rangers, assassins and Dervishes.
 * Assist your team by snaring the opposing team with your water hexes or heal and remove conditions with Heal Party and Extinguish, as well as take pressure off your team's monks with Heal Party spamming.
 * Use Ether Prodigy while assisting the team with heals or snares to regain energy.

Counters

 * Snares make flag running a lot harder. Be sure your monks are aware of you when you get into the enemies range while running the flag.
 * Neither Healing Breeze nor Heal Party are great self-heals and relatively easy to interrupt. This build is not meant to go one-on-one with other characters. If getting attacked while running the flag, try to blind the attacker and run away.

Variants

 * Drop one of the snares for a condition removal skill such as Mending Touch.
 * Drop Freezing Gust for Gale. This way you won't have to spread your atributes into Water Magic, as Deep Freeze's duration is not effected by your atributes.

Templates
=MoM Smiter=

This build is focused on the use of the Elementalist elite skill Master of Magic to provide Energy management. That is used in combination with the Monk's Smiting Prayers, and together, it creates a mobile smiting build that can not only provide excellent damage support, but also provide ample protection when needed.

Usage

 * Maintain Master of Magic and Zealot's Fire as often as possible.
 * Spam Reversal of Fortune along with Draw Conditions on target ally to deal damage to all foes nearby.
 * Use Balthazar's Aura to further increase damage dealt.
 * Remove harmful hexes with Smite Hex.
 * Enchant attacking allies with Judge's Insight to increase their damage output.
 * Resurrect fallen allies with Resurrection Signet.

Equipment

 * Any weapon can be used, as long as you have an of Enchanting upgrade to your weapon.
 * Rune of Minor Energy Storage, Superior Vigor.

Counters

 * Heavy Enchantment removal harms both your output and your Energy management.
 * Diversion is a major counter, as it can halt your spamming capabilities. However, if Diversion gets, say, Smite Hex or Judge's Insight, you may lose the use of those skills for a while, but they'll be disabled for a long time, contributing to Master of Magic without particularly great loss to the build.  If you've got Diversion on try to throw one of those skills at it.

Variants

 * Use Judge's Intervention for another Enchantment, as well as a defensive skill.
 * Protective Spirit can be used for increased spamming and damage reduction.
 * If energy is still a problem, consider Glyph of Lesser Energy for use with Balthazar's Aura or Zealot's Fire.
 * Guardian is another choice for a spamable enchantment to trigger Zealot's Fire. This also contributes to defense.

Equipment

 * Any armor with Max AL can be used with this build, but Tempest Armor is preferred for its Armor bonus while enchanted.
 * An Insightful Air Staff of Enchanting or a Runar's Brimstone Staff is ideal.

Usage

 * Cast and maintain Elemental Attunement and Air Attunement, in that order.
 * Use Blinding Flash on approaching enemy attackers to negate any physical attacks. You can easily keep 2 targets blinded.
 * Deal heavy damage to multiple targets with Chain Lightning.
 * Lightning Hammer and Lightning Orb are your high damage, single-target skills.
 * Use Lightning Strike for a faster casting damage spell.

Counters

 * Mesmer interrupts.
 * Upon casting/action hexes, such as Backfire.
 * Enchantment removal, while not immediately devastating, will make energy management difficult, reducing the build's overall effectiveness.
 * Protective Spirit.

Variants

 * Enervating Charge for ensured damage reduction when facing attacking foes.
 * Aura of Restoration for self-healing and for covering the attunements.
 * Gale can be used as a Knockdown. This is recommended for Arena use.
 * Replace Blinding Flash with another damaging skill when in areas with few attackers.
 * Chain Lightning has 3-seconds casting time. It is usually not recommended to bring for spiking.
 * Instead of bringing Resurrection Signet for AB, an air enchantment that gives speed boost would be more useful.
 * Replace Chain Lightning with Mystic Regeneration (with an 8 spec in Earth Prayers) to both add to survivability and as a cheap cover to your attunements.

Related Builds

 * Build:E/any Air Spiker

Template
equipment template: RmGY6kNWKqiZmm0TzZmmMs8IujkKdZmiMsuZmi0D

=SF Ele=

This PvP build is used to cause high damage, semi-spammable AoE pressure. It can be adapted for PvE purposes.

Equipment

 * A Full set of + Health Armor
 * A +5 Energy/30 Hp Weapon with an offhand of choice.
 * A 15/-1 Energy Set
 * A Staff of Enchanting is optional.

Usage

 * Keep Fire Attunement up at all times.
 * Find a mob of players or NPCs and cast Searing Flames, Glowing Gaze, Liquid Flame repeatedly.
 * Use Glyph of Lesser Energy whenever possible to assist your energy.
 * Cast Meteor Shower on a bunched up group of players/NPCs to cause panic.
 * Resurrection Signet for fallen allies.

Counters

 * Enchantment removal.
 * Anti-spam skills such as Backfire, Spiteful Spirit, and Diversion.
 * Frigid Armor and Avatar of Melandru prevent burning, however Frigid Armor is an uncommon skill.
 * Signet of Humility.
 * Mantra of Flame.
 * Protection Prayers (Protective Spirit in particular).
 * This build is less useful against split or spread teams.

Variants

 * Use Arcane Echo:
 * with Meteor Shower for a devastating 'double-nuke'.
 * with Searing Flames short term double DPS.
 * Replace Glyph of Sacrifice with Aura of Restoration for PvE.
 * Replace Resurrection Signet with Dash for Alliance Battles or Competitive Missions.
 * Replace Glyph of Sacrifice with Mark of Rodgort for extended (and reapplied) burning. Only one elementalist per group should carry Mark of Rodgort.
 * Replace Liquid Flame with Meteor or Gale for Knockdowns.
 * Serpent's Quickness can be used to decrease recharge times.
 * Use Mending Touch for condition removal.
 * Replace Glyph of Lesser Energy with Mantra of Flame to counter other SF teams.
 * Use a HCT+HSR Fire Magic wand+focus set - this will increase your average DPS. Only switch to the +15/-1 if you are out of energy and need one or two more shots to finish something off.

Template
=Trident Snare=

The Water Trident Snarer elementalist utilizes various Water Spells to pressure and hinder the opposing team with Slow, Miss, Knockdown, and direct damage.

Equipment

 * Armour with Survivor insignias.
 * A staff with dual 20% faster casting water mods.

Usage

 * Cast and maintain Water Attunement.
 * Slow pursuing or fleeing opponents with Freezing Gust.
 * Knockdown incoming or fleeing opponents with Water Trident.
 * Target clumped groups of enemies with Ice Spikes and Deep Freeze.
 * Try to afflict more than one enemy with Blurred Vision, Warriors or Assassins in particular.
 * Glyph of Lesser Energy is to maintain your energy, precast it before using your more expensive spells.

Counters

 * Standard caster counters...Backfire etc...
 * Excessive energy denial.
 * Excessive interruption.

Variants
=Me/A IW=
 * Aura of Restoration can replace one of your water hexes to provide a cover enchantment as well as a self heal.
 * Glyph of Sacrifice and Resurrection Chant may be used in GvG or HA.
 * Blurred Vision can be switched for Aegis. Reduce energy storage to 9+1 and up Protection Prayers to 9 and use a weapon with an enchantment-lengthening mod.

The Neutral IW uses Illusionary Weaponry to deal armor-ignoring damage and chance of double strike, while staying alive by keeping Dark Escape and Feigned Neutrality up constantly. This gives the Mesmer 150 armor (60 + 10 + 80) and +7 health regeneration while dealing substantial damage. Designed for PvP but can be used effectively in PvE.

Equipment

 * Max armor with +10 when enchanted
 * Superior Rune of Illusion Magic
 * Superior Rune of Vigor
 * Rune of Purity
 * 2 Runes of Vitae
 * Crippling (for Return) Daggers with of Enchanting suffix and "I have the power" +5 Energy inscription (because none of the +damage% mods will affect the damage from IW)

Usage

 * Start by casting Illusion of Weakness and followed by Feigned Neutrality to heal if no monk.
 * Choose your target, Armor level does not matter.
 * Against Normal Opponents: Cast and Maintain Illusionary Weaponry, Deadly Paradox and Feigned Neutrality (in order) then attack. Cast Death's Charge after Deadly Paradox if you need to close the gap.
 * Against Armor Ignoring Opponents: Cast and Maintain Illusionary Weaponry, Deadly Paradox, Dark Escape and Feigned Neutrality. Always remain in Dark Escape stance. Since Deadly Paradox will no longer affect Feigned Neutrality it will be used half as often.
 * When reapplying enchantments, casting Death's Charge can be a good healing boost before Feigned Neutrality.
 * You should be almost indestructible, but if for whatever reason Illusion of Weakness triggers then fall back using Return and heal.

Counters

 * Enchantment removal.
 * Energy denial.
 * Kiting.
 * Interrupting or removing Illusionary Weaponry will make this build useless.
 * Heavy health degeneration such as Burning, Poison or Conjure Nightmare.
 * Life Stealing and other armor ignoring damage.

Variants

 * For Alliance Battles Resurrection Signet isn't important, so Illusion of Haste give you ways of kiting.
 * Assassin primary; lower damage but stronger.
 * Exchange Return for Distortion. This will sap energy but can be more effective at protecting yourself.
 * Replace Return for Shadow Refuge to help further counter degeneration.
 * Add Caltrops to snare kiting foes.
 * For PvE, consider bringing a scythe (with the same preferred mods as the daggers) in a second weapon slot. The scythe will do a steady 24 DPS instead of the average 36 DPS of the daggers (32 if you don't count double strikes). However, if two or three foes are adjacent you do a nice 48 or 72 DPS respectively. Change between the daggers and scythe as the situation warrants.
 * Death's Retreat can also be used instead of Return, or with Return to retreat further back.

Usage

 * Casting Illusion of Weakness at the start.
 * Before attacking, cast Illusionary Weaponry and Mystic Regeneration. Maintain these enchantments.
 * Heal with Dwayna's Touch.
 * When near to target, enter the Whirling Charge stance.
 * Use Veil of Thorns and Armor of Sanctity to deter attackers and boost defenses when under attack.

Equipment

 * Totem Axe, Rajazan's Fervor or nearest alternative
 * Forgotten Fan or focus of choice
 * Blessed Insignia's

Counters

 * Enchantment removal
 * Interruption of Illusionary Weaponry
 * Damage spikes
 * Energy denial

Variants

 * Armor of Sanctity can be replaced by Sympathetic Visage
 * Veil of Thorns or Armor of Sanctity can be replaced by Aura of Thorns to cripple your target
 * Lyssa's Haste can be useful to boost speed and help energy management.

Equipment

 * A +30/-2 Energy set is recommended for the rare occasions where you exhaust yourself out.
 * Runes of Minor or Superior Domination Magic, Superior Vigor, Minor Fast Casting.

Usage

 * Remove multiple hexes with Expel Hexes.
 * Use Spiritual Pain and Shatter Enchantment while spiking.
 * Glyph of Lesser Energy should be activated before using costly spells.
 * Shutdown enemy skills with Diversion. Since it costs 10 Energy, Glyph of Lesser Energy should be used to nullify that cost.
 * Remove enemy enchantments and regain lost energy with Drain Enchantment.
 * Use Gale for a long-range knockdown.
 * Resurrect fallen party members with Resurrection Signet.

Variants
This build, like many Mesmer builds, have many different variants.
 * Guilt can be used for both Energy and as an interrupt, being a more defensive variant to Shame.
 * Take Blackout to extensively shutdown enemies. This is especially useful against enemies using Adrenaline skills.
 * Wastrel's Demise can be equipped for added spike damage.
 * Take out an enemy's elite skill with Signet of Humility.
 * If you're looking to take interrupts, consider taking Leech Signet, Power Drain, or Power Return.
 * Include Energy Burn for more damage and energy denial.

=Me/W IW=

The Illusion Slasher is one of many different builds around the mesmer elite skill Illusionary Weaponry. This build utilizes the added attack speed from Flurry and the defensive measures of the warrior to deal amazing damage and hopefully stay alive too.

Equipment
A sword is essential for people who use Deadly Riposte, though an axe for Cyclone Axe is used sometimes for PvE. They both have the same attack speed and don't matter aside for those skills and aesthetics. Ideal mods would be Barbed and of Enchanting. This will allow you to lengthen bleeding from Deadly Riposte and to keep up Illusionary Weaponry and any other enchantment longer. The sword itself would ideally be Denravi Sword or a Katana/Cleaver crafted by Shichiroji, which gives +5 energy. Rajazan's Fervor also works, but without the bleeding bonus. Otherwise, damage and damage mods do not matter due to lack of swordsmanship anyway. A cane could be used as backup to deal damage while IW is recharging. If you use a shield you might consider having a + energy offhand to switch in for casting IW when your energy runs out or when you're not being attacked. A scythe can also be used to produce an AoE attack.

Usage

 * Cast Illusionary Weaponry before engaging the enemy and cover it with Sympathetic Visage.
 * Pick a target. One that is distracted or already under attack is generally a good idea, since they may not be able to react fast enough to the very heavy damage suddenly applied.
 * Against melee, counter the first attack with Deadly Riposte, then use Distortion until Deadly Riposte has recharged.
 * Against rangers, use Deflect Arrows (which will not be ended by your attacks because Illusionary Weaponry ensures that the attacks deal no damage), then Distortion while it recharges. Do not use Distortion while Deflect Arrows is active, as it will cancel it out.
 * Use Flurry to increase the rate of your attacks, but be mindful of your energy.
 * Be mindful of which stance to use in a given situation. Stances do not stack and Deflect Arrows has a long recharge time.
 * When using Healing Signet, be sure to switch on Distortion to allow yourself to heal when under melee attack.

Variants
Deadly Riposte and Deflect Arrows are non-essential, and may be replaced with any of these:
 * Ethereal Burden / Imagined Burden to prevent enemies from escaping.
 * Conjure Phantasm / Phantom Pain to increase damage output or when prevented from using IW.
 * Illusion of Weakness for extra protection.
 * Arcane Conundrum for more effectiveness at targetting spellcasters.
 * Cyclone Axe can be switched in for PvE mobs as a replacement for Deadly Riposte.
 * Cry of Frustration is a possible choice for interrupting because the interrupt aspect is unaffected by domination level and it does not eat energy as fast due to recharge length.
 * Leech Signet / Ether Feast or any Inspiration skill instead of Tactics skills. Using Leech Signet instead of Cry of Frustration for interrupting adds the advantage of 0 energy cost, but has a longer recharge time and might only be used once on a particular foe.
 * Resurrection Signet should be switched out for another skill in cases where resurrection is automatic, such as Alliance Battles.

Related Builds

 * Build:Me/A Neutral IW
 * Build:Me/R_Illusionary_Beastmaster

=Diversion Mes=

This build relies on the Mantra of Recovery and Diversion combo to keep the opponent "Diversioned" all the time. It is most commonly used in Guild Battles.

Attributes and Skills

 * Skills for the Optional slot are: Draw Conditions, Inspired Hex or Wastrel's Worry.
 * The metagame suggests Resurrect. Some guilds might prefer Resurrection Chant instead.
 * Shame is often used to help shutdown casters also.

Equipment

 * A +1 to Fast Casting Headpiece
 * Enchanter's Armor for the extra Energy.
 * +5 Energy Axe or Sword of Fortitude
 * A 20% "Improves Inspiration Spell Recharge" and +30 HP (always) as offhand.

Usage

 * Choose a target, preferably a spell caster.
 * Cast Mantra of Recovery, then Diversion (use Wastrel's Worry as cover if applicable)
 * Use Drain Enchantment and Power Drain to recover your Energy.
 * Blackout is especially effective against adrenal warriors or monks.
 * Shatter Enchantment is your contribution to the spike, if applicable.

Counters

 * Strong hex removal.

Variants
=LoD Runner=
 * Power Return in place of the optional slot to avoid downtime.
 * Echo in place of Mantra of Recovery. This means you can quickly cast two diversions in a row, for a time.
 * Spiritual Pain in place of Shatter Enchantment or the optional slot to help with the spike.
 * Signet of Humility can be used to disable the elite skill before using Diversion.
 * Glyph of Lesser Energy for Elementalist secondaries, cast before high-energy skills to alleviate the stress of Energy.
 * Power Leak instead of Blackout for extra interrupt with energy denial.
 * Shame also works well instead of another skill if you want to concentrate on monks.

This build utilizes the Elementalist skill Glyph of Lesser Energy in order to provide a way to cast Aegis as well as other skills from the Monk Protection Prayers line. This allows for a quite versatile support build, as well as playing the role of flag running in a Guild versus Guild situation.

Equipment

 * Acolyte's Armor for the +10 Armor while enchanted
 * Insightful +5 energy 20/20 Protection staff with +20% enchanting Suffix

Usage

 * Use Storm Djinn's Haste for increased running speed.
 * Spam Light of Deliverance as needed to heal party members from long-range.
 * Precast Glyph of Lesser Energy, and follow up with Aegis and Extinguish for long-ranged defense and condition removal for the entire party.
 * Use Words of Comfort as a general purpose heal, for both yourself, or allied NPC's taking damage.
 * Mending Touch should be used on yourself to remove conditions. This is especially useful in maps like the Burning Isle.
 * Cast Shield of Absorption on targets under pressure.

Counters

 * Becoming Dazed.
 * Interrupts and Hexes
 * Diversion is a dangerous shutdown that should be avoided.

Variants

 * You may wish to switch Shield of Absorption with Protective Spirit.
 * Reversal of Fortune for extra healing and damage prevention.
 * Hex removal may be useful, but is rarely encountered when flagging. If you expect to encounter it, take Holy Veil to counter it.
 * If you want even more healing, take Heal Party as well.
 * Take Dismiss Condition in place of Mending Touch or in the optional slot for greater healing capabilities when removing conditions.
 * Healing Touch for a strong self heal.

Templates
=ZB Infuse=

This build primarily uses Protection Prayers skills like Zealous Benediction, Tactics line skills such as Balanced Stance, and the powerful healing skill Infuse Health to keep allies alive whilst preventing from being knocked down.

Equipment

 * Player's Choice.(Energy armor is preferrable)
 * Shield with appropriate mods, requirement of 8.
 * Focus swapping items for energy when needed.

Usage
Cast Balanced Stance and keep it up as much as possible. Use Signet of Devotion as a free heal. Use Zealous Benediction and Infuse Health on targets with low health. Use Reversal of Fortune and Shield of Absoprtion on allies about to be taking heavy damage. Use Dimiss condition for condition removal. Use Shield Bash to knock down attackers.

Counters

 * General spellcasting counters, such Backfire and Diversion.
 * Knockdowns while Balanced Stance isn't up.

Variants

 * Use Deadly Riposte or Riposte instead of Shield Bash. Be sure to bring a sword should you do so.

Equipment

 * Armor - Recommend full Radiant Armor, though other set-ups are viable. Equip the best Vigor rune possible.
 * Weapons - Ghial's Staff or something similiar.

Usage

 * Maintain Aura of the Lich, Dark Bond, Mystic Regeneration and Infuse Condition
 * When playing as the only MM, animate minions as the situation permits.
 * When playing with other MM's, let them make more minions than you, and tell them that you will be healing their minions as through Blood of the Master spamming. Mystic Regeneration will fill your health back up before Blood of the Master is even recharged.

Counters

 * Traditional spell caster counters (Dazed, interruption, etc.) However in this case dazed will have almost no effect since its usually instantly passed on to a minion.
 * Enchantment stripping. But only multiple or mass enchant removal skills are truly dangerous. You can use mystic regeneration as cover for your other enchants, the fast recharge and cast time makes it ideal for this.
 * Life Stealing (with Aura of the Lich, your health will be lower but it cannot reduce life stealing skills such as Vampiric Gaze)
 * Low max health makes degeneration more dangerous. Extremely heavy health degeneration though (more than -12) which is unlikely except for heavy hex based degen (remember you pass on your conditions). Builds like this are rare in pve and AB. But a significant amount of degen will impede your use of blood of the master.
 * Losing all your minions (especially in AB). This means that you have no damage reduction (from dark bond), are susceptible to conditions and most importantly posses no notable offense. If you lose al of them (trough veratas aura or aoe) attempt to create more asap or retreat.

Variants

 * Replace Infuse Condition with Verata's Aura or Dark Aura.
 * Replace Animate Bone Horror with Animate Bone Minions.
 * Replace Signet of Lost Souls with Resurrection Signet or Sunspear Rebirth Signet or Consume Corpse.
 * Replace Animate Bone Horror with Animate Shambling Horror or Animate Vampiric Horror.
 * Replace Signet of Lost Souls with Verata's Aura (to recover lost minions or steal those of enemy MM).

Templates
=Standard MM=

There are many version of the Minion Master, however, this version unlike many does not use Healing Prayers line, removing any restriction on secondary class. This version is ideal for Sorrow's Furnace farming, Alliance Battles or PvE.

Equipment

 * Minion Master's Armor or Cabalist's Armor.
 * Bloodstained Boots
 * Any 20/20 Bone Staff, Ghial's Staff, Woe Spreader or The Nightbringer

Usage
When starting out in a new area or low on minions:
 * Use Rotting Flesh on fleshy foes, preferably on large groups to spread the Disease condition. This is incredibly effective when used in PvE.
 * Create a Flesh Golem with the first dead body to start off.
 * Create other minions depending on your Energy pool.

Once you have a few minions: This build can happily stay alive by sacrificing a minion with Taste of Death while other minions kill foes, while disease from Rotting Flesh degenerates most foes in PvE when low on minions.
 * Create other minions, again, depending on remaining Energy.
 * Use Blood of the Master to keep your minions alive.
 * When without a monk on your team it is perfectly viable to use Taste of Death to keep yourself alive so long as you have Minions to feed off of.
 * When idle, spam Blood of the Master on your minion army and use Taste of Death on a Flesh golem to regain the health lost. Don't forget that it is usually easier to kill off an old Flesh Golem for a new one instead of repeatedly healing one.

Variants

 * For the optional slot:
 * Deathly Swarm can be used for AoE damage.
 * Take Rotting Flesh to spread degeneration. (NOTE: not recommended against human foes)
 * Use Infuse Condition for the transfer of conditions to your minions.
 * Aura of the Lich can be used in place of Animate Flesh Golem to allow more spamming of Blood of the Master, although not advisable when anticipating health degeneration effects. This also makes Blood Renewal useful for self-healing if a higher level Blood Magic is used.
 * Skills such as Putrid Explosion, Deathly Swarm and Bitter Chill can be added to give the Minion Master some direct damage skills that are linked to Death Magic.
 * You can bring Death Nova to make one last final use of a minion that's near death.
 * For more self healing Animate Vampiric Horror can be used in place of Animate Bone Fiend. This allows a more meat-shield like role of the minion master protecting the back line casters. If making this switch, it is a good idea to cast Animate Bone Horror more often due to the recharge time of Animate Vampiric Horror and to refresh your minions. Also great way to gain a positive health gained to sacrificed ratio if enough are summoned.
 * Bring Verata's Aura to reclaim your minions if you die, or possibly to steal minions from monsters who create them. Not many monsters can, however, and the ones that can do not create them nearly as fast as the average Minion Master Necromancer. As such, Verata's Gaze may be a better choice for stealing minions.
 * Infuse Condition in combination with Dark Bond is useful in scenarios where you are being targeted instead of your minions.
 * Skills such as Putrid Explosion will exploit your corpses rendering them useless to a Minion Master. Instead of using Animate Bone Fiend and Dark Bond, try Fetid Ground and Deathly Swarm for damage when you need to kill enemies quickly without minions.
 * You can use Animate Shambling Horror instead of Animate Bone Horror if you have Guild Wars Nightfall. The differences between a Shambling Horror and a Bone Horror, except for the 'skin', include a different attack range from Bone Minions and Vampiric Horrors, and the fact that when a Shambling Horror dies they will immediatly turn into a Jagged Horror, which will cause bleeding with its attacks. Those using Shambling Horror will find a longer recharge time in return for this fact, so faster-recharging summons are advised.
 * Signet of Lost Souls may be an energy management option.
 * Verata's Gaze and Verata's Aura Make excellent AB variant over the Resurrect skills because they allow the Minion Master to steal the enemy minions (Mostly other Flesh Golems or with aura all of the enemy minions). WARNING: Once Verata's Aura is used, especially with re-controlling your army MAINTAIN IT!