User:Lord Belar

For my own reference:

The Underworld Vengeful Farmer build can be used to farm the Bladed Aatxe, Grasping Darknesses and Smite Crawlers. It mainly uses the Item Spell Vengeful Was Khanhei(VWK) to preserve health and damage all attacking opponents.

Equipment

 * Tempest Armor(armor + 10 while affected by an Enchantment Spell) with two Runes of Attunement and a Major/Superior Vigor Rune.
 * Galigord's Stone Staff or a Ritualistic Ghostly Staff as energy management is rather hard.
 * A Longbow.

Fighting Aatxes and Nightmares

 * When entering the Underworld, do not take Clear the Chamber from the Lost Soul straight away.
 * Go to a nearby group of Bladed Aatxe and aggro only the Aatxe that is patrolling. If the patrolling Aatxe is stuck in a mob of stationary Aatxes, lure them, and run to where the farthest NPC stands. By running this far you should break aggro of the stationary ones. Should a Dying Nightmare pop up during the proccess, hide behind that NPC. Now, the NPC in front of you will effectively body-block the following Aatxe, giving you enough time to kill the Nightmare and cast your enchantments.
 * Cast Earth Attunement, Kinetic Armor, Glyph of Lesser Energy, Armor of Earth and Stoneflesh Aura in this order.
 * Use Glyph of Concentration before the fight and cast Vengeful Was Khanhei as the Aatxe begins hitting you.
 * While fighting, cast Glyph of Concentration followed by Stoneflesh Aura, and Glyph of Lesser Energy followed by Armor of Earth. This skill combo should allow you to maintain your energy without getting interrupted and to keep your energy at an acceptable level. Also, Savage Slash, their only interrupt, has a recharge of 20 seconds. If you notice your foes had just used this skill, you may cast your spells without GoC to further save on energy.
 * When VWK is not active, cast Vengeful Weapon to maintain your health at near full level. Whatever you do, do not try to spam it as you will find yourself low on energy very fast.
 * Do not forget to maintain Kinetic Armor. Time your Vengeful Weapon to keep it up.
 * After taking out one group of enemies scout the nearby area for any Dying Nightmares.
 * When you are finished eliminating all the Aatxe in the chamber take the quest from the Lost Soul.

Fighting Darknesses

 * Grasping Darknesses are incredible anti-casters and can take you down very easily.
 * You will only need Armor of Earth and Stoneflesh Aura for this as keeping up Kinetic Armor will be harsh on your energy pool.
 * Always use Glyph of Concentration before applying your enchantments, then quickly use VwK to try and avoid interruption.
 * When VwK is not active, try kiting around in circles to prevent their adrenaline gain as much as possible.
 * Do not give up even if their "Fear Me!" drains your energy to zero. Kite around until your energy recovers to 5. Cast Glyph of Lesser Energy followed by VwK, Followed by Armor of Earth.
 * After Dealing with the Darknesses exit the chamber to the north and proceed to the Ice Wastes.

Fighting Smites

 * You will find two groups of two Bladed Aatxe each and one of Grasping Darknesses and possibly a Dying Nightmare. Avoid them completely by luring the first group of Aatxe and running past them, without aggroing, to reach the second.
 * These are the last Aatxe you will see, now your primary foes are the Smite Crawlers. As Smite Crawlers only do about 50 to 60 damage, you will not need to maintain Kinetic Armor here either. What will pose a threat here are the Coldfire Nights (see Variants section of this article) that patrol the area and the Dying Nightmares that may appear out of nowhere.
 * Simply use VWK and Vengeful Weapon here to finish off the groups of Smite Crawlers.

Counters

 * Failure to maintain Kinetic Armor, Armor of Earth and Stoneflesh Aura while fighting the Aatxe.
 * Interruptions.
 * Strip of enchantments at inopportune times.
 * Overuse of energy and energy denial.

Variants

 * The same build is possible with a Ritualist primary. Even with low Earth Magic, you still take zero damage from the Aatxes when all your enchantments are up. Although this can kill foes quite faster than an E/Rt, the lower energy pool and shorter duration of Stoneflesh Aura makes the run more difficult. A 20% enchant mod is a must for this variant. Note that Armor of Earth significantly slows your movement, thus should not be used when aggroing the first mob of Aatxes. You may fail to shelter behind the NPC with your slowness.

A Vengeful Farmer is a Ritualist that employs the elite Vengeful Was Khanhei (VWK). When a foe attacks you through melee or ranged attacks, they lose health for each attack and you gain that lost health. Using dolyak signet a warrior can alternate between these for farming Smite Crawlers in the underworld.

Equipment

 * Armor: Warrior Gladiator's Armor is best, although not vital.
 * Weapons: A +5 energy sword/axe/spear with a +30hp or +7 armor mod. A shield with +30hp always and damage -5 (chance: 20%). Also shields with stance bonuses are advisable for the running portion and you could replace the +5 energy weapon for a weapon with "let the memory live again" to reduce the recharge time of Vengeful Was Khanhei.

Usage
Carefully approach, and take the quest from the Lost Soul who should be in front of you.

If you accidentally aggro a Bladed Aatxe, hit Sprint and run straight to the cliff wall behind you, this should break any aggro. If you attract a Dying Nightmare, use Vengeful Weapon until you kill it.

Once the quest was taken, you should have noticed some monsters appear on your mini-map. They are Grasping Darknesses, so we need to lure and kill them to escape from the chamber.

So aggro the closest group, usually of about 4 Grasping’s. This will normally also aggro the Bladed Aatxe, so we hit sprint, and run straight to the back wall. Only the Graspings should follow. (You could also use a longbow for luring the Graspings, that way you can save 5 energy from not having to use Sprint.)

Once lured, use Dolyak Signet, attack them with your sword (or axe) until Bonetti’s is charged, once charged use Bonetti’s, then Vengeful was Khanhei.

Repeat until they are dead. The main problem with Grasping's are their interrupts and energy drain, both of which can be tackled with Bonetti’s. Use it as a cover when casting VWK.

Once you have killed the 3 Groups of Graspings required for the quest, you can escape the chamber.

After escape you have to aim for smites, they are the creatures that you can kill that will drop ecto. On reaching the Smites, just spam all the skills except the running ones.

For a better sight go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pO4nVP_ZHvc

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)

A Vengeful Farmer is a Ritualist that employs the elite Vengeful Was Khanhei (VWK). When a foe attacks you through melee or ranged attacks, they lose health for each attack and you gain that lost health. Using Arcane Echo, you can extend the duration of VWK.

Equipment

 * Armor: Oracle's Armor (+10 AL while holding an item) is good. If energy is a problem then Halcyon's Armor.
 * Weapons: Spiritgarden's Repose or anysuch weapon is recommended (but not required). The 20% faster recharge can make VWK recharge even faster. A one-handed weapon and focus with HSR 20% each will even increase your chance of recharging VWK.
 * Any weapon you want to take is fine as the item spell will cancel out any bonus from it except the initial cast.

Usage
This build is optimal for farming groups of enemies that are mostly attackers (warriors or rangers) and that do not have heavy interruption, enchantment removal or spike damage. As such, it can farm a wide variety of areas ranging from the Jade Brotherhood in Kaineng Center to the Undergrowths in Echovald Forest and the Naga in the Jade Sea.

Before encountering foes
 * Before engaging foes, hit Arcane Echo.
 * Go into enemy foes and round them up around yourself. This means taking the melee attackers to the ranged attackers.
 * Invoke Vengeful Was Khanhei. If Arcane Echo starts blinking before you are done rounding up enemies, invoke VWK anyways.
 * Continuously use Vengeful Weapon as it recharges.
 * Invoke Sympathetic Visage and when it runs out invoke Ancestor's Visage (AV). If you fear interruption you might want to cast one of them before you go in. If you do this, make sure to cast them before Arcane Echo.
 * When the first VwK runs out, use the echoed version. By the time the echoed version runs out the original will have recharged.

Counters

 * Groups with interruption will interrupt SV or AV, this is why having both is a good insurance policy.
 * Groups with enchantment removal will remove SV and AV off of you.
 * Bosses are generally very formidable as they do increased damage that, over time, is more than what VWK steals back.

Variants
In the optional slots, a few skills can be used to boost your defense:
 * Elemental Resistance: When facing groups of Undergrowths, Stone Scale Kirin and Dragon Moss. The moss can spike hard using Arc Lightning and Shatterstone.
 * Physical Resistance: When facing warriors or rangers that hit hard (Jade Brotherhood Knights or Naga Archers), this can be used to boost resistance.

The AoE Nuker build is for those who are keen into helping out your party be doing large amounts of damage against many foes at once. The build is NOT intented for PvP, but it has worked for me on occasion. Because this build doesn't have elite skills, it may seem worthless, but trust me, it's very helpful against large groups of enimies. Using this build requires you to stay primarily at the back of your group, using your skills Meteor Shower, Rodgort's Invocation, and Searing Heat sparangly so you don't run out of energy.

Attributes and Skills

 * Replace Elemental Attunement for Glyph of Energy or Glyph of Renewal.
 * "Aura of Restoration" works like an Optional slot. NOTE: Replacing this skill with another will most likely require you to have a healer in your party.

Equipment

 * Droknars Forge Armour (or armour of the same stats with mods)
 * I use a GOLD Fire Staff of Shelter, but using a GOLD fire staff with some good mods will work just fine.

Usage
NOTE: Be sure to always use Aura of Restoration before you start attacking. Using Meteor Shower first would effect most of the enemy group, then using other skills would finish the job. :) Because the skills use up a lot of energy, healing will be no problem. Using this build requires a lot of attention to where all of your enemies are. Use either Phoenix or Fireball to start off on a foe, then once they group together, use either Searing Heat or Rodgort's Invocation to lower all of their health. Using either Inferno or Flame Djinn's Haste while melee enemies or other enemies are around you causes them to lose a lot of health. NOTE: Using these skills will make them run away (enemies in PvE ONLY), so then use Fireball or Phoenix to finish them off.

Counters

 * This build DOES NOT go well with Anti-Casters in PvP, but it does work against many other types of enemies.
 * Health degeneration

The Discord Spammer uses the Air Magic skill Gale to knockdown foes, then follows up with potent Death Magic spells to set up for Discord spamming.

Equipment

 * Tormentor's or a Scar Pattern is recommended for extra armor or extra energy.
 * 20/20 Insightful Death Staff of Fortitude.

Usage

 * Choose a target and start of by casting Gale then Fetid Ground and follow up with Rising Bile (if you expect the target to be tough to take down) and cover with Parasitic Bond. If the target has no self healing or is weakened already, Parasitic Bond alone should work. Once your target has the mandatory condition and hex, begin spamming Discord, reapplying the hex and condition when needed.
 * Enervating Charge is to be used to apply weakness, for either an additional condition or melee defense.
 * Consume Corpse is your Energy management and self heal, and should be used as required.
 * When facing large groups of enemies, Rising Bile works well when placed on an enemy who will survive the whole 20 seconds, as the AoE damage will have most effect then.
 * When using this build in Random Arenas, try to let other team members go in first, due to your lack of healing when matches start.

Counters

 * General anti spam spells like Backfire and Diversion.
 * At the start of battle, due to lack of corpses, you will have no self heal.
 * Good condition and hex removal, though Parasitic Bond and Enervating Charge are both relativly spammable.

Variants

 * Skill for the optional slot include Vile Miasma, Whirlwind, Verata's Aura, or Taste of Pain, though most Death Magic skills work. Resurrection Signet should be used for TA or RA.
 * Soul Feast or Taste of Pain can replace Consume Corpse, but leaves you with little energy management.
 * Switch to N/Me and replace, Fetid Ground, Gale, and Enervating Charge with, Enfeeble, Arcane Echo, and Taste of Pain. Move the air attribute points to curses. This lets you spam discord faster allowing for quicker kills. It also lets you set up Discord faster because Enfeeble and Parasitic Bond have such short recharges and energy costs.

Equipment

 * You'll need one high-health set of armor and weapons and one 55 set (see Invincible Monk for details on 55 equipment).

Usage
When you enter the Stygian Veil, there is a mob in the trench immediately to your right (S-SE) that may be (mostly) killed easily for fun and profit and to get the first few no-drops out of the way. If you get a great drop from these, use Consume Corpse and retrieve it. This will end this farming run. Watch out for the patrol - particularly the Mind Tormentors and Water Tormentors that often spawn will hurt.

Head East, dodging the nasty Shadow patrols. Talk to the Whispers Informant to receive Anguish Hunt. Then talk to the Adept of Whispers, take the Breaching the Stygian Veil quest, and immediately run NE along the wall above the Dreadspawn Maw. Wait for three mobs of six Stygian Hungers to gather around the Adept of Whispers.

Carefully run along the wall to the lower area around the Dreadspawn Maw - there's just enough room to get down there from either side without aggro'ing any of the groups..

Now the fun begins....

Part 1 - The Hunger Mobs
Stygian Hungers are touch/AoE necros with Grenth's Balance as their elite. Switch to your 55 health setup to counter Grenth's Balance. Repeat the following:


 * Use 'c' to select the nearest target - make sure it is in one of the side mobs - save the center mob for last.
 * Cast Suffering.
 * Run away around the Dreadspawn Maw using a running skill until aggro is broken. Occasionally, this will be difficult. Do not stop running until aggro is broken.
 * Make sure you have the nearest target of the same mob, and cast Desecrate Enchantments. The Hungers use Dark Aura, making this do a decent amount of damage to the mob.
 * Run away and break aggro.
 * Nearest target, cast Feast of Corruption.
 * Run away.
 * Go back to the first step, and repeat until their health is low.

You really want to finish them off with Feast of Corruption or Desecrate Enchantments. If you let them degen to death while you're not in the area, you may not get any drops. They should be in an easily killable range with either skill once their health bar is into the 'Lvl' text. If you are using your 55 armor, then all can be killed simultaneously.

When a mob dies, it will be replaced by another one from a spawn point behind the gates the first three mobs came from. You have a lot of time to run around the Dreadspawn Maw to lose aggro from the other two mobs, but do try to avoid aggro'ing the new one.

Part 2 - The Brute Mobs
Stygian Brutes are hammer warriors. While facing them, you can switch to your high-health armor if you wish, but you're still probably dead if they actually hit you. Use the same techniques as on the Stygian Hungers, except only cast Desecrate Enchantments when you have energy to burn, as it is considerably less cost-effective for damaging the Brutes.



Part 3 - The Fiend Mobs
Stygian Fiends are rangers with Crippling Shot, Choking Gas, and other fun skills to mutilate necromancers with. Once again, you really don't want to get hit by these. Unfortunately, if they even shoot at you and miss, Demonic Miasma will make it hurt. Use the high-health armor when dealing with these, as you're likely to at least be *missed* by a barrage or two of arrows.

Once again, hit and run. If possible, run up the nearby hill while running away to minimize any height-advantage and additional range the Fiends may get. See the highlighted path in the map:



Part 4 - The Golem Mobs
Stygian Golems are Dervish beasts which use Harrier's Haste to catch up with you. It's almost impossible to reliably lose them with just running skills. The trick here is to circle around the mob and plant Muddy Terrain *behind* the mob, to the NE of the Adept of Whispers (center point on the map to the right). Then head back down below and do the following:


 * Cast Suffering
 * Run away (use a running skill just before leaving Muddy Terrain's area of effect).
 * Wait for mob to resettle.
 * Cast Feast of Corruption.
 * Run away and wait for mob to resettle.
 * Cast Suffering
 * Run away until you lose aggro, then head back and drop another Muddy Terrain spirit at the spot on the map.
 * Rinse, repeat.

It works best if you trigger your running skill just prior to leaving the area under the effect of Muddy Terrain. This makes you go fast while the Golems are still stuck trudging along. If the spirit is correctly placed, they'll give up before getting out of its range.

Part 5 - The Horror Mobs
Stygian Horrors are warriors which, similar to the Stygian Golems, use Bull's Charge to speed them on their way to killing you. Use the same technique with Muddy Terrain to kill these as used for Stygian Golems.



Part 6 - The Mixed Mobs
The last mob of each of the three sets has all of the Stygian Demons in it. You'll need to use the high-health armor to deal with the Fiends and use the Muddy Terrain technique (See the map images for placement for Eastern and Western mobs). Unfortunately, that means you're unlikely to kill them all simultaneously. Once the Stygian Hungers are the only ones left, switch back to your 55 armor for the final kills

Part 7 - How do I get my drops?!?!
Once you've killed all the mobs, the area around the Adept will be safe. However, it's easy enough to pick up valuable drops long before that point, either directly after killing one set or not.

If you've just killed a set, then run away *without* using a running skill. Go around the Dreadspawn Maw with the remaining two mobs trailing behind you. Just as you cross the halfway-around point, hit your running skills and head for your most valuable drops. If done correctly, you can pick up one or two items, then run away without being hit and be able to continue the farm if desired.

This will most likely not work if a mob of Fiends, Golems, or Horrors is present - only make hoover runs with Brutes and Hungers around. Look at the table showing the order of the mobs in Breaching the Stygian Veil to figure out your best kill order to get drops.

If you haven't just killed a set, just aggro them with Suffering and run around the Maw as described above.

Variants
A N/A using Deadly Paradox Shadow of Haste Dark Escape and Dash and 12 Shadow Arts instead of the ranger skills and Wilderness Survival. The strategy is very much the same except for the running away part. For that you activate Deadly Paradox then Shadow of Haste, run in, cast your spell(s), then use Dash to cancel out Shadow of Haste. This will teleport you back to the place where you used Shadow of Haste and you can proceed to run using Dark Escape if needed. For a more indepth guide to this version see here.

Uses Gale + Awe for a non-elite, two-slot method of dazing casters. Around this the build has the flexibility of design to fit many different groups. Due to the energy cost and exhaustion of its main mechanic though, the build should rely on mostly adrenaline skills and shouts for energy management.

Equipment

 * Radiant Insignia
 * Rune of Clarity
 * Rune of Vigor


 * Furious Spear of Fortitude with "I have the power!" Inscription
 * Shield of Fortitude with "I can see clearly now!" Inscription

Usage

 * Aggressive Refrain. Keep it on with Anthem of Flame and/or "Go for the Eyes!"
 * Gale + Awe (make sure your close enough to use Awe, its half range)
 * Anthem of Flame + Stunning Strike. Don't have to use the Anthem if they already have a condition.
 * Wild Throw to knock out block stances.
 * Gale to stop kites, interrupt signets, prevent damage, ect.

The focus of an Inquisitor is to keep targets burning through the use of a Fiery Spear and Mark of Rodgort. The conditions distributed to foes are taken advantage of with "They're on Fire!" and Glowing Signet for both party protection and energy management.

Equipment

 * Armor: Any set of armor will do, though Radiant Insignias would give you a larger energy pool. A shield with +30hp and 20% chance for -5 damage is recommended. Such a shield is craftable by an unlockable NPC in the Command Post. If it's strictly AL you are worried about, you might consider a shield not linked to stats (like Hassin's Shell).
 * Weapon: Luluh's Spear or a Fiery Spear of Enchanting. A "Guided by Fate" Inscription will help your overall damage output.
 * Runes: Superior Spear Mastery (+3), Minor Leadership (+1), optional Rune(s) of Attunement (+2 en)

Usage
Before engaging your enemy, cast Conjure Flame so that your spear attacks will deal additional fire damage. Next, cast Mark of Rodgort on your target and start blasting them with projectiles. Use Glowing Signet for energy gain, and "They're on Fire!" to reduce personal or party damage intake. Cruel Spear is the only attack that uses adrenaline (and also has the highest damage output per use) so activate it whenever possible for a nice spike. It will inflict a Deep Wound on anything standing still, so it is best to focus it on stationary targets. If you are under the effects of "They're on Fire!" you can use Signet of Aggression to shorten the charge duration of CS. Swift Javelin can be used to apply Burning to a target that would otherwise avoid projectiles (assuming you are still enchanted with CF). Anthem of Flame will allow your party members to contribute to the effectiveness of TOF.

Skill Replacements

 * Leader's Comfort is an efficient self-heal.
 * Angelic Protection can be used to protect individuals against spike attacks.
 * A cheap AOE fire nuke such as Fireball can be used to strike multiple targets with fire damage.
 * An energy-based Shout or Chant from the Leadership skill tree for more party support.
 * "Go for the Eyes!" can help with energy management, though it will detract from Cruel Spear's adrenaline supply.

This build is designed for very fast-paced spear attacks combined with and increased armor level to cause major damage while protecting yourself from some attacks.

Attributes and Skills

 * Variants: Use Barbed Spear in place of Mighty Throw for extra degen.
 * In Alliance Battle, Resurrection Signet can be replaced with Leader's Comfort for healing power.
 * In PvE, Sunspear Rebirth Signet can replace Resurrection Signet.

Equipment

 * Full set of max armor with Centurion’s Insignia on all pieces
 * Rune of Vigor and Two Runes of Attunement
 * Max Spear with a +15% damage -5 energy or 15% while over 50% Inscription modded with a Zealous Spearhead and Fortitude or Defense Spear Grip.
 * Max Tactics req. Shield with Fortitude Handle and a "Luck of the Draw" or +10 armor vs. XX inscription.

Usage
First, cast Soldier’s Fury, followed by “For Great Justice” and “Shields Up” for an increased armor level and a 33% attack speed buff. Your adrenaline will build quickly, letting you spam Mighty Throw for a huge attack bonus. Use Blazing Spear whenever it is recharged, and use Wild Throw on targets using stances to remove them or as you wish to use it. Cast “Watch Yourself!” whenever it is ready for the armor and energy provided by your Leadership attribute. Recast your other shouts and Soldier’s Fury as they wear off and are recharged.

This build uses the pet as a constant spike for Zealot's Fire while protecting both itself and its owner. this is used for knocking out the npc groups on both alliance battles and competitive missions and can do substantial aggroing as well.

Equipment

 * Full ascetic's armor
 * Full energy staff with insightful staff head and a wrapping of defense

Usage

 * Begin by casting Life Bond and Essence Bond on your pet.
 * Find a target and cast Zealot's Fire, Call of Protection, and Predatory Bond.
 * Get pet to attack target, spamming reversal fortune. this will trigger zealot's fire while protecting your pet.
 * Use enraged lunge after maiming strike as often as possible

This build focuses on pressure through spreading heavy degeneration with the elite Ranger skill, Burning Arrow. In combination with Apply Poison, this build is able to spread conditions rapidly, putting pressure on enemy monks, while interrupting enemies in their skill usage. In combination with the Monk's Protection Prayers line, the user is also able to cope with enemy pressure through condition removal.

Equipment

 * Poisonous Recurve Bow
 * Poisonous Longbow
 * Rotwing Recurve Bow

Usage

 * Maintain Apply Poison as much as possible to spread conditions through your attacks.
 * Deal damage and apply heavy degeneration through Burning and Poison through the use of Burning Arrow.
 * Interrupt enemies with Distracting Shot and Savage Shot. Note each interrupt's side bonuses.
 * Use Troll Unguent to counter degeneration and for a self-heal.
 * Remove conditions with Mending Touch.
 * Natural Stride can be used when running flags or simply for a speed boost.
 * Resurrect fallen allies with Resurrection Signet.

This Ranger specializes in applying significant pressure to enemy targets through a combination of high Expertise, knockdown attacks, and attack and run speed increases. This ranger also brings additional melee damage utilizing his pet which also benefits from the attack and run speed increase of Rampage as One.

Equipment
Use a Zealous or Vampiric Hammer with a +30 fortitude modification. Keep a secondary weapon such as a Sundering or Furious weapon to wield when not actively swinging to keep up energy and health regeneration. Vampiric weapons work better with this build than they do with R/W Bunny Thumper because the long duration of Rampage as One makes it easier to regenerate enough energy to keep it active without the need for a Zealous weapon.


 * All armor items should be Radiant for additional energy.
 * Rune of Attunement
 * Rune of Clarity

Usage
Rampage as One will last 11 seconds with 10 Beast Mastery make sure that as it ends you have sufficient energy to activate it again. With proper energy management combined with 11 Expertise you should be able to keep Rampage as One up at all times. Keeping this skill active is the key to the power of this build.

Timing is critical for this build as it is for most knockdown and interrupt based builds.

Keep in mind that your pet also benefits from the attack speed increase of Rampage as One so he adds significantly to your damage. Be sure to keep it alive using Comfort Animal as needed.

Variants

 * Wild Blow is a good alternative to Distracting Blow. When operating in a team with another Rampaging Thumper consider having one of each variant.
 * Bestial Mauling is a good alternative to Irresistible Blow. Use it after knocking down a spell caster (to cause daze) or as a cover condition, or a good attack to throw on at the end of a chain
 * Bull's Strike can be taken instead of Distracting Blow to knock running or kiting targets.
 * Disrupting Lunge can be taken instead of Distracting Blow to interrupt and disable the target's skill for 20 seconds
 * Fertile Season can be taken instead of Distracting Blow to have more overall party health. It is especially useful on altar maps. If there are two Rampaging Thumpers on the team, then a Fertile Season chain can be set up to ensure maximum uptime.

This build is designed to cause havoc within enemy territory, through its use of the Warrior elite "You're All Alone!" to spread conditions, allowing for easier kills. That, in conjunction with Signet of Malice, provides the user with ample self-condition removal, creating a very powerful solo build.

Equipment

 * Full Berserker's Armor.
 * Vampiric, Zealous, Crippling, and Ebon Swords/Axes of Fortitude.
 * A +30HP, -5 (20% chance) received damage shield.
 * A +30HP, +10 armor vs piercing shield.
 * A +30HP, +10 armor vs slashing shield.
 * Free rune slots should be fitted with Vitae runes.

Usage

 * You are aiming to gank the opponent's base, hence be prepared to play alone for long periods of the game.
 * "You're All Alone!" is your snare and condition removal (with the conjunction of Signet of Malice).
 * Try to force kills of flaggers to get your team morale boosts.

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.

This Build uses Water Magic hexes to remove enchantments, and then spike using Vapor Blade and Shatterstone, while still being able to heal with Shadow Arts.

Equipment

 * 20/20 Water Staff with energy +5^50 inscription is recommended.

Usage

 * Start the build with Water Attunement to keep your energy up. Pick your target, then cast your hexes, use Signet of Twilight to remove any enchantments on them. Hit them with Shatterstone and Vapor Blade in quick succesion. Use Feigned Neutrality if you need healing, then pick your next target and repeat.

Counters

 * Hex removal will stop you from removing their enchantments.
 * Energy denial or interrupts.

Variants

 * If you are entering a battle where you are certain to have monks, feigned neutrality can be substituted for Glyph of Elemental Power, or another Damage skill to increase your spike capacity.
 * Deadly Paradox is a good addition to help with enchantment removal and healing.

This build is designed around Vow of Strength. This skill adds a multiplier to raw damage, but disables all attack skills while it is active. The Ranger line provides offense with an increased attack speed stance and raw damage boosting preparations and rituals; all to maximize the effect of VoS. The Dervish line, aside from VoS, provides defense and utility with enchants from Earth Prayers and Wind Prayers that give the build strong self healing and some ability to heal others, and an enchant that cripples moving foes on hit on every attack. Because all skills used have fairly long durations there is really very little energy used, and only little energy management is required. It has been used effectively in PvE and the RA and AB areas of PvP. It may work well in other arenas too, but no testing has been done there yet.

Attributes and Skills

 * Vital Boon and SoPL could be replaced with the single skill Mystic Regeneration.
 * If used for PvE, Harrier's Grasp and perhaps Favorable Winds could be replaced.

Equipment

 * Druid's Armor
 * Rune of Superior Vigor
 * Rune of Clarity
 * Rune of Attunement


 * Vampiric Flatbow of Enchanting with a "Guided by Fate" inscription (increases damage when enchanted).
 * Bring a Zealous bow, for those times you run into energy problems.
 * Bring a Recurve Bow and/or a Shortbow, in case you don't have Favorable Winds up and can't use Read the Wind.

Usage

 * When you enter battle place Favorable Winds Spirit somewhere it can effect where you will usually be, but not so close to battle as to be destroyed easily.
 * Vow of Strength, Heket's Rampage, and Read the Wind are providing the majority of your offense.
 * Because of the casting time of RtW, you will generally do your damage in sustained bursts over 20 seconds.
 * If you are going to focus on one target to kill, renew RtW before starting.
 * If you are using Harrier's Grasp to spread cripple around, you don't need VoS to be active.


 * Use Harrier's Grasp to cripple targets
 * This skill can be kept on most of the time. Continous use will drain the energy of this build however.
 * You can spread cripple around the opposing teams meleers easily with this skill, as they are almost always moving.
 * You can prevent a target from kiting your team.
 * If you focus on a target, they will stay crippled regardless of condition removal. If you spread cripple around, targets will stay crippled for ~8 seconds, but it could be removed easily.


 * Cast Vital Boon followed by Signet of Pious Light to heal yourself.
 * You can heal yourself and someone else at the sametime by using the Signet on a teammate.
 * If you are needed to assist in healing, keep casting your enchants followed by SoPL on your allies.

Counters

 * Killing the Favorable Winds Spirit will reduce your damage and accuracy a little.
 * Persistent enchantment removal will hamper your damage and healing.
 * Typical physical damage counters such as Blindness and Weakness affect this build.

Variants

 * The pet adds more damage than Favorable Winds will. However, the Flatbow is not as useful without it.
 * Harrier's Grasp could now be replaced with a pet attack like Disrupting Lunge.

Optionals
 * Seeking Arrows: Use this to get past Aegis, Guardian, and similar spells or stances.
 * Antidote Signet: Removes Blindness, Disease, and Poison.
 * Any nature ritual.

This is a party support build mainly utilizing Martyr to keep the party free of conditions. The additional benefits of the weapon spells and healing allows this to function in tandem with support monks without conflicting enchantments.

Equipment

 * Emissary's or Oracle's Armor is good, due to the almost constant use of weapon spells or item spells. Harbinger's Armor is a good alternative.
 * The weapon you use is relatively unimportant, because Resilient Was Xiko is used most of the time.

Usage

 * Use Resilient Was Xiko and Resilient Weapon, and use Martyr whenever necessary to pull conditions to you. It's usually better to use Martyr after Xiko in case one of the conditions pulled is Dazed, which would make casting the item spell a bit painful.
 * Precast Weapon of Warding on the Warriors or Assassins before they enter battle, and swap it out for Resilient Weapon if they meet Hexes.
 * Weapon of Shadow should be used to protect the backline if enemy warriors, assassins, or rangers attempt to pick them off.
 * Wielder's Boon and Soothing Memories make excellent support healing. Try to use Soothing Memories before Wielder's Boon, if possible, as it is much more efficient in terms of energy usage while you're holding the ashes.

Counters

 * This build is much less efficient against teams that do not use Conditions. Hexes are partially negated by Resilient Weapon and Resilient Was Xiko, but since they are not actually countered, they may still cause trouble for the team.
 * Energy denial prevents the ritualist from utilizing the weapon spells effectively, as they have prohibitive costs compared to the other spells involved.
 * Putting Fragility effectively shuts down the build, since the Ritualist will be taking damage from Martyr as all the conditions are pulled over, and taking damage when Resilient Was Xiko is dropped, and the conditions end.

Variants

 * Weapon of Shadow can replace Recuperation. However, one person can only have one weapon spell on them at a time, so you often do not use Weapon of Shadow because it would remove previously applied instances of Resilient Weapon or Weapon of Warding.
 * If working with a Minion Master, running Life instead of Recuperation may be more suitable as well, since it will provide a large spike heal to all the minions when it ends.
 * A Ritualist with a Paragon secondary can run Cautery Signet instead of Martyr. It has a slightly longer cast time, but is slightly more difficult to interrupt, being a signet, and prevents effects such as Dazed from interfering with the other spells.

Equipment

 * Armor
 * Stoneskin Gauntlets (or Stonefist Insignia) to extend your knockdowns.
 * Full Gladiator Armor (or Radiant Insignias) for energy management.
 * Dwarven Helm (Hammer Mastery +1).
 * Weapons
 * 15^50 Ebon Hammer of Fortitude.
 * 15^50 Vampiric Hammer of Fortitude.
 * Runes
 * Superior Hammer Mastery, Superior Vigor, Superior Absorption, Minor Tactics and Minor Strength.
 * You could also switch Hammer Mastery to Minor or Tactics to Superior or both, depending on your preferences for health and damage output.

Usage

 * When your team is ready, call your target (low armors preferred) and use "For Great Justice!" and Enraging Charge and run in.
 * The first hit will charge your Hammer Bash.
 * Start the combo: Hammer Bash to Steady Stance to Drunken Blow to Hammer Bash to Steady Stance to Desperation Blow to Hammer Bash and so on. Try to time Steady Stance correctly, as it is the bottleneck (in matter of recharge time) of the combo. Use it as often as possible (and watch out for overwrite with Enraging Charge).
 * When the foe dies change target and repeat.
 * Use "For Great Justice!" when it recharges to begin spiking again (although you are still able to inflict serious spikes without it).
 * Use Enraging Charge whenever you need some adrenaline (works better with "For Great Justice!" already active) or to reach kiting enemies.
 * If you need self healing find a safe place and use Healing Signet.
 * This build if played correctly will knock the opponent on the ground almost continuously for about 10 seconds or more, while inflicting Deep Wound, Bleeding, Crippled and Weakness and hitting repeatedly with hammer attacks.

The Obsidian Tank takes the high armor/health/durability of the warrior class, and adds to it the defensive capabilities of the Elementalist Earth Magic enchantments. It's purpose is to take/hold aggro and soak up damage. It is strictly a PvE build with little use outside of very high level areas like the Domain of Anguish and Sorrow's Furnace, where variations of this build have been a staple for ages. It pairs very well with a monk bonder build.

Attributes and Skills

 * Optional skill slot can be replaced by:
 * Resurrection Signet
 * Lightbringer's Gaze
 * Lion's Comfort (timing is important when using with dolyak signet)
 * Bonetti's Defense
 * "None Shall Pass!"
 * Sliver Armor
 * Magnetic Aura
 * Glyph of Concentration
 * Glyph of Lesser Energy

Equipment

 * Armor
 * Gladiator's or Radiant Armor, with a Rune of Superior Vigor and Rune of Superior Absorption.
 * The last two armor upgrade slots can be taken by Runes of Attunement or Vitae.
 * Weapons
 * A +5 energy axe/sword of Enchanting.
 * A Strength Shield with a "Sheltered by Faith" inscription and a Shield Handle of Devotion.
 * An Earth Focus with a "Sheltered by Faith" or "Faith is My Shield" inscription and a Focus Core of Devotion. Both availible from Kehjim in The Kodash Bazaar or Grif Ebonmane in Command Post.

Usage
Fairly straight forward. Use Signet of Stamina when first entering an area, and never attack anything (unless you need to pull with a bow). Run in and aggro the group of mobs when your team is ready, while under Endure Pain and with your shield equipped to help against the initial spike of damage.

Once in the middle of the group of enemies, use Dolyak Signet and switch to your Earth Focus to start putting up your enchantments. Start with Obsidian Flesh, followed by Armor of Earth, and then Stoneflesh Aura. Use Grasping Earth to slow the movement of the nearby enemies, and switch back to your shield.

Maintain your enchantments as needed, using Stoneflesh Aura, Obsidian Flesh, and Dolyak Signet whenever they become available. Armor of Earth only needs to be reapplied every 30 seconds. Grasping Earth can be used every 15 seconds or so, whenever a group shifts, or when your allies start a nuke cycle. Stay with your Shield equipped as much as possible for the armor, equipping the Earth Focus only when you need the energy to cast an enchantment. Lather, Rinse, Repeat.

Counters

 * Any interruption skills
 * Skills that cause longer cast times (Migraine)
 * Dazed
 * Heavy enchantment removal (Obsidian Flesh will guard against most)

Variants
Replace Grasping Earth with Ward Against Foes when facing enemies that have lots of hex removal.

This build is designed for farming dead swords (and other rare skinned weapons as well) in The Shattered Ravines while Destroy the Ungrateful Slaves quest is active. This is solo w/mo farming build.

Equipment

 * Armor - Glads armor for energy with all the runes of superior vigor (or major will suffice) and superior absorption. Knight's Armor can be used for the -3 damage reduction against physical attacks (recommended for beginners).
 * Weapons - An axe is required for this build. I use Victo's Battle Axe for added damage, but any max axe with 15^50 will do, just might take longer.  Have a max shield with +45/-2 while enchanted AND requires strength. Arrahhsh's Aegis may also work since it is a stance shield and fairly easy to farm.

Usage
First get to The Shattered Ravines from Bone Palace. Let the king die in order to repeat the quest. Cast Balthazar's Spirit on yourself and let the energy recharge to full before casting Live Vicariously. Once the king is dead, wait until the slave spirits settle, and then get close to aggro and cast Vigorous Spirit BEFORE aggro. Be sure to charge for the monks slave spirits first as they are the ones that can shoot you from a distance. Get within the mob so that your cyclone axe will be able to hit everything. Once positioned, hit Dolyak Signet to reduce melee damage. Start cycloning using both Cyclone Axe followed by Triple Chop. After the first cyclone axe, you should be able to use flail to increase attacking speed. Alternate Cyclone Axe and Triple Chop (by continuously spamming whichever becomes available first) and use executioner's strike whenever it becomes charged. With live vicariously and vigorous spirit up, you should be able to stay alive while causing massive AOE damage to all surrounding targets. Make sure flail stays up at all times to increase attack speed and to increase the rate you benefit from live vicariously and vigorous spirit. You will get interrupted by Savage Slash frequently when trying to cast vigorous spirit, but just keep trying and eventually they won't be able to interrupt. Use the same method for all 5 mobs. When finished, rezone and repeat.

Counters
The slave mobs consist of monks and warriors but their ratio is not fixed in proportion. The more monks, the more dificult it will be to kill and more Reversal of Damage's to worry about.

Variants

 * Replace Executioner's Strike with Bonetti's Defense if you are having difficulty keeping vigorous spirit up. That is, have Bonetti's Defense active before you cancel it with Vigorous Spirit to prevent interrupts.
 * Healing Hands makes it a lot easier to stay alive. It also has a very short activation time and is therefore difficult to interrupt.

Equipment

 * Armor with Windwalker's Insignias is perfect.
 * An Icy Scythe is necessary +15% while enchanted and an enchanting mod would be useful.
 * The Soulbreaker is perfect.

Usage

 * Cast and maintain Frigid Armor, Conjure Frost and Mirror of Ice
 * Note: It is usually a good idea to let them end before renewing them so you gain the Mysticism bonus.
 * Keep a close eye on Mirror of Ice since it is often difficult to notice when it ends.


 * Cast Mystic Vigor before a battle and refresh it as soon as it ends.
 * Use your attack skills when their bonuses will be useful.
 * For harder targets chain together Victorious Sweep, Eremite's Attack and Mystic Sweep in that order for a large spike attack.

Counters

 * Enchant removal is not a direct counter but will slow an Icy Fighter down for a few seconds while they re-apply their enchantments.
 * Skills that harm you based on your enchantments will hurt quite badly.(i.e. Defile Enchantments, Melandru's Arrows, ect.)
 * Blind, Weakness, Crippled, and other standard melee counters.

Variants

 * Unlike most builds, the elite skill here is the optional slot. Many other elites are better for certain situations and play styles.
 * Armor of Frost and Armor of Mist are usually less effective than Frigid Armor but could be used instead.
 * Frozen Burst can be a very effective damage/snaring skill if you don't need a resurrect or feel like taking out an attack skill.
 * Blurred Vision costs quite a bit of energy, but keeps you pretty well protected.
 * Most attack skills can replace Victorious Sweep, some useful attacks are, Rending Sweep, and Chilling Victory.
 * Many players prefer using Reaper's Sweep instead of Mirror of Ice and Victorious Sweep.
 * Crippling Sweep is also very useful(usually in PvP) for some extreme anti-kiting.
 * Consider bringing Mystic Regeneration(in place of a attack skill) for PvE play and moving some points from Mysticism to Earth Prayers(3 or 8 are cut off points for Mystic Regeneration).
 * Consider bringing Banishing Strike when fighting in an Alliance Battle. It will do 130 damage (with 11 in Scythe Mastery) to all nearby minions, pretty much killing all of them.

This build uses the skill Avatar of Lyssa to its full potential. With low cost, super-fast, quickly repeatable attack skills and an upped attack speed, Lyssa's Avatar will deliver an extremely large amount of damage in a very short amount of time. Watch Lyssa's Avatar clip

Attributes and Skills
OR

Equipment

 * For the armor, this build requires a good amount of energy, so any radiant armor would help. Also, if blind becomes a problem, consider attaching a blindness duration reduction rune.
 * A Zealous scythe of Enchanting +20% with a +15% dmg while enchanted inscription is ideal.
 * If you are set up properly, you will have at least 500 health (with a minor rune of vigor) and 35 energy (without the avatar). If you feel that you don't need the zealous scythe, you may trade it in for a sundering one.

Usage
Before going into battle, cast Avatar of Lyssa then Watchful Intervention and then Heart of Fury. Pick out a target (prime targets for this build are Necromancers, Mesmers, Elementalists, Ritualists, Rangers, and Assassins), and attack. Spam the four attack skills in order, chaining one after the other in succession. Wild Blow recharges once for every two times each other attack skill recharges, so you can chain those while waiting.

If you are in a battle long enough for the Avatar of Lyssa to wear off, you will still do quite a bit of damage, so conserve your energy and use the attack skills when necessary. Also, if you need health, recast Watchful Intervention whenever it's not on you.

This Invincible Monk uses Shielding Hands and Healing Hands for full damage mitigation or healing, and Sliver Armor to quickly kill off bosses.

Attributes and Skills

 * You can use Watchful Healing, Mending or Watchful Spirit if you expect degeneration. Aftershock, Crystal Wave or Teinai's Crystals for additional damage. Grasping Earth for bosses that run when they are low on health. Rust is also useful when dealing with Warrior bosses. This requires you to lower Earth Magic by one and put the points into Water Magic.

Equipment

 * A Weapon of Enchanting. The Cities of Ascalon -50HP Grim Cesta can be used but won't make any difference.
 * Armor doesn't really matter, but 5 Superior Runes are required.

Usage

 * When you zone in, cast Blessed Aura and Balthazar's Spirit. Switch to your Protection Prayers headgear if you have one.
 * Before engaging enemies for the first time, cast Protective Spirit followed by either Shielding Hands or Healing Hands (if you use Shielding Hands before Protective Spirit, you'll take damage and likely die because Shielding Hands will reduce damage before the Protective Spirit effect, making it useless)
 * Whenever either of these enchantments start flashing, cast Protective Spirit followed by the other one. You should be able to tank an infinite number of mobs this way.
 * Get close to the boss, and use Glyph of Concentration followed by Sliver Armor. If you brought a damage skill in the optional slot, use it to speed up killing.
 * If you brought Watchful Healing, use Glyph of Concentration followed by Watchful Healing when they recharge.
 * If Shielding Hands recharges before it expires, do not re-use it. For some reason doing so will simply nullify the damage reduction from the spell, most likely causing you to die.

Counters

 * Enchant removal will devastate this build, don't try to farm areas with enchant removal.
 * Life stealing bypasses Protective Spirit, and is usually fatal.
 * Interruptions are not a problem as your protective skills are all 1/4 second cast, and you have Glyph of Concentration for Sliver Armor. You might have trouble if Glyph is interrupted however.
 * Heavy degeneration such as Burning, or long lasting degeneration can be dangerous. Make sure you bring a health regeneration skill if you expect to face degen.

Variants

 * Essence Bond can be used if you face energy problems, however you should be fine with just Balthazar's Spirit.


 * Exactly the same build can replace both Healing Hands and Shielding Hands for Stoneflesh Aura. However, this is harder to use with the longer casting time of Stoneflesh Aura. It is highly recommended to use Glyph of Concentration before casting any spell with a 1 second casting time or longer.

Prophecies:
2 current mobs


 * Skyward Reach
 * Hydras - (you may wish to use Ward of Stability to avoid knockdowns.)
 * Prophet's Path
 * Minotaurs - (better farmed in Elona Reach (Mission) - either avoid the traps near the start or go with 105 hp, Mending or Watchful Healing.)

Factions:
13 current bosses


 * Bukdek Byway
 * Kenshi Steelhand - Medium (Huge mob, higher chance of interrupts)
 * Jin, the Purifier


 * Wajjun Bazaar
 * Lian, Dragon's Petal - (try to pull as many nearby enemies as you can)
 * Shen, the Magistrate


 * Xaquang Skyway
 * Ghial the Bone Dancer - (Mending is recommended due to his use of Faintheartedness)
 * Orosen, Tranquil Acolyte - Pull his and the other two mobs in range; otherwise he can outheal your damage even if you use Aftershock.


 * Mount Qinkai
 * Hukhrah Earthslove
 * Arrahhsh Mountainclub - (only if the quest Return of the Yeti is active)
 * Chehbaba Roottripper
 * Tomton Spiriteater
 * These four Yeti Bosses can be done in one run with Watchful Healing to counter Poison and Glyph of Elemental Power to speed up killing.


 * Pongmei Valley
 * Arrahhsh Mountainclub - (Glyph of Elemental Power is recommended)


 * Archipelagos
 * Ssyn Coiled Grasp - Medium/Hard (Dazing will cause you to get interrupted frequently. To avoid this, use Glyph of Concentration for all of your spells. 105hp is also needed.)


 * Morostav Trail
 * Strongroot Tanglebranch (Watchful Healing is advised.)

Nightfall:
9 current bosses


 * Marga Coast
 * Bubahl Icehands - (Watchful Healing is recommended due to the Kuskale Blighters' use of Rotting Flesh)


 * Yatendi Canyons
 * Hajok Earthguardian (Insect)


 * The Floodplain of Mahnkelon
 * Jerneh Nightbringer - Hard (Avoid the corsairs on the way, they can kill you. Also attempt to cast your already maintained enchantments to set off the Ridgeback Kuskales' Agonizing Chop and the Beast Sworn Hekets' Disrupting Lunge. Watchful Healing is recommended due to his use of Rotting Flesh.)


 * Resplendent Makuun
 * Jishol Darksong - (To counter Blazing Finale, go with 105hp and Watchful Healing.)


 * The Mirror of Lyss
 * Riktund the Vicious - (105 hp is recommended. Watchful Healing is recommended due to the Cobalt Shriekers' use of Blazing Finale. Also gather the Rock Beetle and Rain Beetle because they have a very high attack rate.)
 * Yammiron, Ether Lord - Hard/Very Hard (105 hp is a must. Use the same setup as for Riktund the Vicious.  Be careful as to not aggro the Behemoth Gravebanes and Scytheclaw Behemoths due the massive degen they can cause with Suffering, Toxic Chill, and Wounding Strike.  This isn't for the faint of heart but there will be energy denial due the Roaring Ethers.  But this shouldn't be too much of a problem if they keep attacking you. Note that Roaring Ethers use Resurrection Signet.)


 * The Hidden City of Ahdashim
 * Shakor Firespear
 * Leilon, Tranquil Water
 * Yammirvu, Ether Guardian - Very Hard
 * To kill these go with 105hp and bring Watchful Healing against Burning. Switch out Glyph of Concentration for Glyph of Elemental Power.


 * Domain of Secrets
 * Exuro Flatus - Don't even need Healing Hands. Take Shockwave if you have it, else any other non-elite suitable earth skill.

This Build utilizes the bonus damage from Scavenger's Focus and Conjure Flame/Mark of Rodgort to give a good ranged spike while applying nice degen.

Attributes and Skills

 * When ABing Resurrection Signet can be swapped out for Natural Stride.

Equipment

 * Druid's Armor for E-Management
 * A Fiery Bow of Fortitude with an energy +5 Inscription.

Usage

 * Begin by activating Scavenger's Focus, Favorable Winds, and Conjure Flame to begin the battle.
 * Activate Mark of Rodgort on your target and use Screaming Shot and Dual Shot to dish out the damage.
 * When target is below 50% health, hammer away with Needling Shot.
 * Cast Resurrection Signet when needed to.

This build is designed to produce constant interruption by combining Marksman's Wager with Spinal Shivers. It also utilizes the synergy between Tiger's Fury, Focused Shot, and Mark of Pain to produce relatively high DPS.

Equipment

 * Druid's Armor
 * An Icy Recurve Bow
 * A Secondary, Non-Icy Bow for Mark of Pain

Usage

 * Cast Favorable Winds
 * Cast Marksman's Wager
 * Choose a target
 * Cast Spinal Shivers followed by Mark of Pain and Reapply these as necessary
 * Mark of Pain can also be cast on a different target to aid your party
 * Cast Tiger's Fury and reapply as necessary
 * Spam Focused Shot on the target
 * Note that if your attacks are being Blocked, Evaded, etc., your energy will be rapidly drained by Marksman's Wager
 * Use Throw Dirt as necessary

Counters

 * Blind
 * General Anti-Melee
 * Rapid Hex Removal

Variations

 * Consider Replacing Mark of Pain with Barbs for more concentrated damage as well as a more effective cover hex due to the low recharge.
 * Consider Antidote Signet if blind is a problem
 * Consider Rigor Mortis if blocking or evading is a common issue
 * Consider Parasitic Bond for an even more effective cover hex

As the name suggests, this build is mainly intended as an alternative Restoration Magic build with a focus on Weapon Spells.

Attributes and Skills

 * The Optional Slot is intended to be the utility slot and should be used as such. A Hex Removal skill is probably the best way to utilize this slot.

Equipment

 * Emissary's Armor, Oracle's Armor, and Halcyon's Armor all make good choices.
 * Any Staff or Wand/Offhand combination will work as long as they are linked to Restoration Magic.

Usage

 * Cast Generous Was Tsungrai and Renewing Memories
 * Generous Was Tsungrai will not only provide healing, it will also make Soothing Memories less expensive.
 * Alternate Weapon of Remedy and Vengeful Weapon for quick, spammable heals that also provide damage. Weapon of Remedy also provides condition removal.
 * Use Weapon of Warding on allies who are under heavy pressure.
 * Use Soothing Memories as a low cost heal

Variants

 * Consider Mend Body and Soul as a faster heal with a lower recharge.
 * Consider Wielder's Remedy.
 * Consider using a skill from your secondary profession like Holy Veil, Hex Breaker, Return, or Wary Stance.
 * Consider replacing Renewing Memories with Channeling.
 * Consider Guided Weapon

Attributes and Skills

 * Bloodsong can replace Destruction for a more durable spirit that lasts much longer.(note recharge Differences)
 * Spirit Siphon can be used in place of the Res
 * Resilient Weapon can replace Channeled Strike for a Condition counter.

Equipment

 * Armor
 * Any armor you see fit.


 * Weapons
 * standard HCT and HSR Staff.

Usage

 * Make sure your Spirit is within earshot,otherwise, this build is rendered useless.
 * Spirit Transfer allows a nice spike healing to yourself, also deducting life from Destruction. You can use this skill or Gaze from Beyond to trigger Destruction when the spirit is dying.
 * Cast Destructive was Glaive.
 * Execute basic attack skills. 10% armor penetration hurts people a lot, especially the skill Gaze from Beyond and Channeled Strike
 * Always have a spirit near you. Remember: Ranger spirits are spirits too!(It's better to be paranoid than dead)
 * When Glaive is running out, recast it.

Counters

 * Daze,a A/W Berserking Shadow should not be able to easily kill you if you have a Spirit nearby.
 * anyone who targets your spirits

Variants

 * You can go /Mo for Mending Touch or just use Mend Body and Soul


 * Resurrection Signet can be swapped for.....
 * Death Pact Signet
 * Life to give yourself a nice heal.
 * Renewing Surge for damage
 * Spirit Boon Strike for spirit healing + damage


 * Soothing Memories can replace Draw Spirit.

Some options are...
 * Notetably, you can replace skills for more AoE damage..
 * Spirit Rift
 * Ancestors' Rage( needs to be in melee range, or someone who is near the enemy)
 * Bloodsong

The Nightmare Marksman is a true nightmare due to its high life steal spike.

Attributes and skills

 * slot 1:
 * , used against spirit spammers.
 * used between Dual Shot and Distracting Shot.
 * useful for additional energy management (with QZ).
 * slot 2:
 * gives a little pressure and its a spirit so you don't need to sac hp on Offering of Spirit.
 * , the less arrow flight time the better... and it’s a spirit just like Bloodsong
 * makes it harder to dodge arrows... Spirit...
 * , for blocking purpose.
 * if you don’t want to wait 10 seconds between the spikes... Spirit...
 * same as above.
 * , used against blind.
 * , if you don't think 171 every 10 second or so is enough...
 * slot 3:
 * every RA build should have this equipped (exception for monks)
 * Or any of the previous mentioned skills if you think the build lacks defense/offense
 * Or any of the previous mentioned skills if you think the build lacks defense/offense

Equipment

 * Armor: Any armor works, energy management shouldn't be an issue but never hurts.
 * Weapons: Vampiric Recurve bow of Defense with "I have the Power!" and an Insightful Communing Staff of Defense

Usage

 * Use Kindle Arrows followed by Nightmare Weapon and then Dual Shot + Distracting Shot followed by Lamentation if equipped
 * Put up a Bloodsong or Favorable Winds near your location if you have it equipped to remove sacrificing life for Offering of Spirit
 * Use Offering of Spirit as much as possible (if near a spirit)

Counters

 * Interrupt
 * Diversion
 * Blocking
 * Blind if Sight Beyond Sight isn't equipped
 * Hexes that causes you to Miss on attack

Attributes and skills
As you can see this variant uses a pet to add pressure between the spikes.
 * slot 1:
 * slot 2:
 * Any of the previous mentioned skills if you think the build lacks defense/offense
 * slot 2:
 * Any of the previous mentioned skills if you think the build lacks defense/offense
 * slot 2:
 * Any of the previous mentioned skills if you think the build lacks defense/offense
 * slot 2:
 * Any of the previous mentioned skills if you think the build lacks defense/offense
 * slot 2:
 * Any of the previous mentioned skills if you think the build lacks defense/offense
 * Any of the previous mentioned skills if you think the build lacks defense/offense

This is a melee Ritualist build similar in concept to the Illusionary Weaponry Mesmers. It is not completely armor-ignoring but does more damage, using Spirit's Strength instead.

Equipment

 * Emissary's Armor for additional armor.
 * A Zealous sword or axe of Enchanting with +15% Damage While Enchanted modifiers.
 * The weapon modifiers aren't strictly needed.
 * A Spawning offhand of Fortitude with "Faith is my Shield" inscription.
 * You may take a shield instead if you want more armor.
 * The best Vigor Rune available to help offset the Superior Rune and increase overall survival.
 * 2x Rune of Vitae.

Usage

 * Before engaging in combat, activate Spirit's Strength and follow up with Vital Weapon.
 * Proceed to attack your chosen target with the help of Flurry.
 * If you are ever blinded, activate Sight Beyond Sight to quickly cancel the blind effect and prevent future applications for 20 seconds. Alternately, if you suspect blinding or enchantment removal from your target, apply the skill before engaging your target.
 * Use Wielder's Boon for healing.

Sword:
 * Use Distracting Blow to interrupt important skills.
 * Use Final Thrust to finish off enemies.

Axe:
 * Use Dismember to inflict a deep wound.
 * Use Executioner's Strike for additional damage.

Counters

 * As this build is a pressure build, Weakness will lower the overall damage, lessening the impact of the pressure.


 * Relying on an enchantments for the additional damage, the build is susceptible to enchantment removal. If such techniques are suspected it is advisable to use sight beyond sight as a cover enchantment.

Variants

 * In Alliance Battle and Competitive Mission battles, the Resurrection Signet can be removed and replaced with Weapon of Warding, Sprint, or another attack skill.
 * In PvE, the Resurrection Signet can be replaced with Flesh of My Flesh for a reusable res skill.

Axe:
 * Replace Flurry for Furious Axe or any other attack skill.
 * Replace Dismember or Flurry for Cyclone Axe for areas where there are a lot of enemies.
 * Replace one of the attacks with Distracting Blow or Disrupting Chop if you think you'll need to interrupt enemies.

Sword:
 * Replace Distracting Blow and Final Thrust with Sever Artery and Gash.
 * Replace Distracting Blow with Hamstring if you want to stop kiting enemies.
 * Replace Distracting Blow with Savage Slash.

Either:
 * Replace one of the attacks with Wild Blow to remove stances that prevent you from hitting.

The Spirit of the Assassin build is a heavy pressure build meant to combine the power of Spirit's Strength with the speed and spammability of dagger attacks. This build is primarily designed for the Random Arenas, but can be adapted for other areas of PvP.

Equipment

 * Halcyon's Armor or armor with Radiant Insignia to have additional energy for the combos. Alternately Blessed Insignia could be used for additional armor while enchanted, or Ghost Forge Insignia could be used for additional armor with a weapon spell. Ghost Forge Insignia has the advantage of relying on weapon spells which can not be removed.
 * Zealous daggers of Enchanting are preferred to help offset some of the costs of the skills.
 * The best Vigor Rune available to help offset the Superior Rune and increase overall survival.

Usage

 * Before engaging in combat, activate Spirit's Strength and follow up with Vital Weapon.
 * Proceed to attack your chosen target with your attack chain. As long as you are enchanted these attacks should rarely miss (they cannot be blocked or evaded).
 * In between chains continue pressure with normal attacks. The damage will still be notable, these attacks are susceptible to evasion and blocking skills though.
 * If you are ever blinded, activate sight beyond sight to quickly cancel the blind effect and prevent future applications for 20 seconds. Alternately, if you suspect blinding from your target apply the skill before engaging your target.
 * When a target dies, or when you need to heal activate Feigned Neutrality and proceed to move away from combat. At 7 seconds it should be enough for a notable heal and the +80 armor should minimalize any incoming damage. Be careful not to use any other skills or attack while this skill is up.

Counters

 * As this build is a pressure build, Weakness will lower the overall damage, lessening the impact of the pressure. Though the effect of this would be minimal as it would only affect base weapon damage and lower attributes by 1.


 * Relying on an enchantment for the additional damage, the build is susceptible to enchantment removal. If such techniques are suspected it is advisable to use sight beyond sight as a cover enchantment. Alternately you could lay Feigned Neutrality on before coming within casting range so that will get stripped instead.


 * This build lacks speed boosts and snares making it extremely susceptible to kiting. The Major Variant listed can overcome this somewhat by adding a snare or speed boost to the optional slot.

Major Variants

 * This variation attempts to capture the strengths of the main build while removing several weaknesses. The overall +Damage from Spirits strength drops a bit in favor of a more variable combo. Additionally the optional slot can be used on the ever popular Falling Spider, OR a speed boost. This will allow for either a spike or an increase in pressure.
 * However by doing so you lose your unblockable attacks.

Minor Variants

 * Other weapon skills can also be effective, more notable ones are Resilient Weapon, and Weapon of Warding, although the higher cost, and lower duration means they are more susceptible to running out of energy.


 * In Alliance Battle and Competitive Mission battles, the Resurrection Signet can be removed and replaced with another skill. Dark Escape is suggested as it can be used before feigned neutrality to greatly increase the survivability of the build.


 * Replace Feigned Neutrality with Shadow Refuge if you prefer a more consistent heal as opposed to a panic button type skill.


 * You can also put the 7 points from shadow arts into deadly arts. Then you can use Impale as extra "unblockable" damage (and deep wound) or Siphon Speed to counter kiting. Both of these skills significantly improve your offensive power. However this makes you reliant on others to keep you alive.

This build makes use of Protection Prayers and Swordsmanship to overcome Hydras outside Augury Rock. This build is based on the skill Shield of Regeneration because of its relatively good healing, protection effect, fast activation time and quick recharge.

Attributes and Skills
You can replace Gash for Endure Pain if you see you would need more health.

This is a Prophecies build that requires 185 Attribute Points, which means that people who have just finished the dragon lair mission can get a nice income, without having to do the Prophecies Attribute quests.

Equipment
Sentinel%27s armor is ideal but Dreadnought armor can be used as well. A Strength Shield with "Sleep Now in the Fire" inscription and Shield handle of Devotion
 * Armor

Zealous Sword +15% while Health is above 50% or while enchanted. of Warding
 * Weapons

Another weapon set with a non-zealous weapon of any kind-> to regenerate energy between runs.

Usage
When you enter Skyward Reach, cast Essence Bond and allow time for energy to recharge. When you have recharged around 26 energy, cast Balthazar's Spirit, you will now have around 16 energy. Run up to the first pack of Hydras, (It is recommended you engage a pack of 2 when you solo for the first time, then move on to larger packs.) Killing a single Hydra is the hardest, due to the lack in energy and adrenaline. However, anything above 4 hydras with this build can result in death.

Another way of using this build, is to enter Skyward Reach, and the same way, cast Essence Bond, allow energy to recharge, then cast Balthazar's Spirit first. When dealing with only 1 or 2 Hydra, use Dolyak Signet, to prevent knockdown, then cast Shield of Regeneration to keep your health up. When it comes to attacking, use Sever Artery and Gash in that same order repeatedly. Finish off the hydra with Final Thrust. When dealing with more than 2, use Dolyak Signet, Shield of Regeneration, then use Endure Pain. Keep Shield of Regeneration up and constantly cast Dolyak Signet and Endure Pain on to survive.

Counters
Note: the above doesn't apply to hydras.
 * Enchantment removal
 * Interrupts

Storm Kins' hexes will rapidly reduce your health, making this build useless.

Variants
Replace Gash or Sprint with Endure Pain for a health boost, or with "You Will Die!" for faster adrenaline gain.


 * Ultimate Variant

Attributes and Skills
This build utilizes nearly all 200 attribute points and has a giant damage output, adrenaline gain and health regeneration. This build also uses skills from more than one campaign.

Equipment
Sentinel's armor is ideal but Dreadnought's Armor can be used as well. Strength shield with "Sleep Now in the Fire" inscription and Shield handle of Devotion
 * Armor

Zealous Sword +15% while Health is above 50% or while enchanted. of Warding
 * Weapons

Another weapon set with a non-zealous weapon of any kind-> to regenerate energy between runs.


 * Axe Variant:

Attributes and Skills
If you don't use a Zealous Axe then Shielding Hands must be replaced with Essence Bond.

A good non-nightfall way to make this build is to replace Flail with Bonetti's Defense. It seems to get you more energy if the need strikes.

Equipment
Sentinel%27s armor is ideal but Dreadnought armor can be used as well. Strength shield with "Sleep Now in the Fire" inscription and Shield handle of Devotion
 * Armor

Zealous Axe +15% while Health is above 50% or while enchanted. of Warding
 * Weapons

Another weapon set with a non-zealous weapon of any kind-> to regenerate energy between runs.

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.