User:Mg/Nightmare Spiker

The Nightmare Spike team consists of Ritualist/Rangers that use Nightmare Weapon with Bow Attacks to create a Life Stealing Spike, similar to that of previous Blood Magic spike teams.

Usage

 * All Ritualists cast Nightmare Weapon and Kindle arrows before each spike.
 * The caller will then do your standard " 3, 2 , 1 Spike! " via Team Speak or Ventrilo.
 * All Spikers then fire Dual Shot, quickly followed by Distracting Shot for a devastating and virtually irresistible spike.
 * Ritualists should use Natural Stride to kite away from Melee opponents, beware that monks enchantments will end it prematurely.
 * Spirits should be used according to the map, ( Favorable Winds and Bloodsong aside.)
 * For use on the Monk builds go the "See Also" section of this article.

Counters

 * Life Stealing is unblockable damage, but the ritualist are casters and are very fragile.
 * "Shields Up!", Aegis and other standard weapon based counters.

Variants

 * Monks can change to Elementalist secondaries for access to Glyph of Lesser Energy and Aegis.
 * Ritualists can opt for Seeking Arrows to help narrow the margin of failed spikes.
 * The spikers can drop Kindle Arrows for another channeling spike esque spell.
 * Monks can drop channeling, or the entire Mesmer profession, for different utility skills such as Dark Escape, Glyph of Lesser Energy, etc.
 * Lively Was Naomei can be run to pierce through Frozen Soil when needed, additionally Rupture Soul can be brought to get rid of your Spirits (frozen soil in particular) should they become a hinderance.