Difference between pages "Catalyst - Staff Backline" and "Build:Harbinger - Condi DPS"

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{{SEO|description=A backline zerg WvW DPS build for Elementalist providing damage, CC and field support. Requires a precise usage of skills and positioning to survive.}}
+
{{SEO|description=A Harbinger condition DPS build for raids/fractals.}}
 
{{Build
 
{{Build
−
| profession = elementalist
+
| profession = Necromancer
−
| specialization = catalyst
+
| specialization = Harbinger
−
| designed for = wvw zerg
+
| designed for = Raid, Fractal
−
| focus = strike damage, utility, crowd control
+
| rating = Great
−
| rating = good
+
| focus = Condition Damage
−
| xpac = hot, eod
+
| meta = yes
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==Overview==
 
==Overview==
−
A backline zerg WvW DPS build for Elementalist providing damage, CC and field support. Requires a precise usage of skills and positioning to survive.
+
A condition DPS build for Harbinger.
  
  
 
==Skill Bar==
 
==Skill Bar==
 
{{Skill bar
 
{{Skill bar
−
|profession = elementalist
+
| profession = Necromancer
−
|specialization = catalyst
+
| specialization = Harbinger
−
|weapon1 = Staff
+
| weapon1 = Pistol
−
|weapon2 =  
+
| weapon2 = Dagger
−
|weapon3 = Staff
+
| weapon3 = Scepter
−
|weapon4 =  
+
| weapon4 = Dagger
−
|healing = Soothing Water
+
| healing = Elixir of Promise
−
|utility1 = Lightning Flash
+
| utility1 = Elixir of Anguish
−
|utility2 = Relentless Fire
+
| utility2 = Blood Is Power
−
|utility3 = Glyph of Storms
+
| utility3 = Summon Shadow Fiend
−
|elite = Conjure Fiery Greatsword
+
| elite = Plaguelands
 +
| pet1 =
 +
| pet2 =
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
;Variants
+
* {{Skill|Elixir of Anguish}} can be replaced with any of the 25s-cooldown elixirs, depending on which boons you think you might lack.
−
* {{Skill|Elemental Celerity}}
+
* {{Skill|Summon Shadow Fiend}} can be replaced by {{Skill|Signet of Undeath}} if the minion might die, or there are long periods where there's nothing to hit for life force.
 +
* If you have an excess of life force, you can swap {{Skill|Summon Shadow Fiend}} out for another elixir. This would enable you to use {{Skill|Devouring Cut}} and/or {{Skill|Voracious Arc}} in {{Skill|Harbinger Shroud}} and then quickly regain the lost blight.
 +
 
  
  
 
==Template Code==
 
==Template Code==
 
{{TemplateCode|
 
{{TemplateCode|
−
code = [&DQYfHikbQyd1AAAAkAAAAL4BAAD4GgAAlwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA=]
+
code = [&DQgnNjI1QD/nGuca7BrsGoAAgABwAXABkgCSAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA=]
 
}}
 
}}
  
  
 
==Specializations==
 
==Specializations==
−
{{Specialization|Fire|mid|bot|top}}
+
{{Specialization|Curses|mid|top|bot|}}
−
{{Specialization|Air|bot|mid|top}}
+
{{Specialization|Soul Reaping|top|top|bot|}}
−
{{Specialization|Catalyst|bot|top|mid}}
+
{{Specialization|Harbinger|bot|bot|bot|}}
−
;Variants
 
−
* {{Trait|Vicious Empowerment}} if {{Tooltip|Fury}} isn't needed
 
−
* {{Trait|Staunch Auras}} only if you can't reach 10 stacks of {{Trait|Elemental Empowerment}}
 
  
  
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{{PvE equipment
 
{{PvE equipment
 
| weight = Light
 
| weight = Light
−
| stats = Marauder
+
| stats = Viper
−
| rune = Superior Rune of the Scholar
+
| rune = Superior Rune of the Nightmare
 
| rune-qt = 6
 
| rune-qt = 6
−
| weapon1 = Staff
+
| weapon1 = Pistol
−
| weapon2 =  
+
| weapon2 = Dagger
−
| sigil1 = Superior Sigil of Force
+
| sigil1 = Superior Sigil of Torment
−
| sigil2 = Superior Sigil of Energy
+
| sigil2 = Superior Sigil of Bursting
−
| weapon3 = Staff
+
| weapon1-stats =
 +
| weapon2-stats =
 +
| weapon3 = Scepter
 
| weapon4 =  
 
| weapon4 =  
−
| sigil3 = Superior Sigil of Bloodlust
+
| sigil3 = Superior Sigil of Geomancy
−
| sigil4 = Superior Sigil of Energy
+
| weapon3-stats =
−
| infusion1 = Mighty WvW Infusion
+
| weapon4-stats =  
 +
| infusion1 = Spiteful +9 Agony Infusion
 
| infusion1-qt = 18
 
| infusion1-qt = 18
−
| backpiece = Dragon
+
| head =
 +
| shoulders =
 +
| chest =
 +
| hands =
 +
| legs =
 +
| feet =
 +
| backpiece =  
 +
| accessory1 =
 +
| accessory2 =
 +
| amulet =
 +
| ring1 =
 +
| ring2 =
 
}}
 
}}
  
 +
* This assumes no power core from the jade bot. As you get higher tiers of power core, you can swap '''Spiteful''' infusions for '''Malign''' ones.
  
−
===Consumables===
 
−
* {{Food|Peppercorn-Crusted Sous-Vide Steak}}
 
−
** {{Food|Bowl of Sweet and Spicy Butternut Squash Soup}} personal option
 
−
* {{Utility|Superior Sharpening Stone}}
 
  
−
 
+
===Tormenting Rune Variant===
−
==Usage== 
+
{{Rune|Superior Rune of Tormenting}} is very close DPS-wise to {{Rune|Superior Rune of the Nightmare}} and offers a great amount of sustain through the 6th bonus. On the downside, it will lose damage on bosses with high movement uptime.
−
===General===
+
{{PvE equipment
−
* As soon as you get 25 stacks of {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Bloodlust}} and get out of combat, swap back to the Staff without a stacking sigil
+
| weight = Light
−
* You are much stronger with full stacks of {{Trait|Elemental Empowerment}} and {{Trait|Empowering Auras}}, if possible get tempest in your party
+
| stats = Viper
−
* Staff Catalyst uses an attunement rotation for maximum burst damage
+
| rune = Superior Rune of Tormenting
−
** You are not locked into this rotation, while it is optimal for DPS, change the order based on your needs:
+
| rune-qt = 6
−
*** {{Skill|Water Attunement}} - healing and cleanse
+
| weapon1 = Pistol
−
*** {{Skill|Air Attunement}} - CC, {{Tooltip|Immobilize}} clear, single target damage
+
| weapon2 = Dagger
−
*** {{Skill|Earth Attunement}} - CC, projectile reflect
+
| sigil1 = Superior Sigil of Bursting
−
 
+
| sigil2 = Superior Sigil of Torment
−
{{Collapsible
+
| weapon1-stats =
−
|width=85
+
| weapon2-stats =
−
|;Attunement rotation
+
| weapon3 = Scepter
−
|
+
| weapon4 =
−
# {{Skill|Fire Attunement}}
+
| sigil3 = Superior Sigil of Bursting
−
# {{Skill|Earth Attunement}}
+
| weapon3-stats =
−
# {{Skill|Water Attunement}}
+
| weapon4-stats =
−
# {{Skill|Air Attunement}}
+
| infusion1 = Malign +9 Agony Infusion
−
# Repeat from step 1
+
| infusion1-qt = 18
 +
| head =
 +
| shoulders =
 +
| chest =
 +
| hands =
 +
| legs =  
 +
| feet =
 +
| backpiece =
 +
| accessory1 =
 +
| accessory2 =
 +
| amulet =
 +
| ring1 =
 +
| ring2 =
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
 
+
* Use {{food|Plate of Beef Rendang}} or ascended versions when on {{rune|Superior Rune of Tormenting}}.
−
===Priorities===
 
−
;High
 
−
* {{Skill|Meteor Shower}}
 
−
* {{Skill|Conjure Fiery Greatsword}}
 
−
 
 
−
;Moderate
 
−
* Sustained damage
 
−
* CC
 
−
 
 
−
;Low
 
−
* Support
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
====Surviving====
 
−
* This build has low passive defense
 
−
* This build has moderate mobility skill access
 
−
** An '''About Face''' keybind can be useful for {{Skill|Burning Retreat}}
 
−
** Avoid using {{Skill|Lightning Flash}} for mobility unless nessecary to survive
 
−
* This builds has moderate active defenses
 
−
** Save {{Skill|Soothing Water}} for removing {{Tooltip|Immobilize}}, {{Tooltip|Chill}} or {{Tooltip|Weakness}}
 
−
 
 
−
{{Collapsible
 
−
|width=85
 
−
|;Active defense priority
 
−
|
 
−
* {{Skill|Windborne Speed}} - for {{Tooltip|Immobilize}}
 
−
* {{Skill|Magnetic Aura}} - for projectiles
 
−
* '''Dodge'''
 
−
* {{Skill|Burning Retreat}}
 
−
* {{Skill|Lightning Flash}}
 
−
* {{Skill|Soothing Water}}
 
−
}}
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
===Detailed Explanations===
 
−
====Meteor Shower====
 
−
* Place {{Skill|Meteor Shower}} where the enemy group is moving to, not where they are when you begin the cast
 
−
* Activate {{Skill|Relentless Fire}} after casting {{Skill|Meteor Shower}}
 
−
* There are two ways to move during the cast of {{Skill|Meteor Shower}}:
 
−
** Cast {{Skill|Meteor Shower}} immediately after casting {{Skill|Burning Retreat}} and the {{Skill|Meteor Shower}} will be queued to cast at the target location after the rollback ends
 
−
** Use {{Skill|Lightning Flash}} after you start casting it
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
====Fiery Greatsword====
 
−
* Treat {{Skill|Firestorm}} as a secondary {{Skill|Meteor Shower}}
 
−
** Try to get three casts of {{Skill|Firestorm}} per use of {{Skill|Conjure Fiery Greatsword}}
 
−
* Activate {{Skill|Relentless Fire}} after casting {{Skill|Conjure Fiery Greatsword}}
 
−
* {{Skill|Fiery Whirl}} is low cooldown and has high damage, use it aggressively but don't move yourself into a bad position
 
−
** Aim through the enemy stack if your group crosses through them and aim across the enemy stack otherwise
 
−
* Use {{Skill|Fiery Rush}} for mobility, on single targets or to set up {{Skill|Fiery Whirl}}
 
−
* Coordinate with a DPS player in your group to pick up the conjure dropped on the ground
 
−
** Make sure to place it in a safe place for them to grab
 
−
** If you don't have anyone reliable to coordinate with, you can pick it up yourself for 30s after casting the skill
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
====Sustained damage====
 
−
* When using ground AoEs like {{Skill|Lava Font}}, place them so that one edge is on the enemy group and the other edge is in the direction they are moving to
 
−
* Your '''2''' skills ({{Skill|Eruption}}/{{Skill|Ice Spike}})/{{Skill|Lightning Surge}}) have very long delays or cast times
 
−
** Predict the enemies movement, as with {{Skill|Meteor Shower}}
 
−
** If you rotate quickly enough from {{Skill|Earth Attunement}} {{to}} {{Skill|Water Attunement}} {{to}} {{Skill|Air Attunement}} you can have all three skills land at the same place and time for burst damage. Sync them up as much as possible
 
−
* Use {{Skill|Glyph of Storms}} in {{Skill|Fire Attunement}} if you expect the fight to last at least 25 seconds
 
−
** Otherwise {{Skill|Air Attunement}} has more damage but with a much longer cooldown
 
−
 
 
−
{{Collapsible
 
−
|width=85
 
−
|;Skill priority
 
−
|
 
−
* {{Skill|Meteor Shower}}
 
−
* {{Skill|Conjure Fiery Greatsword}}
 
−
* {{Skill|Lava Font}}
 
−
* {{Skill|Glyph of Storms}}
 
−
* {{Skill|Lightning Surge}}/{{Skill|Eruption}}/{{Skill|Ice Spike}}
 
−
* '''Autoattacks'''
 
−
}}
 
  
  
−
====CC====
+
==Consumables==
−
* Your three ground CCs are {{Skill|Static Field}}, {{Skill|Unsteady Ground}} and {{Skill|Frozen Ground}}, in order of strength
+
'''Food:'''
−
* Drop your target when casting {{Skill|Shock Wave}} to make it easier to aim, don't cast it into projectile reflect
+
* {{food|Meaty Asparagus Skewer}}  
−
* You shouldn't interrupt your rotation to try and CC, instead just use whichever CC you have available for the attunements you're in
 
−
* Use your CC when:
 
−
** Your group calls a spike:
 
−
*** Winds - {{Skill|Winds of Disenchantment}}
 
−
*** Wells - {{Skill|Well of Corruption}}+{{Skill|Well of Suffering}}
 
−
*** Shades - {{Skill|Desert Shroud}}
 
−
*** Traps - {{Skill|Procession of Blades}}+{{Skill|Test of Faith}}
 
−
** On top of enemy downs (while alive players are on top of them)
 
−
** Enemy groups moving defensively while your group is pushing
 
  
  
−
====Support====
+
'''Utility:'''
−
* Cast {{Skill|Healing Rain}} on clashes, targeting the ground AoE so that one edge is on your group and the other edge is where they are moving to
+
* {{utility|Toxic Focusing Crystal}}
−
* If a player in your party is going to die because of {{Tooltip|Immobilize}}, save them with {{Skill|Windborne Speed}}
 
−
* Cast {{Skill|Geyser}} where your team is regrouping
 
−
* Use your '''Jade Sphere''' in {{Skill|Air Attunement}}, on your group, for {{Tooltip|Quickness}}
 

Revision as of 00:05, 2 April 2022

Part of the current metagame

Our curator decided this build is in the current metagame regardless of rating. The community gave this build a rating, making it top-tier: Great

Focused on: Condition damage

Designed for: Raids and Fractals

Difficulty:
TBD
This build was last updated on April 02, 2022 and is up to date for the March 19, 2024 patch.

Overview

A condition DPS build for Harbinger.


Skill Bar

Pistol/Dagger
Scepter/Dagger
Utility
  • Elixir of Anguish can be replaced with any of the 25s-cooldown elixirs, depending on which boons you think you might lack.
  • Summon Shadow Fiend can be replaced by Signet of Undeath if the minion might die, or there are long periods where there's nothing to hit for life force.
  • If you have an excess of life force, you can swap Summon Shadow Fiend out for another elixir. This would enable you to use Devouring Cut and/or Voracious Arc in Harbinger Shroud and then quickly regain the lost blight.


Template Code

[&DQgnNjI1QD/nGuca7BrsGoAAgABwAXABkgCSAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA=]
Copy Template Code


Specializations


Equipment

Head
Viper
Shoulders
Viper
Chest
Viper
Hands
Viper
Legs
Viper
Feet
Viper
Backpiece
Viper
Accessory
Viper
Accessory
Viper
Amulet
Viper
Ring
Viper
Ring
Viper
Pistol
Viper
Dagger
Viper
Sigil
Sigil
Scepter
Viper
Sigil
Rune
x6
Infusion
x18
  • This assumes no power core from the jade bot. As you get higher tiers of power core, you can swap Spiteful infusions for Malign ones.


Tormenting Rune Variant

Rune of Superior Rune of Tormenting is very close DPS-wise to Rune of Superior Rune of the Nightmare and offers a great amount of sustain through the 6th bonus. On the downside, it will lose damage on bosses with high movement uptime.

Head
Viper
Shoulders
Viper
Chest
Viper
Hands
Viper
Legs
Viper
Feet
Viper
Backpiece
Viper
Accessory
Viper
Accessory
Viper
Amulet
Viper
Ring
Viper
Ring
Viper
Pistol
Viper
Dagger
Viper
Sigil
Sigil
Scepter
Viper
Sigil
Rune
x6
Infusion
x18
  • Use or ascended versions when on Rune of Superior Rune of Tormenting.


Consumables

Food:


Utility:

Retrieved from "https://metabattle.com/wiki/index.php?title=Build:Catalyst_-_Staff_Backline&oldid=4186"


Ratings

This build has a rating of 5 stars based on 3 votes.
Log in or register to rate this build.
5 stars
Alexkz gave this build 5 stars • December 2023
pretty good dps on this one, let's you hit many targets quickly. Can't get as much dps with staff weaver
5 stars
DEL gave this build 5 stars • July 2023
I play this and variations of it and if you can handle the APM and know where to put your stuff it is pretty much the #1 stat padder build out there.
4 stars
Arete gave this build 4 stars • April 2023
Solid build, has much more control over its attunement access and weapon skills than weaver, but maintaining elemental empowerment can be pretty challenging. With extra auras on staff now it can compete with weaver pretty well.

Comments

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