Claymore Solo PvP Build

Overview

Weapon: Sword

Focus: Melee DPS

Mode: Open World, Corrupt Dungeon and Mist (Solo)

Strengths

• High Burst Damage
• Versatile
• Easy to play
• Good Mobility

Weaknesses

• Easy to counter
• Low Self-sustain

This build is up to date for the November 6, 2024 Horizons Patch #1.

Overview

This Elder's Claymore build has is one of the easier sword builds to play because of it's straightforward playstyle. It offers good mobility and quick burst damage that can take by surprise newer players and overwhelm with its high Charge damage. It has a heavy single target focus and that for it can perform very well in solo PvP scenarios like mists or corrupted dungeons but you'd have some trouble in 1vsX or group fights.

Equipment

Main Hand Weapon

Elder's Claymore

Head

Elder's Fiend Cowl

Alternatives ⇅

Cape

Elder's Thetford Cape

Alternatives ⇅

Armor

Elder's Mercenary Jacket

Alternatives ⇅

Shoes

Elder's Soldier Boots

Alternatives ⇅

Potion

Major Healing Potion

Food

Beef Stew

Keep in mind: Gear shown in this build is meant as a reference. Choosing the correct tier of gear is very tricky as there are many variables. Some of them being your budget, your spec and minimum Item Power requirements of your guild if used for ZvZ.

You should always check prices based on IP of the items. For example, a masterpiece quality 4.3 Elder's Cryptcandle could be cheaper while providing roughly the same IP as an 8.0.

Usage

Elder's Claymore

Heroic Strike — Your main damaging and mobility skill. Try to always use it on cooldown even if you have to use it on mobs or critters while chasing your targets. Every time you successfully hit a mob or a player, you will receive a Heroic Charge up to 3, increasing your auto-attack and movement speed!

Splitting Slash — This is your go-to CC skill and the skill you will use most when trying to catch and root people. You release a line and anyone caught into it will be rooted and receive quite a bit of damage as well.

You can also switch to Blade Cyclone if you need help during the PVE encounters in the mists but you shouldn't try to use this in PVE. Keep in mind that the damage of Blade Cyclone is increased if you have at least 1 Heroic Charge.

Charge — The main damaging ability of the build, this charge does damage based on how many Heroic Charges you have active whenever you use the ability. You lock onto targets so you don't have to aim it like the similar ability of the Elder's Carving Sword and the range is quite generous so try to use this as often as possible during a fight.

Heroic Fighting — This passive will add another Heroic Charge every time you make 4 successful auto-attacks on an enemy of any sort, this will help you with building up Heroic Charges for the Charge so it's an obvious choice.

Elder's Mercenary Jacket

Bloodlust — Your main sustain ability and the way you can heal yourself on top of using a Major Healing Potion. This helps a lot with living during engages and outlasting your enemies. Keep in mind that you will only receive the heal 7 times which should be easy to do if you stay on top of your enemy.

Another decent option would be the Elder's Mage Robe that can be used to purge any enemy that attacks you while it's active.

Balanced Mind — This passive not only increases your damage output but also provides a slight defense boost. Since every bit of damage matters for this build, it's an obvious choice.

Elder's Fiend Cowl

Purge — Use this skill to purge buffs off your target. Always inspect your target before using the Purge as you should try to remove the most important buffs when you see them. It can remove all active spells or abilities on the targeted player but watch out for Iron Will as it protects the user from losing their buffs. You normally use this to purge an enemy run and gain mobility advantage but there are definitely other options too!

Aggression — This passive increases your damage and even offers a small boost to your defense which is important as we have plenty of attack speed anyway.

Elder's Soldier Boots

Rejuvenating Sprint — This is one of the most popular runs to use and the Elder's Soldier Boots are equally popular choice for solo PvP. It regenerates a bit of your HP every time you use it and has a decently low cooldown while the Elder's Soldier Boots are quite cheap.

You can also try using Elder's Knight Boots instead as it offers you a bit of extra resistance.

Toughness — This defensive option is preferred for a bit of extra defence but you can use Courier if you run out of weight and need a bit extra to carry more loot.

Elder's Thetford Cape

Chain Lightning — Your cape activates on itself and deals damage to whatever target you hit with your auto-attack every time the cooldown is up. The lightning spreads out to other targets though so be careful not to use this near too many mobs as they will be pulled into you. This is essentially the cheaper version of Elder's Avalonian Cape but with a similar damage output.

Rotations

Damage Burst ↴

• Try to keep up your Heroic Charges up at all times even by using Heroic Strike on mobs when in a fight where you cannot reach your enemy. Otherwise, you want to spam Heroic Strike while auto-attacking to build your stacks. Once you have a chance to hit Splitting Slash, do so for the damage or just to keep on top of your enemy. Follow up with Charge whenever you have 3 Heroic Charges.

Consumables

Major Healing Potion — The potion allows you to sustain yourself while trading damage with your enemies alongside using Bloodlust.

Beef Stew — This is the best food to use as it improves your overall damage. Always try to use an 8.2 or 8.1 version as it as it offers great value for minimum price.