2H Crossbow Open World & Mists PvP Build

Overview

Weapon: Crossbow

Focus: Range DPS

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

Strengths

• High Burst Damage
• Good Sustain

Weaknesses

• Difficult to pull off correctly
• Relatively easy to counter
• Low Mobility

This build is up to date for the September 18, 2024, Paths to Glory Patch #4 .

Overview

This 2H Elder's Crossbow build focuses on high burst damage being delivered in quick bursts while sustaining quite well against one or multiple enemies. This build does well in all solo PVP (mists, open world or corrupted dungeons) and while the build takes a bit of practice, it remains easy to play even for newer players.

Equipment

Main Hand Weapon

Elder's Crossbow

Head

Elder's Guardian Helmet

Cape

Elder's Keeper Cape

Armor

Elder's Cleric Robe

Shoes

Elder's Soldier Boots

Alternatives ⇅

Potion

Major Gigantify Potion

Food

Beef Stew

Alternatives ⇅

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 Crossbow

Explosive Bolt — This is your main damaging ability with a nice medium range that delivers high AOE damage to anyone hit by it. Through the use of Well-Prepared, it is constantly reset every 4th time you use any ability.

Sunder Shot — Try to always use this first before using your Snipe Shot as it decreases enemy defenses by a lot. Keep in mind however that the higher the HP of your target, the bigger the defense cut. If you play in a group, this is normally preferred and even in solo play the ability to shred enemy defense so easily is great to have.

Another option would be using Caltrops, especially against certain enemies like Elder's Dual Swords or other enemies with high mobility, this not only slows them but also increases your own movement speed for a short while.

Snipe Shot — This is your main damage. It tracks a target regardless of their movement and fires a high damage shot. You need to keep in mind that any damage invulnerability can entirely counter this but the low cooldown makes up for it!

Well-Prepared — Due to the low cooldowns on Explosive Bolt and Caltrops, you get to use abilities often which procs this passive very often and makes it an obvious choice for the build but even with Sunder Shot its good.

Elder's Cleric Robe

Everlasting Spirit — While it takes good timing, Everlasting Spirit is a great defensive ability to help you mitigate a lot of burst damage. Use this against auto-attacks or dot damage in order to activate the shield granting you immunity for a few seconds. It is perfect to use against skills like Death Curse and even Exploding Shot or other abilities you can anticipate. Keep in mind that it also works on Snipe Shot so you can be countered by a well timed Everlasting Spirit

Aggression — This is your only good choice as it increases your flat damage and is perfect for the build.

Elder's Guardian Helmet

Emergency Shield — Use this ability to provide yourself with a shield depending on your current HP. You get a bigger shield when your HP is under 40% so it's preferred to use this when you passed that threshold. Keep in mind that this also clears all the debuffs from yourself and it should always be used against Vile Curse stacks or other dot effects like the ones coming from Rending Spin or other variations.

Toughness — This defensive option is preferred over Authority as the 5% CC duration increase doesn't do much for Caltrops.

Elder's Soldier Boots

Rejuvenating Sprint — This will give you a bit of HP regen on a low cooldown and the Elder's Soldier Boots are a very popular choice to begin with as they also offer the option to use Wanderlust for longer chases.

Another good option would be using Elder's Guardian Boots as they do essentially what you do with your Major Gigantify Potion, increasing your HP for a short while, enough to counter high burst damage.

Toughness — This defensive option is preferred over Authority as the 5% CC duration increase doesn't do much for Caltrops.

Elder's Keeper Cape

Berserk — Because you will often enough take damage that will bring you lower than 70%, this cape will proc on its own and help with delivering even higher damage with your Snipe Shot.

Rotations

Damage Combo ↴

• With this rotation you want to start off by using Explosive Bolt and ticking down the enemy HP, testing their kiting skills before using Sunder Shot to increase your damage and possibly force out defensives. Once your HP goes below 70% and Berserk activates, cast your Snipe Shot for high damage before going back to Explosive Bolt.

Consumables

Major Gigantify Potion — Use this potion to block out high burst damage and essentially negate enemy damage by increasing your HP for a short bit of time.

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. You can also use Pork Omelette for the lower CDs and quicker cast time, especially if you are solo-ing.