Dagger + Staff PvE Build
- High AOE DPS
- High Single Target DPS
- High Skill Floor & Skill Ceiling
- Mana Intensive
Overview
This Staff and Dagger build focuses on dealing high DPS in both single target encounters (bosses in group dungeons) and when grinding in open world or even in open world dungeons as it offers great AOE DPS. The build isn't particularly difficult to play but it requires a bit of getting used to as the skill cooldowns are rather low.
Attributes
In this build, focus on investing points into Dexterity and Perception, aiming to reach a level of 30 in each stat to maximize your damage potential early as you level. However, as you progress and your gear improves over time, you will want to aim for 60 points into dexterity to greatly improve your critical hit rate and 60 points into perception to improve your hit & range. Ideally you don't want to have any extra strength but reaching 30 wisdom will grant you a nice amount of extra mana but you shouldn't prioritize wisdom.
Skills
The Staff & Dagger build is a great choice for newer players that are looking to perform well in all scenarios without having to think of many rotations but it still offers a fun experience.
Your main damage will be coming from your 
Judgment Lightning and 
Serial Fire Bombs with its burn stacks, 
Chain Lightning and 
Inferno Wave should also be prioritized when leveling as they deal high damage with low cooldowns. Try to push them to purple as soon as possible. 
Inject Venom should always be used at the start of your rotations, applying the poison that decreases enemy resistances and increases the damage you do. Inject Venom also triggers the 
Destructive Fang, improving your crit rate when attacking poisoned targets. You can easily spread this poison on multiple targets using 
Frost Smokescreen.
Icebound Tomb freezes enemies in place and also lowers their resistances, being a great skill to use when bursting down groups of mobs and allowing you to combo with Frost Smokescreen and Inject Venom.
As far as passives go, you should focus on upgrading 
Flame Condensation for additional damage. 
Assassin's Instincts for extra crit rate and 
Shadow Walker as a defensive skill that can be triggered at any time by simply using your 
Block Blade (you don't have to actually roll to the side to activate this, just pressing your block is enough). It also activates whenever you use 
Shadow Strike. This can be used when you cannot dodge certain mob abilities or if you are trying to reposition behind targets. Keep in mind that Shadow Strike will send you on the opposite side of the mob you use it on, not directly behind him, so if he isn't targeting you, you can end up on mob's side and still be hit.
Equipment
Weapon Masteries
| Mana | Melee Defense |
 |
Mana Regen |
|
Spell Flexibility |
|
Magic Hit |
|
All Evasion |
|
Mana Blessing |
|
Mana Regen |
|
Melee Defense |
|
Reverberation Shield |
| Destroy | Base Damage |
|
Magic Hit |
|
Fatal Incantation |
|
Base Damage |
|
Mana Regen |
|
Mana Intensification |
|
Cooldown Speed |
|
Damage Bonus |
|
Strange Spacetime |
| Attribute | Mana Regen |
|
Enfeeble Chance |
|
Flame Wound |
|
Max Mana |
|
Magic Hit |
|
Ignition Booster |
|
Enfeeble Chance |
|
Wisdom |
|
Vast Destruction |
| Disguise | Ranged Defense |
|
Health Regen |
|
Debuff Immunity |
|
Mana Cost Efficiency |
|
Cooldown Speed |
|
Master of Evasion |
|
Buff Duration |
|
Ranged Defense |
|
Strong Will |
| Poison | Melee Hit |
|
Off-Hand Weapon Attack Chance |
|
Enfeebling Terror |
|
Mana Regen |
|
Buff Duration |
|
Sorrowful Silence |
|
Mana Cost Efficiency |
|
Melee Hit |
|
Shrewd Judgment |
| Assassination | Melee Critical Hit |
|
Base Damage |
|
Ambidexterity |
|
Melee Critical Hit |
|
Cooldown Speed |
|
Deep Grudge |
|
Base Damage |
|
Skill Damage Boost |
|
Maddening Excitement |
Staff:
To maximize your damage output, add 9 points into Destroy to significantly increase skill damage through Weapon Masteries. Then, invest 6 points into Attribute for an additional boost, granting a 10% increase in Burning Damage and extra Burning Chance.
Dagger: Allocate 9 points into Assassination for an increased Off-hand Weapon activation chance, critical damage and attack speed, which can be beneficial. However, don't forget to also invest 6 points into Disguise for valuable defensive passives.
Rotations
- This rotation is focused on delivering the highest possible damage to a single target while maintaining while keeping up poison and fire stacks on the mob/boss. Start with
High Locus to buff yourself and your party before using Frost Smokescreen on top of the enemy, popping Inject Venom right after so your Frost Smokescreen also stacks up poison on the target.
Continue by debuffing the target with Icebound Tomb and a quick cast of before transitioning into 3 hits of Serial Fire Bombs to max out the stacks of fire and poison. Once you've maxed the stacks, use 
Fireball Barrage before using Frost Smokescreen again to keep fire stacks active.
Follow up with recasting Inject Venom before Inferno Wave (two times if you proc the second cast). Couple it with Chain Lightning and 
Ice Spear. Finish the rotation with Judgment Lightning two times.
- Use this rotation when you are grinding open world dungeons or large groups of mobs. Start with Inject Venom so all your attacks poison before using Frost Smokescreen to apply fire stacks and poison on all mobs. Continue with Chain Lightning and 3 casts of Serial Fire Bombs to maximize your fire and poison stacks.
Use Inferno Wave (2 times if you proc the re-cast), then transition into 2 casts of Judgment Lightning before using Inject Venom and Frost Smokescreen again.
High Locus: This version of the skill decreases yours and party's cooldowns. However, you can adjust to the regular version to enjoy the full 50% cooldown decrease if you are playing alone.
Shadow Strike: This is your main utility skill to get back to the boss in order to soak damage during mechanics or if you need to quickly move to summoned ads.
Inner Peace: Use this skill between rotations or if you have the chance during certain boss mechanics where you have to stand in place. This skill helps a lot with your mana sustain and is best used when under the influence of 
Nature's Blessing.
Useful Information
- Select Lady Knight Kamarshea as your guardian; it provides essential protection with its shield, capable of absorbing damage equal to 50% of your mana. This not only aids in mitigating damage but also increases your cooldown speed in order to let you heal more often.
Comments
We are looking for experienced build admins and guide writers for Throne and Liberty. Get in touch with Galaxian#1640 on Discord if you're a good fit for the role or know someone else who is. Those are paid position.
