Arete/Alacbender

This build is unrated.

Focused on: Healing, Boon support and Crowd control

Designed for: WvW Zerg

Expansions required:

Difficulty:

TBD

Overview

Flowing Resolve + Phoenix Protocol + Battle Presence

Skill Bar

Staff

Scepter/Shield

Utility

Template Code

[&DQExFS4rQRd/AAAANgEAAEsBAAAyAQAANwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA=]

Copy Template Code

Equipment

Head
Minstrel

Shoulders
Minstrel

Chest
Minstrel

Hands
Minstrel

Legs
Minstrel

Feet
Minstrel

Backpiece
Minstrel

Accessory
Minstrel

Accessory
Minstrel

Amulet
Minstrel

Ring
Minstrel

Ring
Minstrel

Staff
Minstrel

Sigil

Sigil

Scepter
Minstrel

Shield
Minstrel

Sigil

Sigil

Rune
x6

Infusion
x18

Equipment Variants

Stats

• Healing infusions are also a viable choice

Sigils

• Sigil of Superior Sigil of Concentration for higher Stability uptime

Consumables

• • personal food option

Usage

Priorities

High

• Stability
• Signet of Mercy

Moderate

• CC
• Alacrity

Low

• Healing

Surviving

• This build has high passive defense
• This build has high mobility skill access
• This builds has moderate active defense
  • Your active defenses are ideally saved for your group and not used selfishly

Active defense priority "Stand Your Ground!" - for stunbreaking Dodge Shield of Absorption - only if the knockback isn’t disruptive Shield of Judgment Receive the Light!" Empower - if you have time to finish cast Holy Strike

Detailed Explanations

Stability

• Apply Stability before allies get caught by enemy CC
• Avoid overlapping multiple AoE Stability sources on your party, both your own and other players
• Enemy CC is most likely to land when they spike your group, your group is moving through theirs, or your group is moving away from theirs.

Stability priority "Stand Your Ground!" Hallowed Ground

Signet of Mercy

• Watch for low allied health bars to enable precasting (Using the skill before an ally is downed so that it finishes casting on them as soon as they do go down)
• Give yourself quickness with Mantra of Solace before beginning the cast
• Cover the cast with Stability ("Stand Your Ground!")
• Make sure to communicate over voice comms. Broadcast that you are beginning, casting and finishing the rez, include the name of the person being rezzed if possible.
• If another player with a higher priority calls they are rezzing at the same time, cancel the rez (“Stow Weapon” keybind or Escape button) and communicate the fact you are cancelling.

CC

• Use your CC when:
  • Your group calls a spike:
    • Winds - Winds of Disenchantment
    • Wells - Well of Corruption+Well of Suffering
    • Shades - Desert Shroud
    • Traps - Procession of Blades+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

CC Priority Line of Warding Chains of Light

Alacrity

• hit enemy when Flowing Resolve on

Healing

• Be careful when healing others, Empower and Selfless Daring are powerful heals but can easily leave you out of position if misused

Healing priority Empower (if you have time to finish cast) Holy Strike Shield of Absorption (only if the knockback isn’t disruptive) "Receive the Light!" Dodge (Selfless Daring)

Settings

• Under General Options / User Interface check Always show squad health bars and Always show party health bars. These will make it much easier to keep track of who needs your support.
• Also under General Options / User Interface turn on Thick party health bars
  • Thick squad health bars can be used too as a matter of personal preference, but is not recommended for large numbers
• Under Squad Options uncheck View as a grid. This will allow you to keep track of your allies' boons, conditions and health, enabling a better decision-making and skill management.