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Difference between revisions of "Specter - Alacrity Support Healer"
(Updated to reflect change in Shadow Sap.)
 
(27 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
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−
{{SEO|description=A heal support build for Specter}}
 
 
{{Build
 
{{Build
 
| profession = Thief
 
| profession = Thief
 
| specialization = Specter
 
| specialization = Specter
 
| designed for = Raid, Fractal
 
| designed for = Raid, Fractal
−
| rating = draft
+
| rating = good
 
| focus = Healing, Support
 
| focus = Healing, Support
 +
| xpac = eod
 
| meta =  
 
| meta =  
 +
| difficulty = 2
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==Overview==
 
==Overview==
−
A boon support healer build for Specter. Provides permanent {{tooltip|Alacrity}}, {{tooltip|Fury}}, {{tooltip|Swiftness}} and {{tooltip|Vigor}}. This build has a lot of overlap with the healing variant of the [[Build:Specter_-_Condi_Boon_Support|Condi Boon Support]], so you can mix and match options between these to suit your group.
+
A boon support healer build for Specter. Provides permanent {{tooltip|Alacrity}}, {{tooltip|Fury}}, 25 {{tooltip|Might}}, {{tooltip|Protection}} (mostly), {{tooltip|Regeneration}}, {{tooltip|Swiftness}} and {{tooltip|Vigor}}. Also provides high uptimes of {{tooltip|Resistance}} and {{tooltip|Stability}}.
 +
 
 +
Specter can provide a very wide range of boons and an excellent mixture of direct healing and {{tooltip|Barrier}}. Further, its tether mechanic allows it to provide {{tooltip|Alacrity}} at 1200 range, making it excellent at handling mechanics.
 +
 
 +
Unfortunately, unlocking this build's maximum potential involves using ally-targeted weapon skills. Very few builds use this mechanic, so this can feel quite unnatural and will likely involve setting new keybinds.
 +
 
 +
This build has a lot of overlap with the healing variant of the [[Build:Specter_-_Condi_Boon_Support|Condi Boon Support]], so you can mix and match options between these to suit your group.
  
  
Line 20: Line 27:
 
| weapon1 = Scepter
 
| weapon1 = Scepter
 
| weapon2 = Pistol
 
| weapon2 = Pistol
−
| weapon3 =  
+
| weapon3 = Sword
−
| weapon4 =  
+
| weapon4 = Pistol
 
| healing = Well of Gloom
 
| healing = Well of Gloom
−
| utility1 = Shadow Refuge
+
| utility1 = Blinding Powder
 
| utility2 = Well of Bounty
 
| utility2 = Well of Bounty
 
| utility3 = Well of Silence
 
| utility3 = Well of Silence
Line 31: Line 38:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
* The stealth from {{Skill|Shadow Refuge}} can cause issues for the group as it interrupts autoattacks and can disrupt tanking and other thieves' rotation. It may be easier to swap it out for another well or other utility.
+
===Weapon Variants===
 +
* Offhand '''Dagger''' can be used in the Scepter set for the hybrid damage build.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
===Skill Variants===
 +
{{skill|Well of Bounty}} is necessary as your primary source of {{tooltip|Regeneration}}, but the other two skills can be swapped out:
 +
* {{skill|Blinding Powder}} is a potent way to provide {{tooltip|Protection}} and healing, but using it stealths allies. This will mess with deadeyes in your group and so should be avoided if they are present.
 +
* {{skill|Well of Silence}} heals thanks to its shadowstep, offers CC and is a rare source of condi cleanse.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
Other alternatives include:
 +
* {{Skill|Shadow Refuge}} - The most potent utility skill for healing. Comes with the same caveats as {{skill|Blinding Powder}}, and offers worse {{tooltip|Protection}} uptime, but could replace {{skill|Well of Silence}} on encounters without condi cleanse.
 +
* {{skill|Signet of Agility}} for more condi cleanse.
 +
* {{skill|Smoke Screen}} or {{skill|Prepare Seal Area}} for projectile defence.
 +
* {{skill|Prepare Shadow Portal}} - Portals are very potent, though it is only one-way.
 +
* {{Skill|Prepare Pitfall}} or {{skill|Scorpion Wire}} for CC.
 +
* For more frequent breakbars, you may find {{skill|Basilisk Venom}} valuable.
  
  
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==Template Code==
 
==Template Code==
 
{{TemplateCode|
 
{{TemplateCode|
−
code = [&DQUUFSwnRz8VGyQPuwE0AQgbWAEHG1cBERsOAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA=]
+
code = [&DQUUFSwnRz8VGyQPNAE0AQgbWAEHG1cBERsOAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA=]
 
}}
 
}}
  
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{{Specialization|Specter|bot|bot|bot|}}
 
{{Specialization|Specter|bot|bot|bot|}}
  
−
* If you end up running with a single mainhand weapon rather than '''Sword''' & '''Scepter''', {{Trait|Quick Pockets}} is a good option too.
+
* {{Trait|Quick Pockets}} is a good option for more initiative.
 +
* {{trait|Second Opinion}} on encounters where high incoming damage makes Shadow Force harder to maintain, so {{trait|Consume Shadows}} will be much weaker. In such cases, you should also use the {{tooltip|Plaguedoctor stats}} variant.
  
  
  
 
==Equipment==
 
==Equipment==
 +
{{tooltip|Harrier stats}} gear is used for maximum healing power and boon duration. On encounters with high incoming damage, then you may require the extra Shadow Force that comes from higher vitality, making the {{tooltip|Plaguedoctor stats}} variant below stronger.
 
{{PvE equipment
 
{{PvE equipment
 
| weight = Medium
 
| weight = Medium
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| weapon4 =  
 
| weapon4 =  
 
| sigil3 = Superior Sigil of Concentration
 
| sigil3 = Superior Sigil of Concentration
−
| sigil4 =
 
 
| weapon3-stats =  
 
| weapon3-stats =  
 
| weapon4-stats =  
 
| weapon4-stats =  
 
| infusion1 = Healing +9 Agony Infusion
 
| infusion1 = Healing +9 Agony Infusion
 
| infusion1-qt = 18
 
| infusion1-qt = 18
 +
| relic = Relic of Karakosa
 
| head =  
 
| head =  
 
| shoulders =  
 
| shoulders =  
Line 85: Line 110:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
* The {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Concentration}} can be replaced with a {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Paralyzation}} if you want to provide more CC.
+
* The {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Transference}} can be replaced with a {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Paralyzation}} if you want to provide more CC.
 +
* If tanking, swap in as many {{tooltip|Giver stats}} or {{tooltip|Minstrel stats}} pieces as necessary.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
===Condi Variant===
 +
You can swap in {{tooltip|Plaguedoctor stats}} for a massive damage boost and almost no loss of healing, but the boon duration is significantly lower - you want to make sure it's at least 60% or you might as well be running the healing variant of the DPS alacrity build.
 +
 
 +
{{PvE equipment
 +
| weight = Medium
 +
| stats = Plaguedoctor
 +
| rune = Superior Rune of the Water
 +
| rune-qt = 6
 +
| weapon1 = Scepter
 +
| weapon2 = Dagger
 +
| sigil1 = Superior Sigil of Concentration
 +
| sigil2 = Superior Sigil of Transference
 +
| weapon1-stats =
 +
| weapon2-stats =
 +
| weapon3 =
 +
| weapon4 = Pistol
 +
| sigil3 =
 +
| sigil4 = Superior Sigil of Transference
 +
| weapon3-stats =
 +
| weapon4-stats =
 +
| infusion1 = Healing +9 Agony Infusion
 +
| infusion1-qt = 18
 +
| relic = Relic of Karakosa
 +
| head =
 +
| shoulders =
 +
| chest =
 +
| hands =
 +
| legs =
 +
| feet =
 +
| backpiece =
 +
| accessory1 =
 +
| accessory2 =
 +
| amulet =
 +
| ring1 =
 +
| ring2 =
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
* The {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Transference}} on '''Pistol''' can be replaced with a {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Paralyzation}} if you want to provide more CC.
 +
* If tanking, swap in as many {{tooltip|Giver stats}} or {{tooltip|Minstrel stats}} pieces as necessary.
  
  
  
 
==Consumables==
 
==Consumables==
−
'''Food:'''
+
'''Food'''
 
* {{food|Bowl of Fruit Salad with Mint Garnish}} or ascended versions
 
* {{food|Bowl of Fruit Salad with Mint Garnish}} or ascended versions
  
  
−
'''Utility:'''
+
'''Utility'''
 
* {{utility|Bountiful Maintenance Oil}}
 
* {{utility|Bountiful Maintenance Oil}}
 +
 +
 +
 +
==Usage==
 +
Players wishing for more information can find an exceedingly detailed guide [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BZqp5o3lLdvGGCh6ea8L4rR8sLbzhiteYAhJ-hXZhKQ/edit?usp=sharing here]. Note that there are some small differences in build recommendations.
 +
 +
 +
===Alacrity===
 +
Thanks to the {{trait|Shadestep}} trait, every shroud skill you use provides AoE {{tooltip|Alacrity}} around your tethered target. This means that Specter is capable of providing {{tooltip|Alacrity}} at 1200 range, making it very effective at handling mechanics. The tether is randomly applied to an ally within range whenever you {{skill|Enter Shadow Shroud}}, and will remain on that ally until you are 1200 units away from each other. A new target for the tether can be manually selected by targeting an ally and using {{skill|Siphon}} on them. This is very useful to do before the fight starts, as you ideally want to use {{skill|Siphon}} on enemies for the ''Shadow Force'' generation during combat.
 +
 +
 +
===Other Boons===
 +
 +
'''Fury, Might and Vigor'''
 +
 +
100% uptime of these boons are provided by {{skill|Well of Bounty}} and {{skill|Siphon}} (with the {{trait|Thrill of the Crime}} and {{trait|Bountiful Theft}} traits).
 +
 +
 +
'''Protection'''
 +
 +
{{tooltip|Protection}} is easily maintained by spamming {{skill|Shadow Sap}} on the group. Additional uptime is provided by the combination of {{skill|Blinding Powder}} and {{trait|Cover of Shadow}}.
 +
 +
 +
'''Regeneration'''
 +
 +
Your main source of {{tooltip|Regeneration}} is {{skill|Well of Bounty}}, and topped up with ally-targeted {{skill|Endless Night}} or {{skill|Shadowsquall}}.
 +
 +
 +
'''Stability'''
 +
 +
{{skill|Well of Bounty}} and {{skill|Mind Shock}} (with {{trait|Shadestep}}) provide AoE {{tooltip|Stability}}. These are both used in your normal rotation, so encounter knowledge is key for ensuring you can provide it when needed.
 +
 +
 +
===Healing===
 +
Practically everything you do provides some measure of {{tooltip|Barrier}} or healing:
 +
* {{trait|Shadow Savior}} and {{trait|Traversing Dusk}} heal on every shadowstep, which applies to all your wells, {{skill|Measured Shot}} (Sceptre/Pistol) and {{skill|Infiltrator's Strike}} {{to}} {{skill|Infiltrator's Return}} (Sword).
 +
* {{trait|Merciful Ambush}} and {{trait|Panaku's Ambition}} heals and provides {{tooltip|Barrier}} to allies that you {{tooltip|Stealth}}.
 +
* Thanks to {{trait|Shadestep}}, all your ''Shadow Shroud'' skills heal allies near your tethered target.
 +
* If using {{trait|Consume Shadows}}, your remaining ''Shadow Force'' is converted into healing (and overhealing into {{tooltip|Barrier}}) when you {{skill|Exit Shadow Shroud}}.
 +
* {{skill|Well of Gloom}} has inherent healing, plus the shadowstep healing, plus some {{tooltip|Barrier}} for good measure via {{trait|Shielding Restoration}}.
 +
* {{skill|Measured Shot}} and {{skill|Endless Night}} (Scepter/Pistol) provide healing and barrier, respectively, to allies they target. {{skill|Shadow Sap}} (Sceptre) provides AoE {{tooltip|Barrier}} without the need for allied targetting, which makes it much more convenient than other Scepter skills, albeit it is less efficient than {{skill|Measured Shot}} {{to}} {{skill|Endless Night}}. {{skill|Twilight Combo}} (Sceptre/Dagger) provides a small amount of barrier and healing, but is less efficient than {{skill|Shadow Sap}}. Your Sceptre autoattack also provide a small amount of {{tooltip|Barrier}} when targetting allies.
 +
 +
 +
===Weapons===
 +
The two weapons have different playstyles:
 +
 +
 +
'''Scepter'''
 +
 +
Via its allied-targeted abilities, '''Scepter''' fills in the gaps in uptime of your key boons, namely {{tooltip|Protection}} with {{skill|Shadow Sap}} and {{tooltip|Regeneration}} with {{skill|Measured Shot}} {{to}} {{skill|Endless Night}}. During downtime you can also autoattack an ally to provide AoE {{tooltip|Barrier}}.
 +
 +
If using scepter, it is strongly recommended to have some method for quickly targetting allies: Set/Take Personal Target, Nearest/Next/Previous Ally, or Ally Targeting Mode in the options will all allow this. Go for whichever you find most convenient.
 +
 +
 +
'''Sword'''
 +
 +
Sword can be swapped too as needed for burst healing. On this set you provide heals by spamming {{skill|Infiltrator's Strike}} and {{skill|Infiltrator's Return}} to repeatedly trigger {{trait|Shadow Savior}} and {{trait|Traversing Dusk}}.
 +
 +
 +
====Scepter/Pistol====
 +
Before the encounter starts, it can be very helpful to select and ally and {{skill|Siphon}} them. This will mark them as the target of your tether and all the boons provided by {{trait|Shadestep}} will pulse around that player as long as they remain within range (or until you target another player manually with {{skill|Siphon}}). Ideally this will be a player that can be relied upon to be on the stack. If you do not target a specific player, a random one will be picked when you {{skill|Enter Shadow Shroud}}.
 +
 +
 +
<big>'''Opener'''</big>
 +
 +
This opener is just one possibility. {{tooltip|Alacrity}} can usually be delayed at the start of an encounter, allowing you to spend initiative to provide other boons first.
 +
# {{skill|Well of Bounty}} - Opens with a burst of boons, and drops a combo field for triggering {{relic|Relic of Karakosa}}
 +
# {{skill|Blinding Powder}}
 +
# {{Skill|Enter Shadow Shroud}}
 +
# {{skill|Mind Shock}} - Cast first so that the blast hits within the duration of the combo field. This step can be skipped or moved if the CC or {{tooltip|Stability}} will be needed shortly, and it won't be off cooldown every loop.
 +
# {{skill|Grasping Shadows}}
 +
# {{skill|Eternal Night}}
 +
# {{skill|Dawn's Repose}}
 +
# {{Skill|Haunt Shot}} until Grasping Shadows is off cooldown
 +
# {{skill|Grasping Shadows}}
 +
# {{Skill|Exit Shadow Shroud}} - we stay in shroud just long enough to gain five stacks of {{Trait|Consume Shadows}}
 +
# Target an ally
 +
# {{skill|Measured Shot}} {{to}} {{skill|Endless Night}}
 +
# Spam all your remaining initiative on {{skill|Shadow Sap}}
 +
 +
 +
* Use {{skill|Well of Bounty}} off cooldown (you can delay slightly if needed for {{tooltip|Stability}}).
 +
* Other wells can be used situationally, but it is handy to use one just before entering shroud.
 +
* Use {{skill|Blinding Powder}} off cooldown. Outside of the opener, follow it up with an ally-targeted {{skill|Shadowsquall}} to maintain {{tooltip|Regeneration}}.
 +
* Use {{skill|Siphon}} off cooldown to provide AoE boons and maintain Shadow Force. If necessary, use the ally-targeted version to change your tether target.
 +
* Make sure to use at least five skills (including autoattacks) each time you enter shroud. There's no set rotation, but ideally you should exit before your initiative fills up.
 +
* Spend all your initative on scepter skills when outside of shroud. In general, this will be on {{skill|Shadow Sap}} as you'll need to use to maintain {{tooltip|Protection}}. {{skill|Measured Shot}} {{to}} {{skill|Endless Night}} can be used to provide direct healing to allies that need it.
 +
* You have CC all over the place, but you can save some if there is an upcoming defiance bar you wish to delete.
 +
 +
 +
====Sword/Pistol====
 +
Sword/Pistol doesn't have a fixed rotation. As you don't need to be concerned with {{tooltip|Barrier}} management, you can just use {{Skill|Siphon}}, wells, and {{skill|Enter Shadow Shroud}} as they come off cooldown while spending your initative on spamming and {{skill|Infiltrator's Strike}} and {{skill|Infiltrator's Return}}.
 +
 +
 +
===CC===
 +
The majority of your CC is from {{tooltip|Daze}} and {{tooltip|Stun}}, making a {{sigil|Superior Sigil of Paralyzation}} especially effective (it affects daze as well).
 +
* {{skill|Siphon}} is a 1s {{tooltip|Daze}} when targeting enemies.
 +
* {{skill|Well of Silence}} is a 2s {{tooltip|Daze}}.
 +
* {{skill|Shadowfall}} pulls three times, for a total of 450 ''Defiance Break'' (contrary to the tooltip).
 +
* {{skill|Basilisk Venom}} can provide 150 ''Defiance Break'' per target you hit, for a maximum potential of 750 on a shorter cooldown, though the CC can be wasted by allies hitting the wrong target.
 +
* {{skill|Dawn's Repose}} inflicts 1s of {{tooltip|Fear}}.
 +
* {{skill|Mind Shock}} is a 1.5s {{tooltip|Stun}}.
 +
* {{skill|Head Shot}} is a 2s {{tooltip|Daze}}, and can be spammed as long as you have initiative.

Latest revision as of 03:16, 26 October 2024

The community gave this build a rating, making it second-tier: Good

Focused on: Healing and Support

Designed for: Raids and Fractals

Expansions required: End of Dragons builds

Difficulty:
Normal
This build was last updated on October 26, 2024 and is up to date for the October 8, 2024 patch.

Overview

A boon support healer build for Specter. Provides permanent Alacrity Alacrity, Fury Fury, 25 Might Might, Protection Protection (mostly), Regeneration Regeneration, Swiftness Swiftness and Vigor Vigor. Also provides high uptimes of Resistance Resistance and Stability Stability.

Specter can provide a very wide range of boons and an excellent mixture of direct healing and Barrier Barrier. Further, its tether mechanic allows it to provide Alacrity Alacrity at 1200 range, making it excellent at handling mechanics.

Unfortunately, unlocking this build's maximum potential involves using ally-targeted weapon skills. Very few builds use this mechanic, so this can feel quite unnatural and will likely involve setting new keybinds.

This build has a lot of overlap with the healing variant of the Condi Boon Support, so you can mix and match options between these to suit your group.


Skill Bar

Scepter/Pistol
Sword/Pistol
Utility

Weapon Variants

  • Offhand Dagger can be used in the Scepter set for the hybrid damage build.


Skill Variants

Well of Bounty is necessary as your primary source of Regeneration Regeneration, but the other two skills can be swapped out:

  • Blinding Powder is a potent way to provide Protection Protection and healing, but using it stealths allies. This will mess with deadeyes in your group and so should be avoided if they are present.
  • Well of Silence heals thanks to its shadowstep, offers CC and is a rare source of condi cleanse.


Other alternatives include:

  • Shadow Refuge - The most potent utility skill for healing. Comes with the same caveats as Blinding Powder, and offers worse Protection Protection uptime, but could replace Well of Silence on encounters without condi cleanse.
  • Signet of Agility for more condi cleanse.
  • Smoke Screen or Prepare Seal Area for projectile defence.
  • Prepare Shadow Portal - Portals are very potent, though it is only one-way.
  • Prepare Pitfall or Scorpion Wire for CC.
  • For more frequent breakbars, you may find Basilisk Venom valuable.


Template Code

[&DQUUFSwnRz8VGyQPNAE0AQgbWAEHG1cBERsOAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA=]
Copy Template Code


Specializations

  • Quick Pockets is a good option for more initiative.
  • Second Opinion on encounters where high incoming damage makes Shadow Force harder to maintain, so Consume Shadows will be much weaker. In such cases, you should also use the Plaguedoctor stats Plaguedoctor stats variant.


Equipment

Harrier stats Harrier stats gear is used for maximum healing power and boon duration. On encounters with high incoming damage, then you may require the extra Shadow Force that comes from higher vitality, making the Plaguedoctor stats Plaguedoctor stats variant below stronger.

Head
Harrier
Shoulders
Harrier
Chest
Harrier
Hands
Harrier
Legs
Harrier
Feet
Harrier
Backpiece
Harrier
Accessory
Harrier
Accessory
Harrier
Amulet
Harrier
Ring
Harrier
Ring
Harrier
Scepter
Harrier
Pistol
Harrier
Sigil
Sigil
Sword
Harrier
Sigil
Rune
x6
Infusion
x18
Relic
  • The Sigil of Superior Sigil of Transference can be replaced with a Sigil of Superior Sigil of Paralyzation if you want to provide more CC.
  • If tanking, swap in as many Giver stats Giver stats or Minstrel stats Minstrel stats pieces as necessary.


Condi Variant

You can swap in Plaguedoctor stats Plaguedoctor stats for a massive damage boost and almost no loss of healing, but the boon duration is significantly lower - you want to make sure it's at least 60% or you might as well be running the healing variant of the DPS alacrity build.

Head
Plaguedoctor
Shoulders
Plaguedoctor
Chest
Plaguedoctor
Hands
Plaguedoctor
Legs
Plaguedoctor
Feet
Plaguedoctor
Backpiece
Plaguedoctor
Accessory
Plaguedoctor
Accessory
Plaguedoctor
Amulet
Plaguedoctor
Ring
Plaguedoctor
Ring
Plaguedoctor
Scepter
Plaguedoctor
Dagger
Plaguedoctor
Sigil
Sigil
Pistol
Plaguedoctor
Sigil
Rune
x6
Infusion
x18
Relic
  • The Sigil of Superior Sigil of Transference on Pistol can be replaced with a Sigil of Superior Sigil of Paralyzation if you want to provide more CC.
  • If tanking, swap in as many Giver stats Giver stats or Minstrel stats Minstrel stats pieces as necessary.


Consumables

Food

  • or ascended versions


Utility


Usage

Players wishing for more information can find an exceedingly detailed guide here. Note that there are some small differences in build recommendations.


Alacrity

Thanks to the Shadestep trait, every shroud skill you use provides AoE Alacrity Alacrity around your tethered target. This means that Specter is capable of providing Alacrity Alacrity at 1200 range, making it very effective at handling mechanics. The tether is randomly applied to an ally within range whenever you Enter Shadow Shroud, and will remain on that ally until you are 1200 units away from each other. A new target for the tether can be manually selected by targeting an ally and using Siphon on them. This is very useful to do before the fight starts, as you ideally want to use Siphon on enemies for the Shadow Force generation during combat.


Other Boons

Fury, Might and Vigor

100% uptime of these boons are provided by Well of Bounty and Siphon (with the Thrill of the Crime and Bountiful Theft traits).


Protection

Protection Protection is easily maintained by spamming Shadow Sap on the group. Additional uptime is provided by the combination of Blinding Powder and Cover of Shadow.


Regeneration

Your main source of Regeneration Regeneration is Well of Bounty, and topped up with ally-targeted Endless Night or Shadowsquall.


Stability

Well of Bounty and Mind Shock (with Shadestep) provide AoE Stability Stability. These are both used in your normal rotation, so encounter knowledge is key for ensuring you can provide it when needed.


Healing

Practically everything you do provides some measure of Barrier Barrier or healing:

  • Shadow Savior and Traversing Dusk heal on every shadowstep, which applies to all your wells, Measured Shot (Sceptre/Pistol) and Infiltrator's Strike ⇒ Infiltrator's Return (Sword).
  • Merciful Ambush and Panaku's Ambition heals and provides Barrier Barrier to allies that you Stealth Stealth.
  • Thanks to Shadestep, all your Shadow Shroud skills heal allies near your tethered target.
  • If using Consume Shadows, your remaining Shadow Force is converted into healing (and overhealing into Barrier Barrier) when you Exit Shadow Shroud.
  • Well of Gloom has inherent healing, plus the shadowstep healing, plus some Barrier Barrier for good measure via Shielding Restoration.
  • Measured Shot and Endless Night (Scepter/Pistol) provide healing and barrier, respectively, to allies they target. Shadow Sap (Sceptre) provides AoE Barrier Barrier without the need for allied targetting, which makes it much more convenient than other Scepter skills, albeit it is less efficient than Measured Shot ⇒ Endless Night. Twilight Combo (Sceptre/Dagger) provides a small amount of barrier and healing, but is less efficient than Shadow Sap. Your Sceptre autoattack also provide a small amount of Barrier Barrier when targetting allies.


Weapons

The two weapons have different playstyles:


Scepter

Via its allied-targeted abilities, Scepter fills in the gaps in uptime of your key boons, namely Protection Protection with Shadow Sap and Regeneration Regeneration with Measured Shot ⇒ Endless Night. During downtime you can also autoattack an ally to provide AoE Barrier Barrier.

If using scepter, it is strongly recommended to have some method for quickly targetting allies: Set/Take Personal Target, Nearest/Next/Previous Ally, or Ally Targeting Mode in the options will all allow this. Go for whichever you find most convenient.


Sword

Sword can be swapped too as needed for burst healing. On this set you provide heals by spamming Infiltrator's Strike and Infiltrator's Return to repeatedly trigger Shadow Savior and Traversing Dusk.


Scepter/Pistol

Before the encounter starts, it can be very helpful to select and ally and Siphon them. This will mark them as the target of your tether and all the boons provided by Shadestep will pulse around that player as long as they remain within range (or until you target another player manually with Siphon). Ideally this will be a player that can be relied upon to be on the stack. If you do not target a specific player, a random one will be picked when you Enter Shadow Shroud.


Opener

This opener is just one possibility. Alacrity Alacrity can usually be delayed at the start of an encounter, allowing you to spend initiative to provide other boons first.

  1. Well of Bounty - Opens with a burst of boons, and drops a combo field for triggering Relic of Karakosa
  2. Blinding Powder
  3. Enter Shadow Shroud
  4. Mind Shock - Cast first so that the blast hits within the duration of the combo field. This step can be skipped or moved if the CC or Stability Stability will be needed shortly, and it won't be off cooldown every loop.
  5. Grasping Shadows
  6. Eternal Night
  7. Dawn's Repose
  8. Haunt Shot until Grasping Shadows is off cooldown
  9. Grasping Shadows
  10. Exit Shadow Shroud - we stay in shroud just long enough to gain five stacks of Consume Shadows
  11. Target an ally
  12. Measured Shot ⇒ Endless Night
  13. Spam all your remaining initiative on Shadow Sap


  • Use Well of Bounty off cooldown (you can delay slightly if needed for Stability Stability).
  • Other wells can be used situationally, but it is handy to use one just before entering shroud.
  • Use Blinding Powder off cooldown. Outside of the opener, follow it up with an ally-targeted Shadowsquall to maintain Regeneration Regeneration.
  • Use Siphon off cooldown to provide AoE boons and maintain Shadow Force. If necessary, use the ally-targeted version to change your tether target.
  • Make sure to use at least five skills (including autoattacks) each time you enter shroud. There's no set rotation, but ideally you should exit before your initiative fills up.
  • Spend all your initative on scepter skills when outside of shroud. In general, this will be on Shadow Sap as you'll need to use to maintain Protection Protection. Measured Shot ⇒ Endless Night can be used to provide direct healing to allies that need it.
  • You have CC all over the place, but you can save some if there is an upcoming defiance bar you wish to delete.


Sword/Pistol

Sword/Pistol doesn't have a fixed rotation. As you don't need to be concerned with Barrier Barrier management, you can just use Siphon, wells, and Enter Shadow Shroud as they come off cooldown while spending your initative on spamming and Infiltrator's Strike and Infiltrator's Return.


CC

The majority of your CC is from Daze Daze and Stun Stun, making a Sigil of Superior Sigil of Paralyzation especially effective (it affects daze as well).

  • Siphon is a 1s Daze Daze when targeting enemies.
  • Well of Silence is a 2s Daze Daze.
  • Shadowfall pulls three times, for a total of 450 Defiance Break (contrary to the tooltip).
  • Basilisk Venom can provide 150 Defiance Break per target you hit, for a maximum potential of 750 on a shorter cooldown, though the CC can be wasted by allies hitting the wrong target.
  • Dawn's Repose inflicts 1s of Fear Fear.
  • Mind Shock is a 1.5s Stun Stun.
  • Head Shot is a 2s Daze Daze, and can be spammed as long as you have initiative.
Retrieved from "https://metabattle.com/wiki/index.php?title=Build:Specter_-_Alacrity_Support_Healer&oldid=19576"


Ratings

This build has a rating of 5 stars based on 10 votes.
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4 stars
OfficerAndyGentleman gave this build 4 stars • April 2024
Can provide a very wide spread of boons along with consistent healing and barrier, though it can feel like two different healers mashed together. Relies on ally targetting to unlock its full potential and GW2 wasn't really designed for that.
3 stars
BossPanda gave this build 3 stars • June 2022
Definitely can get the job done and keep your party standing while providing alac, fury, vigor, regen, and protection and respectable amounts of CC. Great burst healing through Consume Shadows and resurrections potential with Shadestep. However, it lacks consistent stability along and the five second delay in your biggest burst heal, quickly reacting to panic situation is a bit sketchy in high pressure situations. Along with the fact that Heal Alac Mechanist and now Heal Alac Druid can perform better in most, if not all situations, and that some of the biggest strengths of this build can also be achieved with a DPS Alac Specter build, I find it hard to recommend this build for optimized groups. That being said, it's perfectly passable as a healer, and its a very fun, fast paced playstyle that's easy to pick up. If optimization is not your goal and you'd like to try something completely different from your normal heal builds, this may just be the build for you.
5 stars
Venom425 gave this build 5 stars • April 2022
Please don't listen to the guy that gave this build 2 stars.... He must be trolling. This build is perfect for healing and supplies Alac for the group.
5 stars
Ryphose gave this build 5 stars • April 2022
So far from testing , this works. Did good with Eod strikes, but have not tried raids yet.
5 stars
Rainydayz gave this build 5 stars • April 2022
Very fun elite spec to play, and i would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to try out healing/support. Most people that say this spec is not good are just toxic players that never pull away from the meta. People seems to forget that the point of the game is to have fun, and this spec has a ton of it. Make sure your squad/party stands in boons , and dont be shy to use them. I was able to complete all raids,strikes, and all t3 fractals with no problem.
5 stars
Powered gave this build 5 stars • March 2022
You can Zap People back to life in down state. Very fun spec for Eod Strikes, and would say100% viable.
5 stars
Synconi12 gave this build 5 stars • March 2022
Really good Build for strikes and t3+ fractals. Loving the single target heal and Insta res it has. Overall this build is fine for raids ands strikes bringing Alac to the table.
5 stars
Spike914 gave this build 5 stars • March 2022
Had a lot of fun with this build paired with druid as the other healer. Easily made quick work of of the new Eod Strikes. I would recommend giving this build a try for healing/ alac.
3 stars
Neage gave this build 3 stars • March 2022
Can work in a pinch but doesn't do anything that another class just does way better. Better off going condi boon support to still decent DPS and provide alacrity
5 stars
Mystrael gave this build 5 stars • March 2022
i really like this build for fractal and strike , it just work, kinda hard to get ppl to stay in well for boons but i guess people will get used to it it heals more then youd think my favorit by far from this extention

Comments

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