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Difference between revisions of "Elementalist - Staff DPS"
 
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| designed for = wvw zerg
 
| designed for = wvw zerg
 
| focus = strike damage, utility, crowd control
 
| focus = strike damage, utility, crowd control
−
| rating = great
+
| rating = archived
 
| xpac =  
 
| xpac =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==Overview==
 
==Overview==
−
A backline DPS build for Elementalist in WvW Zergs that provides damage, CC and field support. Requires a precise usage of skills and positioning to survive. Also, somewhat accessible by F2P, more new player friendly and straight to play than [[Build:Weaver_-_Staff_Backline|Staff Backline]]
+
A backline DPS build for Elementalist in WvW Zergs that provides damage, CC and field support. Requires a precise usage of skills and positioning to survive. Also, somewhat accessible by F2P, more new player friendly and straight to play than the weaver build [[Build:Weaver_-_Staff_Backline|Staff Backline]]
  
  
Line 37: Line 37:
 
===Skill Variants===
 
===Skill Variants===
 
'''Utility'''
 
'''Utility'''
−
* {{Skill|Armor of Earth}} for personal stability when prone to being caught in CC often.
+
* {{Skill|Glyph of Storms}}
  
  
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{{Specialization|Fire|bot|bot|mid}}
 
{{Specialization|Fire|bot|bot|mid}}
 
{{Specialization|Air|bot|mid|top}}
 
{{Specialization|Air|bot|mid|top}}
−
'''Variants'''
 
−
* {{Trait|Stormsoul}} and {{Trait|Lightning Rod}} traits add significant damage, but only if you can catch the enemy in your CCs (Especially Static Field) without {{Tooltip|Stability}}.
 
 
{{Specialization|Arcane|mid|bot|mid}}
 
{{Specialization|Arcane|mid|bot|mid}}
 
'''Variants'''
 
'''Variants'''
−
* {{Trait|Bountiful Power}} If not using {{Skill|Arcane Wave}}
+
* {{Trait|Bountiful Power}} for pure damage
  
  
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| weapon2 =  
 
| weapon2 =  
 
| sigil1 = Superior Sigil of Force
 
| sigil1 = Superior Sigil of Force
−
| sigil2 = Superior Sigil of Impact
+
| sigil2 = Superior Sigil of Energy
 
| weapon3 = Staff
 
| weapon3 = Staff
 
| weapon4 =  
 
| weapon4 =  
 
| sigil3 = Superior Sigil of Force
 
| sigil3 = Superior Sigil of Force
 
| sigil4 = Superior Sigil of Bloodlust
 
| sigil4 = Superior Sigil of Bloodlust
−
| infusions = 18 Mighty WvW Infusions
+
| infusion1 = Mighty WvW Infusion
 +
| infusion1-qt = 18
 
}}
 
}}
  
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===Variants===
 
===Variants===
 
'''Stats'''  
 
'''Stats'''  
−
* Use as much {{Tooltip|Marauder}} as you feel is necessary then fill out with {{Tooltip|Berserker}}
+
* Feel free to use as much '''Berserker's''' gear as you can without dying
−
* Avoid inefficient stats like ''Valkyrie's''. ''Marauder's'' is strictly better than ''Valkyrie's'' when considering effective power and health.
 
  
−
'''Sigils'''
 
−
:Trade {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Force}} for:
 
−
* {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Energy}} Extra survivability
 
−
* {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Frenzy}} good offensive filler sigil when kills are frequent
 
  
−
'''Runes'''
+
===Consumables===
−
* {{Rune|Superior Rune of the Pack}} Better {{Tooltip|Fury}} uptime in situations where it is not provided by the group.
+
* {{Food|Fried Oyster Sandwich}}
−
* {{Rune|Superior Rune of the Scholar}} Highest potential damage but difficult to maintain versus {{Tooltip|Retaliation}}
+
** {{Food|Peppercorn-Crusted Sous-Vide Steak}} feast option with additional power and ferocity.
−
* {{Rune|Superior Rune of the Thief}} if min'maxing around crit chance cap.
+
* {{Utility|Superior Sharpening Stone}}
−
 
 
−
'''Food'''
 
−
* {{Food|Carrot Soufflé}} highest damage option with frequent kills.
 
−
* {{Food|Bowl of Sweet and Spicy Butternut Squash Soup}} equal option to Truffle Steak, profits from external precision sources.
 
  
  
 
==Usage==
 
==Usage==
 
'''General'''
 
'''General'''
−
* This build provides high damage, but is taken over [[Build:Weaver_-_Staff_Backline]] for the wide variety of CC available to lock down enemies inside {{skill|Winds of Disenchantment}} and other group damage sources.
+
* Having 2 Staffs is purely for the stacking sigil purpose. As soon as you achieve 25 stacks of {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Bloodlust}} and get out of combat you should swap back to the Staff without it.
−
* Having 2 Staffs is purely for the stacking sigil purpose. As soon as you achieve 25 stacks and gets out of combat you should swap back to the Staff without the stacking sigil.
+
* This build requires rapidly switching between attunements.  
−
* This build requires rapidly switching between attunements. You can reduce the cooldown on an attunement by switching it while you are still casting a skill (this will not interrupt the cast).
+
** You can switch while you are still casting a skill without interrupting the cast.
−
* Whilst being a full Marauder's build, you are still really squish to Hammer revs and power damage in general. Antecipating heating and positioning properly is essential to survive
 
 
* {{Skill|Mist Form}} (and sometimes {{Skill|Lightning Flash}}) will be used mainly for self defense as reposition tool, temporarily avoiding ground heat and denying enemies tunnel visioning on you. Prioritize living over dealing damage. Lightning Flash can also be used while CC'ed.
 
* {{Skill|Mist Form}} (and sometimes {{Skill|Lightning Flash}}) will be used mainly for self defense as reposition tool, temporarily avoiding ground heat and denying enemies tunnel visioning on you. Prioritize living over dealing damage. Lightning Flash can also be used while CC'ed.
 
** Don't attempt to rely on {{trait|Final Shielding}}.
 
** Don't attempt to rely on {{trait|Final Shielding}}.
 
* You can interrupt {{Skill|Ether Renewal}} by using ''stow weapon'' as soon as you are full healed in order to save time
 
* You can interrupt {{Skill|Ether Renewal}} by using ''stow weapon'' as soon as you are full healed in order to save time
  
−
'''Staff Explanation'''
+
'''Staff'''
  
−
* {{skill|Fireball}} can consist a decent part of your damage. Despite being a slow projectile, it hits hard (in AoE) if it connects, so don't hesitate to use it. Also helps with self {{Tooltip|Might}} uptime thanks to {{trait|Pyromancer's Puissance}}
+
* {{skill|Fireball}} can consist a decent part of your damage.
 +
** It also helps with self {{Tooltip|Might}} uptime thanks to {{trait|Pyromancer's Puissance}}
 +
** Beware of enemy reflect skills though
 
** {{skill|Chain Lightning}} is also a good option for cleaving a downed clump, since it bounces.
 
** {{skill|Chain Lightning}} is also a good option for cleaving a downed clump, since it bounces.
 
* Staff #2 skills are strong damage fillers (with low cooldown) to rotate between while Meteor Shower isn't available. Bear in mind Ice Spike and Eruption aren't instant.
 
* Staff #2 skills are strong damage fillers (with low cooldown) to rotate between while Meteor Shower isn't available. Bear in mind Ice Spike and Eruption aren't instant.
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'''Meteor Shower'''
 
'''Meteor Shower'''
  
−
* {{Skill|Meteor Shower}} is your main damage source, but it has a long cast time. Try to place it on spots the enemy stack will tend to be, rather than where it is now. Very useful for cleave.
+
* {{Skill|Meteor Shower}} is your main damage source, but it has a long cast time. Try to place it on spots the enemy stack will tend to be, rather than where it is now. Very useful for cleave
−
** Try to be in a safe spot while channeling. If you get interrupted midcast, the amount of meteors and, thus, the total damage will be lower.
+
** Try to be in a safe spot while channeling. If you get interrupted midcast, the amount of meteors and damage will be lower.
−
** If you realize the skill won't connect, you have a small window to cancel (stow) the skill before the meteors start to go off, putting it on a 4s CD.
+
** If you realize the skill won't connect, you have a small window to cancel (stow) the skill before the meteors start to go off, putting it on a 4s CD
−
** Watch out for the incoming damage from {{Tooltip|Retaliation}}, be ready to heal up.
+
** Watch out for the incoming damage from {{Tooltip|Resolution}}, be ready to heal u
−
* Meteor Shower should always be followed up, as soon as possible, by {{Skill|Arcane Wave}} in {{Skill|Earth Attunement}} to ensure an {{Tooltip|Immobilize}} from the trait {{Trait|Elemental Surge}}.
+
* Meteor Shower should always be followed up, as soon as possible, by {{Skill|Arcane Wave}} in {{Skill|Earth Attunement}} to ensure an {{Tooltip|Immobilize}} from the trait {{Trait|Elemental Surge}}
 
** {{Skill|Arcane Wave}} is also very effective when used inside a Spellbreaker's {{Skill|Winds of Disenchantment}}
 
** {{Skill|Arcane Wave}} is also very effective when used inside a Spellbreaker's {{Skill|Winds of Disenchantment}}
 
* By the end of the channel, you can find yourself out of position or focused by enemies. You can avoid this in two ways:  
 
* By the end of the channel, you can find yourself out of position or focused by enemies. You can avoid this in two ways:  
−
** Use {{Skill|Lightning Flash}} after you start casting it.
+
** Use {{Skill|Lightning Flash}} after you start casting
−
** Use the "{{Skill|Burning Retreat}} trick" (see GYF). This way avoids using {{Skill|Lightning Flash}} but you can find yourself even further away from your zerg. {{Gfycat|CluelessVictoriousBlackrhino|1|Burning Retreat Trick}}
+
** Using {{Skill|Burning Retreat}} immediately before starting the cast
  
 
'''Conjure Fiery Greatsword'''
 
'''Conjure Fiery Greatsword'''

Latest revision as of 18:28, 19 November 2024

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Focused on: Strike damage, Utility and Crowd control

Designed for: WvW Zerg

Difficulty:
TBD

Overview

A backline DPS build for Elementalist in WvW Zergs that provides damage, CC and field support. Requires a precise usage of skills and positioning to survive. Also, somewhat accessible by F2P, more new player friendly and straight to play than the weaver build Staff Backline


Template Code

[&DQYfLykbJS51AAAAkAAAAE4BAADrAAAAlwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA=]
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Skill Bar

Staff
Staff
Utility


Skill Variants

Utility

  • Glyph of Storms


Specializations

Variants

  • Bountiful Power for pure damage


Equipment

Head
Marauder
Shoulders
Marauder
Chest
Marauder
Hands
Marauder
Legs
Marauder
Feet
Marauder
Backpiece
Marauder
Accessory
Marauder
Accessory
Marauder
Amulet
Marauder
Ring
Marauder
Ring
Marauder
Staff
Marauder
Sigil
Sigil
Staff
Marauder
Sigil
Sigil
Rune
x6
Infusion
x18


Consumables

feast option with additional damage reduction.


Variants

Stats

  • Feel free to use as much Berserker's gear as you can without dying


Consumables

    • feast option with additional power and ferocity.


Usage

General

  • Having 2 Staffs is purely for the stacking sigil purpose. As soon as you achieve 25 stacks of Sigil of Superior Sigil of Bloodlust and get out of combat you should swap back to the Staff without it.
  • This build requires rapidly switching between attunements.
    • You can switch while you are still casting a skill without interrupting the cast.
  • Mist Form (and sometimes Lightning Flash) will be used mainly for self defense as reposition tool, temporarily avoiding ground heat and denying enemies tunnel visioning on you. Prioritize living over dealing damage. Lightning Flash can also be used while CC'ed.
    • Don't attempt to rely on Final Shielding.
  • You can interrupt Ether Renewal by using stow weapon as soon as you are full healed in order to save time

Staff

  • Fireball can consist a decent part of your damage.
    • It also helps with self Might Might uptime thanks to Pyromancer's Puissance
    • Beware of enemy reflect skills though
    • Chain Lightning is also a good option for cleaving a downed clump, since it bounces.
  • Staff #2 skills are strong damage fillers (with low cooldown) to rotate between while Meteor Shower isn't available. Bear in mind Ice Spike and Eruption aren't instant.
    • Lava Font makes significant part of your sustained pressure after Meteor Shower. Look for casting it off cooldown to maximize ground pressure.
    • Lightning Surge quick cast and good damage, will be used to pick off single targets, try to cast it on enemies stacked to hit multiple foes.
    • Ice Spike whilst being Water gives significant 300-radius damage and justifies, along with the Water 4-5 skills, going into Water Attunement
    • Eruption gives reliable damage, assuming the the slow proc time. Can be used as preventive ground pressure and for cleaving.
  • Staff#3 skills are somewhat ignorable in this build, but can bring some utility.
    • Use Gust for the extra CC, it doesn't require LoS.
    • Geyser for tiny heals and a water field
    • Flame Burst tiny damage, land it for Burning Burning uptime, which increases damage via Pyromancer's Training, and follow up with a hard hittng skill.
  • Unsteady Ground, Frozen Ground and Static Field will be used mainly for the CC along with your team damage pressure. Unsteady Ground's direction is based on your where your character is looking. Turn briefly while casting the skill to aim it and effectevily blocking the passage.
  • Healing Rain and Windborne Speed can be used to soften condition pressure, benefiting from the large radius, and to remove soft CC on allies, respectively.

Meteor Shower

  • Meteor Shower is your main damage source, but it has a long cast time. Try to place it on spots the enemy stack will tend to be, rather than where it is now. Very useful for cleave
    • Try to be in a safe spot while channeling. If you get interrupted midcast, the amount of meteors and damage will be lower.
    • If you realize the skill won't connect, you have a small window to cancel (stow) the skill before the meteors start to go off, putting it on a 4s CD
    • Watch out for the incoming damage from Resolution Resolution, be ready to heal u
  • Meteor Shower should always be followed up, as soon as possible, by Arcane Wave in Earth Attunement to ensure an Immobilize Immobilize from the trait Elemental Surge
    • Arcane Wave is also very effective when used inside a Spellbreaker's Winds of Disenchantment
  • By the end of the channel, you can find yourself out of position or focused by enemies. You can avoid this in two ways:
    • Use Lightning Flash after you start casting
    • Using Burning Retreat immediately before starting the cast

Conjure Fiery Greatsword

  • Conjure Fiery Greatsword (FGS) provides great mobility and a damage boon when wielded. It can be used after casting Meteor Shower to increase the damage.
    • You should still swap attunements, mainly between Fire Attunement and Air Attunement for damage, while yielding the FGS.
    • Remember that you can retrieve the FGS conjured on the ground if you are still around. It stands for 30s.
  • Cast Firestorm on top of downed enemies and/or the enemy stack. Despite the small radius, it hits 10 targets and should be used after Meteor Shower to maximize damage.
  • Fiery Rush will be used mostly for mobility, chasing down and bursting a single target or repositioning.
  • Fiery Whirl will be taken mainly to deal damage in melee range, while evading through enemies. Try to use it after Firestorm.
  • Flame Wave spam it while on melee to maintain DPS after you burned through the FGS skills, but it isn't worth to drop yet.

High Spike Damage

  1. Start in Fire
  2. Lava Font
  3. Meteor Shower
  4. Earth Attunement
  5. Arcane Wave
  6. Eruption
  7. Water Attunement
  8. Ice Spike
  9. Air Attunement
  10. Lightning Surge
  11. Fire Attunement
  12. Lava Font
  13. Conjure Fiery Greatsword
  14. Firestorm
  • This combo allows 3 high damage skills to all hit at once if cast quickly, spiking for extremely high damage.


Related Builds

Retrieved from "https://metabattle.com/wiki/index.php?title=Build:Elementalist_-_Staff_DPS&oldid=19661"


Ratings

This build has a rating of 4 stars based on 3 votes.
Log in or register to rate this build.
5 stars
Tao101 gave this build 5 stars • July 2020
Staff DPS Ele has been around in some form since the early days of the game and it's testament to how classic this build is, that it's still in play to this day. It can't be beaten for versatility, high dps output and CC with a little healing and cleansing throw in for good measure. Much more fun to play than backline staff weaver. While weaver has its place with slightly higher dps, Core staff Ele's better survivability and top tier CC make this build a better option for many players.
4 stars
Kurnian gave this build 4 stars • December 2019
Amazing newcomer build. Easier to play, compared to staff weaver, and can still pull similar numbers. It has the advantage of maintaining both Air and Fire traitlines while bringing the utility Arcane provides.
4 stars
The Blue Rangerr gave this build 4 stars • January 2019
Core staff trades lower DPS for powerful CC. Still dealing higher damage than almost any setup, I would take this build happily in any zerg.

Comments

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