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Difference between revisions of "Soulbeast - Sic 'Em Roamer"

 
(28 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 3: Line 3:
 
| specialization = Soulbeast
 
| specialization = Soulbeast
 
| designed for = WvW Roaming
 
| designed for = WvW Roaming
| focus = direct damage, mobility
+
| focus = strike damage, mobility
| rating = great
+
| rating = good
 +
| difficulty = 1
 +
| xpac = PoF
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==Overview==
 
==Overview==
A Soulbeast power build for WvW roaming which takes adventage of {{Skill|"Sic 'Em!"}}'s synergy with Beastmode to pump out damage and deny {{Tooltip|Stealth}} access.
+
An iconic Soulbeast Power build for WvW roaming which takes advantage of {{Skill|"Sic 'Em!"}}'s synergy with Beastmode to pump out massive burst damage and deny {{Tooltip|Stealth}} access for enemies.
  
  
Line 19: Line 21:
 
| weapon3 = greatsword
 
| weapon3 = greatsword
 
| weapon4 =  
 
| weapon4 =  
| healing = Troll Unguent
+
| healing = Bear Stance
| utility1 = Quickening Zephyr
+
| utility1 = Dolyak Stance
 
| utility3 = "Sic 'Em!"
 
| utility3 = "Sic 'Em!"
 
| elite = One Wolf Pack
 
| elite = One Wolf Pack
 
| pet1 = Smokescale
 
| pet1 = Smokescale
| pet2 = Rock Gazelle
+
| pet2 = Boar
 
}}
 
}}
  
  
===Skill Bar Variants===
+
===Skill Variants===
 
'''Utility'''
 
'''Utility'''
  
For the optional slot or even instead of "Sic 'Em!" (if more sustain is needed):
+
Viable picks for the optional slot (or even over of {{Skill|"Sic 'Em!"}} if more sustain is needed):
* {{Skill|Dolyak Stance}} - great option against any type of pressure, especially CC.
+
* {{Skill|"Protect Me!"}} - strong damage mitigation and another stunbreak.
  
* {{Skill|Lightning Reflexes}} - a defensive choice that's useful in any situation.  
+
* {{Skill|Griffon Stance}} - defensive skill with more evasion.
  
* {{Skill|"Protect Me!"}} - strong damage mitigation and another stun break.
+
* {{Skill|Signet of the Hunt}} - unblockable burst combos.
  
 +
* {{Skill|Lightning Reflexes}} - a defensive choice that's useful in any situation but especially good vs {{Tooltip|Immobilize}}.
  
'''Elite'''
+
* {{Skill|Quickening Zephyr}} - could be used defensively to break stuns and escape with {{Tooltip|Superspeed}} or offensively for {{Tooltip|Quickness}} bursts.
* {{Skill|"Strength of the Pack!"}} - a more defensive elite that still offers a damage boost.
+
 
 +
 
 +
'''Pets'''
 +
 
 +
Smokescale is mandatory but the 2nd pet slot if more flexible. Currently we're recommending Boar for CC and burst damage, but other viable options include:
 +
* {{Tooltip|Siamoth}} - a more defensive version of Boar with a beastmode F3 that breaks stun, removes conditions, and grants immunity to strike damage.
 +
 
 +
* {{Tooltip|Owl}} - way better mobility and some extra healing.
 +
 
 +
* {{Tooltip|Rock Gazelle}} - CC focused pet with decent damage.
  
  
 
==Template Code==
 
==Template Code==
 
{{TemplateCode|
 
{{TemplateCode|
code = [&DQQhKSArNzd4AHkA+haaAJYBwgClAbgALhbtAC47AQsAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA=]
+
code = [&DQQILyArNxouF3gA+hb6FqUBuAABFwEXLhYuFi4CARMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACIwAyAAA=]
 
}}
 
}}
  
  
 
==Specializations==
 
==Specializations==
{{Specialization|Wilderness Survival|top|mid|mid}}
+
{{Specialization|Marksmanship|bot|bot|mid}}
 
{{Specialization|Beastmastery|bot|mid|mid}}
 
{{Specialization|Beastmastery|bot|mid|mid}}
{{Specialization|Soulbeast|bot|top|bot}}
+
{{Specialization|Soulbeast|mid|mid|top}}
 +
'''Variants'''
 +
 
 +
{{Trait|Eternal Bond}} adds a lot of flexibility to the build and allows you to spend more time in beastmode, making it the most popular pick. The other 2 options in this slot are strong in their own right, but much more niche:
 +
* {{Trait|Leader of the Pack}} could be considered when roaming in a group, adding a support angle to the build. Improving stance durations also benefits the Soulbeast, but not as much as Eternal Bond does.
 +
 
 +
* {{Trait|Oppressive Superiority}} increases your burst damage. If your goal is to try and end fights in seconds then go for it, but that makes the build a bit more of a gimmick.
  
  
Line 58: Line 76:
 
{{PvE equipment
 
{{PvE equipment
 
| weight = Medium
 
| weight = Medium
| stats = Berserker
+
| stats = Marauder
| rune = Superior Rune of Durability
+
| rune = Superior Rune of the Pack
 
| rune-qt = 6
 
| rune-qt = 6
 
| weapon1 = Longbow
 
| weapon1 = Longbow
Line 65: Line 83:
 
| weapon3 = Greatsword
 
| weapon3 = Greatsword
 
| weapon4 =  
 
| weapon4 =  
| sigil1 = Superior Sigil of Air
+
| sigil1 = Superior Sigil of Cleansing
| sigil2 = Superior Sigil of Severance
+
| sigil2 = Superior Sigil of Celerity
| sigil3 = Superior Sigil of Bloodlust
+
| sigil3 = Superior Sigil of Cleansing
| sigil4 = Superior Sigil of Energy
+
| sigil4 = Superior Sigil of Vision
 
| infusion1 = Mighty WvW Infusion
 
| infusion1 = Mighty WvW Infusion
 
| infusion1-qt = 18
 
| infusion1-qt = 18
| head = Marauder
+
| amulet = Berserker
| shoulders = Marauder
+
| ring1 = Berserker
| chest = Marauder
+
| ring2 = Berserker
| hands = Marauder
+
| accessory1 = Berserker
| legs = Marauder
+
| accessory2 = Berserker
| feet = Marauder
+
| backpiece = Berserker
| ring1 = Diviner
+
| relic = Relic of Fireworks
| backpiece = Diviner
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
  
'''Rune'''
+
'''Runes'''
* {{Rune|Superior Rune of the Pack}} - if you either want to trade sustain for damage, or can't afford Durability runes just yet.
+
* {{Rune|Superior Rune of the Brawler}} - makes the build more durable in exchange for a bit lower crit chance and boon duration.
  
* {{Rune|Superior Rune of the Scholar}} - highest burst potential.
+
'''Sigils
 +
* {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Air}} or {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Severance}} over Cleansing on Longbow - increased damage for less defense against conditions.
  
'''Sigils
+
'''Relics'''
 +
* {{Relic|Relic of Mount Balrior}} - higher damage boost for your main burst combo, but it's much lower uptime than Fireworks.
  
Sigil of Severance and Bloodlust can be replaced by:
+
* {{Relic|Relic of Isgarren}} - a damage boost that's easy to maintain in combat, but can be hard to get value out of if you're chasing down a low health enemy for example.
* {{Sigil|Cleansing}} - more cleansing in case you're having trouble dealing with conditions.
 
  
* {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Vision}} - 100% crit chance on your entire burst.
+
* {{Relic|Relic of the Weaver}} - on-demand damage boost whenever you use a stance skill. Could give you slightly higher burst damage than Fireworks in exchange for lower uptime on the damage boost.
  
  
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* {{Food|Peppercorn-Crusted Sous-Vide Steak}} - strong mix of sustain and damage.
 
* {{Food|Peppercorn-Crusted Sous-Vide Steak}} - strong mix of sustain and damage.
  
* {{Food|Bowl of Orrian Truffle and Meat Stew}} - more evasion uptime and {{Trait|Companion's Defense}} synergy.
+
* {{Food|Bowl of Orrian Truffle and Meat Stew}} - active damage mitigation in the form of enhanced endurance regen for more dodging.
 
** Budget version: {{Food|Bowl of Meat and Winter Vegetable Stew}}
 
** Budget version: {{Food|Bowl of Meat and Winter Vegetable Stew}}
 +
 +
* {{Food|Slice of Candied Dragon Roll}} - cheap option with a nice crit chance boost and frequent, armor ignoring damage procs that also heal you.
  
  
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==Usage==
 
==Usage==
 
'''Elite specialization basics'''
 
'''Elite specialization basics'''
* Soulbeast allows Rangers to meld with their pet, becoming one. This is done through {{Skill|Beastmode}} which has a 10s CD.
+
* Soulbeast allows Rangers to meld/merge with their pet, becoming one. This is done through {{Skill|Beastmode}} which has a 10s CD.
  
* Pet swapping is disabled while in combat. Use {{Tooltip|Smokescale}} as your combat pet. Consider swapping to gazelle once you're downed (you can swap pets while downed) to interrupt stomp attemps in case there is a chance for you to get revived.
+
* Traits related to swapping pets now activate upon entering/leaving {{Skill|Beastmode}}.
** Traits related to swapping pets now activate upon entering/leaving {{Skill|Beastmode}}.
 
  
 
* Pet related traits and skills such as {{Trait|Pet's Prowess}} continue to function even while merged, but this time you'll be the one who benefits from them, not the pet (although sometimes the effects are lessened).  
 
* Pet related traits and skills such as {{Trait|Pet's Prowess}} continue to function even while merged, but this time you'll be the one who benefits from them, not the pet (although sometimes the effects are lessened).  
 
**'''IMPORTANT:''' skills that affect your pet like {{Skill|"Sic 'Em!"}} have to be used ''after'' merging if you wish to benefit from them, already active skill effects will be lost just like when swapping pets.
 
**'''IMPORTANT:''' skills that affect your pet like {{Skill|"Sic 'Em!"}} have to be used ''after'' merging if you wish to benefit from them, already active skill effects will be lost just like when swapping pets.
  
* ''If taken'' {{Skill|"Strength of the Pack!"}} used while in Beastmode will grant you {{Tooltip|Might}} on each hit you land. {{Skill|Barrage}} -especially against multiple targets- can quickly build up 25 stacks of {{Tooltip|Might}} which is best used on {{Skill|Rapid Fire}} (Longbow), {{Skill|Maul}} (Greatsword), or {{Skill|Worldly Impact}} (Beastmode).
 
  
* Merging with the pet is usually kept for delivering burst damage but has a few other applications as well, like the instant evasion through Smokescale's Smoke Assault. You can also meld with dead pets and then exit the form to instantly revive them.
+
'''General'''
 +
* Don't trust the wording of {{Relic|Relic of Fireworks}}, some Beastmode F1-3 skills can also proc the damage bonus not just weapon skills.
 +
 
 +
* Beastmode grants a flat 30% movement speed boost.
 +
 
 +
* {{Trait|Eternal Bond}} allows you to be more flexible with your Beastmode usage by letting you swap pets while merged. With this you can adapt to situations much better.
 +
 
 +
* Pet swapping with {{Trait|Zephyr's Speed}} can be used offensively for the{{Tooltip|Quickness}}, most notably to boost {{Skill|Rapid Fire}}, {{Skill|Barrage}} and {{Skill|Worldly Impact}} or Sword autos for downed cleave. The {{Tooltip|Superspeed}} could also help you escape damage or chase down targets while on Sword.
 +
** With {{Trait|Eternal Bond}} you can activate this trait even while swapping pets in Beastmode, provided that it isn't on CD.
 +
 
 +
* Sometimes you might want to get greedy with {{Skill|Bear Stance}}. While this is your last resort option against condition bursts, it's also great at keeping things like {{Tooltip|Weakness}}, {{Tooltip|Chill}} and {{Tooltip|Blind}} off of you. If you're chasing a low HP target and you want to secure a kill, Bear Stance could ensure that you get to deal damage without any hinderance. You could even combine it with {{Skill|Dolyak Stance}} to make yourself immune to hard CC too.
 +
** Of course this is a bit of a gamble, if the target survives your burst you'll be left without your strongest defensive CDs so the plan might backfire.
  
 +
* Weapon swapping with {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Cleansing}} is your first line of defense against conditions. Consider using {{Skill|Dolyak Stance}} or {{Skill|Lightning Reflexes}} beforehand to get rid of non-damaging conditions, increasing the chance of Cleansing sigil removing damaging ones.
  
'''General'''
+
* {{Skill|Bear Stance}} is there to bail you out when conditions are beginning to overwhelm you. In condition matchups if you need to heal but don't want to waste your only mass cleanse consider using Owl's {{Skill|Spiritual Reprieve}} first while keeping Bear Stance for emergencies.
* Dodging applies Protection, which also heals thanks to the trait {{Trait|Rugged Growth}}. {{Trait|Second Skin}} reduces the condition damage you take by 20% while affected by this boon.
 
  
* Survival skills cure 2 conditions and grant Fury. Your healing, {{Skill|Troll Unguent}} cleanses 4 because it procs {{Trait|Child of Earth}}.  
+
* Smokescale's F2 ability creates a combo field for {{Tooltip|Stealth}} stacking.
  
* Beastmode grants a flat 30% movement speed boost.
 
  
* {{Trait|Zephyr's Speed}} has many uses.
+
'''Beastmode'''
**It can be used offensively for the Quickness, most notably to boost {{Skill|Rapid Fire}}, {{Skill|Maul}}, or Greatsword autos for downed cleave.
+
* Smokescale's {{Skill|Smoke Assault (soulbeast)}} could be used both offensively (delivering damage while making it impossible to kite you) and defensively (it's an instant cast evade frame).
**Defensively by keeping your {{Skill|Beastmode}} ready in case you need to cleanse 2 conditions.
 
**Alternatively the {{Tooltip|Superspeed}} can help you escape damage or chase down targets while on Greatsword.
 
  
* Try to be on Greatsword when you kill players and NPCs alike in order to build up {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Bloodlust}} stacks.
+
* ''Pet dependent'' Owl's F3 {{Skill|Spiritual Reprieve}} is your second healing skill and also a potent support tool when roaming in a group. This is quite handy when playing against some Power-based specs as it can make up for the lost healing when there are no conditions on your for {{Skill|Bear Stance}} to consume.
 +
** Owl also adds some extra mobility for chasing people or disengaging from fights via {{Skill|Swoop}}.  
  
* {{Trait|Refined Toxins}} passively maintains a high uptime of healing reduction on your target.
+
* ''Pet dependent'' When playing with {{Tooltip|Boar}}, its Beatmode ability {{Skill|Maul (soulbeast porcine)}} will be on of your primary burst skills. Hits hard, has a short cast time and a very subtle animation most people won't even notice.
 +
** Try to set this up with CC, which should be easy considering how both other Boar Beastmode skills are CC skill. The F3 is especially good for this as {{Skill|Prelude Lash}} grants you {{Tooltip|Quickness}} and {{Tooltip|Fury}} via trait synergy.
 +
<!--*''If taken'' {{Skill|"Strength of the Pack!"}} used while in Beastmode will grant you {{Tooltip|Might}} on each hit you land. {{Skill|Barrage}} -especially against multiple targets - can quickly build up 25 stacks of {{Tooltip|Might}} which is best used on {{Skill|Rapid Fire}} (Longbow), {{Skill|Maul}} (Greatsword), or {{Skill|Worldly Impact}} (Beastmode).-->
  
  
 
'''Damage'''
 
'''Damage'''
* {{Skill|Maul}} will grant Attack of Opportunity to you while melded, this is best used for boosting {{Skill|Worldly Impact}}'s damage.
+
<!--* {{Skill|Maul}} will grant Attack of Opportunity to ''you'' while melded, this is best used for boosting {{Skill|Worldly Impact}}'s damage.-->
 +
* {{Skill|"Sic 'Em!"}} should always be used in {{Skill|Beastmode}}. It's a really strong burst CD that also denies stealth access for enemies.
  
* Smoke Assault can be used as an instant source of evasion in case you run out of dodges. The damage it does isn't bad either, but not that significant unless all attacks land on the same target.
+
* {{Skill|One Wolf Pack}} is your other burst CD, adding extra damage to every hit you score on a target. This is best used with {{Skill|Rapid Fire}}and {{Skill|Barrage}} which deliver multiple attacks in rapid succession. Smokescale's {{Skill|Smoke Assault (soulbeast)}} also has great synergy with this.
  
* The optimal burst combo is fairly straightforward:
+
* {{Skill|Rapid Fire}} is the main burst skill on Longbow, {{Skill|Maul}} on Greatsword.
:# Make sure you have {{Tooltip|Fury}} by the time you'll unload your Longbow skills.
+
 
:# Pop {{Skill|One Wolf Pack}} before the burst.
+
* {{Skill|Hilt Bash}} resets the cooldown on Maul.
:# Get Quickness from either {{Trait|Zephyr's Speed}} or {{Skill|Quickening Zephyr}} (if taken).
+
 
:# {{Skill|Beastmode}} for some extra stats.
+
* Sometimes you might want to get greedy with {{Skill|Bear Stance}}. While this is your last resort option against condition bursts, it's also great at keeping things like {{Tooltip|Weakness}}, {{Tooltip|Chill}} and {{Tooltip|Blind}} off of you. If you're chasing a low HP target and you want to secure a kill, Bear Stance could ensure that you get to deal damage without any hinderance. You could even combine it with {{Skill|Dolyak Stance}} to make yourself immune to hard CC too.
:# ''Optional, if taken'' {{Skill|"Strength of the Pack!"}}
+
** Of course this is a bit of a gamble, if the target survives your burst you'll be left without your strongest defensive CDs so the plan might backfire.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
''Greatsword burst combo example:''
 +
:# Merge with your Boar, use {{Skill|"Sic 'Em!"}}
 +
:# {{Skill|Prelude Lash}} to proc {{Trait|Live Fast}}
 +
:# {{Skill|Brutal Charge (soulbeast porcine)}} to proc {{Trait|Moment of Clarity}}
 +
:# {{Skill|Maul}}
 +
:# {{Skill|Hilt Bash}} to reset Maul.
 +
:# {{Skill|Maul}} again.
 +
:# {{Skill|Maul (soulbeast porcine)}}
 +
 
 +
 
 +
''Longbow burst combo example:''
 +
:# {{Skill|Beastmode}} for some extra stats while casting One Wolf Pack.
 
:# {{Skill|"Sic 'Em!"}} which boosts the Soulbeast's own damage if used in Beastmode.
 
:# {{Skill|"Sic 'Em!"}} which boosts the Soulbeast's own damage if used in Beastmode.
:# {{Skill|Point Blank Shot}} to increase the chance of landing your burst and to proc {{Trait|Twice as Vicious}}.
+
:# {{Skill|Point Blank Shot}} to increase the chance of landing your burst and to proc {{Trait|Twice as Vicious}} + {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Celerity}} + {{Trait|Two-Handed Training}} for {{Tooltip|Quickness}}, {{Tooltip|Fury}} and damage modifiers.
 
:# {{Skill|Rapid Fire}} for damage.
 
:# {{Skill|Rapid Fire}} for damage.
 +
  
 
==Related Builds==
 
==Related Builds==
 
* [[Build:Soulbeast_-_Sic_%27Em_Sniper|Sic 'Em Sniper]] - the Conquest PvP version of the build.
 
* [[Build:Soulbeast_-_Sic_%27Em_Sniper|Sic 'Em Sniper]] - the Conquest PvP version of the build.
 +
 
* [[Build:Ranger_-_Power_Survival|Core Longbow Roamer]] - core, F2P roaming version.
 
* [[Build:Ranger_-_Power_Survival|Core Longbow Roamer]] - core, F2P roaming version.

Latest revision as of 09:55, 21 November 2024

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

Focused on: Strike damage and Mobility

Designed for: WvW Roaming

Expansions required: Path of Fire Builds

Difficulty:
Easy
This build was last updated on November 21, 2024 and is up to date for the October 8, 2024 patch.

Overview

An iconic Soulbeast Power build for WvW roaming which takes advantage of "Sic 'Em!"'s synergy with Beastmode to pump out massive burst damage and deny Stealth Stealth access for enemies.


Skill Bar

Smokescale
Boar
Longbow
Greatsword
Utility


Skill Variants

Utility

Viable picks for the optional slot (or even over of "Sic 'Em!" if more sustain is needed):

  • "Protect Me!" - strong damage mitigation and another stunbreak.
  • Griffon Stance - defensive skill with more evasion.
  • Signet of the Hunt - unblockable burst combos.
  • Lightning Reflexes - a defensive choice that's useful in any situation but especially good vs Immobilize Immobilize.
  • Quickening Zephyr - could be used defensively to break stuns and escape with Superspeed Superspeed or offensively for Quickness Quickness bursts.


Pets

Smokescale is mandatory but the 2nd pet slot if more flexible. Currently we're recommending Boar for CC and burst damage, but other viable options include:

  • Siamoth Siamoth - a more defensive version of Boar with a beastmode F3 that breaks stun, removes conditions, and grants immunity to strike damage.
  • Owl Owl - way better mobility and some extra healing.


Template Code

[&DQQILyArNxouF3gA+hb6FqUBuAABFwEXLhYuFi4CARMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACIwAyAAA=]
Copy Template Code


Specializations

Variants

Eternal Bond adds a lot of flexibility to the build and allows you to spend more time in beastmode, making it the most popular pick. The other 2 options in this slot are strong in their own right, but much more niche:

  • Leader of the Pack could be considered when roaming in a group, adding a support angle to the build. Improving stance durations also benefits the Soulbeast, but not as much as Eternal Bond does.
  • Oppressive Superiority increases your burst damage. If your goal is to try and end fights in seconds then go for it, but that makes the build a bit more of a gimmick.


Equipment

Head
Marauder
Shoulders
Marauder
Chest
Marauder
Hands
Marauder
Legs
Marauder
Feet
Marauder
Backpiece
Berserker
Accessory
Berserker
Accessory
Berserker
Amulet
Berserker
Ring
Berserker
Ring
Berserker
Longbow
Marauder
Sigil
Sigil
Greatsword
Marauder
Sigil
Sigil
Rune
x6
Infusion
x18
Relic


Runes

  • Rune of Superior Rune of the Brawler - makes the build more durable in exchange for a bit lower crit chance and boon duration.

Sigils

  • Sigil of Superior Sigil of Air or Sigil of Superior Sigil of Severance over Cleansing on Longbow - increased damage for less defense against conditions.

Relics

  • Relic of Mount Balrior - higher damage boost for your main burst combo, but it's much lower uptime than Fireworks.
  • Relic of Isgarren - a damage boost that's easy to maintain in combat, but can be hard to get value out of if you're chasing down a low health enemy for example.
  • Relic of the Weaver - on-demand damage boost whenever you use a stance skill. Could give you slightly higher burst damage than Fireworks in exchange for lower uptime on the damage boost.


Consumables

Food

  • - strong mix of sustain and damage.
  • - active damage mitigation in the form of enhanced endurance regen for more dodging.
    • Budget version:
  • - cheap option with a nice crit chance boost and frequent, armor ignoring damage procs that also heal you.


Utility

  • or .


Usage

Elite specialization basics

  • Soulbeast allows Rangers to meld/merge with their pet, becoming one. This is done through Beastmode which has a 10s CD.
  • Traits related to swapping pets now activate upon entering/leaving Beastmode.
  • Pet related traits and skills such as Pet's Prowess continue to function even while merged, but this time you'll be the one who benefits from them, not the pet (although sometimes the effects are lessened).
    • IMPORTANT: skills that affect your pet like "Sic 'Em!" have to be used after merging if you wish to benefit from them, already active skill effects will be lost just like when swapping pets.


General

  • Don't trust the wording of Relic of Fireworks, some Beastmode F1-3 skills can also proc the damage bonus not just weapon skills.
  • Beastmode grants a flat 30% movement speed boost.
  • Eternal Bond allows you to be more flexible with your Beastmode usage by letting you swap pets while merged. With this you can adapt to situations much better.
  • Pet swapping with Zephyr's Speed can be used offensively for theQuickness Quickness, most notably to boost Rapid Fire, Barrage and Worldly Impact or Sword autos for downed cleave. The Superspeed Superspeed could also help you escape damage or chase down targets while on Sword.
    • With Eternal Bond you can activate this trait even while swapping pets in Beastmode, provided that it isn't on CD.
  • Sometimes you might want to get greedy with Bear Stance. While this is your last resort option against condition bursts, it's also great at keeping things like Weakness Weakness, Chill Chill and Blind Blind off of you. If you're chasing a low HP target and you want to secure a kill, Bear Stance could ensure that you get to deal damage without any hinderance. You could even combine it with Dolyak Stance to make yourself immune to hard CC too.
    • Of course this is a bit of a gamble, if the target survives your burst you'll be left without your strongest defensive CDs so the plan might backfire.
  • Weapon swapping with Sigil of Superior Sigil of Cleansing is your first line of defense against conditions. Consider using Dolyak Stance or Lightning Reflexes beforehand to get rid of non-damaging conditions, increasing the chance of Cleansing sigil removing damaging ones.
  • Bear Stance is there to bail you out when conditions are beginning to overwhelm you. In condition matchups if you need to heal but don't want to waste your only mass cleanse consider using Owl's Spiritual Reprieve first while keeping Bear Stance for emergencies.
  • Smokescale's F2 ability creates a combo field for Stealth Stealth stacking.


Beastmode

  • Smokescale's Smoke Assault (soulbeast) could be used both offensively (delivering damage while making it impossible to kite you) and defensively (it's an instant cast evade frame).
  • Pet dependent Owl's F3 Spiritual Reprieve is your second healing skill and also a potent support tool when roaming in a group. This is quite handy when playing against some Power-based specs as it can make up for the lost healing when there are no conditions on your for Bear Stance to consume.
    • Owl also adds some extra mobility for chasing people or disengaging from fights via Swoop.
  • Pet dependent When playing with Boar Boar, its Beatmode ability Maul (soulbeast porcine) will be on of your primary burst skills. Hits hard, has a short cast time and a very subtle animation most people won't even notice.
    • Try to set this up with CC, which should be easy considering how both other Boar Beastmode skills are CC skill. The F3 is especially good for this as Prelude Lash grants you Quickness Quickness and Fury Fury via trait synergy.


Damage

  • "Sic 'Em!" should always be used in Beastmode. It's a really strong burst CD that also denies stealth access for enemies.
  • One Wolf Pack is your other burst CD, adding extra damage to every hit you score on a target. This is best used with Rapid Fireand Barrage which deliver multiple attacks in rapid succession. Smokescale's Smoke Assault (soulbeast) also has great synergy with this.
  • Rapid Fire is the main burst skill on Longbow, Maul on Greatsword.
  • Hilt Bash resets the cooldown on Maul.
  • Sometimes you might want to get greedy with Bear Stance. While this is your last resort option against condition bursts, it's also great at keeping things like Weakness Weakness, Chill Chill and Blind Blind off of you. If you're chasing a low HP target and you want to secure a kill, Bear Stance could ensure that you get to deal damage without any hinderance. You could even combine it with Dolyak Stance to make yourself immune to hard CC too.
    • Of course this is a bit of a gamble, if the target survives your burst you'll be left without your strongest defensive CDs so the plan might backfire.


Greatsword burst combo example:

  1. Merge with your Boar, use "Sic 'Em!"
  2. Prelude Lash to proc Live Fast
  3. Brutal Charge (soulbeast porcine) to proc Moment of Clarity
  4. Maul
  5. Hilt Bash to reset Maul.
  6. Maul again.
  7. Maul (soulbeast porcine)


Longbow burst combo example:

  1. Beastmode for some extra stats while casting One Wolf Pack.
  2. "Sic 'Em!" which boosts the Soulbeast's own damage if used in Beastmode.
  3. Point Blank Shot to increase the chance of landing your burst and to proc Twice as Vicious + Sigil of Superior Sigil of Celerity + Two-Handed Training for Quickness Quickness, Fury Fury and damage modifiers.
  4. Rapid Fire for damage.


Related Builds


Ratings

This build has a rating of 4 stars based on 7 votes.
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4 stars
Hanz gave this build 4 stars • February 2024
Overhauled the build based on some of the suggestions. Damage is much higher now which is necessary to fight Cele specs, sustain's a bit lower but not too bad when played well. It still has great defensive tools like stealth, GS block and mobility. I agree it's not top tier anymore but it's definitely not a bad pick and you can still destroy some builds in seconds. Sic 'em is especially good at ganking some stealth specs.
2 stars
Asterix gave this build 2 stars • June 2023
The build lacks damage, especially in this cele meta. You need eternal bond if you actually want to play soul beast properly and because you take the trait you will lack the 10% dmg from opressive superiority. I would recommend skirmishing: 2, 1, 3 and the honed axes trait for ferocity. Also take bear stance, protect me, sic em and dolyak stance.
5 stars
Al0bar gave this build 5 stars • December 2022
Great build for Roaming and Zerg as well. Thiefs and Reapers don't like it... as far as I can see
3 stars
Orbuter12345 gave this build 3 stars • June 2022
It's a good backline class, has decent mobility but is outmatched by classes that can close the gap and stick onto them. This build particularly struggles with classes such as: Tempest, Scrapper, (MOST EOD specs). It's become a victim of power creep unfortunately, however back in the day the build was top tier. TLDR: Strong opening burst, struggles in prolonged fights, especially condi/bunker classes.
5 stars
Guirssane gave this build 5 stars • January 2022
Most broken roaming build atm with the celestial meta build
5 stars
Aguakateh gave this build 5 stars • July 2018
Great for roaming and solo camping. Also, with a few adjustments, like adding Moa Stance can be useful in groups, scaring away invaders with the spikes of damage and picking up low health targets when in a fight taking advantage of the high mobility to burst and escape
5 stars
Donyajoon gave this build 5 stars • June 2018
Recent buff made the burst a little stronger. Great for both solo roaming and small groups. Has great single target ranged burst paired with good mobility.

Comments

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