Build:Dragonhunter - Power DH

The community gave this build a rating, making it top-tier: Great

Focused on: Strike damage and Dps

Designed for: WvW Zerg

Expansions required:

Difficulty:

Normal

This build was last updated on August 24, 2023 and is up to date for the October 8, 2024 patch.

Overview

A build designed for massive AoE DPS, with great access to spike damage, ground AoE and ranged pressure. See also: Dragonhunter - Staff DH for an alternative build with Staff instead of Longbow.

Skill Bar

Longbow

Scepter/Torch

Utility

Variants

Weapons

• Longbow to Staff very common alternative. DPS increase but loses Hunter's Ward
  • See Build:Dragonhunter_-_Staff_DH for alternative usage.
• Longbow to Greatsword large DPS gain if you can consistently melee

Skills

• "Stand Your Ground!" access to self and group Stability

Template Code

[&DQEqOhA+GykDAQAAihIAAP4SAABIAQAANwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA=]

Copy Template Code

Specializations

Variants

• Swapping Virtues to Radiance is a substantial DPS increase but comes at the cost of your only stunbreak and should only be used if you are very confident in your party support

Template Code

[]

Copy Template Code

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

Longbow
Marauder

Sigil

Sigil

Scepter
Marauder

Torch
Marauder

Sigil

Sigil

Rune
x6

Infusion
x18

Relic

Variants

Relic

• Relic of Speed
• Relic of the Thief - more damage if fights are ranged heavy

Sigils

• Sigil of Superior Sigil of Force

Radiance variant equipment

Head
Marauder

Shoulders
Marauder

Chest
Marauder

Hands
Marauder

Legs
Marauder

Feet
Marauder

Backpiece
Marauder

Accessory
Dragon

Accessory
Marauder

Amulet
Dragon

Ring
Marauder

Ring
Marauder

Staff
Dragon

Sigil

Sigil

Scepter
Dragon

Torch
Dragon

Sigil

Sigil

Rune
x6

Infusion
x18

Relic

Consumables

• • personal food option

Usage

Priorities

High

• Traps - in melee
• Ranged Spike

Moderate

• Sustained damage
• Shield of Courage - zeal/radiance only

Low

• Single target
• CC

Surviving

• This build has moderate passive defense
• This build has moderate mobility skill access
  • Use Wings of Resolve if you're separated from your group and can't safely move back
    • Beware of ground CCs (Line of Warding) that will interrupt your movement
• This builds has high active defenses
  • Beware of unblockable CCs (Line of Warding) when using Shelter
    • Standing briefly still while channeling Shelter can sometimes be better than moving straight back to your group
  • Shield of Courage will only block attacks from the front
    • To block ground AoE face the player that cast it
    • Save Shield of Courage to break stuns with Indomitable Courage
  • Do not use Renewed Focus until Wings of Resolve and Shield of Courage are on cooldown, unless you will die without it

Active defense priority

• Wings of Resolve - for Immobilize
• Shield of Courage - for Stunbreaking
• Dodge
• Shelter
• Shield of Courage
• Wings of Resolve - general use
• Renewed Focus

Detailed Explanations

Traps

• Use Procession of Blades and Test of Faith when the enemy group is pushing towards you or your group is in melee
• Don't try to predict the enemy group far in advance or precast traps, wait until you have an opportunity to get immediate value
• Wings of Resolve can be used offensively to position yourself for traps
  • Don't put yourself in a position where you could die trying to get better traps off

Ranged Spike

• Open with Scepter/Torch and use Symbol of Punishment ⇒ Sword of Justice

Sustained damage

• When using ground AoEs like Symbol skills or Sword of Justice, try to place them so that one edge is on the enemy group and the other edge is in the direction they are moving to
• Since Longbow skills other than Hunter's Ward are all projectiles, camp Scepter/Torch until projectile block is down unless you're aiming to land a Hunter's Ward for CC
  • Fire Symbol of Energy at your feet when the enemy is pushing to avoid projectile block
• Use your Symbol skills quickly after swapping weapons so that the cooldowns will line up for future swaps
• Combine your Symbol skills with other damage to generate higher spikes
  • Symbol of Punishment ⇒ Sword of Justice
• Try to hit your own group with Cleansing Flame as well if you can, but prioritize hitting enemies

Skill priority

• Test of Faith/Procession of Blades
• Symbol of Punishment
• Zealot's Fire - when no projectile block present (Zealot's Flame flip skill)
• Cleansing Flame - in melee
• Sword of Justice

Shield of Courage - for Zeal/Radiance

Show

• Use Shield of Courage when pushing to block damage for your group
  • Shield of Courage will only block attacks from the front, face your enemies, but don't let yourself get out of position

Single Target

• Pull targets with Hunter's Verdict (Spear of Justice flip skill) as the enemy group disengages from yours, never while both groups are crossing through each other
• Spear of Justice can be left on a target without using Hunter's Verdict to apply Revealed
• Use Chains of Light to follow up on Hunter's Verdict or to catch targets as enemies disengage
• If you have a chance to use Zealot's Fire or True Shot on an isolated target without projectile block, take it

CC

• Use Hunter's Ward 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
• Use Deflecting Shot when your group is crossing the enemy