MetaBattle:Style Manual

Note: This page is very outdated. It is in the process of being improved, but take everything written here with a pinch of salt.

This style manual dictates rules and guidelines for creating and editing build and team pages. Strict adherence will almost never get you banned and some flexibility is afforded to new users. However, blatant disregard for the rationality and intentions of this guide is sufficient ground for a ban.

General Writing Styles

These sections should provide a loose understanding of what is considered an ideal writing style.

Voice

• Maintaining an objective writing style (avoiding "I", "We", "You") is encouraged.
• Using CAPITAL LETTERS for emphasis is strongly discouraged.
• Limit bold words. In most cases there is a precedent set for what can be bolded. Language that needs to be emphasized should never be bold but can be italicized (This includes single words and short phrases).

Language

• Define acronyms at least once before using them. (Don't expect your reader to be well-versed in the terminologies).
  • Example: "Deadly Arts (DA) is a specialization for Thieves."
• Omit needless words; Don't use 5 words when 3 will do.
  • Good Example: Using a Leap Finisher in a Fire Combo Field will activate a Fire Shield.
  • Bad Example: Whenever a player is using any kind of Leap Finisher in any kind of Fire Combo Field, it will always activate a Fire Shield.
• Reserve ultimatums/absolutes for actual 100% cases; Avoid "always, never, best, worst"; Choose "almost always, almost never, close to best, close to worst":
  • Good Example: A very difficult build to counter
  • Bad Example: Always the worst build to counter ever

Pattern

• Maintain structure. It is up to you to notice the implied structure/pattern when editing a page.
  • Good Example #1:
    • Skill1 - Effect1 will provide this and that.
    • Skill2 - Effect2 will do so and so.
    • Skill3 - Effect3 will happen automatically.
  • Bad Example #1:
    • Skill1 - Effect1 will provide this and that.
    • Skill2 - Effect 2 will do so and so.
    • Effect 3 will happen automatically upon activating Skill3.
  • Good Example #2:
    • There are Leap Finishers, Whirl Finishers, and Projectile Finishers.
  • Bad Example #2:
    • There are Leap Finishers, Whirl Finishers, and Finishers from Projectiles.

Creating Build & Team Pages

Before creating a new build or team, check if an existing variant is available:

• Builds by Profession (Change the prefix to whatever profession you're looking for)
• Teams

If the build already exists, consider adding content to that article or advocating changes in the discussion tab. Otherwise, you are free to create any new build or team page by following the steps below.

Naming

Creating a new build first requires a name. All build pages should begin with the "Build:" prefix, followed by the profession name, a space, hyphen, and another space. The build title then goes last.

Avoid using "Ultimate", "Perfect", or "Best" in the title. If a build is indeed that good it will surely gain traction from the community regardless of it's title. Sometimes it's easiest to distinguish a build by the weapons it uses or the specific trait/playstyle that makes it unique.

Here are some good examples:

Build:PROFESSION - TITLE
 ------------------------
 Build:Elementalist - Staff Backline
 Build:Engineer - Power Grenadier
 Build:Guardian - AH Frontliner
 Build:Mesmer - Double Ranged Shatter
 Build:Necromancer - Standard Power Necro
 Build:Ranger - S/A LB Spotter
 Build:Thief - D/P Roamer
 Build:Warrior - Shoutbow

If the build uses a Heart of the Thorns specialization, list that instead, for example:

Build:SPECIALIZATION - TITLE
 ------------------------
 Build:Tempest - Staff Backline
 Build:Scrapper - Power Grenadier
 Build:Dragonhunter - AH Frontliner
 Build:Chronomancer - Double Ranged Shatter
 Build:Reaper - Standard Power Necro
 Build:Druid - S/A LB Spotter
 Build:Daredevil - D/P Roamer
 Build:Berserker - Shoutbow

Creating

The screenshots in this section is outdated, but the process is exactly the same. To actually create the new page, do one of the following:

Address Bar

1. Type "www.metabattle.com/wiki/Build:Guardian - AoE Staff Farmer" into the address bar and hit enter (Don't worry about spaces or punctuation, the server will figure it out for you).
2. If the page doesn't exist, you can click "edit this page" in the message or the "Create" tab near your personal navigation bar.
3. If the page already exists, consider adding your content to the existing page. If you believe your build to be very different consider asking the discussion page or creating a new build under a different name.

Search Method

1. Alternatively, you can simply type your build into the search bar.
2. Type "Build:Guardian - AoE Staff Farmer" into the search box near your personal navigation bar and hit enter
3. Click the red link for your build (If there is no red link, the build already exists! See step 3 above).

You should now be at a text-editor.

Here you can type anything you'd like to begin your build. You can always preview your work with the "Show preview" button near the bottom. The page will be created once you "Save" the page.

Templates

The following are barebone templates you can copy and edit for different types of gameplay. Several wiki templates that are used to display the articles are explained in more details in the section Template Explanation.

Conquest (sPvP)

 {{MBuild
| profession = Warrior, Guardian, Revenant, Ranger, Thief, Engineer, Elementalist, Mesmer, Necromancer (choose one)
| specialization = Dragonhunter, Druid, Daredevil, or any other elite specialization from the expansions (enter one, leave blank for none)
| designed for = Conquest
| rating = draft, test (choose one)
| focus = 
}}

==Overview==
Description

==Skillbar==
{{Skillbar
| profession = Warrior, Guardian, Revenant, Ranger, Thief, Engineer, Elementalist, Mesmer, Necromancer (choose one)
| specialization = Dragonhunter, Druid, Daredevil, or any other elite specialization from the expansions (enter one, leave blank for none)
| weapon1 = (set 1's mainhand)
| weapon2 = (set 1's offhand)
| weapon3 = (set 2's mainhand)
| weapon4 = (set 2's offhand)
| healing = Skill name
| utility1 = Skill name
| utility2 = Skill name
| utility3 = Skill name
| elite = Skill name
}}

===Skill Variants===
*{{Skill|Skill name}} for reasons x, y, and z.


==Template Code==
{{TemplateCode|
code = copy and paste the ingame template code here for others to use
}}


==Specializations==
{{Specialization|Name|Position|Position|Position}} ("bot" for bottom trait, "mid" for middle, "top" for top)
{{Specialization|Name|Position|Position|Position}}
{{Specialization|Name|Position|Position|Position}}
'''Variants'''
* {{Trait|Trait name}} for reasons x, y, and z


===Specialization Variants===
'''Specialization''' over '''Specialization''' for reasons x, y, and z
{{Specialization|Name|Position|Position|Position|variant=y}}


==Equipment==
{{PvP equipment
| weapon1 = 
| weapon2 = 
| sigil1 = 
| sigil2 = 
| weapon3 =
| weapon4 =
| sigil3 =  
| sigil4 = 
| rune = 
| amulet = 
}}

===Equipment Variants===
'''Sigils'''
* {{Sigil|Sigil name}} for reasons x, y, and z.

'''Rune'''
* {{Rune|Rune name}}  for reasons x, y, and z.

'''Amulet'''
* {{Amulet/|label=1}}  for reasons x, y, and z.


==Usage==
*Point 1
*Point 2
*Point 3


==Counters==
*Counter 1
*Counter 2
*Counter 3

World vs. World

{{MBuild
| profession = Warrior, Guardian, Revenant, Ranger, Thief, Engineer, Elementalist, Mesmer, Necromancer (choose one)
| specialization = Dragonhunter, Druid, Daredevil, or any other elite specialization from the expansions (enter one, leave blank for none)
| designed for = wvw zerg, wvw gvg, wvw roaming (choose one)
| rating = draft, test (choose one)
| focus = 
}}

==Overview==
Description


==Skillbar==
{{Skill bar
| profession = Warrior, Guardian, Revenant, Ranger, Thief, Engineer, Elementalist, Mesmer, Necromancer (choose one)
| specialization = Dragonhunter, Druid, Daredevil, or any other elite specialization from the expansions (enter one, leave blank for none)
| weapon1 =
| weapon2 = 
| weapon3 = 
| weapon4 = 
| healing = Skill name
| utility1 = Skill name
| utility2 = Skill name
| utility3 = Skill name
| elite = Skill name
}}


===Skill Variants===
;Weapon
{{Skill bar variant|profession|mainhand weapon|offhand weapon}} (use x for none)

;Heal
*{{Skill|Skill name}} {{to}} {{Skill|Skill name}} for reasons x, y, and z.

;Utility
*{{Skill|Skill name}} {{to}} {{Skill|Skill name}} for reasons x, y, and z.

;Elite
*{{Skill|Skill name}} {{to}} {{Skill|Skill name}} for reasons x, y, and z.


==Template Code==
{{TemplateCode|
code = copy and paste the ingame template code here for others to use
}}


==Specializations==
{{Specialization|Name|Position|Position|Position}} (use "top", "mid" and  "bot" to select the traits.)
{{Specialization|Name|Position|Position|Position}}
{{Specialization|Name|Position|Position|Position}}
;Variants
* {{Trait|Trait name}} for reasons x, y, and z


===Specialization Variants===
{{Specialization|Name|Position|Position|Position|variant=y}}
'''Specialization''' {{to}} '''Specialization''' for reasons x, y, and z


==Equipment==
{{PvE equipment
| stats = 
| rarity = Ascended, Exotic (choose one)
| runes = 6 Superior Rune of (choose the rune)
| infusions = 18 (choose the infusion, you can also include multiple infusions separated by a comma)
| s1w1 = (rarity, stat, weapon, sigil 1+sigil2)
| s1w2 = 
| s2w1 = 
| s2w2 = 
| head = (rarity, stat - remove line when identical to |stats= and |rarity= )
| shoulders = 
| chest =
| hands =  
| legs = 
| feet = 
| amulet = 
| ring1 = 
| ring2 = 
| accessory1 = 
| accessory2 = 
| back = 
}}


===Consumables===
* {{Food|Food name}} 
::{{Food|Food name}} (When available, add the corresponding personal food option second)
* {{Utility|Utility name}}


===Equipment Variants===
;Stats
for reasons x, y, and z.

;Sigils
* {{Sigil|Sigil Name}} for reasons x, y, and z.

;Runes
* {{Rune|Rune Name}} for reasons x, y, and z.

;Food
* {{Food|Food Name}} for reasons x, y, and z.
* {{Food|Food Name}} for reasons x, y, and z.

;Utility
* {{Utility|Food Name}} for reasons x, y, and z.
* {{Utility|Food Name}} for reasons x, y, and z.


==Usage==
===General===
*Point 1
*Point 2
*Point 3


===Overall Priorities===
;High
*Point 1
*Point 2
*Point 3
;Moderate
*Point 1
*Point 2
*Point 3
;Low
*Point 1
*Point 2
*Point 3



===Surviving===
* This build has high passive defense
* This build has moderate mobility skill access
* This builds has high active defenses
{{Collapsible
|width=85
|;Active defense priority
|
*Skill 1
*Skill 2
*Skill 3
}}


===Detailed Explanations===
====Priority 1====
*Point 1
*Point 2
*Point 3
{{Collapsible
|width=85
|collapsed=true
|;Priority 1 priorities
|
*Skill 1
*Skill 2
*Skill 3
}}


====Priority X (As needed for each item in Overall Priorities)====
*Point 1
*Point 2
*Point 3


===Settings===
*Point 1
*Point 2
*Point 3


===Tips & Tricks===
*Point 1
*Point 2
*Point 3


===Gameplay Videos===
*Video 1
*Video 2
*Video 3

Fractals, Raids, PvE

 {{MBuild
| profession = Warrior, Guardian, Revenant, Ranger, Thief, Engineer, Elementalist, Mesmer, Necromancer (choose one)
| specialization = Dragonhunter, Druid, Daredevil, or any other elite specialization from the expansions (enter one, leave blank for none)
| designed for = Fractal, Raid, Open World (choose one)
| rating = draft, test (choose one)
| focus = 
}}

==Overview==
'Description'


==Skillbar==
{{Skill bar
| profession = Warrior, Guardian, Revenant, Ranger, Thief, Engineer, Elementalist, Mesmer, Necromancer (choose one)
| specialization = Dragonhunter, Druid, Daredevil, or any other elite specialization from the expansions (enter one, leave blank for none)
| weapon1 =
| weapon2 = 
| weapon3 = 
| weapon4 =
| healing = skill
| utility1 = skill
| utility2 = skill
| utility3 = skill
| elite = skill
}}

===Skill Variants===
;Weapons
*{{Skill bar variant|profession|mainhand weapon|offhand weapon}} (use x for none)
;Utility skills
*{{Skill|Skill name}} for reasons x, y, and z.


==Template Code==
{{TemplateCode|
code = copy and paste the ingame template code here for others to use
}}


==Specializations==
{{Specialization|Name|Position|Position|Position}}
{{Specialization|Name|Position|Position|Position}}
{{Specialization|Name|Position|Position|Position}}
'''Variants'''
* {{Trait|Trait name}} for reasons x, y, and z


===Specialization Variants===
'''Specialization''' over '''Specialization''' for reasons x, y, and z
{{Specialization|Name|Position|Position|Position|variant=y}}


==Equipment==
{{PvE equipment
| stats = 
| rarity = Ascended, Exotic (choose one)
| runes = 6 Superior Rune of (choose the rune)
| infusions = 18 (choose the infusion, you can also include multiple infusions separated by a comma)
| s1w1 = (rarity, stat, weapon, sigil 1+sigil2)
| s1w2 = 
| s2w1 = 
| s2w2 = 
| head = (rarity, stat - remove line when identical to |stats= and |rarity= )
| shoulders = 
| chest =
| hands =  
| legs = 
| feet = 
| amulet = 
| ring1 = 
| ring2 = 
| accessory1 = 
| accessory2 = 
| back = 
}}


===Equipment Variants===
'''Stats'''
for reasons x, y, and z.

'''Sigils'''
* {{Sigil|Sigil Name}} for reasons x, y, and z.

'''Runes'''
* {{Rune|Rune Name}} for reasons x, y, and z.

==Consumables==
'''Food'''
* {{Food|Food Name}} for reasons x, y, and z.
* {{Food|Food Name}} for reasons x, y, and z.

'''Utility'''
* {{Utility|Utility Name}} for reasons x, y, and z.
* {{Utility|Utility Name}} for reasons x, y, and z.


==Usage==
===Standard Rotation===
*Rotation Goal
# {{Skill|Skill Name}}
# {{Skill|Skill Name}}
# {{Skill|Skill Name}}
# {{Skill|Skill Name}}
# {{Skill|Skill Name}}

Template Explanation

Templates are special tools written in plain text which have special meaning to the wiki. Templates accept parameters and output some pretty-formatted information on the page. They usually have the form Template:Template Name.

MBuild Template

Once you submit a build, it should first be marked under the "Draft" category. Fill in the correct profession, Heart of the Thorns specialization (leave blank if none), and focus by adding the following code:

 {{MBuild
| profession = 
| specialization = 
| designed for =
| rating = draft
| focus = 
}}

For example:

 {{MBuild
| profession = Warrior
| specialization = Berserker
| designed for = Conquest
| rating = draft
| focus = Direct damage
}}

In this stage the community will criticize and suggest improvements to the build. The build will be located under "Draft" due to being set to "Draft". Note that it will take some time (ranging from a few hours to a few days) before it appears on the main page, this is an anti-spam measure.

Once you have reviewed the comments and made necessary adjustments to the build and think that it's ready for the community to rate it, you should replace draft with test:

 {{MBuild
| profession = 
| specialization = 
| designed for =
| rating = test
| focus = 
}}

For example:

 {{MBuild
| profession = Warrior
| specialization = Berserker
| designed for = Conquest
| rating = test
| focus = Direct damage
}}

Build Ratings

This is where people will rate the build. Once a minimum of 5 votes have been gathered you should replace test with the following:

• Trash (0 – <3.75):
• Good (3.75 – <4.75):
• Great (4.75 – 5.0):

If it happens that the build is also used in the current meta, a Curator will tag it with the Meta tag.

Skillbar Settings

Fill in the correct profession and specialization (leave blank if none). Skill names are case sensitive and be sure to keep spaces. If you leave a Utility# out, it will appear as optional.

{{Skill bar
| profession = 
| specialization = 
| weapon1 =
| weapon2 = 
| weapon3 = 
| weapon4 =
| healing = 
| utility1 = 
| utility2 = 
| utility3 = 
| elite = 
}}
''Variants''
*{{Skill| }}

For example:

 {{Skill bar
| profession = guardian
| specialization = dragonhunter
| weapon1 = Staff
| weapon2 = 
| weapon3 = Mace
| weapon4 = Shield
| healing = Purification
| utility1 = Smite Condition
| utility3 = Fragments of Faith
| elite = Renewed Focus
}}

''Variants''
*{{Skill|Purging Flames}}

Will appear as:

Staff

Mace/Shield

Utility

Variants

• Purging Flames

Specialization Settings

A blank Specialization template looks like this:

 {{Specialization| | | | }}
{{Specialization| | | | }}
{{Specialization| | | | }}
'''Variant'''
*{{Trait| }}

Fill the first blank with the Specialization name, and the following spaces with the trait's position, for example:

 {{Specialization|Honor|mid|mid|bot}}
{{Specialization|Valor|mid|top|mid}}
{{Specialization|Dragonhunter|top|top|top}}
'''Variant'''
*{{Trait|Big Game Hunter}}

Which looks like:

Variant

• Big Game Hunter

Equipment Settings

This section will be split up into Conquest, World vs. World, and Fractals/Raids as each uses different templates.

Conquest Equipment Settings

A pvp equipment will show one to two weapons, sigils, runes, and amulets, the following is a blank template:

{{PvP equipment
| weapon1 = 
| sigil1 = 
| weapon2 = 
| sigil2 = 
| weapon3 = 
| sigil3 = 
| weapon4 = 
| sigil4 = 
| rune =  
| amulet =  
}}

The following is a filled in example. Please note that weapon names are not case sensitive, while sigils, runes, and amulets are. For Runes, the Superior of the section is left out, so Superior Rune of the Monk should be listed as Monk:

{{PvP equipment
| weapon1 = staff
| sigil1 = Transference
| sigil2 = Energy
| weapon3 = Mace
| sigil3 = Transference
| weapon4 = Shield
| sigil4 = Energy
| rune = Monk
| amulet = Avatar
}}

Will appear as:

Staff

Sigil

Sigil

Mace

Shield

Sigil

Sigil

Rune

Amulet

List of Amulets:

| amulet = Assassin
| amulet = Avatar
| amulet = Berserker
| amulet = Carrion
| amulet = Demolisher
| amulet = Destroyer
| amulet = Grieving
| amulet = Marauder
| amulet = Paladin
| amulet = Rabid
| amulet = Rampager
| amulet = Sage
| amulet = Sinister
| amulet = Swashbuckler
| amulet = Valkyrie
| amulet = Wizard

World vs. World Equipment Settings

https://metabattle.com/wiki/index.php?title=Template:PvE_equipment

Raids/Fractals Equipment Settings

WIP Please refer to current Raids/Fractals builds as a guide.

Usage/Guide settings

Guide on how to use the build, doesn't have to be long. Focus on special qualities of the build and not on basic mechanics of the class.

With New Builds you are submitting, don't spend much time on Usage. The Build itself is more important than the usage, so focus will be placed on the Skills/Traits/Equipment when testing.

Counters settings

Explain what is countering the build and how you can prevent that.

Video Guides settings

Links to Youtube videos where this guide is used, use this format when adding new links:

* Youtube: [VIDEO-URL VIDEO-TITLE]
Example:
* Youtube: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZkmJ0GGUVc&list=UUOnS25A9T04O4fv6XbAvW7A How to Play: Hambow Guide]

The above example would give this on the article page:

Youtube: How to Play: Hambow Guide

You can also add streamers to the list:

* Twitch: [https://www.twitch.tv/holymoobs Moobs - NA]

Other Templates

Pending-Archive

If you believe that the build in question is outdated you can mark it for archive by adding this code right under "########## Rating/Category settings ##########":

{{Pending-Archive|REASON1|REASON2|...|REASON8}}

The template accepts up to 8 reasons. Example if we fill in 3 reasons:

{{Pending-Archive|REASON1|REASON2|REASON3}}

The above example would display this on the build article:

Archived Build

If the build in question should be archived, replace rating with Archive. You may add the archive reason on the page if you wish. For example:

{{MBuild
| profession = Elementalist
| designed for = Conquest
| rating = archived
| focus = bunkering, support, hybrid damage
}}
''Archived due to the removal of the Cleric Amulet.''

Mark for Deletion

If you believe that the build or page should be deleted, add the following tag to the top of the page:

{{Delete|REASON1|REASON2|...|REASON8}}

The template accepts up to 8 reasons. Example if we fill in 3 reasons:

{{Delete|REASON1|REASON2|REASON3}}

The above example would display this on the build article: