Firebrand - Quickness Support Condi DPS

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

Focused on: Condition damage and Support

Expansions required:

Difficulty:

Normal

This build was last updated on June 30, 2024 and is up to date for the October 8, 2024 patch.

Overview

This build provides 100% Quickness and (optional) high Fury uptime on a closely stacked group while having very strong personal DPS as well as access to Guardian's powerful utility skills.

The access to utility skills allows firebrand to provide boons such as Aegis and Stability better than almost any other class, and their tomes mean they always have access to extra abilities such as condition cleanse or reflect.

Skill Bar

Pistol/Torch

Pistol/Pistol

Utility

Weapon Variants

For players that don't own Secrets of the Obscure, Axe/Torch is the best weapon set.
- A Scepter in the second set can provide some extra burst and utility.
If you don't have a source of Fury in the group, you'll need to bring an Axe in the second set to provide it yourself.

Skill Variants

Purging Flames may be swapped out for more utility.

"Stand Your Ground!" can be used to provide Stability and Resolution.
Hallowed Ground can be used if you need multiple pulsing applications of Stability over a longer period of time.
Wall of Reflection can be used as a reflect.
Signet of Wrath can provide higher DPS than Mantra of Flame on encounters with long phases.
Sanctuary can be used for more CC.
"Advance!" might be useful on encounters where reliable Swiftness and Aegis are more valuable than damage.

If you have ~30% boon duration and consume all charges of Mantra of Potence off cooldown, then you can maintain Quickness without the need for "Feel My Wrath!". Be aware that dropping "Feel My Wrath!" removes your only source of Fury.

Mantra of Liberation gives access to regular Stability and a rare group stunbreak.
Renewed Focus could be used to gain more utility from your tomes as you typically will be spending pages as fast as you can generate them.

Template Code

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Specializations

Trait Variants

Inspiring Virtue is a tiny DPS gain, so you could run Absolute Resolve to provide some group support.
Stalwart Speed can be used in combination with Mantra of Liberation to provide Stability without swapping out a utility skill (which are all very powerful). Note that to maintain Quickness, you need to use a charge of Mantra of Liberation every ~20s and consume all charges of Mantra of Potence.

Equipment

Head
Ritualist

Shoulders
Ritualist

Chest
Ritualist

Hands
Ritualist

Legs
Ritualist

Feet
Ritualist

Backpiece
Sinister

Accessory
Ritualist

Amulet
Ritualist

Ring
Viper

Pistol
Ritualist

Torch
Ritualist

Sigil

Pistol
Ritualist

Sigil

Rune
x6

Infusion
x18

Relic

This setup has ~33% boon duration.
- You could get away with as little as 15%, but it's almost free to run up to ~40% thanks to Ritualist stats gear.
You should take as much extra boon duration as required to maintain Quickness. It would be less than a 300 DPS loss to swap all Viper stats pieces for Ritualist stats.
In fractals, you can swap in more Viper stats pieces for more DPS (assuming you have 150+ AR and Mistlock Singularities).
If you are tanking, swap in Celestial stats gear until you have as much toughness as needed.
If Ritualist stats are too difficult to obtain, you can replace those pieces with Celestial stats.
If you don't have access to Relic of the Fractal, you could run a Relic of the Herald and lower the boon duration on your gear.

Boon Duration Variants

With Mantras charging automatically and instantly, consuming all charges of Mantra of Potence is significantly more effective than holding on to charges. But there are some options for higher boon duration:

At 15%+, you could also run Mantra of Liberation if you took Stalwart Speed and make sure to use a charge at least every 20 seconds.
To drop "Feel My Wrath!" and keep Weighty Terms, you will need to increase your boon duration to over 30%.
To play without consuming the last charge of Mantra of Potence you would want to increase your Quickness duration to ~55%.

Consumables

Food

, or ascended versions.

Utility

Usage

The basic idea is to use skills off cooldown while spamming Burning with key Tome of Justice skills.

Thanks to Weighty Terms, expending all charges of Mantra of Flame and/or Mantra of Lore generates two pages. This means that you can frequently jump into Tome of Justice and use any or all of the following skills (listed in order of priority):

Pistol Rotation

Opener

During the opener spam two Mantra of Flame and Mantra of Potence charges each as fast as you can without delaying other skills. After the third tome skill, immediately use the remaining charge(s) to max out your pages again.

Begin on Pistol/Torch

Symbol of Ignition - this causes extra burning to enemies inside it when you hit them, so we use it first.
Purging Flames and Zealot's Flame during the cast
Tome of Justice
Epilogue Ashes of the Just
Chapter 4 Scorched Aftermath
Chapter 2 Igniting Burst
Stow Tome
Zealot's Fire
Peacekeeper
Zealot's Flame ⇒ Zealot's Fire
Weapon swap
Jurisdiction - allow to charge fully, and detonate immediately as is passes through your target.

Rest of the Rotation

Weapon swap off cooldown. Both weapon skill 4s are ammo skills, so there is flexibility in when you use them, as long as you don't let them sit at max charges.
Use all weapon skills except Cleansing Flame.
- You can slightly delay skills in order to cast them inside Symbol of Ignition for extra triggers.
- You can use Cleansing Flame if no other skills are available, but try not to delay other skills thanks to its long cast time.
Spam all charges of Mantra of Flame and Mantra of Potence.
Use "Feel My Wrath!" off cooldown.

Tome Usage

You cannot see the cooldown of your tome skills outside of your tome, but Epilogue Ashes of the Just has the same cooldown as Purging Flames, and Chapter 4 Scorched Aftermath has the same cooldown as Symbol of Ignition. By casting these skills in close succession it is somewhat possible to keep track. Using three skills in one burst provides a page refund via Swift Scholar so the third skill is essentially free.

Thanks to Weighty Terms, if you are using the last charge of either mantra then you can use the extra pages for utility from other tome skills.

Video example

Axe Rotation

Axe is by far the most damaging weapon set (other than Pistol). However, if you need to swap to Sceptre for ranged damage, you have several long cast-times that that can be used to cover the time and minimise the need to use Sceptre's weak autoattacks.

Opener
During the opener spam two Mantra of Flame and Mantra of Potence charges each as fast as you can without delaying other skills. After the third tome skill, immediately use the remaining charge(s) to max out your pages again.

Symbol of Vengeance and Zealot's Flame during the cast
Purging Flames
Weapon Swap
Symbol of Punishment
Tome of Justice
Epilogue Ashes of the Just
Chapter 4 Scorched Aftermath
Chapter 2 Igniting Burst
Stow Tome
Zealot's Fire

Tome Usage

You cannot see the cooldown of your tome skills outside of your tome, but Epilogue Ashes of the Just has the same cooldown as Purging Flames, and Chapter 2 Igniting Burst has the same cooldown as Symbol of Vengeance. By casting these skills in close succession it is somewhat possible to keep track. Using three skills in one burst provides a page refund via Swift Scholar so the third skill is essentially free.

Thanks to Weighty Terms, if you are using the last charge of either mantra then you can use the extra pages for utility from other tome skills.

Axe

While on Axe, you mostly use Symbol of Vengeance and Blazing Edge off cooldown and autoattack in between, making sure to finish auto chains. When Purging Flames comes off cooldown, you want to use it then immediately perform a tome burst. You should be able to fit two uses of Symbol of Vengeance in between every major tome burst.

Use Zealot's Flame ⇒ Zealot's Fire when available. As long as Zealot's Flame doesn't reach maximum charges you can't waste the cooldown, so feel free to fit its usage around other skills.

Tome Usage

You cannot see the cooldown of your tome skills outside of your tome, but Epilogue Ashes of the Just has the same cooldown as Purging Flames, and Chapter 2 Igniting Burst has the same cooldown as Symbol of Vengeance. By casting these skills in close succession it is somewhat possible to keep track. Using three skills in one burst provides a page refund via Swift Scholar so the third skill is essentially free.

Thanks to Weighty Terms, if you are using the last charge of either mantra then you can use the extra pages for utility from other tome skills.

Scepter

You want to swap to Scepter when it's time to recharge mantras (or for ranged damage). As the autoattacks are very weak, you want to cover as much time on this weapon with the following:

Zealot's Fire throws
Cleansing Flame

Using these skills means you spend as little time autoattack as possible whilst still being able to benefit from Symbol of Punishment.

Video Example (using slightly different gear)

Video example of Axe-camping Unrelenting Criticism rotation

Quickness

Mantra of Solace, Mantra of Potence, and "Feel My Wrath!" are used to maintain Quickness on your group.

"Feel My Wrath!" and Mantra of Potence can be cast as soon as they are available.
Mantra of Solace should be used every 7 seconds to activate Liberator's Vow. You can estimate this by looking at the line that moves around the mantra icon as it recharges. Once it starts moving along the top of the icon, at least 7.2 seconds have passed (if you have Alacrity) so it can be freely used again.

Mantras

As the final charge of each mantra is so powerful, the optimal use of them is to quickly consume all three charges (NOT Mantra of Solace) whenever they are available. You typically always want to do this for Mantra of Flame, but there can be reasons to keep charges of Mantra of Potence.

For example, if your group is not stacked, you may need to delay casting the last charge until they are. If this is a regular occurrence, you may wish to bring higher boon duration.

General Tips

All mantras are instant cast and should be used while performing the rest of the rotation.
Zealot's Flame and Zealot's Fire should be used in place of autoattacks when up. As an ammunition skill, you are free to delay use of this as long as you don't reach maximum charges.
Make sure to always complete your auto attack chain while on Axe.

Encounter Specific Tips

Spirit Vale

Vale Guardian

Use Chains of Light on Scepter to Immobilize Seekers that are getting too close.
Make sure not to face Seekers when using Blazing Edge to ensure you don't pull them into the group.
Tome of Resolve can be used to quickly recover after a skipped green, or at the end of the split phase if you have any spare pages.

For more information, see our Vale Guardian Guide.

Spirit Woods

For more information, see our Spirit Woods Guide.

Gorseval the Multifarious

"Advance!" can be used to block Gorseval's slams.
Blazing Edge can be used to pull the little spirits into Gorseval to they can be cleaved down.
During the split phase, use Chains of Light on the big spirits to prevent them moving into Gorseval.
Use Tome of Resolve during the break bar to help out-heal the returned damage.
During the later parts of the encounter it may be worth dropping your Symbol of Punishment on the Orbs to prevent them expanding into the group.

For more information, see our Gorseval the Multifarious Guide.

Sabetha the Saboteur

Bandit Sappers spawn opposite the cannons every 30 seconds, and you can use Blazing Edge to pull them into the group. Make sure the sapper has thrown its bomb before doing this however if you don't want to skip the cannon.
Tome of Courage can also be used to provide Stability during the flamewall attack.
If you have spare pages, use Epilogue Unbroken Lines in Tome of Courage when Karde spawns, to provide toughness and protection for his flamethrower attack.

For more information, see our Sabetha the Saboteur Guide.

Salvation Pass

Slothasor

Use Blazing Edge to pull slublings (NOT the friendly slubling) into the stack.
Unless it's being covered by other people, bring "Stand Your Ground!" to provide Stability for the Fear attack after Slothasor's defiance bar is broken.
Tome of Resolve can be used to quickly cleanse conditions if people are hit by the shake attack}}
If slubling pressure is too high, then Chapter 3 Valiant Bulwark in Tome of Courage can reduce it, though some slubling attacks are unblockable.

For more information, see our Slothasor Guide.

Bandit Trio

"Stand Your Ground!" is worth taking to reduce general annoyance from the various bandit CCs.

For more information, see our Bandit Trio Guide.

Matthias Gabrel

You can be the group's primary reflect if you bring Wall of Reflection. Note that you must place the wall inside Matthias' hitbox, or the targeted person will need to remain still in order to ensure all the shards are reflected correctly.
if you are not the main reflect, you can be a backup by using Chapter 3 Valiant Bulwark in Tome of Courage.
If your group's CC is bad, take Sanctuary to easily break the sacrifice. Matthias will no longer try to sacrifice players in the abomination phase, so you can use it to block the Shards of Rage attack instead (make sure not the block the bubble attack).
Matthias will Fear the whole squad when transitioning into the abomination phase. If you have spare pages, enter Tome of Courage and apply as much Stability and Resolution to your group as possible to protect against this.

For more information, see our Matthias Gabrel Guide.

Stronghold of the Faithful

Escort

"Stand Your Ground!" is worth taking to reduce general annoyance from the various White Mantle CCs.

For more information, see our Escort Guide.

Keep Construct

Blazing Edge can be used to pull the orb into a rift.
Slightly delay Purging Flames after the orb collecting phase and drop it on the group and KC when it starts using phantasmal blades to cleanse the Confusion and Torment from your subgroup.

For more information, see our Keep Construct Guide.

Twisted Castle

"Stand Your Ground!" is worth taking to reduce general annoyance from the various White Mantle CCs.

For more information, see our Twisted Castle Guide.

Xera

Use Blazing Edge to pull adds into the stack.
Use Tome of Resolve during the split phase and on the "puzzle islands" to clear condis, provide Swiftness, and keep everyone alive. The pages should recharge by the time Xera spawns.
You can help clear shards with Symbol of Punishment without having to run into the AoEs.

For more information, see our Xera Guide.

Bastion of the Penitent

Cairn the Indomitable

Bring "Stand Your Ground!" to help your group if you are skipping greens.
If you are skipping greens and "Stand Your Ground!" is not off cooldown, you can use Tome of Courage to provide some Stability to your subgroup instead.

For more information, see our Cairn the Indomitable Guide.

Mursaat Overseer

For more information, see our Mursaat Overseer Guide.

Samarog

Epilogue Eternal Oasis in Tome of Resolve can be dropped on the target of Brutalize to boost healing to them during the break bar.
If your group's CC is lacking, you can bring Sanctuary. Try to drop it on the target of Brutalize to provide some incidental healing as well as CC.

For more information, see our Samarog Guide.

Deimos

When blocking Mind Crush rather than hiding in the dome, you will take ticking damage for 10 seconds afterwards, so Tome of Resolve will be useful to keep people alive.
If you are responsible for Aegis then you need to take "Advance!" as the duration and AoE are much larger.
Chains of Light can be used to Immobilize Prides to keep them away from Saul.

For more information, see our Deimos Guide.

Hall of Chains

Soulless Horror

Make sure not to pull the Tormented Dead into the group with Blazing Edge.
After the Tormented Dead has been knocked, you can use Chains of Light to keep it Immobilized at range.
Tome of Resolve can be useful in dealing with conditions if people are hit by scythes or the Tormented Dead AoE.
You could take Sanctuary to help with CC.

For more information, see our Soulless Horror Guide.

River of Souls

You could bring Signet of Courage as an emergency heal.

For more information, see our River of Souls Guide.

Statues of Grenth

For more information, see our Statues of Grenth Guide.

Dhuum

You can use Epilogue Eternal Oasis at every Greater Death Mark to convert the Torment.

For more information, see our Dhuum Guide.

Mythwright Gambit

Conjured Amalgamate

Use Blazing Edge to pull in swords and CC shields.

For more information, see our Conjured Amalgamate Guide.

Sorting and Appraisal

For more information, see our Sorting and Appraisal Guide.

Largos Assassins

As it's hard to maintain DPS during Nikare's charge, use Tome of Resolve or Tome of Courage to heal and clear condis, or provide extra toughness and Protection.
The breakbar attack fires out projectiles than can be blocked with Chapter 3 Valiant Bulwark.
The Largos are Exposed for eight seconds after being broken, so it may be beneficial to try your burst to coincide with this - if you enter your tome as the breakbar appears this should be approximately the correct timing.

For more information, see our Largos Assassins Guide.

Qadim

Blazing Edge can be used to pull Magma Elementals (either into the group or away, depending on strategy).
If the squad is really struggling to prevent the Lava Elementals from reaching Qadim, you could consider bringing Sanctuary as this will prevent them from being able to enter his hitbox for five seconds. Be aware that this will also push Magma Elementals out, so be very careful when you use it.

For more information, see our Qadim Guide.

The Key of Ahdashim

Cardinal Sabir

Sanctuary is a good choice here as Sabir cannot be damaged during one of his defiance bars, so breaking it quickly is a group DPS increase.

For more information, see our Cardinal Sabir Guide.

Cardinal Adina

Chapter 3 Valiant Bulwark in Tome of Courage can be used to protect against the hand knockback in the split phase by camping the tome to keep using it. Note that it will not be up for every hand (unless you are very slow) so you will either need to alternate with another player, or just keep it as a backup.

For more information, see our Cardinal Adina Guide.

Qadim the Peerless

You should bring "Stand Your Ground!" to protect everyone from the knock-back attack at the start of each phase.

For more information, see our Qadim the Peerless Guide.

Firebrand - Quickness Support Condi DPS

Contents

Overview