View source for Elementalist - Staff Backline

{{MBuild
| profession = elementalist
| designed for = wvw
| focus = direct damage, support, control
| rating = archived
}}

==Overview==
A backline build providing damage, CC and field support. Requires a precise usage of skills and positioning to survive.

==Skill Bar==
{{Skillbar
| profession = elementalist
| set1 = staff
| healing = Ether Renewal
| utility1 = Lightning Flash
| utility2 = Mist Form
| utility3 = Armor of Earth
| elite = Conjure Fiery Greatsword
}}

===Skill Variants===
'''Heal'''
* {{Skill|"Wash the Pain Away!"}} for Tempest variants.

'''Utility'''
* {{Skill|Arcane Wave}} trade a defensive cooldown for instant AoE burst and a blast finisher
* {{Skill|"Eye of the Storm!"}} for Tempest variants.

'''Elite'''
* {{gw2skill|Summon Druid Spirit}} is a strong elite for Sylvari Elementalists. Affects up to 5 enemies within a radius of 900' around the Druid Spirit. Sends one slow-moving projectile towards each affected target. Each projectile deals ~1800 damage and can result in a critical hit which deals +50% damage. Struck foes are immobilized for 1 second.
* {{Skill|"Rebound!"}} for Tempest variants.

==Specializations==
===Main===
{{Specialization|Fire|top|top|mid}}
'''Variants'''
* {{Trait|Burning Fire}} for more condition clear and boons from {{Trait|Soothing Disruption}}.
{{Specialization|Air|bot|mid|top}}
'''Variants'''
* {{Trait|Tempest Defense}} Tempest Defense and Lightning Rod add significant damage but only if you can catch the enemy in your CCs (Especially Static Field) without {{gw2wiki|Stability}}.
* {{Trait|Lightning Rod}}
{{Specialization|Arcane|top|mid|top}}
'''Variants'''
* {{Trait|Renewing Stamina}} for more evasion.

===Variants===
{{Specialization|Water|top|top|top|variant=y}}
Swap Air for Water for more group support and sustain at the cost of damage.


{{Specialization|Tempest|top|bot|mid|variant=y}}
Trade Arcane for Tempest for access to strong heal, utility and elite skills as well as some utility from overloads.

==Equipment==
{{PvE equipment
| stats = Marauder
| rarity = Ascended
| runes = 6 Superior Rune of Strength
| infusions = 18 Mighty WvW Infusion
| ring1 = Ascended, Berserker
| accessory1 = Ascended, Berserker
| accessory2 = Ascended, Berserker
| back = Ascended, Berserker
| s1w1 = Ascended, Berserker, Staff, Superior Sigil of Force+Superior Sigil of Bloodlust
}}

===Variants===
'''Stats''' 
* Use as much ''Marauder's'' as you feel is necessary then fill out with ''Berserker's''
* Avoid inefficient stats like ''Valkyrie's''. ''Marauder's'' is strictly better than ''Valkyrie's'' when considering effective power and health.

'''Sigils'''
* {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Energy}} Extra survivability - Pairs well with {{Trait|Evasive Arcana}}
* {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Fire}}
* {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Frenzy}}

'''Runes'''
* {{Rune|Superior Rune of the Pack}} Better {{gw2skill|Fury}} uptime in situations where it is not provided by the group.
* {{Rune|Superior Rune of the Scholar}} Highest potential damage but difficult to maintain versus {{gw2wiki|Retaliation}}

==Consumables==
'''Food'''
* {{gw2food|Plate of Truffle Steak}}
* {{gw2food|Carrot Soufflé}}

'''Utility'''
* {{Gw2food|Superior Sharpening Stone}}

==Usage==
The general purpose of the build is to use CC to trap enemies into your zerg's burst and then use damage skills to contribute to the burst. Which opening to use depends on commander's/own's preferences and zerg numbers. 

'''General:'''
* This build requires to rapidly switch between attunement. You can reduce the time on an attunement by switching it while you are still casting a skill (this will not interrupt it).
* Meteor shower is your main damage source, but it has a long cast time and by the end of it 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 the "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}}
* If you are alone and have to run somewhere, you can stack swiftness: Use {{Skill|Windborne Speed}} in Air Attunement and switch out and into air to proc {{Trait|Elemental Attunement}}. You can also blast {{Skill|Static Field}} with {{Skill|Eruption}} by using Eruption before swapping to air attunement.
* {{Skill|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. {{Gfycat|TediousNimbleBunny|1|See GYF for explaination}}
* You can interrupt {{Skill|Ether Renewal}} by using  ''stow weapon'' as soon as you are full healed in order to save time.
* {{Skill|Conjure Fiery Greatsword}} provides great mobility and a damage boon when wielded. It can be used after casting {{Skill|Meteor Shower}} to increase the damage.

===Defensive opening===
* Start on Water. Use {{Skill|Frozen Ground}} to slow down enemies, place {{Skill|Healing Rain}} so that the melee train will either heal and remove condition or gain {{gw2skill|Frost Aura (effect)}} and finally {{Skill|Ice Spike}} for great damage and vulnerability for your zerg burst.
* Switch to fire and deliver your burst/bombing: {{Skill|Lava Font}}, {{Skill|Flame Burst}} to ensure bonus damage from {{Trait|Burning Rage}} and finally {{Skill|Meteor Shower}}.
* Switch to Air and use: {{Skill|Static Field}} to separate enemies from their zerg, {{Skill|Lightning Surge}}. If you or your allies are slowed, use {{Skill|Windborne Speed}}.
* Switch to Earth, use {{Skill|Unsteady Ground}} to separate enemies from their zerg. If your zerg is attacking use {{Skill|Shock Wave}} to immobilize enemies. Place {{Skill|Eruption}} on the commander.
* Switch to Water, place {{Skill|Geyser}} on the commander (if possible where you just put {{Skill|Eruption}}) to provide area healing.

===Aggressive opening===
* Start on Air. Use:{{Skill|Static Field}} to separate enemies from their zerg.
* Immediately switch to Fire and use: {{Skill|Lava Font}}, {{Skill|Flame Burst}} to ensure bonus damage from {{Trait|Burning Rage}} and finally {{Skill|Meteor Shower}}.
* Switch to Earth, use {{Skill|Unsteady Ground}} to separate enemies from their zerg. If your zerg is attacking use {{Skill|Shock Wave}} to immobilize enemies. Place {{Skill|Eruption}} on the commander.
* Switch to Water, place {{Skill|Healing Rain}} on the commander (if possible where you just put {{Skill|Eruption}}) to provide area healing and condition cleanse. Use {{Skill|Frozen Ground}} and proceed with rotation from Fire.

==Gameplay Videos==
* {{YouTube|V0j9VZEDk3U|Reta del Bratfish}}
* {{YouTube|i_RZDeKyPPg|Aghars}}
* YouTube Channel: [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTwstgtfGtAs__90pp5YICw Chemsorly Youtube]
* {{YouTube|QwKUwc-0DWo|TNG vs aX}}