Firebrand - Condi DPS

Part of the current metagame

Our curator decided this build is in the current metagame regardless of rating. The community gave this build a rating, making it top-tier: Great

Focused on: Condition damage

Designed for: Raids and Fractals

Expansions required: Path of Fire Builds

Difficulty:
TBD
This build was last updated on March 13, 2023 and is up to date for the February 27, 2024 patch.

Overview

A condition DPS build for Firebrand in fractals and raids. This build can inflict massive AoE Burning Burning bursts with , which resets on killing (most) enemies. This makes it one of the burstiest condition damage builds and very strong if it can consistently reset .

In addition to DPS, Firebrand's tomes can provide high defensive utility to its subgroup including Aegis Aegis, Protection Protection, Resistance Resistance, Resolution Resolution, Stability Stability, projectile destruction, and emergency healing.


Skill Bar

Axe/Torch
Scepter/Torch
Utility


Skill Variants

Utility

  • can be swapped out for more utility:
    • for more CC.
    • for group Stability Stability.
    • might be useful on encounters where reliable Swiftness Swiftness and Aegis Aegis are more valuable than damage.


Elite

  • is totally optional - it gives you access to invulnerability, more pages for utility tome skills, and can allow you to recover from accidentally spending too many pages, but provides no extra damage.
    • offers ~10% Quickness Quickness uptime to your group. With this and , three firebrands could mostly maintain Quickness Quickness in their subgroup, allowing for a quickness support to be dropped.
    • for on-demand Stability Stability and an AoE stunbreak.


Template Code

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Specializations


Trait Variants

  • You could run for more support and personal sustain.
  • Taking would be a ~3.5% DPS loss and allow you to provide ~20% Quickness Quickness uptime to your subgroup.
  • gives you more pages to spend on utility tome skills.


Equipment

Head
Viper
Shoulders
Viper
Chest
Viper
Hands
Viper
Legs
Viper
Feet
Viper
Backpiece
Sinister
Accessory
Sinister
Accessory
Sinister
Amulet
Sinister
Ring
Sinister
Ring
Viper
Axe
Viper
Torch
Viper
Sigil
Sigil
Scepter
Viper
Sigil
Rune
x6
Infusion
x18


Consumables

Food

  • or ascended variants


Utility

    • or for a cheaper alternative


Usage

Rotation

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

Axe is the more damaging weapon set, as the autoattacks on Sceptre are very weak. However, you have several long cast-times that that can be used to cover the time spent on Sceptre and minimise the need to use them. As the cooldown of is a little over 20 seconds (depending on how fast you spam the charges), this means you will weapon swap nearly off cooldown.

Every ~16s you want to use then jump into , use three skills and exit. This takes priority over all other skills except if your charges would run out while in tome.


Opener
During the opener spam all charges as fast as you can without delaying other skills

  1. and during the cast
  2. Weapon swap Weapon swap
  3. Epilogue Ashes of the Just Epilogue Ashes of the Just
  4. Chapter 4 Scorched Aftermath Chapter 4 Scorched Aftermath
  5. Chapter 2 Igniting Burst Chapter 2 Igniting Burst
  6. Stow Tome
  7. x2
  8. Autoattack until Symbol of Punishment is almost off cooldown
  9. Chapter 2 Igniting Burst Chapter 2 Igniting Burst
  10. Stow Tome
  11. - hopefully the second charge from will trigger immediately afterwards
  12. x2
  13. Weapon swap Weapon swap


Axe

While on Axe, you mostly use and off cooldown and autoattack in between, making sure to finish auto chains. When comes off cooldown, you want to use it then immediately perform a tome burst.

As a general rule you want to use and twice each before swapping to Sceptre.


Tome Usage

You cannot see the cooldown of your tome skills outside of your tome, but the most important skill is Epilogue Ashes of the Just Epilogue Ashes of the Just, which has the same cooldown as . By casting these skills in close succession it is somewhat possible to keep track. Each time you enter, you will use the same three skills: Epilogue Ashes of the Just Epilogue Ashes of the Just, Chapter 4 Scorched Aftermath Chapter 4 Scorched Aftermath and Chapter 2 Igniting Burst Chapter 2 Igniting Burst. Using three skills in one burst provides a page refund via so the third skill is essentially free.

You may enter tome and Epilogue Ashes of the Just Epilogue Ashes of the Just will not quite be off cooldown. In this case do Chapter 2 Igniting Burst Chapter 2 Igniting Burst Chapter 4 Scorched Aftermath Chapter 4 Scorched Aftermath Epilogue Ashes of the Just Epilogue Ashes of the Just.

You can deal some extra damage by quickly entering tome and using Chapter 2 Igniting Burst Chapter 2 Igniting Burst in between major tome bursts. This is most effectively done when you are on Scepter. Make sure not to spend the pages you need for the major tome burst!


Scepter

You can squeeze a bit of extra DPS out of the rotation with Scepter. As the autoattacks are very weak, you want to cover as much time on this weapon with the following:

  • throws
  • Recharging

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


Video example


General Tips

  • All mantras are instant cast and should be used while performing the rest of the rotation.
  • and should be used in place of autoattacks when up. You should throw the free you get from as well.
    • is not affected by Alacrity Alacrity, but is. This means they have approximately the same cooldown so if you activate when it comes off cooldown and wait until triggers, you can throw both in quick succession.
  • Make sure to always complete your auto attack chain while on Axe.


Encounter Specific Tips

Note: Tomes have been significantly reworked since the tips below were written, so any use of utility tomes may come at a substantial DPS loss.

Spirit Vale

Vale Guardian Toggle
  • Use on Scepter to Immobilize Immobilize Seekers that are getting too close.
  • Make sure not to face Seekers when using to ensure you don't pull them into the group.
  • You can bring to provide some Quickness Quickness in the split phase, if you will not have any other source.
  • can be used to invuln the damage if you are skipping greens.
  • If you don't trust your healers, you can bring to heal up after a skipped green.
  • can be used to quickly recover after a skipped green, or at the end of the split phase.
  • The split phase guardian will reset your when they die, so you don't need to save it for the main phase.

For more information, see our Vale Guardian Guide.

Spirit Woods Toggle

For more information, see our Spirit Woods Guide.

Gorseval the Multifarious Toggle
  • can be used to pull the little spirits into Gorseval to they can be cleaved down.
  • During the split phase, use on the big spirits to prevent them moving into Gorseval.
  • During the later parts of the encounter it may be worth dropping your on the Orbs to prevent them expanding into the group.

For more information, see our Gorseval the Multifarious Guide.

Sabetha the Saboteur Toggle

For more information, see our Sabetha the Saboteur Guide.


Salvation Pass

Slothasor Toggle
  • Use to pull slublings (NOT the friendly slubling) into the stack.
    • Slublings reset your when they die, so be on the lookout for stray ones to pull in.
  • If you are the only firebrand in the group, you might want to bring to provide Stability Stability for the Fear Fear.
  • can be used while jumping in Slothasor's hitbox to block the spores from the shake attack.
  • 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 Chapter 3 Valiant Bulwark in can reduce it, though some slubling attacks are unblockable.

For more information, see our Slothasor Guide.

Bandit Trio Toggle
  • is worth taking to reduce general annoyance from the various bandit CCs.

For more information, see our Bandit Trio Guide.

Matthias Gabrel Toggle
  • You can be the group's primary reflect if you bring . 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 Chapter 3 Valiant Bulwark in .
  • If your group's CC is bad, take 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 Fear the whole squad when transitioning into the abomination phase. If it's available, enter and apply as much Stability Stability and Resolution Resolution to your group as possible to protect against this.

For more information, see our Matthias Gabrel Guide.


Stronghold of the Faithful

Escort Toggle
  • is worth taking to reduce general annoyance from the various White Mantle CCs.

For more information, see our Escort Guide.

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

For more information, see our Keep Construct Guide.

Twisted Castle Toggle
  • is worth taking to reduce general annoyance from the various White Mantle CCs.

For more information, see our Twisted Castle Guide.

Xera Toggle
  • Use to pull adds into the stack.
  • Use during the split phase and on the "puzzle islands" to clear condis, provide Swiftness Swiftness, and keep everyone alive.
  • You can help clear shards with without having to run into the AoEs.

For more information, see our Xera Guide.


Bastion of the Penitent

Cairn the Indomitable Toggle
  • If you have no other source of Stability Stability, you can bring to help your group to skip greens.
  • If you are skipping greens and is not off cooldown, you can use to provide some Stability Stability to your subgroup instead.

For more information, see our Cairn the Indomitable Guide.

Mursaat Overseer Toggle

For more information, see our Mursaat Overseer Guide.

Samarog Toggle
  • Epilogue Eternal Oasis Epilogue Eternal Oasis in 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 . 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 Toggle
  • When blocking Mind Crush rather than hiding in the dome, you will take ticking damage for 10 seconds afterwards, so will be useful to keep people alive.
  • If you are responsible for Aegis Aegis then you need to take as the duration and AoE are much larger.
  • can be used to Immobilize Immobilize Prides to keep them away from Saul.

For more information, see our Deimos Guide.


Hall of Chains

Soulless Horror Toggle
  • Make sure not to pull the Tormented Dead into the group with .
  • After the Tormented Dead has been knocked, you can use to keep it Immobilize Immobilized at range.
  • can be useful in dealing with conditions if people are hit by scythes or the Tormented Dead AoE.
  • If CC is severely lacking, you could take to help.

For more information, see our Soulless Horror Guide.

River of Souls Toggle
  • You could bring as an emergency heal.

For more information, see our River of Souls Guide.

Statues of Grenth Toggle
  • Do not run on the eyes, as the Daze Daze will overwrite the orb stun.

For more information, see our Statues of Grenth Guide.

Dhuum Toggle

For more information, see our Dhuum Guide.


Mythwright Gambit

Conjured Amalgamate Toggle
  • Use to pull in swords and CC shields.

For more information, see our Conjured Amalgamate Guide.

Sorting and Appraisal Toggle

For more information, see our Sorting and Appraisal Guide.

Largos Assassins Toggle
  • As it's hard to maintain DPS during Nikare's charge, use or to heal and clear condis, or provide extra toughness and Protection Protection.
  • The breakbar attack fires out projectiles than can be blocked with Chapter 3 Valiant Bulwark Chapter 3 Valiant Bulwark.
  • The Largos are Exposed 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 Toggle
  • 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 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 Toggle
  • 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.
  • will allow you to invuln through some shockwaves and hold on to the damage buff.

For more information, see our Cardinal Sabir Guide.

Cardinal Adina Toggle
  • Chapter 3 Valiant Bulwark Chapter 3 Valiant Bulwark in can be used to protect against the hand knockback in the split phase by camping the tome to keep using it. Note that will not be up for every split phase (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 Toggle
  • If the group lacks another source of Stability Stability, you should bring to protect everyone from the knock-back attack at the start of each phase.

For more information, see our Qadim the Peerless Guide.


Ratings

This build has a rating of 5 stars based on 7 votes.
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3 stars
OfficerAndyGentleman gave this build 3 stars • July 2023
Good damage, but the rotation is quite frantic and is far weaker when it can't melee, but it can pack a lot of utility.
4 stars
Somohexuals gave this build 4 stars • January 2023
Solid option, but was definitely hurt by the changes to T3 Major traits. "Firebrand - Quickness Support Condi DPS" is simply a more effective build overall because it can fully make use of Quickfire.
5 stars
Walrus6390 gave this build 5 stars • June 2020
The most versatile build in the game. Extremely high DPS and even though it is a condi class, it has the burst of a power class. Can be used to great success in raids and pug fractals. I guarantee the people saying condi FB is bad in fractals don't have phase times fast enough for that to be true.
5 stars
Staub gave this build 5 stars • April 2020
The best FB DPS build for the current meta. Power version of this build is only viable in FOTM where the fights are very short. However, condi variant is perfect for raids as apart from the usual boons of FB, condi variant out DPSes its power iteration on every boss. Reasons: 1) Burning is a very bursty condition; 2) Boss fights are longer than 5-10 seconds. P.S. Power quickbrand is truly NOT meta in raids.
5 stars
Screaming gave this build 5 stars • August 2019
Now extremely strong as a condition build, with very good burst to boot - probably even the best condition build to boot, able to provide a lot of utility while at it, too.
5 stars
Nuru gave this build 5 stars • April 2018
I love this build. Its nice break from dh but still have solid burst, since burning is bursty condi. Also brings some support utility like reflect or stability and aegis for movement part or you can block alot mechanics by aegis. You can dealed tons of damage since dead adds refresh your F1. Definitely best condi dps in fractal
5 stars
The Blue Rangerr gave this build 5 stars • November 2017
Top Tier condi DPS for firebrand.

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