Build:Team - 7 Hero Paneptitude

Defensive team build for a melee player. Suitable for all content.

Splinter Weapon Support
[build prof=Ritualist/Monk ChannelingMagic=12+1+3 SpawningPower=6+1 SmitingPrayers=11][Signet of Spirits][Splinter Weapon][Ancestors' Rage][Optional][Optional][Smite Condition][Smite Hex][Strength of Honor][/build] Variable skill slots:
 * Adept "Aptitude not Attitude" smiting prayers staff of channeling magic, 5 shaman's insignias.
 * Main article: Rt/any Signet of Spirits
 * – heroes tend to use this skill while no spirit is around or when standing next to an already depleted spirit, causing a net energy loss.
 * - alternative to Spirit Siphon
 * – against undead; consider disabling and microing the skill.
 * – against undead; consider disabling and microing the skill.

Panic
[build prof=Mesmer/any DominationMagic=12+1+3 FastCasting=10+3 InspirationMagic=8+1][Panic][Mistrust][Cry of Frustration][Optional][Shatter Hex][Power Drain][Drain Enchantment][Optional][/build] Variable skill slot:
 * Either a 40/20/1 (Adept "Aptitude not Attitude" domination magic staff of mastery) or a 40/40 domination magic. 5 prodigy's insignias.
 * Main article: Me/any Domination Magic
 * – especially useful in areas with annoying spirits like [[Quickening Zephyr].
 * – especially useful in areas with annoying spirits like [[Quickening Zephyr].
 * – especially useful in areas with annoying spirits like [[Quickening Zephyr].

Ineptitude 1
[build prof=Mesmer/Ritualist IllusionMagic=12+1+3 FastCasting=10+3 InspirationMagic=8+1 RestorationMagic=2][Ineptitude][Wandering Eye][Signet of Clumsiness][Optional][Optional][Power Drain][Drain Enchantment][Flesh of My Flesh][/build] Variable skill slots:
 * Either a 40/20/1 (Adept "Aptitude not Attitude" illusion magic staff of mastery) or a 40/40 illusion magic. 5 prodigy's insignias.
 * Main article: Me/any Illusion Magic Hero
 * – more reliable hex spread, eased energy management.
 * – especially in areas with healers.
 * – due to the AI very heavy on the energy, rendering the hero less effective in long-lasting fights.
 * – due to the AI very heavy on the energy, rendering the hero less effective in long-lasting fights.
 * – due to the AI very heavy on the energy, rendering the hero less effective in long-lasting fights.

Ineptitude 2
[build prof=Mesmer/Ritualist IllusionMagic=12+1+3 FastCasting=12+3 RestorationMagic=3][Ineptitude][Wandering Eye][Signet of Clumsiness][Arcane Conundrum][Accumulated Pain][Epidemic][Optional][Flesh of My Flesh][/build] Variable skill slot:
 * 40/40 illusion magic, 5 prodigy's insignias.
 * Main article: Me/any Illusion Magic Hero
 * – due to the AI very heavy on the energy, rendering the hero less effective in long-lasting fights.
 * – lower restoration magic to 0, increase inspiration magic to 3.
 * – lower restoration magic to 0, increase inspiration magic to 3.
 * – lower restoration magic to 0, increase inspiration magic to 3.

Blood is Power Healer
[build prof=Necromancer/Ritualist BloodMagic=9+1+3 SoulReaping=9+2 RestorationMagic=12][Blood is Power][Blood Bond][Signet of Lost Souls][Mend Body and Soul][Spirit Light][Spirit Transfer][Optional][Optional][/build] Variable skill slots:
 * 40/20/20 staff restoration magic, 5 tormentor's insignias.
 * Main article: N/Rt Blood is Power Healer
 * – don't combine with [[Judge's Insight@11].
 * – only if additional enchantment removal is desirable.
 * – reduce soul reaping by 1 and set curses to 5.
 * – reduce soul reaping by 1 and set curses to 5.

Necromancer Prot
[build prof=Necromancer/Monk SoulReaping=11+1+3 ProtectionPrayers=12 Curses=6+1][Aura of Faith][Spirit Bond][Shielding Hands][Shield of Absorption][Reverse Hex][Signet of Lost Souls][Enfeebling Blood][Foul Feast][/build]
 * 40/20/20 staff protection prayers, 5 tormentor's insignias.
 * Main article: N/Mo Soul Reaping Prot

Communing Prot
[build prof=Ritualist/any Communing=12+1+3 SpawningPower=12+1][Soul Twisting][Boon of Creation][Shelter][Displacement][Optional][Armor of Unfeeling][Optional][Optional][/build] Variable skill slots:
 * Any communing or spawning power staff, preferably of enchanting; 5 blessed insignias.
 * Main article: Rt/any Soul Twisting Prot
 * - additional healing and condition remove.
 * – area healing at the cost of sacrificing a spirit.
 * – set restoration magic to 3 if no secondary profession utility skill has been chosen.
 * – set inspiration magic to 3.
 * – set curses to 3.
 * – for areas with many foes using resurrection skills, like Slaver's Exile, Rragar's Menagerie, explorable areas in the Desolation etc. - set wilderness survival to 3. Disable this skill on the hero bar and use it manually when necessary.
 * – for areas with many foes using resurrection skills, like Slaver's Exile, Rragar's Menagerie, explorable areas in the Desolation etc. - set wilderness survival to 3. Disable this skill on the hero bar and use it manually when necessary.

Arbitrary Third Backline Hero
Replace the N/Mo prot with one of these heroes if you prefer a different backline focus. Replace this backline hero with another damage dealer in easier areas.

Third Mesmer Replacement
If you lack Zei Ri or mercenary heroes, you can intermediately replace the second ineptitude mesmer with this hero. If you have all needed mesmers, you may use this hero as a replacement for the necromancer prot for an increased damage output and party movement speed.

Player Build
Any damage dealing weapon based melee build is supported by this team build.

Recommended player builds:
 * Scythe Warrior
 * Dagger Ranger (petless)
 * Dagger Assassin
 * Scythe Dervish

Usage

 * Hero AI mode:
 * Set backline heroes to guard Guard.png
 * Set midline heroes to fight Fight.png
 * Micro the splinter weapon support hero to maintain [[Strength of Honor@11] on you.
 * 1) Invite the hero to your party.
 * 2) Click on the number next to the hero in the party window. This opens the hero control panel.
 * 3) Hold down left shift and left click once on strength of honour. A red crossed circle shows that it is disabled.
 * 4) Target yourself (standard hotkey: F) and left click once on strength of honour. The hero will now cast the enchantment on you and maintain it.
 * 5) Repeat step 4 if the enchantment gets removed in combat.
 * Advanced users can set a custom hotkey for Action: Order Hero # to use Skill # in the controls options to force heroes to use certain skills. If playing a melee frequently it is recommended to make such hotkeys for both strength of honour and [[Splinter Weapon@16].


 * Before starting a particularly difficult fight, you can force the communing prot to use [[Shelter@16]↦[[Union@16]→[[Displacement@16]⇥[[Armor of Unfeeling@16] so your team is fully protected right away.
 * If you're afraid of area damage, you can also flag the heroes apart. It is recommended to place them in a single line, so heroes won't push forward to get into casting range of foes and thus ball with the heroes in front of them again.
 * Natively only the first three heroes can be commanded individually. For the remaining four heroes you need to set up custom hotkeys in the controls option for Action: Command Hero #.