User:I Am Jebus/Build Lacks Focus

''Work is in progress. Comments are appreciated on the talk page.''

Frequently you will hear me use the phrase "Build Lacks Focus" in the rating pages of builds. This page is for elaboration.

A focused build
A focused build can do three things.
 * Accomplish its job
 * Accomplish it efficiently and safely
 * Not sacrifice much to achieve safety or efficiency.

Example One:A/D Grenth's Grasp Assassin
[build prof=assas/dervi dagger=11+1+1 critic=12+1 windpr=6 deadly=2+1][golden phoenix strike][trampling ox][falling spider][Blades of Steel][Impale][whirling charge][grenths grasp][resurrection signet][/build]


 * Job:To kill enemies with a quick spike.
 * If you notice, every single skill in the build is focused towards killing the enemy. Grenth's Grasp is in there as it provides the prerequisite towards Trampling Ox, to provide Cripple. However, Grenth's Grasp also provides a handy side effect of a snare. Therefore, it gets the job done but also makes it easier to do.
 * Whirling Charge provides an IAS and an IMS, both near-necessities to an assassin spike build.
 * One possible skill that would make this build better is a shadowstep, to be safer and more surprising. However, ask yourself, is it needed here? With a 25% IMS and cripple every attack, it's very hard to kite away from this. While safety is a problem here, this build cannot accomplish that without sacrificing a portion of its effectiveness. But remember that Guild Wars is a team game; healing should be left to the monks.
 * Efficiency
 * 5 simple skills, from left to right. Precast an enchantment beforehand. Anti-kite. IAS. IMS. Great attribute spread (12-11-6, remaining 2 goes into Deadly Arts). Spike has massive damage and Deep Wound, with a cover condition (Cripple). Lacks a cover enchantment but Grenth's Grasp has a very short recharge. Attack skills can be blocked.
 * Not a perfect build but does much and generally fufills its purpose without being a burden to the team. You can find this build in the Great category.

Example 2:Rt/P Ritugon
[build prof=Rt/P cha=8+1 spa=10+1+1 spe=12][Barbed Spear][Optional][Spear of Lightning][Merciless Spear][Weapon of Aggression][Sight Beyond Sight][Spirit's Strength][Resurrection Signet][/build]


 * Job:To inflict large damage
 * Does accomplish its job decently well. Has an IAS and combats Blind. 3 attack skills and Bleeding.
 * Efficiency
 * Autoattack. Time skills. IAS costs 10 energy and has to be reapplied within 3 seconds of recharge. Annexes 8 points into an attribute for one skill. Anti-blind is an enchantment. Backbone of the build is an enchantment. When facing Rend Enchantments or other enchantment removal, this becomes greatly hampered and near-useless.
 * While this does not seem like much, enchantment removal is incredibly common in PvP.
 * The 10 energy weapon spell must be kept up in order for Spirit's Strength to continue working. Facing any type of energy denial will result in cataclysmic results for this.
 * Overall, it does decent damage but is greatly hampered by 2 very common forms of defense and offense (energy denial and enchantment removal) and so, this build can be found in the Other section.