Archive:A/Me Shadow Form Solo Farmer

A devastating build capable of soloing most creatures of FoW and all of the Tomb of the Primeval Kings. This build uses Shadow Form to remain invincible and shadow stepping to avoid danger, while doing large amounts of damage from the Mesmer hex Empathy and condition-inducing dagger attacks.

Attributes and Skills
[build prof=assas/mesme shadow=9+1+3 dagger=8+3 critic=8+3 domina=11][Arcane Echo][Shadow Form][Shadow of Haste][Dark Escape][Empathy][Black Lotus Strike][Black Spider Strike][Twisting Fangs][/build]

Equipment

 * Radiant insignias are a must.
 * Because your health does not matter but your energy does, forgo a vigor rune in favor of two attunement runes.
 * Since if you aggro monsters outside of shadow form you will die, armor level is not important. Save money and buy starter level armor.


 * Daggers with a Dagger Handle of Enchanting and either bonus damage when enchanted or bonus energy. The Daggers of Xuekao, Chimor's Daggers, or Arius' Sai are ideal.

Usage

 * Activate Shadow of Haste when you have more than one aggro bubble's width between the edge of your aggro bubble and your target.
 * Run close to your target (without aggroing) and cast Arcane Echo. (If this is removed before you go on to the next step, cancel Shadow of Haste with Dark Escape, wait for your skills to recharge, and try again.)
 * Cast Shadow Form and charge into battle.
 * Cast Empathy and follow up with Black Lotus Strike so you have your hex and enough energy; follow up with Black Spider Strike and Twisting Fangs.
 * Once Shadow Form is between one quarter and one third recharged, cast the echoed copy.
 * Shadow of Haste should run out just before the echoed copy of Shadow Form begins to flicker, and Shadow Step you back to your safe zone. If it does not, use Dark Escape to cancel.

Counters

 * If Shadow form or Arcane Echo are interrupted, you will not be able to make the assault, and will most likely die. However, provided you activate the first skills in a safe area, this should never happen
 * Touch skills (such as Vampiric Bite) or PBAoE (such as Symbol of Wrath) that are not affected by Shadow Form
 * Damage skills that affect an ally instead of an enemy (such as Riposte, Shield of Judgment, or Sliver Armor)
 * Enchantment removal non-spells (such as Expunge Enchantments)

Variants

 * Fragility instead of Empathy will do slightly less damage but needs less attribute input in illusion magic to last the same duration.
 * Illusion of Pain will max out degeneration with only little attribute points. The enemy should be dead before it ends.

Variants that do not require Nightfall skills:


 * Replace Black Spider Strike with Golden Phoenix Strike for a spike skill which will recharge quick enough to be used twice in each assault. Note that the loss of degeneration from poision in Black Spider Strike will slow down the build, usually meaning a maximum of one kill in each assault.

Variants that do not require Dark Escape:


 * Replace Dark Escape with Recall.
 * Have a Hero or Henchman as a party member.
 * Cast Recall on the henchman and flag to a safe area.
 * Begin your assault. Recall to the henchman when Shadow Form ends.
 * Be aware that patrolling mobs may enter aggro with your henchman, most likely resulting in your death.
 * Using Recall enables you to drop Shadow of Haste in favour of another attack skill such as Death Blossom.
 * Keep in mind that using a Hero or henchman will result in slightly less loot falling for you.
 * If only farming the first level of Tombs of the Primeval Kings, Recall can be used on the NPC's there without the need for another party member.