User:Reason.decrystallized/Build:A/D Critical Reaper

[build prof=assas/dervi critic=12+1+3 scythe=12][Mystic Sweep][Eremite's Attack][Critical Eye][Way of the Assassin][Aura of Holy Might (Kurzick)][Critical Defenses][Critical Agility][optional][/build]


 * Optional: Res Sig, Victorious Sweep, Mystic Regeneration putting 3 or 8 points (lowering Critical Strikes by two for the latter) in Earth Prayers, or Way of Perfection with 8 + 1 points in Shadow Arts.

Equipment

 * Nightstalker's on Chest and Legs and radiant elsewhere; the highest Vigor rune affordable and attunement elsewhere.
 * A sundering or vampiric scythe of enchanting, with "Guided by Faith", "Dance with Death", or "Strength and Honor"; Dwayna's Grace is ideal.

Usage

 * Before battle, cast Critical Agility and Critical Defenses. The high critical hit rate should maintain both with no problems; if they end or are stripped, however, refresh as soon as possible.


 * ALWAYS maintain Critical Eye and Way of the Assassin.


 * Note that the functionality of Aura of Holy Might differs significantly from its in-game description: it changes weapon damage type to Holy (negating warriors' natural resistance to physical damage), and provides FAR more bonus damage than stated (see the Guildwiki article for more information). It should be maintained WHENEVER possible.


 * Spam Eremite's Attack and Mystic Sweep to increase average attack speed. Maximum benefit is achieved by activating both together immediately following a regular attack--the IAS reduces the activation times, which, combined with the lack of aftercast, allows you to land three hits in about a second.


 * If you take Victorious Sweep, use it either immediately before the other two attacks to lead into the combo, or immediately after to have a higher probability of triggering its conditional heal.


 * If you take Mystic Regeneration, activate it when you start taking damage. Note that it is nearly useless as a cover enchant except during the initial aggro, because Critical Defenses and Critical Agility will refresh and move to the top of the enchant stack with almost every hit.


 * If you take Way of Perfection, activate it before entering battle. Even at the low attribute levels, the extremely high attack speed and critical hit chance, along with the possibility of striking multiple targets make the healing it provides quite respectable.

Counters

 * Standard melee counters.
 * Enchant strip.
 * Stance strip.
 * Blocking, blind and miss-chance hexes will severely hinder not only damage, but energy management and refreshing of the defenses.

Variants

 * If Aura of Holy Might is not available, simply take another of the listed optional skills. Be warned, however, that as the build is based on the raw damage that the skill multiplies, dropping it will be far more detrimental than to a normal Dervish build.