User:Ayumbhara/Sand Shards Spam

This build uses Signet of Midnight and IAS to spam Sand Shards. It seems to work on paper as a Troll/Minotaur/other melee class farmer or tank in places like UW. I haven't had a chance to test it yet though, so please do if possible and tell me how it works. It's another entry into Defiant Elements contest.

Attributes and Skills
[build prof=Dervish/Mesmer Earthp=12+1+1 Mysticism=11+1 Scythe=6+1][Signet of Midnight][Epidemic][Twin Moon Sweep][Conviction][Sand Shards][Heart of Fury][Mystic Regeneration][Vital Boon][/build]

Equipment

 * Blessed or Windwalker Insignia for the armor bonus
 * +5 energy Scythe of Enchanting, since you won't be doing direct damage with the scythe
 * Highest rune of Vigor, runes of Vitae

Usage

 * Before Aggro, cast Sand Shards, Conviction, Mystic Regeneration, and Vital Boon, in that Order.
 * Run in and use Signet of Midnight on a melee enemy. Follow up with Epidemic once as many foes as possible are in range
 * Cast Heart of Fury and attack. You will consistently miss, but Sand Shards will hit the enemies. Sand Shards will hit 3 times every swing because of the Scythe.
 * As soon as Signet of Midnight is recharged, recast it on an enemy followed by Epidemic.
 * Use Twin Moon Sweep to boost damage and remove enchantments, instead of letting them finish naturally. This will also net a small amount of health.
 * Recast enchantments as needed.
 * Make sure to tell your monk not to remove conditions on you, as then you'll be attacking with the scythe and doing considerably less damage to fewer foes. Mystic Regeneration should take care of the degen caused by conditions.

Variants

 * Replace Heart of Fury with a rez skill if you feel it's needed.
 * Mystic Sandstorm can also be used for even more damage, though it leaves you temporarily weakened.

Counters

 * Mass enchantment removal (Chilblains, Shatter Storm, etc., though these aren't usually found where this build would be used) can hurt, but the regen from Conviction as well as the Mysticism bonus do help.
 * Crystal Wave/Teinai's Crystals remove blindness.
 * Your worst threat to damage dealing comes from an ally using Martyr or Cautery Signet (or any condition removal) without warning.
 * Attack Speed reducers (Faintheartedness, etc.) also reduce your damage dealing ability.