Build:Team - GvG awsm Spike

A team build focusing on frequent pressure spikes and flag pushing. It was popularized in 2011/2012 by the guild Galactic President Superstar Mc [awsm] and had a renaissance in 2015.

AoB Dervish
[build prof=Dervish/Ritualist Mysticism=11+1 ScytheMastery=10+1+1 WindPrayers=10+2][Avatar of Balthazar][Harrier's Grasp][Radiant Scythe][Wearying Strike][Rending Aura][Heart of Fury (PvP)][Whirling Charge][Resurrection Signet][/build] Equipment

Runes and insignia
 * 5 blessed insignias.
 * Rune of superior vigor.
 * Rune of vitae.

Weapons
 * Vampiric scythe of defense, 15^50.
 * Insightful staff of enchanting, +5e^ench.
 * Crippling long bow of defense, 10%hrt.
 * Crippling spear of defense, 10%hrt with
 * Strength shield of fortitude, -20% blind duration.
 * Strength shield of fortitude, -20% cripple duration.
 * Strength shields of fortitude, +10 armor against each damage type.

Usage
 * Main Article: Avatar of Balthazar

Ranger
[build prof=Ranger/ Expertise=11+1+2 Marksmanship=10+1 WildernessSurvival=10+1][Pin Down][Optional][Distracting Shot][Optional][Optional][Apply Poison][Natural Stride][Resurrection Signet][/build] Equipment
 * Elite skill choices
 * – better shutdown at the cost of losing spike power.
 * – better spikes.
 * Variable skill slot 2
 * – with [[magebane shot].
 * – with burning arrow.
 * Variable skill slot 3
 * – blind removal, easier flag pushing.
 * – better elementalist shutdown.

Runes and insignia
 * 5 scout's insignias.
 * Rune of superior vigor.
 * Rune of vitae.

Weapons
 * Poisonous recurve bow of defense.
 * Crippling long bow of defense.
 * Poisonous spear of defense, 10%hrt with
 * Strength shield of fortitude, -20% cripple duration.
 * Strength shields of fortitude, +10 armor against each damage type.

Usage
 * Main Article: R/any PvP Apply Poison

Mind Blast Elementalist
[build prof=Elementalist/Monk FireMagic=12+1+1 EnergyStorage=11+1][Aura of Restoration (PvP)][Fire Attunement][Mind Blast][Immolate][Rodgort's Invocation][Meteor][Optional][Optional][/build] Variable skill slots Equipment
 * – opens up the option to run flags on this elementalist.
 * – deep wound on midline spikes.
 * – protection against spikes.
 * – increased team stability.

Runes and insignia
 * 5 blessed insignias.
 * Rune of superior vigor.
 * Rune of vitae.
 * Rune of restoration.

Weapons
 * 40/20/20 fire magic.
 * Swift "Don't Think Twice" staff of defense for augury of death or a 40/20/20 protection prayers for shield guardian.
 * 40/40 fire magic.
 * High energy set fire magic.
 * Spear of defense, 10%hrt with
 * Strength shield of fortitude, -20% cripple.
 * Strength shields of fortitude, +10 armor against each damage type.

Usage
 * Call midline spikes.
 * If you brought [[Flame Djinn's Haste@15], run flags when your team is under pressure.
 * Main Article: Mind Blast Elementalist

Stone Sheath Elementalist
[build prof=Elementalist/Ritualist EarthMagic=12+1+1 EnergyStorage=12+1][Glyph of Lesser Energy][Earth Attunement][Stone Sheath][Obsidian Flame][Ebon Hawk][Stoning][Ward Against Foes][Resurrection Signet][/build] Equipment

Runes and insignia
 * 5 blessed insignias.
 * Rune of superior vigor.
 * 2 runes of vitae.

Weapons
 * 40/20/20 earth magic.
 * 40/40 earth magic.
 * High energy set earth magic.
 * Heavy spear of defense, 10%hrt with
 * Strength shield of fortitude, -20% cripple duration.
 * Strength shields of fortitude, +10 armor against each damage type.

Usage
 * Protect fragile team members with [[Stone Sheath@14]. Try to hit a mesmer or whoever is running the flag with it aswell, so you can knock him down with [[Stoning@14].
 * Assist the ranger in snaring, use [[Ward Against Foes@14] at bottlenecks or in the vicinity of the flag stand.
 * Body block the snared flag runner.
 * Main article: Stone Sheath Elementalist

Variant
 * Play an Invoke Elementalist for stronger spikes.

Domination Mesmer
[build prof=Me/Rt Domination=12+1+1 Inspiration=8+1 Fastcasting=10+1][Complicate][Power Leak][Diversion][Shame][Energy Surge][Shatter Enchantment][Drain Enchantment][Death Pact Signet (PvP)][/build] Equipment

Runes and insignias
 * 5 prodigy's insignias.
 * Rune of superior vigor.
 * Rune of vitae.

Weapons
 * 40/40 domination magic.
 * 40/40 inspiration magic.
 * High energy set domination magic.
 * Spear of defense, 10%hrt with
 * Strength shield of fortitude, -20% cripple duration.
 * Strength shields of fortitude, +10 armor against each damage type.

Usage
 * Main article: Energy Surge Spike Mesmer

Restore Condition Prot
[build prof=Monk/Warrior Prot=12+1+1 Divine=8+1 Tactics=10][Restore Condition][Spirit Bond (PvP)][Aegis (PvP)][Guardian][Shielding Hands][Holy Veil][Aura of Stability][Balanced Stance][/build]

Variants Equipment
 * Pick Necromancer Balanced.
 * This makes you more vulnerable to [[Power Block] and [[Power Leak].

Runes and insignias
 * 5 disciple's insignias.
 * Rune of superior vigor.
 * 2 runes of vitae.

Weapons
 * 40/20/20 protection prayers.
 * Spear of enchanting, +5 energy, protection prayers focus of fortitude, +15/-1 energy.
 * Spear of defense, 10%hrt with
 * Tactics shield of fortitude, -20% crippled duration.
 * Tactics shields of fortitude, +10 armor against each damage type.
 * Low energy shield set.

Usage
 * Main article: Restore Condition Monk

Healing Burst Fuse
[build prof=Monk/Assassin HealingPrayers=12+1+1 ProtectionPrayers=9+1 DivineFavor=9+1 ShadowArts=3][Healing Burst][Patient Spirit][Infuse Health][Guardian][Shield Guardian][Cure Hex][Draw Conditions][Dark Escape][/build] Variant Equipment
 * Take [[Signet of Rejuvenation@14] over [[Infuse Health@14] against pressure builds.

Runes and insignias
 * 5 disciple's insignias.
 * Rune of superior vigor.
 * Rune of vitae.

Weapons Usage
 * 40/20/20 protection prayers.
 * 40/40 healing prayers.
 * High energy sets healing prayers.
 * Spear of defense, 10%hct with
 * Strength shield of fortitude, -20% crippled duration.
 * Strength shields of fortitude, +10 armor against each damage type.
 * Low energy shield set.
 * Main article: Healing Burst Monk

Healing Burst Runner
[build prof=Monk/Assassin HealingPrayers=11+1+1 ProtectionPrayers=10+1 DivineFavor=10+1][Healing Burst][Patient Spirit][Spirit Bond (PvP)][Guardian][Shield Guardian][Cure Hex][Draw Conditions][Dash][/build] Variants Equipment
 * Replace [[Spirit Bond (PvP)@11] with [[Protective Spirit@11] against spike builds or [[Shield of Absorption@11] against pressure builds.
 * Replace [[Shield Guardian@11] with [[Shielding Hands@11] and [[Guardian@11] with [[Mending Touch@11] if anticipating a dedicated split build.

Runes and insignias
 * 5 disciple's insignias.
 * Rune of superior vigor.
 * Rune of vitae.

Weapons
 * 40/20/20 protection prayers.
 * 40/40 healing prayers.
 * High energy sets healing prayers.
 * Spear of defense, 10%hct with
 * Strength shield of fortitude, -20% crippled duration.
 * Strength shields of fortitude, +10 armor against each damage type.
 * Low energy shield set.

Usage
 * Main article: Healing Burst Runner

Playing this team
Game Plan DP the opposing team out with pressure spikes while preventing them from boosting.

8v8 Flag Split Lategame
 * Lineback in general. You want to run flags on your monk to keep the pressure in main team high.
 * Call pressure spikes with dervish and ranged spikes with the [[Mind Blast@14] elementalist.
 * Flag push with the ranger and set [[Ward against Foes@14] in narrow areas to further delay their flag running.
 * If possible, create an 8v7 situation by creating a flag advantage for your team.
 * Defend with ranger or runner. If possible, keep your damage in the main team.
 * Defend with ranger, earth elementalist and runner. Send back the prot aswell if needed.

Playing against this team
8v8 Situations Flag Split Lategame
 * As they will attempt to run flags on their monk, you may attempt a monk stomp.
 * Else, lineback the elementalists to take force out of their pressure spikes.
 * Harass the elementalists, especially Wastrel's Mesmer if possible.
 * It might be to your advantage to hold the flag and force an 8v8.
 * Else, try to dual run to avoid that the opponent can play fully offensively.
 * If you have a split character that can't be defended by their ranger, you can ruin your opponent's flag running tactics by binding their monk and their 8v8 plan by taking the power out of their pressure spikes.
 * Make sure to remove [[Stone Sheath] from their guild lord.
 * They don't have good options to deal damage to your lord. If you can work around their stone sheath elementalist in their base you're going to have the advantage.