Uses Shadow Form to provide a safe and fast build for any profession. This works well on any profession, but casters will find it much easier to use due to faster energy regeneration and larger energy pools.
FactionsAssassin. Shadow Arts 12Shadow FormElite Enchantment SpellFor 18 seconds, you cannot be the target of enemy Spells, and you gain 5 damage reduction for each Assassin enchantment on you. You cannot deal more than 21 damage with a single skill or attack.5130
FactionsAssassin. Shadow Arts 12Heart of ShadowSpellYou are healed for 126, and you Shadow Step to a nearby location directly away from your target.5¼15
EotNNo Profession. Deldrimor rank Drunken MasterStanceFor 72..90 seconds, your movement and attack speeds are increased by 10..15%. If you are drunk while activating this Skill, your movement and attack speeds are increased by 25..33% instead. PvE only.560
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Dwarven StabilityEotNNo Profession. Deldrimor rank Dwarven StabilityEnchantment SpellFor 24..30 seconds, your Stances last 55..100% longer. If you activated this Skill while drunk, you cannot be knocked down. PvE only.5¼30 for permanent anti-KD and very long Drunken Master, requires alcohol.
Deadly ParadoxNightfallAssassin. Deadly Arts Deadly ParadoxStanceAll of your attack Skills are disabled for 10 seconds. For 5..13..16 seconds, your Assassin Skills activate and recharge 33% faster.1510 perma-SF if you can afford the energy
Dark PrisonFactionsAssassin. Deadly Arts Dark PrisonHex SpellShadow Step to target foe. For 1..5..6 seconds, that foe moves 33% slower.10¼30 for faster runs.
DashFactionsAssassin. UnlinkedDashStanceFor 3 seconds, you run 50% faster.58 for faster runs, you'll need a second IMS to cover the down time. It can also be used to break aggro quickly.
"Don't Trip!"EotNNo Profession. Deldrimor rank "Don't Trip!"ShoutFor 3..5 seconds, party members within earshot cannot be knocked down. PvE only.520 can be used as an additional anti-knockdown shout.
Feigned NeutralityNightfallAssassin. Shadow Arts Feigned NeutralityEnchantment SpellFor 4..9..10 seconds, you have +7 Health regeneration and +80 armor. This Enchantment ends if you successfully hit with an attack or use a Skill.5¼25 or Shadow SanctuaryFactionsAssassin. Kurzick rank Shadow Sanctuary (Kurzick)Enchantment SpellYou are Blinded for 10 seconds. For 10 seconds, you gain +5..10 Health regeneration and +40 armor. PvE only.5¼30 can be brought if you're in a tough spot.
Shroud of DistressFactionsAssassin. Shadow Arts Shroud of DistressEnchantment SpellFor 30..54..62 seconds, if you are below 50% Health, you have 3..7..8 health regeneration and a 75% chance to block attacks.10145 can be used if you tend to die too fast, however it requires a 1 second cast and will slow you down. Remember that it will be stripped by Guiles.
"You Move Like a Dwarf!"EotNNo Profession. Norn rank "You Move Like a Dwarf!"ShoutTarget foe is knocked down and takes 44..80 damage. When that foe gets up, it is Crippled for 8..15 seconds. PvE only.1010 to interrupt random Ice Golems.
Cure HexEotNMonk. Healing Prayers Cure HexSpellRemove one Hex from target ally. If a Hex was removed, that ally is healed for 30..102..126 Health.5112 for backup.
Remove HexCoreMonk. UnlinkedRemove HexSpellRemove a Hex from target ally.518 for backup.
Inspired HexPropheciesMesmer. Inspiration Magic Inspired HexSpellRemove a Hex from target ally and gain 4..9..10 Energy. For 20 seconds, Inspired Hex is replaced with the Hex that was removed.51 or Revealed HexFactionsMesmer. Inspiration Magic Revealed HexSpellRemove a Hex from target ally and gain 4..9..10 Energy. For 20 seconds, Revealed Hex is replaced with the Hex that was removed.51 in case a hex gets through.
"Fall Back!"NightfallParagon. Command "Fall Back!"ShoutFor 4..9..10 seconds, all allies within earshot gain 5..13..16 Health per second while moving and move 33% faster. "Fall Back!" ends on an ally affected by this Shout when that ally successfully hits with an attack.1020 and GodspeedNightfallParagon. Command GodspeedShoutFor 5..17..21 seconds, all allies within earshot move 25% faster while under the effects of an Enchantment.1030 for faster runs.
"Can't Touch This!"NightfallParagon. Command "Can't Touch This!"ShoutFor 20 seconds, the next 1..4..5 Touch Skills used against allies within earshot fail.520 to counter touch-skills.
Bring Enduring HarmonyNightfallParagon. Leadership Enduring HarmonyEchoFor 10..30..37 seconds, Chants and Shouts last 50% longer on target non-Spirit ally.5110 to maintain "I Am Unstoppable!" and other shouts indefinitely.
Bring DodgePropheciesRanger. Expertise DodgeStanceFor 5..10..11 seconds, you move 33% faster and have a 27..65..78% chance to block incoming projectiles. Dodge ends if you attack.530 and Zojun's HasteFactionsRanger. Expertise Zojun's HasteStanceFor 5..10..11 seconds, you move 33% faster and have a 27..65..78% chance to block incoming projectiles. Zojun's Haste ends if you attack.530 for fast runs and blocking. Chain them with Dash.
Bring Vocal Was SogolonNightfallRitualist. Restoration Magic Vocal Was SogolonItem SpellFor 60 seconds, all Shouts and Chants you use last 20..44..52% longer.10130 to maintain "I Am Unstoppable!"EotNNo Profession. Norn rank "I Am Unstoppable!"ShoutFor 16..20 seconds, you have +24 armor and cannot be knocked down or Crippled. PvE only.530 indefinitely.
Signet of StaminaNightfallWarrior. Strength Signet of StaminaSignetYou have +50..250..317 maximum Health. This Signet ends if you successfully hit with an attack.¼20 for more health.
Balanced StanceCoreWarrior. Tactics Balanced StanceStanceFor 8..18..21 seconds, you cannot be knocked down and you do not suffer extra damage from a critical attack.530 if you're lazy with IAU.
"To the Limit!"PropheciesWarrior. Tactics "To the Limit!"ShoutFor each foe within earshot (maximum 1..5..6), you gain one strike of adrenaline. For 10..18..21 seconds, your maximum Health is increased by 10..50..63.515 and Soldier's SpeedEotNWarrior. Tactics Soldier's SpeedStanceFor 3..15..19 seconds, you move 15% faster.You move an additional 15% faster while under the effects of a Chant or Shout.512 if you can manage the cost. Alternatively, take "I Am The Strongest!"EotNNo Profession. Norn rank "I Am the Strongest!"ShoutYour next 5..8 attacks do an additional +14..20 damage. PvE only.520 instead of the other shout - IATS has an infinite duration and is therefore more energy efficient.
Equipment[]
Full Radiant/Survivor/Sentry (Depending which is more necessary for an area).
Full Attunement/Vitae (Depending on which is more necessary for an area).
High Armor Set
Spear.
"I Have the Power!" Inscription.
20% longer Enchantments.
16 Armor Shield.
-2 (while in stance).
+45hp (while in stance).
High Energy Set
Any staff with +10 energy and 20% halves skill recharge of spells.
Defensive, Hale, Swift, or Insightful Staff Head.
"Don't think twice", "Hale and Hearty" or "Seize the Day" Inscription.
Staff Wrapping of Enchanting (+20% useful for lengthening Shadow Form).
Usage[]
Use Shadow FormFactionsAssassin. Shadow Arts Shadow FormElite Enchantment SpellFor 5..18..22 seconds, you cannot be the target of enemy Spells, and you gain 5 damage reduction for each Assassin enchantment on you. You cannot deal more than 5..21..26 damage with a single skill or attack.5130 only around Ice Golems, Stone Summit Heretics, and Ice Imps.
Spam Death's ChargeFactionsAssassin. Shadow Arts Death's ChargeSpellShadow Step to target foe. If that foe has more Health than you, you are healed for 65..173..209.5¼30 to escape aggro and cover more ground faster.
Use Heart of ShadowFactionsAssassin. Shadow Arts Heart of ShadowSpellYou are healed for 30..126..158, and you Shadow Step to a nearby location directly away from your target.5¼15 for spike healing and running. Remember to use it when your target is behind you.
Variants[]
Dark EscapeFactionsAssassin. Shadow Arts Dark EscapeStanceFor 5..13..16 seconds, you move 25% faster and take half damage. Dark Escape ends if you successfully hit with an attack.530 if you really, really don't want to use alcohol.
ReturnFactionsAssassin. Shadow Arts ReturnSpellAll adjacent foes are Crippled for 3..7..8 seconds. Teleport to target other ally's location.5¼15, Death's RetreatNightfallAssassin. Shadow Arts Death's RetreatSpellShadow Step to target ally. If you have less Health than that ally, you gain 40..112..136 Health.5¼20, or Ebon EscapeEotNNo Profession. Ebon Vanguard rank Ebon EscapeSpellShadow Step to target other ally. You and that other ally are healed for 70..110 health. PvE only.5¼10 to shadowstep to dwarves and for healing.
Counters[]
Ice Imps
Ice Golems
Rubberbanding in narrow passages i.e. the two troll caves
Dwarven Stability for permanent anti-KD and very long Drunken Master, requires alcohol.
Deadly Paradox perma-SF if you can afford the energy
Dark Prison for faster runs.
