This build is able to deal large amounts of AoE damage without sacrificing its defense. It's popular both for regular PvE and speed clearing purposes. Combines well with Mark of Pain support and Cracked Armor.
NightfallDervish. Earth Prayers 16Sand ShardsFlash Enchantment SpellFor 30 seconds, the next 5 times you hit with a scythe, all other adjacent foes take 63 earth damage.510
NightfallDervish. Earth Prayers 16Vow of StrengthElite Enchantment SpellFor 15 seconds, whenever you attack a foe with your scythe, you deal 26 slashing damage to all adjacent foes.3¼20
EotNNo Profession. Ebon Vanguard rank Ebon Battle Standard of HonorWard SpellYou plant an Ebon Battle Standard of Honor at your current location. For 14..20 seconds, non-Spirit allies in this area strike for +8..15 damage and an additional +7..10 vs. Charr. PvE only.10120
NightfallDervish. Earth Prayers 16Staggering ForceFlash Enchantment SpellAll nearby foes are struck for 42 earth damage. For 30 seconds, your attacks deal earth damage. When this enchantment ends, all nearby foes have Cracked Armor for 11 seconds.56
NightfallDervish. Scythe Mastery 9Eremite's AttackMelee AttackIf it hits, this attack deals +6 damage and removes a Dervish enchantment. If an enchantment is removed, you do an additional +6 damage and strike all adjacent foes.56
Death's ChargeFactionsAssassin. Shadow Arts 2Death's ChargeSpellShadow Step to target foe. If that foe has more Health than you, you are healed for 83.5¼30 – make use of pre-balled foes, easier balling in general.
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 – alternative to Death's ChargeFactionsAssassin. Shadow Arts 2Death's ChargeSpellShadow Step to target foe. If that foe has more Health than you, you are healed for 83.5¼30 if allies next to foes are to be expected. Allows to have a shadow step alongside Whirlwind AttackNightfallWarrior. Sunspear rank Whirlwind AttackMelee AttackAttack target and adjacent foes. Each attack that hits deals +13..20 damage. PvE only.61.
Offense
Whirlwind AttackNightfallWarrior. Sunspear rank Whirlwind AttackMelee AttackAttack target and adjacent foes. Each attack that hits deals +13..20 damage. PvE only.61 – additional triggers for Vow of StrengthNightfallDervish. Earth Prayers 16Vow of StrengthElite Enchantment SpellFor 15 seconds, whenever you attack a foe with your scythe, you deal 26 slashing damage to all adjacent foes.5¼20. Position yourself between as many foes as possible before using.
Heart of FuryNightfallDervish. Mysticism 12Heart of FuryStanceFor 8 seconds, you attack 25% faster.4 – increased attack speed.
Defense
"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
Veil of ThornsNightfallDervish. Earth Prayers 16Veil of ThornsFlash Enchantment SpellWhen you cast this enchantment, all nearby foes are struck for 53 piercing damage. For 26 seconds, you take 37% less damage from spells.1015
Mirage CloakNightfallDervish. Earth Prayers 16Mirage CloakFlash Enchantment SpellFor 7 seconds, you have a 83% chance to block incoming attacks. When you cast this enchantment, all nearby foes are struck for 42 earth damage.1010
Mystic RegenerationNightfallDervish. Earth Prayers 16Mystic RegenerationEnchantment SpellFor 21 seconds, you have +4 Health regeneration for each enchantment (maximum of 8) on you.10¼10
Utility
"Save Yourselves!"FactionsWarrior. Kurzick rank "Save Yourselves!" (Kurzick)ShoutFor 4..6 seconds, all other party members gain 100 armor. PvE only.8
Variants
Drop Ebon Battle Standard of HonorEotNNo Profession. Ebon Vanguard rank Ebon Battle Standard of HonorWard SpellYou plant an Ebon Battle Standard of Honor at your current location. For 14..20 seconds, non-Spirit allies in this area strike for +8..15 damage and an additional +7..10 vs. Charr. PvE only.10120 if someone else is bringing it.
Zealous Scythe is your main weapon. Use it for general fighting purposes.
Switch to a Vampiric Scythe when you can't make use of additional energy; ideal for finishing leftover single targets.
Switch to a staff for Ebon Battle Standard of HonorEotNNo Profession. Ebon Vanguard rank Ebon Battle Standard of HonorWard SpellYou plant an Ebon Battle Standard of Honor at your current location. For 14..20 seconds, non-Spirit allies in this area strike for +8..15 damage and an additional +7..10 vs. Charr. PvE only.10120 and using energy skills when you've run out of energy.
Also in hard mode the advised weapon until you are in melee range of foes if they have hexes such as EmpathyCoreMesmer. Domination Magic EmpathyHex SpellFor 5..13..16 seconds, whenever target foe attacks, that foe takes 10..46..58 damage and target foe deals 1..12..16 less damage with attacks.10210 or Spiteful SpiritPropheciesNecromancer. Curses Spiteful SpiritElite Hex SpellFor 8..18..21 seconds, whenever target foe attacks or uses a skill, Spiteful Spirit deals 5..29..37 shadow damage to that foe and all adjacent allies of that foe.15210. This way you evade these hexes, but you're put at the risk of being hexed with BackfireCoreMesmer. Domination Magic BackfireHex SpellFor 10 seconds, whenever target foe casts a Spell, that foe takes 35..119..147 damage.15320. The AI can't be tricked this way in normal mode.
Build
Try to ball up foes; most of your damage comes from hitting multiple targets.
Many patrols regularly ball up themselves for few seconds. Use Death's ChargeFactionsAssassin. Shadow Arts 2Death's ChargeSpellShadow Step to target foe. If that foe has more Health than you, you are healed for 83.5¼30 if you have it to aggro them without de-balling.
Maintain Vow of StrengthNightfallDervish. Earth Prayers 16Vow of StrengthElite Enchantment SpellFor 15 seconds, whenever you attack a foe with your scythe, you deal 26 slashing damage to all adjacent foes.5¼20 during combat.
Position yourself between as many foes as possible and spike with Staggering ForceNightfallDervish. Earth Prayers 16Staggering ForceFlash Enchantment SpellAll nearby foes are struck for 42 earth damage. For 30 seconds, your attacks deal earth damage. When this enchantment ends, all nearby foes have Cracked Armor for 11 seconds.106→Eremite's AttackNightfallDervish. Scythe Mastery 9Eremite's AttackMelee AttackIf it hits, this attack deals +6 damage and removes a Dervish enchantment. If an enchantment is removed, you do an additional +6 damage and strike all adjacent foes.56.
Increase your damage output with Ebon Battle Standard of HonorEotNNo Profession. Ebon Vanguard rank Ebon Battle Standard of HonorWard SpellYou plant an Ebon Battle Standard of Honor at your current location. For 14..20 seconds, non-Spirit allies in this area strike for +8..15 damage and an additional +7..10 vs. Charr. PvE only.10120 both for spiking purposes and pressuring down leftover foes.
Counters
General anti-melee
Heavy enchantment removal
Notes
Mirage CloakNightfallDervish. Earth Prayers 16Mirage CloakFlash Enchantment SpellFor 7 seconds, you have a 83% chance to block incoming attacks. When you cast this enchantment, all nearby foes are struck for 42 earth damage.1010 and Veil of ThornsNightfallDervish. Earth Prayers 16Veil of ThornsFlash Enchantment SpellWhen you cast this enchantment, all nearby foes are struck for 53 piercing damage. For 26 seconds, you take 37% less damage from spells.1015 deal armor dependent damage which will benefit from Cracked Armor.
Death's Charge – make use of pre-balled foes, easier balling in general.
Ebon Escape – alternative to Death's Charge if allies next to foes are to be expected. Allows to have a shadow step alongside Whirlwind Attack.
Whirlwind Attack – additional triggers for Vow of Strength. Position yourself between as many foes as possible before using.
Heart of Fury – increased attack speed.
