Build:E/any PvP Stoning

The PvXwiki community finds this to be a great build. This build has received an overall rating in the range from 4.75 to 5.0 and thus qualifies for the highest category of working builds: Great. This build has been designed for the following use: PvP RA PvP FA PvP AB

This build is positively affected by the Flux: There Can Be Only One. See the build's talk page for discussion and ramifications not noted here.   Notes: Thanks to stone sheath you're relatively well-protected against other elementalists, while still dealing additional damage against them. Party members which would be negatively affected by the flux can be protected. If using a different elite skill you still have a lot of spike potential and are likely to have a good standing thanks to stoning's knock downs.

This build is positively affected by the Flux: Jack of All Trades. See the build's talk page for discussion and ramifications not noted here.   Notes: Using the flux fairly improves stoning spam and energy management.

This build is positively affected by the Flux: Like a Boss. See the build's talk page for discussion and ramifications not noted here.   Notes: Use the stone sheath variant. If you become the boss, you're always protected by stone sheath. If a team member is the boss, you can protect him well.

This build is positively affected by the Flux: All In. See the build's talk page for discussion and ramifications not noted here.   Notes: Replace the optional with an Earth Magic or No Attribute skill.

KD, lineback and kill things with big rocks. There is a Stone Sheath version commonly used in GvG/HA meta.

Frequency

Shockwave is meta in RA and seen almost every game.

Attributes and Skills

Elementalist / Any 12 + 1 + 1 Earth Magic 12 + 1 Energy Storage Your maximum Energy is raised by 39. Ebon Hawk NightfallElementalist. Earth Magic 14Ebon HawkSpellSend a projectile that strikes target foe for 80 earth damage and causes Weakness for 14 seconds if it hits.1015 Stoning CoreElementalist. Earth Magic 14StoningSpellSend out a large stone, striking target foe for 101 earth damage if it hits. If Stoning hits a foe suffering from Weakness, that foe is knocked down.1515 Obsidian Flame CoreElementalist. Earth Magic 14Obsidian FlameSpellDeal 106 damage to target foe. This Spell ignores armor.551.55 Optional CoreNo Profession. UnlinkedOptionalOptionalOptional. Optional CoreNo Profession. UnlinkedOptionalOptionalOptional. Aura of Restoration CoreElementalist. Energy Storage 13Aura of RestorationEnchantment SpellFor 60 seconds, you gain 1 Energy and are healed for 460% of the Energy cost each time you cast a spell.5¼20 Earth Attunement CoreElementalist. Earth Magic 14Earth AttunementEnchantment SpellFor 58 seconds, you are attuned to Earth. You gain 1 Energy plus 30% of the base Energy cost of the Skill each time you use Earth Magic.10130 Resurrection Signet CoreNo Profession. UnlinkedResurrection SignetSignetResurrect target party member. That party member is returned to life with 100% Health and 25% Energy. This Signet only recharges when you gain a morale boost.3   Template code

Optional 1

• ShockwaveFactionsElementalist. Earth Magic 14ShockwaveElite SpellAll foes in the area take 57 earth damage and are weakened for 9 second. Nearby foes also take +57 earth damage and have Cracked Armor for 9 second. Adjacent foes suffer the previous effects, take +57 earth damage, and are Blinded for 9 second.10115 : Big damage and condition spreading.
• Stone SheathNightfallElementalist. Earth Magic 14Stone SheathElite Enchantment SpellFor 19 seconds, you and target ally have +28 armor and are immune to critical hits. When you cast this spell, all foes near you and your target take 66 earth damage and are Weakened for 19 seconds.10115 : For doublecast protection, spreading weakness, and cover enchant (can drop AoR for something else).
• "You're All Alone!"NightfallWarrior. Unlinked"You're All Alone!"Elite ShoutIf target foe isn't near an ally, that foe suffers from Cripple and Weakness for 8 seconds.510 : Synergises perfectly with Stoning; Weakness covers Cripple, harder to avoid the projectiles.
• SandstormNightfallElementalist. Earth Magic 14SandstormElite SpellCreate a Sandstorm at target foe's location. For 10 seconds, nearby foes are struck for 29 earth damage each second and attacking foes are struck for an additional 29 earth damage each second.15225 : For nuking gates in FA.
• Take no elite during May if you wish to benefit from the flux.

Optional 2

Defense:

• Shield BashCoreWarrior. Strength 0Shield BashSkillFor 5 seconds, while wielding a shield, the next attack skill used against you is blocked. If it was a melee skill, your attacker is knocked down and that skill is disabled for an additional 15 seconds.520 or Shield of ForceEotNDervish. Earth Prayers 3Shield of ForceFlash Enchantment SpellFor 4 seconds, blocks the next 1 attack against you. If an attack is blocked, all adjacent attacking foes are knocked down and suffer from Weakness for 8 seconds.1012 : Disable attack chains or to prevent ranger interrupts.
• Mirage CloakNightfallDervish. Earth Prayers 3Mirage CloakFlash Enchantment SpellFor 2 seconds, you have a 48% chance to block incoming attacks. When you cast this enchantment, all nearby foes are struck for 16 earth damage.1010
• DistortionPropheciesMesmer. Illusion Magic 8DistortionStanceFor 3 seconds, you have a 75% chance to block attacks. Whenever you block an attack this way, you lose 2 Energy or Distortion ends.58 (Energy Storage to 10+1)
• Mantra of ConcentrationPropheciesMesmer. Inspiration Magic 3Mantra of ConcentrationStanceFor 8 seconds, the next time you would be interrupted, you are not interrupted.530 : Prevent interruptions.
• ReturnFactionsAssassin. Shadow Arts 3ReturnSpellAll adjacent foes are Crippled for 4 seconds. Teleport to target other ally's location.5¼15 : Leave melee in the dust. May be used offensively on an ally being focused on by melee.
• Ward of StabilityFactionsElementalist. Earth Magic 14Ward of StabilityWard SpellCreate a Ward of Stability at your current location. For 24 seconds, non-Spirit allies cannot be knocked down.10130 or Balanced StanceCoreWarrior. Tactics 6Balanced StanceStanceFor 13 seconds, you cannot be knocked down and you do not suffer extra damage from a critical attack.530 : Anti-KD.

Damage:

• GlowstoneNightfallElementalist. Earth Magic 14GlowstoneSpellDeals 47 earth damage. You gain 5 Energy plus 1 Energy for every 2 ranks of Energy Storage if target foe is Weakened.5¾7 : Extra damage and energy.

Interrupts:

• Leech SignetCoreMesmer. Inspiration Magic 3Leech SignetSignetInterrupt target foe's action. If that action was a Spell, you gain 5 Energy.¼30 : Interrupts any skill, minor energy management.
• ComplicateFactionsMesmer. Domination Magic 8ComplicateSpellIf target foe is using a skill, that skill is interrupted and disabled for target foe and all foes in the area for an additional 9 seconds.10¼20 : Disable Resurrection Signets or spikes. (Energy Storage to 10+1)
• Power DrainCoreMesmer. Inspiration Magic 9Power DrainSpellIf target foe is casting a Spell or Chant, that Skill is interrupted and you gain 19 Energy.5¼20 : If you need more energy management. (Energy Storage to 9+1)

Utility

• Ward Against FoesCoreElementalist. Earth Magic 14Ward Against FoesWard SpellYou create a Ward Against Foes at your current location. For 19 seconds, non-Spirit foes in this area move 50% slower.15120 : For snaring or zoning.
• "Fall Back!" (PvP)NightfallParagon. Command 8"Fall Back!" (PvP)ShoutFor 7 seconds, all allies within earshot gain 10 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.1025 : Party-wide speed-boost in FA and AB. (Energy Storage to 10+1)
• Rip EnchantmentNightfallNecromancer. Curses 6Rip EnchantmentSpellRemove 1 enchantment from target foe. If an enchantment was removed, that foe suffers from Bleeding for 13 seconds.5115 or Rend EnchantmentsCoreNecromancer. Curses 3Rend EnchantmentsSpellRemove 6 Enchantments from target foe. For each Monk Enchantment removed, you take 49 damage.5220 for enchantment removal.

Equipment

• Full Blessed insignias.
• Rune of Superior Vigor.
• 40/40 Earth Magic set.
• 40/20/20 Earth staff.
• Standard defensive sets, preferably with a Heavy spear/sword/axe. Crippling set for YAA can also be used.

Usage

• Cast Earth Attunement and Aura of Restoration just before combat.
• Spam Ebon Hawk, followed by Stoning for knock-downs.
• Because of the fast recharge, you can keep weakness on multiple targets, such as warriors, assassins and rangers, while still having time to harass monks.
• Use your optionals as you see fit.

Counters

• General anti-caster.
• Massive enchantment stripping.
• Anti-KD.
• Dodging. Get close enough.
• Weakness being removed before you can cast Stoning.