Build:Team - DoA Solo Tank

This build is in the metagame and deserves to be stored. 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: PvE team PvE SC

This build requires Consumables to operate properly.

Complete the Domain of Anguish in Hard Mode in around 40-45 minutes. Expert teams can complete in under 30 minutes.

Overview

Tank

Assassin / Mesmer 12 Inspiration Magic 12 + 1 + 3 Shadow Arts Mantra of Resolve CoreMesmer. Inspiration Magic 12Mantra of ResolveStanceFor 78 seconds, you cannot be interrupted, but each time you would have been interrupted, you lose 5 Energy or Mantra of Resolve ends.1020 Shadow Form FactionsAssassin. Shadow Arts 16Shadow FormElite Enchantment SpellFor 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 26 damage with a single skill or attack.5130 Death's Charge FactionsAssassin. Shadow Arts 16Death's ChargeSpellShadow Step to target foe. If that foe has more Health than you, you are healed for 209.5¼30 Heart of Shadow FactionsAssassin. Shadow Arts 16Heart of ShadowSpellYou are healed for 158, and you Shadow Step to a nearby location directly away from your target.5¼15 "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 Shroud of Distress FactionsAssassin. Shadow Arts 16Shroud of DistressEnchantment SpellFor 62 seconds, if you are below 50% Health, you have 8 health regeneration and a 75% chance to block attacks.10145 Mental Block EotNNo Profession. Asura rank Mental BlockEnchantment SpellFor 5..11 seconds you have a 50% chance to block attacks. This Enchantment is reapplied every time an enemy strikes you. PvE only.10115 Recall FactionsAssassin. UnlinkedRecallEnchantment SpellWhile you maintain Recall, nothing happens. When Recall ends, you Shadow Step to the ally you targeted when you activated this skill and all of your skills are disabled for 10 seconds.-115110   Template code

Equipment

• Titles: r5+ norn and r8 lightbringer are recommended
• Sweets: Candy Apple, golden eggs, and candy corn are recommended for Gloom.

Mesmer 1

Mesmer / Elementalist 12 + 1 + 3 Domination Magic 12 + 3 Fast Casting 3 Water Magic You activate Spells and Signets 50% faster. (No effect for non-Mesmer skills with a cast time less than 2 seconds.) In PvE, the recharge time of your Mesmer Spells is reduced by 45%. Deep Freeze CoreElementalist. Water Magic 3Deep FreezeHex SpellYou cause a Deep Freeze at target foe's location. All foes in this area are struck for 25 cold damage, and for 10 seconds, they move 66% slower.251.015 Visions of Regret NightfallMesmer. Domination Magic 16Visions of RegretElite Hex SpellFor 10 seconds, target foe and adjacent foes take 47 damage whenever they use a skill and 53 damage if not under the effects of another Mesmer hex.101.020 Unnatural Signet FactionsMesmer. Domination Magic 16Unnatural SignetSignetTarget foe takes 79 damage. If that foe is under the effects of a hex or enchantment, foes adjacent to your target take 53 damage.0.610 Mistrust NightfallMesmer. Domination Magic 16MistrustHex SpellFor 6 seconds, the next spell that target foe casts on one of your allies fails and deals 106 damage to that foe and all nearby foes.101.012 "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 Arcane Mimicry CoreMesmer. UnlinkedArcane MimicrySpellFor 20 seconds, Arcane Mimicry becomes the non-Form Elite skill from target other ally.151.060 Auspicious Incantation FactionsMesmer. Inspiration Magic Auspicious IncantationEnchantment SpellFor 20 seconds, the next spell you cast is disabled for an additional 10..6..5 seconds, and you gain 110..182..206% of that spell's Energy cost.50.525 Air of Superiority EotNNo Profession. Asura rank Air of SuperioritySkillFor 20..30 seconds you gain a random Asura benefit every time you earn experience from killing an enemy. PvE only.520   Template code

Equipment

• Titles: r8 lightbringer is required

Mesmer 2

Mesmer / Assassin 12 + 1 + 3 Domination Magic 12 + 3 Fast Casting You activate Spells and Signets 50% faster. (No effect for non-Mesmer skills with a cast time less than 2 seconds.) In PvE, the recharge time of your Mesmer Spells is reduced by 45%. Arcane Echo CoreMesmer. UnlinkedArcane EchoEnchantment SpellIf you cast a Spell in the next 20 seconds, Arcane Echo is replaced with that Spell for 20 seconds. Arcane Echo ends prematurely if you use a non-Spell skill.151.020 Energy Surge CoreMesmer. Domination Magic 16Energy SurgeElite SpellTarget foe loses 11 Energy. For each point of Energy lost, that foe and all nearby foes take 9 damage.51.015 Unnatural Signet FactionsMesmer. Domination Magic 16Unnatural SignetSignetTarget foe takes 79 damage. If that foe is under the effects of a hex or enchantment, foes adjacent to your target take 53 damage.0.610 Mistrust NightfallMesmer. Domination Magic 16MistrustHex SpellFor 6 seconds, the next spell that target foe casts on one of your allies fails and deals 106 damage to that foe and all nearby foes.101.012 "Finish Him!" EotNNo Profession. Norn rank "Finish Him!"ShoutIf target foe has less than 50% Health, that foe takes 44..80 damage and suffers from Cracked Armor and a Deep Wound for 12..20 seconds. PvE only.1015 Pain Inverter EotNNo Profession. Asura rank Pain InverterHex SpellFor 6..10 seconds, every time target foe deals damage that foe takes 100..140% of the damage it causes (maximum 80 damage). PvE only.10120 Recall FactionsAssassin. UnlinkedRecallEnchantment SpellWhile you maintain Recall, nothing happens. When Recall ends, you Shadow Step to the ally you targeted when you activated this skill and all of your skills are disabled for 10 seconds.-115110 Air of Superiority EotNNo Profession. Asura rank Air of SuperioritySkillFor 20..30 seconds you gain a random Asura benefit every time you earn experience from killing an enemy. PvE only.520   Template code

Equipment

• Armor: Radiant insignia, runes of attunement, rune of superior vigor, rune of superior or minor fast casting depending on preference
• Weapons: 40/40 set is best but a staff is fine too, +30 -2 high energy set
• Titles: r8 lightbringer is recommended

Mesmer 3

Mesmer / Ranger 12 + 1 + 3 Domination Magic 10 Wilderness Survival 8 + 3 Fast Casting You activate Spells and Signets 40% faster. (No effect for non-Mesmer skills with a cast time less than 2 seconds.) In PvE, the recharge time of your Mesmer Spells is reduced by 33%. Arcane Echo CoreMesmer. UnlinkedArcane EchoEnchantment SpellIf you cast a Spell in the next 20 seconds, Arcane Echo is replaced with that Spell for 20 seconds. Arcane Echo ends prematurely if you use a non-Spell skill.151.220 Energy Surge CoreMesmer. Domination Magic 16Energy SurgeElite SpellTarget foe loses 11 Energy. For each point of Energy lost, that foe and all nearby foes take 9 damage.51.215 Unnatural Signet FactionsMesmer. Domination Magic 16Unnatural SignetSignetTarget foe takes 79 damage. If that foe is under the effects of a hex or enchantment, foes adjacent to your target take 53 damage.0.710 Mistrust NightfallMesmer. Domination Magic 16MistrustHex SpellFor 6 seconds, the next spell that target foe casts on one of your allies fails and deals 106 damage to that foe and all nearby foes.101.212 Wastrel's Worry PropheciesMesmer. Domination Magic 16Wastrel's WorryHex SpellAfter 3 seconds, target foe and all adjacent foes take 105 damage. Wastrel's Worry ends prematurely if that foe uses a skill.50.21 Edge of Extinction PropheciesRanger. Beast Mastery Edge of ExtinctionNature RitualCreate a level 1..8..11 Spirit. If a non-Spirit creature within range dies, Edge of Extinction deals 14..43..52 damage to all creatures of the same type that are below 90% Health and within range of the Spirit. This Spirit dies after 30..126..158 seconds.5560 Backfire CoreMesmer. Domination Magic 16BackfireHex SpellFor 10 seconds, whenever target foe casts a Spell, that foe takes 147 damage.151.820 Air of Superiority EotNNo Profession. Asura rank Air of SuperioritySkillFor 20..30 seconds you gain a random Asura benefit every time you earn experience from killing an enemy. PvE only.520   Template code

Equipment

• Armor: Radiant insignia, runes of attunement, rune of superior vigor
• Weapons: 40/40 set is best but a staff is fine too, +30 -2 high energy set
• Titles: r8 lightbringer is required

Mesmer 4

Mesmer / Necromancer 12 + 1 + 3 Domination Magic 12 + 3 Fast Casting You activate Spells and Signets 50% faster. (No effect for non-Mesmer skills with a cast time less than 2 seconds.) In PvE, the recharge time of your Mesmer Spells is reduced by 45%. Arcane Echo CoreMesmer. UnlinkedArcane EchoEnchantment SpellIf you cast a Spell in the next 20 seconds, Arcane Echo is replaced with that Spell for 20 seconds. Arcane Echo ends prematurely if you use a non-Spell skill.151.020 Energy Surge CoreMesmer. Domination Magic 16Energy SurgeElite SpellTarget foe loses 11 Energy. For each point of Energy lost, that foe and all nearby foes take 9 damage.51.015 Unnatural Signet FactionsMesmer. Domination Magic 16Unnatural SignetSignetTarget foe takes 79 damage. If that foe is under the effects of a hex or enchantment, foes adjacent to your target take 53 damage.0.610 Mistrust NightfallMesmer. Domination Magic 16MistrustHex SpellFor 6 seconds, the next spell that target foe casts on one of your allies fails and deals 106 damage to that foe and all nearby foes.101.012 "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 Necrosis NightfallNecromancer. Sunspear rank NecrosisSkillIf target foe is suffering from a condition or hex, that foe suffers 60..90 damage. PvE only.512 Empathy CoreMesmer. Domination Magic 16EmpathyHex SpellFor 16 seconds, whenever target foe attacks, that foe takes 58 damage and target foe deals 16 less damage with attacks.101.010 Air of Superiority EotNNo Profession. Asura rank Air of SuperioritySkillFor 20..30 seconds you gain a random Asura benefit every time you earn experience from killing an enemy. PvE only.520   Template code

Equipment

• Armor: Radiant insignia, runes of attunement, rune of superior vigor, rune of superior or minor fast casting depending on preference
• Weapons: 40/40 set is best but a staff is fine too, +30 -2 high energy set
• Titles: r8 lightbringer is recommended

Mesmer 5

Mesmer / Any 12 + 1 + 3 Domination Magic 12 + 3 Fast Casting You activate Spells and Signets 50% faster. (No effect for non-Mesmer skills with a cast time less than 2 seconds.) In PvE, the recharge time of your Mesmer Spells is reduced by 45%. Arcane Echo CoreMesmer. UnlinkedArcane EchoEnchantment SpellIf you cast a Spell in the next 20 seconds, Arcane Echo is replaced with that Spell for 20 seconds. Arcane Echo ends prematurely if you use a non-Spell skill.151.020 Energy Surge CoreMesmer. Domination Magic 16Energy SurgeElite SpellTarget foe loses 11 Energy. For each point of Energy lost, that foe and all nearby foes take 9 damage.51.015 Unnatural Signet FactionsMesmer. Domination Magic 16Unnatural SignetSignetTarget foe takes 79 damage. If that foe is under the effects of a hex or enchantment, foes adjacent to your target take 53 damage.0.610 Mistrust NightfallMesmer. Domination Magic 16MistrustHex SpellFor 6 seconds, the next spell that target foe casts on one of your allies fails and deals 106 damage to that foe and all nearby foes.101.012 "Finish Him!" EotNNo Profession. Norn rank "Finish Him!"ShoutIf target foe has less than 50% Health, that foe takes 44..80 damage and suffers from Cracked Armor and a Deep Wound for 12..20 seconds. PvE only.1015 Overload FactionsMesmer. Domination Magic 16OverloadHex SpellFor 5 seconds, target foe suffers -3 Health degeneration. If target foe is using a skill, then Overload deals 79 damage to that foe and all adjacent foes.50.15 Shatter Delusions PropheciesMesmer. Domination Magic 16Shatter DelusionsSpellRemove one Mesmer Hex from target foe. If a Hex was removed, that foe and all adjacent foes take 79 damage.50.16 Air of Superiority EotNNo Profession. Asura rank Air of SuperioritySkillFor 20..30 seconds you gain a random Asura benefit every time you earn experience from killing an enemy. PvE only.520   Template code

Equipment

• Armor: Radiant insignia, runes of attunement, rune of superior vigor, rune of superior or minor fast casting depending on preference
• Weapons: 40/40 set is best but a staff is fine too, +30 -2 high energy set
• Titles: r8 lightbringer is recommended

UA monk

Monk / Ranger 12 + 1 + 3 Divine Favor 10 Wilderness Survival 8 + 3 Protection Prayers 2 Marksmanship Your allies are healed for 51 Health whenever you cast Monk spells on them. Serpent's Quickness PropheciesRanger. Wilderness Survival 10Serpent's QuicknessStanceFor 25 seconds, recharge times for your skills are reduced by 33%. Serpent's Quickness ends if your Health drops below 50%.545 Seed of Life NightfallMonk. Sunspear rank Seed of LifeEnchantment SpellFor 2..5 seconds, whenever target other ally takes damage, all party members are healed for 2 Health for each rank in Divine Favor. Target ally gets healed for 51 Health. PvE only.5¼20 Blessed Signet CoreMonk. Divine Favor 16Blessed SignetSignetFor each Enchantment you are maintaining, you gain 3 Energy. You cannot gain more than 25 energy in this way.210 Unyielding Aura PropheciesMonk. Divine Favor 16Unyielding AuraElite Enchantment SpellWhile you maintain this enchantment, your Monk spells heal for +63% more Health. When this enchantment ends one random other party member is resurrected with full Health and Energy and teleported to your location. You get healed for 51 Health.-15¼10 Ebon Escape EotNNo 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 Life Attunement PropheciesMonk. Protection Prayers 11Life AttunementEnchantment SpellWhile you maintain this enchantment, target ally deals 30% less damage with attacks, but gains 40% more Health when healed. Target ally gets healed for 51 Health.-1102 Life Bond CoreMonk. Protection Prayers 11Life BondEnchantment SpellWhile you maintain this Enchantment, whenever target other ally takes damage from an attack, half the damage is redirected to you. The damage you receive this way is reduced by 23. Target ally gets healed for 51 Health.-1102 Blessed Aura PropheciesMonk. Divine Favor 16Blessed AuraEnchantment SpellWhile you maintain this Enchantment, Monk Enchantments you cast last 37% longer. You get healed for 51 Health.-11022   Template code

Equipment

• Armor: Radiant insignia, runes of attunement, rune of superior vigor, prot headpiece and divine headpiece
• Weapons: +20% enchantments melee weapon + 20/20 healing offhand, 40/40 Divine set
• Titles: max seed is required
• Sweets: Using a cupcake is required

Emo

Elementalist / Monk 12 + 1 + 3 Energy Storage 12 Protection Prayers 3 Healing Prayers Your maximum Energy is raised by 48. Spirit Bond FactionsMonk. Protection Prayers 12Spirit BondEnchantment SpellFor 8 seconds, whenever target ally takes more than 50 damage from the next 10 attacks or Spells, that ally is healed for 78 Health.10¼2 Burning Speed FactionsElementalist. Fire Magic Burning SpeedEnchantment SpellFor 7 seconds, you are set on fire and move 30..42..46% faster. When Burning Speed ends, all adjacent foes are set on fire for 3..8..9 seconds.10¼ Infuse Health CoreMonk. Healing Prayers 3Infuse HealthSpellLose half your current Health. Target other ally is healed for 107% of the amount you lost.10¼ Ether Renewal PropheciesElementalist. Energy Storage 16Ether RenewalElite Enchantment SpellFor 21 seconds, each time you cast a Spell, you gain 4 Energy and 21 Health for each Enchantment on you.10130 Optional CoreNo Profession. UnlinkedOptionalOptionalOptional. Balthazar's Spirit PropheciesMonk. Smiting Prayers Balthazar's SpiritEnchantment SpellWhile you maintain this Enchantment, target ally gains adrenaline and Energy after taking damage. (The amount of adrenaline gained increases depending on your rank in Smiting Prayers.)-1102 Protective Bond PropheciesMonk. Protection Prayers 12Protective BondEnchantment SpellWhile you maintain this Enchantment, target ally cannot lose more than 5% max Health due to damage from a single attack or Spell. When Protective Bond prevents damage, you lose 4 Energy or the Spell ends.-1102 Life Bond CoreMonk. Protection Prayers 12Life BondEnchantment SpellWhile you maintain this Enchantment, whenever target other ally takes damage from an attack, half the damage is redirected to you. The damage you receive this way is reduced by 25.-1102   Template code

Optional slot should be:

• Aura of RestorationCoreElementalist. Energy Storage 16Aura of RestorationEnchantment SpellFor 60 seconds, you gain 1 Energy and are healed for 520% of the Energy cost each time you cast a spell.5¼20 for more spam
• "I Am Unstoppable!"EotNNo Profession. Norn rank 10"I Am Unstoppable!"ShoutFor 20 seconds, you have +24 armor and cannot be knocked down or Crippled.
  PvE only.530 to piss off your mesmer
• Ebon EscapeEotNNo Profession. Ebon Vanguard rank 10Ebon EscapeSpellShadow Step to target other ally. You and that other ally are healed for 110 health.
  PvE only.5¼10 for running around

Equipment

• Armor: Radiant insignia, runes of attunement, rune of superior vigor
• Weapons: +20% enchantments staff
• Sweets: Having 18 in energy storage is highly recommended for Veil, and required for Jadoth in City; so you need one from Golden eggs, Candy corn, or Lunar Fortunes.

General Usage

The tank pull mobs into balls, which the mesmers then blow up. The tank is kept alive by bonds from the Emo and the heals from Perma-seed.

Tank

This is just an outline of the techniques used to tank DoA:

• Standard Mobs: These are the easiest to pull, as the A.I. is predictable and intuitive. Simply pull in a striaght line, and you will separate out the different ranges of creatures. From furthest to shortest range we have: longbow, caster, paragon, and melee. This means that you can pull everything onto 1 spot in 3 steps and a dcharge. You can reduce the number of steps required by pulling mobs around corners, this way the ranged attackers can be made to all have the same effective range.
• Balled Groups: Almost every mob in City, and some in the 1st & 4th rooms of Foundry has this A.I. feature. The group follows a pattern: they start off wandering around aimlessly, then suddenly they all regroup on 1 spot and pause for a few seconds, they then all run as a team to a different place, pause again, and then resume wandering. This cycle repeats ad infinitum. If you aggro the group when they are in the process of suddenly regrouping, they will pull only a few steps, and thus you should always time it so that you only aggro when they are wandering or running together.
• Dream Riders: To pull a dream rider into the same ball as the terrorwebs in its group, you must first pull everything in a straight line, and then turn around and run to the right-hand side of the terrors at roughly a 45 degree angle, and stop when 2/3 or so of an aggro bubble away from the terrors.
• Mass melee: These are only really encountered in Veil, and can be extremely dangerous since the groups usually contain multiple hungers. When you aggro a group of melee monsters, the A.I. is designed to try and body-block you. They calculate where you will be if you run in a straight line, and will enclose you from both sides. Obviously to avoid this you simply need to run in curves, aggroing a mob and then running around one side of it. Most importantly, when you are tanking enemies that will kill you if they reach you e.g. hungers, do not stop. Use shadowsteps to put distance between you and the enemies, and never stop to cast stuff if you don't need it, too many times I have seen people recast shadow form when it is not needed.
• Trench groups: Watch a video on YouTube of how to Trench tank. You will be a good tank if you do.

Spikers

• Before each spike UA should put EoE down.
• Once the ball is ready, Mesmer #1 should Ping his VoR on a central target of the mob.
• The Mesmers should then spike the mob, and finish off any leftovers. Skill usage is generally left-to-right for the builds posted on this page.
• Perma-seed should resurrect anybody that dies.
• If stuff goes wrong, do not pull aggro into the group, it is almost always better to die so that others can get away safely and rez you.
• Note that all the Mesmers should have prot bond on them so, unless the Emo dies or loses energy, you can take on small numbers of enemies (provided they don't strip enchantments too much).

Emo

• Permaseed should always follow the Emo, and seed when needed.
• The Emo should maintain energy by spamming spirit bond and burning speed. The Emo has infuse in order to heal people directly when required.
• Bonds should generally be applied like so:
• Life bond on the tank, make sure this is the first enchantment cast.
• Prot bond on the entire pirate crew.
• Balth spirit on the tank, perma-seed, and yourself.

Links

• 36-minute run video (tank perspective) Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
• 33-minute runvideo (Shadow Meld perspective)