AikijinX.6258

And do we just not have any underwater Specter utility? Do necro’s or chrono’s not have access to their Wells underwater? (I main Thief and nothing else, so I don’t know) If they also have this problem then I’ll accept this. But we lose literally all of our utility underwater

See I didn’t even realize or care to look at those skills, because just playing with them, I was disgusted. Didn’t bother looking at the tool tip. But thanks for the tip! Yeah That’s true.. shadow shroud is just so disappointing. But Specter as a whole, I was pleasantly content with.

Yes! Thank you. Someone said it. Swindler’s equilibrium doesn’t work on steal recharge. I even tried to use that siphon trait in the grandmaster line 3rd one down. (it’s essentially revive a downed enemy while your siphon is on an ally) I tried to pair this with Shadow arts Merciful ambush trait (Stealth and heal allies while reviving them) one would think you’d get a ranged stealth downed revive interaction, but this is not the case. and yes fix that 1-2 second delay on hidden thief and siphon, it’s annoying also Why do we need targets to use siphon. How boonless of a Thief do you truly want us to be. If we can’t keep uptime on Thrill of the crime or even engage with Hidden thief’s stealth first. It’s annoying.

Shroud is pretty much useless besides the instant heal Quick tapping, and Every. Single. Skill. In. Shroud Is interruptible, There’s no evades skills in shroud. The #5 Stability channel skill takes 10,000 years to cast I like the heal Well, but hate the cast time on it, and the range. And it feels lackluster too. Give me swiftness or something while casting it. The shroud #3 fear skill doesn’t dash towards the target and often just goes where ever the heck it wants to and gets easily interrupted. Shadow form is pretty much useless, besides barrier and instant heal. You need a target to use steal. Like what? I was fine with this design on deadeye, but with Specter. No. This better be a bug. Can’t even give myself self swiftness if I wanted to. Pack runes may be the move for this spec. (For Power) SCP/D #3 is pretty strong, but MISSES or is just simply way too slow. And why it doesn’t pierce or hit multiple targets when it’s LITERALLY 2 separate air wave/blades is beyond me And HELLO? There’s no combo or projectile finishers with this spec? Honestly.. I was pleasantly surprised that initiative wasn’t too big of an issue. Even while playing and enjoying CS/ SA/ SCP (which I think I’ll main). Power is definitely the way to go, while playing this spec. You’ve got good ability to sustain but also dish out good dmg. Using trickery wasn’t really an issue. What I cared about more was how I can get more quickness and might onto this spec. (I should’ve added more sigils into my bank , like rage sigil or and might sigil or something ) All in all. The specter is definitely going to be very strong when solo roaming and also a good support option in small group. It’s definitely a higher skill cap type of spec. I like it, despite my complaints above. If they fix those. And a few more QoLs it’ll be okay. But I will say Shroud form is absolutely useless. I almost always forget to go into it when fighting. And then at times when I have that no death trait on it pops me into shroud and I’m like, oh right.. I have this. and MECHANIST IS BROKEN stoopid strong and just EATS my Shroud with it’s damage. Might as well not even go into it while fighting a mech.

Shroud is pretty much useless besides the instant heal Quick tapping, and Every. Single. Skill. In. Shroud Is interruptible, There’s no evades skills in shroud and every skill’s cast time is too long and too annoying. The #5 Stability channel skill takes 10,000 years to cast I like the heal Well, but hate the cast time on it, and the range. And it feels lackluster too. Give me swiftness or something while casting it. The shroud #3 fear skill doesn’t dash towards the target and often just goes where ever the heck it wants to and gets easily interrupted. Shadow form is pretty much useless, besides barrier and instant heal. You need a target to use steal. Like what? I was fine with this design on deadeye, but with Specter. No. This better be a bug. Can’t even give myself self swiftness if I wanted to. Pack runes may be the move for this. (For Power) SCP/D #3 is pretty strong, but MISSES or is just simply way too slow. And why it doesn’t pierce or hit multiple targets when it’s LITERALLY 2 separate air wave or blades is beyond me And HELLO? There’s no combo finishers with this spec? Honestly.. I was pleasantly surprised that initiative wasn’t too big of an issue. Even while playing and enjoying CS/ SA/ SCP ( which I think I’ll main ). Power is definitely the way to go, while playing this spec. You’ve got good ability to sustain and but also dish out good dmg. Using trickery wasn’t really an issue. What I cared about more was how I can get more quickness and might onto this spec. ( I should’ve added more sigils into my bank , like rage sigil or and might sigil ) All in all. The specter is definitely going to be very strong when solo roaming and also a good support option in small group. It’s definitely a higher skill cap type of spec. I like it, despite my complaints above. If they fix those. And a few more QoLs it’ll be okay. But I will say Shroud form is absolutely useless. I almost always forget to go into it when fighting. And then at times when I have that no death trait on it pops me into shroud and I’m like, oh right.. I have this. and MECHANIST IS BROKEN stoopid strong. EDIT: I am also pleasantly content with the Shadow force gain rate and if we don’t take that trait that instantly eats our shadow force, then we can pretty much have a nice consistent level of shadow form (despite being useless, and only being used for the dash and fear) EDIT: And I appreciate the velocity of the auto attack despite the autoattack chain being bugged. The AA seems very fluid, and can deceptively sneak in a #3 on Scp/D. Increase the velocity on the #3 Scp/D and it'll be golden . It's super satisfying to AA in my opinion. Scp/P definitely the weaker of the 2.

Scepter/Dagger seems like the stronger option if you wanted to hybrid. But really only if you are going into full power. SCP/D #3 is super strong. Feels like it should have a piercing element and velocity increase. Because the 1st projectile that is the (slower) one is very prone to MISS. Very frustrating. But when it does hit. It’s pretty impressive. Scp/D — P/D has decent synergy

Pretty much everything you’ve said in this thread has been contested by someone and has corrected you. And I don’t want to be that guy.. but I just want to let you know that our heal skill which is a “Well” does have access to stealth through use of the Shadow Arts line. It’s a minor trait that enables the user to gain stealth on heal.

Haha yeah man. You guys will be on top of it definitely

-Test out if the Alacrity Well works in reducing the CDs with shadow shroud skills since they’re not initiative based -Test out barrier stealth capability (sanctuary runes) also test out if these sanctuary runes can barrier you in shadow form -Test if merciful ambush can range stealth a down ally when you instant revive them using your siphon and if barrier applies -Test out steal stealth (hidden thief trait) with new steal and whether or not steal needs to have target to activate -Test out tether on thieves guild and wallow venom on thieves guild -See if tether can work on mini -See if tether works on summons from Runes -Try out rune of warrior synergy and quick pockets trait -Try out signet of malice heal on barrier synergy Weapons: S/D & SCP/P synergy Weapons: D/D & SCP/P Weapons: S/P & SCP/D Weapons: See if there’s any synergy involving Shortbow and any Wells TR/ SCP/ SA D.A/ SCP/ SA CS/ SCP/ SA Acro/ SCP/ CS Acro/ SCP/ SA

It’s either classified as a venom or they need to change the name. It’s getting exhausting how many intuitive trait reactions you’d imagine should work with specs across all classes but just don’t.

Initiative replenish on auto attack would be a great solution. I just don’t understand how the developers don’t or refuse to acknowledge this as an obvious problem.

To be honest I agree with you here, because it’s completely out of touch and just a blatant lack of awareness and respect to the Thief Community. The Thief community has been trying to branch out from needing to rely on trickery so heavily which seriously limits build diversity and creation, and pigeon holes us into picking one of few builds, that are typically meta. Then CmC goes on stream making a joke and a sly/snide comment about our initiative. How did that help the community? How is it helpful in anyway? This Just brushed me the wrong way. EDIT: And seeing how you guys gave Ranger (The Untamed) a good ability to condition cleanse because (justifiably) they have needed that for a long time kinda feels like a slap in the face to Trickery users and our simple need and long asked for request for preparedness baseline.

With all the 300s CD that have been thrown around across all classes, but in particular for Thief, our Acro line; I’m surprised they let this passive trait slip through the cracks. When is it time to re-address 300s CDs? (And yes I know they’re just trying to sell us on the specter that’s why they let it slip through) but as an Adept trait, it’s the same case as Acro’s adept trait (Instant reflexes)- It does essentially the same thing minus the ally support aspect of it. (And yes I said essentially,) because it’s not completely the same, but the concept is the same. Shallow Grave prevents you or your ally from going below 1hp and instant reflexes Prevents you from going below a threshold that’s usually like half HP. Shallow Grave - 60 sec CD If the ally tethered by your Shadow Shroud takes a lethal blow, consume your shroud to prevent their death and heal them. If you would take a lethal blow, enter Shadow Shroud instead , if your shroud is above the threshold. This trait is unique per game mode Percentage Returned as Healing: 100% Energy Threshold: 20

This is the internet and anyone can have anything, be anybody, etc as long as they type it out. Although I believe in my initial statement, my heart does go out to you if this limitation is indeed true. (No I won’t ask you for proof either because what kind of person does this). I agree that with this new Ally targeting mechanic they should’ve been more conscious and aware of individuals with limitations as you described. Because contrary’ to peoples belief’s, even the handicapped like to game and have fun. I hope Anet responds to this thread because it’s very important they hear from people like you. You’re a fellow Thief of 9 years, you’re more than qualified to have an opinion. 😊

I see their unwillingness to not want to give Thieves self boon application as such: We are just sacrificial pawns that’s 1 job is to protect the King (commander) and if we die then we die, because we did our 1 and only job. Doesn’t matter if we don’t benefit from our own boons, we were never meant to live and were always supposed to succumb to a sacrificial fate/destiny. And it doesn’t matter how many pawns die protecting the King because there will always be 1 King and there will always be several-to an infinite number of pawns ready to serve and be used. Specters don’t matter since we’d be the grunts. -That’s my take on this spec We are disposable batteries. I also see this spec in this way: Imagine a very rainy night. Torrential rain rather. And there’s a huge puddle in the street. You’ve just finished your dinner with your date and got to take them back home and you want to be a good first date (little do you know that this isn’t their first date.. that day) So you give your partner your jacket to put over their head, all while laying down in the middle of the street submerged in the puddle just so they can step on you so their shoes/feet don’t get wet. And then you take them home, walk them to the door, and then they call you their brother. “Thanks for the amazing time tonight, I love that we can do this, you’re like a brother to me”, and then they hug you (when you expected a kiss) and that’s it, they go into their house, and you never hear from them again. (They still have your jacket by the way) /OverDramatizedSataricalStoryDone Feel free to laughing emoji if you want. It’s meant to be funny, but actually tell you how it is at the same time.

I can honestly say I’m not thrilled about this spec, but I will wait till Tuesday for final judgment. Because just like how everyone was really excited about previous elite specs during Cal’s beta previews and then to find out during actual gameplay that some of those specs turned out not to be so great. I am hoping the reverse effect happens since I (personally) feel so poorly on this beta preview shown by Cal, I’m hoping in actual gameplay I will be WOW’d on Tuesday. So there’s hope for me 😄 I know this preview might have been hype for other people but me personally not as much. So that WOW effect that I am hoping to feel, might have already been felt by others today. And for that I’m happy for you guys. Can’t wait for Tuesday 🙂

Assuming people spell Specter as Spectre haha. I think your coined name is better than mine though haha. “Spelacrity” since there’s really no “L” in the name. I could make a joke about how Thieves still have taken an L even if it’s not in the name with this spec. But.. meh. I honesty wasn’t that impressed but. I’m also again not a supporty guy or pve player. But I can see how PvE players and Support styled players would be jumping up and down, and I’m happy for you guys 😄

Spelacrity Thief. Gain alacrity on Well placement. Chronomancer runes gives quickness on well placement. So hmm.. I see viability for raids and strike missions. Instant might too. From My unprofessional PvE eye and perspective EDIT: I’d also like to take the opportunity to say I was right about not losing stealth haha.

There’s a couple hours until the live stream. But let’s all just try to remember, nothing is set in stone until the actual release of end of dragons. But ALSO these specialization skills and traits may look cool during todays previews but what actually matters is Tuesday and actually being able to test out these beta specs. It’ sucks that my mind set is automatically set to believing that these specs won’t be as good in practice as they look being shown and previewed in the live stream, but it is what it is. I’m more-so looking forward to Tuesday than today. But we shall see what comes of Specter. Let the show go on.

We will, on Tuesday. 🙂

Yeah I just re-read that article where they explained alittle bit more. And yes they actually said in there, The Wells utilize shadow steps. Man what the HECK. This better be instant cast and 1200-1500 range. I know 1500 is very far, but it's for reparations for giving us Wells in the first place that often fail to blades of grass, and pebbles. lol EDIT: I guess I will buy Chronomancer runes for that 2 seconds quickness on placing a well down, and see the synergies. EDIT: I wonder if chronomancer runes will quickness proc twice, because didn't they say the Wells proc at your feet as well as proc at your target location? EDIT: Nevermind i read the article again, I misunderstood. The chrono runes wont proc twice: " Each (Well) skill will shadowstep you to your targeted location and then lay the well at your feet "

Sounds like a lot of telegraphed playstyle. But we shall see. And wells.. yippie my favorite.. /s (This is the last thing I wanted) these well teleports better be instant cast, break stun, and NOT categorized as a (shadow step). An Actual portal this time that ignores terrain, rocks and blades of grass. Much like Mesmer portal and our current preparation portal so there's less room for failure. Honestly with the introduction of preparation utility skills, they were priming and preparing us to be ready for wells type of gameplay from what I read though, seems like we do keep our f1 steal, just when we are in shadow shroud it switches over to the new mechanic. I also believe we are keeping stealth. From what I read on the MMORPG website as they discussed the Specter specialization it’s as followed: “ While the Specter will gain new knowledge, the flexibility of the thief shouldn't be lost. This time, however, you may be wielding a scepter for new magic options to keep playing with shadowy stealth and direct interaction. You’ll also be able to use those shadow powers in ways you might be more used to, to debilitate your enemies and claim victory.” https://www.mmorpg.com/news/embrace-shadow-magic-as-guild-wars-2-reveals-the-thiefs-elite-specialization-the-specter-2000123385

Where was this from?

You know what. I don’t think there is anyway we are losing stealth. Making a system or form to play around stealth is so complicated. And with the amount of effort anet has put into these elite specs thus far or lack of.. (with recycled animations, attacks etc) I doubt they actually made a system to work around stealth. Because there are just too many factors that don’t make sense like utility skills like shadow refuge (will we just not benefit from our own refuge while Allies do), Allies stealthing us (for instance group GvG/ZvZ (we just won’t be able to stealth with our group and hence more become more of a burden if we are following our commander. The opposition will just know where to skill bomb.) And too many traits that’ll just be obsolete, since some are tied in with steal mechanic. I can’t imagine this spec without stealth and I can’t imagine they actually put in extra effort for the Thief spec when their beloved Willbender (Anet loves their guardians) and other specs received very little effort and forethought, especially Virtuoso. But we shall see on Friday I can be entirely wrong, and I’ll be ok with this too.

I’ve said this before in like a previous thread but I was hoping we’d have something along the lines of a shadow form stealth replacement. If they did get rid of stealth then the shadow form better be strong enough to compensate for the loss of a class identity. Because if it just gives us barrier and not like intermittent evasion frame, invuln frame or protection or something.. maybe even a new boon or skill entirely that’s integrated into the game then that’ll be kind of a weak trade off, (assuming we lose stealth access) which kind of sounds a bit more complicated to pull off than just that. Unless we are just perma revealed, which would pair well with deadly arts (revealed training +200 power)power trait and improvisation… or Shadow Arts Trait (flickering shadows where you take Reduced strike damage while revealed by 33%) I don’t know I’m just speaking into air right now, but I can’t wait to see the trade offs.. if any. im STILL also hoping for some type of faster initiative generation trait, skill, anything to help with Thief in general or make preparedness baseline.