"Thief-like" Playstyles on other professions

[Mhina.1827]

Hey Guys,

I know I've seen a lot of discourse here about how competitively thief can often feel a bit underwhelming in the wake of the newfound mobility, protections, and sheer power of other classes. I'm wondering if you have found any classes/builds out there that allow you to still be the classical bad kitten assassin archetype in your head canon lol for me it was the Dagger/Dagger stealth trapper soulbeast. It was viable in PvP/WvW/PvE. It had decent mobility, access to stealth, medium armor + 2 daggers for the look, required aggression to do meaningful damage, and the dueling potential that you might expect from the "assassin" class in other games. But with the stealth access removed I'm struggling to find a replacement for my "thief" away from thief lol. What do you guys like to play that gives you that mobile assassin feel? Bonus points if you feel like including how you outfit the character to match the playstyle 🙂

[tutueater.2370]

Sword/pistol sword/torch powerblock mirage, IH, and clone summon on Dodge. Take 2 stealth utils. Relic of evasion+endurance Regen food, with cleansing/energy on both sets.

Every 10 or so seconds you get 3 mirage thrusts which is up to 12 dazes which also remove a boon per mirage thrust with mirage mantle, 2 if you drop power block for vicious expression. 

You can replace one of the swords with a dagger for ranged dazes.

I don't think it's a good pvp build but it's pretty funny in wvw. 

[cyberzombie.7348]

Dual-dagger Spellbreaker feels closer to the roots of GW1's assassin than thiefs' imo. With even better utility and spike damage if built for it. 

[Mhina.1827]

16 hours ago, cyberzombie.7348 said:

Dual-dagger Spellbreaker feels closer to the roots of GW1's assassin than thiefs' imo. With even better utility and spike damage if built for it. 

Sounds cool, but seems pretty scary to try in PvP. Have you been trying this in PvP/WvW? 

[cyberzombie.7348]

@Mhina.1827 In PvP not so much, in WvW though its F1 skill has crazy spike damage if built for it,  on top of two leap finishers, ccs, boon rips and a projectile block. Its even stronger with off-hand axe if you don't mind trading the extra boon rip and projectile block. 

Although I wouldn't charge into a zerg with that combo, it definitely gets the job done if you want a quick & clean kill with minimal flashiness. 

Spellbreaker_build

[WhoWantsAHug.3186]

On 9/10/2023 at 10:33 AM, Mhina.1827 said:

Sounds cool, but seems pretty scary to try in PvP. Have you been trying this in PvP/WvW? 

Offhand dagger sucks in PvP. Best to go shield or offhand sword with mainhand dagger. Pair either choice with greatsword on spellbreaker. 

Mesmer plays like a high stealth/mobility assassin, as does soulbeast. I prefer longbow on SLB, but greatsword + mainhand sword is really good. You won't have daggers, but it's basically the same melee playstyle. 

[Psycoprophet.8107]

Just man up and stick to thief no matter it's current shortcomings, ull eventually get skilled on it enough to make up for them and be decently competitive, and if ever gets buffs(hahaha yeah right) ull be even better off. Lastly play what u enjoy regardless of balance, this game shouldn't be taken seriously as for as being competitive is concerned.

[Mhina.1827]

On 9/10/2023 at 12:54 PM, cyberzombie.7348 said:

@Mhina.1827 In PvP not so much, in WvW though its F1 skill has crazy spike damage if built for it,  on top of two leap finishers, ccs, boon rips and a projectile block. Its even stronger with off-hand axe if you don't mind trading the extra boon rip and projectile block. 

Although I wouldn't charge into a zerg with that combo, it definitely gets the job done if you want a quick & clean kill with minimal flashiness. 

Spellbreaker_build

Thank you for sharing!

[Mhina.1827]

10 hours ago, Psycoprophet.8107 said:

Just man up and stick to thief no matter it's current shortcomings, ull eventually get skilled on it enough to make up for them and be decently competitive, and if ever gets buffs(hahaha yeah right) ull be even better off. Lastly play what u enjoy regardless of balance, this game shouldn't be taken seriously as for as being competitive is concerned.

lol man up huh? xD yeah I definitely still play thief, but I enjoy having something of a similar feel to switch to when I'm frustrated to give myself a mental break or when I'm working the pvp wings and have maxed out the necessary amount of wins on thief for a given part! 

[cyberzombie.7348]

@Mhina.1827 Got bit of bad news if you haven't tried the build yet. They patched the breaching strike damage yesterday, apparently it was bugged having pve coefficients.

[Grand Marshal.4098]

I'm impressed that people mention SpB and don't mention Shiro rev and Willbender as a playstyle reminiscent of Thief.

[Marckan.9526]

@Grand Marshal.4098 I believe OP also wants stealth, which means SpB was an incorrect suggestions and the rest of us just want to spin off on incorrect suggestions ^^

 

But as incorrect suggestions go, WB and shiro Rev definitely fits the description minus stealth!

 

Edit: forgot to quote Grand Marshal

Edited September 21 by Marckan.9526