Just hit 80 so

[Ajax.5346]

I'm returning to the game after many years away. I just hit 80 on my thief, I'm looking for an open world PVE build while I clear the maps and finish all the story lines up and get the points.Is this still a highly effective and viable build? Also any direction on progressing through the game from here would be helpful as well.

https://metabattle.com/wiki/Build:Daredevil_-_Bounding_Staff

Thank you in advance for your response.

[Josif.2015]

Staff daredevil is a great all around build that is effective both in open world PvE and end game content like fractals and raids. The problem with elite specializations is that even when you reach level 80, you don't have enough hero points for them. Simply reaching level 80 grants you enough hero points for the core specializations and map completion in the vanilla zones can only afford you at least 80% of one elite specialization. Doing map completion in the HoT and PoF maps is a much faster process.

While you're doing map completion, both for the vanilla and expansion zones I recommend using this build that I use for core thief in PvE. It's a dagger/dagger build that focuses on backstabbing enemies, quickly killing them while also stacking vulnerability with sneak attacks or backstabs and keeping fury and plentiful stacks of might active. In longer fights and if you manage your fury application (critical hits, reducing your enemy's health below 90%, backstabs, steal, haste), you can have permanent fury and 25 stacks of might.

[saerni.2584]

Welcome back Ajax!

You will probably be fine with that although they have nerfed / changed staff in a few ways and reworked Daredevil so it may take a bit to get used to.