User:AOTT/Build Research

This section of AOTT is designed for my thoughts on what makes a plausible build.

Stage 1: Build Type(Species) Builds can be just about anything. The first step is to decide what the PRIMARY purpose of your character is, regardless of PvP or PvE application.

Offensive
 * Damage (Spike)
 * Damage (Caster)
 * Damage (Melee)
 * Damage (Ranged)
 * Disruption
 * Disruption (Caster)
 * Disruption (Melee)
 * Disruption (Ranged)
 * Disruption (Shutdown)

Defensive
 * Defense (Tank)
 * Defense (Caster)
 * Defensive:Offensive
 * Defense (Counterattacking)
 * Defense (Disruptive)
 * Defense (Shutdown)

Support
 * Support (Caster)
 * Support (Primary Healing)
 * Support (Secondary Healing)
 * Support (Defensive)
 * Support (Damage)
 * Support (Spirits)
 * Support (Ambient/Environmental Effects)
 * Support (Melee)
 * Support (Minions)
 * Support (Shouter)
 * Support (Stance)
 * Support (Ranged)
 * Support (Minions)
 * Support (Shouter)
 * Support (Stance)
 * Support (Spirits)
 * Support (Sacrificial)
 * Support (Self-sacrifice-Minions)
 * Support (Self-Sacrifice-Healer)
 * Support (Self-Sacrifice-Diversion)

Stage 2: Primary Class


 * The next step is to determine which primary class your character is going to be. The class of your character determines strong and weak aspects of your playing style.  Usually, the choice of primary class determines the combat style and energy management.  That's not to say there aren't builds that break the mold; it's just less common.

Melee:
 * Dervish (Mysticism)
 * Warrior (Strength)
 * Assassin (Critical Hits)

Ranged (non-caster):
 * Ranger (Expertise)
 * Paragon (Leadership)

Caster:
 * Necromancer (Soul Reaping)
 * Elementalist (Energy Storage)
 * Mesmer (Fast Casting)
 * Ritualist (Channeling)
 * Monk (Divine Favor)

Stage 2: Secondary Class The secondary class is often limited by the loss of the use of the primary class attribute associated with it, as well as the loss of the use of runes to increase attributs associated with the secondary class. However, that does not mean that the primary class' primary attribute does not complement the skills associated with the secondary class, and secondary attributes can still be raised up to 12. Weapons associated with the secondary class can still be used. Melee:
 * Dervish
 * Warrior
 * Assassin

Ranged (non-caster):
 * Ranger
 * Paragon

Caster:
 * Necromancer
 * Elementalist
 * Mesmer
 * Ritualist
 * Monk