Gimmick build
From Guild Wars Wiki
Gimmick Gimmick builds are usually very effective but easily countered. Some gimmicks become quickly popular (Flavor of the Month) and are seen by some as 'unfair'. What constitutes a gimmick build is up for debate, and varies from person to person.
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[edit] What differentiates a gimmick from a balanced build?
[edit] Balanced builds
[edit] Guild Battles
A balanced build doesn't rely on a particular strategy. You have a toolbox that is varied enough to deal with most situations, and you aren't seriously disadvantaged by any pairing or map. This is essentially the theory behind a balanced build.
A typical balanced build will consist of two to three melee (frontline) characters that deal the bulk of the party's damage. Balanced builds also have two to three "midline" characters; most often casters, the midline characters attempt to shut down the opposing team's defense so their frontline can deal fatal damage to that team. Further, balanced teams have a "backline" of two healers; one that acually heals, and one that reduces damage, (Healer's Boon, Word of Healing and Restore Condition are all common in the meta). Lastly, balanced builds have a full support character devoted to flag running, defending base NPCs against gankers, and aiding the party at flag stand.
[edit] Heroes' Ascent
Balanced builds found in HA are somewhat similar to those in GvG, with a few exceptions. Heroes' Ascent builds need to have at least two characters with a speed buff (or a target-ally skill such as "Make Haste!") to run relics, and more party-wide mobility (or a dedicated split) for Capture Point maps.
Builds expecting to reach the Hall of Heroes need Song of Concentration so the Ghostly Hero can capture the altar.
[edit] Spike Teams
Some people classify pure spike teams as gimmicks, but spiking is considered a good alternative strategy to balanced by many of the more open-minded players.
[edit] Gimmick builds
Gimmick builds, unlike balanced, can be viewed as builds that do not fit within the metagame, or common views of a "balanced build". Gimmick builds uses certain strategies to work, when certain condition are met, these builds can either be very effective, or not work at all.
Any build that varies from this typical setup is most likely a gimmick:
- Builds composed of many characters of the same profession (5-8 paragons, 8 necromancers, 8 elementalists, etc) are also gimmicks. These usually rely on exploiting or abusing the primary attribute of their chosen profession to provide enough energy to outlast the other team (either by spiking, in the case of a full necromancer party, or by general invincibility, in the case of 8 paragons).
- Builds that rely on hero AI are, indeed, gimmicks. Whether it be timing Discord perfectly when the conditions for the spell are met, flawlessly maintaining Tainted Flesh on the entire party, or interrupting skills with split-second precision, heroes offer some advantages over players. Either way, builds that rely on the perfect AI timing/organization are gimmicks.
- Lastly, builds packed with enough standalone imbalanced skills/methods to create one great, overpowered product are gimmicks. Spiritway, for example, in its current incarnation, combines defensive stances like Escape and Lightning Reflexes with powerful scythe attacks to remove enchants and cause deep wound. Echoed Weapon Spells like Splinter and Warmonger's on the frontline deal devastating damage and make casting nearly impossible for the opposing team. Traps hinder both the enemy's offense and defense, as multiple people are hit with Blind, Dazed, Bleeding and Crippled. Spirits like Life, Recovery, and Preservation keep the party safe from pressure damage, and Soul Reaping-fueled Necromancer/Ritualist backlines pump out high-cost heals without falling low on energy thanks to spirits and people dropping like flies. Any one of these facets taken out of the build isn't extraordinarily imbalanced, but when combined, they create an build overpowered enough to be considered a gimmick.
- Note that it is often open to personal interpertation wheter or not a build is a gimmick. Like the word noob, it is often used in a inflamatory way.
