This is a test build. You may comment and rate it.
Focused on: Strike damage, Mobility and Sustain
Designed for: WvW Roaming
Expansions required: Heart of Thorns builds Secrets of the Obscure builds Janthir Wilds builds
Difficulty: Hard
This build was last updated on January 27, 2025.
盗贼 (Thief)
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General
This build leverages the more acrobatics and dodging / evasion playstyle of Thief instead of leveraging stealth access - though 
碎裂突袭 (Spear 3.3) offers stealth access if successfully landed.
Generally, this build is focused on mobility and dueling, as well as being able to escape when needed. 
渗透暗箭 and 
出奇打击 (Spear 3.1) are good disengage tools.
Spear Combos
螳螂钉刺 (Spear 2.1)
吸血劈砍 (Spear 3.2)
陨落蜘蛛 (Spear 2.3)
杂念投掷 (Spear 4)吸血劈砍 (Spear 3.2)碎裂突袭 (Spear 3.3)
苍白突袭 (Stealth Attack)General Spear Notes
倒钩之矛 (Spear 1) is a melee and ranged auto-attack, depending on proximity to the target. The ranged option is a considerable poke option and can whittle down opponents from distance. It can easily make a difference in a fight or chasing someone down, don't forget to use it.
倒钩之矛 (Spear 1, ranged) and 杂念投掷 (Spear 4) both share a strange quirk - they can be thrown in any direction without needing to face the target. The auto-attack won't activate automatically when facing away from a target, but pressing the button will still throw the spear behind at the target and deal damage. Use this while running away or repositioning, for example.(Stealth Attack) regenerates initiative when the final stab hits, so make sure to hit at least that final poke.
(Spear 2.1) and (Spear 2.3) are the main damaging skills of the spear. These should be prioritized when not needing to gap close, stealth, or rip boons from a target.
(Spear 3.1) is the main gap closer for the build, other than . Really should only be used to stick to a target, otherwise prioritize .
(Spear 3.2) is the main sustain for this build and should almost always be prioritized over (Spear 2.2). The lifesteal is significant at baseline without even factoring in Power, Healing Power, or taking .
(Spear 3.3) is the source of stealth for spear, as well as ripping boons from the selected target. If the target is afflicted by , rip an additional boon from them.
(Spear 4) is a low cost, spammable interrupt if the target is crippled, while also granting the Thief a 7s buff to Damage and Condition Damage when used after a combo finisher (Spear 2.3 or Spear 3.3). Try to maintain it as much as possible, unless you are being heavily pressured and need to block or run.
(Spear 5) is a 2s block that only blocks a singular attack before ending, unlike that blocks every attack for its 2s duration. It can be useful in a pinch, especially when fighting higher damage pressure.
Shortbow
Strengths, Weaknesses, and Counters
A Daredevil roaming build focused on evasion and solid damage pressure, featuring the new Spear weapon from Janthir Wilds. This build is focused on typical roaming activities with the perk of being able to brawl with with others more directly in solo fights. It can also assist in zerg clashes thanks to good survivability and plenty of access to boon strip with 
慷慨无私 on 
顺手牵羊 and 碎裂突袭 (Spear 3.3).
Heal
活力引导 for better endurance upkeep and access to dodges but no condition cleansing. Longer cooldown than 
紧急撤离 and can be interrupted.
遁入暗影 - more stealth access and a stronger heal but losing out on the condition cleansing and dodge of 紧急撤离
Utility
Swap 
强横防御 with:
致盲药粉 for better stealth access but less block and CC.
先攻翻滚 for evasion and initiative regen.
禁锢区域 for a funny surprise option and better lockdown for Spear's combos. Requires proper planning and baiting opponents.
战斗冲动 for a different stun break option. Loses 2s block, but the instant quickness synergizes with 
冲撞打击 for quick executes that catches many off-guard.
Elite
Variants
弹跳闪避 for slightly higher damage while sacrificing some of the utility of 
神行无阻 for condition cleanses (especially immobilize). Can take 
永不止步 instead of 
抢占先机 to regain that cleansing, but that sacrifices access to 
再生 and initiative recovery.Acrobatics ⇒ Critical Strikes for higher damage at the cost of less survivability.
Stats
Generally try to get at least 16k HP, then switch to Toughness to further increase survivability. Dragon stats can be swapped with Marauder stats based on personal preference of having higher Precision or Ferocity.
Demolisher is a Toughness variant of Marauder, granting overall better survivability than just running Vitality. If that isn't a concern, switch the stats of the trinkets to either Marauder or Dragon stats based on preference.
Try to aim for around 70-80% Crit Chance when not running Critical Strikes, filling in the rest of the damage stats with Power and/or Ferocity.
Relics
for better condition cleansing if fighting a lot of condi builds. Sacrifices the damage boost of .
when paired with high Ferocity for high burst and guaranteed triggering of and .
for extra surprise burst when using .
for extra healing, especially if run in combination with from Critical Strikes.
Sigils
Runes
Food
- good stats and passive damage mitigation; standard power food.
- same stats as the above except with life steal instead of damage mitigation.
- non-ascended version of the food above, without the sustain.
- more dodging.
Utility
