By: Rayko
This is a very effective burst dps build. When executed correctly will annihilate most other players in 3-4 seconds. I am level 80 but my gear is not tweaked out yet, I still have unupgraded armor pieces and a level 45 ring, so I looked forward to seeing how much more I do when I get respectable set of gear in working order.
The build centers around using Sword/pistol ability "Pistol Whip" twice in a row with no cast time, this coupled with the traits that cause steal to do damage(i.e. mug)is a very HIGH DPS burst of damage that will drop most players almost faster than they can react, and if they do survive for some reason you will be able to make short work of them.
Weapon selection: Shortbow, Sword/Pistol,
I actually use the shortbow a lot as it helps me move around faster with Infiltrator's arrow, get out of melee range with Disabling shot, and can do decent AOE damage with Cluster bomb that I detonate in mid air in WvW not just for the damage but the psychological effective of the explosion.
With Sword/Pistol set up your 1-5 abilities are as follows:
1- Slice/Slash/Crippling Strike/tactical Strike
2- Infiltrator's Strike (shadow step with return)
3- Pistol Whip (Pistolwhip foe stunning them and then slash the repeatedly with sword. stun is 1/2 second, range 130)
4- Headshot (daze)
5- Black Powder (short blind and shadow combo field)
For healing skill I use:
6- Hide in Shadows (first Thief heal)
Utility skills are:
7- Devourer Venom (Next 2 attacks immobilize)
8- Haste (makes all attacks twice as fast for 4 seconds, basically nullifies cast times.)
9- Signet of Shadows (Passive: Movement speed increased by 25%, Activate: Blinds foes near target.)
My Elites skill is
10- Thieves guild (calls in 2 thieves to fight for 30 seconds. Great for pulling aggro off you in PvE when things have gone pear shaped.)
To execute the main attack of this build you get within shadowstep range of your victim. Pop (1)DEVOURER VENOM to immobilize (when you ->)(2)STEAL, quickly pop (3)HASTE and(4&5)PISTOL WHIP x2. If still alive (6)HEADSHOT and (7)PISTOL WHIP again. The haste will end after the second pistol whip but the headshot will daze them long enough to get off a reg PW with the cast time. If your opponent is somehow able to get away from you because you messed up the rotation then it is up to your best judgement as how to proceed. You may want to retreat if they move around a lot, but if they are ignorant enough to stay still or better yet rush in and attack you from the front you can reg PW them to death fairly easily. If things get rough call in the Thieves guild! While using this build I have killed every player in WvW that has attacked me 1 on 1. So the rotation again is:
Devourver Venom, Steal, Haste, PW, PW (if alive) Headshot, PW
For traits I took 30 deadly Arts, 30 Critical strikes, 10 Trickery.
DA 10-Mug, 20-Combined Training, 30-Panic Strike
CS 10-Side strike, 20-combo critical chance, 30-Executioner
Trick 10-Thrill of the Crime
This build works decently in PvE as well. If in a dungeon I will use my shortbow on trash and do my reg rotation on bosses and then switch back to shortbow to get away and wait for haste cool down and then repeat main attack. As for slot skills, I drop Signet of Shadows for Shadow Refuge to help recover fallen party members. I have a link to the video I learned this from which I recommend watching. Any questions or ideas on how to improve please contact Rayko. Walk in Shadow!
Pistol Whip Thief Build (referred to as "The Assassin")