Build:Deadeye - Malicious Oneshot Roamer (2024)

Overview

A permastealth WvW roaming build that preys on squishies, and oneshots them with Malicious Backstab before vanishing again.

Can also be used for scouting undetected or hiding inside objectives lost to the enemy, waiting for the opportunity to Shadow Portal a Mesmer inside.

Archival note: maybe unplayable by the introduction of mounts and nerfs to its damage.

Skill Bar

Slot Changes

Utility

• Shadowstep over Infiltrator's Signet - trades the initiative regen for bigger reach when hunting down targets, but you'll need to aim it properly to get to the target instead of just pressing the signet. Shadowstep is also a better defensive skill in general, should you need it.

• Shadow Portal - this introduces a whole new role to the build. Using permatsealth, it's possible to hide inside towers and keeps just before the enemy takes control of them. Wait until your server arrives to siege it, taxi a Mesmer in with Shadow Portal, and let the Mesmer take the rest of the group in with Portal Entre. Now your server can take the objective without a siege.

Elite

• Dagger Storm - if the target survived or their allies are near, this elite can finish the kill without risk. Under pressure this is a stronger defensive skill than Shadow Meld, but obviously stealth is better for disengaging and SM can get rid of Revealed too.

Template Code

Specializations

Equipment

Weapons

• You should carry 2 Pistols with you. One with Sigil of Superior Sigil of the Night, another with Sigil of Superior Sigil of Air. The build is best used at night time when you can make use of the 10% modifier from Sigil of the Night. During the day, you should switch out your Pistol for one that has a Sigil of Air.

Stats

• Because of Practiced Tolerance Berserker armor is somewhat better than Template:Valkyrie, eventhough you don't need the crit chance it provides. Going full Template:Berserker makes the build a lot less forgiving to play, but increases your Backstab damage a tiny bit. Although the gain from Berserker is marginal at best, it's still something that more experienced players could go for.

Consumables

Optimal:

Budget:

Usage

General

• Let's start by establishing that you won't be able to oneshot everyone you come across - more tanky players with high HP may survive. Don't worry though, with access to permanent Stealth you're able to pick and choose which fights you're going to take, or vanish if you failed the burst.

• The build is best used for defending objectives owned by a guild with stat bonuses.

• D/P is the main weapon set of this build, rifle mainly fills a utility role.

• Rifle can be used to solo camps by spamming Three Round Burst, picking off NPCs one by one. It can also finish targets who survived your burst and are trying to escape. Alternatively, use it to snipe targets from range if you're roaming in a group.

• Always try to be on rifle when you're finishing downed targets in order to build Sigil of Superior Sigil of Bloodlust stacks.

Stealth

• The Shadow Arts specialization greatly enchances stealth, making it last longer while regenerating health and initiative over its duration. In combat it also provides 50% movement speed increase, but it's capped at the usual 33% while out of combat.

• Rifle's Silent Scope is the cheapest way for you to enter Stealth, endurance being the only limiting factor. Dodge on rifle every time your endurance is about to hit maximum.

• Hide in Shadows and Shadow Meld are both last resort options in case the circ*mstances don't allow for other methods, or you need to heal. Shadow Meld is extremely valuable as it counters Revealed which would prevent you from gaining stealth.

Optimal stealth stacking rotation:

1. Kneel
2. Drop Sniper's Cover in front of you, which is a smoke field
3. Swap to dagger
4. Heartseeker x4 through Sniper's Cover
5. Dodge while holding a rifle to proc Silent Scope

Less optimal, but much more convenient way (it costs more initiative and you will only be able to use 3 Heartseekers):

1. Black Powder
2. Heartseeker x3 in Black Powder
3. Swap to rifle, dodge

Burst

Once you've found your target, it's time to act:

1. Start with Deadeye's Mark to apply the damage modifiers from Iron Sight and Malicious Intent. You'll also get 4 seconds of Quickness, which means there's a 4 second window to land your burst while your stats are increased by the trait Be Quick or Be Killed.
2. Unload your utilities in the following order:
   1. Assassin's Signet (extra Power)
   2. Infiltrator's Signet (gap closer, this one can be skipped if you're already close enough to the target)
   3. Signet of Shadows (extra damage from Vulnerability)
3. Malicious Backstab from behind. Hidden Killer ensures that this is always a critical hit.
4. If your target survived, follow up with a quick Heartseeker.
5. Drop a Black Powder at the downed body and finish. Enter stealth if others are around.

Related Builds

• SA Rifle Roamer - a proper Rifle build that makes use of Shadow Arts.