GW2. Best Open World Build. Axe Deadeye. Condition Axe. Power Axe. Thief PvE.

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Condition Variant

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The Axe Deadeye is a thief build for open world PvE that has great single target damage with ranged capabilities while also having AoE from the piercing axes. The playstyle involves sending out axes to their cap of 6 and then converging them on your target for a heavy burst. This combo can cost heavy initiative, so the deadeye trait Maleficent Seven provides you the initiative you need if you can perform the right skills in the right order.

Because the axes linger and repeat their effect when using the Dual Attack (3), you can get the initiative gain from the Axe sneak attack twice. However, this also means that you will hit with the Malicious Sneak Attack twice, and that can consume your malice before you reach the threshold to trigger the Maleficent Seven. Using the proper rotation you can get maximum value from Maleficent Seven and the Axe Combo without wasting animations or resources.

For the condition build, you will port to your target when using the 3 skill, which can put you in danger. Be aware of the timing and delay the rotation if needed to avoid an attack since the 3 skill is an evade.

Skill Rotation:

• Maintain F1 on main target and Swap Weapon off Cooldown (Doom Sigil)
• Axe 2 > 2 > 3
• Dagger 5 > Sneak Attack 1
• Axe 2 > 2 > 2 > 3
• Repeat

In the second Axe combo, the 3 skill will recast the Malicious Sneak Attack (1) since the first one you cast will still be spinning so you want to get to 7 malice before casting it. If you forget what part of the rotation you are in, you can always recover it using the F2 or Shadow Meld to enter stealth for a sneak attack at maximum Malice, or use Mercy to reset your initiative. Use shortbow for utility and mobility.

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Equipment

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Alternatives

• Stats: Celestial for extra survivability
• Weapon: Add a shortbow as second weapon for more utility (then replace Doom Sigil on Axe for Torment Sigil)

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Skills

Axe / Dagger	Heal / Utility / Elite
Shortbow

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Alternatives

• Utility: instead of Binding Shadow for another stun break

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Traits

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Variants

• Deadly Arts instead of Trickery for slightly more damage but much less utility

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Build Template

Chat Code: (copy/paste into in-game chat)

[&DQUUKiw3OhmFAAwBWABYASAXVwHkFjQBPRYOAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA=]

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Gameplay

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Power Variant

The power variant has more burst and better kiting capabilities due to the 3 skill not porting you towards the target. However, this also means you do not have access to the Dagger 5 skill to get stealth, so you need to reset Malice using Shadow Meld and the F2 for stealth. Alternatively, use Mercy to keep your initiative high while doing the Axe 2 2 3 combo.

Skill Rotation:

• F1
• Axe 2 > 2 > 3
• Shadow Meld (or F2) > 1
• Axe 2 > 2 > 2 > 3

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Equipment

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Skills

Axe / Pistol	Heal / Utility / Elite
	Malicious Sneak Attack

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Alternatives

• Utility: for another stunbreak

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Traits

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Alternatives

• Critical Strikes: if sustain is not needed and you can go full damage

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Build Template

Chat Code: (copy/paste into in-game chat)

[&DQUjOywXOh2FAAoBIBeJAFcBWAEzARkBPRYOAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA=]

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Gameplay

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