GW2. Best Open World Build. Celestial Specter Open World. Thief PvE.
Last Update: April 2024
- Boon for group events: Alacrity
The Celestial Specter for Open World is a hybrid condition and support thief build that has self buffing Quickness and Alacrity for allies. It is extremely durable with ranged damage for being able to handle solo situations, but it can also target allies with the scepter to support them even further in group events.
Repeatedly use the Scepter 3 with the Dagger off-hand for the most single target damage, or swap to the Scepter/Pistol for the piercing beam on multiple targets or using the Pistol 4 to CC break bars. Using initiative for the weapon skills or teleporting with any of the Well utilities will grant you Shadow Force to enter Shadow Shroud. The skills in Shadow Shroud cost no initiative, so try to use your initiative before entering Shroud where you will have time to regenerate it.
Skill Priority:
- Use Wells to gain Quickness or reposition
- Use Scepter 3 until initiative is depleted (never let your initiative cap or its wasted)
- F1 (gives initiative)
- Enter F2 Shroud (gives initiative) and use 2 > 5 > 3 > 4 > 2 then leave shroud once it is safe to do so
Equipment
| Item | Stat | Rune / Sigil |
|---|---|---|
| Helm Celestial | ||
| Shoulders Celestial | ||
| Coat Celestial | ||
| Gloves Celestial | ||
| Leggings Celestial | ||
| Boots Celestial |
Primary Weapon Set
| Scepter Celestial | ||
| Dagger Celestial |
Secondary Weapon Set
| Main Hand Empty | ||
| Pistol Celestial |
| Item | Stat |
|---|---|
| Amulet Celestial | |
| Ring Celestial | |
| Ring Celestial | |
| Accessory Celestial | |
| Accessory Celestial | |
| Backpiece Celestial |
Relic
Consumables
Infusions
| Optional x18 |
Alternatives
- Jade Bot Core: for extra vitality
- Sigil: instead of Paralyzation on Pistol for more damage
- Rune: for movement when not engaging in combat
Skills
| Scepter / Dagger | Heal / Utility / Elite |
| Scepter / Pistol | |
Alternatives
- Utility: instead of one Well for a stun break and mobility
Traits
Build Template
Chat Code: (copy/paste into in-game chat)
[&DQUcGywXRz8VGwwBCBtYAQYbVwEHGzQBERsOAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA=]Gameplay
Updated Gameplay:
Credit to Kaozelle for the videoCredit to Kaozelle for the videoSpecter Mechanics Guide:
Credit to Vallun for the video.
Why ritualist instead of trailblazer or celestial? Also what are you actually using shortbow for? it feels very weird and weak in comparison to scepter.
Trailblazer and Celestial are offered as alternatives, but Ritualist is more versatile for group play, also the quickness uptime is nice. Shortbow is a versatility weapon used for AoE or mobility, if you don’t need it then don’t swap to it
Would having using Superior Rune of Scavenging be a better option? Then you switch out all accessories to plaguedoctors to gain some healing power? You end up with about 1500 less hp, but gain 300 healing power and 150 condition damage roughly. What do you think?
Sure, in open world you can always adapt the build to your needs.
Is there a gear and accessory option using exotics instead of legendary/ascended stuff? I don’t play fractals or PVP so getting access to top tier items is really difficult for me. I did get the exotic ritualist armor set (with superior rune of the afflicted) for now but my accessories are all still zerker stats from my DD build.
exotic is not much different from legendary/ascended use your exotic ritualist set, but the zerker stats should be swapped to condition damage and vitality, as mentioned that can be carrion trailblazer ritualist or plaguedoctor
I also don’t play fractals or pvp, but you can get ascended weapons by doing pve achievements and exchanging laurels for ascended rings and accessories. In addition the Living World Stories have their own currencies to trade for ascended stuff.
This was actually really helpful. New to the game and looking to pick up specter as my second elite after deadeye, and it’s in a format I don’t have to sit through an hour of video with people fluffing up their vid length with pointless chatter. Always a plus. Thanks!
What’s the reasoning behind using Scepter/Pistol instead of Scepter/Dagger?
its not a raid build where you mash one button while stacking on a group, pistol offers better AoE, utility, and doesn’t lose as much damage since you aren’t always under 100% quickness uptime and you can manage your animations and initiative better
Any updates after June/July patches?
The build is up to date right now
Why no Traversing Dusk? Isn’t spamming shadowsteps the whole point?
Not for PvE Open World, you use sword in PvP or WvW to port
But then why taking the skill shadowstep at all?
In the video by vallun he’s skilled Traversing Dusk, and uses scepter 3 and Shadowstep to port, even in his PvE section.
Also, he uses a bow in addition.
shadowstep is a fun skill you take it for fun. The video is outdated, but the playstyle still works, use whatever you want but the build suggested on the page is the updated version, that’s what we suggest but it isnt mandatory.
I run something similar for open world, but with the recent updates I use axe/dagger as a secondary weapon set for cleave. For open world at least I need cleave more often than extra CC.
In your description you call out Sigil of Torment for the Pistol, which I have done and you call out Paralyzation on the dagger. Later you mention the option of using Corruption in lieu of Paralyzation on the PISTOL. Where is the Paralyzation sigil – pistol or dagger? I want to make sure that I have the torment in the right place – it seems like it should matter (and it was expensive). My Pistol is Exotic and the Dagger is Ascended.
Fixed ty for letting me know