W/N Cowardly Guide to Ecto

I've been trying to find other methods to farm ecto in the UW other than my w/r build and the dreaded 105/55 monk build. Through recent testing, I've noticed that the main reason I'm dying as a warrior against the aatxe is because of their Riposte and Deadly Riposte counters. After a look through the skills I had, I found a way to farm all of the aatxe in the first part of UW without having to attack a single aatxe, and since they can drop ecto it makes it all worth it.

Gladiator's Defense {e}
Balanced Stance
Deadly Riposte
Enfeeble
Plague Touch/Parasitic Bond/Faintheartedness
Bonetti's Defense/Riposte
Healing Signet
Dolyak Signet

Curses - 12
Tactics - 12 + 4
Strength - 3 + 1

Equipment - I've done this with a set of Wyvern armour, so naturally having a Gladiator's Set would be greatly improve the results. Any sword is fine, with a +7 vs. physical pommel. Collector's Shield with -2 damage and +45 health while in stance.

Basically the idea of the build is simple - Enfeeble. It lasts for 17 seconds, it makes them weak. Aatxe are hitting me for as low as 11 damage, and when I'm using Healing Signet as high as about 40. Given that I have 500 health while in stance, healing signet restores 159, it is very easy to stay alive.

The choice between Plague Touch, Parasitic Bond, and Faintheartedness depends on your preference. Plague Touch I like because it's easier to just to transfer bleeding as opposed to trying to block Sever Artery. You don't want to be in the state of Deep Wound, it is a situation that I like to avoid. Parasitic Bond is nice because you get healed for 102 health after 20 seconds and kills the thing slightly faster. Faintheartedness feels like cheating when the aatxe barely hurt you, and now they're attacking 50% slower. And at 12 curses, it lasts for 29 seconds although I personally have the feeling that this duration is not accurate. Plague Touch if you're patient, Parasitic Bond if you like to play it safe and keep your health high, Faintheartedness if you want to kill them faster.

When you fight the aatxe, only take on one at a time (afterall, this is the coward's guide and that's all you can do). Position yourself so that only one can attack you, you'll get the hang of it eventually.

First thing to do, Enfeeble, then Gladiator's Defense. When Gladiator's Defense is about to end, throw up Dolyak Signet and Enfeeble again just to be safe. Then, use Balanced Stance to avoid criticals until Gladiator's is ready again. Try to time your Enfeeble with their attacks so that you don't get hit by Savage Slash. This is really easy to do naturally if it is under the effects of Faintheartedness. When you have the energy, use Parasitic Bond if you have it. Whenever you begin to bleed, use Plague Touch if you know that Gash is coming up. Note they will try to Savage Slash Plague Touch which is fine. Better that than Enfeeble, trust me.

Few things to note:

Try to avoid using Healing Signet if Dolyak Signet is not in effect (which will be at most 7 seconds during cool down). If you are using Parasitic Bond, try to time them so that it will end during that 7 second cool down.
Sometimes aatxe will not use Sever Artery right away. Count the number of times they've hit you so you know when a Gash is coming to properly time Deadly Riposte with it if you are bleeding.
Bonetti's Defense is replacable simply because it does take a while to charge when you're not attacking. It is nice if you are using Faintheartedness though due to the high energy cost. Use Bonetti's Defense whenever you want to stock your energy back up.
Don't expect the build to work right away. Getting the timing down takes a little while, but once you get the hang of it you'll be able to handle aatxe without any problems.
Always try to have the thing bleeding through Deadly Riposte. Speeds up the process.

Against the grasping darkness, gladiator's defense and deadly riposte will kill them eventually. If you have the refund points, drop what you have in curses and put it back into sword. They barely hurt you anyway, just be patient.

Ah, a true coward indeed..i wonder if there are any more classes that can solo uw. perhaps a mesmer? =D