Creating builds

I've never really gone out a fully experianced PvP. Its hard to get guild together to GvG, or get into a decent HoH group. However, my question is how to begin building on a build. I know PvE builds differ from PvP builds. So how to you begin to go about creating a build. I realize trial and error arew a part of it. What makes a build ideal for PvE but not for PvP or the other way around. I want to experiment with my own builds, just not sure where to start.

when you first start a build you want to start out with dmg output, because that's how your gonna win and the character primary/secondary

I disagree Hannibel. When I start to work out a build, I start by writing down (or in my head) all the builds that are mostly used in PvP. From here, I work out what skills most likely WILL NOT work at all in PvP arenas (important to narrow down what general profession you will play). I'll put it into steps what I do.

1) Work out profession
2) Find most used builds in PvP
3) Count out skills that will most likely not work
4) Count in at least 1 skill to heal (must have in PvP, not always a monk that does it's job)
5) Bring Resurrection Signet (a must in any arena)
6a) (mesmer/necro) If hexing, bring one/s that help you as well as slow the enemy
6b) (others) Replace hex/es with stance/s or similar buffering spell/s
7) Bring minimum of three (3) good damage skills

From here, you should have approx. 6 skills taken
(Res signet, damage, damage, damage, heal, hex/stance/buff)

The last two are mainly what you think could (1) help keep the team from dying or, (2) help you stay alive to do more damage

I recommend one of each, so you allow everyone to do as much to win as they can.

You are right though, trial and error has a main part, but just remember that Mesmers are very common now, as well as Curse Necromancers, so that narrows down the skills you can comfortably use in PvP without being pummled.

This tool from Gw Freaks is rather handy when you are working on builds

i think he's talking about party build, and he's trying to think of up of his own build not take someone else's idea...disagree all you want, arena builds are most likely not going to work in tombs or gvg because there mainly 1vs1 builds

unless you are doing a unique build (not a balanced one), you should start with having 3 monks - 2 healers and a protector.

then you need to think about whever you are going to hoh or gvg (those have different builds).

HoH:
you will need to be able to run in the relic runs, so either a warrior or a ranger with some kind of speed boost is helpful.
you will need to have good damage output in altar maps/normal maps. you should have 4 or four damage dealer, and if you take four, get a person like a mesmer (shutdown/hex) or necro (support/hex).

this can vary, so think for yourself how you want to implement this idea. this is a "normal", "balanced" hoh group.

GvG:
you need to have a person who can run the flag, so a warrior or ranger with speed buffs is important.
once again, 3 monks are normal...
maybe a trapper.
and damage dealers...

hope it helps.

Actually I was not talking about team build. Talon did a very good job is answering my question. I do have 1 more what makes a skill useless in PvP? Which ones are talking about?

I disagree with Talon.
Step one is NOT determining profession, it's determining your job within the party. If it's to take out enemy warriors, that's what you do. Yadda yadda. Skills should be chosen with their relevence to your job. So it should go: self-heal/butt-saver (i.e. distortion or troll unugent etc.), job, job, job, job, rez sig, energy management/skill management, and one slot for whatever.

pick a skill, make a build around it having things in its category (tatics,strengh, etc etc) and second class useful

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What I do is get a skill that I really like, and make a build around that certain skill.

ill pay you to make a build around awaken the blood

making a build

1) Come up with a concept. what is the idea of the build, what are you trying to achieve? What skill combinations are you looking to exploit? test the concept with teammates in team arenas - does the skill combination work as expected?

2) For tombs you basically have five character slots in which to build those ideas, for GvG one less usually. Work out the skills that each character will need to have, what their role is and how they will work together with other teammates

3) if you cant get all the skills you need into those character slots then consider if you can drop a monk from the team. Sometimes you can, you'll be surprised.

4) post onto your team's forum your ideas for all 8 characters and the skills all will use. Accept feedback and criticism from teammates who may know the class better than you do, listen to their suggestions for improvements.

5) Take to the tombs (or unrated GvG) and test the build. Give it two or three runs without any changes, then discuss how it can be tweaked to make it better.

6) Realise in advance that most build ideas end up in the bin

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