Difference between revisions of "Specter - Condition Specter"

Latest revision as of 17:02, 8 August 2025

The community gave this build a rating, making it second-tier: Good

Focused on: Condition damage

Designed for: Open World and Open World General

Expansions required:

Difficulty:

Normal

This build was last updated on August 08, 2025 and is up to date for the August 19, 2025 patch.

Overview

Condition Specter bleeds, torments, and poisons its enemies with a continuous flurry of attacks and a very fluid rotation. Enter Shadow Shroud for extra damage and utility, and enjoy some extra durability from Panaku's Ambition and innate sustain from Larcenous Torment. With a different set of gear, condition specter can sacrifice damage and take Shadestep to provide nearby allies with permanent Alacrity, but never do this when soloing.

As a downside, condition specter lacks AoE damage and burst damage, and it needs nearby allies for maximum damage by sharing Venom skills such as Spider Venom, but nevertheless performs good in solo open world.

Skill Bar

Spear

Scepter/Dagger

Utility

Template Code

[&DQUcGywXRxUVGwAABhsAAD4BAAAvAQAAERsAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA=]

Copy Template Code

Weapon variants

Spear is your best weapon, usage requires land spear with Janthir Wilds.

Offhand pistol replaces spear for players without Janthir Wilds, and scepter+dagger becomes the main weapon set. Offhand pistol should only be used for crowd control.

Skill variants

Utility skills

Well of Sorrow can be replaced with:

Prepare Thousand Needles - this provides more damage but has a longer cast time and mobile enemies may get out of the radius before you can detonate the trap.
Haste for a nice stunbreak.

Elite skills

Shadowfall can be replaced with:

Basilisk Venom - better single target CC, especially when you can share the Venom with nearby allies.
Dagger Storm - extra damage but no CC.

Specializations

Equipment

Viper

This setup uses Viper equipment for high raw DPS.

Head
Viper

Shoulders
Viper

Chest
Viper

Hands
Viper

Legs
Viper

Feet
Viper

Backpiece
Viper

Accessory
Viper

Amulet
Viper

Ring
Viper

Spear
Viper

Sigil

Scepter
Viper

Dagger
Viper

Sigil

Rune
x6

Relic

If you are gearing this character from zero, start with exotic quality gear. Search the trading post for "Viper's Abomination" weapons. Viper exotic armor is very expensive, so we recommend a budget alternative called Carrion (search the trading post for "Shiro" armor) until you can get Viper gear such as by farming Bladed armor or by acquiring ascended armor. Upgrade to Viper and ascended as you progress. See also: Guide:How to Gear a Character.

Other relics include Relic of the Cavalier, Relic of Durability, and Relic of the Chronomancer.

Alacrity

This setup provides much higher HP and boon duration while sacrificing about 16% of its damage. This allows for the ability to keep up Alacrity via Shadestep.

Head
Ritualist

Shoulders
Ritualist

Chest
Ritualist

Hands
Ritualist

Legs
Ritualist

Feet
Ritualist

Backpiece
Ritualist

Accessory
Ritualist

Amulet
Ritualist

Ring
Ritualist

Dagger
Ritualist

Sigil

Scepter
Ritualist

Sigil

Rune
x6

Relic

For exotic Ritualist weapons search the trading post for "Luxon Hunter's Weapon Cache". For armor, there is no cheap alternative, search for "Ritualist's Ancient Tahkayun ". Updrade to ascended as you progress. See also: Guide:How to Gear a Character.

Use Shadestep to provide Alacrity to nearby allies with Grasping Shadows with your full Ritualist gear. You will need to spend more time in Shadow Shroud. Also use Amplified Siphoning and Deadly Ambush, and replace Skale Venom with Caltrops.
- Spend all your initiative on Death Blossom, and your time in Shadow Shroud casting Grasping Shadows twice filling the cooldown gap with one Eternal Night and auto attacks.
Generally speaking, it's not worth playing alacrity specter in solo open world, as you lose valuable damage, especially in short fights which are the majority of fights in open world. Only consider playing alacrity specter when in groups and fighting bosses.

Consumables

Budget consumables are acceptable for use in open world.

DPS

Prioritize Flatbread Ascended food.
/
/

Defense

Farming

Prioritize Flatbread Ascended food.
/
(and variants)

Usage

Shadow Shroud

Enter Shadow Shroud is the profession mechanic of the specter. After building Shadow Force by spending initiative in combat and using Siphon, Enter Shadow Shroud to gain access to new skills.

Your damage skills in shroud are Grasping Shadows and Eternal Night, while Dawn's Repose provides a leap and CC, and Mind Shock stuns and gives stability.

Generally speaking, when playing condition specter you want to enter Shadow Shroud, use Grasping Shadows and Eternal Night once, then immediately leave. This also provides initiative due to Quick Pockets.

Damage

Spear

On Spear you want to use the following combo: 2-2-3-1-2-2-2-4-2-3-1 (these are the keys you press on your keyboard)

Mantis Sting (2)
Entangling Asp (2)
Shattering Assault gives Stealth (3)
Ashen Assault stealth attack (1)
Mantis Sting (2)
Entangling Asp (2)
Falling Spider (2)
Distracting Throw (4)
Entangling Asp (2)
Shattering Assault gives Stealth (3)
Ashen Assault stealth attack (1)
Enter Shadow Shroud
Grasping Shadows
Eternal Night
Exit Shadow Shroud and repeat from step 1

This is your full rotation. It's actually very simple and fluid.
Use Siphon, Well of Sorrow, Skale Venom and Spider Venom off cooldown.
The first Mantis Sting can be replaced with Unsuspecting Strike as Unsuspecting Strike deals more damage to targets above 90% health.

Scepter

Scepter is your ranged weapon but it offers less damage so only use it if range is needed. In this weapon set you just spam Twilight Combo. Don't waste initiative on other skills, except for Dancing Dagger against groups of enemies.

Defense

The best defense is always to dodge or sidestep attacks.
All your well skills also allow you to quickly reposition yourself since they are shadowsteps. This includes your heal skill Well of Gloom.
Enter Shadow Shroud replaces your health, so it is your main source of damage mitigation. Eternal Night will also heal you for a very small amount. You also have access to stability with Mind Shock.

Crowd control

Dawn's Repose.
Mind Shock.
Shadowfall.
Distracting Throw (if the target is movement-impaired).
Soft cc from Siphon, Entangling Asp or Twilight Combo.

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 | profession = Thief
 | specialization = Specter
-| designed for = Open World, Open World General
+| designed for = open world, open world general
-| rating = great
+| rating = good
 | focus = Condition Damage
 | xpac = eod
+| difficulty = 2
 }}
 ==Overview==
-Condition Specter is an extremely '''versatile''' and powerful specialization for OW gameplay. Due to the easy access to {{Skill|Enter Shadow Shroud}}, strong self-healing and mobile ranged gameplay, it alleviates the survivability concerns of other Thief specializations. It does not have the strongest burst and also somewhat lacks in terms of cleave damage, but it compensates that through strong single-target damage and a large amounts of native CC damage, even when alone. It also shares its gear with the condition dps variant for group content, making it a very convenient option for general PvE gameplay.
+Condition {{Tooltip|Specter}} {{Tooltip|Bleed|bleeds}}, {{Tooltip|Torment|torments}}, and {{Tooltip|Poison|poisons}} its enemies with a continuous flurry of attacks and a very fluid rotation. {{Skill|Enter Shadow Shroud}} for extra damage and utility, and enjoy some extra durability from {{Trait|Panaku's Ambition}} and innate sustain from {{Trait|Larcenous Torment}}. With a different set of gear, condition specter can sacrifice damage and take {{Trait|Shadestep}} to provide nearby allies with permanent {{Tooltip|Alacrity}}, but never do this when soloing.
-Specter's damage also gets ramped up with allies around you due to {{Skill|Skale Venom}}, {{Skill|Spider Venom}} and {{trait|Dark Sentry}}, so it is great for all kinds of group gameplay as well.
+As a downside, condition specter lacks AoE damage and burst damage, and it needs nearby allies for maximum damage by sharing Venom skills such as {{Skill|Spider Venom}}, but nevertheless performs good in solo open world.
 ==Skill Bar==
@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 | profession = Thief
 | specialization = Specter
-| weapon1 = Scepter
+| weapon1 = Spear
-| weapon2 = Dagger
+| weapon2 =
-| weapon3 =
+| weapon3 = Scepter
-| weapon4 =
+| weapon4 = Dagger
 | healing = Well of Gloom
-| utility1 = Skale Venom
+| utility1 = Well of Sorrow
-| utility2 = Well of Sorrow
+| utility2 = Skale Venom
-| utility3 = Well of Silence
+| utility3 = Spider Venom
-| elite = Dagger Storm
+| elite = Shadowfall
 }}
@@ Line 32: / Line 32: @@
 ==Template Code==
 {{TemplateCode|
-code = [&DQUcGywXRxUVGwAAPgEAAAYbAAAHGwAAnwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA=]
+code = [&DQUcGywXRxUVGwAABhsAAD4BAAAvAQAAERsAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA=]
 }}
+== Weapon variants ==
+{{Tooltip|Spear}} is your best weapon, usage requires [https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Lowland_Spear_Training land spear] with Janthir Wilds.
+* {{Tooltip|Pistol|Offhand pistol}} replaces spear for players without Janthir Wilds, and scepter+dagger becomes the main weapon set. Offhand pistol should only be used for crowd control.
+== Skill variants==
+===Utility skills===
+{{Skill|Well of Sorrow}} can be replaced with:
+* {{Skill|Prepare Thousand Needles}} - this provides more damage but has a longer cast time and mobile enemies may get out of the radius before you can detonate the trap.
+* {{Skill|Haste}} for a nice stunbreak.
+===Elite skills===
+{{Skill|Shadowfall}} can be replaced with:
+* {{Skill|Basilisk Venom}} - better single target CC, especially when you can share the Venom with nearby allies.
+* {{Skill|Dagger Storm}} - extra damage but no CC.
 ==Specializations==
 {{Specialization|Deadly Arts|bot|mid|top|}}
-{{Specialization|Trickery|bot|top|mid|}}
+{{Specialization|Trickery|bot|top|top|}}
 {{Specialization|Specter|top|top|top|}}
-* The choice between {{trait|Bountiful Theft}} and {{trait|Pressure Striking}} is a matter of preference; if you don't benefit from additional vigor uptime, the latter is better for a little additional damage, especially when using {{Skill|Well of Silence}}. {{trait|Bountiful Theft}} provides boonstrip, which can also be handy in some cases.
-* {{trait|Consume Shadows}} can be used for a large area heal upon exiting shroud, at the cost of the remaining shadow force.
@@ Line 50: / Line 64: @@
 | weight = Medium
 | stats = Viper
-| rune = Superior Rune of Tormenting
+| rune = Superior Rune of the Trapper
 | rune-qt = 6
-| weapon1 = Scepter
+| weapon1 = Spear
 | weapon2 =
-| sigil1 = Superior Sigil of Doom
+| sigil1 = Superior Sigil of Torment
-| weapon1-stats =
+| sigil2 = Superior Sigil of Earth
-| weapon2-stats =
+| weapon3 = Scepter
-| weapon3 =
 | weapon4 = Dagger
-| sigil4 = Superior Sigil of Torment
+| sigil3 = Superior Sigil of Torment
-| weapon3-stats =
+| sigil4 = Superior Sigil of Earth
-| weapon4-stats =
+| relic = Relic of the Fractal
-| head =
-| shoulders = Sinister
-| chest =
-| hands = Sinister
-| legs =
-| feet = Sinister
-| backpiece =
-| accessory1 = Sinister
-| accessory2 = Sinister
-| amulet =
-| ring1 =
-| ring2 =
 }}
+If you are gearing this character from zero, start with '''exotic quality gear'''. Search the trading post for "Viper's Abomination" weapons. Viper exotic armor is very expensive, so we recommend a budget alternative called Carrion (search the trading post for "Shiro" armor) until you can get Viper gear such as by farming Bladed armor or by acquiring ascended armor. Upgrade to Viper and ascended as you progress. See also: [[Guide:How to Gear a Character]].
+* Other relics include {{Relic|Relic of the Cavalier}}, {{Relic|Relic of Durability}}, and {{Relic|Relic of the Chronomancer}}.
-===Ritualist===
+===Alacrity===
-This setup provides much higher HP and boon duration while maintaining very similar (within 15%) damage output. This allows for easier {{tooltip|Alacrity}} upkeep and additional Shadow Force via {{Trait|Traversing Dusk}}. This build is the Editor's Choice for playing Specter, as while it will have somewhat lower burst it is a more generally-useful setup for Open World and provides incredible party support to farm zergs while also being very strong for solo play. To keep up {{tooltip|Alacrity}} you need at least three Wells. {{Skill|Well of Gloom}}, {{Skill|Well of Bounty}} and {{Skill|Well of Sorrow}} are the best options and make sure to use them in that order as well! Due to dropping {{Trait|Larcenous Torment}} you should take {{Skill|Spider Venom}} instead of {{Skill|Skale Venom}}
+This setup provides much higher HP and boon duration while sacrificing about 16% of its damage. This allows for the ability to keep up {{tooltip|Alacrity}} via {{Trait|Shadestep}}.
 {{PvE equipment
 | weight = Medium
 | stats = Ritualist
-| rune = Superior Rune of Scavenging
+| rune = Superior Rune of the Trapper
 | rune-qt = 6
-| weapon1 = Scepter
+| weapon1 = Dagger
 | weapon2 = Dagger
-| sigil1 = Superior Sigil of Demons
+| sigil1 = Superior Sigil of Doom
-| sigil2 = Superior Sigil of Doom
+| sigil2 = Superior Sigil of Geomancy
-| weapon1-stats =
+| weapon3 = Scepter
-| weapon2-stats =
+| weapon4 =
-| weapon3 =
+| sigil3 = Superior Sigil of Torment
-| weapon4 = Pistol
+| sigil4 =
-| sigil4 = Superior Sigil of Paralyzation
+| relic = Relic of the Fractal
-| weapon3-stats =
-| weapon4-stats =
 }}
+For exotic Ritualist weapons search the trading post for "Luxon Hunter's Weapon Cache". For armor, there is no cheap alternative, search for "Ritualist's Ancient Tahkayun ". Updrade to ascended as you progress. See also: [[Guide:How to Gear a Character]].
+* Use {{Trait|Shadestep}} to provide {{Tooltip|Alacrity}} to nearby allies with {{Skill|Grasping Shadows}} with your full {{Tooltip|Ritualist stats|Ritualist}} gear. You will need to spend more time in Shadow Shroud. Also use {{Trait|Amplified Siphoning}} and {{Trait|Deadly Ambush}}, and replace {{Skill|Skale Venom}} with {{Skill|Caltrops}}.
+** Spend all your initiative on {{Skill|Death Blossom}}, and your time in Shadow Shroud casting {{Skill|Grasping Shadows}} twice filling the cooldown gap with one {{Skill|Eternal Night}} and auto attacks.
+* Generally speaking, it's not worth playing alacrity specter in solo open world, as you lose valuable damage, especially in short fights which are the majority of fights in open world. Only consider playing alacrity specter when in groups and fighting bosses.
-===Variant Equipment===
+==Consumables==
-* The Viper setup is optimised about a tier-10 jade bot power core, if you only have a low-tier (or no) power core, replace one accessory with {{tooltip|Viper stats}}. That is due to {{trait|Strength of Shadows}} converting Vitality to Expertise.
+Budget consumables are acceptable for use in open world.
-* Ascended is not required for open world, exotic equipment is sufficient (you may wish to add more {{tooltip|Viper stats}} gear as required to reach condition duration cap).
-* For the Ritualist Setup having a Shortbow with {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Corruption}} and {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Absorption}} can help with tagging, while offering some additional damage and utility.
+===DPS===
+* Prioritize '''Flatbread''' Ascended food.
+* {{Food|Plate of Beef Rendang}} / {{Food|Bowl of Truffle Risotto}}
+* {{Utility|Master Tuning Crystal}} / {{Utility|Tuning Icicle}}
-==Consumables==
+===Defense===
-'''Food:'''
+* {{Food|Bowl of Orrian Truffle and Meat Stew}}
-* Always use {{food|Bowl of Kimchi Tofu Stew}} to maximize the additional condition duration on both {{tooltip|Torment}} and {{tooltip|Poison}} since they are your main sources of damage. With the 50% added by {{Rune|Superior Rune of Tormenting}}, you need around 52% overall condition duration since {{Trait|Potent Poison}} and {{food|Bowl of Kimchi Tofu Stew}} add 48% to poison duration.
+* {{Food|Oysters with Spicy Sauce}}
-* For the Ritualist setup using {{Food|Plate of Eggs Benedict}} makes it easier to keep up ALacrity. {{Food|Soul Pastry}} is a very cheap alternative for a small DPS loss.
+* {{Food|Bowl of Lemongrass Mussel Pasta}}
-'''Utility:'''
+===Farming===
-* {{utility|Toxic Focusing Crystal}}
+* Prioritize '''Flatbread''' Ascended food.
-** {{utility|Master Tuning Crystal}}, budget option
+* {{Item|Birthday Blaster}} / {{Item|Feast of Delectable Birthday Cake}}
-** {{Utility|Sharpening Skull}} (and variants) - farming
+* {{Food|Peppermint Omnomberry Bar}}
-* For the Ritualist setup using {{Utility|Enhanced Lucent Oil}} makes it easier to keep up Alacrity. Also useful if allies have to spread a lot.
+* {{Utility|Sharpening Skull}} (and variants)
 ==Usage==
+===Shadow Shroud===
+{{Skill|Enter Shadow Shroud}} is the profession mechanic of the specter. After building Shadow Force by spending initiative in combat and using {{Skill|Siphon}}, Enter Shadow Shroud to gain access to new skills.
-===Damage/CC===
+Your damage skills in shroud are {{Skill|Grasping Shadows}} and {{Skill|Eternal Night}}, while {{Skill|Dawn's Repose}} provides a leap and CC, and {{Skill|Mind Shock}} stuns and gives stability.
-* Outside of {{Skill|Enter Shadow Shroud}}, spam {{Skill|Twilight Combo}} as it grants by far the highest amount of damage per cast/initiative spent. That is also why it is not recommended to change any of the two weapons.
-* Also use {{Skill|Siphon}}, {{Skill|Skale Venom}}, {{Skill|Well of Sorrow}} and {{Skill|Well of Silence}} on cooldown to condi-bomb enemies and to generate additional shadow force.
-* In situations where you are not alone, you can use {{Skill|Spider Venom}} instead of {{Skill|Well of Silence}} for higher damage.
-* In {{Skill|Enter Shadow Shroud}}, use {{Skill|Grasping Shadows}} on cooldown and spam auto attacks. {{Skill|Eternal Night}}(Eternal Night) also applies poison, so it is worth casting as well.
-* You have lots of CC sources, both for soft and hard CC. {{Skill|Dawn's Repose}}, {{Skill|Twilight Combo}}, {{Skill|Well of Silence}}, {{Skill|Siphon}} and {{Skill|Mind Shock}} all apply hard CC, making it very easy to break defiance bars, espeically since you have a high uptime on {{tooltip|Chilled}}, {{tooltip|Weakness}}, {{tooltip|Slow}} and {{tooltip|Cripple}} as well.
-===Survivability===
-* {{Skill|Well of Gloom}} is your main source of healing, so make use of it as often as required. It also heals allies over time.
-* In {{Skill|Enter Shadow Shroud}}, {{Skill|Eternal Night}} also provides some healing upon hitting enemies with it.
-* {{Skill|Enter Shadow Shroud}} makes you immune to damage while it is active (you will take damage to shadow force instead), so it is your main source of damage mitigation.
-* All your well skills also allow you to quickly resposition yourself since they are shadowsteps
+Generally speaking, when playing condition specter you want to enter Shadow Shroud, use {{Skill|Grasping Shadows}} and {{Skill|Eternal Night}} once, then immediately leave. This also provides initiative due to {{Trait|Quick Pockets}}.
-Detailed explanations on the general usage and rotation are given in the video down below:
+===Damage===
+====Spear====
+On {{tooltip|Spear}} you want to use the following combo: 2-2-3-1-2-2-2-4-2-3-1 (these are the keys you press on your keyboard)
+# {{Skill|Mantis Sting}} (2)
+# {{Skill|Entangling Asp}} (2)
+# {{Skill|Shattering Assault}} gives {{Tooltip|Stealth}} (3)
+# {{Skill|Ashen Assault}} stealth attack (1)
+# {{Skill|Mantis Sting}} (2)
+# {{Skill|Entangling Asp}} (2)
+# {{Skill|Falling Spider}} (2)
+# {{Skill|Distracting Throw}} (4)
+# {{Skill|Entangling Asp}} (2)
+# {{Skill|Shattering Assault}} gives {{Tooltip|Stealth}} (3)
+# {{Skill|Ashen Assault}} stealth attack (1)
+# {{Skill|Enter Shadow Shroud}}
+# {{Skill|Grasping Shadows}}
+# {{Skill|Eternal Night}}
+# {{Skill|Exit Shadow Shroud}} and repeat from step 1
+* This is your full rotation. It's actually very simple and fluid.
+* Use {{Skill|Siphon}}, {{Skill|Well of Sorrow}}, {{Skill|Skale Venom}} and {{Skill|Spider Venom}} off cooldown.
+* The first {{Skill|Mantis Sting}} can be replaced with {{Skill|Unsuspecting Strike}} as Unsuspecting Strike deals more damage to targets above 90% health.
+====Scepter====
+{{Tooltip|Scepter}} is your ranged weapon but it offers less damage so only use it if range is needed. In this weapon set you just spam {{Skill|Twilight Combo}}. Don't waste initiative on other skills, except for {{Skill|Dancing Dagger}} against groups of enemies.
+===Defense===
+* The best defense is always to dodge or sidestep attacks.
+* All your well skills also allow you to quickly reposition yourself since they are shadowsteps. This includes your heal skill {{Skill|Well of Gloom}}.
+* {{Skill|Enter Shadow Shroud}} replaces your health, so it is your main source of damage mitigation. {{Skill|Eternal Night}} will also heal you for a very small amount. You also have access to stability with {{Skill|Mind Shock}}.
-[https://youtu.be/loqDuXT3Prg  Guide Video (as of May 2022)]
+===Crowd control===
+* {{Skill|Dawn's Repose}}.
+* {{Skill|Mind Shock}}.
+* {{Skill|Shadowfall}}.
+* {{Skill|Distracting Throw}} (if the target is movement-impaired).
+* Soft cc from {{Skill|Siphon}}, {{Skill|Entangling Asp}} or {{Skill|Twilight Combo}}.

Difference between revisions of "Specter - Condition Specter"

Latest revision as of 17:02, 8 August 2025

Contents

Overview

Skill Bar

Template Code

Weapon variants