Spear / Rapier PvP Build
By DragooX
This build is a powerful brawler with tons of critical damage and bleeds that will easily stun-chain opponents to death. Being a heavy armor build, this setup is quite durable; packing an impressive 13k health, while still being quite mobile thanks to the Rapier. The combination of Spear’s rapid stun spam, Rapier’s counter play, and mobility give this build excellent offensive and defensive close-quarter fighting abilities that allow this spec to shine even when outnumbered. This is one of, if not the most powerful melee builds in the game right now!
A huge thank you to DragooX for sending this build to be featured! If you have a build you want to share you can email me at kristofer@pvpnewworld.com!
Check out a quick video guide with gameplay for this build!
See more a more comprehensive video guide and content from DragooX!
The Spear is the primary damage dealer in this build, so DragooX has gone with 100 strength and 200+ dexterity to maximize its damage. With a food buff, this build can also reach 200 constitution, which important for the passives, general healing, and durability.
Strength
50: +5% damage to melee weapon light attacks. +10% mining speed.
100: +10% damage to melee weapon heavy attacks. +20 encumbrance.
Dexterity
50: +5% chance to critical hit. +10% skinning speed.
100: +5% thrust damage. +20% haste for 3s after skinning.
150: Dodges cost 10 less stamina. -10% decrease in weight of skinned items.
200: +10% bonus backstab and headshot damage. +10% skinning speed.
Constitution
50: All health consumables 20% stronger. +10% logging speed.
100: Increase max health by 10% of your physical armor. -10% reduction on durability loss for tools.
150: -10% to critical damage taken. -10% decrease in weight of logging items.
200: +20% increase to armor. +10% logging speed.
Equipment
Keen, Vicious, and Keenly Empowered are perfect for the Spear! A higher critical rate helps deal more damage and also synergizes well with your Spear passives to increase bleed and de-buff durations. The Spear is fitted with a Gambit gem; perfect for its dodge-heavy gameplay! The Rapier is also a powerful damage option, while offering tons of mobility and defensive utility. DragooX has favored Refreshing and Refreshing Move coming into the new patch with the higher cooldowns on skills. To have a gap-closer to help seal the finish, DragooX has gone with the Opportunist gem here.
Resilient is a must have perk on armor for PvP. DragooX has favored lots of Refreshing and Refreshing Evasion perks for quite a bit of cooldown reduction. Physical and Elemental Aversion perks are always a good secondary perks as well, especially for game modes like Outpost Rush. DragooX also has all the Spear and Rapier Ability perks for this build. Bleeding Sweep and Keen Vault Kick are very important for the Spear’s outgoing damage and pressure, while Fortifying Perforate is great for upping defense. Sundering Riposte is fantastic for boosting outgoing damage as well. The other Rapier perks are great to have, but not as important.
DragooX’s mix of armor / jewelry gems aim to give the best all-around resistance possible vs elemental and physical attacks.
The Amulet is Healthy with Divines and Slash Protection; a fantastic combo for PvP. Purify or Stamina Recovery are also great options here, instead of Slash Protection! The Ring has Keen Awareness, which is super important for the Spear. The Ring also has Leeching, to help you trade blows more effectively with opponents, and Refreshing for a touch more cooldown reduction. Finally, an Earring with Refreshing, Regenerating and Refreshing Toast, is basically a best in-slot healing item for most PvP builds!
As always, you want to try to use the best food, potions and regeneration potions that you have available. You will need to use a food buff to reach the same attribute levels that DragooX has.
Active Skills
Spear
Sweep - 3/3 Upgrades
The large AOE knockdown from Sweep is amazing for attacking and defending against multiple opponents. The Grit active during this skill is especially handy to help you win the better of a stun trade. Finally, the bleed from Sweep is excellent for applying constant pressure, especially since the cooldown of this skill is so short!
Vault Kick - 3/3 Upgrades
Vault Kick is a stun that can pierce through Grit and an opponents block. It is also a very important skill to land, as it reduces your other Spear cooldowns. The combination of this and Sweep will allow you to stun-chain an opponent for quite a large amount of damage! Finally, the forward lunge from this skill can be very useful for closing some more distance.
Perforate - 2/3 Upgrades
Three fast powerful strikes that apply Rend to debuff opponents armor. If you land all three, the final hit will stager as well! This skill is a excellent punish for anyone getting caught by the other Spear stun skills.
Rapier
Evade - 5/5 Upgrades
Evade is arguably the Rapier’s best skill. It not only allows you to have a brief moment of invulnerability, but makes you more mobile. It can be used to attack, and can cancel any ability or action. This is a very unique effect and gives the Rapier a high skill ceiling for PvP combat. Evade is also great when chained with dodge, especially since you gain stamina for using it!
Fleche - 4/4 Upgrades
This is not only an amazing gap-closer for attacking and getting away, but it is also a quick way for you to get behind an opponent and hit them with a strong backstab. The mobility this skill provides is important for attacking and defending!
Riposte - 4/4 Upgrades
This is a fantastic counter-move that allows you to absorb an incoming attack and return with a stun. You also gain a moment of invulnerability if you successfully Riposte an attack. Riposte comes in especially handy if you find yourself getting bogged down by opponents!
