I’m working on a condition-based bleed build in Guild Wars 2 and I’m stuck deciding between two runes: the Rune of the Trapper and the Rune of the Krait. Here’s a quick comparison of their stats:
– **Rune of the Trapper:**
– (1): +25 Condition Damage
– (2): +5% Condition Duration
– (3): +50 Condition Damage
– (4): +10% Condition Duration
– (5): +100 Condition Damage
– (6): +125 Condition Damage
– **Rune of the Krait:**
– (1): +25 Condition Damage
– (2): +10% Bleeding Duration
– (3): +50 Condition Damage
– (4): +20% Bleeding Duration
– (5): +100 Condition Damage
– (6): +20% Bleeding Duration
I’m curious which rune would be more effective for my build. Any advice?
4 Answers
For fast condition damage, you might want to reconsider squeezing too much bleeding duration into your build. Sometimes, quick bursts of damage can be more effective than long-lasting bleeds, so think about your overall game plan!
Consider your class and what gear you’re using. If you have full Vipers gear already, Krait runes might just push your bleed duration into the stratosphere, which can be wasteful if you can’t use all that extra duration. But if you’re on something like a condi Virtuoso, which typically won’t use much Vipers gear, the Krait could let you hit that bleed damage cap without overcommitting to bleed duration. It really depends on how your build is set up!
If your damage is primarily from bleeding, I’d recommend going with the Krait runes. They offer a significant boost to bleed duration, which can really help maximize your damage output over time. The lower condition damage from Krait is offset by that increased bleed duration, just make sure you’re not capping out your condition duration at 100%! If your build leans more towards other types of damage like poison or confusion, then Trapper might be a more balanced choice because of the extra condition damage.
Yeah, it’s really about how your overall build works. If you already have a lot of bleed duration from gear and traits, the Krait could push you over that 100% cap, meaning you lose out on some damage potential. If you’re running a hybrid setup or have traits that boost bleeding, then consider Trapper for more reliable damage.
If bleeding is your primary damage source—like 90% of your output—definitely go with Krait. You can trade out some excess expertise gear for something like Sinister or Grieving to make up for that 75 condition damage difference. The Krait runes will help you maintain a steady flow of damage, just focus on what works best for your playstyle!
Right? I’ve seen builds balance well using Krait runes while not relying heavily on Vipers gear, they can still achieve a decent bleed cap. Just remember to tweak your other stats to make up for the condition damage loss!