Magus – Sniper Build
For this build you will need to be level 40 & Renown level 80 to fully utilize the build. The game allows for great versatility so you will have to modify it to fit you game style. Some might go for more damage (aka glass cannon) some for more survival or somewhere in the middle. It is hard to give a guide for all builds since 1 change in 1 tactics or 1 weapon is a new build. I will attempt to give you a sample build and the necessary information about this path. What is important and you need to make this path work.
THE GEAR
For this example we will use the Vanquisher set which is a stepping stone set in game as it can be used for both Havoc builds and Changing builds. Genesis set for jewelry set acquired form bags in RvR maps (Campaigns) and Scenario DPS weapons you can replace them with Bloodloord weapons if you like pve. Using this sets & tactics you will have all the Intelligence you need. All talismans should be Intelligence skill and / or 1-2 wounds if you feel like you need it.
Try and keep Intelligence at 1050 (soft cap) and Wound at a minimum of 700, any less you and you don’t give enough response time to your healer. Also make sure that you account for potions. I recommend the +100 Intelligence potions and 660 armour potion. Especially the Intelligence potion, will save you either renown points or talisman slots. If you can’t afford the +100 use the +80 versions.
As far as builds go it is pretty simple, high damage low survivability. In order to survive you need to utilize all the crowd control tools at your disposal: Demonic Infestations, Warping Blast, Instability etc. This is the most mobile build of the Magus so be mobile, standing still will probably get you killed.
MASTERIES
Here you can see what skills i prefer for my build. We use the path of Changing 0nd the path of Demonology.
From Path of Havoc pick:
- Peril of the Warp
- Bolt of Change
- Chaos Unleashed
- Indigo Fire of change
From the path of Demonology pick:
- Aegis of Orange Fire
Spare Points should go in the path of Havoc to max it out and get most out of those skills!
RENOWN POINTS
Now that we have our gear and our skills its time to improve them all. It is time to use the renown we have acquired through PVP. In this build we focus on damage and mobility. If you loose mobility, you also lose any chances of survival. Enemies getting close is almost certain death as your defenses are weak, however in this build you have already doted you enemy and with a high damage output the enemy (without heals) should die before he reaches you. However a good use of a demonic infestation or warping Blast could be a life saver.
- 4 Levels of Spiritual Refinement (critical) At higher level gear you might need to remove 1 level and add Acumen or futile strikes
- 4 Levels of Acumen (Intelligence)
- 3 Levels of Vigor (Wounds)
TACTICS
- Endless Knowledge
- Chaotic Attunement
- Demonic Withering
- Chaos Unleashed
If you have heals you can go all the way Path of changing and also get the tactic endless pandemonium and replace Backlash or Warped Flesh for extra free damage. Well at least 50% of the time!
MORALS
- Mage Bolt (Finisher) OR Grasping Darkness (Kitting DoT)
- Rolling Winds
- Scintillating Energy
- Unleash the Winds
If you are not going to solo play don’t take the Aegis of Orange Fire and take Moral 4 Soul leak on the path of Havoc. Rest of the points put them in the path of Changing to buff the damage of some of the spells in that path.
PROS & CONS
Positives of AoE Build
- Excellent single target damage
- Extreme Range with Demons
- Great wall defender
Negatives of Aoe Build
- No mobility
- Low survivability in close range
- No desired in Warbands
ROTATION(S)
- Mutating Blue Fire
- Withered Soul
- Bolt of Change
- Flickering Red Fire
- Indigo Fire of change
- Surging Violet Fire
Perils of the Warp is the disarm ability but it still deals alot of damage use it where u feel its appropriate or when other skills on cool down.
VARIATIONS & GEAR COMBOS
Many of the various on this build will be on what tactics or morals you want to use according to your play style. The stats are the same always Intelligence, Critical, Wounds. As far as the gear goes, usually for this patch you will not need to mix and match. That’s doesn’t mean that you can not. This build is to show you some of the many options around.