Blackwater Blade Stamina focused DK Build

diabloz_123

Hey guys,

I am in the progress of building a stamina DK for lowbie PvP and was hoping for some advice on how to get the most out of it.

I'm leaning towards two handed with a bow as a back up, however I would really like to get a general skillset and rotation figured out . Any advice?

Asmael

2 handers DK are pretty straightforward usually. Because it's BwB, the usual is on the main bar:

- Wrecking blow (uppercut morph)
- Critical Rush (the 2h charge, can't remember the name)
- Rally (morph of momentum)
- Executionner (morph of reverse slash)
- Unstable flame (morph of searing strike)

This gives you a rush, a DoT, a HoT, a burst heal, a CC with huge burst (well, wrecking blow...). This is a very cookie cutter build, extremely potent against not very good players.

Second bar, I used restoration staff, but you usually want some extra utility, so I won't give you a preset skill bar but name a few options:

- Purge (just do it if you go for sieges)
- Obsidian shield (and its morph Igneous shield)
- Dragon blood (and its Green Dragon Blood morph) for healing (and stamina with the morph)
- Reflective scales (any morph) against ranged opponents
- Burning / Choking talons (for group rooting)
- Petrify (or its Fossilize morph) to destroy your opponent stamina

Since you're using a bow, you probably need poison injection (any morph). I'd suggest the bow skill that slows enemies in front of you, but your depends mostly on playstyle. Snipe is a good option for keep defense or ranged ganking power, or just fights where you can't just rush in. Magnum shot (Scatter shot morph) synergizes very well with critical rush, and also acts as a good CC.

For ultimates, Dragon Leap is a must, since it gives you extremely good bursting ability. Standard is mostly for zoning opponent and gaining a few seconds. Magma armor is a good option if your think you lack defense.

This is a group-oriented build that focuses on bursting down priority targets (templars or DPS).

You usally start a fight with crit rush -> unstable flame -> wrecking blow -> dragon leap (I pick the Take flight morph with extra power) -> Executionner

If you can, use stamina drinks. Even drinks that only give stamina regeneration. Don't forget to use heavy attacks before you get low on stamina if the fight goes on for too long.

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That's pretty much all I can think about right now. Feel free to ask if you have questions.

diabloz_123

I love the advice! I really appreciate it.

One question I have - I saw some PvP videos of builds similar to the one you mentioned. I noticed most of the players also have Mist form added into their rotation for added mobility. Should I invest in going Vampire with this character? Or is there an ability that could substitute for Mist forms added mobility?

I really don't like the downside I would have from fire damage (sieges can hit pretty hard) but everything else would be pretty nice. What are your thoughts?

SturgeHammer

Something critical you should know about Stam DK in BWB is that it is Extremely Important to have a few stacks of lowbie stam pots. Stam DKs are very Stam hungry because their primary means of defense and escape (if you are non vamp) is dodge roll and block. Having nearly 100% of your defense competing for the same resource as your offense can put a real strain on Stam management. The pots can significantly extend the amount of time you can stay relevant in a fight and they don't cost lot of gold to pick up.

diabloz_123

Thank you Sturge! That's something i'll have to take into account.

It sounds like Mist form is definitely the best way to go if I don't want to rely VERY heavily on stamina, So i'll probably give vamp a shot while I have a chance to level it up (I plan on having this character stay in low level pvp as long as I can)