Seeking Guidance: WE Single Target Path

[Ziorah]

Hi everyone,

I’ve recently decided to main my Witch Elf, Nyss, and I’m having a great time. Currently, I am CR 28 / RR 31.

I’ve been looking for updated builds and guides, but most of what I find is the 'Warband-ready-Destro' style, which focuses heavily on AOE (Broad Severing). To be honest, I really don't enjoy the AOE playstyle. I want to play my WE as a tactical assassin.

My goal is to reach CR 40 / RR 45 and then have a solid build that carries me further into the endgame. My playstyle includes joining unorganized Warbands (picking off targets at the edge) and small-scale roaming.

A few specific questions for the experts here:

Which Stats to prioritize? Beyond Strength, should I focus more on Weapon Skill for armor pen, or Initiative for extra defense? How much Crit is 'enough' for an ST build at RR 45?

The Witchbrew Debate: I’ve heard about the Witchbrew build. Some seem to hate it, calling it outdated or a 'noob trap', while others recommend it for a 'tankier' feel. As a newcomer, what is the current verdict? Is it viable for my goals, or should I stay away?

Current Meta Builds: Which ST builds are actually considered 'good' right now and—more importantly—why? Is it about the Pounce-resets, the Elixir buffs, or pure Armor Penetration?

Something like this:
https://builder.returnofreckoning.com/c ... 0,523,9434

Gearing: Should I focus on specific dungeon sets (Sentinel/Bloodlord) for an ST-focused WE, or is sticking to the RvR gear path (Vanquisher etc.) sufficient?

I’m really looking to dig deep into the mechanics of the class, so any technical tips or builder links would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

[anstalt]

I'm far from a WE expert. What I do love about the class is it has a ton of tools and a lot of viable builds. Each has their strengths and weaknesses.

Stats, you want to get to the soft-cap on strength (1050) with a lini. I generally ignore weaponskill, we get enough armour bypass as it is. Initiative is worth it if you're building a parry build, otherwise dont bother. Crit....it takes quite a lot to get to high crit values, i don't think you'll be able to get very high at low ranks / gear.


Witchbrew - as it does magic damage, its great for heavy- and medium-armour targets. It does pretty solid damage, but it can't crit so its not good for burst. There's also no positional requirement so you can reliably fire it off (this can be a real pain with sac stab!)


Builds - as mentioned, there's a ton of viable builds. The main choice you'll have to make is are you going full damage / glass cannon (traditional assassin), defensive, regen, or some sort of hybrid.

If you're gonna be genuine solo roaming, looking for 1v1s, I don't think you can rely on glass cannon builds. So many people have decent defences and some regen that your burst just wont kill them until you're much higher rank. So, you need some defences and/or regen.

If you're gonna be in groups, then glass cannon / full offence is good, you're tanks and healers will keep you alive so you can do your thing.

This is my current build, for mostly solo-roaming:

Witchbrew Regen - Witch Elf

I put renown in full reflexes, giving me about 40% parry, then i get regen from the Kiss of Doom tactic as well as Grimshimmar chest piece. But, I still get to have some decent offence, with 3 offensive tactics. I dont bother with crit, so i run the melee power stalwart talisman to boost sustained damage.

I can go more defensive with the same build if needed. Same setup, just change tactics to the following: Str, Kiss of Doom, Swift Movements, Sacrifices Rewarded.


When im roaming in a group, I prefer this build:

Sac Stab - Witch Elf

I go full crit to make sure I get the most out of the tactics. When you're guarded / healed, you can put out a hell of a lot of damage and really burst people down. I also love sac stab, it can crit really high and I love the slow on it too.

You may notice that I specced for Kiss of Doom and Swift Movements, but im not using them. Thats just so that if I'm solo for a bit, I can quickly switch to a bit more of a defensive/regen build.



Another option you've got for builds is to combine Trivial Blows (reduced crit damage) with Sacrifices Rewarded (bubble when u get crit). The idea is to allow yourself to be crit a lot so you get a lot of bubbles, whilst diminishing the damage received from all those extra crits. You can get -40% crit damage from full trivial blows, -3% from pocket item, then i think -5% from a lini. I've not tried this myself but friends have had a lot of success with this combo, making them quite tanky.

[Narfii]

Hi everyone,

I’ve recently decided to main my Witch Elf, Nyss, and I’m having a great time. Currently, I am CR 28 / RR 31.

I’ve been looking for updated builds and guides, but most of what I find is the 'Warband-ready-Destro' style, which focuses heavily on AOE (Broad Severing). To be honest, I really don't enjoy the AOE playstyle. I want to play my WE as a tactical assassin.

My goal is to reach CR 40 / RR 45 and then have a solid build that carries me further into the endgame. My playstyle includes joining unorganized Warbands (picking off targets at the edge) and small-scale roaming.

A few specific questions for the experts here:

Which Stats to prioritize? Beyond Strength, should I focus more on Weapon Skill for armor pen, or Initiative for extra defense? How much Crit is 'enough' for an ST build at RR 45?

The Witchbrew Debate: I’ve heard about the Witchbrew build. Some seem to hate it, calling it outdated or a 'noob trap', while others recommend it for a 'tankier' feel. As a newcomer, what is the current verdict? Is it viable for my goals, or should I stay away?

Current Meta Builds: Which ST builds are actually considered 'good' right now and—more importantly—why? Is it about the Pounce-resets, the Elixir buffs, or pure Armor Penetration?

Something like this:
https://builder.returnofreckoning.com/c ... 0,523,9434

Gearing: Should I focus on specific dungeon sets (Sentinel/Bloodlord) for an ST-focused WE, or is sticking to the RvR gear path (Vanquisher etc.) sufficient?

I’m really looking to dig deep into the mechanics of the class, so any technical tips or builder links would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

Hello, my ign is Subtlety.

Lots of good questions here. Its important to remember that witch elf is a very gear dependent class and because of that especially on the glass build you won't see much production until you're well into your 60s. This is one of the things that make the def build very strong at your level still. I would really recommend staying in the blob spec at least until you can get into vanq, ons, or even dp gear.

That all being said there's essentially 3 different builds with some variation in them:
1. Glass. I prefer sac stab/Pierce armor instead of blb. Ideally you can drop brute Force and have: inc pain, frenzy mayhem, flanking, masterful treachery. With a full kit you should be looking at 40+% crit after lini with maybe 980 or so str. Use the wound/crit chance lini or cottage pies or bessies roots (all of these are money, this build will drain your gold reserves lol). Take insane power and shadow elixirs. This build is very fragile but if you hit those numbers you can global pretty much anything that's not a tank or white lion. Its hard to solo roam on this; you basically have no counterplay since you don't live long so timing is everything. This build also transitions well into the warband build.

2. Warband. This one's pretty close to glass but you've gotta stack a bunch of weapon skill/parry instead of crit. I think you end up about 650 or so on str and ws. Big slices, blade spin, on your knees, that's basically it. Try to get into onslaught as soon as you can for this build, it's nutty. Take swift blades and black lotus blade. You lose shadows for the pounce reset but you're honestly not using it or stealth that much in warband play.

3. Defgen. My personal favorite. Couple different ways you can build it. Most people go for the sov/fleshrender/grimshimmer build. To me this lacks some damage. You end up with I think like 810 or 830 str, lots of parry, and like 400 or so hp/4. There's a bit of a sleeper build here with warlord/vic armor sets. You drop the Regen rings for genesis and end up closer to 1000str (with the melee power bonuses you're at like +200dps). Use the 1.7s elf t4 dagger with DP on hit proc bonus. Take bf, mark of hellebron, sac rewarded, and kiss of doom. My build here sits about 990str, 58% parry, only like 150 hp/4. Invest in reflexes and trivial blows to make the most use of sacrifices rewarded. Most of your Regen here comes from witchbrew activations (attack almost every second and kiss of doom heals). You'll burst almost as quickly as glass but be able to 2v1 or even 3/4v1 sometimes. A note that magic classes get slightly harder on regen builds vs glass builds. However you do get cauldron on these builds which goes a long way for escapes (m1+cauldron makes you nearly unhittable from the front, watch out for taunts and AOEs).

That's a very brief primer, I can write more in depth if you have more questions. The class is actually very customizable and everyone builds it slightly different so you have to figure out what works for you. I've played the class since day 1 basically it is my favorite in the game.

[Ziorah]

Hi,

first of all, a massive thank to you "anstalt" and "Narfii" for your previous responses.

I’ll be honest: as a newcomer to RoR, I had to read your advice about ten times to truly grasp the depth of it. Many of these technical terms and mechanics feel like a foreign language right now, but I am determined to learn

I’ve spent a lot of time studying over 15 different high-rank gameplay videos of the last 2 years, but I’ve run into a wall: while I can see what the experts are doing, it’s rarely explained why. Often, the talent trees aren't shown, leaving me guessing about the logic behind the build. That is why your insights are so incredibly valuable to me.

The Identity Dilemma: Brawler vs. Tactician
In games like WoW or Guild Wars 2, I always loved the feel of the Assassin/Stealth archetype. That is what I’m looking for here. To be clear: I’m not looking for a "meta-slave" class that breaks the game with one button. For me, fun is the priority. This is why I’m torn between the White Lion and the Witch Elf. The WL gives me that raw "Brawler" feeling—jumping in, sticking to the target, and brawling it out. The WE feels more technical and tactical. I love both styles, but I worry if the WE can offer that same "stickiness" in a direct fight, or if she will always feel too fragile compared to the WL.

The Roadmap to RR60+
I accept the current reality: at CR 29 / RR32, I’m not a solo threat yet. I am using unorganized Warbands as my "training wheels" and a way to farm Renown Points effectively. I want to contribute at the edges of the big fights, but I need a clear plan. To get to RR 60 shoul be my frist goal.

My Goal: I want to be able to duel (1v1 or 1v2 consecutively) while still being useful in a Warband environment. I know RoR isn't a solo game, but that "Predator" feeling is what drives me. My long-term vision for this character is a balanced split between three playstyles:

• Solo Roaming: I want to be able to hunt alone and survive 1v1 or consecutive 1v2 encounters.

• Small Group Play (6v6): Acting as the "scalpel" that removes key targets.

• Unorganized Warbands (PUGs): Operating on the fringes of large battles without being instantly deleted by AoE.

The "Predator" Intent:
Regardless of the scenario, my goal is the same: I want to be able to pick my target—be it a Healer, a Squishy, or even a Tank—and have the tools to eliminate them. I am looking for that "Hunter" feeling where I decide who dies. I know RoR is a team-based game, but I want a build that allows me to be as independent as possible, especially since I mostly play in unorganized groups without a dedicated pocket-healer or guard.

If you're gonna be genuine solo roaming, looking for 1v1s, I don't think you can rely on glass cannon builds. So many people have decent defences and some regen that your burst just wont kill them until you're much higher rank. So, you need some defences and/or regen.

If you're gonna be in groups, then glass cannon / full offence is good, you're tanks and healers will keep you alive so you can do your thing.

Thank you for the builds!

2. Warband. This one's pretty close to glass but you've gotta stack a bunch of weapon skill/parry instead of crit. I think you end up about 650 or so on str and ws. Big slices, blade spin, on your knees, that's basically it. Try to get into onslaught as soon as you can for this build, it's nutty. Take swift blades and black lotus blade. You lose shadows for the pounce reset but you're honestly not using it or stealth that much in warband play.

3. Defgen. My personal favorite. Couple different ways you can build it. Most people go for the sov/fleshrender/grimshimmer build. To me this lacks some damage. You end up with I think like 810 or 830 str, lots of parry, and like 400 or so hp/4. There's a bit of a sleeper build here with warlord/vic armor sets. You drop the Regen rings for genesis and end up closer to 1000str (with the melee power bonuses you're at like +200dps). Use the 1.7s elf t4 dagger with DP on hit proc bonus. Take bf, mark of hellebron, sac rewarded, and kiss of doom. My build here sits about 990str, 58% parry, only like 150 hp/4. Invest in reflexes and trivial blows to make the most use of sacrifices rewarded. Most of your Regen here comes from witchbrew activations (attack almost every second and kiss of doom heals). You'll burst almost as quickly as glass but be able to 2v1 or even 3/4v1 sometimes. A note that magic classes get slightly harder on regen builds vs glass builds. However you do get cauldron on these builds which goes a long way for escapes (m1+cauldron makes you nearly unhittable from the front, watch out for taunts and AOEs).

Since I’m a new player and still have a long way to go before I reach RR60+, I should make sure I tackle this journey effectively, right? At my level, there’s no point in trying to go solo. So for now, I’ll be joining lots of unorganized warbands. The AoE build sounds good, but also really boring. Your suggestion #3 sounds really good. If I play that in the unorganized warbands and take on opponents on the sidelines, that’s an advantage for me. I can practice the build beforehand.

So I'll use the build from “anstalt” and just change the tactics, right?

So, what do you think of this video guide?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0qmYcr9B4g

Technical Questions & Economy

• I am trying to be smart with my resources. I already have the Devastator set, but I want to avoid wasting Crests or Gold on the wrong items. The Grimshimmer Breastplate: I know I need this. Is it better to sacrifice my gold at the Auction House or is there a reliable way to farm it at my level?

• Unused Abilities: In high-end videos, I noticed that certain core abilities are never on the bars. For example, Heart Render Toxi, Puncture, Blade Spin (for Aoe), Vehment Blades, or Wrecking Pains, seems to be ignored. Is it just a waste of a Global Cooldown?

• Rotation Confusion: I often forget to use some Abilities like Sever Limb, Heart render Toxin, Sever Blessing and Throat Slitter in my gameplay. My Rotation, I'm still a long way from having all the skills: Vehement Blades, Envenomed Blade, Black Lotus Blade, Feinted Positioning, Agonizing Wound and Ruthless Assault. Without invisibility Envenomed Blade, Black Lotus Blade, Feinted Positioning, Agonizing Wound. Wracling Paind on long fights. Slice only in Wbs for AoE to hit 3 Targets.
  
  Here is my current skill bar
  
  
  
  My Top Questions for the Experts:
  • The Roadmap: Can you recommend a specific Set and Skill path (build) from RR32 to RR45 and eventually RR60? What are the key milestones?
  • Grimshimmer Logistics: Buy from AH or targeted farming? What’s the most efficient way?
  • Rotation Hygiene: Which abilities are "traps" that I should stop using?
  • The Next Gear Leap: Which set should I prioritize after Devastator? What should I save my Crests for?
  • Renown Investment: Should a novice focus on Defense (Parry/Reflexes) first to support that "Brawler" feel, or is raw damage the only way to go?
  • Witchbrew as the Standard: Is the Witchbrew/Suffering path truly the best way to deal with the abundance of WLs and Tanks on the battlefield right now?
  Trivial Blows & Bubbles: At what Renown Rank does the "Sacrifices Rewarded" defensive combo actually start to become viable?
  • The 1v1 Guarantee: Which classes should I hunt as a WE in a 1v1, and who should I avoid at all costs?
  Thank you again for taking the time to help a new player find his feet. I really want to stick with one class and push it to RR80+, and your guidance makes all the difference.
  
  Best regards,
  Nyss (Ziorah)

[abezverkhiy]

Hey mate welcome to the game. Having played both WoW and GW2 I rank RoR the highest.

Both Anstalt and Narfii gave you good advices. They both know what they do as Welves.

You want to level fast - play scenarios, this is the fastest way. And this way you will learn the class. Being a wagon in a rvr train will teach you nothing.

Do not follow videos blindly, define your playstile.

Also, if videos are older than 6 months take them with a grain of salt. The game evolves and best builds change.

You may not see every ability because they are either not too good or belong to a different build - some build are physical damage based others are corporeal damage based.

Level in scenarios, then do some 40 lvl pve - Gunbad gives basic gear but once you have it continue with pve, next tier of dungeons will give you a set with a very good ring, ok-ish armour and good weapons (do not know destro names of dungeons as I play Order).

At this point you can join RvR as a fully fledged member of a gank squad. This is our role. Warband leaders do not like us so we have to deal with what we have. By then you will be lvl 40/55 and will sort out many answers yourself.

Lastly. You will die a lot. Don't let it bring you down.

Happy hunting!

[Ziorah]

You want to level fast - play scenarios, this is the fastest way. And this way you will learn the class. Being a wagon in a rvr train will teach you nothing.

Thanks for the tips.
I really enjoy playing scenarios. The problem is, though, that you rarely get to go there. It feels like only three times in three hours.
To be honest, I’ve never been to a dungeon. But I’m planning to go, though at CR 40.

[Narfii]

Hi,

first of all, a massive thank to you "anstalt" and "Narfii" for your previous responses.

I’ll be honest: as a newcomer to RoR, I had to read your advice about ten times to truly grasp the depth of it. Many of these technical terms and mechanics feel like a foreign language right now, but I am determined to learn

I’ve spent a lot of time studying over 15 different high-rank gameplay videos of the last 2 years, but I’ve run into a wall: while I can see what the experts are doing, it’s rarely explained why. Often, the talent trees aren't shown, leaving me guessing about the logic behind the build. That is why your insights are so incredibly valuable to me.

The Identity Dilemma: Brawler vs. Tactician
In games like WoW or Guild Wars 2, I always loved the feel of the Assassin/Stealth archetype. That is what I’m looking for here. To be clear: I’m not looking for a "meta-slave" class that breaks the game with one button. For me, fun is the priority. This is why I’m torn between the White Lion and the Witch Elf. The WL gives me that raw "Brawler" feeling—jumping in, sticking to the target, and brawling it out. The WE feels more technical and tactical. I love both styles, but I worry if the WE can offer that same "stickiness" in a direct fight, or if she will always feel too fragile compared to the WL.

The Roadmap to RR60+
I accept the current reality: at CR 29 / RR32, I’m not a solo threat yet. I am using unorganized Warbands as my "training wheels" and a way to farm Renown Points effectively. I want to contribute at the edges of the big fights, but I need a clear plan. To get to RR 60 shoul be my frist goal.

My Goal: I want to be able to duel (1v1 or 1v2 consecutively) while still being useful in a Warband environment. I know RoR isn't a solo game, but that "Predator" feeling is what drives me. My long-term vision for this character is a balanced split between three playstyles:

• Solo Roaming: I want to be able to hunt alone and survive 1v1 or consecutive 1v2 encounters.

• Small Group Play (6v6): Acting as the "scalpel" that removes key targets.

• Unorganized Warbands (PUGs): Operating on the fringes of large battles without being instantly deleted by AoE.

The "Predator" Intent:
Regardless of the scenario, my goal is the same: I want to be able to pick my target—be it a Healer, a Squishy, or even a Tank—and have the tools to eliminate them. I am looking for that "Hunter" feeling where I decide who dies. I know RoR is a team-based game, but I want a build that allows me to be as independent as possible, especially since I mostly play in unorganized groups without a dedicated pocket-healer or guard.

If you're gonna be genuine solo roaming, looking for 1v1s, I don't think you can rely on glass cannon builds. So many people have decent defences and some regen that your burst just wont kill them until you're much higher rank. So, you need some defences and/or regen.

If you're gonna be in groups, then glass cannon / full offence is good, you're tanks and healers will keep you alive so you can do your thing.

Thank you for the builds!

2. Warband. This one's pretty close to glass but you've gotta stack a bunch of weapon skill/parry instead of crit. I think you end up about 650 or so on str and ws. Big slices, blade spin, on your knees, that's basically it. Try to get into onslaught as soon as you can for this build, it's nutty. Take swift blades and black lotus blade. You lose shadows for the pounce reset but you're honestly not using it or stealth that much in warband play.

3. Defgen. My personal favorite. Couple different ways you can build it. Most people go for the sov/fleshrender/grimshimmer build. To me this lacks some damage. You end up with I think like 810 or 830 str, lots of parry, and like 400 or so hp/4. There's a bit of a sleeper build here with warlord/vic armor sets. You drop the Regen rings for genesis and end up closer to 1000str (with the melee power bonuses you're at like +200dps). Use the 1.7s elf t4 dagger with DP on hit proc bonus. Take bf, mark of hellebron, sac rewarded, and kiss of doom. My build here sits about 990str, 58% parry, only like 150 hp/4. Invest in reflexes and trivial blows to make the most use of sacrifices rewarded. Most of your Regen here comes from witchbrew activations (attack almost every second and kiss of doom heals). You'll burst almost as quickly as glass but be able to 2v1 or even 3/4v1 sometimes. A note that magic classes get slightly harder on regen builds vs glass builds. However you do get cauldron on these builds which goes a long way for escapes (m1+cauldron makes you nearly unhittable from the front, watch out for taunts and AOEs).

Since I’m a new player and still have a long way to go before I reach RR60+, I should make sure I tackle this journey effectively, right? At my level, there’s no point in trying to go solo. So for now, I’ll be joining lots of unorganized warbands. The AoE build sounds good, but also really boring. Your suggestion #3 sounds really good. If I play that in the unorganized warbands and take on opponents on the sidelines, that’s an advantage for me. I can practice the build beforehand.

So I'll use the build from “anstalt” and just change the tactics, right?

So, what do you think of this video guide?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0qmYcr9B4g

Technical Questions & Economy

• I am trying to be smart with my resources. I already have the Devastator set, but I want to avoid wasting Crests or Gold on the wrong items. The Grimshimmer Breastplate: I know I need this. Is it better to sacrifice my gold at the Auction House or is there a reliable way to farm it at my level?

• Unused Abilities: In high-end videos, I noticed that certain core abilities are never on the bars. For example, Heart Render Toxi, Puncture, Blade Spin (for Aoe), Vehment Blades, or Wrecking Pains, seems to be ignored. Is it just a waste of a Global Cooldown?

• Rotation Confusion: I often forget to use some Abilities like Sever Limb, Heart render Toxin, Sever Blessing and Throat Slitter in my gameplay. My Rotation, I'm still a long way from having all the skills: Vehement Blades, Envenomed Blade, Black Lotus Blade, Feinted Positioning, Agonizing Wound and Ruthless Assault. Without invisibility Envenomed Blade, Black Lotus Blade, Feinted Positioning, Agonizing Wound. Wracling Paind on long fights. Slice only in Wbs for AoE to hit 3 Targets.
  
  Here is my current skill bar
  
  
  
  My Top Questions for the Experts:
  • The Roadmap: Can you recommend a specific Set and Skill path (build) from RR32 to RR45 and eventually RR60? What are the key milestones?
  • Grimshimmer Logistics: Buy from AH or targeted farming? What’s the most efficient way?
  • Rotation Hygiene: Which abilities are "traps" that I should stop using?
  • The Next Gear Leap: Which set should I prioritize after Devastator? What should I save my Crests for?
  • Renown Investment: Should a novice focus on Defense (Parry/Reflexes) first to support that "Brawler" feel, or is raw damage the only way to go?
  • Witchbrew as the Standard: Is the Witchbrew/Suffering path truly the best way to deal with the abundance of WLs and Tanks on the battlefield right now?
  Trivial Blows & Bubbles: At what Renown Rank does the "Sacrifices Rewarded" defensive combo actually start to become viable?
  • The 1v1 Guarantee: Which classes should I hunt as a WE in a 1v1, and who should I avoid at all costs?
  Thank you again for taking the time to help a new player find his feet. I really want to stick with one class and push it to RR80+, and your guidance makes all the difference.
  
  Best regards,
  Nyss (Ziorah)

Sounds like you'd be happy on either elf or lion. I don't see many lions solo roaming anymore and the warband spec is really just like 2 abilities. I think the welf is gonna be more what you're looking for maybe.

You should be aware that welf just got a major overhaul back in December so that shep video you linked is outdated. He's got a new one port-patch you can use but I would caution against using it as gospel (no shade to Shep), as he doesn't exactly do deep dives nor do I think he mains the class.

You should farm PQs for the Mayhem set at level 25, and the Ruin set at 35 to save on crests. From there take the PvE route to get your wards, doing BB and BS. Eventually you'll want to be in vanq, ons, or some mix of sent/gen/bloodlord as your pre-bis. I don't actually know where grimshimmer drops, if you're set on that build you should pull the trigger and buy it. That and the rings should probably be about 600g all day. You can do Ch22s to make lots of gold.

With the exception of puncture all of these are often in my rotation. HRT is one of your best abilities now and the earlier you can apply it the better. WP pays off the longer its on someone, but that toughness reduce goes a long way as well. I always apply it 2nd as defgen. Blade spin only in blobs. VBlades is good in the right matchup, and gives your group +crit%. Enfeebling strike is probably better generally; people will put thousands of damages on themselves with it. I typically don't use the magic one unless I'm opening in a big pack of healers at the back of a blob or something. Avoid using RA as your finisher unless you know for sure you can get the full cast off. Even then think twice, it requires ws and armor pen to make the most use of it. Imo, RA has always been a trap but some people really liked it before the changes. If it gets cancelled early you've lost many many damages.

If you're going def spec the rotation usually looks something like this: enf strike>hrt>wp or blb if healer>wp or eb> witchbrew. Try to avoid using the kd until after your 2nd or 3rd rotation and get to 3x eb asap. Throat slitter I usually use as the 2nd cc in blobs, I don't usually use it as the kill secure and just go for heartseeker for that. Sever blessing always on every opportunity over any other ability. Agonizing wound is your filler. Try not to use feinted positioning vs melee classes as it can be a bit of a trap; always try for the natural backstabs. On a similar note- get really good at playing without stealth and try to keep stealth as an escape. You'll improve your play patterns and situational awareness vastly. Leap + shadows gives you a free stealth engage from visible. You can shadows in midair during the leap and still get the damage from it.

Yes take all that you can in parry and trivial blows. Dump anything else into toughness. I would also slot toughness talis until bis or pre bis. Try to save crests for warlord or so gear + vic gear.

I think witchbrew opens up way more play patterns than the glass build. Like I said you get like 1 chance as glass and then you die. Defgen gives you way more time to find a line.

I would say sac rewarded is probably good at every level. Just make sure to pair it with trivial blows and NOT futile strikes. I would also really encourage mark of hellebron over taste of blood at your level. You'll get more sustain off your autos than damage off the crack back.

Glass matchups:
BW/Engi/SW - 80/20 aSW is probably a death if they survive the opener. Actually basically all of this is probably a death if they stabilize after the kill secure (knock). Your best bet is escaping as soon as you recognize you've lost the favorable engagement.
AM - 70/30
RP/WP/SL - 60/40
WH - 50/50 its kinda a crapshot with the escapes and resets. Usually whoever opens 2nd wins.
2h knight/sm - 50/50
2h ib - 40/60
WL - 40/60 this goes to 20/80 if they're def spec
SnB tanks - 20/80 don't even waste your time

Def matchups:
BW/SW/Engi - 80/20 watch out the aSW they put up more of a fight
WP/AM - 70/30
SL/RP/2h tanks except IB/WL - 60/40
WH - 60/40 ish...this is prob closer to 50/50 if they're parry. If they're glass it might be an 80/20.
2h IB/SnB tanks - 50/50 they can take a long time

Really you don't have many "bad" matchups as def. The scariest things are SnB tanks (just cuz it's so slow) and the rare defensive white lion. You should have enough sustain to outlast a dps AM but the dps RP can be a bit tricky. Really anyone that can keep you kited and out of melee for your Regen will put up a challenge. Don't let anyone tell you welfs are unkitable now they definitely still are.

Also, a lot of those matchups have specific quirks that change the dynamic so don't take those numbers as hard truths. The fight will always evolve more from the players than the classes.

[Ziorah]

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question!

You know, I was born mute. I can’t just walk into the DC and talk to someone. My questions could be answered much more quickly in a conversation. So I’m always reliant on writing—and on the patience of the other person, who has to answer my questions in writing. That’s not always a given.

Sounds like you'd be happy on either elf or lion. I don't see many lions solo roaming anymore and the warband spec is really just like 2 abilities. I think the welf is gonna be more what you're looking for maybe.

I’ve been playing RoR since late 2024 and I’m genuinely excited about the game. I spent the first few months experimenting with various classes—getting Shaman, Squig, DD Shaman WH, WL, IB, SW, and DoK up to CR 20-30—just to find my fit. My WE, Nyss, hit CR 30 yesterday. My only CR 40 / RR 46 character is my Engineer, Bitsy Bigbang. While she's fun, 70% of her kit feels 'delayed' or choppy because of the grenade travel time. It just doesn't feel fluid enough for me, so she’s on hold for now. I often struggle with 'class-dilemma,' but with the WE, I see so much potential. I love that she isn't easy to master—there's a massive skill ceiling and always room to improve. That’s exactly the kind of challenge I’m looking for in this game.

My absolute favorites are my WE, WH, Engi, and ranged Squig. I've decided to aim for an RR80 with my WE
And after that, my Engi or WH.

I have to admit, after playing DAOC, WoW, GW2, Albion, ESO, Throne and Liberty, Turtle WoW, and so many other MMOs, I feel right at home in RoR. Every class is so brilliantly designed, unique—the animations, movement, armor. It really wasn’t easy for me to make a decision, so I took a tactical approach: I tried out all the classes first and used a process of elimination to figure out which ones were right for me.

You should farm PQs for the Mayhem set at level 25, and the Ruin set at 35 to save on crests. From there take the PvE route to get your wards, doing BB and BS. Eventually you'll want to be in vanq, ons, or some mix of sent/gen/bloodlord as your pre-bis.

I’d also like to skip the level 35 set. That goes for both the PvE and PvP sets—even though I’ll be weak from 35 to 40. I don’t need those sets for my wards, if I’m not mistaken. In fact, I’ve never liked dungeons in any game. I don’t like all those mechanics and I’m really bad at them. Fortunately, it’s a whole different story in PvP. I wouldn’t visit the dungeons you mentioned, like BB and BS, until I hit level 40. Can you please tell me what ratio I should use when equipping armor pieces? Do I get weapons and jewelry there too?

Question: If I go into the Bastion Stair (BS) dungeon at CR 40: Will my old Level 29/30 set (Devastator) be enough to make a useful contribution there, or will I get left behind right away? I've never been to a dungeon before. How many times a day can you go in? Are there any restrictions? Do the items drop randomly?

I don't actually know where grimshimmer drops, if you're set on that build you should pull the trigger and buy it. That and the rings should probably be about 600g all day. You can do Ch22s to make lots of gold.

600 gold? I haven't been able to buy the mount for 100 gold with any of my characters so far
I'll never be able to afford that set. How much gold does a long-time RoR player usually carry around on average? I just don't have a sense of the scale here. What's a lot, what's a little... Is there an alternative, or is it a must-have?

Leap + shadows gives you a free stealth engage from visible. You can shadows in midair during the leap and still get the damage from it.

That tip is worth its weight in gold. Thank you so much!

Avoid using RA as your finisher unless you know for sure you can get the full cast off. Even then think twice, it requires ws and armor pen to make the most use of it. Imo, RA has always been a trap but some people really liked it before the changes. If it gets cancelled early you've lost many many damages.

If you can't use the ability because the conditions aren't met. So Whitchbrew is the way to go

Try to avoid using the kd until after your 2nd or 3rd rotation and get to 3x eb asap.

What is KD and EB? EB = Envenomed Blade? You mean EB, to get the stack up to 3x?
Agonizing as filler. I thought I mainly used Agonizing Wounds to deal some damage on the side, preferably to the enemy's back, or, if that's not possible, in combination with Feint Positioning.
You didn't mention Slice. Don't you ever use it?

Lots of good questions here. Its important to remember that witch elf is a very gear dependent class and because of that especially on the glass build you won't see much production until you're well into your 60s. This is one of the things that make the def build very strong at your level still. I would really recommend staying in the blob spec at least until you can get into vanq, ons, or even dp gear.

Witchbrew, or are you referring to the AoE Warband build?

Could you provide a link to a RoR Builder for the 'Defgen' build? It would be amazing to see a version for RR 40 (as a milestone) and one for RR 60 (the goal). I want to make sure I’m investing my points correctly from the start.

Regarding bar space: Are there any specific ability chains that make sense to put on a sequencer to save space? Or is the WE's reaction time so critical that it's better to keep everything on manual keybinds?"

Thanks again for the incredible support!

Addendum from the DC regarding the expensive piece of armor:
"Get a tank or a healer and kill the lair boss that drops the chest.
It’s very easy"

That sounds great. So it’s not 600 gold

[anstalt]

I'll try to tackle a few of the questions:

1) Solo whilst leveling

Don't be afraid to solo! This game does a lot of weird things with renown gain when you kill someone. There's so many modifiers that come into play, but the relevant one here is that your career rank (cr) and renown rank (rr) are compared to your enemy and the renown is scaled accordingly. So, if you're low rank, and you kill someone high rank, your renown gets multiplied.

However, that comparison gets thrown out when you're in a group. When I was leveling my WE, I basically only had to hit an enemy once to get 500+ renown. But, as soon as I teamed up with a rr80+ shaman, that 500 renown dropped to 50. So, even though i was living longer and getting more kills, my renown per hour dropped dramatically.


2) Gear while leveling

Don't sweat it! Go for whatever is available to you. Lower gearsets just don't cost much, you wont be hindering yourself at all. If you spend all your time in RvR whilst leveling, you'll have tons of crests. I leveled my WE purely through RvR (avoiding all pve and scenarios), and I've bought all the RvR sets and am on track to have enough for sov.

My main advice: leveling is for experimenting! Try out a defensive set, try out an offensive set, pair it with builds and just experiment. If it doesn't go well, you wont have to wait long until your next set.


3) Warband Play

Warbands are all about AoE. Move as a blob, hit the enemy as a blob, output as much AoE damage and debuffs as possible. WEs just aren't suited to this style of gameplay. We can't output much AoE damage, don't have AoE debuffs, and we're quite squishy. So, I dont recommend PuG warbands as a little witch elf. Just stay solo and blob surf (follow the blob and nibble at the edges). You'll rank up quicker and learn more about WEs.


4) Skill Usage

As mentioned, WEs have a very cool toolkit, giving us lots of options. Good vs Bad WEs is all about using the right skills at the right time (and im not so great at this myself).

However, actually doing damage is pretty straight forwards:

Envenomed Blade (3 stacks)
Wracking Pains
Agonising Wounds
Frenzies (witchbrew / sac stab)

Its all the other tools that will determine whether u win or not. Are they getting healed? Then u gotta heal debuff. Are you first to hit them? Heart Render Toxin is great for removing a big chunk of HP. Are they a magic user? Elixir of the Cauldron to make u immune to magic damage. You can leap in, leap out, so you've got mobility. Do you leap at the start? Wait til they're out of range?

Learning when to use all these tools is what will make you a great player.


5) Def / Regen build

There's not much to it. Kiss of Doom (middle tree tactic), Grimshimmer Chest (AH) are where you get your regen. Then stack parry as high as possible. There's more you can do later on (fleshrender rings, stalwart stone regen talis) but at ur level, u can't do that.

But, once you've got some decent regen and some parry, you can definitely win 1v1s even at low level and rank.


6) Who to hunt

This is totally dependent on your build!

If you've gone def/regen, you wanna target mdps and 2h tanks - your parry works best against their attacks, and your regen should match or beat theirs. But avoid healers, because your reduced damage means they can probably outheal you.

If you're full glass cannon, then rdps and healers are more your target. If you're lucky, you can kill them pretty quick or at least scare them into defensive manouvers - a healer that is focused on healing themselves and kiting is a healer that isn't damaging you! But mdps and tanks will likely survive your initial burst, and then shatter your glassy build.

RDPS are pretty much always an option, regardless of build. However, there are dramatic differences! Some engineers, for example, drop like a sack of ****, whilst others are so tanky that you barely scratch them. Same thing with some shadow warriors, if they're running a melee build you can suddenly find yourself in real trouble. You've just gotta try your luck and pay attention to names: if they kick your ass, avoid them next time! Then come back when you've gotten better.