I've been working on a variant of my Nightblade PvP spec that is still a work in progress but I wanted to go ahead and post about it.

I call it the Gunblade - 38 NB / 15 Inf / 13 MM

This spec generally works on the same principles as Nightblade, but makes a few key substitutions. Namely, you're dropping Blackout and Ranger for Marksman. Losing Blackout hurts, but the build is not viable without it.

Key concept: Gunblade works by using ranged attacks from melee range. A side effect is a nearly-permanent increase in movement speed (from MM skills), so you'll never be kited again. Your goal is to open on an opponent, apply Scourge of Darkness quickly and then go for a point-blank Rapid Fire Shot finish. Meanwhile you are ripping out damage with Dusk Strike and talented-Swift Shot.

Advantages: Compared to my Nightblade beast spec, Gunblade has far greater speed and maneuverability, and is able to deal considerably more damage from range. In close, the Gunblade damage is higher when utilizing Ebon Fury due to adding Rapid Fire Shot.

Disadvantages: Compared to my other Nightblade spec, Gunblade has less survivability when being focus fired, due to not having Blackout. Furthermore, unless you have Ebon Fury up, this build deals slightly less damage in melee range, due to losing a few key Assassin talents.

Macros

Builder
cast Dusk Strike
cast Twilight Force
cast Swift Shot

Finisher
cast Scourge of Darkness
cast Rapid Fire Shot
cast Hasted Shot
cast Blazing Strike

Notes: The only melee attacks utilized in this build are Dusk Strike and Blazing Strike, so damage is not considerably lower if you have to stay at range, however you want to melee for Hellfire/Fell Blades procs at the very least. Your ranged shots proc Increased Fire Power, which is important for keeping your damage up. This is another reason to never use Primal Strike.

This build can be more effective against Riftblade or Paragon warriors as you can outrange them and kite using the speed bonuses. It also works very well against mages. It's important to remember that you want to try to be in melee range whenever you can, despite having a wide arsenal of ranged attacks.

This build still bears some refinement, and right now I struggle most against 51Sins who get an opener on me (luckily there's not many of those right :x). Pretty much anyone else I can put away with little effort. Enjoy!
Posted by Dunsparrow Labels:

12 comments:

Shasta said...

You cry in /yell too much when you get owned

June 27, 2011 at 4:55 AM  
Dunsparrow said...

You're very easy to kill. You can try this spec and see if it helps. But I think the problem in your case is the player.

July 3, 2011 at 5:33 AM  
Regulate said...

Wow, burn. No need to defend an ego Dunsparrow, one rogue build can always trump the next. So even good rogues can sometimes go down. It's expected

July 10, 2011 at 4:31 PM  
Nyxx said...

Hi just a question why are you taking flame thrust if you dont macro it ?

July 24, 2011 at 6:48 AM  
Dunsparrow said...

@Nyxx I dont take Flame Thrust. It doesn't proc Increased Firepower and I don't take Lingering Flame, so Hasted Shot is preferable at range.

July 25, 2011 at 3:55 AM  
Nyxx said...

I just saw that you dont take flame thrust on your forum post, my bad i refered my self to the gunblade spec you where schowing in your video (great vid btw)

Tried your gunblade and it is really fun, but i might try togo
10inf/44nb/12mm so im still able to have blackout even if loosing anathema hurts.I think this spec might become viable if anathema and fell blades dont stack in 1.4.

Thanks for the spec and your answer
keep up the good work on your blog.

Sorry if my English sucks im french.

July 25, 2011 at 8:07 AM  
Dunsparrow said...

I agree with that spec. I've already been testing it on alpha and it looks like a viable alternative in 1.4. Though its damage will be less than standard Gunblade, it has another nice cooldown.

July 25, 2011 at 12:28 PM  
Nyxx said...

I just thought of something i like Gunblade because of the mobility and rapid fire shots damage but is rqpid fire shot still usefull when Nightrage will be released ?

July 26, 2011 at 6:19 AM  
Dunsparrow said...

@Nyxx It may not be. However, I suspect it will still be nice for finishing someone who gets to range. Also, Increased Fire Power is still going to be nice. We'll have to see how things shake out.

July 26, 2011 at 12:12 PM  
Socka said...

Hey there Dunsparrow!

I was watching youre Gunblade movie, realy awsome.
But I do not understand this:
At the beginning of the movie you specced 38/15/13. Wich means you dont have Black Out.
BUT in the movie you were using Black Out. So right now I am abit confused.
In the movie you have 44/10/12.
So my question is:
Should I go 44/10/12 if I want to be able to kill a warrior. Or shall I go 38/15/13 if I have an personal Cleric healer? :P

July 30, 2011 at 11:40 AM  
Socka said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
July 30, 2011 at 11:40 AM  
Skyz said...

hahaha dun,,,ive killed your guys so many times i thought you were a chump turns out you got a website and think your hard :P

September 21, 2011 at 12:41 PM