Power Dragonhunter

September 2023

Introduction

Power Dragonhunter is a powerful DPS build with high burst damage, access to Vulnerability, and multiple options to mitigate incoming damage. Learning encounter mechanics helps players use burst windows properly to reach the build’s maximum potential.

While the Virtues variant deals more damage, it requires permanent Aegis uptime which may or may not be realistic depending on the encounter and your group. Keep this in mind when choosing between Radiance and Virtues.

Build Fundamentals

Use damaging skills on both weapon sets in conjunction with Spear of Justice to increase your burst damage via Big Game Hunter.

High Resolution uptime is crucial to get a 25% critical chance from Righteous Instincts. Having multiple Power Dragonhunters in the same party is ideal as they will benefit from Resolution from Symbol of Resolution. If you don’t have other DHs in your group, make sure you are in the subgroup with other classes that can provide you with extra Resolution – this includes Firebrands with Mantra of Solace, Catalysts with Deploy Jade Sphere, or Alacrity Mesmers with Chaos Storm.

If you further struggle with Resolution and are in a fight where you are attacked, you can more consciously use Greatsword and give yourself Light Aura by leaping with Leap of Faith into Symbol of Resolution or other Light fields.

Build Specifics

Spear of Justice's cooldown can be reset by killing enemies via Renewed Justice. Make sure to not waste it while your high-damaging skills are on cooldown. Build your combos around Spear of Justice; if it’s active and you have excess charges of Sword of Justice, use it instead of Auto-attack chains.

Use Binding Blade inside an enemy’s hitbox to strike a single target up to 5 times.

Hunter's Verdict will increase your damage while the tether is active, and Bane Signet will increase your power while not used. As such, avoid using Bane Signet and breaking the tether unless you really need CC.

Sustain and Mobility

Leap of Faith is a good movement skill and also creates a Light Aura when used in a Light Field to help with Resolution uptime.

Wings of Resolve can be used for movement, but also consider saving it for its healing and condition cleanses.

Use Shield of Courage to block attacks or to share Aegis with your party. This is particularly useful in situations where normal Aegis is unreliable due to incoming projectiles that strip boons.

To heal up quickly after taking damage or to counter high damage pressure use Litany of Wrath.

Crowd Control

• Binding Blade Pull
• Bane Signet
• Dragon's Maw
• Spear of Justice Hunter's Verdict
• Deflecting Shot
• Hunter's Ward

Alternatives

Utility Skills

You can replace Sword of Justice with:

• "Stand Your Ground!" for squad-wide Stability and Resolution.
• "Advance!" for Swiftness and more Aegis.
• Hammer of Wisdom / Sanctuary for more CC.
• Wall of Reflection for projectile reflects.

Traits

You can swap Righteous Instincts for Perfect Inscriptions if you need to use your Bane Signet for CC. If you swap to Perfect Inscriptions you will need to:

• Change Superior Sigil of Impact to Superior Sigil of Accuracy
• Change your food to Bowl of Curry Butternut Squash Soup