Gunslinger Guide: From introduction to PVP details

Gunslinger Guide: From introduction to PVP details


1. Introduction
2. Gear
3. Manastones
4. Stigmas
5. PvP details



1. INTRODUCTION


Who exactly are you ? You're the brand new cool class. You are the badass cowboy(girl), the Dante that makes Devil Cry, and most of all, you're the one they call Overpowered. So live up to the expectations Ladies and Gentlemen.

The Gunslinger is a DPS class, but what's different from the rest of the DPS classes (Rangers, Assassins, Sorcerers and Gladiators) is that you are a ranged class with 100% mobility (with some exceptions), meaning you're dealing DPS as you're moving. Some would argue that you are a burst class, but that is not entirely true because your damage is overall constant, you do not hit in bursts, you hit continuously while moving.

Long story short, your job, DPS. (This, however, is not exclusive. There are other things you can and will have to do. More on that in the detailed PvP section)

2. GEAR

Armor: You wear leather, or more precisely, Magic Leather Armor.
Image

Get the full Ambassador's Divine Magic set or the Emissary's Divine Magic set. They are exactly the same. (They were added for Macro purposes, more on that later, maybe)

Weapons:
As a Gunslinger, you can use two weapons, the pistols, and the aethercannon.
For the pistols, you have to know that the PvP attack % from offhand does not count, only the PvP Attack % you get from Augment Effect counts on offhand, the rest of the bonus stats count. Although some people go with PvP Pistol in Mainhand and PvE in Offhand, I suggest you get 2x Custodian's Peacemaker (PvP), it gives better stats overall and an additional 1.2% PvP Magical Attack from Augmenting.

For the Aethercannon, just get Exalted Noble Katalium Aethercannon and fuse it with Custodian's Aetherpulse.

3. MANASTONES

First we have to understand how the Gunslinger's skills work: You deal Magical damage, which means your skills are affected (on your side) by Magic Boost (MB) and Magical Accuracy (MAcc). You're like a sorcerer in this way. Now let's discuss the possible manastone builds:

The obvious way is to stack Image. Don't do it. the +7 MAcc you get from it is absolutely useless compared to something else. That build will get you to approximately 2200 MAcc (a bit less), which is more than you need for usual situations, and very little for MR (Magic Resist) Support (Cleric/Chanter), MR Assassins with Sensory Boost and Slayer form, or Aether Armor Templars (if they still exist).

So my suggestion is to stack full Image. You need the HP to survive for every class. You are very squishy with little defensive skills. Besides, with the damage reduction update, HP becomes more and more valuable. Ask full HP clerics.

As for Support stacking full MR and Sorry <3, I have an extra set full MAcc +16 (some would go for the +14MAcc/+13MB, but meh, I rarely use it). You'll also need the Stigma skill Sighting (+300Macc).

Which brings us to our next subject, Stigmas.

4. Stigmas

This is a work in progress, meaning I have different builds in mind, and I'm using all of them (Even though I have a favorite one). The choice of the build also depends on the general direction of the players here (whether they will all go full derp MR or not). But overall, there are two builds with one or two stigmas being swapped.

These are the 10 necessary stigmas. depending on the other 2 slots, we get different builds.

-Stable Stance
-Survival instinct
-Stopping Power
-Quieting Gale (lower tree)
-Power Grab (lower tree)
-Nature's Favor (lower tree)
-Hemorrhage Shot (lower tree)
-Stready Fire (lower tree)
-Pressurized Chamber (lower tree)
-Autoload (lower tree)

5. PvP Details

Keybinding

This is a must for PvP, with any class. Your skills have to be keybinded on your keyboard for an easy reach. As I quote another player "It becomes a natural reflex from muscle memory. You no longer have to "look" for the skills".

This is my skillbar, and as you can see, most of my skills are keybound. Pressurized Chamber, Stopping power, Weapon Switch, and the two roots are bound on my mouse.

Now let's talk keybinds and Skills arrangement.

I obviously make the most used skills the most easily reachable. Pressurized Chamber and Stopping power are on my mouse, everytime I "burst" those two buffs have to be up, very easy to reach them. Weapon Switch is also easily reachable on my mouse since I always use Juggernaut Cannon.

Silence is very important, also low CD, it has it's own keybind, R, easily reachable.

I think you get it now that I put the Stun/Knockback on E and SHIFT+E, the two DPS that can't be used while moving are on A and SHIFT+A (I have an AZERTY keyboard). My two reloads are T and SHIFT+T, and my main devensive skills are C and SHIFT+C. This makes it easier for you to remember the keybinds, so you know stunning is E and what derives from it, Health is F and what derives from it, and the main DPS is 1 2 3 4 and what derives from it etc ...

Some PvP details

-A no brainer is always (ALWAYS) use this combo:

Pressurized Chamber-> Hot Shot -> Gunshot Chain.

(Always, even I forget somewhere later in the guide, you will remember, Gunshot=Pressurized Chamber)-Obviously that combo will be inserted between other combos.
-Prebuff Bulletproof if you want, but NEVER prebuff Anticipation. It has an 8s duration, if it takes you 2s to reach your enemy and he sees it, he can just run (and not even kite it off), by the moment you catch up, you maybe have 2 or 3s left on it, while you could have made use of an 8s UD with some dmg reduction.
-Know which Debuff to cover, every class and every situation needs a different debuff cover.
-Press K, go to Chains, and Swap Trigger pull and Canted shot.

Some PvP details against each class

Let me start by saying that we do not have an anticlass. Yes I just said that. There is no class we can ROFLSTOMP like Templars ROFLSTOMP Assassins. Some could say Gladies, but not really, Sorcs have an easier time against them since they can Storm Strike Balaur Seeker before he reaches them, we have to be constantly moving with a 1/3 of Illusion.
And every class can beat us if they know what to do. Though there are some easier than others. Here's the list from Easier to Harder.

1. Gladiator
2. Bard
3. Gunslinger (if you're faster and know what you're doing)
4. Cleric
5. Chanter
6. Assassin & Ranger
7. Sorcerer
8. Spiritmaster
9. Templar

1. Gladiator

Easy if done right, though some gladiators are fast as hell and have such a low ping.
There are many ways to do it depending on the Gladi and on what CDs you want to keep. But this is an example:

Stopping Power -> Juggernaut-(let him pot it if he wants) -> Hemorrhage Shot -> Anticipation -> Hot Shot -> Silence (Silence Covered)-> Pressurized Chamber -> Gunshot chain -> Reload -> Gunshot chain -> (If not dead) -> Juggernaut -> Harrassing Fire -> Snow Shell-> Incendiary Shell


Those last three are a standard Burst. Remember when you're fighting a Templar with your old class and they get you to 30% HP, then you're insta dead ? Yeah, that unexpected Sword Storm -> BP -> PB is like our new

Juggernaut -> Harrassing Fire -> Snow Shell-> Incendiary Shell.

It is very fast and it's unexpected, always make sure to use it when you know it'll get you the kill, or else you'll be trying to catch you enemy while derping on Cannon stance.
The previous long rotation is an example of what you can do, it gives you a general idea, sometimes you're not fast enough and he waits till Hemorrhage is over to pot silence and use second wind. Sometimes I find myself tricking the gladi into using pot with root right at the start (can use Prayer of Freedom but meh). Some other times I cover silence again with Juggernaut and Crosstrigger -> Trigger Pull (very fast btw) (thanks to reload) etc ...

You can also note I didn't mention Bulletproof, you can use it instead of Anticipation but it's a bit risky.
Keep survival instinct for tendon slice.
Sometimes you'll need power grab.
I need to stop or else I won't finish the other classes.

2. Bard

They have a dispel, but unlike clerics, it has a CD. The main idea is to be faster than him and cover silence. Cover it with Juggernaut and Crosstrigger, if he dispels the first two and pots silence, go ahead

Hemorrhage -> Hot Shot-> Gunshot chain -> Autoload -> Gunshot chain -> Juggernaut -> Harrassing Fire -> Snow Shell-> Incendiary Shell

(FINISH HIM)
You basically have to either finish him while silenced or while Trigger Pull is on him and he's duped into using Freestyle.
Also pot bind fast, but if never hurts to switch and

Juggernaut -> Harrassing Fire -> Snow Shell-> Incendiary Shell

if it's covered.
To conclude this, try to avoid letting them heal and don't make the fight last too long.

3. Gunslinger

Do not prebuff Bulletproof. If you see him prebuffing Pressurized Chamber, root him (let him waste a pot or survival instinct) and get out of range, it will slow him down and you would have decreased his DPS and then:

Stopping Power -> Juggernaut -> Hemorrhage Shot -> Hot Shot -> Silence (Silence Covered)-> Pressurized Chamber -> Anticipation (So he won't interrupt your Gunshot chain) -> Gunshot chain -> Power Grab -> Dazzling Fire-> Reload -> Gunshot chain -> (If not dead) -> Juggernaut -> Harrassing Fire -> Snow Shell-> Incendiary Shell

Don't bother with trunk shot, you'll use anticipation at the right time so he won't interrput your chain with it, and if you want to mess up his rotation, use Bulletproof when you see him starting gunshot (Bulletproof is more valuable if used strategically).

4. Cleric

If not HP build, it's extremely easy, they cannot outheal you. Cover silence very fast and use Gunshot chain like usual, then be unpredictable and Dazzling Fire, or Reload and trunkshot him, then silence then reload again and trunkshot then

Juggernaut -> Harrassing Fire -> Snow Shell-> Incendiary Shell.

The key here is to be unpredictable while dealing constant DPS, let me spend his time Dispelling, and if he doesn't want to dispel (AKA Atk spd delay while you're dealing dmg) he can be baited into covered trigger pull and silence etc ... Like I said, if he's not HP, it's easy, just DPS.

If he's HP build, have fun, I've only dueled one and it's a pain, gotta know exactly when to trunkshot, so both reloads have to be ready for critical moments.

If he's MR build, pop your MA set, hopefully you'll have Sighting on, if not, put up with a few resists, he still deals less dmg (cuz he's full MR, very low MB).

5. Chanter

This can be easy, depending on your opponent. It can be a piece of cake if you're fast, since Chanter can't dispel like clerics. You have enough debuffs to cover silence -> DPS then cover Trigger Pull -> DPS and watch him die while casting recovery spell.

However, you have to be very fast and use Bulletproof and Anticipation to get out of the Stun/KD lock.
Also, they have bind, so Survival instinct and Pots.
Don't underestimate them, one mistake and you're dead.

6. Rangers and Assassins

These two can be tricky if they how to counter you.

I'm gonna go fast with this:
Don't try to Juggernaut Rangers, this will give them the chance to Sleep you or Burst with Bestial Fury (15m), which brings us to stay at 20m all times . Bulletproof if you get close and Anticipation after Silence cover (if you want, I do it). You can prebuff Anticipation just this time cuz they will rush you and you'll eat their stunshot. As usual,

Hot Shot -> Gunshot -> Dazzling fire -> Reload -> Power Grab -> Gunshot -> autoload -> Gunshot

(All of thise while moving and keeping away from sleep arrow). Once you're slept, I have no outie for you, I usually die because I already sustained a first burst (I am still staying in ranger for their sleep arrow and Bestial Fury because I was a Templar and I'm still rushing Derpingly sometimes)
For assassins, Bulletproff at start (Don't be so obvious though) and

Hotshot -> Gunshot -> Reload -> Gunshot -> Anticipation -> Autoload -> Gunshot

Try to waste their resist with Pistols autoattack = 2 magical attacks. I usually don't care because I can deliver the needed DPS. (Throw in pressurized when 2/3 of their Resists are gone and you still have a reload).
One tip against assassins, Only RS on Aetherhold, and don't follow up with the chain, enjoy your temporary assassin troller.
If played right, you could never get caught in stun lock, but sometimes they get very lucky with deadly poison ...

Oh if full MR, refer to cleric part.

7. Sorcerer

Why at the bottom of the list ? (meaning Harder)
It's because of Elemental Ward, and the annoying Charge sleep. It's very fast and it screws up your Gunshot chain. However, if you're faster you can trick him with prebuffing Bulletproof and opening with Dazzling Fire, if they waste RS Tree will be resisted and proceed to cover silence and then cover Trigger Pull. You have two precious reloads, you can Cover trigger pull and then instantly start delivering

Pressurized Chamber-> Hot Shot -> Gunshot Chain.

Note: I have had very easy experiences with sorcs, but some like Veritaas are faster than me.
I have not dueled Daybreaker.

8. Spiritmaster:

This is a battle of the fastest, if they open with CoR (resist one magical attack) try to waste it and cover silence as fast as you can (Pay attention to their Bind cover, you have to be faster). You can try a stun after waisting CoR and then covering silence. It will confuse them. But once they are silenced, they do not last enough (Since you will Cover trigger pull after silence while still dealing DPS)

Spirit Sub is nasty, it really depends on how they Cover and What they cover, maybe you can use survival instinct, maybe you get lucky with Bulletproof. But still, Spirit Sub is bad. You can survive insta fear, your Power Grab is a nice heal.

9. Templar:

Oh boy.
I put them after SMs because they deserve it.
No really, they are very hard, you need some serious kiting, two debuffs HAVE to be on while DPSing them (meaning covered), those are Juggernaut and Hot shot, because the only way to kill a Templar is to ... Kill him ?

I honestly can not elaborate a lot on this. Don't get me wrong, I've beaten Templars many times, I rarely lost. And then came Seoul.

You can try covering silence at start very fast and DPSing enough to bring them to the ground with a fast reload (twice) and Gunshot chain. I did it before, killing them while silence is covered so they can't pop neither Empyrean Armor nor Iron Skin. But against some Templars like Seoul, you need serious kiting techniques and a great Anticipation and Bulletproof timing.
Once caught in their grasp, behold the burst.

IRON SKIN/UD/EMPYREAN ARMOR UPDATE:

This has been a direct lose for me. I have been fighting them in closed 1v1 maps and it's always them on 20-10% HP and me dead. You can try to cover silence and keep rooting them. But note that one single Doom Lure means death. So I would suggest you go the offensive way. You must have all your CDs ready for this full buff situation:

Once Doom Lured escape with Survival Instinct (and pot Illusion Chains later). You have to kite a lot and leave Bulletproof for when they start casting Storm Sword (That way you'll evade Break Power).

Then hope your kiting is effective (I will post an effective method when I'm sure it works) and DPS, DPS, and DPS. I would prefer to always have Juggernaut on them, but that would need a very fast Switch-> Jugger -> Run again.

Also, forget the Cannon Burst in this situation.