Greatsword Crossbow PVE Build Guide

Introduction

Welcome to our Greatsword Crossbow PVE build guide. In this guide, we’ll go over our recommended way to set-up the weapon combination for PVE group activities, such as the Dimensional Circle. This set-up is used to fill a DPS spot in a 6-player dungeon group.

Skills

Below is our Skill set-up for PVE group dungeon runs:

This Skill set-up provides a little bit of cleave for trash mobs between bosses, and a large focus on single-target boss damage in 6-player dungeons.

Skill Specializations

With 100 total points to play with once you hit Level 50, below is our recommended Specializations for the Greatsword Crossbow PVE build:

These particular Specializations unlock reduced cooldowns and increased single-target burst for bosses. See our Skill Specializations guide for more information.

Weapon Mastery

This guide assumes you are at least in the range of Level 13-16 Weapon Mastery. However, if you’re below this threshold, it’s not an issue. Simply spec into the mastery trees that provide the most damage first.

Stats

Stats once you reach Tier 1 Epic gear can vary frequently due to stats built into gear. As a result, try to push for at least 50 Dexterity and 50 Strength while participating in a dungeon run – gear depending. Below is our recommended baseline Stat allocation:

Dexterity – 21 Points
Perception – 9 Points
Strength – 14 Points
Wisdom – 4 Points

Gear & Equipment

The gear loadout largely, if not entirely, stays the same across all content once you reach Tier 1 Epic. Our Tier 1 Epic set assumes that most of the base content has been unlocked with the Milestones completed.

Early on, make use of your Rare gear you acquired through MSQ. It is totally fine and expected to be in Rare gear for quite a long time – so don’t worry too much! Gear between PVE and PVP usually doesn’t really change.

Obtaining Archboss weapons is a huge bonus, however, not a required one. As a result, do not worry too much about getting these weapons if you cannot find a strong guild or purchase one.

For early game progression gear, check out our leveling guide.

Guardian

Guardians are a unique transformation on a 10 minute Cooldown that gives powerful bonuses to you for 30 seconds. Some Guardians work as an additional “Active” Skill, while others provide buffs. We recommend the following Guardians for group play dungeons:

Shade Revenant Stheno – Stheno is the most offense-heavy choice in PVE. This Guardian dishes out consistent damage dealing projectiles to multiple targets.

How to Play The Greatsword Crossbow PVE Build

Our Greatsword Crossbow PVE build guide not only aims to teach you how to put it together, but also how to play it.

The main objective of playing Greatsword Crossbow in a PVE dungeon is simple. You’re a melee and ranged DPS hybrid that plays as close to melee range as possible, dealing large portions of burst damage. However, the Crossbow adds in consistent filler damage between large Greatsword cooldowns and combo set-ups.

Skill Rotations

As previously mentioned, to utilize your build and rotation effectively, use the following opener for bosses:

Pop DaVinci’s Courage
Valiant Brawl (Cruel Smite)
Selfless Diffusion
Mortal Mark
Stunning Blow
Quick Fire
Ascension Slash
Guillotine Blade
Death Blow
Cruel Smite
Annihilation Barrage

The main idea is to keep up the Mortal Mark as long as possible while dealing significant damage to a boss. DaVinci’s Courage provides an Attack Speed steroid to ensure the combo flows smoothly. Whenever the boss tries to use a Fury Attack, use Weak Point Shot for maximum effect. During your larger cooldowns, use Quick Fire and Valiant Brawl (Cruel Smite) at all times when they come off cooldown. This is because they’re very short cooldowns and can be used multiple times in a rotation.