Curse

Bandwagon · Apr 19, 2011, 03:32 PM // 15:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by CailinArian

What is a meta build? o_o

Meta - to transcend or encompass, or to be above and beyond the standard.

In the context of a meta build it refers to what the majority of players are using given the environment they are working in, for example, in PvE, fast kills are possible so as a rule of thumb, meta builds don't bother with damage over time attacks and what-have-you.

Meta should not be confused necessarily with "Superior", more like "Superior given the environment we are working in and the common knowledge base of the players playing this game".

pingu666 · Apr 19, 2011, 05:08 PM // 17:08

id agree that a meta build would give you a good idea of what works, and how/why that works, and then you can move on with that knowledge to make your own builds

Chthon · Apr 19, 2011, 05:55 PM // 17:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by CailinArian

lololol I've been playing off and on for five years. xD

What is a meta build? o_o

"Meta" is short for "meta-game." In the PvP context, the meta-game is the duel of wits that goes into deciding what builds to run based on expectations of what other teams could, might, or will run. When the set of available options is in a configuration that one option, or a small group of options, is always going to be the best choice for players of the meta-game (which is almost always the case in GW), that option, or group of options, becomes known as "the meta."

PvE basically stole PvP's term and uses it to refer the the builds that are the best choices for smashing monsters.

You can criticize "the meta," particularly the PvE meta, on the grounds that "people are stupid, therefore what many people believe to be the best choice is in fact not." For example, discordway was extremely popular for a long time despite being pretty mediocre in terms of DPS and speed. The same thing is repeating itself with discordway's successor, BDSM.

LexTalionis · Apr 19, 2011, 06:21 PM // 18:21

Of course, strictly speaking, that's a slight perversion of the term "meta".

The strongest team build in the game (even in PvE) is the meta-build. In this case, it'd refer to knowing exactly what you're going to be encountering in the area up ahead and building -specifically- to counter it. (Of course this more difficult in PvP unless you're psychic or your opponents are -really- uncreative)

To use an analogy, it's like choosing your weapons carefully if you know you're going to be encountering werewolves. Guild Wars has a fair amount of silver bullets. The wiki is your friend.

StormDragonZ · Aug 20, 2011, 03:57 AM // 03:57

I've been using this for just about everything, including The Deep & Domain of Anguish, to name a few:

- Fragility
- Wandering Eye
- Shared Burden
- Power Drain
- Images of Remorse
- Necrosis (yes, a Necro skill)
- Cry of Pain
- Accumulated Pain

Feel free to express opinions about it.

Outerworld · Aug 20, 2011, 09:58 AM // 09:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by StormDragonZ

I've been using this for just about everything, including The Deep & Domain of Anguish, to name a few:

- Fragility
- Wandering Eye
- Shared Burden
- Power Drain
- Images of Remorse
- Necrosis (yes, a Necro skill)
- Cry of Pain
- Accumulated Pain

Feel free to express opinions about it.

IoR looks really out of place there. I'd replace it with Arcane Conumdrum personally.

bj91x · Aug 20, 2011, 10:28 PM // 22:28

One build I like to use on my Me is:

Frustration
Technobabble
Clumsiness
Wandering Eye

Basically, I cast Frustration on a target then use the appropriate spells. This build requires high energy regen/gain if you want to spam these spells. Lyssa's Aura is the easiest way to help with this.

Aviator The Hunter · Sep 15, 2011, 07:40 PM // 19:40

I would put Arcane Echo to spam spells.

Lanier · Sep 15, 2011, 10:33 PM // 22:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by LexTalionis

The strongest team build in the game (even in PvE) is the meta-build.

Meta refers to whatever is popular at a given time, not to whatever is best (which is completely situational anyway).

@ the OP: My paragon also has been using a pet dune lizard named Rex for like forever.