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Strikes · Elementalist build dossier

Catalyst
Condition DPS

Catalyst condition dps variation for Strikes, reviewed against current community recommendations and tuned for the mode's equipment, utility, and encounter priorities.

Difficulty MediumRating 5/5Mode Strikes
Catalyst archiveChoose a build variation15 total builds
Published Aug 08, 2026Reviewed August 8, 2026Strikes · August 2026 review balanceExpansion required End of Dragons
Community review layerCross-checked recommendationsHardstuckSnow Crows
  • Use the raid equipment baseline, then flex stability, projectile defense, or extra crowd control for the encounter.
  • Hold long cooldowns through forced movement and commit when the boss becomes targetable and stable.
Build difficultyMedium

Pros +

  • Strong combo-field utility
  • Good boon support
  • Flexible melee pressure
  • Viper equipment profile
  • Strikes ready

Cons −

  • Energy requires steady upkeep
  • Sphere placement controls value
  • Timing still affects performance
AttributesViper profile
Power1,507Toughness1,000Vitality1,996Precision1,452Critical Chance26.52%Ferocity0Critical Damage150%Condition Damage1,927Healing Power0Expertise823Concentration601Condition Duration40.06%

Loadout

Gear

Viper armor · Trapper runes · Bursting and Earth sigils. This loadout is arranged by equipment group so every stat, upgrade, and weapon set is easy to scan.

ArmorStat & upgrade
Helm armorViper's Helm+54 Power+54 Condition Damage+30 Precision+30 ExpertiseAscended · ArmorViper's Helm Superior Rune of the Trapper · 1/6Superior Rune of the Trapper(1): +25 Condition Damage(2): +5% Condition Duration(3): +50 Condition Damage(4): +10% Condition Duration(5): +100 Condition Damage(6): +125 Condition DamageExoticUpgrade ComponentElement: SkillDouble-click to apply to a piece of armor.Required Level: 60Account Bound2 silver · 16 copper
Shoulders armorViper's Shoulders+40 Power+40 Condition Damage+22 Precision+22 ExpertiseAscended · ArmorViper's Shoulders Superior Rune of the Trapper · 2/6Superior Rune of the Trapper(1): +25 Condition Damage(2): +5% Condition Duration(3): +50 Condition Damage(4): +10% Condition Duration(5): +100 Condition Damage(6): +125 Condition DamageExoticUpgrade ComponentElement: SkillDouble-click to apply to a piece of armor.Required Level: 60Account Bound2 silver · 16 copper
Coat armorViper's Coat+121 Power+121 Condition Damage+67 Precision+67 ExpertiseAscended · ArmorViper's Coat Superior Rune of the Trapper · 3/6Superior Rune of the Trapper(1): +25 Condition Damage(2): +5% Condition Duration(3): +50 Condition Damage(4): +10% Condition Duration(5): +100 Condition Damage(6): +125 Condition DamageExoticUpgrade ComponentElement: SkillDouble-click to apply to a piece of armor.Required Level: 60Account Bound2 silver · 16 copper
Gloves armorViper's Gloves+40 Power+40 Condition Damage+22 Precision+22 ExpertiseAscended · ArmorViper's Gloves Superior Rune of the Trapper · 4/6Superior Rune of the Trapper(1): +25 Condition Damage(2): +5% Condition Duration(3): +50 Condition Damage(4): +10% Condition Duration(5): +100 Condition Damage(6): +125 Condition DamageExoticUpgrade ComponentElement: SkillDouble-click to apply to a piece of armor.Required Level: 60Account Bound2 silver · 16 copper
Leggings armorViper's Leggings+81 Power+81 Condition Damage+44 Precision+44 ExpertiseAscended · ArmorViper's Leggings Superior Rune of the Trapper · 5/6Superior Rune of the Trapper(1): +25 Condition Damage(2): +5% Condition Duration(3): +50 Condition Damage(4): +10% Condition Duration(5): +100 Condition Damage(6): +125 Condition DamageExoticUpgrade ComponentElement: SkillDouble-click to apply to a piece of armor.Required Level: 60Account Bound2 silver · 16 copper
Boots armorViper's Boots+40 Power+40 Condition Damage+22 Precision+22 ExpertiseAscended · ArmorViper's Boots Superior Rune of the Trapper · 6/6Superior Rune of the Trapper(1): +25 Condition Damage(2): +5% Condition Duration(3): +50 Condition Damage(4): +10% Condition Duration(5): +100 Condition Damage(6): +125 Condition DamageExoticUpgrade ComponentElement: SkillDouble-click to apply to a piece of armor.Required Level: 60Account Bound2 silver · 16 copper
ItemStat
Viper's BackpieceViper's Backpiece+52 Power+52 Condition Damage+28 Precision+28 ExpertiseAd InfinitumAccount BoundAscended · BackpieceViper's Backpiece
Viper's AccessoryViper's Accessory+92 Power+92 Condition Damage+49 Precision+49 ExpertiseBlack Ice EarringAccount BoundAscended · AccessoryViper's Accessory
Viper's AccessoryViper's Accessory+92 Power+92 Condition Damage+49 Precision+49 ExpertiseSparking Petrified WoodAccount BoundAscended · AccessoryViper's Accessory
Viper's AmuletViper's Amulet+133 Power+133 Condition Damage+71 Precision+71 ExpertiseBlood Ruby PendantAccount BoundAscended · AmuletViper's Amulet
Viper's RingViper's Ring+106 Power+106 Condition Damage+56 Precision+56 ExpertiseBlack Ice BandAccount BoundAscended · RingViper's Ring
Viper's RingViper's Ring+106 Power+106 Condition Damage+56 Precision+56 ExpertiseBlood Ruby BandAccount BoundAscended · RingViper's Ring
Relic of the FractalRelic of the FractalApplying enough bleeding stacks inflicts additional damaging conditions.ExoticRelicType: Combat relicRequired Level: 60Account BoundRelic of the Fractal Relic
Weapons & extrasSelection
Primary weapon set
PistolViper's Pistol+105 Power+105 Condition Damage+56 Precision+56 ExpertiseAscended · Main Hand WeaponViper's Pistol Main Hand Superior Sigil of BurstingSuperior Sigil of Bursting+5% Condition DamageExoticUpgrade ComponentElement: EnhancementDouble-click to apply to a weapon.Required Level: 60Account Bound2 silver · 16 copper
DaggerViper's Dagger+105 Power+105 Condition Damage+56 Precision+56 ExpertiseAscended · Off Hand WeaponViper's Dagger Off Hand Superior Sigil of EarthSuperior Sigil of EarthInflict bleeding for 6 seconds upon critically hitting a foe.Cooldown: 2 secondsExoticUpgrade ComponentElement: PainDouble-click to apply to a weapon.Required Level: 60Account Bound2 silver · 16 copper
Secondary weapon set
ScepterViper's Scepter+105 Power+105 Condition Damage+56 Precision+56 ExpertiseAscended · Main Hand WeaponViper's Scepter Main Hand Superior Sigil of BurstingSuperior Sigil of Bursting+5% Condition DamageExoticUpgrade ComponentElement: EnhancementDouble-click to apply to a weapon.Required Level: 60Account Bound2 silver · 16 copper
WarhornViper's Warhorn+105 Power+105 Condition Damage+56 Precision+56 ExpertiseAscended · Off Hand WeaponViper's Warhorn Off Hand Superior Sigil of EarthSuperior Sigil of EarthInflict bleeding for 6 seconds upon critically hitting a foe.Cooldown: 2 secondsExoticUpgrade ComponentElement: PainDouble-click to apply to a weapon.Required Level: 60Account Bound2 silver · 16 copper
Other items
Agony infusionMalign +9 Agony Infusion+5 Condition Damage · +9 Agony ResistanceEquipped quantity: 18AscendedUpgrade ComponentType: InfusionRequired Level: 80Account BoundInfusions ×18Malign +9 Agony Infusion
Salsa-Topped Veggie FlatbreadSalsa-Topped Veggie Flatbread+100 Expertise+70 Condition Damage66% chance to steal life on critical hitAscendedConsumableType: Food · NourishmentRequired Level: 80Account BoundFoodSalsa-Topped Veggie Flatbread
Master Tuning CrystalMaster Tuning CrystalGain Condition Damage equal to 3% of PrecisionGain Condition Damage equal to 8% of ExpertiseAscendedConsumableType: Utility · EnhancementRequired Level: 80Account BoundUtilityMaster Tuning Crystal
Jade Bot CoreJade Bot Core: Tier 10+235 VitalityPower your jade bot and increase your character's vitality.ExoticJade Bot CoreType: Tier 10Required Level: 80Account BoundJade Bot CoreTier 10 · +235 Vitality

Combat configuration

Traits & Skills

Loading Fire traits…
Loading Earth traits…
Loading Catalyst traits…

Skill bar

Recommended setupStrikes · Condition DPS

Skill notes

Encounter setup

Use Elemental Celerity after the condition stack is established, then place Catalyst skill 6 inside the longest safe damage window. Keep Jade Sphere for recovery.

Hover the skill icons for complete Guild Wars 2 effect details.

Selected skill reference

  • Jade SphereHeal
  • Elemental CelerityUtility
  • Arcane ShieldUtility
  • Catalyst skill 4Utility
  • Catalyst skill 5Utility
  • Catalyst skill 6Elite

Combat execution

Rotation & Field Notes

Priority systemRepeatable combat loopStrikes
Weapon planAPistol + DaggerBScepter + Warhorn
  1. 01SetupSet up before movement

    Build energy with your weapon sequence, then place Jade Sphere where the group or target will remain for its full duration.

    Jade SphereElemental CelerityArcane Shield
    Watch for forced movement
  2. 02CommitCommit on the stable target

    Spend energy on the sphere that covers the current damage, boon, or defensive requirement—not simply the first one available.

    Elemental CelerityArcane ShieldCatalyst skill 4
    Commit only on a stable boss
  3. 03ResetSave value through mechanics

    Reserve one control or defensive response for mechanics after the main burst.

    Arcane ShieldCatalyst skill 4Catalyst skill 5
    Keep an answer for pressure
Return to step one when the main profession resource and weapon sequence are ready.