Note before using
We hope this guide will be useful to you. But 2023 is a year of class changes. Currently use this guide as a start point for your level 140 journey.
Last update: April 2023 U35
Class update status: Unknown, but before U37. Expected small changes
If you have any other questions or are looking for a place to chat, feel free to join our discord server!
Burglar - blue
Introduction
**
Other information sources available
Old guide, last updated for U33 – https://lotrohq.com/blue-burglar/
Stat Goals
These goals are kept with Essence & Gear planning in mind, as to which Essences are to be prioritized over others. These goals can also be used when picking Virtues.
Critical Rating > Physical Mastery > Tactical Mitigation > Vitality
After Critical Rating and Physical Mastery are capped or near capped, save some room for Class & Trigger essences, and then Tactical Mitigation essences can be used. At the beginning of expansion, Essence slots are really limited, this gets easier as better items become available later down the line.
Trait Trees
Early raid build for U35 provided by Gwyns Discord –https://discord.gg/hAZcHspM35
For more single target dps trait Focused Strikes in red
Virtues
Virtues for Blue-Line
Here are the Virtues which go along with the Stat Goals:
Determination (Great for Mastery and Critical Rating)
Valour (Great for Mastery, Finesse and Critical Rating)
Confidence (Great for Critical Rating and Finesse)
Wit (Great for Finesse, Mastery and Critical Rating)
Loyalty (Great for Vitality and survival)
If you need extra Survivability, swap Wit with Fidelity
If you don’t have these virtues, here are some alternatives:
Fidelity (Great for Vitality + Tactical Mit)
Tolerance (Gives great amount of Tactical Mit, decent Physical Mit and Resistance)
Innocence (Gives great amount of Physical Mit, decent Tactical Mit Mit and Resistance)
Legendary Items
Burglar legendary weapons. Priority upgrades viewable in video. Produced by Gwyn.
One all purpose weapon + class specifc tool
Rotations - outdated
Rotation:
Stab, GA, Provoke (or aim, not both), FB, DES, Addle, Stab, then Pick a combo (ET+SS, ET+CA, SS+GS, CA+GS, SS+CA, ET+GS)
You want to make sure and use Expose at least every-other time through to keep up the bleed, preferably more like 75% of the time. ET is quick so if you use one of the other 3 skills+ ET you can keep up your speed to maximize FB/DES. You also want to use CA every-other time through to maximize bleed time. You can occasionally use it in back-to-back rotations when you get a situation where SS is on CD and you have a 5 or 6 bleed gamble up you don’t want to risk replacing. .
You don’t want to spend too many attempts trying to get a perfect roll so 4+ is usually fine. It can be tempting to really chase a 6 when all-in is running for that hefty bleed but don’t fall into that trap. Remember that the vast majority of your damage comes from FB/DES. Losing out on just 1 of those because you spent a bunch of time trying for a good bleed will be a nasty hit to dps that even a 6 bleed may not make up for. A tier-up on gamble bleed equates to roughly 80k dmg over the course of 30 seconds.
If you tier up from a 2 to a 5 for instance you will earn an extra 240k in total dmg if you leave the dot up until expiration. If however you are at 4 and roll a 1 you will lose about 40k dmg each tick until you can try again.
It’s a… gamble. Since the front of the rotation is essentially brainless and always the same I want to focus on optimal choices for the back of the rotation. Each time through you will be making a decision based on the following questions…
1. Is ET up for 5 more seconds?
2. Is CA up for 5 more seconds?
3. Is SS available?
4. Is GS gamble below 4 or about to expire?
Possible combos… (ET+SS, ET+CA, SS+GS, CA+GS, SS+CA, ET+GS)
There are quite a few scenarios and I haven’t figured out how best to sum it up but here are a few (not all) examples based on a realistic battle flow.
ET bleed is expired, CA bleed is still up for a few seconds, SS is available, GS bleed is a 4.= Use ET+SS
ET bleed is active, CA bleed is expired, SS is on CD, GS bleed is nearly expired= Use CA+GS
ET bleed is expired, CA bleed is ok, SS is available, GS bleed is 2.= ET+SS
ET bleed active, CA bleed expired, SS on CD, GS bleed still 2= CA+ GS
ET bleed expired, CA bleed ok, SS available, GS bleed 5= ET+SS
There are numerous combinations of possibilities so you need to know your priorities. (Pick your highest 2)
1. ET if bleed is down
2. GS if bleed is down
3. Surprise Strike
4. CA if bleed is down
5. GS if bleed is a 1 or 2
6. ET if bleed is up
7. CA if bleed is up
This requires some practice and quick decision making to reach peak optimization. There is an easier alternative but the DPS ceiling with it is lower. Use the following static rotation for the easier method.
Open: All In, Stealth, Aim, DeS, stab, Expose, GS then alternate 1 and 2 below.
1. Stab, GA, Provoke, FB, DeS, Addle, stab, ET, Cunning/surprise/GS-pick 1
2. Stab, GA, Aim, FB, DeS, stab, ET, CA/SS/GS-pick 1
Consumables
Information regarding consumables, why, which types, differences, etc.