GW2 Elementalist - Traits

[Gorani]

This is the place you need to come to, for every information you need to know about "Traits" of the Elementalist in Guild Wars 2. Since this thread as gone bigger than expected, the following list will help you navigate through the fist chapters.

Table of Contents

1. The Fire Magic trait line (List of Traits & assessment of usage)

2. The Water Magic trait line (List of Traits & assessment of usage)

3. The Air Magic trait line (List of Traits & assessment of usage)

4. The Earth Magic trait line (List of Traits & assessment of usage)

5. The Arcane Power trait line (List of Traits & assessment of usage)

6. Pros/Cons of specializing in high Fire Magic

7. Pros/Cons of specializing in high Water Magic

8. Pros/Cons of specializing in high Air Magic

9. Pros/Cons of specializing in high Earth Magic

10. Pros/Cons of specializing in high Arcane Power

11. Examples of specializing on both ends of the spectrum

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[Gorani]

The Fire Magic trait line

Passive effects: +10 Power, +1 Expertise for each trait point invested in Fire Magic. At 5, 15 and 25 invested trait points, you will unlock the "Minor Adept", "Minor Master" and "Minor Grandmaster" traits. Those are fixed traits in the trait progression. The Major traits can be unlocked and used at 10 (T1 traits), 20 (T2 traits) and 30 points (T3 traits). You can slot in any Major trait, which is known to you within the limits of the tiers (T1 to T3). There are six tier 1 traits (I-VI), four tier 2 traits (VII-X) and two tier 3 traits (XI & XII). No trait can be slotted twice.
Traits marked with this icon () have limited or no benefit under water.

Trait Line	Type	Icon	Trait name	Description
Fire T1	Minor Adept		Flame Barrier	20% to cause burning when ever a foe attacks you in melee. Only triggers when attuned to fire. Benefit: Fire Magic
Fire T2	Minor Master		Sunspot	Inflict damage at your location when you attune to fire. Benefit: Swapping often
Fire T3	Minor Grand- master		Burning Rage	Deal 5% more damage to burning foes. Benefit: Fire Magic

Trait Line	Type	Icon	Trait name	Description
Fire T1	Major II		Burning Fire	Cleansing Fire, Signet of Fire, and Conjure Flame, and Conjure Fiery Greatsword gain 3s of burning. Benefit: Fire Magic based Slot Skills
Fire T1	Major V		Burning Precision	30% chance to cause burning each time you crit Benefit: Augments high Air Magic
Fire T2	Major VIII		Conjurer	Conjured weapons have 10 more charges. Benefit: Conjured Weapons
Fire T1	Major III		Ember's Might	Gain might for 30 seconds when ever you are set on fire. Benefit: Arcane Power might increase boon duration
Fire T2	Major IX		Fire's Embrace	When you active a signet you gain a fiery aura for 3 seconds. Benefit: Signet skills
Fire T1	Major VI		Internal Fire	Deal 10% more damage while attuned to Fire. Benefit: NOT swapping out of Fire Attunement
Fire T1	Major I		Lava Tomb	Create a Lava Font when downed. (can trigger every 30 seconds) Benefit: Always active
Fire T2	Major X		One with Fire	Flame Barrier's chance to Burn foes goes up the longer you are attuned to fire. Benefit: NOT swapping out of Fire Attunement
Fire T3	Major XI		Persisting Flames	Fire fields last 30% longer. Benefit: Fire Magic
Fire T2	Major VIII		Pyromancer's Alacrity	All your fire weapon skills recharge 20% faster. Benefit: Fire Magic weapon skills
Fire T3	Major XII		Pyromancer's Puissance	Each fire spell you cast adds might for 10 sec. Benefit: Arcane Power will increase boon duration
Fire T1	Major IV		Spell Slinger	Cantrips grant you 3 stacks of Might when used. Benefit: Cantrips

[Gorani]

Water Magic trait line

Passive effects: +10 Vitality, +10 Compassion for each trait point invested in Water Magic. At 5, 15 and 25 invested trait points, you will unlock the "Minor Adept", "Minor Master" and "Minor Grandmaster" traits. Those are fixed traits in the trait progression. The Major traits can be unlocked and used at 10 (T1 traits), 20 (T2 traits) and 30 points (T3 traits). You can slot in any Major trait, which is known to you within the limits of the tiers (T1 to T3). There are six tier 1 traits (I-VI), four tier 2 traits (VII-X) and two tier 3 traits (XI & XII). No trait can be slotted twice.
Traits marked with this icon () have limited or no benefit under water.

Trait Line	Type	Icon	Trait name	Description
Water T1	Minor Adept		Soothing Mist	Regenerate health while attuned to water. Benefit: Water Magic
Water T2	Minor Master		Healing Ripple	Heal nearby allies when attuning to water. Benefit: Swapping often
Water T3	Minor Grand- master		Bountiful Power	Deal +2% damage per boon on you. Benefit: Always active, Arcane Power

Trait Line	Type	Icon	Trait name	Description
Water T1	Major I		Aquamancer's Alacrity	All your water weapon skills recharge 20% faster. Benefit: Water Magic
Water T2	Major IX		Cantrip Master	Cantrips recharge 20% faster. Benefit: Cantrip Slot skills
Water T3	Major XI		Cleansing Water	Removing a condition when granting Regeneration to yourself or an ally. Benefit: Always active, Water Magic skills
Water T1	Major V		Cleansing Wave (trait)	Remove a condition from you and your allies when attuning to water. Benefit: Swapping often
Water T2	Major VIII		Arcane Abatement	Take 50% less damage from falling. Create a spell when you take falling damage, based on your attunement. Fire: Ring of Fire Water: Healing Wave Air: Static Field Earth: Earthquake Benefit: Always active
Water T1	Major IV		Piercing Shards	While in water attunement, your spells deal 20% more damage to vulnerable foes. Benefit: Water Magic
Water T3	Major XII		Powerful Aura	Auras apply to nearby allies. Benefit: Always active
Water T1	Major II		Shard of Ice	Arcane and Signet skills cause vulnerability when activated. Benefit: Some Slot Skills
Water T1	Major III		Soothing Distruption	Cantrips grant you vigor and regeneration. (Duration 6 sec) Benefit: Slot skills, Arcane Power will increase boon duration
Water T2	Major X		Soothing Wave	Mist Form and Signet of Water grant +6 seconds of regeneration. Damage and inflict chill and vulnerability to nearby foes while in mist or vapor form. Benefit: Slot skills
Water T2	Major VII		Stop Drop and Roll	Dodge rolling removes the Burning and Chill conditions. Benefit: Always active
Earth T1	Major VI		Vital Striking	Deal extra damage when health is above 90%. Benefit: Always active

[Gorani]

Air Magic trait line

Passive effects: +10 Precision, +1 Prowess for each trait point invested in Air Magic. At 5, 15 and 25 invested trait points, you will unlock the "Minor Adept", "Minor Master" and "Minor Grandmaster" traits. Those are fixed traits in the trait progression. The Major traits can be unlocked and used at 10 (T1 traits), 20 (T2 traits) and 30 points (T3 traits). You can slot in any Major trait, which is known to you within the limits of the tiers (T1 to T3). There are six tier 1 traits (I-VI), four tier 2 traits (VII-X) and two tier 3 traits (XI & XII). No trait can be slotted twice.
Traits marked with this icon () have limited or no benefit under water.

Trait Line	Type	Icon	Trait name	Description
Air T1	Minor Adept		Zephyr's Speed	Move 10% faster while attuned to air. Benefit: Air Magic
Air T2	Minor Master		Electric Discharge	Strike your foe with bolt of lightning when attuning to air. Benefit: Swapping often
Air T3	Minor Grand- master		Weak Spot	60% chance to cause Vulnerability on critical hits Benefit: Air Magic

Trait Line	Type	Icon	Trait name	Description
Air T2	Major IX		Aeromancer's Alacrity	All your air weapon skills recharge 20% faster. Benefit: Air Magic
Air T2	Major X		Air Training	Deal +10% damage when attuned to air. Cross-trait-benefit: Air Magic, NOT swapping out
Air T2	Major VII		Arcane Lightning	Gain 3% more critical hit for 10 seconds when using an Arcane skill. Benefit: Arcane Slot Skills
Air T1	Major VI		Bolt to the Heart	Deal +20% damage to a foe with less than 33% health. Benefit: Always active
Air T3	Major XII		Grounded	+20% damage to stunned or knocked down foes. Benefit: Air & Earth Magic which can cause the effect
Air T2	Major VIII		Inscription	Grant a boon associated with your current attunement when you cast a glyph. Benefit: Glyph Slot Skills, Arcane Power will increase boon duration
Air T1	Major IV		One with Air	You move faster the longer you’re in attuned to air. Benefit: Air Magic, NOT Swapping often
Air T1	Major III		Quick Glyphs	Glyphs recharge 20% faster Benefit: Glyph Slot Skills
Air T1	Major V		Soothing Winds	5% of your precision is converted to healing. Benefit: Water Magic skills & high Air Magic trait points
Air T3	Major XI		Tempest Defense	Surround yourself with a Shocking Aura when disabled (fear, stun, daze, knockback, knockdown, launch, float, sink.) This effect can only trigger once every 90 seconds. Benefit: Always active
Air T1	Major I		Zephyr's Boon	Auras grant swiftness and fury when applied. Benefit: Always active, Arcane Power will increase boon duration
Air T1	Major II		Zephyr’s Focus	Your endurance regenerates 100% faster while channeling skills. Benefit: Always active

[Gorani]

Earth Magic trait line

Passive effects: +10 Toughness, +10 Malice for each trait point invested in Earth Magic. At 5, 15 and 25 invested trait points, you will unlock the "Minor Adept", "Minor Master" and "Minor Grandmaster" traits. Those are fixed traits in the trait progression. The Major traits can be unlocked and used at 10 (T1 traits), 20 (T2 traits) and 30 points (T3 traits). You can slot in any Major trait, which is known to you within the limits of the tiers (T1 to T3). There are six tier 1 traits (I-VI), four tier 2 traits (VII-X) and two tier 3 traits (XI & XII). No trait can be slotted twice.
Traits marked with this icon () have limited or no benefit under water.

Trait Line	Type	Icon	Trait name	Description
Earth T1	Minor Adept		Stone Flesh	Gain 1 Toughness per level when attuned to Earth. Benefit: Earth Magic
Earth T2	Minor Master		Earthen Blast	Damage and cripple nearby foes when attuning to earth. Benefit: Swapping often
Earth T3	Minor Grand- master		Enduring Damage	Deal +10% damage when your endurance is full. Benefit: Always active

Trait Line	Type	Icon	Trait name	Description
Earth T1	Major III		Earth's Embrace	Gain Armor of Earth when health reaches 50% (90sec cool down). Benefit: Always active
Earth T2	Major VIII		Elemental Shielding	Gain 3 sec of protection when applying an aura to an ally or yourself. Benefit: Always active, Arcane Power will increase boon duration
Earth T2	Major X		Geomancer's Alacrity	All your earth weapon skills recharge 20% faster. Benefit: Earth Magic
Earth T2	Major IX		Geomancer's Freedom	Reduces the duration on incoming Cripple, Immobilized and Chill by 33% Benefit: Always active
Earth T1	Major I		Obsidian Focus	Gain Toughness while using a channeled skill. Benefit: Always active
Earth T3	Major XI		Rock's Fortitude	Grants 2 sec of stability to nearby allies when attuning to earth. Benefit: Swapping often
Earth T1	Major IV		Salt Stone	Deal +5% more damage to bleeding foes. Benefit: Earth Magic
Earth T1	Major V		Serrated Stones	Bleeds you apply last 20% longer. Benefit: Earth Magic
Earth T1	Major II		Signet Mastery	Signets recharge 20% faster. Benefit: Signet Slot skills
Earth T1	Major VI		Stone Splinters	Deal 5% more damage when within extended melee range of your target. (600 units) Benefit: Always active, Main Hand Dagger skills
Earth T2	Major VII		Strength in Stone	Deal 10% more damage while attuned to earth. Benefit: Earth Magic, NOT swapping out
Earth T3	Major XII		Written in Stone	Maintain the passive effects of signets when you activate them. Benefit: Signet Slot skills

[Gorani]

Arcana trait line

Passive effects: +1 Concentration, +2 Intelligence for each trait point invested in Arcane Power. At 5, 15 and 25 invested trait points, you will unlock the "Minor Adept", "Minor Master" and "Minor Grandmaster" traits. Those are fixed traits in the trait progression. The Major traits can be unlocked and used at 10 (T1 traits), 20 (T2 traits) and 30 points (T3 traits). You can slot in any Major trait, which is known to you within the limits of the tiers (T1 to T3). There are six tier 1 traits (I-VI), four tier 2 traits (VII-X) and two tier 3 traits (XI & XII). No trait can be slotted twice.
Traits marked with this icon () have limited or no benefit under water.

Trait Line	Type	Icon	Trait name	Description
Water T1	Minor Adept		Lingering Elements	Attunement bonuses linger for 5 seconds. Benefit: Always active, Swapping often
Water T2	Minor Master		Arcane Fury	Grant yourself Fury on attunement. Benefit: Swapping often, Arcane Power will increase duration of boon
Water T3	Minor Grand- master		Arcane Precision	Skills have chance to apply a condition on critical hit. Benefit: Always active, Air Magic

Trait Line	Type	Icon	Trait name	Description
Arcana T2	Major X		Arcane Energy	Your arcane and signets skills restore 25% endurance when used. Benefit: Some Slot Skills
Arcana T1	Major I		Arcane Mastery	Arcane skills recharge 20% faster. Benefit: Arcane Slot Skills
Arcana T1	Major II		Arcane Resurrection	When you resurrect an ally (10% faster) you and resurrected ally gain an aura based on your attunement. (5 sec) Benefit: Always active
Arcana T1	Major III		Arcane Retribution	Gain Arcane Power at 75% health. Benefit: Always active
Arcana T2	Major VIII		Blasting Staff	Area attacks with staff are larger. Benefit: Always, Staff weapon
Arcana T1	Major V		Elemental Attunement	You and your allies gain might when attuning to fire, swiftness when attuning to air, protection when attuning to earth, regeneration when attuning to water. Benefit: Swapping often
Arcana T3	Major XII		Elemental Surge	Arcane Spells cause burning 5s if you're attuned to fire, blindness 5s if you're attuned to air, immobilized 1s if you're attuned to Earth, and chill 3s if you're attuned to water. Benefit: Arcane Slot Skills
Arcana T3 ?	Major XI		Evasive Arcana	Create an attunement based spell on dodge. (Flame Burst, Cleansing Wave, Blinding Flash & Churning Earth; can only used in combat & trigger only every 10 seconds) Benefit: Always active
T1	Major IV		Final Shielding	Create an Arcane Shield when health reaches 25%. Benefit: Always active
Arcana T1	Major VI		Renewing Stamina	You have 100% chance to gain vigor on a critical hits. (Cooldown 5 sec) Benefit: Air Magic, Arcane Power will increase boon duration
Arcana T2	Major VII		Vigorous Scepter	Endurance recharges faster while wielding a scepter. Benefit: Always active, Scepter weapon
Arcana T2	Major IX		Windborne Dagger	Move 15% faster while wielding a dagger. Benefit: Always, Dagger weapon

[Gorani]

Trait tier table for all five trait lines

		Tier 1 / Adept	Tier 2 / Master	Tier 3 / Grand Master
	Fire Magic	Lava Tomb - Burning Fire Ember's Might - Spell Slinger Burning Precision - Internal Fire	Conjurer - Pyromancer's Alacrity Fire's Embrace - One with Fire	Persisting Flames Pyromancer's Puissance
	Water Magic	Cleansing Water - Shard of Ice Soothing Distruption - Piercing Shards Cleansing Wave (trait) - Vital Striking	Aquamancer's Alacrity - Arcane Abatement - Cantrip Master - Soothing Wave	Stop Drop and Roll Powerful Aura
	Air Magic	Zephyr's Boon - Zephyr’s Focus Quick Glyphs - One with Air Soothing Winds - Bolt to the Heart	Arcane Lightning - Inscription Aeromancer's Alacrity - Air Training	Tempest Defense Grounded
	Earth Magic	Obsidian Focus - Signet Mastery Earth's Embrace - Salt Stone Serrated Stones - Stone Splinters	Strength in Stone - Elemental Shielding Geomancer's Freedom - Geomancer's Alacrity	Rock's Fortitude Written in Stone
	Arcana	Arcane Mastery - Arcane Resurrection Arcane Retribution - Final Shielding Elemental Attunement - Renewing Stamina	Vigorous Scepter - Blasting Staff Windborne Dagger - Arcane Energy	Evasive Arcana Elemental Surge

[Gorani]

The Grandmaster of Fire

A grandmaster Elementalists of Fire has put a minimum of 25 trait points (30 to gain the third Major Trait slot) into this trait line. Therefore he has access to all the minor traits: Fiery Aura, Sunspot and Burning Rage. He also has a very high base damage output (even when attuned to other elements), as his ratings in Power have raised the attribute by 250 (300) points. The conditions he is dealing last for a long time, 25% (30%) longer than without a specialization due to the points in Expertise. From the list of Major Traits, he can select two Tier 2 traits fitting his play style or even one Tier 3 trait. Getting the traits Persisting Flames and Pyromancer's Puissance requires the Elementalist to max out Fire Magic with 30 points.

Why put so many points in Fire Magic?
The benefit to other elemental lines is the raw damage output, which should be utilized by taking and using skills that concentrate on active damage and high availability (low recharge times) for constant damage output and less on skills that offer utility effects or fixed benefits like passive Signets. If you want to use three traits (or a Tier 3 trait) from the Fire Magic trait line for your build, you don't have a choice - you need to invest the maximum number of points here.

The Master of Fire

A master Elementalists of Fire has put a minimum of 15 trait points (20 to gain the second Major Trait slot) into this trait line. Therefore he has access to two the minor traits: Fiery Aura and Sunspot. He still has a fairly high base damage output, as his ratings in Power have raised the attribute by 150 (200) points. The conditions he is dealing last for an increased period of time, 15% (20%) longer than without adding points in Expertise. Form the list of Major traits, he can select one (two) traits fitting his play style, even one Tier 2 trait, if you invest 20 points.

Why put that amount of points in Fire Magic?
The benefit to other elemental lines is a decent raw damage output, which should be utilized by taking and using skills that concentrate on active damage and high availability. Adding more utility and fixed benefit effect skills does not have such a big impact than being a Grandmaster of Fire. Players choosing this path will very likely swap attunements regularly and should chose their trait(s) to augment their personal play style and skill bar specialities, like conjured weapons.

The Adept of Fire

An adept Elementalists of Fire has put either 5 trait or 10 trait points into this line (10 to gain one Tier 1 Major Trait slot). Therefore he has access to just one minor trait: Fiery Aura.

Why put so few points in Fire Magic?
If you chose to keep your Elementalist on an adept level, you will hardly notice anything special, both from the impact on the attribute and on the trait benefit side. Players allocating points to gain two Grandmaster levels can put points in very few other lines, so they will not exceed the Adept level in those. Specialization comes at a price. A player going the "Arcane Swapper" way, relying heavily on multiple swaps & boons, will stay on an Adept level within most/all his Magic lines.

[Gorani]

The Grandmaster of Water

A grandmaster Elementalists of Water has put a minimum of 25 trait points (30 to gain the third Major Trait slot) into this trait line. Therefore he has access to all the minor traits: Soothing Mist, Healing Ripple and Bountiful Power. He also has a bonus to his health rating compared to others, as his ratings in Vitality have raised the attribute by 250 (300) points. How much a benefit this really is needs to be put in perspective to the total amount of health. The increased healing is also higher than without a specialization due to the points in Compassion. From the list of Major Traits, he can select two Tier 2 traits fitting his play style or even one Tier 3 trait. Getting the traits Powerful Aura and Stop Drop and Roll requires the Elementalist to max out Water Magic with 30 points.

Why put so many points in Water Magic?
The benefit to other elemental lines is the higher health pool, which makes the Elementalist not so easy to spike, when his health is at maximum. The increase to heals of course help with the self heal ability, but is most useful when sticking to the Water Magic line, which offers the most additional heals to allies as well. Grandmasters of Water clearly focus on support, although traits allow to branch out of that category again (e.g. by taking the "Piercing Shards" trait, which buffs damage from Water spells significantly). If you want to use three traits (or a Tier 3 trait) from the Water Magic trait line for your build (e.g. for focusing both on damage and support), you don't have a choice - you need to invest the maximum number of points here.

The Master of Water

A master Elementalists of Water has put a minimum of 15 trait points (20 to gain the second Major Trait slot) into this trait line. Therefore he has access to two minor traits: Soothing Mist and Healing Ripple. He still has a small bonus to his total health rating compared to others, as his ratings in Vitality have raised the attribute by 150 (200) points. Comparison to the base health of the Elementalist is needed to evaluate this boost. The increased healing is slightly better than without the points in Compassion. Form the list of Major traits, he can select one (two) traits fitting his play style, even one Tier 2 trait, if you invest 20 points.

Why put that amount of points in Water Magic?
The benefit to other elemental lines is the slightly higher health pool, which makes the Elementalist not so easy to spike, but probably only when his health is at its maximum. The increase to heals will help support orientated players who will often swap to Water Magic for group support, but a trait like Vital Striking will help damage dealers as well. Players choosing this path will very likely swap attunements regularly and should chose their trait(s) to augment their personal play style and skill bar specialities, like Cantrips.

The Adept of Water

An adept Elementalists of Water has put either 5 trait or 10 trait points into this line (10 to gain one Tier 1 Major Trait slot). Therefore he has access to just one minor trait: Soothing Mist.

Why put so few points in Water Magic?
If you chose to keep your Elementalist on an adept level, you will hardly notice anything special, both from the impact on the attribute and on the trait benefit side. Players allocating points to gain two Grandmaster levels can put points in very few other lines, so they will not exceed the Adept level in those. As the minor trait offers a small health regeneration, putting leftover points into Water to become an Adept is a good way to fall back and gather new strength for another attack. It also provides a small countermeasure against degeneration conditions. A player going the "Arcane Swapper" way, relying heavily on multiple swaps & boons, will stay on an Adept level within most/all his Magic lines.

[Gorani]

The Grandmaster of Air

A grandmaster Elementalists of Air has put a minimum of 25 trait points (30 to gain the third Major Trait slot) into this trait line. Therefore he has access to all the minor traits: Zephyr's Speed, Electric Discharge and Weak Spot. He also has a very high chance to inflict critical hits compared to others, as his ratings in Precision have raised the attribute by 250 (300) points. The damage modifier for critical hits is also much higher than without a specialization due to the points in Prowess. From the list of Major Traits, he can select two Tier 2 traits fitting his play style or even one Tier 3 trait. Getting the traits Tempest Defense and Grounded requires the Elementalist to max out Air Magic with 30 points.

Why put so many points in Air Magic?
The benefit to other elemental lines is the increased chance to do critical damage, which should be utilized by taking and using skills that concentrate on critical damage anyway and high availability for repeated chances to score and less on skills that offer utility effects or fixed benefits like passive Signets. Every chance to "spike" a foe should be used. If you want to use three traits (or a Tier 3 trait) from the Air Magic trait line for your build, you don't have a choice - you need to invest the maximum number of points here.

The Master of Air

A master Elementalists of Air has put a minimum of 15 trait points (20 to gain the second Major Trait slot) into this trait line. Therefore he has access to two the minor traits: Zephyr's Speed and Electric Discharge. He still has a fairly high chance to inflict critical damage, as his ratings in Precision have raised the attribute by 150 (200) points. The damage dealt with critical hits compared to others is still larger than without adding points to Prowess. Form the list of Major traits, he can select one (two) traits fitting his play style.

Why put that amount of points in Air Magic?
The benefit to other elemental lines is a decent chance to inflict critical damage, which should be utilized by taking and using skills that concentrate on critical damage anyway and high availability for repeated chances to score. Every chance to "spike" a foe should be used. Adding more utility and fixed benefit effect skills does not have such a big impact than being a Master of Air. Players choosing this path will very likely swap attunements regularly and should chose their trait(s) to augment their personal play style and skill bar specialities, like multiple Glyph skills.

The Adept of Air

An adept Elementalists of Air has put either 5 trait or 10 trait points into this line (10 to gain one Tier 1 Major Trait slot). Therefore he has access to just one minor trait: Zephyr's Speed.

Why put so few points in Air Magic?
If you chose to keep your Elementalist on an adept level, you will hardly notice anything special, both from the impact on the attribute and on the trait benefit side. Players allocating points to gain two Grandmaster levels can put points in very few other lines, so they will not exceed the Adept level in those. A player going the "Arcane Swapper" way, relying heavily on multiple swaps & boons, will stay on an Adept level within most/all his Magic lines. As the minor trait offers a speed boost, putting leftover points into Air to become an Adept is great for travelling around in PvE and perhaps on low threat areas in WvW.