Upper Hand

Gain initiative when you dodge, and gain initiative and regeneration when you evade an attack. Evading can only trigger this trait once per interval. — In-game description

Upper Hand

Specialization

Acrobatics (trait list)

Tier

Grandmaster

Type

Major

Training cost

8 Hero points

Game link

API

API

“

2

4

Upper Hand

Gain initiative when you dodge, and gain initiative and regeneration when you evade an attack.
Evading can only trigger this trait once per interval.

 Initiative on Dodge: 1

 Initiative on Evade: 1

 Regen (6s): 780 Heal

 Interval: 2 seconds

— In-game description

Related skills

Weapon skills that are improved by this trait

•   Harrowing Storm — Axe
•   Orchestrated Assault — Axe
•   Death Blossom — Dagger
•   Flanking Strike — Sword
•   Pistol Whip — Sword
•   Disabling Shot — Short bow
•   Flanking Dive — Spear
•   Shattering Assault — Spear
•   Shadow Assault — Spear
•   Debilitating Arc — Staff
•   Vault — Staff

Bundle skills that are improved by this trait

•   Sohothin Blossom — Sohothin

Healing skills that are improved by this trait

•   Withdraw — Trick

Utility skills that are improved by this trait

•   Roll for Initiative — Trick

Elite skills that are improved by this trait

•   Dagger Storm — Trick
•   Impact Strike — Physical

Profession mechanic skills that are improved by this trait

•   Branch Leap — Stolen skill

Trait skills that are improved by this trait

•   Bound — Bounding Dodger
•   Dash — Unhindered Combatant
•   Impaling Lotus — Lotus Training

Related traits

Traits that improve this trait

Trickery

• Preparedness — Increases maximum initiative by 3. Gain increased expertise.

Deadeye

• Premeditation — Deal increased strike damage for each unique boon you have; concentration is increased.

Version history

For a detailed trait history, see here.

Patch	Changes
March 19, 2024	This trait now additionally restores initiative when you dodge.
June 27, 2023	Reduced internal cooldown from 5 seconds to 4 seconds in PvP and WvW.
March 27, 2018	Increased the cooldown from 3 seconds to 5 seconds in PvP and WvW.
February 22, 2017	The internal cooldown on this trait has been increased from 2 seconds to 3 seconds in PvP only.
January 26, 2016	This trait now grants regeneration for 6 seconds when the initiative regain occurs.
June 23, 2015	Specialization update: Upper Hand has been added to the game.