Guild Wars 2

Hey there, since the specialization change is coming, that means mesmers with unique trait distribution will be limited and force to pick a whole specialization line instead of just the Adept trait.

I’m suggesting switching places of two traits that would make sense to do so.

Empowered Illusion (Domination)
Illusion Deals 15% more damage. This trait seems like a phantasm focused trait more than shatter trait.

Compounding Power (Illusion)
Gain increased damage with each illusions by 3%, this trait seems more like for shatter build mesmers since the damage boost do not work on phantasms.

Now for a phantasm mesmer, we would usually want ‘Phantasmal Haste’ trait from Illusion line and ‘Empowered Illusion’ from Domination line, that means we are forced to pick both tree lines and leaving only 1 tree for us to choose. That really limits the build diversity.

If both traits were to switch places, a phantasm mesmer can choose not to pursue the Domination trait line since it would not help them too much, especially when they don’t use Greatsword and uses Sword Pistol and Sword Focus.

Likewise, a shatter mesmer build would benefit from Compounding Power on Domination tree without picking the Illusion tree now since Illusionary Persona is now a baseline and they don’t have to pick Illusion tree for it anymore.

So discuss? Would the switching be devastating to some other builds out there that only takes one of the two? I’d imagine builds that takes both Domination and Illusion tree would not be affected at all.

Currently I’m probably one of the few odd ones that has taken Empowered Illusion, along with the Greatsword trait for its notable recharge and power capabilities.

I’m one of those weird oddballs that runs a Mantra Phantasm build though.

Talonblaze.3175:

Currently I’m probably one of the few odd ones that has taken Empowered Illusion, along with the Greatsword trait for its notable recharge and power capabilities.

I’m one of those weird oddballs that runs a Mantra Phantasm build though.

Do you get Phantasm Haste then? If you do then the swap should not affect you.

But then again you are free to pick both the Domination and Illusion line when you prefer greatswords, the change is for those builds that don’t use greatswords.

And I do run mantra phantasm build too, so I’d like to pick Dueling, Inspiration and Illusion treeline instead of sacrificing one of them for Domination.

Kulf.4617:

Do you get Phantasm Haste then? If you do then the swap should not affect you.

But then again you are free to pick both the Domination and Illusion line when you prefer greatswords, the change is for those builds that don’t use greatswords.

I don’t. Haven’t touched the illusions tree. Currently I’d be using with the new setup, if everything stays as is;
Empowered Illusions, Furious Interruption, Greatsword Training
Duelist’s Discipline, Blade Training, Harmonious Mantras
Mender’s Purity, Restorative illusions, Shattered conditions

Should give you a semi-idea from that.

Interesting, I just posted a similar suggestion in the mesmer subforum XD

Lishtenbird.2814:

Empowered Illusions is totally out of place in the Domination line.

Please consider moving it to Illusions or Inspiration lines.

• Can be merged with Illusionary Inspiration in Inspiration. It’s fine since you either shatter and get shatter buffs, or do not shatter and get the phantasm buff. It may even be something like “Illusions deal more damage while Mind Wrack is not on CD” to separate the playstyles.
• Can be merged with Compounding Power – damage modifiers for both sides, mesmer and illsuions. You might say “OP”, but really, how OP are phantasm builds now? =_=
• Can be merged with Persistence of Memory since no one is going to ever take this trait to get that WHOPPING OP -2% DECREASE IN CD on shatter anyway.
• Can be merged with Mind Wrack. Same as Illusionary Inspiration – it’s fine since you either shatter and get the bonus, or do not shatter and get the phantasm buff.

That way, PvE mesmers will be able to happily trait into Dueling, Illusions and Inspiration for better phantasm (+reflect) builds. This can also open options for PvP phantasm builds (which can’t be worse than turret engies, right?).