Guild Wars 2

I recently purchased this game (installing as I type this) and I’m debating between making an elementalist or a Mesmer as my first character/main. I’ve played a lot of mage on WoW and various other MMO’s, and was always fond of being the “glass tactical nuke” as a friend once put my play style. Loads of damage, little to no survivability….. that’s what tanks are for.

I also enjoyed playing the arcane warrior class in Oblivion and Skyrim with minions to keep too many things at bay whilst I go through areas and commit acts of a typical gamer.

Is there a question here? Yes, elementalist can be as you described. No real tanking / no holy trinity in this game, though.

If you like being a glass cannon DO NOT go mes. Currently mesmer has the worst DPS in pve where as ele is top tier. Also you’re going to have to learn to rely on your self as an ele since this game has no tanks and you will draw agro like crazy!

If glass cannon’s your thing, ele’s right for you. Great DPS, lowest armor+hp combo in the game. Try staff for PVE survivability or dagger+dagger for PvP.

Mesmer’s also very fun to play (watching things chase between illusion after illusion is oddly satisfying), but like Embrace said, the DPS isn’t really there, which can be frustrating at times.

Your weapon choice changes your first 5 skills, so make sure you take the time to experiment with them. They can change the entire feel of a class. Mesmer isn’t really in a great place right now, but they’re fun. I’d advise trying most of the classes, but it can be time consuming. As others have said, Ele does sound like the right profession for you. Welcome to the game!

Elementalist sounds as if it’d be more your style. Maybe try playing both through to level five or so to see which one you honestly prefer. As said by Guhracie, welcome!

Go Elementalist.

Ele is really fun, but mesmer is really rewarding as well. Ele is probably what you’re looking for but i suggest you try out mesmer a bit. It can be boring at low levels but at higher levels of play mesmer can be a savior for pugs with all of its utilities. (its not as good as guard at carrying but its more fun)

Some tips for Ele: Start off with dagger/focus then graduate to scepter/f or staff. Dagger focus is one of the funnest weapon sets to play on any class and its also the easiest build on ele because you get a reflect an invuln and a projectile absorb. Staff has the highest dps and its the build you should use for most content unless you need to stack might. However it can be much more difficult to play because you really have to pay attention to your attunements and cds in order to stay alive and be able to channel skills.

Some other tips, Take glyph of elementals in earth to “create” a tank that will take aggro from mobs and keep you safe. Take glyph of storms in earth to create sandstorm basically perma blinds for a time period (really useful). Check out DeKeyz guides on youtube to find builds and rotations.

Learn some might stacking rotations as well! (Goku’s is especially good)

Thanks everyone, I think I’ll try out both but will likely main an ele from what you’ve all said. It’s sad that some classes have to suffer nerfs while others stay overpowered; but that’s the nature of online gaming sometimes.

The only thing now is I have to go to work soon, but when I get back it’s GW2 since I have a few days off.

If you wish to make a more glass cannon-y character go with ele. They have some pretty good damage and can be fun to play when mixing and matching your attunments.

I do suggest checking out mes though. They have a very interesting playstyle and while they may not pump out the most damage they can prove fun to play.