Guild Wars 2

While the official blog post isn’t out yet (ANet are sure taking their time since it was on a newsite before they posted) MassivelyOP has just posted an article on the Mesmer Elite Specialisation which is, to everyone’s surprise, the Chronomancer.

It doesn’t really contain any specifics, but there’s a video and a few screenshots there.

EDIT: The Ten Ton Hammer article goes into more depth:

• Chronomancers have access to an effect called Alacrity which reduces cooldowns. Only Chronomancers will have access to this effect (could this mean each Elite Specialisation will have access to a unique effect?)
• Chronomancer’s have access to a 5th Shatter skill: Continuum Split / Continuum Shift. Activating this the first time shatters all of your illusions and records your health, endurance, cooldowns (even elite skills) at the time of activation. After the duration – based off of the number of shattered illusions – is over, the Mesmer reverts to these values.
• The Off-hand Shield skills are called Echo of memory and Tides of Time. Tides of Time launches a wave, absorbing all projectiles, stunning foes and granting Quickness to allies. This wave then returns, applying the same effects. If you pass through the wall on the return trip, a portion of the cooldown is refunded.
• Chronomancers get 4 Time Wells. One well causes all attacks to become unblockable. After the Well ends, allies gain evade for a short time.

Hmmm… Yeah, we did all suspect that was to be the case, didn’t we?

http://www.tentonhammer.com/news/guild-wars-2/arenanet-reveal-mesmer-elite-specialization-chronomancer Lewis B. has posted a little more info than Massively. Looks like the Mesmer will be getting access to “Time Wells”.

#yawn

seriously it looks as boring as normal mesmer
I am almost certain this professions finally reaches necro tier of being useless as other professions will get much more important specs

tramwajarz.2369:

#yawn

seriously it looks as boring as normal mesmer
I am almost certain this professions finally reaches necro tier of being useless as other professions will get much more important specs

It sounds awesome for me and i’m hyped :P

tramwajarz.2369:

#yawn

seriously it looks as boring as normal mesmer
I am almost certain this professions finally reaches necro tier of being useless as other professions will get much more important specs

You’re crazy… Parts of this seems massively useful. The tree itself allows for the 5th button which is pretty kitten valuable against say, a thief bursting you down. Plus some good team support in the mix. Sounds interesting to me, maybe even OP as the possible secure stomps from the well will be silly.

https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/external?l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tentonhammer.com%2Fnews%2Fguild-wars-2%2Farenanet-reveal-mesmer-elite-specialization-chronomancer
Try this post. It’s better.

tramwajarz.2369:

I am almost certain this professions finally reaches necro tier of being useless as other professions will get much more important specs

Well it depends on the mechanics of future content whether it’ll be useless or useful.

I really like the sounds of this specialization, but it does raise one question in my mind. With the benefits of the elite spec being so strong, will anyone ever create a build without it? Of course when other elite specs come along that might change, but it seems too strong to only use core specs. But maybe that’s the plan?

Awwww yea!!! This thing seems like so much!

Rin.1046:

I really like the sounds of this specialization, but it does raise one question in my mind. With the benefits of the elite spec being so strong, will anyone ever create a build without it? Of course when other elite specs come along that might change, but it seems too strong to only use core specs. But maybe that’s the plan?

I remember that in an interview Anet said that they will look into the old traits and skills to make them good enough, lets hope for the best.

tramwajarz.2369:

Rin.1046:

I really like the sounds of this specialization, but it does raise one question in my mind. With the benefits of the elite spec being so strong, will anyone ever create a build without it? Of course when other elite specs come along that might change, but it seems too strong to only use core specs. But maybe that’s the plan?

Of course it’s a plan. Base professions are being toned down to make specs look OP so people will be more happy to buy an expansion. And after a year we will see massive nerfs and the outcry will be delicious. I dunno how anyone can expect anything better from any company on the market.

I think the LONG TERM idea is to have 2-3 per class which are mutually exclusive so you take an elite specialization and 2’base. With more to chose from, that wouldn’t be so bad. Only time will tell though. No pun intended.

tramwajarz.2369:

Rin.1046:

I really like the sounds of this specialization, but it does raise one question in my mind. With the benefits of the elite spec being so strong, will anyone ever create a build without it? Of course when other elite specs come along that might change, but it seems too strong to only use core specs. But maybe that’s the plan?

Of course it’s a plan. Base professions are being toned down to make specs look OP so people will be more happy to buy an expansion. And after a year we will see massive nerfs and the outcry will be delicious. I dunno how anyone can expect anything better from any company on the market.

It might seem OP, but we don’t have any of the CD numbers or cast time lengths yet. Only testing this spec in the field will tell whether or not it’s actually OP. It could also just seem OP because there currently isn’t anything at all like it, and it looks useful.

the shield is eh, but the alacrity mechanic and continuum shift is pretty hot. It does seem like overall, many of the old jobs will become obsolete.

Emtiarbi.3281:

I remember that in an interview Anet said that they will look into the old traits and skills to make them good enough, lets hope for the best.

I hope so too. It will be a shame if there is no reason to build for the core mesmer again. That Continuum Split is pretty powerful on its own, I hope they can make the core mesmer just as attractive. To do this I am assuming the elite spec will lose some core mesmer functionality. It would be good to find out if that is the case and if it is, what will be lost. If it is only the loss of one trait line of your choice I am not so sure it will be enough.

But hey, it’s early days. I’m willing to try it and see.

tramwajarz.2369:

Rin.1046:

I really like the sounds of this specialization, but it does raise one question in my mind. With the benefits of the elite spec being so strong, will anyone ever create a build without it? Of course when other elite specs come along that might change, but it seems too strong to only use core specs. But maybe that’s the plan?

Of course it’s a plan. Base professions are being toned down to make specs look OP so people will be more happy to buy an expansion. And after a year we will see massive nerfs and the outcry will be delicious. I dunno how anyone can expect anything better from any company on the market.

nah, the old profs will still be probably the same power level wise, they will just be a lot more boring

Wow those seems massively powerful… I hope all classes get skills with that much power…

Rin.1046:

Emtiarbi.3281:

I remember that in an interview Anet said that they will look into the old traits and skills to make them good enough, lets hope for the best.

I hope so too. It will be a shame if there is no reason to build for the core mesmer again. That Continuum Split is pretty powerful on its own, I hope they can make the core mesmer just as attractive. To do this I am assuming the elite spec will lose some core mesmer functionality. It would be good to find out if that is the case and if it is, what will be lost. If it is only the loss of one trait line of your choice I am not so sure it will be enough.

But hey, it’s eqarly days. I’m willing to try it and see.

its not objectively stronger, mostly you lose access to complementary lines, you will be giving up synergy somewhere to use chronomancer

Rin.1046:

I really like the sounds of this specialization, but it does raise one question in my mind. With the benefits of the elite spec being so strong, will anyone ever create a build without it? Of course when other elite specs come along that might change, but it seems too strong to only use core specs. But maybe that’s the plan?

Its going to come down to two elements – how the shatter change actually works (PLEASE ANET, get the blog post up and tell us these things ) and buildcrafting. If there are strong builds that rely on three of the existing trait lines in specific content, then that should encourage people to still play mesmers rather than Chronomancers.

We really need to see the new traits, skills and specifics of how the core mechanic (shattering) changes what we can do to make the determination.

@phys – I’m sure you’re right. Just at first glance it causes minor concern. Not concern over the Chronomancer being OP, but the Mesmer getting lost to the elites and never to be used again. But like I say, I’m willing to try it first.

ronpierce.2760:

I think the LONG TERM idea is to have 2-3 per class which are mutually exclusive so you take an elite specialization and 2’base. With more to chose from, that wouldn’t be so bad. Only time will tell though. No pun intended.

I was thinking that also to a small degree. It may not be so bad once a few elites are available, but it would still be a shame to lose the core mesmer.

phys.7689:

Rin.1046:

Emtiarbi.3281:

I remember that in an interview Anet said that they will look into the old traits and skills to make them good enough, lets hope for the best.

I hope so too. It will be a shame if there is no reason to build for the core mesmer again. That Continuum Split is pretty powerful on its own, I hope they can make the core mesmer just as attractive. To do this I am assuming the elite spec will lose some core mesmer functionality. It would be good to find out if that is the case and if it is, what will be lost. If it is only the loss of one trait line of your choice I am not so sure it will be enough.

But hey, it’s eqarly days. I’m willing to try it and see.

its not objectively stronger, mostly you lose access to complementary lines, you will be giving up synergy somewhere to use chronomancer

Well it KIND of is. It does grant additional baseline skills, which would in theory require less powerful skills and everything to compensate, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. The baseline benefits of elite speccing almost instantly makes it necessary. I’m sure the traits will also look good. Being able to duplicate a scenario is incredibly powerful. (see old Alter Time on WoW mage, which eas eventually changed because it single handedly made it hard to balance mage.)

Rin.1046:

@phys – I’m sure you’re right. Just at first glance it causes minor concern. Not concern over the Chronomancer being OP, but the Mesmer getting lost to the elites and never to be used again. But like I say, I’m willing to try it first.

ronpierce.2760:

I think the LONG TERM idea is to have 2-3 per class which are mutually exclusive so you take an elite specialization and 2’base. With more to chose from, that wouldn’t be so bad. Only time will tell though. No pun intended.

I was thinking that also to a small degree. It may not be so bad once a few elites are available, but it would still be a shame to lose the core mesmer.

Troubling part to me is that having a 5th shatter now and even no shield phantasm, DE might be that much more mandatory for a Chronomancer…

ZudetGambeous.9573:

Wow those seems massively powerful… I hope all classes get skills with that much power…

Some may not be as powerful, they said previously that the classes that only gets an off hand weapon compared to others that get a 2handed weapon will be compensated with mechanics, and seems that mesmer is being rewarded

Chronomancer seems to have a very active play style, can’t wait to play it.

Kinda glad my mesmer is collecting dust. I have zero interest in this. Nice to hear news though.

I think the only way they can keep the mesmer attractive is if you lose access to some skills and traits at least. For example, if you lost the phantasm skills or mantras, and their associated trait line, then you would have a reason to spec back into the core mesmer.

If the only loss is that you can only pick two core trait lines instead of three, I do not think that will be enough. I am sure phys is right though, I suspect the chronomancer will lose more than just a core traitline.

HAHA poor mesmer. You just got necro’d. I feel kinda bad for you guys… your Continuum Spirit skill will become the bane of your existence. Poor necros have had to suck for 3 years because of DS, and now you guys are going to have to suffer the same fate.

Your entire class will be balanced around this one skill. Every other skill will be nerfed into the ground because of the “what if” scenarios that Anet loves. Welcome to the land of necro…

phys.7689:

tramwajarz.2369:

Rin.1046:

I really like the sounds of this specialization, but it does raise one question in my mind. With the benefits of the elite spec being so strong, will anyone ever create a build without it? Of course when other elite specs come along that might change, but it seems too strong to only use core specs. But maybe that’s the plan?

Of course it’s a plan. Base professions are being toned down to make specs look OP so people will be more happy to buy an expansion. And after a year we will see massive nerfs and the outcry will be delicious. I dunno how anyone can expect anything better from any company on the market.

nah, the old profs will still be probably the same power level wise, they will just be a lot more boring

However the usefulnes of some professions has nothing to do with power level but with execution and ease of use of similar features between them. This is why I feel like specs will be a must-go solution for everybody. And I’m not giving anet any benefit of the doubt, after last 3 years they succesfuly burnt all my hype.

ronpierce.2760:

phys.7689:

Rin.1046:

Emtiarbi.3281:

I remember that in an interview Anet said that they will look into the old traits and skills to make them good enough, lets hope for the best.

I hope so too. It will be a shame if there is no reason to build for the core mesmer again. That Continuum Split is pretty powerful on its own, I hope they can make the core mesmer just as attractive. To do this I am assuming the elite spec will lose some core mesmer functionality. It would be good to find out if that is the case and if it is, what will be lost. If it is only the loss of one trait line of your choice I am not so sure it will be enough.

But hey, it’s eqarly days. I’m willing to try it and see.

its not objectively stronger, mostly you lose access to complementary lines, you will be giving up synergy somewhere to use chronomancer

Well it KIND of is. It does grant additional baseline skills, which would in theory require less powerful skills and everything to compensate, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. The baseline benefits of elite speccing almost instantly makes it necessary. I’m sure the traits will also look good. Being able to duplicate a scenario is incredibly powerful. (see old Alter Time on WoW mage, which eas eventually changed because it single handedly made it hard to balance mage.)

yeah but you have to look at what your giving up.

domination? 10 dmg percent while vuln, 15% illusion dmg, 25-50% minwrack dmg. interupt traits

dueling? blade training, numerous condi buffs, deceptive evasion (shatter fuel) harmonious mantras stacking dmg buff, phantsmal fury

illusions? all shatter buffs 15% faster cool downs on shatter skills (includes continum shift, which will probably have super long cool down) phantsmal haste.

power wise, these trait lines pack a huge punch, there will definately be builds that would be better of with these synergies.

HOWEVER they will be lot less interesting.

I just had a thought. The core engi will be getting a new F5 toolbelt skill for their elite, if I remember correctly. So it is not inconceivable that the core mesmer will get an F5 skill also.

I may have been concerned for no reason. I hope we get to try some of this stuff in the next beta.

tramwajarz.2369:

phys.7689:

tramwajarz.2369:

Rin.1046:

I really like the sounds of this specialization, but it does raise one question in my mind. With the benefits of the elite spec being so strong, will anyone ever create a build without it? Of course when other elite specs come along that might change, but it seems too strong to only use core specs. But maybe that’s the plan?

Of course it’s a plan. Base professions are being toned down to make specs look OP so people will be more happy to buy an expansion. And after a year we will see massive nerfs and the outcry will be delicious. I dunno how anyone can expect anything better from any company on the market.

nah, the old profs will still be probably the same power level wise, they will just be a lot more boring

However the usefulnes of some professions has nothing to do with power level but with execution and ease of use of similar features between them. This is why I feel like specs will be a must-go solution for everybody. And I’m not giving anet any benefit of the doubt, after last 3 years they succesfuly burnt all my hype.

honestly getting the most out of chronomancer looks like it will be a lot harder than the base professions, timing and management of cooldowns seems fairly important for it to actually be beneficial

Rin.1046:

I just had a thought. The core engi will be getting a new F5 toolbelt skill for their elite, if I remember correctly. So it is not inconcievable that the core mesmer will get an F5 skill also.

I may have been concerned for no reason. I hope we get to try some of this stuff in the next beta.

i wonder if that was the core engi now, though.
That might have been an elite engi

“This skill essentially gives the chronomancer a reset button and allows for tricks such as casting any skill twice, avoiding a killing blow, or simply tactically repositioning yourself.”

Together with Signets of Illusions and Mirror Images or dodge roll creates clones. It can be used infinitely."

• Dodge Roll (can be replaced with decoy) + Mirror Images > 3 clones
• Signet Of Illusions
• F5 Shatter
• Repeat and put spells in between you want to use infinitely

phys.7689:

Rin.1046:

I just had a thought. The core engi will be getting a new F5 toolbelt skill for their elite, if I remember correctly. So it is not inconcievable that the core mesmer will get an F5 skill also.

I may have been concerned for no reason. I hope we get to try some of this stuff in the next beta.

i wonder if that was the core engi now, though.
That might have been an elite engi

Sorry I don’t have a quote, but a dev did say the new F5 skill was for core engineers.

Thypari.9043:

“This skill essentially gives the chronomancer a reset button and allows for tricks such as casting any skill twice, avoiding a killing blow, or simply tactically repositioning yourself.”

I guess they didn’t playtest this at all. Together with Signets of Illusions and Mirror Images or dodge roll creates clones. It can be used infinitely."

• Dodge Roll (can be replaced with decoy) + Mirror Images > 3 clones
• Signet Of Illusions
• F5 Shatter
• Repeat and put spells in between you want to use infinitely

Can you provide the cool downs on all those skills? specially the shatter one.
Thank you!

Emtiarbi.3281:

Thypari.9043:

“This skill essentially gives the chronomancer a reset button and allows for tricks such as casting any skill twice, avoiding a killing blow, or simply tactically repositioning yourself.”

I guess they didn’t playtest this at all. Together with Signets of Illusions and Mirror Images or dodge roll creates clones. It can be used infinitely."

• Dodge Roll (can be replaced with decoy) + Mirror Images > 3 clones
• Signet Of Illusions
• F5 Shatter
• Repeat and put spells in between you want to use infinitely

Can you provide the cool downs on all those skills? specially the shatter one.
Thank you!

The cooldowns don’t matter since they refresh except the shatter cooldown (because it won’t reset itself). But Signet Of illusion resets shatter and is refreshable by shatter.

Plot twist: F5 activation will not revert F1-F5 skills, I’m sorry if you thought you could spam perma-revert with infinite skill usage.

Thypari.9043:

“This skill essentially gives the chronomancer a reset button and allows for tricks such as casting any skill twice, avoiding a killing blow, or simply tactically repositioning yourself.”

I guess they didn’t playtest this at all. Together with Signets of Illusions and Mirror Images or dodge roll creates clones. It can be used infinitely."

• Dodge Roll (can be replaced with decoy) + Mirror Images > 3 clones
• Signet Of Illusions
• F5 Shatter
• Repeat and put spells in between you want to use infinitely

f skills probably wont be considered to be spells.

Since specialisations will likely lose out on something from the original class, maybe that loss is signets?

phys.7689:

f skills probably wont be considered to be spells.

Doesn’t matter signet of illusions resets shatter skills.

GrandHaven.1052:

Since specialisations will likely lose out on something from the original class, maybe that loss is signets?

This would make the most sense – otherwise it is broken.

Thypari.9043:

phys.7689:

f skills probably wont be considered to be spells.

Doesn’t matter signet of illusions resets shatter skills.

Plot Twist: F5 will not be a shatter.

Actually, it’s more of a case of you activate the F5 skill, do all of that within the duration of the effect – which is unknown, but I’d wager a guess at it being a maximum of 3 seconds (1 sec per clone, based off of Distortion) – and then reactivate the F5 skill.

Not to mention the combo is ruined if you get interrupted.

We already started nerf train like it was with revenant? Wtb a ticket.

Valento.9852:

Plot twist: F5 activation will not revert F1-F5 skills, I’m sorry if you thought you could spam perma-revert with infinite skill usage.

I don’t think people are understanding him….
https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Signet_of_Illusions

This resets Shatters.

Continuum Split, signent heal resets split, and the return resets the signent heal that resets shatters.

However because it is a 2 part skill, I don’t think split will be resettable in that time frame. Might be a non issue. We’ll see.

Thypari.9043:

phys.7689:

f skills probably wont be considered to be spells.

Doesn’t matter signet of illusions resets shatter skills.

they may have killed that signets functionality/changed it.
the got rid of the trait that did that.

If SoI gets used before F5: SoI won’t be included in the refreshed skills, as it was not used in the active period.
If SoI gets used during F5 period: It will be reset, but F5 will not be on cooldown when it is cast, as it will be set to the return skill.
If SoI gets used after F5 period: F5 will be refreshed, but then this returns back to the before F5 scenario.

At most, this gives you F5 refreshed once, assuming that F5 cannot be refreshed until it has reverted back to the 1st skill in it’s chain.

ronpierce.2760:

Valento.9852:

Plot twist: F5 activation will not revert F1-F5 skills, I’m sorry if you thought you could spam perma-revert with infinite skill usage.

I don’t think people are understanding him….
https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Signet_of_Illusions

This resets Shatters.

Continuum Split, signent heal resets split, and the return resets the signent heal that resets shatters.

However because it is a 2 part skill, I don’t think split will be resettable in that time frame. Might be a non issue. We’ll see.

i think they’re changing the signet, they got rid of the trait that did that, coincidence?

ronpierce.2760:

Valento.9852:

Plot twist: F5 activation will not revert F1-F5 skills, I’m sorry if you thought you could spam perma-revert with infinite skill usage.

I don’t think people are understanding him….
https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Signet_of_Illusions

This resets Shatters.

Continuum Split, signent heal resets split, and the return resets the signent heal that resets shatters.

However because it is a 2 part skill, I don’t think split will be resettable in that time frame. Might be a non issue. We’ll see.

Plot Twist II: F5 will not be a shatter.

Valento.9852:

Plot Twist II: F5 will not be a shatter.

Finally and when it comes to the unique mechanic of the chronomancer, they’ll gain access to a new shatter skill on F5.

This sounds awesome!