Guild Wars 2

So I have gone back and forth between wanting to play Mesmer and Necromancer, and finally know what I want… and why I can’t play it, and why I have had such a hard time deciding.
I want to like Mesmer, I really do. The class uses illusions and enchantments and I love that stuff, and am so very happy that it exists in this game because it’s so rare in any game. But… I hate playing it. The entire class frustrates me, even when I play it well. They are super slow when I am out in the field and I struggle to tag things in events, especially since the weapons I like (staff/scepter) don’t hit very quickly. It isn’t very fun, and that’s the point of a game, to have fun.
I love necromancer. I don’t like it thematically as much, but it’s super fun. I’m faster while I’m roaming about the world, I have a much more enjoyable time in events, and I love summoning the undead and having an entire build built around supporting a team with wells and marks/debuffs.

But… no one wants me. They want a Mesmer. Dungeons? Mesmer, your necromancer is a liability and needs to go home. PvP? Necromancer is OK, but Mesmer is what they really want out there on the field. Guild events? Dude, Ramiah, can you please go get your Mesmer, we are doing a bounty/whatever and need the support, man. Dungeons and guild events are the most fun thing to do, and I am consistently not able to play the profession I like because it’s just straight up not as good.
I feel like I can’t have any fun in this game. If I play the profession I enjoy, then I can’t do the parts of the game I like.

This is the problem that removing roles creates. Without defined roles to help structure combat and content, the classes with the most utility and optimal skills are just flat out undeniably more viable than the rest.

Example: Time Warp, Portal, etc.

Arguably, these skills are some of the most useful skills in the game. Does Guardian or Ranger have an Elite or Utility that is even half as effective or role-creating as Portal or Time Warp? Not really. The imbalance lies in the lack of distinction of roles and the disparity between skill favor. Aside from Wall Of Reflection, what Guardian utilities can you really say are as useful as Portal? Elites as useful as Time Warp? Absolutely none and it’s even worse for Ranger. ArenaNet needs to devote more resources into correcting these problems.

Sounds like you’re hanging with the wrong crew. I’ve had zero trouble doing dungeons, fractals, WvW, or Guild Events with my Necromancer. Maybe you’re just part of the wrong guild.

lothefallen.7081:

This is the problem that removing roles creates. Without defined roles to help structure combat and content, the classes with the most utility and optimal skills are just flat out undeniably more viable than the rest.

Example: Time Warp, Portal, etc.

Arguably, these skills are some of the most useful skills in the game. Does Guardian or Ranger have an Elite or Utility that is even half as effective or role-creating as Portal or Time Warp? Not really. The imbalance lies in the lack of distinction of roles and the disparity between skill favor. Aside from Wall Of Reflection, what Guardian utilities can you really say are as useful as Portal? Elites as useful as Time Warp? Absolutely none and it’s even worse for Ranger. ArenaNet needs to devote more resources into correcting these problems.

I don’t think removing roles contributes to this. In fact, it probably does the opposite. As useful as a Mesmer is for utility, it is nothing compared to the high demand of a Priest in WoW.

Tell your guild that you’re wanting to play your necromancer today. Your guild should not force you to play a specific class unless you specifically signed up for a Mesmer only guild or a certain classes only guild.

Heck, my brother plays bunker Mesmer I believe. You know what he gets told by people: you shouldn’t play that type, you should play Shatter build because it’s better. He continues to play his bunker build because that’s the build HE wants to play.

Play the profession you want to play; don’t allow yourself to be dictated to. I realize that’s easier said then done when you already are a member of a guild and have established friendships there. All the same, this is a game; it’s meant to be fun. Go do what you find fun. If anyone tries to restrict you from doing that, find a group that won’t.

And, yes, I am a Necromancer (main since launch). Leader of my own guild. When I started my guild, none of my members had necros. Now, nearly all of them do. Not because I make it a requirement of joining the guild. Far from it; I’m a very easy-going guild leader with no profession requirements. The reason most have necros now is because they’ve been with me through nearly all the content of the game (PvE, WvWvW, dungeons, fractals, sPvP) and seen just how effective they can be. They then chose to roll their own.

If your group of friends/guildmates are discriminating against your necro character, then they don’t fully appreciate the profession’s potential. Hopefully, this is an opportunity for you to enlighten them. If not, then you have the option of joining more than one guild. Find one that will be supportive of your desire to play your necro character.

Good luck and have fun

I have both Mesmer and Necro and the Mesmer is way more versatile in PvE and deadly in WvW and PvP.
Necro… loads of issues, as I’m sure you’re aware. But the class is also lots of fun to play. (And I tend to think Necs are better at tagging events).

Play what you want to play while you still enjoy playing.

lothefallen.7081:

This is the problem that removing roles creates. Without defined roles to help structure combat and content, the classes with the most utility and optimal skills are just flat out undeniably more viable than the rest.

Example: Time Warp, Portal, etc.

Arguably, these skills are some of the most useful skills in the game. Does Guardian or Ranger have an Elite or Utility that is even half as effective or role-creating as Portal or Time Warp? Not really. The imbalance lies in the lack of distinction of roles and the disparity between skill favor. Aside from Wall Of Reflection, what Guardian utilities can you really say are as useful as Portal? Elites as useful as Time Warp? Absolutely none and it’s even worse for Ranger. ArenaNet needs to devote more resources into correcting these problems.

The gaurdian heal elite is amazing but other than that the class is extremely boring. Mesmer and Ele are by far the most fun IMO.

We have necros in my guild and I run dungeons and fractals with them all the time. One necro in my guild has the dungeon master title. Find a guild of people who’ll let you play the way you want, and ditch the guys that are trying to stop you.

I spend most of my time in-game right now running dungeons on my necromancer, getting groups off gw2lfg.com . I’ve never been kicked for being a necro.

There are some players who run super high level fractals and think mesmers/warriors/guardians > all, and while they may or may not be right for fractals level 60+ (which you aren’t even intended to play yet), they are in general so insufferable to be around that I would rather avoid those groups even if I still played my guardian as my main.

I tried to take my guardian to fractals 5 the other day, and pretty quickly had to switch back to my necro, because I am a far better player on my necromancer than I am on my guardian. Play what you want. You’ll learn to play your necro much better than your mesmer, and people will be happy to have your necro along.

If that doesn’t work out, get a friendly, casual guild that likes to have fun rather than farm.

mesmer with focus and runes of centaur/air = perma swiftness

Add blink for good mobility.

mesmer is one of the few class that have 4-5 viable builds ._.

Lol at people with the idea that “if its doable with all classes its fine”.

@Katai.6240 Yes its doable but if people know he have a mesmer then give the group a reason as to why they would take a necro over a mesmer?

All classes must have something uniqe thats wanted in groups no matter settings tpvp / wvw / pve / dungeons etc, right now this isnt even close to how it works.

Lets say his guild is being all awesome and is fine with any class, all are happy except while playing his necro he still knows he could have helped the group better by swapping to his mesmer.

wiazabi.2549:

Lol at people with the idea that “if its doable with all classes its fine”.

@Katai.6240 Yes its doable but if people know he have a mesmer then give the group a reason as to why they would take a necro over a mesmer?

All classes must have something uniqe thats wanted in groups no matter settings tpvp / wvw / pve / dungeons etc, right now this isnt even close to how it works.

Lets say his guild is being all awesome and is fine with any class, all are happy except while playing his necro he still knows he could have helped the group better by swapping to his mesmer.

See, I take people in my group who I enjoy playing with. It’s much rather have fun in a dungeon and enjoy myself, then get it done quicker. In fact, if I’m enjoying myself, getting it done quicker is no longer an advantage.

And I’ve found that people playing what they enjoy playing actually makes them happier, which means in a better mood, which means more fun in the run.

Speed isn’t everything. In some cases at least there should be other considerations.

LordByron.8369:

mesmer with focus and runes of centaur/air = perma swiftness

Add blink for good mobility.

Not like any class could use runes of the centaur… mesmer out of combat mobility is among the worst in the whole game, in combat it’s quite nice but other classes have an easier time escaping.

I had to make a post in this thread because my main classes are Mesmer and Necromancer and i love to play them both. I honestly don’t feel that one is more powerful than the other.

Necromancer has so many good things that people often don’t realize it, because they don’t know where it comes from.
If we take CoF P1, the permanent poison can be extremely effective (ig: reducing the healing on the final boss), the plague signet is exceptional because it removes that Nasty Burning from the same final boss. I remember one time a group with 2 Condition Damage Necromancers in the first miniboss inside CoF P1 (the one that spawns that efigy), we killed the effigy first just by using epidemic and wells, always targeting the miniboss.

For WvW Necromancer is extremely effective. It is one of the best “wall fighters” there is. Wells, marks, Aoe’s all into the ground. It can prevent unwanted surprises by setting marks on the ground (knowing when a thief just crossed it in stealth). If there are 2 or 3 Necromancers in the walls, only a Lunatic won’t get out there. Necros can strip the boons, set heavy conditions.

There is a very good fear condition duration enhanced build that are very good for sPvP Necromancer. There are also very good Minion sPvP Necros.

I don’t know why people are so adverse to Necromancers… It’s incredibly powerful, and people don’t realize it. I guess what people see is that if they don’t run the Berserker set it’s flawed from the start… shame on them!

But as Vayne stated (geez, i’m agreeing with Vayne…’), you should play with the class that you have the most fun playing.

/Cheers

@Vayne.8563 Who said anyting about speed? and part of fun is winning. To win why wouldnt you play the class that helps your group the most ( not specific speedruns ) but stuff like reflection vs harpies , portal, timewarp.

Would it be such a huge disaster if you join a group as a guardian warrior or mesmer and people actually asked you to swap to your necro, i dont know about you but i would defintly have more fun if i knew i was actually wanted as necro.

wiazabi.2549:

@Vayne.8563 Who said anyting about speed? and part of fun is winning. To win why wouldnt you play the class that helps your group the most ( not specific speedruns ) but stuff like reflection vs harpies , portal, timewarp.

Would it be such a huge disaster if you join a group as a guardian warrior or mesmer and people actually asked you to swap to your necro, i dont know about you but i would defintly have more fun if i knew i was actually wanted as necro.

No, it wouldn’t be a huge disaster. On the other hand, people get bored playing the same profession over and over and yes, some people don’t like certain profession. I have a level 80 guardian who I don’t enjoy playing. Now why would I, as a friend to someone, want them to enjoy themselves less in a dungeon? Am I that selfish? Do I not care about my friends and their enjoyment of the game?

So yeah, I let my friends take whatever they find most fun, because we’re going to beat the dungeon regardless. And if a problem really arises, the guy can leave and get his guardian…but it doesn’t happen very often…hardly ever.

After 600 hours played as a necro, i can KIND of see your problem. I have never been kicked because i am a necro, but yesterday was my first “Horrible” experience. I join a team in fractals level 26. they asked me to change char, since necro isnt the best and they are afraid we are going to hit the maximum bleed stack. But the problem is… Im not a condition necro. I use wells as the OP said, but just because i am a necro, everyone thinks i use conditions.

I got to stay, but they were joking about my DPS all the time. Calling my class bad and laughing at me, becuase they played guardian. The funny part is: My whole team was guardians with relic gear. They probably had worse DPS than me, since im running soldiers gear.

Guardians with scepter and relic gear simply does not hit more than a necro with bone minions/wells in soldiers gear. I tried saying that to them, but they didnt believe me and just laughed at me. In the fire shaman fractal we failed to save the captives. Guess what… they said “That kitten necro has to low DPS, thats why we fail”… I literally wanted to punch myself in the face so hard i would turn into a jagged horror.

Guardians with relics gear and scepter with tanky builds blame me for bad dps?

Im feeling with you OP…

Drew.1865:

lothefallen.7081:

This is the problem that removing roles creates. Without defined roles to help structure combat and content, the classes with the most utility and optimal skills are just flat out undeniably more viable than the rest.

Example: Time Warp, Portal, etc.

Arguably, these skills are some of the most useful skills in the game. Does Guardian or Ranger have an Elite or Utility that is even half as effective or role-creating as Portal or Time Warp? Not really. The imbalance lies in the lack of distinction of roles and the disparity between skill favor. Aside from Wall Of Reflection, what Guardian utilities can you really say are as useful as Portal? Elites as useful as Time Warp? Absolutely none and it’s even worse for Ranger. ArenaNet needs to devote more resources into correcting these problems.

The gaurdian heal elite is amazing but other than that the class is extremely boring. Mesmer and Ele are by far the most fun IMO.

And I think the exact opposite. I think the guardian is by far the funniest class to play. Different tastes maybe eh.

Homonavn.6348:

After 600 hours played as a necro, i can KIND of see your problem. I have never been kicked because i am a necro, but yesterday was my first “Horrible” experience. I join a team in fractals level 26. they asked me to change char, since necro isnt the best and they are afraid we are going to hit the maximum bleed stack. But the problem is… Im not a condition necro. I use wells as the OP said, but just because i am a necro, everyone thinks i use conditions.

I got to stay, but they were joking about my DPS all the time. Calling my class bad and laughing at me, becuase they played guardian. The funny part is: My whole team was guardians with relic gear. They probably had worse DPS than me, since im running soldiers gear.

Guardians with scepter and relic gear simply does not hit more than a necro with bone minions/wells in soldiers gear. I tried saying that to them, but they didnt believe me and just laughed at me. In the fire shaman fractal we failed to save the captives. Guess what… they said “That kitten necro has to low DPS, thats why we fail”… I literally wanted to punch myself in the face so hard i would turn into a jagged horror.

Guardians with relics gear and scepter with tanky builds blame me for bad dps?

Im feeling with you OP…

Well nothing to do with Necromancers there. Retarrded players are retarrded . End of story!

I said the same thing on the mesmer forums so I’ll say it here:

Other classes need to be brought to the mesmers level of usability. Revamp their elites/utilities so they have worthwhile abilities to bring to a party, to the degree of people saying ‘’ya man, go get your necro, we need this ability for this dungeon’’. In my opinion, Necro lacks way too much for the Deathshroud mechanic that they get in return. They need a reflection skill (main reason people want guardians/mesmers in high fractals) as well as a good group elite that benefits the entire party at high levels of play.

Currently they don’t offer a whole lot in the utility/supporty area in my opinion, still I love seeing necros and playing with them as I have no class bias. But other people definitely do. Sounds like you have some of those people with you unfortunately. If they give each class something unique they can bring to a party on a group scale, I believe this will be a much easier playing field.

Shoot, let necros summon a wall of souls to reflect projectiles for 10 seconds. Boom, that’d be a step in the right direction. Currently, classes are a bit too separate in what they can do, and the gameplay/mechanics only adhere to a few of those. Reflection/absorption/aegis, boon ripping, and mob skipping. Mesmer does all of those very well. Every class should have some form of AoE reflection in my opinion, that way any class would be welcome in high level fractals where PVT isn’t king, but reflection/absorption is. Then, give them meaningful group elites that are similar to time warp.

Until this happens, I feel that the class playing field will cater to certain classes sadly.

So, there are some interesting ideas here. I had kinda considered this but it’s more defined by some of you: unique abilities are killing class balance. What’s really ironic about this is that people say they don’t like this game because everyone can do everything. Really? Everyone can give quickness to a full team for 10 seconds straight? Everyone can completely shut down the projectiles of a boss for 6 seconds by simply pressing a button- no careful placement needed? No, of course not, but Mesmer can.

This has ALWAYS been the problem with Guild Wars 2. The unique abilities of some professions, such as portal and invisibility, have inestimable value in specific circumstances. I wish Arenanet all the luck in the world of finding a way to make an ability like Time Warp or Portal be equivalent in power and usefulness as Flesh Golem or Well of Darkness. I certainty can’t come up with a way to balance that. How can you even assess the power of these things to try and balance them? And for the love of all things Grenth, how are you going to balance them across different parts of the game? People are already screaming about confusion in PvP (which is silly, just stop attacking for a few seconds, people) but it’s almost completely useless in PvE.

I don’t have an answer. I’m not even really sure why I don’t enjoy playing my Mesmer. On paper, it looks like exactly what I want to play. But for whatever reason, Necromancer is just more fun. I’ll never feel right about maining a Necromancer until the unique abilities of certain professions are available to all (which would be a shame), nerfed to the point of near-uselessness, or other unique abilities are added to put other professions on par with the current masters.

Just play what you want. I never group with people who want me to play a certain role/share gear etc even though I have 5 characters in full ascended. I have found that majority of people who demand mesmers/zerk warrior etc. in a group are n00bs/farmers.

I’ve seen all classes do Fractals 40+. Don’t let n00bs stop you from enjoying your game.

Get a good guild, and play with friends. Good luck!

Pretty much what the community says play your build and stick with it and if guild dont like it, I’m pretty sure their is other guild that be happy to have you. I have a mesmer as well and i run Legion build. I do have other mesmer tell me to do shatter build as well but I dont like using staff on mesmer and i dont like to be in spamming clones nonstop and shattering thats all u do with shatter build and to me its no fun i like to be in the back with my great sword ranging and when they get to close to the real clone, I use decoy and place more phatasm to do my dirty work. Stick what u are happy using. I left my first guild cause they were telling how to play my warrior. Basically what it really comes down to the guilds or the people in the party wants u to run a build that benefits them not u or your playstyle. stick to ur game play and remember “It’s only a game”

Yea… I think I probably will do that. I just can’t play my Mesmer without wanting to bash my head against a rock every half hour or so. Thanks for the encouragement. I appreciate it.

I’d say, level both. Keep the necro for events, because necros are awesome there. Use the mesmer in dungeons because that’s where they shine.

You just got bad guild friends :P
Mesmer is idd so much more powerfull, but when I go with guild, pugs, etc and we got an engie, necro, … it’s ok too. They should learn how to respect other people.

Beside I still learn from them too