In SPvP mesmers and thieves compete for the exact same role, solo roamers meant to harass nodes and help burst down targest. The question is why are there rarely any mesmers in high tier SPvP or even average tier like solo ques while there are thieves all over – inside and out in hotjoins games and up to high tier matches?
The answer is quite simple, thieves are easier to play, less risk, higher reward, their burst is easier to land with no complicated maneuvers needed for it to succeed and more. Lets compare shall we?
The main (and currently only top tier spec) that mesmers use in order to burst down targets and fill the role of roamers as best as they can is with a shatter spec in which they utilize their class mechanic to inflict as much damage possible in a short amount of time requiring for their clones (which are constanlty being destroyed by AOE and even random auto attacks) to reach their targets and explode. The more the clones up the more damage – getting as many clones up, keeping them up and then forcing your target to go near them long enough for the to shatter is quite a challenge. Thieves on the other hand have lots of viable specs that rely on different weapon sets such as S/D, S/P and D/P. These specs are, unfairly, much easier to play – and S/P and S/D for example are specs that are based around a single attack – and are not only viable, but are incredibly potent with low risk and astoundingly high reward with their insane damage output allowing thieves to both burst and completely avoid damage all together (and with S/P even CC at the same time).
Another comparison that is made between mesmer and thief is their mobility. Another quality that is crucial for roamers to have is mobility, mesmer’s portal can be used in a variety of ways that can easily turn the tide of a match one way or another – but in a solo que or hot join matches where your team and you are not coordinated it is rendered quite useless. Unlike mesmers thieves have access to plenty of mobility skills ranging from their shadow step (a 1200 range stun break and condi cleanse), to their shortbow #5 skill which can be used repeatedly to cover great distances along with their signet and steal to close the gap between them and their target which require no coordination what so ever.
Another comparison is stealth. The stealth mechanic is one shared by both professions allowing their glass cannon specs a little extra breathing room when they are in tight situations and could potentially help their team-mates avoid getting stomped and for a quick un-expected burst (and an escape if needed). Mesmers have access to 1 stealth via torch offhand #4 for 3sec, their elite with a long cast time for a 5sec stealth, decoy for 3sec and veil (which i have yet witnessed to be used in SPvP by anyone) for another 3sec stealth. Thieves on the other hand have their heal for a 3sec stealth, blinding power for 3sec and more that escape me at the moment. Then why am i bringing this up? Due to the fact that they can achieve near perma stealth if needed to using weapon sets that include a pistol off hand and being allowed to spam skills, along with shadow refuge which grants a ridiculously long stealth with a MUCH shorter cast time than the mesmer ELITE for a much longer stealth – and did i mention that it heals? And one last thing… its cool down… you guessed it, a whole 30sec less than the mesmer elite. In other words a thief utility skill achieves much higher stealth uptime, while healing the thieves, on a lower cool down – and a much shorter cast time compared to another professions ELITE skill.
All these points (which are all i could think while typing this up) bring to ask myself the question that most other mesmers asked themselves: Why should i play mesmer if a thief can do my job, better, with greater success, less risk, less hardships in order to land their burst – and all for the same goal.
Thanks for reading, and if im wrong or forgot to add something to this massive wall of text let me know and ill make sure to edit it.
(edited by Grim.4795)