People are saying mesmers are not viable, well shatter mesmer is still strong as hell it just doesn’t have any decent condi removal options while still being a shatter build that has a worthwhile spike, so that’s pretty much all it needs for an spvp context. The other issue with the class is that there is this whole mantras mechanic that is supposed to offer an option (and even includes a good condi removal ability…) but the problem is mantras are awful, is not that they are UP, but that a) they need a lot of specific traits to be strong which means you can’t just throw one or two in with a build that isn’t a mantras build specifically which limits mesmers options a lot. b) it’s not fun, it’s probably the least fun mechanic in the game. No one wants to spend that much time running around while long channels that can be easily interrupted while opponents wail on you, it’s just the worse thing for Spvp very boring and clunky, it doesn’t matter how much you buff it.
By changing the mantra mechanic you could simultaneously make mantras builds actually fun to play/more viable AND open up mantras for non mantras builds so they can fill gaps for other mesmers builds, such as, personal condi removal.
Here is my suggestion to make mantras fun/unique, obviously it would require tuning numbers and CD’s:
-Mantras begin channeling with an instant toggle and while channeled they provide you with a passive bonus. The healing mantra gives you a weak passive regen, the condi removal one makes your crits remove a condi on a 10 sec ICD, the stability one makes stun durations on you 20% shorter and the daze one gives you a 10% chance on crit to daze for 1/2 sec on a 10 sec ICD. Once they’re channeled they turn into another ability that can be activated 2 or 3 times with trait, the healing one would have a cast time of 1/2 to activate, the condi removal would remove 2 conditions and also have a 1/2 sec cast time, the daze would only daze for 1/2 sec (meant to interrupt, not lock down) and remain instant cast, stability one would still give 2 sec stability and remain instant cast and the damage one would also remain instant cast but damage would be cut in half.
-Passives remain active if a charge is used as long as there is at least one left, once all 2 or 3 uses have been used the passive effect is disabled the mantra goes on CD. To compensate for the instant activation all the mantras would have a longer CD once activation charges have been used up, healing one would be 25 (and numbers would have to be adjusted for balance), condi one would be 30, daze one would be 60 and stability 75. All current mantra traits would work with that system except for the armor on channeling, which could be changed to “Each mantra provides 30 toughness while channeled” (maximum 120 with all channeled, does not apply while mantra is on CD) and the heal on mantra cast trait would have to be lowered quite a bit to be cut in half.
Obviously my tuning is an approximation, the key is about changing the mechanic to something actually fun and fast paced with a unique flavor and to many mantras useful to other builds when the mesmer isn’t traited for it (though obviously they’re better traited).
Vidallis – 50 Shades of Pink – Engi/Warrior