Mesmer’s in kind of a weak spot in sPvP and fighting large groups in WvW. Here’s a list of small tweaks that I think would put Mesmer in a better place.
Illusionary Leap Change
Problem: The path-finding on the clone from Illusionary Leap (Mesmer sword 3) cannot find a path up or down certain slopes, causing the clone to first stall, then slowly walk towards its target.
How big of a deal is it?: A HUGE deal for Sword/X shatter or otherwise power-based specs. Illusionary leap lets you set up blurred frenzy/shatters, which is your main source of burst damage.
Possible Solutions:
- Change the functionality of Illusionary Leap to be exactly the same as Infiltrator’s Strike (Sword 2) on thieves, minus the Shadow Return. Activating Illusionary Leap could use the same animation as it does now, and would keep the same icon on the “buff bar” as “tells” as to not make it overpowered. After activating Illusionary Leap, you would still have 5 seconds to use Swap, except now you will instantly teleport next to your target and immobilize them as long as you are within 600 range of them. Having an improved teleport would be balanced out by not having a clone spawn that could be shattered. I like this solution best because it uses the least amount of AI.
- Instead of having the clone “leap” at your target, have it spawn next to them instead. Everything else would function as it normally does. This eliminates the need for AI path-finding and still keeps the same concept as the skill has now.
- Fix the path-finding on Illusionary Leap clones so that they can make it to their target 100% of the time.
Mind Stab Blast Finisher
Problem: Mesmers offer little support in terms of fields/finishers.
How big of a deal is it?: It’s one of the reasons why mesmers are veil/portal bots in big groups.
Solution: Mind Stab [Greatsword 3] should be a blast finisher. This would give power mesmers a way to contribute to group survivability other than putting out damage.
Unblockable Null Field
Problem: Blocking skills allow people to walk through Null Field without having any boons removed.
How big of a deal is it?: Not a huge deal, but it’s inconsistent with a similar necromancer skill; Well of Corruption.
Solution: Make Null Field unblockable.
Mantra Radius Increase
Problem: The AoE radius on mantras is too small to be of any use in most situations. Mesmers are normally near the back of a large engagement, and 240 is not a wide enough radius to reach most of your allies.
How big of a deal is it?: It’s at least part of the reason why you don’t see support-mantra mesmers.
Solution: Increase the radius on mantras to 600 to match shattered conditions.
Shattered Strength/Confusing Cry Buff
Problem: Shattered Strength [Illusions Grandmaster Minor Trait] and Confusing Cry [Illusions II] do not give a stack of might or retaliation for shatters on yourself, respectively, if you use Illusionary Persona [Illusions XI].
How big of a deal is it?: It would give shatter mesmers a little more “Oomph”, which would make them a little bit more viable.
Solution: Make Shattered Strength give a stack of might for shatters on yourself and Confusing Cry give retaliation.
Confusing Enchantments Buff
Problem: Mesmers currently have only 1 viable group spec, and it’s pretty weak.
How big of a deal is it?: The AoE damage a glamour mesmer puts out is usually not worth choosing a mesmer over a necromancer or elementalist.
Solution: Increase the number of confusion stacks from Confusing Enchantments [Domination VIII] from 1 to 2.
Decoy/The Prestige Instant Cast
Problem: Decoy and The Prestige are both 0 second cast time skills, but cannot be used while channeling other skills. Using Decoy while channeling another skill/stomp will interrupt the other skills cast, and The Prestige will not cast at all until the channel is over.
How big of a deal is it?: Being able to use Decoy while channeling a heal or stomp would be nice. Being able to use The Prestige to blind-stomp a guardian/engineer/warrior/ranger would be cool too.
Solution: Allow Decoy/The Prestige to activate while another skill/stomp is being channeled. Could also still make it stop channeled auto attacks (ONLY auto attacks!) like greatsword so you wouldn’t accidentally reveal yourself.
Good Fights [GF] Mesmer
(edited by Fox.3562)