Guild Wars 2

In most traditional MMO games, teh mage (in this case, the elementalist) is the only class that can truly invis. Actually, it is any pure caster (so necro, mesmer and elementalist in our case).

Meanwhile classes that pseudo-invis could be heavily countered. After all, they are actually “hidden” not “invis”.

So, why don’t elems get an invis ability? It would play perfectly in our air line. No need to give us a dmg boost on hitting while invis as that would seriously impede on the thief’s abilities.

But that leads to another point, in most MMO’s the counters to invis would be things like “See Invis” or “Sense Player” or something similar. Why are these abilities omitted?

Anyway, was something I just thought about and wanted to discuss. No flames, just an actual discussion.

elementalists contrary to popular belief are not the wizards of this game

mesmers are, elementalists act more like shamans

Yes the game is different.

Although I do think it’d be interesting if they gave eles a way to stealth. Could be added to the beginning of mistform/vapour form? I’ve always wondered what it’d be like to break aggro in PvE with these skills. Having stealth in the downed state could offer something interesting. Normally the monsters just follow me and proceed to kill me lol. My mesmer seems to have a significantly better downed state overall…

Anyway back on topic! If that is op, maybe make it a trait (or so that cantrips can cause stealth), maybe toy with an icd to stop repeated stealth spamming. Just a suggestion.,,

It’d be nice I think…

Be a Norn..elite snow leopard 5
Stand still for about 1.5 second cast time.
Good for retreating in WvWvW.

Why are you comparing a particular game to other “traditional” games?

Each game has their own system. Don’t expect something in a certain class just because they are similar in name or function to another class in another game.

“A class has something in one game. Why doesn’t another class have the same thing in another game?” Because it’s not the same game.

In any balanced game, the class with the lowest hp pool has the greater dmg output.

But hereeee is different, here we are a support O_o…

Zaor.6085:

In any balanced game, the class with the lowest hp pool has the greater dmg output.

But hereeee is different, here we are a support O_o…

Gaurdian also has lowest base HP pool, and their damage isn’t awesome either. Perhaps raw damage isn’t everything?

Did you play an elementalist in beta? We were WTF awesome. Mist form removed debuffs, lasted 5 seconds. If you stacked condition damage + power you could DOT people to death, easily. Basically, I feel thiefs were hardcore buffed and elementalists were slapped with the nerf bat. During beta, theifs were kitten and elementalists were strong as hell, now it’s reverse.

Bsquared.3421:

Zaor.6085:

In any balanced game, the class with the lowest hp pool has the greater dmg output.

But hereeee is different, here we are a support O_o…

Gaurdian also has lowest base HP pool, and their damage isn’t awesome either. Perhaps raw damage isn’t everything?

It is, however the guardian has the ability to mitigate the damage, and its not very diferent from having 30k hp…
But this is normal because its a class SUPPORT, not the ele…

It is, however the guardian has the ability to mitigate the damage, and its not very diferent from having 30k hp…
But this is normal because its a class SUPPORT, not the ele…

But Ele’s also have a plethora of ways to mitigate damage (toughness buff on attunement, arcane shield, armor of earth, auras, offhand-focus, etc.) and have a lot of CC and mobility skills as well. CC (e.g., chill, blind, etc.) in essence mitigates damage by making you a harder target. The same can be said for mobility skills (windborne speed, swiftness on attunement, RTL as an escape, burning speed, etc.).

Also, I haven’t seen Arenanet state that the Ele isn’t a support class?!? Considering how much we bring to the table through groups buffs, condition clears, combo fields, and healing, it’s fair to say Anet intended the class to accomplish quite a bit of group support.

Basically, this:

elementalists contrary to popular belief are not the wizards of this game

Guardians = Same HP, More Armor, WAY more mitigation, WAY more survival mechanics.

Trying getting camped in PvP and having some jerk guardian stand with 2-3 people straight unloading on him while he just laughs because they cant get him under 85% life.

And then realize it isnt 3 people, its just you, and he gets to attack you back.

It can be more than a little disheartening.

Mytheos.7205:

Guardians = Same HP, More Armor, WAY more mitigation, WAY more survival mechanics.

True, but we’re more mobile and do better damage.

I agree, killing a guardian is tough, it’s their class archetype. I basically can’t kill them when they’re tank specced, but they can’t kill me either.

Zaor.6085:

In any balanced game with an easily predictable and manipulable aggro mechanic, the class with the lowest hp pool has the greater dmg output.

Fixed for you.

As a guardian main. No guardians are as squishy as ele if he/she’s not pulling out a shield and specced in toughness, which I am. When I pulled out my staff and changed my slot skills to full support, any other profession can 3 shot me, if i’m not careful.

Coming from a 0/0/30/30/10 guardian

madatom.5218:

elementalists contrary to popular belief are not the wizards of this game

mesmers are, elementalists act more like shamans

Mesmers are the least traditional mage class in GW2 by far and away, and I don’t even know how can this be argued.

Unless you think traditional wizards are magical duelists that rely on trolling the opponent with anti-play tricks, or going all out with ninja tricks, while blocking with their blades or spreading psychological chaos. I don’t think so, too.

Bsquared.3421:

Also, I haven’t seen Arenanet state that the Ele isn’t a support class?!? Considering how much we bring to the table through groups buffs, condition clears, combo fields, and healing, it’s fair to say Anet intended the class to accomplish quite a bit of group support.

We have very few combo fields outside of staff and we have little group support outside of staff. A D/ D elementalist plays like a highly-mobile glass cannon, the Scepter is mostly filled with “traditional” aoe or single target burst spells, and the Focus is mostly about self-defense and crowd disruption, all exceptions aside. At the very least, S/ D or D/ D are very focused on damage, with the former relying more on direct defenses while dealing damage, and the later relying more on mobility while dealing damage too.

What is a traditional mage? Longsword Gandulf? Pointy hat Elminister? Or the demon summoner Soloman?

This game isn’t even using the word mage or wizard, why would force fitting Elementalist or Mesmer into your little close minded “traditional mage” make any sense at all?

It’s a different game, something new for you to learn, throw away your “tradition” and adapt, or be selected out in war zones.

S/D is a bit of everything. Fire has some direct damage with DoT and AoE buffing (combo field with 2 finishers in the set itself.) Water is support with vulnerability, heal, and a chill aura. Air is direct damage with mobility and two very good CC skills. Earth is serious DoT damage with a self armor buff and, again, two very good CC skills.

And I’m not sure if you’d want to reduce Updraft and Earthquake to 30 seconds each. That means you’d have an interrupt + knockdown available every 15 seconds in Dagger offhand. Combine that with the blinds in those two attunements if you run S/D and that might be too much damage mitigation over time. Or it might be the right amount. I dunno. I’m not a game designer, and I don’t have access to the metrics anyways. :P