Guild Wars 2

Recently I’ve been trying to understand the different traits of the Mesmer so that I can improve my gameplay and trait/gear optimization. I cycle through the different game modes and I’m working on PVE right now since the Living Story is pretty popular. I’ve come across a few posts that talk about power-based mesmers who use staves as one of their weapons. I can see how it works in a pvp situation seeing as it’s a good defensive and support weapon but I can’t see how it works in a PVE setting because the majority of its damage comes from conditions. So I guess my overall question is can a staff fit into a power-based shatter styled build? Would I have to dip into rampagers to hybridize or is my only option to go straight into condition damage? Thanks in advance

You can use staff as a Power weapon, It has impressive clone generating ability, and is a frequently used Defensively focused weapon for shatter mesmers.

Chaos storm + phase retreat for a clone and chaos armor. you’re gaining boons constantly and if your enemy is in melee range they’re very susceptible to a shatter, and you are easily able to put a gap between you and them.

I would not suggest hybridizing by going into rampager armor. I used to run a rampagers set, and eventually I just gave up and went full berserker because I enjoy the shatter play style. for shatter, using staff is more about positioning and buffing yourself than doing damage.

So in your opinion it’d be more beneficial to just go straight for berserkers if I want a more shatter-focused play style?

Yes, zerker for shatter. But typically, you don’t want to run shatter builds in PvE (dungeons).

The reason why staves are used on power Mesmers is because of the iWarlock. When several conditions stack up on bosses, it becomes one of our hardest hitting phantasms; and in a phantasm build, is rather significant.

Chaos Storm also deals damage based on power everytime it pulses, and the conditions it applies is actually very weak, and doesn’t have much to do with dps (chill, poison, daze, etc.). The conditions are more useful for PvP, but the pulsing power based hits are decent enough in PvE when you’re using zerker gear.

Having said that though, staves are seen as a dent in your DPS, and should only be used when you absolutely NEED a ranged option. Typically phantasm Mesmers run with sword/focus and sword/sword for reflects and optimal melee dps.

What about shatter builds in general open world PVE? I think most of my focus will be on getting 100% world completion, finishing my personal story, and starting on the living story stuff. Would a staff/(seconday weapon) Shatter Build be effective for clearing trash, the occassional dynamic event, and skill challenges?

Staff is fine for shatter builds, the boons from bouncing 1 auto’s from you and your clones grant might and fury (more damage + more crit chance) Just don’t rely on the condition damage to kill things.

It’s not optimal for Dungeons but you can still play it and do alright, open world PvE (solo and small group) its a solid choice to go shatter. Avoid zerg content tho, you’ll mostly be hitting F1 and F2 just to tag things with no clones up. GS works well for Zerg content too but its also mostly single target hit then swap to keep tagging..

Shatter is rather good for Open world/LS. Phantasms, are the way to go for dungeons tho.

AAeriaM.7045:

What about shatter builds in general open world PVE? I think most of my focus will be on getting 100% world completion, finishing my personal story, and starting on the living story stuff. Would a staff/(seconday weapon) Shatter Build be effective for clearing trash, the occassional dynamic event, and skill challenges?

Basically what everyone’s already said; shatter is great for open world PvE. Though generally anything goes in open world PvE.

Staff actually shines in large scale events such as world bosses, where every single condition will be applied to the boss. iWarlock will hit like a truck, even if you haven’t really traited for a phantasm build. (Obviously traiting for a phantasm build will make a significant difference.)

my personal take, you can go balls-deep full zerk in all PvE environements.

Shatter is fun in PvE, and it helps you learn the class, but it’s not the EASIEST way to play PvE on mesmer. Phantasm builds (still full zerk) are going to be the best for full blown PVEing (possibly not dungeons and fractals, but definitely for open world PvE)

Death reign is right, the Iwarlock hits like a semi on world bosses, or that one guardian who foolishly used “SAVE YOURSELF” in a zerg.

However, if you want to get better at dodging, and mastering your class, you want to do shatter.

The main problem with shattering in OW PvE is that you often don’t have enough time to shatter. The (relatively) long recharge of Mind Wrack, the speed at which clones and phantasms get destroyed and the speed at which mobs get killed all contribute to the issue. However, it’s fine in solo PvE.