Advice from players NOT using staff in pvp.

Advice from players NOT using staff in pvp.

in Mesmer

Posted by: Curunen.8729

Curunen.8729

I’ve gotten a bit bored of how easy it is to, well, “facetank” (for want of a better word) using the staff in any aspect of the game, from pve to pvp. I was using staff + Sc/T as a pvp confusion/glamour build, which made point defence and dealing with multiple targets in general no problem.

But I’ve been playing a lot of pve recently using GS/staff, but finally saw the light and switched to GS + focus which are now definitely my two favourite weapons; so I would like to carry this into pvp but am really struggling with the transition.
MH – I’m not too fond of either sceptre or sword (I’d love a MH focus, pistol or half a staff! :p), but find sword slightly more fun even though I love the sceptre block.

Staff just has so many options for survivability from phase retreat to chaos armour (add some glamours for even more options), it’s become a crutch/training wheels, which is pretty hard to do without.

Here’s where I’m currently at with a build (constantly changing things):
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fgQQNAsdRlwzKqHQznGadJh5D9+0Dov8pjqA2JVo0lFA;T0Ag0CnoixEjIGbMuYkxsKZUypkXJTRA

Swap utilities for feedback, mirror images (underwater), pain inverter (pve/wvw of course), portal, veil, or blink as needed. I prefer to shatter defensively/tactically rather than as a primary means of damage. Core traits would be 0/5/15/20/5, with 25 remaining points which I can move.

So far I’ve noticed having to be a lot more accurate and careful with timings and positioning. 1v1 is ok, 1v2 manageable against average players. But 1v2 against good players is much harder than with the staff, and point defence/1v3 or 2v5 is incredibly hard.

So anyone who uses GS and x/F, especially in pvp or wvw I’m interested in any particular tips/strategies.

Edit: on continued practice and experimentation have since changed to this:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fgQQNAsdRlwzKqHQznGbdJi5D92JFQ3yhWApClWJF62FC;T0Ag0CnoKyUkoIbRuikFtKZUypkXJTRA
I realised that extra condition removal from shattering was largely unnecessary.

(edited by Curunen.8729)

Advice from players NOT using staff in pvp.

in Mesmer

Posted by: loseridoit.2756

loseridoit.2756

If you want an easy build to play with, then try to put 30 point in Illusions for illusionary persona.

Cookie cutter shatter mesmer build is the easiest build in the game to play with
You utils with be clone generation and archane thevery

s/s with ip shatter has more survival options than any staff build

Advice from players NOT using staff in pvp.

in Mesmer

Posted by: Curunen.8729

Curunen.8729

The only thing with IP is it requires sinking a lot of points into illusions, and I’m not keen on shatter focused builds.

I’m starting to get the hang of playing this now – mirror blade onto mimic is amazing for tanking a high burst (while other skills may be on cooldown), and a useful defensive option when using GS, before you respond with your own damage.
SoI is just wonderful. Normally I don’t like too much RNG, and it would really annoy me in pve with the constant boons. But in pvp I love lucking out on some aegis or swiftness, or generally whatever boon comes up.

If the sceptre had decent direct damage together with the block, I’d take it no question. Sceptre block is one of my favourite skills. I could take the OH sword like you said, but prefer the focus which is a bit of a style thing too – yeah a shallow reason, I know! ;D

Advice from players NOT using staff in pvp.

in Mesmer

Posted by: Samiell.1259

Samiell.1259

You’ll have fun with this setup.
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fgQQNAsdRlwzKqHQTmGb9ICqHgX29dkK0alewbXItB;TsAqYMxIixGjLGZMLMGYcK5VyUEA
Eat Omnomberry pie for food buff and use maintenance oil.
You can go full glass cannon in zerker gear, I run 4 piece knights gear zerker chest and valk legs. Accessories are a mix of the above to get the power, crit and extra hp I want.
I use an extra sword in my inventory with a superior sigil of accuracy on it to stack up the buff before swapping to the weapons in the build page. I use a sword off hand for the huge reposte damage but I don’t see a focus being an issue.
The amount of healing between the food and sigils is jaw dropping. The build and weapons are built around life stealing, as its the best defense in a full offensive setup like this.

Black Ops supply line disruptions.

Advice from players NOT using staff in pvp.

in Mesmer

Posted by: Kazhiel.8194

Kazhiel.8194

Scepter/sword, sword/torch, heck with two handed weapons. Well, at least for some things x)

Jalliel [AI] – Yak’s Bend

Advice from players NOT using staff in pvp.

in Mesmer

Posted by: Curunen.8729

Curunen.8729

Hmm I hadn’t thought of sigil of blood. 2s cooldown sounds good, especially if combined with high crit.

I have to say, that build looks crazy reckless for me, I don’t think I could drop all traits from chaos/inspiration! ;D
It’s a really petty, stupid, minor thing, but the reason I don’t like OH sword is the separate animations for MH and OH when using S/S. It just looks weird – the OH sword should be included in the attack chain of blurred frenzy, at least animation wise.

I suppose my problem is trying to play a mesmer like a stylish guardian with all the defensive traits/utilities, and using a greatsword…
Guardian is too… crude, even though I love their utilities and certain weapon skills.

Advice from players NOT using staff in pvp.

in Mesmer

Posted by: Samiell.1259

Samiell.1259

It truly feels like a berserker play style. But trust me man. The GS with blood sigil on it having the 3 pulses has 3 chances per GS attack to steal life from both food and sigil. Blurred frenzy has gotten me over 2k healing on an immobilized target. As long as you have a high crit chance focus would still work for ya and keep you mobile more. I know how you feel about the defensive traits in chaos and inspiration. I urge you to try it if not just for the holy kitten factor.
Play this build extremely aggressively and shines with multiple enemies.

Cheers.

Black Ops supply line disruptions.

Advice from players NOT using staff in pvp.

in Mesmer

Posted by: Curunen.8729

Curunen.8729

That is a lot of healing! :o Seems worth a try.