Guild Wars 2

ArmageddonAsh.6430:

Totally agree, with zerker builds it just feels like we arent doing anything thakittens all down to the phantasm which is fine for some, Condition builds (to me at least) are more engaging, more fun and make it seem like i did MORE rather then just summon a phantom to do all the damage for me while i stand around doing nothing.

This bothered me…

Those shatter/phantasm mesmers have a sword which can auto-attack while the phantasms are out…which I believe is not doing nothing…and it is quite good dps…

Anyways, as to the OP: condition builds may be viable in PvE (and do very much shine in WvW), but shatter/phantasm with utility in PvE are going to provide better team support in most groups. The possible exception being the organized dungeon group built largely around a mesmer condition build.

Bumbler.7581:

ArmageddonAsh.6430:

Totally agree, with zerker builds it just feels like we arent doing anything thakittens all down to the phantasm which is fine for some, Condition builds (to me at least) are more engaging, more fun and make it seem like i did MORE rather then just summon a phantom to do all the damage for me while i stand around doing nothing.

This bothered me…

Those shatter/phantasm mesmers have a sword which can auto-attack while the phantasms are out…which I believe is not doing nothing…and it is quite good dps…

Anyways, as to the OP: condition builds may be viable in PvE (and do very much shine in WvW), but shatter/phantasm with utility in PvE are going to provide better team support in most groups. The possible exception being the organized dungeon group built largely around a mesmer condition build.

That isnt what i meant, sure you can attack but who is doing most of the damage – You or the Phantasm? THAT is what i meant. That is why i have moved away from the Phantasm build that i was using, It got kinda boring knowing that most of my damage wasnt coming from me but the Phantasm

ArmageddonAsh.6430:

That isnt what i meant, sure you can attack but who is doing most of the damage – You or the Phantasm? THAT is what i meant. That is why i have moved away from the Phantasm build that i was using, It got kinda boring knowing that most of my damage wasnt coming from me but the Phantasm

In retrospect, I probably took that more literally than I should have. ^_-

Also, I have not tested this, but say you have 3 phantasms out (be it iWarden or iZerker or iSwordsman or iPistolguy). How much damage do you produce with the sword auto + blurred frenzy (or the GS auto), assuming you can just swing-away the encounter, in comparison to the damage of the phantasms? Is it a straight 3 to 1 ratio? Or more like 5 to 2? I don’t know.

Bumbler.7581:

ArmageddonAsh.6430:

That isnt what i meant, sure you can attack but who is doing most of the damage – You or the Phantasm? THAT is what i meant. That is why i have moved away from the Phantasm build that i was using, It got kinda boring knowing that most of my damage wasnt coming from me but the Phantasm

In retrospect, I probably took that more literally than I should have. ^_-

Also, I have not tested this, but say you have 3 phantasms out (be it iWarden or iZerker or iSwordsman or iPistolguy). How much damage do you produce with the sword auto + blurred frenzy (or the GS auto), assuming you can just swing-away the encounter, in comparison to the damage of the phantasms? Is it a straight 3 to 1 ratio? Or more like 5 to 2? I don’t know.

The Phantoms do more damage, sure on longer cool downs but from my experience with my build, i would say it was more 75% damage from Clones, 25% from me. The Zerker is INSANE damage if used on someone in a Zerg/group hitting each target for 3-5k+ The Pistol one was very strong as well.

I used to run Greatsword/Pistol/sword, in retrospect based on how i played the Scepter would have been a better option, i prefer range, so cast 1 or 2 dualist and then swap to GS and get a zerker going is INSANE damage

ArmageddonAsh.6430:

Condition builds (to me at least) are more engaging, more fun and make it seem like i did MORE rather then just summon a phantom to do all the damage for me while i stand around doing nothing.

ArmageddonAsh.6430:

from my experience with my build, i would say it was more 75% damage from Clones, 25% from me.

What kind of logic is that? Seriously, if your damage comes from phantasms is boring but if it comes from clones is funny?
One of the best thing you can do with condition builds is WoC with three staff clones out. Thats more engaging, more fun than doing the same with phantasms. Indeed.

Bumbler.7581:

ArmageddonAsh.6430:

That isnt what i meant, sure you can attack but who is doing most of the damage – You or the Phantasm? THAT is what i meant. That is why i have moved away from the Phantasm build that i was using, It got kinda boring knowing that most of my damage wasnt coming from me but the Phantasm

In retrospect, I probably took that more literally than I should have. ^_-

Also, I have not tested this, but say you have 3 phantasms out (be it iWarden or iZerker or iSwordsman or iPistolguy). How much damage do you produce with the sword auto + blurred frenzy (or the GS auto), assuming you can just swing-away the encounter, in comparison to the damage of the phantasms? Is it a straight 3 to 1 ratio? Or more like 5 to 2? I don’t know.

This will depend greatly on your build.

Levitas.1953:

ArmageddonAsh.6430:

Condition builds (to me at least) are more engaging, more fun and make it seem like i did MORE rather then just summon a phantom to do all the damage for me while i stand around doing nothing.

ArmageddonAsh.6430:

from my experience with my build, i would say it was more 75% damage from Clones, 25% from me.

What kind of logic is that? Seriously, if your damage comes from phantasms is boring but if it comes from clones is funny?
One of the best thing you can do with condition builds is WoC with three staff clones out. Thats more engaging, more fun than doing the same with phantasms. Indeed.

Because with the Condition build (mine at least) you dont just press a button and stand and watch it kill something, You still have to be pro-active about what you are doing, you still shatter/Mirror Image at the RIGHT time to get the most of the Clones as if they arent in range them dying is a waste as they dont inflict any conditions…

Also Fun =/= funny.

I could say the same for both shatter and phantasm build. Remember that with the last one you can also provide aoe support with glamours and some really nice reflection. Its not a “spam one attack while phantasms melt things” like you seem to think.
Both power and condition builds require smart players and id take a good condition mesmer over a bad power mesmer. The problem is, id take a good power mesmer instead of a good condition one.

That might change when Anet decide to nerf Power builds (we all know it will happen lol)