Guild Wars 2

http://gw2skills.net/editor/en/?fgEQNAW8alwzSqHVzhGaNJxpCRH1Ds79sTqgqLpA38G;TwAA1CtoyxkjIHbOuck5sKYUwWkpIA

This is the build I’ve basically been working with leveling wise. As I approach 80 now, I’m wondering if I’ll still be able to use it with some effectiveness in PvP/WvW.

I’ve grown a little attached to it.
Time Warp is amazing. I basically roll with the Ph Duelist, Warlock, and Defender.

The one trait at precision 20 I debate on a bit, but for leveling at least I like the reduced cooldown on blurred frenzy ( 2 seconds of it every 8 seconds…instead of every 10).
The other trait bonus I debate over is the 3rd illusionary one, the elasticity.

The one drawback I know of, is figuring out what to replace to get the decoy skill in there, as it’s a mandatory one. Not sure if I should replace the signet or null field though. My guess is signet?

These and any other useful thoughts welcome. Thank you!

Sorry guys, apparently this website doesn’t like linking to the above. It will work via copy/paste.

I wouldn’t use that build concept in general for WvW, but in terms of the actual build for the stated setup:

1. Not sure if intended, but I wouldn’t use that amulet/stat spread or rune setup for the build at all.

2. Blade Training is not a common pick if you’re only using Sword mainhand. It’s fine if you really want to use iLeap and Blurred Frenzy more often (which is fine), but most players choose Deceptive Easion or the 25% health Decoy.

3. Persisting Images won’t have a significant impact on your phantasm survivability in WvW. I would not invest 10 points into Insp for this trait, although Insp investment may be useful for other reasons.

4. Elasticity only for Staff1 when you are in a heavy phantasm / SI build isn’t hugely productive in my opinion. However, this depends on whether you’re using Staff or your S/P primary. If you’re using Staff primary, then it’s ok I suppose, but I would look towards the Staff cooldown trait if that were the case.

Generally, for heavy phantasm+SI, I would move your points in Inspiration to Domination and pick up the GS Trait, and switch to GS+Sword/Pistol.

If you stick with Staff + S/P, I would drop Elasticity, replacing it with Illusionary Persona if you do a lot of melee / diving, or move those points elsewhere (5 more points into Insp for Phantasmal Healing, maybe 5 more for Restorative Mantras, or something else like Glamour cooldown).

Thanks for the insight so far. As far as actual gearing, ignore that aspect, I didn’t fill it out. I’m still not yet 80 (68) and I am mostly just wanting to get myself ‘trained’ to be used to the skills for PvP at 80.

From a gameplay standpoint, I just don’t find myself enjoying the greatsword.

I also probably need to look at adding Feedback as well as Decoy, but doing so would either eliminate Null Field or the iDefender. I’m not sure what’s the most practical use.
I’ll be taking part in both WvW and SPvP, but I’ll be ‘trying’ to do more WvW so I can learn how to level my next guy well doing it.

I’m a complete Guild Wars novice (to give some context) but I do try to min/max within the context of what I enjoy.

I don’t expect to be doing a whole lot of level 80 group PvE content/dungeons.

Personally I don’t find iDefender to be relevant in most combat. The general issue is that you will almost always have times when you have your 2 other phantasms out, and then use a clone ability which will overwrite a phantasm unnecessarily.

Considering that Mesmers already have pretty strong survivability (and that survivability is centered on evasiveness, not tanking, unless you go a more serious bunker build for tPvP), it just seems superfluous.

Feedback is definitely more potent than Null Field for WvW. For sPvP, both are equally effective.

With no GS, it’s easy to center your build on condition damage with a side of crit% / Sharper Images. It’s a pretty standard build.

OK, so this is resvised based on most of your suggestions:
http://linkshrink.com/7c8
(this link actually works)

I looked hard at Desperate Decoy. I’ll definitely keep that in mind as something to play around with instead of the sword CD trait.