Guild Wars 2

So, after the creation of the signet heal, I thought quite jokingly “What about a full signet mesmer!”. Then..it sat in the back of my mind, and I finally decided to try it. The only way I saw it to work was the pair it with phantasms, with the Signet of Illusions.

Link1, Passive: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fgQQNAR8anUEFQbDNK0wWjkw8hefmB0jOpCuukCcvbA-j0BBYgCyUEA0HQUJwZnFRjVZDT9iIqGA-w
Link 2, Active: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fgQQNAR8anUEFQbDNK0wWjkw8hefmB0jOpCuukCcvbA-jkCBYfCyUEA0HQUJwZnFRjtmpIas6aYaXBR9KyqYoCBEaCA-w

Utilities:
Signet of the Ether: Great passive and active heal, see traits for what else it can provide when traited
Signet of Inspiration: Lots of boons to keep you beefy. This will help keep you alive while you kite your enemies!
Signet of Illusions: Make your phantasms harder to kill, with the option to recharge any shatter skills you might want (I’m looking at you distortion!!)
Signet of Midnight: Allows you to keep your boons longer, and the AoE blind is very useful against melee opponents who get a bit too close. The stun break is also invaluable.
Elite: Mass Invis. I’ve found this is a great reset skill, since you will be able to heal while invis, and get off at least 1 phantasm while in stealth. If properly timed you can get off both your phantasms while still in stealth and healing up.

Traits:
Dom: 10 (Signet mastery)
Duel: 20 (Duel II, Duel VIII)
Chaos: 15 (Chaos IV)
Inspir: 25 (Inspir IV, V)

Explaination:
Domination: It was pretty obvious to take the signet mastery. It turns our new signet heal into one that can be used fairly often with a 28 second CD (Not bad for a ~6k heal)
Dueling: Dueling 2 gives your phantasms fury, which is great for that initial burst. Dueling 8 gives you a 1 second distortion whenever you use your signets. 4 seconds of signet distortion is very useful!
Chaos: I use this trait line purely for Illusionary Defense. With 3 illusions out nearly constantly, you take ~10% less damage. It makes you very very beefy. The gaining protection on regeneration is also very helpful since it will proc a free protection when your Signet of Inspiration gives you regen. Free boons are always good!
Inspiration: This line provides THREE very helpful benefits. First, Mender’s Purity now means your signet heal will not only give you the passive heal and 8k active heal, but also give you distortion AND remove 2 conditions! Inspiration V will also provide your phantasms more health, which when combined with Signet of Illusions gives your phantasms 70% more health. Finally the grandmaster trait will increase your phantasm damage by 15%. For FREE you also get retal on your phantasms, and your phantasms will proc regeneration on any allies!

Weapons:
I am currently using a GS+ s/p. The GS and pistol phantasms are great for damage. The iBerserk will also cripple your enemies making it much easier to kite them, while it and the duelist chew your enemy down. Sword is used for the leap and the blur. The GS has a prec stacking sigil . The sword has a sigil of luck, and the pistol a sigil of purity for more condi removal. All weapons have knight’s stats in the passive build, zerker in the active build.

Armor/Trinkets:
I’ve found that Knight’s gear and PTV trinkets works really well for the passive! Runes of Resistance are great to use, since you get the aegis whenever you pop a signet. When you pop a signet, you get distortion (evade all attacks) and aegis (block an attack that might get through).
For the active build, it uses a combination of knights gear with zerker/knights/cavalier trinkets. This increases your damage output quite a bit, though it also removes a chunk of your vit. However, if you are active and dpsing faster this should not be an issue. Centaur runes allow you to keep up pressure with stronger attacks, better bleeds, and more in combat mobility with swiftness.

Variations:
Click here!

Handin.4032:

The GS currently has a prec stacking sigil (not sure the best for it!).

Stacking sigil should go on your other weapon set.

Handin.4032:

Armor/Trinkets:
I am currently debating to myself which armor to use. On the one hand knights armor will give you some extra precisions to help you hit criticals and more damage. On the other hand, PTV will give you much more toughness to be able to kite your enemy around. Maybe the best option will be a mixture?

I also think your wording is wrong here, Knights gives you more toughness than PVT.
PVT will offer slightly less toughness and no prec in exchange for vitality and slightly more power.

x Charlie.4820:

Handin.4032:

The GS currently has a prec stacking sigil (not sure the best for it!).

Stacking sigil should go on your other weapon set.

Handin.4032:

Armor/Trinkets:
I am currently debating to myself which armor to use. On the one hand knights armor will give you some extra precisions to help you hit criticals and more damage. On the other hand, PTV will give you much more toughness to be able to kite your enemy around. Maybe the best option will be a mixture?

I also think your wording is wrong here, Knights gives you more toughness than PVT.
PVT will offer slightly less toughness and no prec in exchange for vitality and slightly more power.

Yes! I started off saying it gave more Vit, then for some reason I changed it o.O I edited it now

Since you have on stealth or blink, id suggest full celestial/divinity
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fgAQNAR8alwzConQzhGbNJh5D9GNDs3dSFcdJF4e3A-jECB4fCyoLYINI0CJL5rIasVNFRjVVjIqWlELAIB-w

Ross Biddle.2367:

Since you have on stealth or blink, id suggest full celestial/divinity
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fgAQNAR8alwzConQzhGbNJh5D9GNDs3dSFcdJF4e3A-jECB4fCyoLYINI0CJL5rIasVNFRjVVjIqWlELAIB-w

Would celestial be best if your phantasms are doing most of the damage while you kite?

Handin.4032:

Ross Biddle.2367:

Since you have on stealth or blink, id suggest full celestial/divinity
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fgAQNAR8alwzConQzhGbNJh5D9GNDs3dSFcdJF4e3A-jECB4fCyoLYINI0CJL5rIasVNFRjVVjIqWlELAIB-w

Would celestial be best if your phantasms are doing most of the damage while you kite?

Don’t use celestials with your build, it gives defenses sure, but the condi damage would be primarily wasted and if you’re running celestials you’ll want ALL those stats to be used, otherwise you’re just gimping yourself.

Durzlla.6295:

Handin.4032:

Ross Biddle.2367:

Since you have on stealth or blink, id suggest full celestial/divinity
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fgAQNAR8alwzConQzhGbNJh5D9GNDs3dSFcdJF4e3A-jECB4fCyoLYINI0CJL5rIasVNFRjVVjIqWlELAIB-w

Would celestial be best if your phantasms are doing most of the damage while you kite?

Don’t use celestials with your build, it gives defenses sure, but the condi damage would be primarily wasted and if you’re running celestials you’ll want ALL those stats to be used, otherwise you’re just gimping yourself.

Agreed. I was debating between knights: for the crit damage to try to kill the enemies faster, or PTV: for the increase in vit which will give you more time to kite your enemy to let your phantasms work.

I’ve found so far that against melee, the Signet of Midnight’s blind is VERY effective. As kitten second blind, you can do a lot in that time to turn the tide if they don’t remove the condition. It seems like I can kite most classes fairly effectively. I’ve also found using pistol #5 with sword takes out a decent chunk of health that it makes the opponent retreat back to try to heal.

@Handin, you should submit this for the December build of the month contest
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/mesmer/OMFG-Build-of-the-Month-Contest-December

skcamow.3527:

@Handin, you should submit this for the December build of the month contest
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/mesmer/OMFG-Build-of-the-Month-Contest-December

Oh wow thanks! I completely didn’t know about it! Will do

I like this build for havoc, dueling, and sentry duty. It’s durable and does everything that our opponents hate: spam illusions & keep them off-balance.

With gear prefixes, I believe in mixing 10% theorycrafting and 90% real world experience. I support your choice of Knight’s to start with. Then, you can swap in Soldier’s or even Zerk (or Valk or whatever), depending on whether you need to reduce pressure on yourself or increase pressure on opponents.

For runes, I personally find it hard to WvW without a swiftness or speed boost of some sort (Runes of Speed, Traveler, or Divinity). AFAIK, only one rune synergizes directly with signet builds: Rune of Resistance (aegis on signet use, extra toughness, and reduced condition duration). Or there’s Melandru (to make up for lack of direct stunbreaks).

For sigils: if you feel that you’re sufficiently durable, I’d have a prec stacking set and then swap to effect-to sigils with on-crit + always-on effects. But, this, too, will depend on experience. I like torment sigils because they hit like a mesmer: hurts if you stand still; hurts more if you move.

Finally, try out different weapon combinations. GS hits harder than staff, but I find that I prefer staff for when I’m mostly kiting.

Good luck & keep us posted! This looks like a fun and interesting build.

Durzlla.6295:

Handin.4032:

Ross Biddle.2367:

Since you have on stealth or blink, id suggest full celestial/divinity
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fgAQNAR8alwzConQzhGbNJh5D9GNDs3dSFcdJF4e3A-jECB4fCyoLYINI0CJL5rIasVNFRjVVjIqWlELAIB-w

Would celestial be best if your phantasms are doing most of the damage while you kite?

Don’t use celestials with your build, it gives defenses sure, but the condi damage would be primarily wasted and if you’re running celestials you’ll want ALL those stats to be used, otherwise you’re just gimping yourself.

That’s a good point, rushed the idea and didn’t think about it. I was thinking about a bit of healing power in the mix, if only because phantasm mesmers with strong regen can be a real kitten. Add the signit to the regen and…

I added in some extra stuff, better explanations and a link to gw2skills build as well

Hope people have tried it out I’ve found it to be very fun. The signet of midnight seems to REALLY pack a punch to ranged enemies when activated (since it doesn’t have a casting time, I’ve found its great to cast when someone gets up close in the middle of a dodge)

(Continued from above, from running out of space)
Why 2 build links?!
So, you might be asking why are there two build links, with different labels. The passive build has all the stat sets that are described above. It is very good at kiting the enemies while letting your phantasms do all the dirty work, using the distortion and boons to keep yourself alive. However, after Zen graciously tested the build, he suggested an alternative stat set to make the build more active. This is what is in the 2nd link. The traits and skills are exactly the same, the only difference being the stat sets. This stat set replaces some of the vit and toughness beefiness that the passive version has with the offensive attack and crit stats. Using this replace, you will be able to be much more active and face your opponent head on in dps. The goal then is to burst your enemy down much faster, instead of kiting them around. However, it is entirely upto your preference. I personally prefer to be more passive, and Zen more active. This build allows the flexibility for most play styles!

VARIANTS:
There is already 1 variant, and that is to remove the distortion on signet and replace it with condi removal on signet use (Chaos 9). This can help if you know you’ll be facing a lot of conditions but not a lot of direct damage. There was some discussion between me and Zen after he tested whether it would be better to have distortion on signet use or condi removal. In the end we came to the conclusion that distortion will be more widely useful. However, if you know you will be facing a very condi heavy group, you can respec very quickily into condi removal on signet use. This means that your signet heal will remove THREE conditions, as well as refresh all your phantasms.

I’d like to give a huge thanks to Zen for testing out this build, suggesting stat changes, and strategies. I will be adding very shortly a paragraph or so on some battle tips! Please vote for this build https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/mesmer/OMFG-Build-of-the-Month-Contest-December to show your support!

I am afraid that the last time I tried this the condi clears from my three (no heal) signets just weren’t enough to avoid getting crushed by those pesky enemy DoTs.

Please set with due haste to bringing signet Mes up to speed Jon Peters.

I myself have problems with conditions, but for two reasons. One, I’m not running sigil of Purity (which I should be) and two, not running signet condi clear to compensate. When I discussed this with Handlin, I think except in extreme circumstances, Purity + condi heal would be enough with the more active variation due to the amount of crits, plus the heavy phantasm damage to keep pressure.

I use a signet build that is quite different from this. Doesn’t focus on using phantasms or shatter. They just work as a bonus to overall dmg/cc and survivability.

I will admit it does use PU which many state that a PU build usually offers little to the team. However if you use it with Signet of Inspiration you can gift your surrounding buddies with some great defensive boons.

I’ve had great success in WvW and sPvP(Knights Amulet) and I’m mostly using Exotic gear currently.

This is my end goal:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fgAQNAR8fnUEFQbCNG1wWbEx0jg74AOSKcNYrkCc7CB-jEDBYfERzUgAUEQEIwZnFRjtErIasqZJVVLy6aYKXAWzAmzMa1A-w

I might try the Runes of Resistance that you mentioned in your build for the extra aegis.

SnubFighter.7613:

I use a signet build that is quite different from this. Doesn’t focus on using phantasms or shatter. They just work as a bonus to overall dmg/cc and survivability.

I will admit it does use PU which many state that a PU build usually offers little to the team. However if you use it with Signet of Inspiration you can gift your surrounding buddies with some great defensive boons.

I’ve had great success in WvW and sPvP(Knights Amulet) and I’m mostly using Exotic gear currently.

This is my end goal:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fgAQNAR8fnUEFQbCNG1wWbEx0jg74AOSKcNYrkCc7CB-jEDBYfERzUgAUEQEIwZnFRjtErIasqZJVVLy6aYKXAWzAmzMa1A-w

I might try the Runes of Resistance that you mentioned in your build for the extra aegis.

Yeah it looks like a blackwater variant almost. What I would suggest for that is to make it 20/30/20/0/0, and swap out PU for the trait in the duelist line which gives distortion on signet use. I think that would make it much more effective instead of using PU (since the boonshare is very limited range with the signet)

remove 5 out of chaos and 5 out of inspiration, change the master trait in inspiration to wardens feedback and get a focus instead of a pistol, then with those ten points chuck it into illusions for confusing cry, the extra retal could go a long way with the amout of toughness you have

RedCobra.7693:

remove 5 out of chaos and 5 out of inspiration, change the master trait in inspiration to wardens feedback and get a focus instead of a pistol, then with those ten points chuck it into illusions for confusing cry, the extra retal could go a long way with the amout of toughness you have

Oh that’s a great idea! I’ll make sure I try it out today to see how it goes! The reason I’ve been liking pistol is:
1) I tracks people in stealth so the moment they pop it out it hits the stealther for lots of damage
2) High dps, doesn’t have to move

I know that the warden has had some issues recently where it will move now to the target, but then not attack. How great do you suppose the dps will change with warden+reflect versus the duelist with the trait?

hmm personally i can get more dps out of the warden, excluding the reflect warden is great for aoe dps along with the GS the amount of times ive downed guilds through when they were stacking with this is hilarious xD and the reflect is extremely powerful when used against pug zergs as they are normally projectile heavy like rangers with pierce arrows, if you use feedback though make sure to use distortion as the retal that you take can be anywhere from 1000 damage to in very strange abnormal cases 15k damage xD which is tough to handle, as for stealth thieves, remeber that you #4 with focus cripples and is good for shutting down thieves

pistol is more single target but focus can be used for single target aswell:

Place down your temporal curtain on the floor then begin casting your iwarden then just as youre about to finish casting warden press 4 again to Pull your enemey causing the warden to get a good amount of hits as he spawns at the end location of casting not the start :P its great