Guild Wars 2

I’ve played a lot with Osicat’s Napalm cat build, Vash’s shatterbuild and been fooling around with different interrupt builds and now I’ve ended up with my own (I think) Interrupt condition build. It’s a work in progress and right now I’m mixing in zerker gear to make it a bit more hybrid. The reason for this is I’ve tried ALOT of builds, my bank is filled with armors with different runes but to stop the shopping madness I’ve decided to make a build around the weapons I know/like best and those are scepter/pistol and GS. Anyhooo, back to the hybrid point, to make the most of the GS I need some power in there, otherwise its just a CC weapon.

The GS and the pistol stacks an impressive amount of bleeds, I’ve seen upto 20, not sure If I had giver’s weapons then though.

Sometimes I switch SoD for Arcane Thievery (hello ranger/guardian buffs)

I know a staff would be better but I hate the staff, it such a passive and defensive weapon. My playstyle is aggressive and controlling, I love to push, stun and troll the kitten out of people.

I only roam solo, thats why I use travellers.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fhAQNAraRl0npMt1oxBNcrNyqxY6WO5lTtUp3I7AA-TFCCwADOEA7U/x/+DjVCSV5HL9BAOBAXeCABAQAYmzcmzcmzsUALqsC-w

To my questions:

- Do you think hybrid is a good idea, assuming I stick with the weapons I like.
- Should I mix in more berzerker gear or some other types?
- Should I go with some Giver’s for more duration?

I’ve tried to answer these questions myself by testing but I can’t really come to a conclusion.

All ideas and critisim welcome. Hit me.

I don’t think this Hybrid is a solid idea. Your power is just to low, and your condition damage by itself isnt good enough either.

I’ve considered an interrupt condi build myself but to be honest, most all of our interrupt potential synergizes best with power. However I do think there are a few tweaks you could do to give the build more viability.

Your current problem is that your direct damage is to low, and your ability to apply damaging conditions isnt good enough. Your strongest source will be bleeds from phants and a little bit from torment as you can apply it, but outside of that you’re lacking burning and poison application. You actually have more CC condi’s at work and while they’re great they’re not going to bring anybody down. So let’s break this down.

• Your interrupt condition build lacks condition damage, so let’s move away from the hybrid idea (since the power is below even the most reasonable level for a hybrid, which are poor enough these days as it is) and replace all weapons/armor/trinkets with rabid. We’re gonna need full condi damage stats, and as much precision for bleed procs as we can muster.

• At this point having dropped from dreams of hybrid, the Greatsword looses its luster. It’s a power weapon. It has a nice cripple from the phant, and some bleeds from the clones, but otherwise it’s not doing this build any favors. I’m going to recommend taking focus. Why? Curtain provides swiftness, it provides an interrupt source, and with CI an pull interrupt into an iWarden summon will stack a nasty amount of bleeds under the effect of that CC. iWarden will also destroy projectiles which is handy in the current Ranger meta, among other roaming condi classes (pistol thieves to an extent).

• So now we’re got mobility covered so no need to rely on travellers runes. So let’s go ahead and replace those with Perplexity runes. Why? They’re actualy going to synergize well with your interrupt build. Between pistol stun, curtain pull, and MoD you should be able to keep the confusion application up with it’s 10s regularity. The runes also increase your condition damage, which is what you want.

• So now I’m going to suggest harmonious mantras and instead putting those 2 points into Inspiration for Malicious Sorcery. You can run a sword with your focus if you want, you can CI interrupt into iWarden for a cc bleed stack fest and stack imob on top of that with a sword iswap, or you could just run scepter pistol/focus. In which case you’ll continually benefit from the +200 condition damage (not to mention illusionary counter reduced CD) and 100% scepter clone output for more torment application. You’re sacrificing that third MoD cast, and a condi cleanse from heal if you take the mantra heal. But I’d personaly go for ether fest and use positioning, kiting, avoidance, interrupts, and mobility to avoid condi’s. Up to you.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fhAQRAra7dlknpMt1oxBNcrNCuxY6JaoiTGTNlMgfB-TlyCABAcQASRPAWK/uU9nl3fAhjAgeaGo4BAMmSwpPBABAQAYmJzZOzCBsYOA-w

If you avoid staff then I’d agree with what was said above mostly.

However I think staff offers more control and can be used very offensively and still works in a hybrid build.. so far as hybrid builds can work. It just takes a bit of a different mindset to use staff as an offensive rather than purely defensive..

For example if you use a mainhand sword to iMob on swap, you can swap to staff dodge and phase retreat at the same time to get 3 clones basically stacked on your immobile target for a shatter.

Ross Biddle.2367:

• So now I’m going to suggest harmonious mantras and instead putting those 2 points into Inspiration for Malicious Sorcery. You can run a sword with your focus if you want, you can CI interrupt into iWarden for a cc bleed stack fest and stack imob on top of that with a sword iswap, or you could just run scepter pistol/focus. In which case you’ll continually benefit from the +200 condition damage (not to mention illusionary counter reduced CD) and 100% scepter clone output for more torment application. You’re sacrificing that third MoD cast, and a condi cleanse from heal if you take the mantra heal. But I’d personaly go for ether fest and use positioning, kiting, avoidance, interrupts, and mobility to avoid condi’s. Up to you.

First, thank you for taking your time.
Your suggestions are very interresting and makes alot of sence. I like the idea with the focus and pull enemies into the iWarden. Only problem is I really hate the focus and I tried to build around my favourite weapons, I realise I probably end up with a dmg kitten build but maybe my knowledge with using the the other can compensate for that.

My own pvp theory is that CC is invaluable as a weapon, even if they dont do dmg they add frustration to the enemy and puts of their rotations and planning, forcing them into a defensive play instead of focusing on damaging. It’s makes the killing process slower but also more joyful since I know they struggle alot.

When roaming I usually win most fights as it is now, I only have serious problems with a certain type of cond warriors.

I will absolutly try your suggested build because it really seems interresting. Loosing harmonius mantras is a tough one though, there’s so much conditions out there now but maybe the need of conditions cleanses will decrease when my dmg output is better. However, as a solo roamer I’m often/mostly in a 1vsX situation and frequently steam rolled by zergs when I try to seed out the slow ones in a train, spamming cond cleanse + heal has often saved me numerous times.

Another question, what numbers in power/condition dmg would be ok in a hybrid build?

Swish.2463:

If you avoid staff then I’d agree with what was said above mostly.

However I think staff offers more control and can be used very offensively and still works in a hybrid build.. so far as hybrid builds can work. It just takes a bit of a different mindset to use staff as an offensive rather than purely defensive..

For example if you use a mainhand sword to iMob on swap, you can swap to staff dodge and phase retreat at the same time to get 3 clones basically stacked on your immobile target for a shatter.

Yeah the staff is a nice weapon, but again it’s not my favourite. I realise this stubborness around the GS is a bit stupid but I wanna give it a try.

Gotta try that staff/sword move though. I used this build with staff before the GS and it worked nicely too but I like the aggressiveness in the GS and also its long reach/cripple when chasing opponents, which is a problem as a mesmer roamer. Sword however is also a very nice weapon for stopping people.

Ross Biddle.2367:

I don’t think this Hybrid is a solid idea. Your power is just to low, and your condition damage by itself isnt good enough either.

I’ve considered an interrupt condi build myself but to be honest, most all of our interrupt potential synergizes best with power. However I do think there are a few tweaks you could do to give the build more viability.

Your current problem is that your direct damage is to low, and your ability to apply damaging conditions isnt good enough. Your strongest source will be bleeds from phants and a little bit from torment as you can apply it, but outside of that you’re lacking burning and poison application. You actually have more CC condi’s at work and while they’re great they’re not going to bring anybody down. So let’s break this down.

• Your interrupt condition build lacks condition damage, so let’s move away from the hybrid idea (since the power is below even the most reasonable level for a hybrid, which are poor enough these days as it is) and replace all weapons/armor/trinkets with rabid. We’re gonna need full condi damage stats, and as much precision for bleed procs as we can muster.

• At this point having dropped from dreams of hybrid, the Greatsword looses its luster. It’s a power weapon. It has a nice cripple from the phant, and some bleeds from the clones, but otherwise it’s not doing this build any favors. I’m going to recommend taking focus. Why? Curtain provides swiftness, it provides an interrupt source, and with CI an pull interrupt into an iWarden summon will stack a nasty amount of bleeds under the effect of that CC. iWarden will also destroy projectiles which is handy in the current Ranger meta, among other roaming condi classes (pistol thieves to an extent).

• So now we’re got mobility covered so no need to rely on travellers runes. So let’s go ahead and replace those with Perplexity runes. Why? They’re actualy going to synergize well with your interrupt build. Between pistol stun, curtain pull, and MoD you should be able to keep the confusion application up with it’s 10s regularity. The runes also increase your condition damage, which is what you want.

• So now I’m going to suggest harmonious mantras and instead putting those 2 points into Inspiration for Malicious Sorcery. You can run a sword with your focus if you want, you can CI interrupt into iWarden for a cc bleed stack fest and stack imob on top of that with a sword iswap, or you could just run scepter pistol/focus. In which case you’ll continually benefit from the +200 condition damage (not to mention illusionary counter reduced CD) and 100% scepter clone output for more torment application. You’re sacrificing that third MoD cast, and a condi cleanse from heal if you take the mantra heal. But I’d personaly go for ether fest and use positioning, kiting, avoidance, interrupts, and mobility to avoid condi’s. Up to you.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fhAQRAra7dlknpMt1oxBNcrNCuxY6JaoiTGTNlMgfB-TlyCABAcQASRPAWK/uU9nl3fAhjAgeaGo4BAMmSwpPBABAQAYmJzZOzCBsYOA-w

I love staff. If I swapped sc/p with a staff, would you suggest any trait switches?

I could see this working if you had a way of stacking/maintaining around 15x Might.

I’d offer suggestions but I’m mostly WvW illiterate. Good stuff from Ross though.

Snakebyte.2804:

Ross Biddle.2367:

I don’t think this Hybrid is a solid idea. Your power is just to low, and your condition damage by itself isnt good enough either.

I’ve considered an interrupt condi build myself but to be honest, most all of our interrupt potential synergizes best with power. However I do think there are a few tweaks you could do to give the build more viability.

Your current problem is that your direct damage is to low, and your ability to apply damaging conditions isnt good enough. Your strongest source will be bleeds from phants and a little bit from torment as you can apply it, but outside of that you’re lacking burning and poison application. You actually have more CC condi’s at work and while they’re great they’re not going to bring anybody down. So let’s break this down.

• Your interrupt condition build lacks condition damage, so let’s move away from the hybrid idea (since the power is below even the most reasonable level for a hybrid, which are poor enough these days as it is) and replace all weapons/armor/trinkets with rabid. We’re gonna need full condi damage stats, and as much precision for bleed procs as we can muster.

• At this point having dropped from dreams of hybrid, the Greatsword looses its luster. It’s a power weapon. It has a nice cripple from the phant, and some bleeds from the clones, but otherwise it’s not doing this build any favors. I’m going to recommend taking focus. Why? Curtain provides swiftness, it provides an interrupt source, and with CI an pull interrupt into an iWarden summon will stack a nasty amount of bleeds under the effect of that CC. iWarden will also destroy projectiles which is handy in the current Ranger meta, among other roaming condi classes (pistol thieves to an extent).

• So now we’re got mobility covered so no need to rely on travellers runes. So let’s go ahead and replace those with Perplexity runes. Why? They’re actualy going to synergize well with your interrupt build. Between pistol stun, curtain pull, and MoD you should be able to keep the confusion application up with it’s 10s regularity. The runes also increase your condition damage, which is what you want.

• So now I’m going to suggest harmonious mantras and instead putting those 2 points into Inspiration for Malicious Sorcery. You can run a sword with your focus if you want, you can CI interrupt into iWarden for a cc bleed stack fest and stack imob on top of that with a sword iswap, or you could just run scepter pistol/focus. In which case you’ll continually benefit from the +200 condition damage (not to mention illusionary counter reduced CD) and 100% scepter clone output for more torment application. You’re sacrificing that third MoD cast, and a condi cleanse from heal if you take the mantra heal. But I’d personaly go for ether fest and use positioning, kiting, avoidance, interrupts, and mobility to avoid condi’s. Up to you.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fhAQRAra7dlknpMt1oxBNcrNCuxY6JaoiTGTNlMgfB-TlyCABAcQASRPAWK/uU9nl3fAhjAgeaGo4BAMmSwpPBABAQAYmJzZOzCBsYOA-w

I love staff. If I swapped sc/p with a staff, would you suggest any trait switches?

No, or unlikely. Personally I’d see the staff as a major offensive drawback in place of the pistol for this build. In any case, I wouldn’t make any trait changes. You however might be willing to CI for Chaotic Dampening. Untraited staff is painfully slow in the CD department, and takes away it’s incredible evasive strength.

Chaos Archangel.5071:

I could see this working if you had a way of stacking/maintaining around 15x Might.

I’d offer suggestions but I’m mostly WvW illiterate. Good stuff from Ross though.

Chaos is right of course. The hybrid damage is reliant on the same philosophy as a full celestial build. Back pre rune makeover patch when I was running The Holy Hell build, a hybrid damage solo roamer, it worked because I could have 80% condi duration and 70% (or something) boon duration. The meta was a few degrees different and a simple sup sigil of battle swap on each weapon plus whatever was able to maintain enough might to tap up the damage numbers into viability. I don’t doubt you have success with the build now. Even my hybrid build still counts up victories. The problem I have is all those situations where the build turns out to be fully inept at defeating the opponent, and there is nothing to be done but exit the battle. I’m not talking a hard counter build, I’m talking it just doesn’t have the raw damage to bring down the enemy while theirs does to finish me. There’s a flaw in a build at that point.

Anyway, I put this build togeather last night (my version) and took some video. I did so because I genuinely liked what I was seeing. I’ll put it together and post it up some time.

I see your point about the staff. The firepower looks out of control. I just like staff (and traiting IE) because otherwise I don’t clear camps very fast. I hate having fun so I focus on actual PVE objectives in WvW and just hope I can kill folks that try to stop me.

If I ever do decide to actually hunt players though, your double scepter build looks AWESOME. I just wish I could do both -_- If anybody has a fast camp clear build that can also duel well, let me know.

Chaos Archangel.5071:

I could see this working if you had a way of stacking/maintaining around 15x Might.

I’d offer suggestions but I’m mostly WvW illiterate. Good stuff from Ross though.

I often have around 10 stacks when checking, what if I switched to Rune of Aristochracy or Strength, I think Aristochracy works best, 3xMight on heal (10s cd) and condition dmg. Also added sigil of Impact +10% dmg vs stunned foes.

Do the different dmg sigils stack? For example, can I use Sigil of Midnight together with Impact?

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fhAQNAraRl0npMt1oxBNcrNyqxY6WO5lTtUp3I7AA-TFCCABDfIA2R9nxUCSlyPW0HAwJAQjnAQf7PEAABgZOzZOzZOzSBsoyK-w

jenzie.4083:

Chaos Archangel.5071:

I could see this working if you had a way of stacking/maintaining around 15x Might.

I’d offer suggestions but I’m mostly WvW illiterate. Good stuff from Ross though.

I often have around 10 stacks when checking, what if I switched to Rune of Aristochracy or Strength, I think Aristochracy works best, 3xMight on heal (10s cd) and condition dmg. Also added sigil of Impact +10% dmg vs stunned foes.

Do the different dmg sigils stack? For example, can I use Sigil of Midnight together with Impact?

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fhAQNAraRl0npMt1oxBNcrNyqxY6WO5lTtUp3I7AA-TFCCABDfIA2R9nxUCSlyPW0HAwJAQjnAQf7PEAABgZOzZOzZOzSBsoyK-w

I’ll just quickly point out that the moment you do this you lose the only form of mobility that you have in terms of movement speed. It’s the traditional “pu condition” condition builds greatest weakness. Without adequate mobility you lose all control over a fight.

Snakebyte.2804:

I see your point about the staff. The firepower looks out of control. I just like staff (and traiting IE) because otherwise I don’t clear camps very fast. I hate having fun so I focus on actual PVE objectives in WvW and just hope I can kill folks that try to stop me.

If I ever do decide to actually hunt players though, your double scepter build looks AWESOME. I just wish I could do both -_- If anybody has a fast camp clear build that can also duel well, let me know.

Is 1 minute to clear a camp with a condi build fast enough for you?

I’m going to put up a new build link including video of gameplay. Just for you I’m including a camp clear with the same build.

Ross Biddle.2367:

Snakebyte.2804:

I see your point about the staff. The firepower looks out of control. I just like staff (and traiting IE) because otherwise I don’t clear camps very fast. I hate having fun so I focus on actual PVE objectives in WvW and just hope I can kill folks that try to stop me.

If I ever do decide to actually hunt players though, your double scepter build looks AWESOME. I just wish I could do both -_- If anybody has a fast camp clear build that can also duel well, let me know.

Is 1 minute to clear a camp with a condi build fast enough for you?

I’m going to put up a new build link including video of gameplay. Just for you I’m including a camp clear with the same build.

I’d love to see that. Are you going to post that here or in a new thread?

Snake → https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/mesmer/Build-Stumbling-Block-rupt-condi