First off, I want to thank many of you for bringing lots of inspiration and ideas to the community. Ever since I joined OMFG guild, I’ve been getting many helpful suggestions and tips from various members on how to improve my performance. Some of you may have known me for making the “Flowing Images” builds – which focus on hybrid power/condition damage. Now I want to present one of two full-condition spec builds (other one is in another thread) that I had been playing with and testing since mid/late August. They were, at first, additional branches within Flowing Images, but since most of the gear and setup requirements are different, it was best to just rename them and have separate into their own sections. So here we go!
Fata Morgana Conditions
The term fata morgana is a type of mirage consists of multiple images that can be distorted or confused to resemble something bigger (i.e. – 1-man becoming 4-man army). This build is the non-shatter version of the other condition build and is my first in making a somewhat bunker build; it is also inspired by various bunker mesmers (Chaos, Pyro, Jportell, and others). Without further ado, here is the build:
The reason I posted 2 links is because the first one is up to date with the latest patch and is more accurate while the second one has a guide with some explanations (and a few alternative options). Once the latter is up to date, I’ll remove the first one.
Note: Build does not have to have exact trinkets. As mentioned in the ItM link, the trinkets can be modified as long as it’s Rabid, Dire+Rabid, or mixture of both.
So far, the build has been tested and played with in PvE open world and dungeons. I’ve had the honor of being informed and receiving feedback that the build can also work in WvW. However, since this is my first bunker-like build, I’m sure it has its flaws.
Pros:
- High condition damage
- Quick illusion summoning and various conditions applying
- Can take some hits without problems
- Decently long condition duration thanks to food
- Some damage mitigation
- Can create self-combos
- Can remove boons and conditions
- Has a stunbreaker (Blink or Decoy depending on choice)
- Clones grant conditions when killed or overwritten
Cons:
- Slow killing
- Need to take care not to overwrite phantasms
- Limited mobility and escape (Phase Retreat and 1 stunbreaker)
- Limited support (only Null Field, 1 stun, and illusions to give enemies more targets)
- Short duration of condition/boon removal with long cooldown
- May prove challenging to professions that can remove conditions easily and fast
- No swiftness (although out-of-combat, you can swap to focus, use Temporal Curtain, then swap back to pistol) – see note below
Note: It is possible to use Focus instead of Pistol and move 10 Dueling (keep Deceptive Evasion) into Inspiration to get Warden’s Feedback. However, it may require some adjustments to trinkets to get enough crit chance. Do know that if going for this, the confusion from iWarden is random, but at least it gives AoE, another reflection, and grants nearby allies regeneration. Plus, you get swiftness/cripple and AoE pull. Here is the build link for focus version if interested:
The only trinket changes are the amulet and 1 ring (both from Dire/Rabid to pure Rabid). Also, the guide offers explanations and tricks for using the focus.
______________________________
Now, this is not everyone’s playstyle, but you’re welcome to give this build a try. If so, you don’t have to have the same gear setup; you can have as low as 39% crit chance and minimum of 17k health (you need enough to handle those pesky conditions). And if you do try out the build, let me know how it goes! I’m always trying to improve. Thank you all for reading and helping me becoming more mesmerizing!
Also, if you enjoy shattering often, you can check out the other condition build – Flustered Fragments; it provides conditions, shatters, and is more dps-oriented.
Edit: Added build and guide links with tricks for focus version. Also, added a note in bold regarding about trinkets.
(edited by Phloww.1048)