Guild Wars 2

(Any advice or tips are welcomed!)

The purpose of this guide is twofold. First of all, I wanted to share my Mesmer setup with folks, since I’ve had a lot of fun reading other people’s guides and wanted to give back to the community. My other goal is to provide tips for finding / making gear on a time and gold budget for my builds, since like some other players out there, I don’t have a ton of time to devote to farming and grinding. (Fractals, etc.)

I play on a server that tends to be outnumbered during my peak playing times, so I often find myself facing groups larger than the ones I run with, if I’m not alone. My builds tend to try to compensate for this imbalance by being a little more on the survivable side, because as my old guild leader used to say… “You can’t DPS if you’re dead.”

So, without further ado, here’s my one of my two Mesmer builds with some accompanying advice for how to acquire their gear.

Sin.M.2.B -“Mindgasm”

Description: Survivable, Bursty, Reflective, Phantasm-centric
Sword/Sword or Sword/Focus, Greatsword

This build relies partially on some active defense provided by the one-handed sword and some traits, as well as by using interruptions to further press your advantage against multiple enemies. I typically use it to roam, or for small group play. (It’s fine for zerging, too.)

The name is silly – it’s based loosely on the build’s focus on interrupting, especially to disrupt heals.

It uses a mix of long range skills and close-quarter abilities coupled with a few options to reflect ranged attacks, push / pull enemies, and prevent healing via interruption.

Traits: 10(III)/30(IV, X, XII or V)/0/25(V, VIII or IX)/5

Buildcraft Build

Sin.M.2.B – Major Traits (Detail):

Domination (10): 100 Power, 10 Condition Duration

III – Empowered Illusions: Illusions inflict 15% more damage

(Boost those Phantasms!)

Dueling (30): 300 Precision, 30% Critical Damage

IV – Blade Training: +50 Precision when wielding a one-handed sword of spear. Reduces recharge of sword and spear skills by 20%

(Shorter cool downs on sword skills is great, especially since the one-handed sword is a versatile offensive and defensive weapon. Bring Blurred Frenzy to an 8 second cool down is amazing!)

X – Deceptive Evasion: Create a Clone at your current position when you dodge.

(The passive Critical Infusion from the Dueling line works great with this trait and makes you extra clones)

XII – Furious Interruption: Gain 4 seconds of fury when you interrupt a foe.

(Lots of options for interrupts: Off-Hand Sword – Counter Blade, Focus – Into the Void, Greatsword – Illusionary Wave, Shatter – Diversion, Mantra of Distraction, Signet of Domination, and maybe more!)

or

V – Desperate Decoy: Cloak and leave a clone of yourself behind at 25% health.

(Causes people to drop you as a target, which is crucial for survival. Stealth lasts 3 seconds.)

Inspiration (25): 250 Vitality, 250 Healing Power

V – Persisting Images: Phantasms have 20% more health

(Phantasms, yay!)

VIII – Warden’s Feedback: Focus skills reflect projectiles. Reduces recharge of focus skills by 20%.

(Can be devastating to Rangers, Zerg, NPCs, etc. With Temporal Curtain, Illusionary Warden, and Feedback, you can have three reflects to cycle! This kind of uses the same principle as confusion, but is a little more specialized. Unfortunately, like confusion, clever players will realize what is happening and stop attacking. We all know that not everyone is clever though.)

or

XI – Temporal Enchanter: Glamour skills last longer

(Nice for Feedback, especially if you throw it on a gate)

Sin.M.2.B – Gear

Weapons:

Sword / Sword (Valkyrie – Power, Vitality, Critical Damage)
Sword / Focus (Optional)
Greatsword (Valkyrie – Power, Vitality, Critical Damage)
(Crafted, less expensive than Berserker option)
Sigils – Battle (Might Stacks – Go with the Rare version instead of Exotic to save gold!) and Accuracy (+Critical Chance, around 1 gold)

Armor:

Knight’s (Toughness, Power, Precision)
(Crafted with Armored Scales, which aren’t too pricy)
Runes – Centaur (Power, Bleed Duration, Swiftness Duration, AoE Swiftness on Heal, about 10% of the cost of Air or Divinity Runes, with a longer Swiftness boost)

Accessories

Cavalier’s (Toughness, Power, Critical Damage)
(Exotic version purchased with Karma from Temple of Balthazar in Orr)
Gems – Berserker (Power, Precision, Critical Damage)
(Crafted, combining Exotic jewelry with gem options allows for greater stat variety)

Food – Lemongrass Poultry Soup (To deal with Conditions)
Drink – Sharpening Stone (Turns some Toughness / Vitality into Power, lower tiers are very inexpensive and still grant decent bonuses.)

Sin.M.2.B – Gameplay

Preferred Utility Skills

6 – Mirror (Reflects ranged attacks for 2 seconds, 15 second cool down is ideal for keeping up Swiftness with Centaur Runes)

7 – Feedback

or

7 – Mimic

(I feel like this one needs some explaining, since its effect isn’t entirely clear from its tool tip. It lasts for four seconds, and after you take one ranged hit, it reflects all other ranged hits for the remainder of its duration and blocks melee attacks too. This is in addition to being able to fire back whatever you absorbed. You can also absorb friendly projectiles like Winds of Chaos or Mirror Blade with it to trigger its blocking / reflecting ability. It’s pretty awesome!)

8 – Blink
9 – (Varies) Decoy (Great target drop), Portal, Mantra of Distraction, Null Field (If no Lemongrass Poultry Soup, see Food)
Elite – Mass Invisibility

Pros

- Decent sustained damage
- High mobility in and out of combat
- Well-rounded offensive and defensive stats
- Capable at long range or close-up
- Can swap utilities for target drop, interruptions, portal, or whatever is needed

Cons

- Interruptions can be tricky to master
- Reliance on phantasms reduces Shatter effectiveness
- Slightly vulnerable to conditions (Can be addressed with food / utility skills)

This is a build I started using recently as a change of pace from my other build, which is a Confusion / Shatter type, and thus plays drastically differently. This one is more suited for PvE than my condition damage one, but still works great for me in WvWvW as well. I usually run around alone or as a duo with an Engineer, or like to participate in small group play (5 party members).

I unfortunately don’t have any videos, but can comfortably say that played well, this build can handle 1v1 to 1v3, and can usually catch folks that try to run (Which they tend to) due to its mobility and range. iZerker (Greatsword 4) Temporal Curtain (Focus 4) and and Illusionary Leap / Swap (Sword 3) are all great for slowing people down.

Paired with a good partner, it’s possible to kite larger parties and pick them off one by one with your phantasm burst damage and the occasional Cry of Distraction to stack a little confusion here and there. (Although it’s worth noting that due to this build’s low condition damage, its confusion / bleeds aren’t that impressive compared to its direct damage)

Even though this build uses Phantasms, it’s important not to forget the clones! Sword clones apply vulnerability and also strip boons, while Greatsword clones have great range and a triple-hit auto attack that’s perfect for putting bleeds on enemies.

A typical encounter looks something like this:

Approach with Greatsword. If you’re running around in WvW, you should always be casting your Heal (Mirror) whenever it’s up in order to keep Swiftness on yourself most of the time.

Start with an iBerserker, (GS 4) – it’s a nice swing damage-wise, and also cripples your opponent(s). Mirror Blade (GS 2) is a nice follow-up as it’ll give you a Might Boon too, and will make a clone. Dodging towards your enemy will drop a Clone where you were, and I like to hit ’em with a an Illusionary Wave (GS 5) followed immediately by a Mind Stab (GS 3) to knock ’em down, then strip a Boon.

This is where you’ll either want to swap to your 1-h Sword and / or shatter, depending on what they do. If they want to make distance but keep fighting, let them. Feedback is still available to reflect projectiles, and Spatial Surge (GS1) is most powerful at long distances. If they want to fight up close, swap for a fresh set of close-range cool downs. If a heal start to happen, use Shatter F3 (Diversion).

If they start to run, Blink towards them, Mirror for Swiftness, and / or swap to 1-h sword for Illusionary Leap / Swap (Sword 3) to Crippled / Immobilize. Followed with a Blurred Frenzy. If you have a Focus equipped, all the better. You can use Temporal Curtain / Into the Void (Focus 4) to Cripple / Pull / Interrupt runners as well.

Between a decent personal Critical Chance / Damage, hard-hitting phantasms, options to reflect projectiles and interrupt healing, 1v1 battles shouldn’t be too difficult!

A tip on interruptions – it’s useful to practice fighting a lone sentry in WvW if you can find one. Beat it up slowly until it gets to about 30%-50% health, around which it will try to heal. (Watch to the one-arm up, glowy animation) This is when you utilize an interrupt. (GS Knockback, Diversion Shatter, Mantra, anything!) Learn to recognize what other classes look like when they’re trying to heal to take advantage of your interrupts!

Sin.M.2.B – Thank Yous and Links

Special thanks to these great guides for inspiring me to try new things and post a guide of my own!

Fay.2735 (Fay) – http://www.destinysedge.net/fay/mesmer/home.html

(Great mix of different build types. The mantra builds here partially helped inspire my use of interruptions)

Grimms.9016 (Seven Mirror) – https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/mesmer/Seven-Mirror-WvW-Mesmer-04-11-13

(Fantastic and hilarious videos with an emphasis on survivability)

Astus.3508 – https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/mesmer/Guide-WvW-and-PvE-Condition-Build

(Although my current build is not a condition build, this guide served as a template for my confusion / shatter setup)

Also, pDyn Guild on Crystal Desert, Team Blueberry, Radishes and most of all Neona, for reminding me that the game is supposed to be fun. :P

… I’m also toying with using a Pistol in my off-hand for more interruptions, and possibly adding its Dueling trait for faster recast / improved range. I’m not sure how I feel about its Phantasm though… I know that I really like its ability to combo through our Ethereal fields, but how does its damage scaling with power compare to the iSwordsman? Thoughts?

Rough stats:

Power 2037
Precision 1605
Toughness 1558
Vitality 1389
Critical Damage + 76%
Condition Damage + 75
Condition Duration 10%
Healing Power 275
Boon Duration 0%
Critical Chance 41.81%
Damage 0%
Armor 2478
Health 19812
Endurance Regeneration + 0%
Agony Resistance 0
Shredding Recharge Rate 5%
Farming and Leveling
Magic Find 3%
Bonus Experience 20%
Durations
Bleeding Duration 15%
Swiftness Duration 20%
Condition Duration (self) -40%
Damage & Survivability
Effective Power 3109.53
Effective Health (EHP) 26740
Damage Reduction 25.91%
Reference Armor 1836

I’m revisiting this build since Conditions are less viable now… I’ve also since learned that Mimic is amazing.

Still tinkering with gear and stat distribution. I think I’ll keep the trait point setup, but may change some of the major traits around.

Does anyone run something similar to this? I’d love to talk shop!

Sin.M.3.B

Mirror Mage Mindgasm 3.0

I’ve been tinkering again and have settled, (At least for now) on a semi-tanky, semi-support Phantasm build that can still do decent damage. It sort of seems like I put too many monkies in the box sometimes, but it works well for me without having to swap around traits or gear too often when jumping between WvW or Dungeons.

I’ve read up on a few different builds, and this one is sort of a mix between Seven Mirror’s and Ocicat’s gear styles and Fay’s and AngelicChaos’ traiting styles. (I’ve made a few changes myself, of course)

Here’s the spread:

0/20(I, X)/15(IV)/30(IV, VIII, X)/5

Domination – 0

Dueling – 20

(I) Far-Reaching Manipulations (Exra range for Blink)

OR

(II) Phantasmal Fury (20% Extra Crit for Phantasms)

(X) Deceptive Evasion (Clone on Dodge)

Chaos – 15

(IV) Illusionary Defense (3% Damage Reduction per active illusion)

Inspiration

(IV) Mender’s Purity (Remove one condition on each heal skill use)

(VIII) Warden’s Feedback (20% faster cooldown on Focus skills, Focus skills add reflection)

(X) Restorative Mantras (2.7k 600 Range AoE Heal on Mantra Cast)
Skills

Heal: Mirror

Mantra of Pain
Blink
Decoy, Mimic, Feedback, Portal, Illusionary Defender etc.

Elite: Mass Invisibility (WvW) or Time Warp (WvW or PvE)

Weapons are Greatsword and Scepter / Focus. (Berserker GS with Precision Sigil to build up stacks, then swap to Valkyrie) GS – Fire or Ice, S/F Force or Accuracy and Energy

Armor is all Knight’s, with the opportunity to swap to Berserker’s in the minor armor slots (Shoulders, Gloves and Shoes) with Superior Runes of Air (Critical Damage, Swiftness on Heal, occasional Lightning Strike to someone who hits you)

Trinkets are all Cavalier. (I sometimes swap in the “unnamed” pseudo-Knight Necklace that is Precision, Toughness and Power, <3 Tybalt Leftpaw Accessory and Boozie Accessory)

Nomenclature (First stat is primary):

Valkyrie – Power, Vitality, Critical Damage
Berserker – Power, Precision, Critical Damage
Knight – Toughness, Power, Precision
Cavalier – Toughness, Power, Critical Damage

Playing this build:

I do a lot of roaming in either small groups or solo, and this build has suited me fine for either of those styles as well as in zergs. The Greatsword is a keenly offensive weapon, and although Illusionary Berserker seems like it leaves something to be desired in terms damage, it can spread out some nice area of effect DPS and can also cripple players who are either trying to run away or chase you. The Greatsword’s unreflectable, long range auto attack is fantastic in zerg of small group situations alike, and the Greatsword has a nice interrupt / knockback to help keep opponents off of downed allies or to prevent heals.

The Scepter/Focus combation might seem a little weird, but the Scepter’s mid-range attacks combined with the Focus’ reflection and pulling abilities actually compliment each other pretty well. The Scepter has a nice riposte in case enemies get too close, and the Focus’ Illusionary Warden is a great deterrant for approaching enemies as well as for projectile-based enemies if you stand really close to it.

Mantra of Pain, in addition to being traited to provide a spammable group heal, can also be cast while channeling GS1 or Scepter 3, and can even be cast from under a channeled Mimic Block. It’s a nice little burst of on-demand damage that often crits between 1-2k for me. Combined with the Phantasmal Defender, you can do wonders for keeping a group alive while still dishing out a little damage here and there.

Since the Greatsword is pretty offensive, the gear and traiting for this build is mostly defensive. Chaos and Inspirations provide regeneration, protection, additional health and toughness, while also boosting our Phantasms a little (15%).

Adding a few pieces of Berserker gear (Minor armor pieces or trinkets for the best stat to crit damage return) reduces one’s defense a bit, but this can be mitigated by trying out different skills (iDefender or Mimic, for example)

… still working on it, but please let me know what you think or if you have any tips!
Afterthought: I’ve tried using the Staff, but this build is already pretty defensive so I enjoy using the more offense-oriented Greatsword instead. Plus, I have a soft spot for some of the Greatsword skins. :P

My perceived pros and cons with 3.0

Pros:

Good Mobility with Temporal Curtain and Rune of Air

Good Defense: High Toughness, Vitality, Regeneration from Phantasms, Protection on Regen from Chaos Trait, Scepter Riposte and Illusionary Defense damage reduction for maintained illusions.

Decent Damage: Average Precision (Roughly 30% Critical Change depending on Food and Stacks) and fairly high Critical Damage (Above 80%, depending on Food and Gear choices)

Light Support Options: Group Heals from Mantra of Pain, Reflection, Regeneration from Phantasms, Might from Greatsword 2 Ability

Cons:

Unfocused: Damage could be refined, but at the cost of defense. Support could be improved, but at the cost of offense - it’s hard to be the best at everything!

Lack of Conditions: Even with Mender’s Purity, it can be hard to deal with Conditions stacked on you without the proper food or Runes (which I don’t usually use) This guild also lacks much Condition Damage / Duration to apply to enemies, so Bunker builds can be troublesome.

Limited Crowd Control Options: No immobilize, Stun or Daze to apply to enemies, although Temporal Curtain is amaaazing!

Gyargh… I can’t do a trait set up for this one right now for some reason. Grr!