(I couldn’t get the spoiler tag to work with lists, so the playstyle is in this post, and all the nitty gritty traits/gear setup is in the second post)
I think I’ve worked out all the kinks in this build, but I know there is no better place to get a build critiqued than on these forums. Thanks for any insight you can add!
Unfortunately my computer can’t handle videos, so I can’t provide those.
The Mighty Jackpot: WvW Zergplay
Build Editor Link
http://en.gw2skills.net/editor/?fgAQNAR8dlwzCoHTTqGa9IhpHB33C/kCmvcSKcdqB-jUCBofCyEEQkIBO7pIaslhBp6KalXhVZDT9iIqWKATUGB-w
Playstyle
Interruptions and Combat
This is an interruption based build that focuses on maintaining steady damage and stacking boons to share with your party. Mesmer skills often have an RNG element to them, and interruptions are no different here. Fortunately, in zerg play, there are enough targets that you can expect to see a few interruptions regularly. Your aoe interrupt skills are GS#5 and Focus#4.
When you interrupt an enemy, they will receive immobilize, 3 stacks of vulnerability, and a random condition (blind/chilled/cripple). You receive 5 stacks of might and a random boon. If you are focusing a single target, use GS#2 followed immediately by Shatter#3. This will inflict 8 stacks of vulnerability, plus more if the daze also interrupts them.
Mitigating Stability
The hard counter to this build is stability. Use Null Field offensively when charging into combat to start stripping boons in case the enemy has stacked stability. If that doesn’t get the job done, use GS#3 to remove another boon from attackers.
Might Stacking
With the Sigils of Battle on both weapon sets, you’ll gain 3 stacks of might for 39 seconds every time you swap weapons. As the battle rages, this will allow you to maintain 12 stacks of might if you swap weapons regularly. Add in 5 stacks of might for each interruption, and you can reliably maintain 20 stacks of might, more if your interrupts hit several targets. If you interrupt five targets at once, you’ve hit the jackpot and now have 25 stacks of might.
Sharing Boons
Before using your Signet of Inspiration, be sure to make use of the Sword#3/Focus#4 combo to stack retaliation. The combo will proc twice (once for sending out your iLeap, and once for swapping with the clone) and results in 19.5 seconds of retaliation. Once you have might, retaliation, and all the other boons you are picking up along the way, share them with your party. Once you have shared boons, throw in a Timewarp to speed up everyone you just stacked might on.
Boon Duration
Boon Duration only applies to boons that you are generating. Receiving boons from other party members relies on their boon duration. Giving boons to other party members uses yours. (For example, everyone who runs over your Temporal Curtain receives the increased swiftness amount from your boon duration)
Signet of Inspiration does not use boon duration. It simply shares the boons you have at however many seconds are remaining
Focus Usage
Perma-swiftness is built in with boon duration and a traited focus. You receive 23 sec of swiftness from Temporal Curtain, which has a 20 sec cooldown. Also, be sure to hug your iWarden when he is up. He’ll reflect projectiles for you and also give you regeneration so long as he is alive. Regeneration will also grant you protection due to the minor trait.
Have a Thief in your party?
Prismatic Understanding + Shadow Refuge + Boon Duration = 30 seconds of protection and regen (or some combination of the two, since it’s random). Shadow Refuge doesn’t come up often in Zergplay, but if you and your thief buddy are well coordinated, you can use the refuge while traveling and share all that protection when charging into battle. All you have to do is swap out Chaotic Interruption for Prismatic Understanding and you’re good to go.
Dragonbrand
(edited by Nikked.7365)
