Guild Wars 2

September 19, 2013 Update

- Removed the updated Hybrid Critical as it makes it very different and not the same. I brought back the original build link for it.
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The theme of the builds is to have a constant flow of illusions provided to shatter or give extra bonuses when having all illusions out. Both builds thus far mainly uses scepter as the main hand weapon with various off-hand choices and alternative second weapon. These builds are meant for PvE/dungeons. It is possible to use these builds in WvW, but needs testing.

The builds are hybrid power/condition specs. One has more critical damage with some phantasm dps/clone-death trait/minor shatters while the other focuses more on shattering.

Flowing Images – Hybrid Critical:

_Original_ItM – 10/30/0/10/20

Flowing Images – Hybrid Shatter:

10/20/10/0/30

Edit: I haven’t updated Hybrid Shatter version. Hybrid Critical link doesn’t have the original guide since I forgot to save it. ><;

-If trying out either builds, you don’t have to have the exact stats/gear. Something close is fine – over 2.4k attack, 1k condition damage, 2.1k armor, 17k health, and 40-50% crit chance and crit damage.

These builds may not be for everyone’s playstyle. Thank you for taking the time to read and/or checking out these builds! A big thank you to those who are testing them and providing me great feedback, input, and experiences to help improve them! And I also want to thank Official Mesmer Forum Guild [OMFG] for providing me much inspiration in becoming more mesmerizing!

Why wouldn’t you put 20 points in Dueling for clone on dodge trait?

Xavi.6591:

Why wouldn’t you put 20 points in Dueling for clone on dodge trait?

I actually tried it, but then I got into a bad habit of dodging to make clones and not dodging to avoid big hits, even with vigor. Plus, the clone seems to not want to go after my target and instead goes off to some random mob that I didn’t want to aggro. Now, if it gets fix so that the clone will attack my target, then I may consider going back to using it and taking 5 points from Illusions. Currently with scepter and occasional Mirror Images, I got plenty of clones. I’ll admit that the second major Illusion trait could be swapped out for something else – maybe Compounding Power or Confusing Cry.

Edit: I just saw some of the upcoming changes that Fay posted and clones won’t aggro mobs that I don’t attack. If that’s true, then I will consider using Deceptive Evasion and make Dueling 20 and Illusion 15 as well as updating the builds.

I’ve updated the builds and added a staff version.

Xavi.6591:

Why wouldn’t you put 20 points in Dueling for clone on dodge trait?

I find that trait is good for shatter builds and skippable for phantasm builds.
For phantasm builds my duelist line is phantasmal fury, sword trait, pistol trait if going 30 points deep.

fadeaway.2807:

Xavi.6591:

Why wouldn’t you put 20 points in Dueling for clone on dodge trait?

I find that trait is good for shatter builds and skippable for phantasm builds.
For phantasm builds my duelist line is phantasmal fury, sword trait, pistol trait if going 30 points deep.

Indeed. With my scepter/pistol + GS version, I tend to swap between clone on dodge and pistol traits. The former does, however, provide more clones in case phantasm skills are on cd and helps maintaining Compounding Power trait.

I’ve been practicing and playing around with some shattering builds but still have some emphasis on phantasms and wanted to update and revamp the OP with the newer versions. These were from the feedbacks and of course, inspired by other great mesmers. Thank you!

After this big patch, I went back to theorycrafting and thankfully not everything got changed. In fact, some things got buffed. See OP for details; I plan to update it as soon as the website is updated.

How does the scepter work in a phantasm build? It seems like you’d always be in danger of overwriting a phantasm with a scepter clone unless you disable the auto-attack.

This is not a critique…I am genuinely curious how you typically run these builds.

@ppaladin – Sorry for responding late. RL stuff happening with me. The best tactic of using the scepter with phantasms is to have only 2 phantasms out, leaving the 3rd open for clones. Sometimes I will swap to my other weapon set if I decide to have all 3 phantasms. There are also times where I end up having all 3 clones and just shatter. These builds are meant to provide flexibility between phantasm dps and shattering.

Also, I’ve updated the OP and builds to include ascended accessories and back piece since I finally got some time to look into them. I’m also working on getting the Quip (got 2 of 4 completed).

Edit: 2nd update to mention about food choices and shorten text due to character limit.

Sorry for double posting, but I wanted to add a 4th build version while changing the Mix build to help clarify things and not be too vague on them. ^^; I know my build theme had expanded (and hopefully this is it). With precision, each build applies 4 aspects that I want to emphasize on – power, condition damage, phantasm dps, and shatters – while having a hybrid feel to them.

Another update with revisions of the builds. I’ve actually been playing with these 2 builds since late July and I think they’re better than the previous versions.

I was originally going for the Quip, but a good close friend of mine (whom I’ve duoed with often in game) got me a big present – 100 charged lodestones and various T6 materials – and he thinks I look better with the Meteorlogicus.

I’m very interested in trying your critical build. However the link you have provided does not work. I will be very grateful if you can provide working link for the crit build.

Senjar.3269:

I’m very interested in trying your critical build. However the link you have provided does not work. I will be very grateful if you can provide working link for the crit build.

Whoops! I must had accidentally unpublished the build on the build website. It should work now.

Also, have you also checked out the OMFG tester’s test thread? I’ve posted a revamped version of the Flowing Images build that uses full condition:

https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/mesmer/OMFG-The-Testers-Testing-Thread/first#post2744763

There’s 3 variants – condition shatter, hybrid shatter (original), and non-shatter – and I have posted all 4, including Critical, on the build website. (I believe you can click on my name in any of the build guides to bring up the list of builds that I have and you should see all 4 Flowing Images build)

Thanks so much for taking interest! I’d love to have some feedback and input on your experience. I’m continuing testing these builds and trying out the new stats/runes that are available after today’s update.

Thank you for your fast response. I will be glad to give some feedback as soon as I try it out.

Senjar.3269:

Thank you for your fast response. I will be glad to give some feedback as soon as I try it out.

Take your time. Right now, with SAB and ascended weapon crafting, I’m a bit low on funds to upgrade some of my trinkets. Any feedback and input to help improve the build and/or its other variants is much appreciated! ^^

I wasn’t sure if it’s okay to bump your own build thread or bump the OMFG Tester’s Testing thread, but I wanna let everyone know that I’ve been getting some great feedback and suggestions, so big thank-yous to you folks! I’ve added the condition-specs of the build theme (of which I’m still testing each one) and updated the OP. As stated in OP, the build website isn’t revised yet, but once it does, I’ll update the builds with ascended weapons; I enjoy using that website because it allows me to provide an in-depth guide for each build.

Again, thank you all for offering to help test a build and providing your input! ^__^