Guild Wars 2

Before patch, I was using mainly a “Clone Factory” build with that trait that made clones apply conditions when they got destroyed. Sadly, this trait is nowhere else to be seen.

It was basically a solo pve focused build on clone production and overwriting (not shattering them) + phantasm burst damage.

Where/how I can find something similar to this? Maybe the tanky pve mesmer build is something totally different now?

Unfortunately or fortunately depending on your perspective, “clone death” builds are no more. The good news is that condition dmg is actually ok in PvE now based on what I’ve heard from others. If this is your preferred style of play, there’s hope for you. I don’t really play PvE, but there are many elements to it that would call for different builds.

You mentioned solo-PvE. Does this mean you’re doing open world content? Silverwastes? Dungeons? Fractals? That would help in people helping you to come up with another build.

Yeah, something to survive well against the hard-hitting Mordrem in SW. I know the main trick is to avoid being hit with all the defensive tools, but sometimes there are too many Mordrem, especially the Teragriffs.

With that old Clone Factory build, I just kept spamming clones and the aggro was everywhere, so most of the time I had nothing on me.

Its not really what you are looking for but the only thing similar to clone death in terms of you wanting your illusions to take damage is

Persisting Images

It only applies to phantasms, lasts 6 seconds and since its retaliation it would only be any good in a power build not condi.

I’ve had a little fun with sending phantasms into zergs in WvW with this and

Protected Phamtasms

so that they get their first attack of before they die but its a little gimmicky and a high investment in traits for the reward.

“Clone factory” doesn’t really work, staff cdr got nerfed and the scepter trait is bugged. The most defensive you can get is probably staff+sword/sword if enemy attacks can’t be reflected, Dueling+Chaos+Illusions to trait for cdr and more defense.
An alternative would be relying on Inspiration for healing, which works whenever you aren’t in danger of getting interrupted. Mantras of Recovery and Pain, traited with Restorative Mantras, have an absurd healing throughput when combined with active defenses from e.g. traited sword.

For the mordrem in particular focusing on interrupts and bursting them down works pretty well, against elites/champs just sic 3 phantasms on them and let the other players tank the damage.

For your playstyle you might enjoy the Mental Defense trait (Inspiration GM), sadly neither Chaos nor Inspiration have anything to help in actually killing your enemies. Definitely an option in the mantra heal setup though.

Thanks, gonna test some of it

yhvh.8703:

Yeah, something to survive well against the hard-hitting Mordrem in SW. I know the main trick is to avoid being hit with all the defensive tools, but sometimes there are too many Mordrem, especially the Teragriffs.

With that old Clone Factory build, I just kept spamming clones and the aggro was everywhere, so most of the time I had nothing on me.

Well unfortunately, I don’t really have a condition build for you, but I do just fine on the rare chance that I’m in the Silverwastes with this phantasm build:
http://intothemists.com/calc/?build=-R;4k2l61S7cVV71;9;4SVW;0146236046;9;1ZIDtZIDt;0FW0-gY10;1EbE6FbF6GbG6L

You get a lot of sustain and protection from both the Signets and the Inspiration line. Your phantasms actually live for a long time and do great damage. Usually, keeping your distance and spamming GS is the way to go. If you get pushed into melee battle, obviously Sword/Focus will offer you a lot of dmg mitigation.

Condition damage is inferior for mes in pve compared to power alternatives. Especially in silver wastes, where power block is so rewarding and protects you from all those charging terragriffs. It’s amazing what you can do with mantras and if you are in a bad situation, simply hit F4 and you can leave.

Power shatter works for pve now, there are many supportive traits for it and it’s the result of my testings of condition mesmer wich turned into condition shatter mesmer wich turned into power shatter mesmer for pve. Still a bit weaker than “the meta”, but it’s pretty viable and fun to play.