Guild Wars 2

I play a Human mesmer lvl 55. I chose Human because I liked them most during beta, but I did not take racial skills into account as part of my decision. And now I am wondering… what is the “best” race for a mesmer?

For example, when I look at the racial skills specifically, Asura seem like a great choice, their utility skills give more sources for confusion and condition damage. Sylvari seem good for a mesmer support build, too. As a Human, I like to use Prayer to Lyssa from time to time, for an additional boon and condition source. Not sure about the other two races, but I am curious to read about them too.

Your overall answers seem to confirm that Asura and Sylvari are getting some practical love

Also, Banjax, I love your sly thinking there, well thought!

Sylvari, gear looks cool on them. I dont need racial skills, they wont work in sPvP. For me its only the looks.

To be honest I really wanted to make a Sylvari Mesmer but I made a human.

I personally don’t like any of the racial skills.

When I created my mesmer at first, it was an asura, but I quickly deleted it because I don’t like their look. Sylvari was out of questions. Norn is pretty much the same as human but huge and taller. Chaar, oh hell no. So I went with Human.

I personally ain’t a fan of the mesmer elites, I use time warp on CoF’s legendary effigy and that’s about it. I use Asura’s defensive golem elsewhere.

That plus Radiation Field is really useful at certain times.

If only I was able to continue making clones in Raven form as a Norn, then I would be SO very happy. xD

I hear you there, BowmasterSol

Sylvari has been nice here, for PvE and groups. Healing Seed is decent, especially if you grab Chaos’ 15 trait for 2-seconds of protection when you get regeneration. (Going for Boon Duration and Signet of Inspiration for a decent AoE Protection is nice for allies at times). Vines is also nice as a single-target root.
Further the elite Druid Spirit is a decent alternative when trying to tag DEs.
Take Root though tends to be a useful Elite, when Time Warp or Moa are not sufficient. Its 3 seconds of invulnerability during cast, and spawning 5x Turrets which can pull attention away from you for a bit, but also deal a bit of damage and causes Bleeding. (Sometimes it looks like less turrets, but when in fact the Turrets can accidentally spawn on each other, which gives the half-and-half color effect flowers). Not quite as useful in DEs as the Druid Spirit, due to their slower projectile movement, but still a good choice if things aren’t dieing instantly.

Though if you are planning on sPvP or WvWvW, I think I would recommend going Asura. Smaller, harder to non-tab target (while clones take up tab targetting rather well),

Smallest possible Female Norn Mesmer <3

I’m happy with my asuran racial skills. When soloing pve, I’ll usually bring radiation field and the defensive golem. Currently using a full set of runes of the Rata Sum for the extra radiation field. When fighting groups, that skill lets you and your clones tank pretty much all you can pull, using it with chaos storm and chaos armor is just sick. Pain inverter is also great, I just don’t have room on my bar usually.

Dont overlook Norn catmanform, has like a 10s stealth thats useable in combat. Could be vital in helping slip into a keep and getting portals going… or slipping through an enemy line and getting a portal going, etc…

For cosmetics? Sylvari. I mean… their cultural armor has BUTTERFLY wings. Can’t really get more Mesmery than that!

The largest race and character possible. Large clones are like noob magnets in wvwvw

asura because of TA armor set – you will look like nightmare with right colours