Chrno for PvE
That’s very vague as far as what you are aiming for.
What is your 2nd weapon set? Are you using sword as mainhand or sticking to scepter only?
Scepter usually gets used in condition builds but will work in power builds if need be (since we are lacking mainhand ranged weapons). The usual ranged weapons used though are greatsword or staff one of which is power (greatsword) and the other works for both.
Assuming you want to run scepter/shield + x, my first suggestion would be to go condition damage and take staff as 2nd weapon set.
You could also go power with scepter/shield + sword/x which would give you more versatility. Honestly though, power builds work best with sword/x and greatsword in the 2nd weapon slot for pve imo.
The go to mainhand weapon for most builds, at least in one weapon slot, is sword because it’s just that useful. I get though if you want to run some caster type mesmer, not sure how fun that makes the class.
For PvE chronomancer is almost always a better option over core mesmer. Gives you more survivability if you struggle, gives you alacrity and illusion retention through shatters (stronger and more frequent shatters), gives you a way to use your elite skills on a 90 (or 76.5) second CD instead of the 180 they are normally at, and also comes with an oh kitten button with CS.
There are no real downsides to using chrono in general PvE.
I’m curious as to whether for general PvE (metas, world bosses, fractals) ppl are still using Power builds mainly or are switching to condi builds?
I’m back to my chrono after toying with an Ele for a while and have a straight power build Insp/Dom/Chrono, sw/sh + gs, zerker gear, and durability runes. Is condi stronger in PvE now and if so, what build?
I’m curious as to whether for general PvE (metas, world bosses, fractals) ppl are still using Power builds mainly or are switching to condi builds?
I’m back to my chrono after toying with an Ele for a while and have a straight power build Insp/Dom/Chrono, sw/sh + gs, zerker gear, and durability runes. Is condi stronger in PvE now and if so, what build?
I have multiple sets on my mesmers, here is small summery:
Berserker/Assassin – our bread and butter. Works fine in open world and is a great baseline to start exchanging items on.
Commander – getting that toughness for tanking, power wvw gear for bigger scale.
Minstrel – love it. Great for not tryharding raid content or when you want to go half afk or tank stuff in places which hurt (kiting VG into the next active third for example). Suprisingly terrible in open world. The very low damage makes me prefer berserker for open world. Very expensive too.
Trailblazer – Have a full trailblazer set on my 2nd mesmer and I’m guessing results will be similar for Dire/Rabid. Nearly unkillable in open world, very decent damage. This would probably be my new go-to set IF conditions were useful for endgame content. If you want to be near unkillable as with Minstrel and still put out decent damage, go Trailblazer for open world. The go-to for condi mesmer for wvw.
Viper – haven’t run this yet on mesmer, my guess is it will work fine on most pve open world (what doesn’t) and similar to the other condi sets just with more damage versus survivability. Raid condi is not meta except for 1-2 bosses where the class does nice damage.
To answer the question:
Yes, condi mesmer does outperform regular mesmer in open world and most easier content. Main problem for condi is the builds run a lot of Signets (you can run 5 signets condi if you want) meaning you lose quite a bit of support. Trailblazer makes you quite durable while keeping damage decent (from a mesmer perspective).
The problem remains, the moment you move to condi mesmer though you bascially need to own 2 sets because mesmer support remains power.
I’m curious as to whether for general PvE (metas, world bosses, fractals) ppl are still using Power builds mainly or are switching to condi builds?
I’m back to my chrono after toying with an Ele for a while and have a straight power build Insp/Dom/Chrono, sw/sh + gs, zerker gear, and durability runes. Is condi stronger in PvE now and if so, what build?
I have multiple sets on my mesmers, here is small summery:
Berserker/Assassin – our bread and butter. Works fine in open world and is a great baseline to start exchanging items on.
Commander – getting that toughness for tanking, power wvw gear for bigger scale.
Minstrel – love it. Great for not tryharding raid content or when you want to go half afk or tank stuff in places which hurt (kiting VG into the next active third for example). Suprisingly terrible in open world. The very low damage makes me prefer berserker for open world. Very expensive too.
Trailblazer – Have a full trailblazer set on my 2nd mesmer and I’m guessing results will be similar for Dire/Rabid. Nearly unkillable in open world, very decent damage. This would probably be my new go-to set IF conditions were useful for endgame content. If you want to be near unkillable as with Minstrel and still put out decent damage, go Trailblazer for open world. The go-to for condi mesmer for wvw.
Viper – haven’t run this yet on mesmer, my guess is it will work fine on most pve open world (what doesn’t) and similar to the other condi sets just with more damage versus survivability. Raid condi is not meta except for 1-2 bosses where the class does nice damage.
To answer the question:
Yes, condi mesmer does outperform regular mesmer in open world and most easier content. Main problem for condi is the builds run a lot of Signets (you can run 5 signets condi if you want) meaning you lose quite a bit of support. Trailblazer makes you quite durable while keeping damage decent (from a mesmer perspective).The problem remains, the moment you move to condi mesmer though you bascially need to own 2 sets because mesmer support remains power.
Raid condi isnt meta but still out dpses most pugs in raid, so i bring it anyway. Also you have a little versatility with 1 util slot and ur elite, since those pretty much arent used for damage.
I just made a completely new mesmer. One commanders, and one viper. I honestly raid more and do more stuff on the viper, cause soloing is too easy with the damage (can solo on both).
Condi mesmer def lacks aoe damage, but if you clump mobs you can cleave them pretty good with etherbolt and shatters.
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Raid condi isnt meta but still out dpses most pugs in raid, so i bring it anyway. Also you have a little versatility with 1 util slot and ur elite, since those pretty much arent used for damage.
I just made a completely new mesmer. One commanders, and one viper. I honestly raid more and do more stuff on the viper, cause soloing is too easy with the damage (can solo on both).
Condi mesmer def lacks aoe damage, but if you clump mobs you can cleave them pretty good with etherbolt and shatters.
Yeah, I have to say I do enjoy running condi and especially trailblazers on mesmer in most stuff but raids (I usually just run standard support or tank or cPS, no room for condi fun). The class feels powerful (condi outperforms on longer fights/tougher enemys, normal or veteran enemies don’t really matter since they die after 1 shatter anyway) and feels quite tanky (mesmer natural evasion/immunity skills plus toughness). I can only imagine how vipers performs damage wise (that and I’m literally to lazy/cheap to switch stats on legy armor and spend ressources on yet another full viper trinket set). Definately a way to play mesmer atm.
I just like warning people that current meta and expectations from others might not mesh well with condi setups on mesmer.
Wvw wise I’d absolutely recommend vipers for roaming, small scale or even big scale zerg fights. Organised groups might be better off with commanders still.
Can someone link the meta condi build? I see it referred to often, but haven’t been able to figure out which one is the standard. Metabattle has 2-3 different variations depending on play type.
Can someone link the meta condi build? I see it referred to often, but haven’t been able to figure out which one is the standard. Metabattle has 2-3 different variations depending on play type.
Here is the one on quantify for raids: http://qtfy.eu/build/mesmer
It’s a mix of viper’s and sinister and berserker runes (another problem of not running leadership runes versus our power builds).
Feel free to exchange gear as you see fit for open world content and fractals. Basically you can profit of the condition damage itemisation only requiring 2 stats (condi damage and duration) and get toughness or power on your third slot which makes it so powerful for most non raid pve. For raids, you definately want maximum damage itemisation.
Thanks, Cyninja. I appreciate the response. I’m still relatively new to GW2 and Mesmer but this information is incredibly helpful. I’m trying to keep track on what meta builds are currently preferred as I work to build up my character. I just finished obtaining my elite spec and some core masteries, so now I’m looking to start figuring out a plan to craft some better gear. For the time being, I’m limited to whatever I can buy at the auction.
Thanks, Cyninja. I appreciate the response. I’m still relatively new to GW2 and Mesmer but this information is incredibly helpful. I’m trying to keep track on what meta builds are currently preferred as I work to build up my character. I just finished obtaining my elite spec and some core masteries, so now I’m looking to start figuring out a plan to craft some better gear. For the time being, I’m limited to whatever I can buy at the auction.
In that case, here a small rundown of what I would recommend in general and specific to mesmer:
- meta builds are not that importent until you reach certain areas of the game like high level fractals and raids. They should be viewed as guidlines to work off of until you are familiar enough with your class as to make your own deviation.
- familiarize yourself with your class (and give multiple classes a try). Try out stuff, you never know what gameplay, weapon setup, trait combination etc. you might enjoy.
- rare items are fine for dungeons, open world, events and great for trying out new builds (the biggest difference will be power versus condition most of the time). Otherwise try out builds in the spvp area free of charge, who knows you might even enjoy the spvp aspect of the game
- if in doubt, stay away from toughness and vitality. Splash those stats in only once you are absolutely sure you can’t do without. Try changing utility skills and/or traits first. That will save you money and force you to practice challenging are of the game
- full exotic is what I would recommend for HoT areas of the game. They can be quite challenging with some of those HoT enemies which hurt a lot.
- gear off the auction house will cost you quite a bit more than aquiring the same gear as drops. For example, the first HoT map has very easy map currency to aquire and the bladed items have berserker stats as a choice. That can be a lot cheaper than spending multiple gold on the trading post. This goes tripple for trinkets which are very easy to collect from the new living world maps and will outperform exotic items from the trading post.
- for mesmer, I’d still recommend berserker as first item stat set to get. First and most important weapon currently is definately your sword. The caladbolg questline is a cheap way to aquire an ascended sword. The mesmer specialisation is a cheap way to get a great looking ascended shield. You can use the same mainhand weapon for both weaponsets by leaving the mainhand slot open on one of both and just placing an offhand weapon there. 1 ascended weapon for both slots, in the case of mesmer, your trust sword.