Guild Wars 2

Hello GW2 Community:

At the moment, I am running a condition build (yes, based around PU) on my mesmer. With this build, the runes that I am utilizing are the Runes of the Traveler. I very much find the permanent movement speed increase very useful. However, I feel that these runes are making me miss out on better things (this build’s biggest weakness in terms of dominating a foe is if they run, since this build has limited lockdown/immoblize/burst. Therefore, even with the permanent movement speed increase, there is little I have to use to kill them/slow them quickly enough…. the fight becomes a pointless chasing game). So, I am looking for suggestions on runes that would go well with my build.

NOTE – I am only truly concerned with the WvW aspect of the game (in addition, I solo-roam with my mesmer). Therefore, I am looking for rune suggestions based on the idea of decreasing my supply camp flip time as well as fighting other players in all scenarios (1v1, 1v2, 1v3, 2v1, 2v2, 2v3,….. etc.)

The two runes that I have been contemplating on switching to are:

- Rune of Tormenting
- Rune of Perplexity

Which of those two would be most suitable for my scenario?? I feel that Rune of Tormenting is most useful because of the heavy damage Torment can inflict, especially with being able to cause AoE Torment with a relatively short CD heal skill. The interrupt affect of Rune of Perplexity seems less reliable, but at the same time very useful against other players.

I am looking for all the advice I can get. Also, if anyone has suggestions on other runes besides the Runes of Tormenting, Perplexity, or the Traveler, feel free to suggest that as well.

Also, I would like an explanation/analysis on why you feel a certain rune would fit my build best/is superior to others

People running away is a general problem of condi mesmers because you rely heavily on your clones. PU condi mesmer, even more so. You might be able to catch a runner, but your clones likely won’t. So unless you can apply spike damage independently of your clones or shut them down hard with daze/stun/immobilize, you’re out of luck.
It’s one of the main reasons I decided to switch from condi to DD. I was sick of people just running away whenever I was getting close to a kill.

Perplexity for Runes, Superior Sigil of Torment on Staff. You’re a Mesmer condi-build, the vast majority of our condi options (including PU and derivatives thereof) are high in Precision. Between Dueling traits and full Rabid armour/weapons/trinkets, you’ll trigger the Sigil’s AoE Torment quite often. You’ll also get in some extra Confusion hits via the Runes. As for other weapons, Superior Doom or Geomancy’d give you some extra condition pressure. Or, you can go Hydromancy for Chill procs.

People will always run away if you run a condi build, there’s not much you can do about that. I think you should stick with your travelers, they’re really really good.
+15% boon duration and +10% condi duration are not to be underestimated.

Thank you very much for your advice. If anyone else has more suggestions, of course, feel free to say.

What Jackums said about chasing is pretty accurate. As a condie spec you stop people from running away with creative applications of torment, not by actually chasing them down.

Personally, I use Perplexity runes. That being said, you need to know that the confusion duration bonuses on perplexity runes are all broken, it adds no confusion duration. I use them because I feel that the other benefits they provide are worth it.

Superior rune of antitoxin isn’t half bad, especially against thieves with their nonstop poison application.

Thank you very much for your advice everybody.