Guild Wars 2

1 – What is the current meta for Mes? Should i change gear/traits/skills according with the Dungeon or party members?

2 – What about the weapons? I use sword+focus, currently Greatsword as well instead Staff, althought i loved my Staff and really disliked the GS, but now i find it fine and i believe it fits better with my Zerker stats. I like having a ranged weapon, i just think it comes handy quite often, but should i think about something else? I don’t think that – with my current build at least – scepter and torch would be an option, but i’ve noticed that some people here seem to enjoy sword+sword as well, and i remember to read a guide that – for dungeons too – suggested Sword+pistol. Should i really get rid off GS for sword+something?

3 – Just making sure, but Ranger runes work it illusions right? Then, it would be a better choice than scholar i believe? They aren’t as expensive, yet it seems to be easier to have Ranger’s 7%bonus (1illusion alive) rather than Scholar’s 10% (hp>90%).

4 – Talking about exotic only, but should i consider getting an assassin’s set to replace my zerker? It looks like currently it could be better.

5 – How should i rotate my utility skills? I just got too attached to null field and feedback, specially because they provide combo fields and with the right traits you can use them quite often. I personally enjoy the chaos armor and it gives a chance to all team members to get it as well and do some confusion bolts. But probably the good Mesmers at dungeons vary skills according with the situation, anything i should have in mind?

6 – Also i started to like the phantasm defender, i just like how it helps my party with the survivability, but how good it actually is? Because if he takes half of the damage directed at each of the group players, unless if he has a huge hp pool, in the end probably he isn’t that usefull i suppose?

7 – Are any of the illusion stats related with the character, or they only get affect with traits and possible boons?

8 -Does the feedback also reflect projectiles from the outside, meaning that if the players are inside the bubble and you have snipers ranging from outside you are safe?

9 – If we are stacked near a mob, and i use feedback, is it useless other than for the combo field? Seeing that the mob’s attack won’t touch the bubble/barrier, but rather directly hit us?

10 – I rarely use shatterer skills. I do use them every Dungeon, but like once or twice, most of the times im just trying to get illusions on the field and leave them to help doing damage or being just one extra target so that the mobs get distracted. Is this wrong? Should i always shatterer them if possible? or maybe it depends on the situation?

I didn’t intend to keep using my Mesmer, but in the end i got back to use him, so since it is my main i feel like i should understand him better. I’ve been into Dungeons lately and i would like to improve my game, so i would like to clarify the topics above.

Pokecenter.3548:

1 – What is the current meta for Mes? Should i change gear/traits/skills according with the Dungeon or party members?

Spamming my thread again. Definitely switch up according to the situation and what else your party has. I list a few criteria for what you should think about when switching in the thread.

2 – What about the weapons? I use sword+focus, currently Greatsword as well instead Staff, althought i loved my Staff and really disliked the GS, but now i find it fine and i believe it fits better with my Zerker stats. I like having a ranged weapon, i just think it comes handy quite often, but should i think about something else? I don’t think that – with my current build at least – scepter and torch would be an option, but i’ve noticed that some people here seem to enjoy sword+sword as well, and i remember to read a guide that – for dungeons too – suggested Sword+pistol. Should i really get rid off GS for sword+something?

If you want the “best” build, sword/sword and (sword/focus or sword/pistol) is what you want. Greatsword is a reasonable option if you insist on having a ranged weapon. I prefer scepter/sword as a ranged option most of the time, as the double blocks (scepter 2 and sword 4) help a lot in the defensive situations where I am bad and require a ranged weapon.

3 – Just making sure, but Ranger runes work it illusions right? Then, it would be a better choice than scholar i believe? They aren’t as expensive, yet it seems to be easier to have Ranger’s 7%bonus (1illusion alive) rather than Scholar’s 10% (hp>90%).

Even a mini-pet procs the ranger bonus. Illusions also do.

4 – Talking about exotic only, but should i consider getting an assassin’s set to replace my zerker? It looks like currently it could be better.

My thread explains this a little bit, and references the best thread on the subject. Short answer: yes. Longer answer: probably yes, but it’s not a huge difference.

5 – How should i rotate my utility skills? I just got too attached to null field and feedback, specially because they provide combo fields and with the right traits you can use them quite often. I personally enjoy the chaos armor and it gives a chance to all team members to get it as well and do some confusion bolts. But probably the good Mesmers at dungeons vary skills according with the situation, anything i should have in mind?

The combo field from Ethereal is useless, and provides negative DPS in many situations (as you can screw up good, useful fields like Fire by placing under them). Chaos Armor provides short boons randomly— the Aegis can be useful, but if it’s not reliable, it’s not worth using. Confusion does no damage in PvE either, because of the way mob attacks work.

Anyway, my thread lists many different uses for many different utilities, so take a look there.

6 – Also i started to like the phantasm defender, i just like how it helps my party with the survivability, but how good it actually is? Because if he takes half of the damage directed at each of the group players, unless if he has a huge hp pool, in the end probably he isn’t that usefull i suppose?

He’s helpful sometimes, as it can help when your team is really dying a lot. But conversely, you can also help your team by killing stuff faster— and that means using all three of your phantasms for DPS. Defender is very bad damage, and will lower your total damage by 15% or more when using it.

7 – Are any of the illusion stats related with the character, or they only get affect with traits and possible boons?

They inherit your power and precision and ferocity. Boons usually don’t affect them— things like Might will prioritize on players instead of your illusions. But since your own Power goes up with Might, your illusions gain Power as well from your Might.

8 -Does the feedback also reflect projectiles from the outside, meaning that if the players are inside the bubble and you have snipers ranging from outside you are safe?

Yup.

9 – If we are stacked near a mob, and i use feedback, is it useless other than for the combo field? Seeing that the mob’s attack won’t touch the bubble/barrier, but rather directly hit us?

Feedback is as generous as possible with reflections. Anything that could get reflected does. Outside going in, in going out, in staying in— all get reflected.

10 – I rarely use shatterer skills. I do use them every Dungeon, but like once or twice, most of the times im just trying to get illusions on the field and leave them to help doing damage or being just one extra target so that the mobs get distracted. Is this wrong? Should i always shatterer them if possible? or maybe it depends on the situation?

Generally it doesn’t matter, since the damage is so low. You might as well shatter when the mob is about to die in order to get some more last-second burst, since they’ll die when the mob dies anyway.

I didn’t intend to keep using my Mesmer, but in the end i got back to use him, so since it is my main i feel like i should understand him better. I’ve been into Dungeons lately and i would like to improve my game, so i would like to clarify the topics above.

Hope this helps~

The way I like to describe feedback is that it’s not a bubble, it’s a solid sphere of projectile reflecting space. Any projectile contacting that sphere in any way is reflected.

Thanks guys, you were helpful. Also did read the said guide and was a big help as well. Ill try some new stuff tmrw. I’ll also read ( or re-read, not sure) two other guides that were suggested on the Dungeons one.

Another question. I often see people asking exclusively for a Guard for dungeons, sometimes they don’t even know really why…but sometimes they do, and want him for reflects and condition clearing. Compared with Guards, where does the Mesmer sits when it comes to this? Aren’t our reflects better, specially since we can even use the curtain and Wardens (besides the Feedback) with that effect? And regarding conditions, being the null field good at it – and even rips boons – and having the Mantra as well, are they really better than us at it? I have no knowledge regarding Guard profession whatsoever, that’s why im curious.

Guard brings better boons— aegis, stability, protection, and can also keep up a lot of blinds. With a good guard popping aegis and blinds at the right time, it’s like having 2-3 extra dodges per battle, and that’s a lot. They have enough reflections and condition cleanse as well— maybe not quite as good as Mesmer, but enough (and wall is easier to use and longer lasting than feedback).

But yeah, we can’t compete with aegis and blinds, basically, and guards can compete with the things we do well.

Guardians have better DPS than Mesmers and there aren’t many places where you absolutely require null field in dungeons.

The fact that they have better DPS would mean that you probably don’t even need to have as many condition cleansing because the encounters could last shorter.

Mesmers can potentially have a more reliable and better reflect uptime than Guardians, yes, but also bear in mind that the iWarden is very bugged at the moment.

If you absolutely require reflects, usually a Guardian is sufficient and if it’s sufficient, it’s already the better option.

That leaves the Mesmer with the Portal. The absolute reason to still run Mesmers in speedclears.

On top of that, Guardians can easily provide the team with aegis rotations and stability if needed.

xallever.1874:

Guardians have better DPS than Mesmers and there aren’t many places where you absolutely require null field in dungeons.

The fact that they have better DPS would mean that you probably don’t even need to have as many condition cleansing because the encounters could last shorter.

Mesmers can potentially have a more reliable and better reflect uptime than Guardians, yes, but also bear in mind that the iWarden is very bugged at the moment.

If you absolutely require reflects, usually a Guardian is sufficient and if it’s sufficient, it’s already the better option.

That leaves the Mesmer with the Portal. The absolute reason to still run Mesmers in speedclears.

On top of that, Guardians can easily provide the team with aegis rotations and stability if needed.

I like mesmer and I play how I want with what I want. End of discussion.

frifox.5283:

I like mesmer and I play how I want with what I want. End of discussion.

xD

Okay, i grasp the general idea. Tho i didn’t know that Guards also had higher dps than Mesmers, i thought that with the ‘primary’ build (assuming things live enough to make use of them) phantasms together with the char would be able to do very high amount of damage.

That aside since portals were mentioned, anyone has a list of all the useful ways that portals can be used? I only do it in cof1 for the rolling stones part; I know that it can be handy as well in CM, during that part after the boss where you have spike traps with elites sniping you. Anything else?

Mesmer DPS with your phantasms out is good, especially if you get all 3 out. Problem is that it takes 10-15 seconds (assuming you’re using signet) to get them all out. Bosses can be dead by that time (depending on the group), so the ramp up time is really annoying. On top of that, phantasms die all the time and force you to resummon, again lowering your DPS. Guard DPS is solid out of the gate, with no conditions attached to it.

Portal can be super useful in fractals. Cliffside (you can portal, blink to the top of the stairs, portal, to bring your party up; you can also make the arm seals much easier by portaling people left and right), dredge (you can use portal to make sure that all 5 party members are in the main room for the pressure panels), harpy (stealth with a thief and run to the top of the jumping sequences, then portal), etc.

Anyway don’t feel bad about mesmer being “worse” than guardian. If you do the right things, you’re still contributing good DPS and group support in pugs and casual runs. It’s just that at the super high end speed running in organized guild groups, mesmers don’t contribute outside of portal.

I don’t do FotM atm, shame that portal seems too limited in my case. Thanks for the replies guys.