Guild Wars 2

Okay, I have found it much harder to level up my mesmer char than any of my other ones. Now, I am new to the Guild Wars Franchise, having only played a little bit a few years back, but am experienced with these types of MMO. So, are some other classes just way overpowered, am I being a massive nub or is there something I’m missing? I try to do all the events, a fair bit of crafting, and the main quest, but I have had friends who started when I was level 10, and are now level 36 by the time I was level 16! Maybe time spent playing is a factor? IDK. Help, anyone?

Our play style is highly affected by our traits, in the beginning it’s a bit more challenging but as you level up it gets much easier.

I’m levelling a mesmer right now (lvl 51) and the levelling speed seems fine to me. I do kill mobs a bit slower than on my guardian, but you get most xp from doing other stuff anyway.
I do play with friends a lot, so that may increase the leveling speed.

What’s your general strategy for killing things? You could probably get some more specific tips if you tell us which weapons and traits you use.

At the minute I use a staff and a greatsword/pistol and sword. I didnt realsie traits were so important and I haven’t got the manual as it’s a few pieces of silver out of my price range. I also think that I probably should spend more time in the game lol if I want to level up faster.

the tipping point seems to be around level 40, after that it’s a breeze

Buy your lvl11 manual from the trading post, it’s always significantly cheaper. Do not buy the lvl40 and lvl60 manuals from the TP, though.

The real question here is are you enjoying playing your Mesmer?

If yes than stay with it.
If “not really” than roll an easier to play class.

The fact is.
Mesmer in the hands of the wrong player is going to be a failure → see all whine posts about the mesmer in this thread
Mesmer in the the right hands is just a beast.

I’ve never, ever felt a toon as strong as the Mesmer in my hands. And I’ve played a lot of “toons” in my mmorpg life. ;-)

btw Fozeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee ! <3
Yar rolled a bloody Mesmer?

The first several levels suck balls on a Mesmer. Use the scepter for its clone generation until level 7, where you can swap weapons and get more DPS out.

Mesmer is heavily reliant on weapon swaps, so if you don’t have a tight habit of that, your PvE will be slower than expected until you do.

As someone who played many other chars, you will NEVER level as fast on a Mesmer as on “real” classes. It’s simple math. Take my latest alt – an Engineer, which is nearing 80 now.

First, starting at level 20, Engineer gets permanent swiftness. That is, 100%+ uptime of +33% movement speed. A Mesmer, at best, gets 50% swiftness uptime, especially at lower levels. This alone means my Engineer will move between mobs, events, etc., roughly 50% faster than my Mesmer could.

This is simple, undeniable math. If I have 100% swiftness uptime, and you have 50% swiftness uptime, I’m twice as fast as you are, all else being equal. This alone means, on average, an Engineer will level 50% faster.

Next, the range. Engineer past level 60 has 1500 range. Mesmer, 1200 range max. Need I say more? I can kill mobs from further away, with less kiting.

Next, the AoE. Engineer has more. WAY more. Anyone who says different needs to get out of la-la land and/or have their head examined. They’re not in the same league. Not even close in fact.

Next, underwater Engineer is godlike. Somewhat nerfed last patch two days ago, but still pretty godly. Way, way, WAY better than Mesmer. Again, this is not really debatable. I butcher underwater content on my Engi that gave me serious trouble as a Mesmer. To the point where I took a trait that makes me automatically drink an elixir at 75% health, only to realize that in 90% of the fights I never get to 75%! Between constant AoE blinds, brutal damage and insane 1500 range, things just melt.

Etc., etc.

My point is, when you see other people leveling faster than you, there are many possible reasons for it. More time spent playing, more crafting, etc., etc. But as someone who went through the EXACT same content twice with two different classes just now, sometimes it’s just the class. By my estimation, my Engi leveled AT LEAST twice as fast as my Mesmer. Probably faster. Just from the core advantages the class gives.

And just to ruin your day – from all the whining about Mesmers on PvP forum, most likely by the time you get to max level the class will be nerfed even more.

for leveling at lvl40:
Duelling 15: Sharper Images
+ green precision gear from TH
+ probably Duelling 20:X : Clone on dodge

And you’ll see how fast you can level.

I find 1h sword & focus really strong in pve. You have speed and the warden is really, really strong. Sword is strong as well, skill 2 has a rather short cooldown and high damage.
Cast the warden on an ethereal field and you trigger an combo. On higher levels, you can have the warden deflect (all?) ranged attacks. Often several mobs only have 50% health left when the warden dies.