Hi.
I am Reavan I have played Mesmer since launch and this is the best chrono shatter build I have come up with so far.
Pros;
Constant Alacrity up time even without the trait [Improved Alacrity]. This is due to having such short cd shatters with 3 clones.
Highest shatter dps possible, Alacrity to max and always shatter with 3 clones.
Has some Phantasm dps also due to phants remaining alive after shatters.
20-25 Stacks of might constantly.
Lots of Vulnerability Application. – Can spec for extra by change of traits if required via [Rending Shatter].
SUPER FUN if you like pressing buttons.
Cons;
Super unfun if you can’t juggle the cds very well/ dont like mashing buttons.
The rotation can fall apart if a mob kills one of your precious phantasms or two. (thank you new damage reduction)
Glass cannon know your positioning.
Lacks Condi Cleanse.
Shatter dps? NAY NAY you say well ok… But I disagree.
Chrono makes it possible.
Domination/Illusions/Chrono.
A weird combo for a power shatter mesmer you might say and I’d agree yet this really works.
Roation;
Open up with [Phantasmal Disenchanter] , Then [Phantasmal Berserker] , [Mirror Blade].
You now have 1 illusion and 2 phantasms. Great.
When you are in this situation you can shatter once and get another shatter straight after with another 3 clones.
This is due to- [Chronophantasma] and [Illusionary Reversion] giving you phant and clones after you shatter them, phant stays alive for one shatter and when you shatter more than 2 things you get one clone back MATHS!
So we now shatter with [Diversion] to get some nice vurlnability on there and maybe stop the foe attacking to get [Mental Anguish] up to 30% extra damage while dealing extra damage to people due to [Fragility].
In wvw any protective boons they might have been rocking should now also be gone on the first shatter due to [Shattered Concentration].
Hit [Mind Wrack] and admire the pretty numbers (and butterflies).
Now.
After you have done that you are now concentrating on keeping your shatters rolling.
Due to [Flow of Time] you will now be rocking some serious alacrity which is reducing your cooldown time (or speeding up time for your cooldowns).
You will also have at least 10 stacks of might(initially), once you get your game on its a case of using shatters when they are available.
Use Clone/phant generating skills off cooldown but make sure you shatter them always when they are 3. (its quite easy to maintain 2 almost at all times, 1 phant and 2 clones = 2 clones to shatter after shatter.)
Use GS 3 when you can but do not sacrafice shatter getting 3 clones to use a shatter cd, that will result in dps loss so [Mirror Blade] > [Mind Stab] if you have less than 3 clones. Luckily Mind stab has a really fast cast these days.
You can use melee mode as well, the extra phantasm in utility is shatter fodder so you can STAY in the weapon mode you want, in wvw you have to swap weapons with the wvw build but there you don’t need a full dps roation, weapon swap is not affected by alacrity and all other skills are so you need two phantasms ready on one bar.
My Shatter priority after the opener as –
[Mind Wrack]
[Diversion]
[Cry of Frustration]
[Continuum Split]
[Distortion]
With [Continuum Split] being an exception sometimes as I’ll only use it when I have at least some CDs and [Mind Wrack] to blow so I can get two [Mind Wrack] ’s after another.
It takes some serious getting used to and due to the low cds of everything it is akin to playing the piano and you will have to keep an eye on your cooldowns to try maximise dps, for me its very fun to play we are mesmers not brain dead eles or warriors!
For WVW I am changing it up a little.
For extra condi cleanse.
With this you open in sword/torch with [The Prestige] then the first phant you use is [Phantasmal Mage] switch to GS and [Phantasmal Berserker] then [Mirror Blade].
You have your 3 clones ready to shatter; [Diversion] which will stun the target and making them vulnerable. Then its a case of hitting [Mind Wrack] + [Mind Stab] and continue from there. That should easily one shot a thief. (Evil Grin)
FAQ:
Q: Why [Phantasmal Disenchanter]??
A: To keep one weapon available at all times to max alacrity usage if you swap weapons you put everything on a 10 sec CD.
Q: Why Illusion trait line, its for condi?
A: It reduces the CD of many skills such as [Mirror Blade](6.5s instead of 8 not counting alacrity- [Illusionist’s Celerity]) and ALL of your shatters – [Master of Misdirection]. Which you y’know need to dps. It also allows you to stack up to 20-25 stacks of might with [Shattered Strength] + [Mirror Blade] + Sigil of strength + Rune of Strength.
ETC.
Q: Too many buttons hard
A:
Any other ‘questions’ I might stick in here via EDIT.
Thank you for your time.
Try and enjoy this build!
Peace.
Reavan