Guild Wars 2

Hello Mesmers,

Long time player, first time poster here.

I have been studying the forums, builds and stickies for a while looking for the ‘perfect’ build for me.

For a long time I was a phantasm support mesmer but eventually this got a bit boring. Not too long ago, I did some searching and ended up settling on Osicat’s Napalm Shatter Build. I found this a lot of fun, but the low mobility was hurting in WvW. Then I was hit with the PU and other changes coming on 9th Sep 14.

So I began looking for something else that would suit me.

I would like a build that I can use for Both PvE and WvW (with changing major traits to suit situation, but without having to change point distribution). I played GW1 and loved the mesmer which was innately Condition and CC through chaos storms and DoTs, so I have been looking at a Condition and CC Build for both PvE and WvW. And I always love CC because it annoys the crap outta your opponent

Please could you comment on My Build bearing the above in mind?

With the above build, I tried to create a PvX versatile build with:

*Damage from strong Phantasms (Fury+Bleed on Crit and 15% phantasm damage) *Stacking condition damage applied via interrupts (hence the many dazes/stuns/interrupts in the build).
*Crowd Control.

Traiting the Focus enables me to gain reflection through Temporal Curtain which synergises well with Chill and phase retreat to stay out of melee range. This also adds another interrupt if I use Into the Void, adding more conditions and CC.

As always, you have to sacrifice some trait selections – there’s always a choice to be made. This means I did not put 3 points into Domination to gain the minor traits and extra 15% illusion damage from Empowered Illusions. These would go nicely with my interrupts and phantasms but I didn’t find the Vulnerability attractive enough if I can’t do enough damage in the first place.

I haven’t been able to fully test this yet, but as always, would appreciate your input. Especially if you have a better grasp of the up-coming changes than I do.

Thanks all

That build won’t work in PvE. If you’re talking about open world, it’s much more efficient (say if you’re zerging or tagging events/mobs) to reroll. If you’re talking about world bosses, it’s much more efficient to not use conditions and instead drop 3 Warlocks and camp Greatsword or Sword (depending on how close you can get). If you’re talking about Dungeons, please don’t make me strangle you.

Also, as a Mesmer, to be at your peak performance, you need to be able to [re]trait on the fly. If that’s not your cup of tea, you might want to stick to one game mode for now (WvW).

What do I need to make it more PvE open world viable? is it more direct damage?

Esplen.3940:

Also, as a Mesmer, to be at your peak performance, you need to be able to [re]trait on the fly. .

If I can get a build that enables me to do WvW, open world PvE and bosses as well as dungeons then I’d be a very happy bunny

I’m more than happy to swap between GS/Staff situationally whilst swapping a couple of major traits, but would like to not have to change play style. This is where I’m struggling. I enjoy CC and love the staff. I also really seem to like Sceptre/Torch but I also have fun with a Focus. I’d prefer to just have the one set of armour too but use different foods as appropriate.

I’m struggling to find a build that suits these preferences. They all seem far too specific and require a complete retrait and set of armour/weapons to be able to swap between WvW/PvE/Dungeons.

sPVP is different because you can effectively save your specific pvp battleground setup.

I guess my problems would be solved if Anet put in a build profile system like Rift : 3 or 4 saved traits and gear setups that you can switch between ‘on the fly’ but out of combat ofc.

The problem isn’t with the build, condition builds are generally not very good for PvE world bosses. The limit on condition damage (25 stacks) really prevents a condition build from working.

If you are just looking for a good dungeon build, you can try Brazil’s build. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjZhKTy9b2w

For an all around build that’s lots of fun, check out the shattercat ghost. It’s not min/maxed for PvE, but you can use it everywhere. Just swap out the torch for a sword or pistol. (And the corresponding master trait in domination) http://en.gw2skills.net/editor/?fgAQNAsfRl4zKqHTTkGb9ICqHYH49dkU0avWJF22FC-j0CBYgCiEEgkIBK1UaM7UItMsIasabYKXDqW/CxceY1G0JSKgRVGB-w

Esplen.3940:

That build won’t work in PvE. If you’re talking about open world, it’s much more efficient (say if you’re zerging or tagging events/mobs) to reroll. If you’re talking about world bosses, it’s much more efficient to not use conditions and instead drop 3 Warlocks and camp Greatsword or Sword (depending on how close you can get). If you’re talking about Dungeons, please don’t make me strangle you.

Also, as a Mesmer, to be at your peak performance, you need to be able to [re]trait on the fly. If that’s not your cup of tea, you might want to stick to one game mode for now (WvW).

Esplen hit the key saying “we need to be able to re trait on the fly”, very important for every game mode. In pve for example I’m changing my build per boss fight/situation, Do reflects work? Can I get close? Can I interrupt? If I’m on world bosses or any other mode I’m changing my build per fight. Which is usually some sort of reflect/mantra/phant build for pve anyway.

Doni.6095:

If I can get a build that enables me to do WvW, open world PvE and bosses as well as dungeons then I’d be a very happy bunny

Here’s the deal. You can use 1 set of gear for roaming WvW, open world PvE and bosses, and dungeons. You can not use 1 set of traits. You’ll need to retrait and change weapons as different encounters come up. Since you don’t have to visit a retrainer and it’s free to do now, there’s absolutely no excuse to do so. Trying to make a build that works in all of those game types will simply result in a build that’s bad at all of them.

Your best bet would probably be some power phantasm build. Does decently well in roaming/1v1 scenarios and is viable for most dungeon play. Retraiting is a bit easier because most of the reflect traits are in the Inspiration line. You’d still be viable in dungeon play without retraiting for the situation, but you won’t be optimal.

For world bosses, it doesn’t really matter. You’re mostly mashing 1 to get tags in anyway.

Fay.2357:

Doni.6095:

If I can get a build that enables me to do WvW, open world PvE and bosses as well as dungeons then I’d be a very happy bunny

Here’s the deal. You can use 1 set of gear for roaming WvW, open world PvE and bosses, and dungeons. You can not use 1 set of traits. You’ll need to retrait and change weapons as different encounters come up. Since you don’t have to visit a retrainer and it’s free to do now, there’s absolutely no excuse to do so. Trying to make a build that works in all of those game types will simply result in a build that’s bad at all of them.

But… I wanna have my cake AND eat it

I guess you’re right, it’s just a little frustrating. I’ll have to keep searching until I find a build that I can use the same gear for that I find fun to play, then swap out some traits when changing content.

Thank you for everyone’s input. Feels a little deflating when you like to do all types of game content. I’ll have to keep searching the stickies and trying some builds until I find what I like.

For now i’m on Osicat’s Napalm Cat because its uber fun, but ofc isn’t very applicable to PvE and certainly not dungeoneering.

xx

You can check out a PvE/WvW boon share interrupt build. It won’t be particularly viable versus bosses (either in dungeon or open world) but it’s a support build, so you’re able to assist your allies in nearly every scenario.

Additionally, since PvP has it’s own traits/gear/runes/sigils, you can set a build and just swap to it on the fly. The only thing to note is that you have to equip the appropriate weapons.

I have no idea where the boon-share interrupt build is, but it’s basically S/F + Staff. You can swap Focus for Torch to get a blast, but you lose out on some lots of Retaliation.

Esplen.3940:

You can check out a PvE/WvW boon share interrupt build. It won’t be particularly viable versus bosses (either in dungeon or open world) but it’s a support build, so you’re able to assist your allies in nearly every scenario.

Additionally, since PvP has it’s own traits/gear/runes/sigils, you can set a build and just swap to it on the fly. The only thing to note is that you have to equip the appropriate weapons.

I have no idea where the boon-share interrupt build is, but it’s basically S/F + Staff. You can swap Focus for Torch to get a blast, but you lose out on some lots of Retaliation.

Hmm, that’s true. I have run a boonshare build from Chaos’ post.. Chaos Maestro thread. Will have another look and see how well it can be personalised.

Doni.6095:

Esplen.3940:

You can check out a PvE/WvW boon share interrupt build. It won’t be particularly viable versus bosses (either in dungeon or open world) but it’s a support build, so you’re able to assist your allies in nearly every scenario.

Additionally, since PvP has it’s own traits/gear/runes/sigils, you can set a build and just swap to it on the fly. The only thing to note is that you have to equip the appropriate weapons.

I have no idea where the boon-share interrupt build is, but it’s basically S/F + Staff. You can swap Focus for Torch to get a blast, but you lose out on some lots of Retaliation.

Hmm, that’s true. I have run a boonshare build from Chaos’ post.. Chaos Maestro thread. Will have another look and see how well it can be personalised.

That sort of build can work excellently in PvP and WvW group fights, but you’ll have a bad time in WvW roaming (boon share requires people to share it with of course). Note that in WvW group fights you might miss out on some tagging that you could otherwise get with a more offensive build.

Don’t try to run it in PvE though. Mesmers can’t produce the truly important PvE boons (might+fury), so it’s better to focus on damage and other utility.

Fay.2357:

Doni.6095:

Esplen.3940:

You can check out a PvE/WvW boon share interrupt build. It won’t be particularly viable versus bosses (either in dungeon or open world) but it’s a support build, so you’re able to assist your allies in nearly every scenario.

Additionally, since PvP has it’s own traits/gear/runes/sigils, you can set a build and just swap to it on the fly. The only thing to note is that you have to equip the appropriate weapons.

I have no idea where the boon-share interrupt build is, but it’s basically S/F + Staff. You can swap Focus for Torch to get a blast, but you lose out on some lots of Retaliation.

Hmm, that’s true. I have run a boonshare build from Chaos’ post.. Chaos Maestro thread. Will have another look and see how well it can be personalised.

That sort of build can work excellently in PvP and WvW group fights, but you’ll have a bad time in WvW roaming (boon share requires people to share it with of course). Note that in WvW group fights you might miss out on some tagging that you could otherwise get with a more offensive build.

Don’t try to run it in PvE though. Mesmers can’t produce the truly important PvE boons (might+fury), so it’s better to focus on damage and other utility.

Any suggestion on a build that I can run Fay? One whose core concept remains the same but I can tweak for WvW vs PvE vs Dungeons etc?

Doni.6095:

Fay.2357:

Doni.6095:

Esplen.3940:

You can check out a PvE/WvW boon share interrupt build. It won’t be particularly viable versus bosses (either in dungeon or open world) but it’s a support build, so you’re able to assist your allies in nearly every scenario.

Additionally, since PvP has it’s own traits/gear/runes/sigils, you can set a build and just swap to it on the fly. The only thing to note is that you have to equip the appropriate weapons.

I have no idea where the boon-share interrupt build is, but it’s basically S/F + Staff. You can swap Focus for Torch to get a blast, but you lose out on some lots of Retaliation.

Hmm, that’s true. I have run a boonshare build from Chaos’ post.. Chaos Maestro thread. Will have another look and see how well it can be personalised.

That sort of build can work excellently in PvP and WvW group fights, but you’ll have a bad time in WvW roaming (boon share requires people to share it with of course). Note that in WvW group fights you might miss out on some tagging that you could otherwise get with a more offensive build.

Don’t try to run it in PvE though. Mesmers can’t produce the truly important PvE boons (might+fury), so it’s better to focus on damage and other utility.

Any suggestion on a build that I can run Fay? One whose core concept remains the same but I can tweak for WvW vs PvE vs Dungeons etc?

I’m not Fay(unfortunately) but a Mantra based build could do the trick. The thing though is that of the main build types(Shatter, Support, Phantasm, Mantra, Lockdown, and PU) Shatter, Mantra, and Phantasm all have appropriate modifications for all content and even support and lockdown can be run in organized parties.

Most builds (with a couple tweaks) can be run in a number of situations (Dungeons may be the least build-flexible in this respect). So play whatever you want and have fun doing it.

Doni.6095:

Fay.2357:

Doni.6095:

Esplen.3940:

You can check out a PvE/WvW boon share interrupt build. It won’t be particularly viable versus bosses (either in dungeon or open world) but it’s a support build, so you’re able to assist your allies in nearly every scenario.

Additionally, since PvP has it’s own traits/gear/runes/sigils, you can set a build and just swap to it on the fly. The only thing to note is that you have to equip the appropriate weapons.

I have no idea where the boon-share interrupt build is, but it’s basically S/F + Staff. You can swap Focus for Torch to get a blast, but you lose out on some lots of Retaliation.

Hmm, that’s true. I have run a boonshare build from Chaos’ post.. Chaos Maestro thread. Will have another look and see how well it can be personalised.

That sort of build can work excellently in PvP and WvW group fights, but you’ll have a bad time in WvW roaming (boon share requires people to share it with of course). Note that in WvW group fights you might miss out on some tagging that you could otherwise get with a more offensive build.

Don’t try to run it in PvE though. Mesmers can’t produce the truly important PvE boons (might+fury), so it’s better to focus on damage and other utility.

Any suggestion on a build that I can run Fay? One whose core concept remains the same but I can tweak for WvW vs PvE vs Dungeons etc?

Well, let’s start with dungeons, because they’re the most cut and dry of any game type.

In dungeons, you want full berserker’s gear (assassin’s is actually technically better). You’ll be running a phantasm build generally with mantras for extra personal damage. For more specifics on that, take a look at the stickied dungeon guide.

So now you’ve got a set of glassy power gear. This’ll work just fine for open world PvE as well, same builds will work just fine too. Open world PvE is…yeah. It’s pretty dull/easy. The only thing is that the optimal damage runes in dungeons will be something like scholar/strength, but for open world PvE you’ll really want centaur for that permanent swiftness.

For WvW, you can roam in glassy gear. You can do this as a shatter build, interrupt build, or phantasm build. The issues here are that you’re going to have a lot of trouble dealing with many standard roaming builds if you’re solo. If you roam with a buddy or two, this becomes much less of an issue.

Now for WvW group play…this is tougher. I’ll only address builds you can run post-patch, since pre-patch there’s really nothing good. You’ve got limited options for what you can do with glassy gear. You’re very much backline, because any frontline build needs more defense than that. However, you can focus on something like support through mantras+aoe damage with mantra of pain, or you could go even more offensive with triumphant distortion allowing your iZerker to get a spin off and such. You can really play around with your build a bit there, but the important thing is that you’re absolutely a backliner if you’re in glassy gear like that.

1. Get Zerker gear
2. Get Runes of the Traveler (Superior if can afford would be preferred)
3. GS/Sword pistol for wvw
4. GS/Sword focus for pve can keep pistol if want to
5. Builds
a. PVE http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fhAQRAsd8cnsISRaWjGmqB1aGR1QQZ30kOQiIlsTJA-TBSBABUcAECc/BKV/xMlgXp8DPNMLcgAA4AGQGg8JA-e
b. WVW http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fhAQNAsaRnsISjaWmGmqB3aGp0YM9PxcDJDIhS+S5A-TBSBABUcKECc/BKV/xMlgXp8DPNMLckAA4BGQGg8JA-e
Now with the PVE build you can stick with great sword and that is fine just take out signet mastery and sub it for GS training and use same heal or the default heal for mesmer.

For WVW you can sub out pistol for torch for a bit more stealth and burning but I find the pistol to be much more effective with the phant dealing worlds more dps and magic bullet is amazing.
So there you go this is a very quick ex. of what I run situationally of course. It works however in both WVW PVE and EOTM for PVP I run a shatter variation with gs sword/pistol. but that is outside of what you were requesting hope this helps.

Also much of this is up to you can swap out certain utilities as you’d like for open world pve I run mostly maxed out mantras for the 16% dmg increase 100% of the time. In dungeons I switch that out run usually 2-3 mantra with Feedback or cleansing field depending on situation. For WvW I run that setup typically blink decoy and third can switch around from mantra that cleanses condi’s to condition cleansing field to portal or any others that may work its really up to your gameplay type.

So hope this helps at least a bit..

@Doni your build Looks fun it will take practice landing pull into warden then confuse ray, though why emerald jewel. Other than that try runes of the sunless for lols with mass invis and chaotic interruption. Get rid of sigil of agony it is a waste in wvw, instead throw on sigil of doom and condi duration food.

In condi mesmer builds sigils of doom is king.

With your low power the 25% damage to phantasms isnt that great, i dont go anywhere in wvw without extended blink maybe use that 1 point for that. Extended blink opens up so many special juke locations.

Fay.2357:

Well, let’s start with dungeons, because they’re the most cut and dry of any game type.

In dungeons, you want full berserker’s gear (assassin’s is actually technically better). You’ll be running a phantasm build generally with mantras for extra personal damage. For more specifics on that, take a look at the stickied dungeon guide.

So now you’ve got a set of glassy power gear. This’ll work just fine for open world PvE as well, same builds will work just fine too. Open world PvE is…yeah. It’s pretty dull/easy. The only thing is that the optimal damage runes in dungeons will be something like scholar/strength, but for open world PvE you’ll really want centaur for that permanent swiftness.

For WvW, you can roam in glassy gear. You can do this as a shatter build, interrupt build, or phantasm build. The issues here are that you’re going to have a lot of trouble dealing with many standard roaming builds if you’re solo. If you roam with a buddy or two, this becomes much less of an issue.

Now for WvW group play…this is tougher. I’ll only address builds you can run post-patch, since pre-patch there’s really nothing good. You’ve got limited options for what you can do with glassy gear. You’re very much backline, because any frontline build needs more defense than that. However, you can focus on something like support through mantras+aoe damage with mantra of pain, or you could go even more offensive with triumphant distortion allowing your iZerker to get a spin off and such. You can really play around with your build a bit there, but the important thing is that you’re absolutely a backliner if you’re in glassy gear like that.

Actually Fay, this really helps a lot. This is a very good breakdown of the different aspects of each facet of PvE and WvW. Thank you.

I will be able to take what you’ve put here to help me decide how/where to go with my build and gear. This comment should definitely be in the stickies IMO. It’s not as though I didn’t know what the different aspects of these games elements were, it’s more that I had never considered how each aspect impacts on a characters setup.

mikeew.8607:

1. Get Zerker gear
2. Get Runes of the Traveler (Superior if can afford would be preferred)
3. GS/Sword pistol for wvw
4. GS/Sword focus for pve can keep pistol if want to
5. Builds
a. PVE http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fhAQRAsd8cnsISRaWjGmqB1aGR1QQZ30kOQiIlsTJA-TBSBABUcAECc/BKV/xMlgXp8DPNMLcgAA4AGQGg8JA-e
b. WVW http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fhAQNAsaRnsISjaWmGmqB3aGp0YM9PxcDJDIhS+S5A-TBSBABUcKECc/BKV/xMlgXp8DPNMLckAA4BGQGg8JA-e
Now with the PVE build you can stick with great sword and that is fine just take out signet mastery and sub it for GS training and use same heal or the default heal for mesmer.

For WVW you can sub out pistol for torch for a bit more stealth and burning but I find the pistol to be much more effective with the phant dealing worlds more dps and magic bullet is amazing.
So there you go this is a very quick ex. of what I run situationally of course. It works however in both WVW PVE and EOTM for PVP I run a shatter variation with gs sword/pistol. but that is outside of what you were requesting hope this helps.

Also much of this is up to you can swap out certain utilities as you’d like for open world pve I run mostly maxed out mantras for the 16% dmg increase 100% of the time. In dungeons I switch that out run usually 2-3 mantra with Feedback or cleansing field depending on situation. For WvW I run that setup typically blink decoy and third can switch around from mantra that cleanses condi’s to condition cleansing field to portal or any others that may work its really up to your gameplay type.

So hope this helps at least a bit..

actually it does help, thank you very much thank you for taking the time to link the builds and detail your thoughts behind them.

Much of the help that has been given in this thread really has helped me, thank you all!!

Pwent.2639:

@Doni your build Looks fun it will take practice landing pull into warden then confuse ray, though why emerald jewel. Other than that try runes of the sunless for lols with mass invis and chaotic interruption. Get rid of sigil of agony it is a waste in wvw, instead throw on sigil of doom and condi duration food.

In condi mesmer builds sigils of doom is king.

With your low power the 25% damage to phantasms isnt that great, i dont go anywhere in wvw without extended blink maybe use that 1 point for that. Extended blink opens up so many special juke locations.

I think I was just looking for a jewel that would affect precision and toughness.

Actually, you’re right, that could be fun, could either use sunless, nightmare, torment, perplexity, or that other one I can’t find that inflicts several conditions when using an elite.

Do you mean to swap Phantasmal Fury with Far-Reaching Manipulation? I was led to believe that Phantasmal Fury was paramount for Phantasm damage? Also, I was under the impression that Phantasms inherited your crit chance, were affected by Boons, AoEs and Conditions. I haven’t found out exactly which of your stats they inherit though, is Power one of them then?

With regards Blink, I nearly always have that trait equipped because it is just so useful. However you mention that: “Extended blink opens up so many special juke locations.”
Can you expand on this please? I was always frustrated that blink seems unable to send you to any place that doesn’t have both direct LoS from you current position and is free from vertical obstructions or drops. Is there a way to use it more advantageously?

Doni.6095:

… that other one I can’t find that inflicts several conditions when using an elite.

You mean the Superior Rune of the Krait?

Absconditus.6804:

Doni.6095:

… that other one I can’t find that inflicts several conditions when using an elite.

You mean the Superior Rune of the Krait?

That’s the one, thank you Absconditus!

Doni.6095:

Do you mean to swap Phantasmal Fury with Far-Reaching Manipulation? I was led to believe that Phantasmal Fury was paramount for Phantasm damage? Also, I was under the impression that Phantasms inherited your crit chance, were affected by Boons, AoEs and Conditions. I haven’t found out exactly which of your stats they inherit though, is Power one of them then?

Phantasms inherit all the mesmer’s BASE stats, with the exception of vitality. This means that crit chance is not inherited…but precision is. Things that boost crit chance (such as fury on the mesmer) do not transfer to phantasms, but things that boost precision do. Additionally, this also means that things boosting base stats on phantasms (such as might) do nothing, but those same things on the mesmer will transfer to the phantasm.

Doni.6095:

With regards Blink, I nearly always have that trait equipped because it is just so useful. However you mention that: “Extended blink opens up so many special juke locations.”
Can you expand on this please? I was always frustrated that blink seems unable to send you to any place that doesn’t have both direct LoS from you current position and is free from vertical obstructions or drops. Is there a way to use it more advantageously?

I highly recommend you watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35ozCg25--E&list=UUYUY9_i44IDNOs_Ja815mlA

A quick summary though is that blink skills do a search for a walking path from your position to the target position. If one exists within a certain range, even if it’s roundabout, you’ll be able to blink there.

Fay.2357:

Doni.6095:

Do you mean to swap Phantasmal Fury with Far-Reaching Manipulation? I was led to believe that Phantasmal Fury was paramount for Phantasm damage? Also, I was under the impression that Phantasms inherited your crit chance, were affected by Boons, AoEs and Conditions. I haven’t found out exactly which of your stats they inherit though, is Power one of them then?

Phantasms inherit all the mesmer’s BASE stats, with the exception of vitality. This means that crit chance is not inherited…but precision is. Things that boost crit chance (such as fury on the mesmer) do not transfer to phantasms, but things that boost precision do. Additionally, this also means that things boosting base stats on phantasms (such as might) do nothing, but those same things on the mesmer will transfer to the phantasm.

Doni.6095:

With regards Blink, I nearly always have that trait equipped because it is just so useful. However you mention that: “Extended blink opens up so many special juke locations.”
Can you expand on this please? I was always frustrated that blink seems unable to send you to any place that doesn’t have both direct LoS from you current position and is free from vertical obstructions or drops. Is there a way to use it more advantageously?

I highly recommend you watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35ozCg25--E&list=UUYUY9_i44IDNOs_Ja815mlA

A quick summary though is that blink skills do a search for a walking path from your position to the target position. If one exists within a certain range, even if it’s roundabout, you’ll be able to blink there.

Gotchya. Thank you for your explanation Fay!