Guild Wars 2

First off, I personally think it is a great idea to give Mesmers and Thieves.

Why?

Because nobody runs condition spec’s on them anymore. After the confusion nerf the condition damage Mesmer disappeared. Condition damage Thief conditions builds are fairly horrible unless you run P/D in which case it is quite strong, however it is easy to counter with -40% condition duration food buff and melandru runes (if you happen to be using them). They also have poor chasing power or burst damage.

Anyway, the main reason for this post was to address the Mesmer.

1. This skill should not be implemented into traits.

Why?

Because any mechanic that relies SOLELY on traits to even have access to it limits the freedom that players can have with it. The only reason it would be in traits is if it was insanely powerful or something, but I find that highly unlikely.

2. It needs to be put on the Scepter or the Torch.

Why?

The scepter and torch are widely regarded as the most underused/useless (maybe not useless but definitely under powered) weapons that the Mesmer has access to. Introducing a new aspect to these weapons could be very interesting and make them more useful for new condition damage builds (I think it is wise to assume this new CONDITION will scale with CONDITION DAMAGE).

There are many ways it could be implemented but this is the way I believe it should be done:

Scepter: remove the clone generation at the end of the chain and replace it with this condition.

Scepter clones are by far the most useless clones the Mesmer has access to as they don’t do ANYTHING AT ALL. At least the staff ones apply conditions and the sword ones stack vulnerability and strip boons. Oh and don’t give me that “If the scepter doesn’t make clones how am I going to fuel my shatters?” crap. TAKE THE kittenING CLONE ON DODGE TRAIT/MIRROR IMAGES AND YOUR GOOD.

Another way that many have said (yes you, whoever found that patch notes leak) it could be implemented is the scepter 2 “doubletap” ability called ‘counterspell’. Lets be honest guys, the blind practically never hits and it useless for a (12 second?) cooldown. If it was replaced with this new ‘Torment’ condition it could become a lot more useful. By keeping the abilities core mechanics the same (having the damage/clone summon when successful block and the fact that the ‘counterspell’ is not homing) it would still be ‘balanced’.

Torch: this one is pretty simple, just add it to the godkitten phantasm. Maybe it will make it worth it for the LONGEST cooldown phantasm that is second only to the iZerker in bugs.

Please note that I haven’t spoken about how many “stacks” or how long the “intensity/duration” that each of the new scepter/torch skills will apply of this new condition.

The reason being is that we don’t know anything about it other than the fact that it deals more damage when you move.

And there you have it folks, the correct way to implement this new condition.

Also, Torment is a perfect fit for the Mesmer, thematically speaking. I played a Mesmer in Guild Wars 1, and while other players hated it, I loved the energy denial and complete player shutdown mayhem I can cause with a good Mesmer build, and this condition reminds me of those skills.

I’d wish I could have Torment instead of Confusion on the traits that affect confusion, because that would be more useful in PvE in many situations. Applying the same amounts of both conditions would probably be op, maybe make a split for PvE here or something.

They get our Epidemic, we get their Weaken Knees, I guess.

Don’t get rid of my clone on my scepter auto, i’d like to have more than one illusion every kittening 30 minutes and not everyone wants to go 20 in Dueling, because contrary to popular belief, shattering is good for condi builds as well….

And they could always make the clones apply torment, you know make em useful, and don’t even give me that “It’d be OP” bull kitten, they spawn in melee range of the target and could be taken out relatively easily.

Reckless.6325:

First off, I personally think it is a great idea to give Mesmers and Thieves.

Why?

Because nobody runs condition spec’s on them anymore. After the confusion nerf the condition damage Mesmer disappeared. Condition damage Thief conditions builds are fairly horrible unless you run P/D in which case it is quite strong, however it is easy to counter with -40% condition duration food buff and melandru runes (if you happen to be using them). They also have poor chasing power or burst damage.

Anyway, the main reason for this post was to address the Mesmer.

1. This skill should not be implemented into traits.

Why?

Because any mechanic that relies SOLELY on traits to even have access to it limits the freedom that players can have with it. The only reason it would be in traits is if it was insanely powerful or something, but I find that highly unlikely.

2. It needs to be put on the Scepter or the Torch.

Why?

The scepter and torch are widely regarded as the most underused/useless (maybe not useless but definitely under powered) weapons that the Mesmer has access to. Introducing a new aspect to these weapons could be very interesting and make them more useful for new condition damage builds (I think it is wise to assume this new CONDITION will scale with CONDITION DAMAGE).

There are many ways it could be implemented but this is the way I believe it should be done:

Scepter: remove the clone generation at the end of the chain and replace it with this condition.

Scepter clones are by far the most useless clones the Mesmer has access to as they don’t do ANYTHING AT ALL. At least the staff ones apply conditions and the sword ones stack vulnerability and strip boons. Oh and don’t give me that “If the scepter doesn’t make clones how am I going to fuel my shatters?” crap. TAKE THE kittenING CLONE ON DODGE TRAIT/MIRROR IMAGES AND YOUR GOOD.

I was with you this far but no, clone on scepter 1 third attack is great and shouldnt be sacrificed to ‘try’ and improve the weapon. I will not stand for that.

Instead, put the new condition on scepter 1 first attack. I can see plenty of reasons why that would be good. The only argument against it would be “but then the scepter will be much better then before” … to that I say the scepter needs to be much better then before to be ok, because it is rubbish right now. I was low powered compared to other choices before the confusion changes, now it’s plain rubbish.

Put torment on scepter 1 first attack. you upgrade the scepter autoattack and the scepter clones at the same time. I have no issue with scepter clones but since you think they are useless, well now they trigger torment. Thats a nice upgrade dont you think?

I absolutely agree that both the Scepter and the Torch should be our means for applying Torment.

My suggestion is: allow the single clone generated from a successful using Illusionary Counter to generate apply Torment – as well as the near useless iMage (instead of applying retaliation, but with no change to applying Confusion).

I’d wish I could have Torment instead of Confusion on the traits that affect confusion, because that would be more useful in PvE in many situations. Applying the same amounts of both conditions would probably be op, maybe make a split for PvE here or something.

- and a variation of THIS!

The variation: have all the Traits which currently either grant, or affect, Confusion ALSO affect Torment.

You guys pose some pretty good points, even better than mine

I like Mastruq’s especially except, depending on how good this condition is, that really could be too strong (not that I wouldn’t like that) and cause a lot of people to complain.

And well, you know anet. If enough people complain about something, they might listen.

I definitely agree that it should be on skills, not traits. Not entirely sure about Scepter and Torch getting it (I’d prefer confusion on the scepter clones, personally), but it’s worth a thought.

Regardless, the game NEEDS the following skill somewhere, somehow…

Wastrel’s Worry: inflict Torment on the foe, and create an AoE bubble beneath them that pops after two seconds, stunning the target.

One way or another, the spells’ gonna getcha. That’s the Mesmer way, layering punishment that provides rock-or-hard-place choices to the opponent.

Haha that sound bloody awesome Shriketalon. But as always I can see too many people crying about it

I guess people need to l2p and just teleport out? cleanse conditions and use stability when that happens. Seems like a good cooldown forcer.

Actually here’s an idea, buff illusion of life and make it an elite. Then replace that lost skill spot with your spell idea