Guild Wars 2

So this is an “in theory” thread, not a build thread, but a buddy of mine is leveling a mesmer and we started talking about distortion and dodge stacking to be invuln for awhile.

So let’s start off with skills that could work for this…I’m taking a Charr Mesmer into consideration here due to racials but any race should be able to do this:

-Distortion: scales with clones and self-shatter.
-Signets with trait: 1s per signet, casting time could be an issue but it’s there. Midnight probably functions best for this since it’s an instant stun break with blind, as well as signet of illusions to reset the shatter.
-Hidden Pistol: It’s basically a free dodge for Charr with a combo shot. Slip in Mirror Images instead if more clones are needed instead of 1s evade from dodge.
-Blurred Frenzy (S): 2s of distortion on this, can have CD reduced on the duelist tree down to I believe 8s cooldown(?)

So let’s open up the traits for this setup:

30 Duelist: dodge to clone and sword cooldown reduction, plus vigor on crits
10 inspiration: vigor on shatter for endurance recharge between dodges
30 illusions: Self-shatter, Signets grant distortion, recharge shatters at 25% health

This should give us the clones needed for distortion, make Blurred Frenzy more available, and sneak in a few seconds more of distortion.

Now that we have our skills and traits, let’s put together the final skillset:
Sword/Sword: Blurred Frenzy and a Block for the end of the distortion cycle
Scepter/Torch: Another block for the end of the cycle and The Prestige for stealth at the end.
Sigil of Energy will be needed in a weapon on each set to refill 50% endurance for additional clones.

Our utility will be Signet of Illusions, Signet of Midnight, and Mirror Images, with Mass Invisibility for our Elite.

The Combo
This is assuming 1v1 and the target is actively attacking you.

Sword/Sword
Leap
-Make iSwordsman
Swap
Blurred Frenzy (2s dist, it starts here.)
dodge at the end (3i up)
Distortion (4s distortion)
-Pop MW, CoF, and Diversion (gives vigor)
-Mirror Images
-Auto-attack until end
Signet of Illusions at the end (1s distortion, time to trigger when dist ends)
Sword Block after dist (lasts 2s, but let’s assume 1s before blocked, 3i now up)
Distortion after block (4s distortion, BF is recharged at about 2s of it)
-Autoattack
Blurred Frenzy at the end (2s distortion)
dodge at the end
dodge (should empty last of endurance)
Signet of Midnight (1s distortion)
Weapon Swap to Scepter/Torch (50% endurance refilled)
-blinded attack misses (assume 0.5s until miss)
Scepter Block (3i up, again lasts 2s assume 1s)
Diversion (1-2s daze on target)
Torch Phantasm
dodge
The Prestige (3s invisibility, position yourself behind them)
Mass Invisibility (5s invisibility)

While the invuln ends with the invisibility starting, in theory, you could do this out of stealth…
Weapon Swap to Sword/Sword (could could leap position if you want)
Blurred Frenzy (2s distortion)
Sword Block
dodge (3i)
Shatter
-Opponent ragequits.
(you have 50% endurance or so remaining for another dodge if you wanted)

So let’s do some math!
Assuming each dodge is about 0.5s worth of evade invulnerability, and each block takes up 1s of time and the blind buys you 0.5s

-Time Spent in Distortion: 14s (16s with the post-invis shenanigans)
-Time Spent dodging: 2s (2.5s)
-Time Spend blocking: 2s (3s)
-Time Invisible: 8s
-Time safe by other means: 1.5-2.5s (blind and stun)

For a total of 18s full invulnerability(21.5s), 1.5-2.5s situational, 8s invis, or upwards to 32s of safety!

Of course this is purely theorycrafting, and not factoring in runes which could EASILY extend this theoretical combo with triggers like endurance regen on heal with Mantra of Healing, or some sigils that trigger effects like daze or blind.

Final Note: While this will tie someone up for a hilarious amount of time, there’s near nil damage output, so don’t go crying OP on this because I will have done all of about 4k damage over 32s.

Feel free to discuss the potential shenanigans!

Haha, I love to see you troll a zerg with this. Of course thieves do this without even having to do that many shenanigans. I was trying to do the same theory crafting with ranger for sword/dagger+short bow
traited into the +50% endurance regen +protection for 2 seconds after dodge roll/singet active
with lightning reflexes/singet of protection/
running the double sigil of energy

I found a rune that works btw. Its the one that when you use a healing skill you regain half your energy. I forget which one it is but I’ve always wanted to try! Shenanigans ftw

Edit: Its superior rune of the adventurer. 50% energy refill on healing skill 10cd. If you combo with mantra of recovery or mirror you could easily toss a heal or two in between all your weapon swaps

We have a decent amount of dmg immunity, but nothing on thief with tanky dodge/stealth build. Not only that but they can actually be dropping caltrops via dodge in stealth and not break it.

Maybe not as much as thief, but we can get all kinds of distortion active and most other players aren’t familiar with mesmer enough to know the signs of distortion

I might try to run this build over the weekend for laughs just to see how hard I can make someone rage. Tempted to even say in spvp it could be viable when used as a distraction for a thief to position themself with

tl;dr, so i’m just gonna answer the title.

using only traits and skills.
you will need illusionary persona, sword trait, vigor on shatter, manipulation CD, a sword, mirror images, and Mimic

first, use mimic for 4 seconds of blocking after receiving the first projectile, then sword #2 skill gives 2.5 sec evasion, dodge for 1 more second, quickly use mirror images and use distortion for 4 seconds, you should have the used up 50% endurance recharged by then, dodge once for and additional 1 second, your sword #2 should be ready now, use it for 2.5 more seconds, dodge once more for an addition 1 second.

4+2.5+1+4+1+2.5+1 =16 seconds of pure evasion.

if you factor in stealth skills and count reflection skills as “untouchable”, this would add about 6~8 more seconds.

Stacking as much possible Distortion time as I can is how I work my Giganticus Lupicus encounters. That 1s Distortion on signet use is wonderful. Throw in Distortion grants reflection (oh if only it worked on /all/ distortion and not just the f4 shatter) for some added damage making him eat his own attacks and it’s super fun boss killing time.