Guild Wars 2

So I’ve seen this suggested before, but isn’t this self limiting? I mean every test I’ve run seems to show that the CDs for sword are shared, so now instead of 10 skills you may use, you are down to 7. Granted we don’t have even a semi decent mh weapon for a power build beside sword.

So that is confusion 1 for this suggestion. Confusion two is why Sword in the offhand? Why not pistol?

Help a new mesmer understand

Thanks

From my understanding, Offhand sword has Riposte which is a very useful block which also spawns a clone. If the block isn’t going to be used, you can activate it again for a daze which also pierces. iSwordsman is also one of the strongest phantasm as well.

On top of that, if you trait Blade Training under the Dueling trait line, the CD’s are adjusted for both main hand and offhand sword. Which is essentially a free block every 10s and iSwordsman can be on a 10s CD as well if you trait for it.

Contrary to others’ beliefs, the auto attack from sword main hand as been pretty useful considering the vulnerability on the first 2 attacks and the boon stripping on the final slash.

The reason for mainhand sword: Autoattacks with the sword are higher dps than anything on any other weapon. Additionally, blurred frenzy is a fantastic evade that deals damage.

The reason for offhand sword: Offhand sword phantasm is the highest dps phantasm in the game.

I’d like to add that sword AA is the only real cleave we have.

Pistol is often recommended over OH sword, with phantasm survivability cited as the reason.

Edit:
Also since these are usually phantasm builds, and the phantasms are on the off hands, you don’t really lose anything by not swapping the main hand.

Focus oh also is our only reliable source of swiftness, plus it has our only pull ability. There’s also the iwarden on focus 5, which is our best melee aoe phantasm + plus it can block projectiles untraited or reflect projectiles when traited. Combine this with all of the benefits listed above for oh sword…that’s why these are popular weapon combinations for phantasm mesmers.

OK, So ultimately this has to do with the power of the Main Hand auto attack and the cleave.

So would

Sword/Focus
+
Sword/Pistol

Be a viable Open World PVE build?

I know that I’m leaving some DPS on the table, however I also know that Sword Offhand would further complicate things for a new mesmer (me), as the “number 4” skill auto generates a clone, potential replacing a phantasm.

Riesenschnauzer.6049:

OK, So ultimately this has to do with the power of the Main Hand auto attack and the cleave.

So would

Sword/Focus
+
Sword/Pistol

Be a viable Open World PVE build?

I know that I’m leaving some DPS on the table, however I also know that Sword Offhand would further complicate things for a new mesmer (me), as the “number 4” skill auto generates a clone, potential replacing a phantasm.

For open world, I’d recommend sword/focus + greatsword. The double-melee is great when you’re in a party, on a boss, and pumping out damage. For the open world, you want the versatility and range that the greatsword provides.

^what fay said