Guild Wars 2

Hey there. I’m currently running staff with http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-B3mkM7dqM&feature=plcp that build.

But, in all honesty, Staff is horrid when it’s PvE and a short battle. I don’t have much time to stack my conditions, and the auto attack is just absolutely terrible damage-wise. So, I feel like I need to get the communities opinion about this and see what can be done.

I absolutely love the look of Greatswords. The point of the end-game is to look nice and do damage. Greatswords are one of the best looking items in game, in my opinion. You can actually see them, where as other weapons disappear under your clothing. But, I’ve been told this is a “noob” mesmer weapon. People use it because it has a decent range and some decent damage. But, it doesn’t make for a good main weapon. Is this true? If not; what are some good builds for it?

Sword/sword appeals to me aswell. It’s a nice combo, I like the attacks on it, but I haven’t found an amazing build on this. Infact, I don’t see very many Mesmers running this at all. Why? Are there no good reasons to run it? I see Sword/piston and I know people like it because of the stun, but sword/sword seemed pretty viable to me.

Torch, I’ve been told is rarely used as it sucks.

Scepter is good for confusion, but in PvE that’s next to useless.

So, would you guys mind giving me some tips and tricks? Some builds and opinions? Thanks very much.!

(Note; I’m leaving for work now, I won’t respond until later. Thanks again!)

I have enough damage with my Staff, I run Berserker’s (yeah, with a Staff, hurrrhurrr) and what I’ll do is I’ll start by casting 3 while running face first into the enemy. Just before 3 finishes, I’ll press 2, then roll forward giving me 3 illusions. I’ll let them all attack while I auto attack and run forward. After one or two attacks, I’ll press F2 or F1, press 2, roll forward twice and press F1 or F2.

Most mobs don’t last that long. If it’s a mob that WILL last that long, I’ll sit back and do the illusion dance (spawn illusions, let them tank one hit and continue keeping 3 illusions up at all times while staying as far away from the mob as possible). Slow tactic, but it works.

Yeah sorry guy… Staff/GS here and its pretty big damage. Far from “horrid”. Power/Prec focused and my phantasm is really strong off the staff.

I solo and Dungeon group a lot and really happy with these as my weapons… wish I had speed from the focus but thats ok… I keep one in my bag when I want to run like the wind.

Oh god, yes, the Phantasm on Staff hits for 3k on full Bers with no crits or conditions on the enemy. With crits, it goes up to 11k or so (the mobs that CAN have max conditions on them typically are durable hence why they have max conditions on them). I’ve had the Phantasm hitting for 8k’s before.

Don’t even get me started on Superheated bossfights, those numbers make me kitten my puppy.

These days, I’m Staff + Sword/Torch. Current version of The Prestige is pretty freaking
workable. (But, yes … IMage is still horrid). Staff cranks out my close/medium range
damage and Conditions. Sword’s lockdown (when ILeap decides to work), Invuln from Blurred Frenzy, and boon-ripping. Torch is there for extra stealth/AoE Burning.

As for Dual-Sword, it’s definately workable, you’ll need to keep an eye on your timing and distance from the enemy. Greatsword could be called a “noob” weapon, but is also usable at a higher level of skill. It is also your best ranged weapon, since Staff’s 1200 range is -tbh- more like 900 in practice.

As for build options: A heavy GS build’d probably be something like:
Domination 20
Dueling 20
Illusions 20 (specifically for Illusionary Elasticity, so Mirror Blade bounces more)
(The other 10 are discretionary. Would you want more damage/hp/durability?
Most likely Berzerker/Valkyrie eq, although Berzerker/Soldier’s would also be
pretty tough. This would also help for a GS/Dual-Sword build.)

Staff, would differ in certain respects.
Dueling 20 (mainly for two things: illusions causing bleeds on crit/Deceptive Evasion)
Chaos 20-25 (can work either way, 25 would unlock Chaotic Transferance, which makes 5% of your Toughness an add-on to Condition Damage)
Illusions 20 (Illusionary Elasticity, for Winds of Chaos)
(Preferred EQ would be mainly (if not completely) Rabid. C. Damage/Toughness/Precision are hella useful for a Staff user.)

By comparison, I’ve modded things a bit:
Rabid Armour/Trinkets (Although, with Ascended, I’m debating whether to use C.Dmg/T/V or the Divinity spec, on a couple rings.)
Rampager Weapons (extra Precision as a main stat, some C. Dmg/Pow)
Traits: 0/25/25/0/20, for now. Feels fun as heck in a fight, especially when yer outnumbered and blipping all over the place.
Utilities: Arc. Thievery/Blink/Other (usually Decoy, but I swap it out)
Elite: Mass Invisibility.

Past that, we have stickied build ideas from an entire slew of Mesmer players.
It’s quite possible that one of those could work for you, or even act as a springboard
for your own ideas. That’s the main – and BEST- thing about Mesmer as a class.
We’re extremely flexible, in regards to builds/EQ/Traits.

I run Gs and sw/sw with a 10/30/0/0/30 shatter build, full zerkers and I frequently destroy ppl in wvw in a burst. my rotation is something like this: GS>mirror blade>izerker>dodge>f1>swap>iswordsman>ileap to target>blurred frenzy>f1 most ppl die after the first burst and if you finish the rotation and they’re not dead I use decoy followed by blink out of range and start again.

I really enjoy sw/sw because other than not giving any speed it really can do good dmg and iswordsman is mobile which I like. illlusionary ripost is great if you know a thief is stalking you and if that is on cd then blurred frenzy grants distortion

hope that helps a bit and good luck =)