(edited by GuildWarsPlayer.5608)
I've got to be the only Mesmer that..
The greatsword is essentially a sniper rifle. You aim for the furthest target and you hit everything in-between. Staff players usually don’t stay at the full range to take advantage of the bounces. In my opinion, it’s best used right outside of melee range and clone to clones so you can soak up all the boons while applying a lot of conditions.
I’m playing with a condition build since I’ve created my Mesmer. And I love it. The staff is the ultimate weapon to kite with a Mesmer; especially with a conditon build. However, I usually only use it at max range if I have to (but I’m still using the staff; not the greatsword). As Crossplay already said, it’s much more effective to be at maybe a range of 200-600.
I’ve never really liked the greatsword for Mesmer. It just doesn’t feel right (for me). Also, shooting laser beams with a sword… wtf? xD
I prefer the staff over greatsword too. I’m currently trying out different builds but I love the mobility of the staff and chaos storm.
The greatsword is essentially a sniper rifle. You aim for the furthest target and you hit everything in-between. Staff players usually don’t stay at the full range to take advantage of the bounces. In my opinion, it’s best used right outside of melee range and clone to clones so you can soak up all the boons while applying a lot of conditions.
Are you using malign weapons for condition damage ? and what gear are you using ?
I like the greatsword in long range, and I use it frequenly. When things come too much close and personal i prefer the staff with sword/X. But each one is a world and must find his own way.
But, if your build is flexible, carry both in your inventory. We should have our complete arsenal with us in Tyria ; )
The greatsword is essentially a sniper rifle. You aim for the furthest target and you hit everything in-between. Staff players usually don’t stay at the full range to take advantage of the bounces. In my opinion, it’s best used right outside of melee range and clone to clones so you can soak up all the boons while applying a lot of conditions.
Are you using malign weapons for condition damage ? and what gear are you using ?
Edit: Also what are you trait settings ?
I like the greatsword in long range, and I use it frequenly. When things come too much close and personal i prefer the staff with sword/X. But each one is a world and must find his own way.
But, if your build is flexible, carry both in your inventory. We should have our complete arsenal with us in Tyria ; )
Agreed.
I love the staff as well, every skill is good or great. The synergy between the 2 skill and 5 is great. It’s also a great way to dodge while casting anything that has a longer casting time (like the 3 skill). The three skill also has great synergy with the amount of conditions you cause, so that even in a power build, the phantasm is hitting hard, because of all the weak conditions on the opponent. And then 4 and 5 combine offense and defense. All around, a great weapon, with a great set of skills that synergize well with eachother and work well in a group.
I only use gs for specific fights like jormag. Otherwise, staff all the way. The only thing I dislike is the slow attacks, where the gs is more direct. But it works well enough for a tanky build that doesnt rely on burst to survive.
I like both. You can’t compare them, staff is the ultimate survival tool with good dps while gs is the ultimate burst tool with little to no survivability, but burst is very strong. Also staff should be used at close range while gs is for max range
Staff + Sword/Focus is amazing. Very much short-med range though.
My favorite combo: running up to enemy, cast Chaos Storm on them at 1200 range → at 900 range Blink into Chaos Storm → Phase Retreat back → Chaos Armor → weapon swap → iWarden + Illusionary Leap at the same time → Swap → Blurred Frenzy → Decoy → Mind Wrack → Temporal Curtain + ItV knockdown.
GS is ok, but it’s got nothing on Staff.
GS has considerably more burst aoe damage regardless of range than staff does.
you use staff for its defensive cooldowns, not to dps anything.
Looks like its a matter of preference lol.
I use Staff + Sword/Focus for hearts, exploring and dungeons. There’s just so much mobility with both iLeap and Phase Retreat and so much finishing your own combos it’s hard not to like. For group events I switch to Staff + GS to be completely at range. GS is your best option for tagging mobs because GS1 is a fast strong attack and GS3 and GS4 hit multiple targets.
From what I’m experiencing thus far, it really depends on play style and the build you’re going for.
I’m thinking, if you’re going for a straight dps type build, great sword would be the way to go. If you’re going for a condition damage type build, then staff would be the obvious choice.
I find the staff gives me more mobility and defense while doing damage over time. For my play style a condition damage mixed with power, for up close fighting, build would be the way to go. And for up close fighting I’m leaning towards dual swords over sword and focus. Just a preference and I think dual swords looks cool.
I can not stand the Great Sword, I’ve tried it so many times and everytime I hate it. The Mesmer Staff in the other hand is probably my favorite weapon set in the game.
They sing dark, delicious notes about power and family.
As their mother, I have to grant them their wish. – Forever Fyonna
As their mother, I have to grant them their wish. – Forever Fyonna
I can not stand the Great Sword, I’ve tried it so many times and everytime I hate it. The Mesmer Staff in the other hand is probably my favorite weapon set in the game.
Same her…personal preference really, I know it has its place. Also I really like the concept of the GS, this huge melee weapon that is actually ranged…perfect for mesmer. The execution of it is just boring for me though. I know it still comes down to hit + kite, which isn’t much different from staff, but staff feels so much better. I feel in complete control of the fight, knowing I can easily move away, even if immobilized, and I can drop all sorts of protection as needed for myself and my group. I get a similar feeling with sword/focus, which is why I run that as well. GS is always a short term experiment for me, and I don’t see that changing.
I can not stand the Great Sword, I’ve tried it so many times and everytime I hate it. The Mesmer Staff in the other hand is probably my favorite weapon set in the game.
Same her…personal preference really, I know it has its place. Also I really like the concept of the GS, this huge melee weapon that is actually ranged…perfect for mesmer. The execution of it is just boring for me though. I know it still comes down to hit + kite, which isn’t much different from staff, but staff feels so much better. I feel in complete control of the fight, knowing I can easily move away, even if immobilized, and I can drop all sorts of protection as needed for myself and my group. I get a similar feeling with sword/focus, which is why I run that as well. GS is always a short term experiment for me, and I don’t see that changing.
Yeah, I also agree. If the great sword could be used in melee as well as ranged that would be cool. It is hard for me to wrap my mind around a great sword not being able to be used for up close combat.
I do keep one on me at all times however, because I have found the great sword to be reliable when running certain events and even during certain heart missions. The great sword really shines, for me, when doing single target skill challenges.
Both have their places. From a WvW perspective.
Greatsword has lost many of it’s perks, Spatial Surge not obliterating all the siege. and Iberserker hitting for around 25-50% of what it used to has lost a lot of it’s appeal. It’s still generally a better ranged pressure weapon against certain classes. (Engi, Ranger, Other Mesmers) and is more forgiving when you plan to utilize Decoy/Mass Invis alot.
Not having to worry about a turtle slow Winds of Chaos finally hitting something and breaking stealth is a plus.
(Power/crit Shatter perspective)
However, Staff is absurdly good, take far less retal damage with it’s attacks, hits just as hard (assuming you have the bouncing trait.) Granting fury, lots of vulnerability with chaos storm’s Daze (Traited) . Aegis. Retal… – It generally has a higher skill ceiling than the greatsword, and it’s skills have plenty of neat tricks.
Many people out perform with staff but have various reasons to run GS.
My personal reason is that I can get more ranged pressure early, and that means I can counter some builds that could give me problems if I lose to much momentum.
As for PvE I just like to kill t hings faster so pew pew pew!
But staff is definetly a stronger wep IMO. Even if I don’t use it often.
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“Maybe I was the illusion all along!”
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Many people out perform with staff but have various reasons to run GS.
My personal reason is that I can get more ranged pressure early, and that means I can counter some builds that could give me problems if I lose to much momentum.
As for PvE I just like to kill t hings faster so pew pew pew!
But staff is definetly a stronger wep IMO. Even if I don’t use it often.
From what I am experiencing, as a beginner, the weapon of choice depends on the situation at hand.
With Mesmers, it seems wise to try different weapons with certain situations like, soloing enemies with tough armor. In instances like this, the great sword would seem to be the weapon of choice for it’s range capability. Wear the enemy down before they get to you, then switch to the melee weapon of choice and finish them off.
Well come to think of it, that could be done with the staff as well, especially if you’re running a condition build.
GS is the offensive long range weapon (when izerker is working)
Staff is mid range and hard to catch (phase retreat)
They both have their uses. Swap them out at the appropriate times.
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To those that want to know, I use a sub-optimal build with rampager gear, staff and sword/focus. I have 5 runes of the soldier and 1 rune of the Ice to give increased survivability. My traits are 20/30/20/0/0 with Crippling Dissipation, Empowered Illusions, Blade Training, Far Reaching Manipulations, Deceptive Evasion, Master of Manipulation and Chaotic Dampening. My utilities are Ether Feast, Blink, Feedback, Nullfield and Timewarp.
Basically my build is everywhere because I like to do a little of everything. A mixture of power, precision and condition damage means, no matter what, I am going to do damage. I’ve also traited my illusions to do good damage while they are alive and screw with anyone that decides to kill them. I have sigils of earth to add more bleeding and sigils of nullification for boon hate.
If I were to name this build I’d call it the “Swiss Army Knife” as it’s designed with a small tool to handle every situation except for support.
To those that want to know, I use a sub-optimal build with rampager gear, staff and sword/focus. I have 5 runes of the soldier and 1 rune of the Ice to give increased survivability. My traits are 20/30/20/0/0 with Crippling Dissipation, Empowered Illusions, Blade Training, Far Reaching Manipulations, Deceptive Evasion, Master of Manipulation and Chaotic Dampening. My utilities are Ether Feast, Blink, Feedback, Nullfield and Timewarp.
Basically my build is everywhere because I like to do a little of everything. A mixture of power, precision and condition damage means, no matter what, I am going to do damage. I’ve also traited my illusions to do good damage while they are alive and screw with anyone that decides to kill them. I have sigils of earth to add more bleeding and sigils of nullification for boon hate.
If I were to name this build I’d call it the “Swiss Army Knife” as it’s designed with a small tool to handle every situation except for support.
Sounds like a good pve solo build.
GS is the offensive long range weapon (when izerker is working)
Staff is mid range and hard to catch (phase retreat)
They both have their uses. Swap them out at the appropriate times.
Agreed. I’ve been using torch sword and staff for solo pve and staff and great sword for events. I’m thinking staff and great sword would do well in dungeons and wvw, haven’t tried it yet though.
GS can do some good damage across groups if it works right… but honestly I feel like I am the only Mesmer that keeps scepter in their build for every build usually… The only time I don’t use scepter is if I am using the GS or in the immortal build… The blocks from scepter sword are just too baller.