Guild Wars 2

Hello everyone. First, I just want to say I am not claiming to be an expert as I am a casual player and am only level 26 (which is also my main lol,kittengraduate school and full-time work). This is also my first post as I am usually just a reader of forums. Anywho, I have seen quite a few posts of people not really liking the Mesmer or that they are under powered. I just want to share my experiences. At first I agreed. The low levels can be/are tough! Once I started unlocking ethereal fields and learning how to use their combos (like chaos storm, staff 2 in the storm = free chaos armor) things got a lot better. Then I started to learn how to place fields quickly, change weapon and use phants (like the warden) for AoE combo finishers like confusion bolts. I also learned how to try to get some boons like ageis (sp?) on clones and phants to help with their life. For example mirror images after staff number 2 in chaos storm= 3 buffed condition giving clones that can usually take more than one hit and free chaos armor for me.

Mesmer started to get WAY better than that once I started getting points for traits, and I think this is the biggest thing. Right now I am working in the illusions line and the inspiration line. I want to focus more on support and condition dmg and I can spawn many staff clones quickly. I usually have 1 phant of some sort (usually warlock) and 2 clones (using staff and sword/focus) and I’m not afraid to shatter…. A lot. Which I must say at first I hated and am still slightly annoyed by when they don’t hit, but once I learned how to use it I can quickly take out groups of 3. The cool down reduction to them in the illusions line is very nice. I am waiting for WvWvW until 30 when I can get my elite (going Moa first just to be a pain).

I have to say each day I play (if I am able to) I feel I learn something new, or a new tactic or something. As I get more traits it feels even better. Weapon swapping is a must btw. At first I didn’t get it but now I move in an out constantly. Start off ranged with winds of chaos staff, 2 clones, sword jump in switch, shatter, chaos storm, warden, blurred frenzy (invinc 2 sec). This is usually after I round up a few mobs. I feel we can do decent AoE if you know what you are doing and there is not a Zerg around.
Also, I noticed that I have to upgrade my weapons, either via Karma or crafting…. Not gonna lie, I was using like a level 10 staff at level 18 and noticed a HUGE difference when I finally decided to use some Karma and buy a new one lol.

Some things I will admit that I am still frustrated by.
1. Traits for the Mesmer taking a long time to work, aka Signit of Illusions. I’ve counted 10 seconds for it to kick in when using them on a practice dummy… that’s WAY too long, they will be dead or shattered by then. Usual time frame is 3-5 seconds for buff to apply the 50% HP buff. Also, some traits prevent others from working on clones/phants. I except these bugs will be worked out in time, but still annoying none the less because I’d like to use them now.
2. In dynamic events, yes it is hard to tag groups of monsters for loot. I see the engineers and elementists basically tagging the whole world lol. For me, I do DE for the exp (usually able to get gold thanks to 3 warlocks), when farming I like to find my own areas with lots of room to kit if I need too. I’ve been able to solo vets of the same level (staff/GS combo as phants have cripple on GS). Anywho, back on point, it would be nice to get credit for buffing allies or applying conditions to enemies, or healing even. I’m not sure if that is possible without a lot of programing.
3. I’d like some traditional Mesmer looking gear… I love that about them in GW 1. I’m just over robes… particularly the long dressy ones. I almost always play caster or healer classes, so I am used to robe stuff but it was nice and refreshing in GW 1 to have leather-ish looking stuff. I hear that there are some sets in GW 2 that aren’t robes… and there are transmutation stones… so I guess we’ll see.
4. Signets seems really weak, MoP in particular, though I hear if you spec for them they are good? Idk, not sure, but if they seem bad from the get go it leaves little incentive for me to try it when I like what I have now and other lines/builds.
5. It can take longer to get to full DPS due to having to summon our DPS (clones and phants with cast time)

Closing thoughts: At low levels it can be very hard and discouraging to get into the Mesmer class, especially when you see other classes face rolling lower level zones. Hang in there though, as you learn the class, upgrade your weapons, learn combo fields and use them and then gain trait points, I think you will definitely start to like the Mesmer more. However, this class isn’t for everyone, there is definitely a STEEP learning curve and a lot of “micro-managing” to the class one could say, but I like being very active when playing my character, I’ve even gotten better with using skills and not having to rely on the mouse for clicking them lol (I know I prob just advertised myself as free exp in WvWvW), though 6-0 can still be a bit of a challenge. If you still don’t like the class by say level 30, I’d say it’s probably not the profession for you, but there are 7 more to play around with, I’m sure you’ll eventually find one that is the perfect fit for you.

Thanks guys!

Wait till you get Time Warp, that’s when the real fun starts. ;-)

The Mesmer is a great toon, if only they could fix all our bugs.

What I like about this post is the detail for newbs – like myself. I never really got into GW1, but I am hoping that changes w/GW2. I like the challenge of the mesmer, but I am an ALTaholic, so I play a few ‘face-rolling’ classes as well.

I’ll be checking this forum frequently and – when I’m not such a newb – may even contribute when I have something valuable to say.

I also value your unassuming opinion. Thanks for the post/detail for newer folks!