Guild Wars 2

I’m currently leveling a Mesmer. I used to go GS/Staff but I didn’t exactly see what was special about them.

So I switched to Sword/Pistol + /Focus and I began having an easier time surviving and killing things fast. The only thing that I see that’s a disadvantage is the loss of an instant illusion. With having only sword for a main hand, I would only have access to 3 instant illusions instead of 4. I’m thinking about adding Scepter but I’m not exactly sure if it’s good in terms of killing fast. Also, for drawn out fights, I like to use phantasms instead of clones for maximum damage. If I’m not mistaken, every third strike of the scepter’s normal attack produces a clone which could mess up my phantasms.

Was I missing something with the GS/Staff combo? Maybe combos in particular?

Also, the signet that increases Illusions’ Health, how much exactly does it increase them? Is it worth it? Or am I better off putting another phantasm on that utitlity slot? Right now, I have Decoy, 2 Clones, and that signet for my utility skills. Should I remove the signet for maybe Phantasmal Defender? Also, I’m at work atm so I can’t check but does Phantasmal Defender attack? or does it just stand there absorbing half the damage?

Finally, is phantasmal damage also based on your weapons’ DPS?

Thanks.

1) Scepter will only ever overwrite one Phantasm with a clone. After that it’ll always overwrite the single clone that you have out. Don’t waste your time though, it’s a bad weapon.

2) GS/Staff is the combo I use on my level 80 Mesmer. I’m specced for condition damage. Though the GS is usually a power based weapon, so I’m not sure why you wouldn’t use it. I’d suggest GS + Sword/Focus for a power build.

3) It says on the signet, it’s 50%. They still die in one hit vs anything other than trash PvE mobs. Don’t waste a utility slot on it.

4) I usually roll with: Decoy, Mirror Images and then either Feedback (reflects missiles/ethereal combo field) or Mantra of Restoration (Whichever heals conditions). Sadly I find most of the Mesmer utility skills terrible.

5) Phantasmal Defender does attack, but it doesn’t do very much.

Phantasmal damage is based on your power in most cases I think. It may use the final “attack” score with weapon DPS factored in.

I suggest you learn to use the staff, It’s a very powerful defensive weapon if you’re not specced for condition damage and a very good all round weapon if you are.

I’ll answer what I can but need to be quick lol.

Clones will never overide an phantasm, but phantasm will replace clones.

I use sword focus offhand mainly, but staff is my main. Staff is best on a condition build but even with a power build the defensive capabilities makes it worth having. Chaos armour, chaos storm really good defense.

The clones don’t do any damage but they do put burn/bleed conditions on the mob which can add up.

Certainly use scepter instead of a 2nd sword, If I remember I think that using a sword in both mainhand slots the cool downs are the same so your sword will still be on CD when you switch. Scepter can be useful.

Thanks alot for the detailed answers. I’ll try and see if I could go staff as my 2nd weapon. But why no love for /pistol?

Also, I got 2 different answers in terms of the scepter’s 3rd attack clone. Does it or will it overwrite phantasms? Or will it generate clones as long as the 3 illusion limit isn’t reached?

Staff + Sword/Pistol is a great combination. The reason people use a Focus offhand is for the speed buff or for pulling people off walls (which you can switch to if you are about to siege a tower/keep). Otherwise, a Pistol is almost better in every situation.