Guild Wars 2

Let me be the first to say I’ve run many mesmer builds, and in teams shatter is probably the better option. I guess I was kinda curious if a PU build using sword/pistol and sceptor/torch would still be viable.

It may sound weird but the moment enemies arent actively targeting a condi PU user it becomes difficult to apply your condi pressure.

But yes, you can still do it.

You can take PU and shatter too? Or do you mean condi vs. power with PU trait?

As a general topic that’s kind of like asking if apricots are a better fruit than oranges, it really depends on personal taste and mood. In sPvP you are right, traditional shatter is a better option because of its team support and the limitations of stealth in capturing points. In WvW where battles can become chaotic fairly quickly, PU starts to show its strength.
A sword/pistol scepter/torch build with PU would definitely be viable as a roamer and small group skirmisher in WvW. However, it will not be a terribly good spec for larger battles where it will become more difficult to stick to a single target. I would probably go hybrid condi/power to get the most out of scepter, sword and pistol.

I’m assuming you meant team spvp by “team”. The only viability that I see condi PU in team spvp is the ability to distract multiple people by yourself. You can’t hold the point most likely, but even if you’re not holding it and you can occupy 3 or more people on their team for awhile then I guess it’s viable. However, that most likely won’t happen unless you’re fighting a team of downies.

Ross Biddle.2367:

It may sound weird but the moment enemies arent actively targeting a condi PU user it becomes difficult to apply your condi pressure.

But yes, you can still do it.

With osicat’s mesmer build that uses balthazar runes (i think he called it pyro mesmer or something), you can still apply plenty of condi pressure even if you aren’t being the target. I run a personally modified build of it in spvp and wvw and it’s very strong, especially with the new torment on auto attack.

PU outshines shatter, it doesn’t matter what condition mesmer you are those rangers aim for everything alive and with new mimic shatter is too glassy I still kill them with PU,shatter is another thing…..

You can still go PU in teams, but, generally, it will be worse than shatters. The key is answering the following question:

Do you have anyone that can clean condis, heal and give defensive boons around you?
- If yes, shatters will always be better. There, support traits from PU become way less useful, as there’s already someone doing that job, and btw, better than you. So focus on having a solid offensive burst build.
- If no, aka solo-roaming or with other shatter mesmer/thieves, you’ll desperately need all defensive stuff PU gives. Shatters become redundant, as they need to sacrifice a lot of their offensive potential to deal with heavy condi/DD bursts.

In sPvP things are a bit different. Stealth builds have no site, cause you cannot take points while in stealth. With that, all efficiency left is shatter. And if GS/Staff shatter has been the king is cause you can put a lot of pressure with it, but without the risks of melee sword shatter builds.

Why not go PU AND shatter mes?!?!?!?!?!?

In all trolling aside, it is too early to tell which is better, as itll take more then 1 day for the meta to settle and decide what mesmers will become, even though we have a ton of build diversity now and are pretty versatile now build wise. In the end, its how you play the build and what your playstyle is, not really what build you play as long as you enjoy playing it.

yes

/15char

Sagat.3285:

PU outshines shatter, it doesn’t matter what condition mesmer you are those rangers aim for everything alive and with new mimic shatter is too glassy I still kill them with PU,shatter is another thing…..

Shatter is better than it was post patch, the only change I’ve made is I’m taking mirror as my heal. Shatter will continue to be a superior TPvP option.

Neptune.2570:

Sagat.3285:

PU outshines shatter, it doesn’t matter what condition mesmer you are those rangers aim for everything alive and with new mimic shatter is too glassy I still kill them with PU,shatter is another thing…..

Shatter is better than it was post patch, the only change I’ve made is I’m taking mirror as my heal. Shatter will continue to be a superior TPvP option.

I miss seeing hexie …

Neptune.2570:

Sagat.3285:

PU outshines shatter, it doesn’t matter what condition mesmer you are those rangers aim for everything alive and with new mimic shatter is too glassy I still kill them with PU,shatter is another thing…..

Shatter is better than it was post patch, the only change I’ve made is I’m taking mirror as my heal. Shatter will continue to be a superior TPvP option.

You do know I am comparing condition shatter to PU right?