Guild Wars 2

Just like the title says. Right now I’m leveling an alt, a mesmer, who is on level 36 atm. What skills should I focus on while I’m leveling to be able to play as a decent mesmer?

I’d say the most important thing to focus on would be having fun, try every weapon out, see what suites you, and what you enjoy most, just have fun and explore the proffesion, once you know what weapons you prefer you can work towards builds that suite that play style etc, mesmers have loads to offer :P

Stat-wise, I felt like we scaled best from Power as a primary stat, then one defensive stat along with it. You should level fast, so don’t worry about getting ‘the best gear’ too much: you’ll outgrow it soon. On the same note, also be sure to replace your gear every so often. It’s cheap but has a huge impact on your success in combat.

I felt like the class was a little slow until I got Deceptive Evasion. Before that, just cast whatever is up and Phantasms are probably going to be a big source of your damage. Greatsword and Sword are both wonderful weapons. Staff is lovely as well, though it can be a bit lower in damage and higher in defense.

Once you get Deceptive Evasion, Shatter builds become more available. With power gear near your level, summoning a phantasm, a clone, then dodge-rolling and shattering should take an enormous amount of life from your enemy. I loved that style of play as soon as it opened up.

Kelthien.8593:

Once you get Deceptive Evasion, Shatter builds become more available. With power gear near your level, summoning a phantasm, a clone, then dodge-rolling and shattering should take an enormous amount of life from your enemy. I loved that style of play as soon as it opened up.

Yeah, my favorite way of playing right now is summoning both phantasms and clones and shattering them, even though I know it’s better to leave the phantasms alone. Personally, I feel like shattering is a lot more active and fun!

Another question, which is slightly off-topic. What your favorite thing about mesmer?

RigidForce.4690:

Another question, which is slightly off-topic. What your favorite thing about mesmer?

When you’re soloing, it’s a good idea to let your phantasm attack at least once. After, think “which is better: my personal damage and waiting for another attack from my phantasm, or shattering?”

Usually, if the enemy is below 50-60% health, it’s better to shatter. Some lucky crits or an extra swing or two will usually finish it off. If not, then it’s better to leave your phantasm(s) up again until their next volley, then shatter after.

As for my favorite parts about Mesmer… that’s tricky! I like how non-standard they feel compared with other MMOs. VERY few games have the whole clone thing. It’s a non-traditional “magic” type you can’t find elsewhere. Playing a fire mage in one game and a fire-oriented ele in gw2 are pretty similar, but not so for the mesmer.

I also really like the unique mechanics. Feedback, portal, shatters, confusion… they’re all very strategic, effective, and enjoyable. Can’t wait for HoT and our new spec! It’s right up my alley.

Kelthien.8593:

Can’t wait for HoT and our new spec! It’s right up my alley.

That’s what sorta influenced me to roll a mesmer. I kept flip-flopping around with other alts, but once I saw the new specialization, especially the f5 continuum split skill, I was hooked. And since then I’ve really been enjoying the clones. I tried rolling a mesmer before and didnt like it, but for some reason now i do!

What got me hooked to mesmer (which is my first and only character to 80) is the whole clone/phantasm aspect, it’s so unique, something i’ve never seen before in an mmo, closest was Monk’s in WoW, but barely, i needed more, mesmer was my answer, i forever will play my mesmer till the end, i refuse to play any other class

RigidForce.4690:

Another question, which is slightly off-topic. What your favorite thing about mesmer?

I’m leveling a mesmer myself, and so far I’m really loving the way I almost feel like a one-woman pack with all my illusions and phantasms. Let my phantasms chip away at the mobs while they go after the illusions. Once they’re low on health, go in for the kill with a satisfying shatter.

Very fun, very entertaining way to play with mobs. This isn’t even to mention how unique these mechanics are in an MMO and the epic spec that Mesmers are getting in HoT. It’s also worth noting how kitten some of the animations are, and the distinctly non-magey weapons you get access to. Mesmer GS’s AA in particular is amazing.

I’d say focus on getting to 80 above all else as this class is painful to play until you have access to all the tools.

Kelthien.8593:

Greatsword and Sword are both wonderful weapons. Staff is lovely as well, though it can be a bit lower in damage and higher in defense.

I feel like a double-ranged build with GS/Staff is really effective for leveling. GS kills “trash” mobs really quickly, and Staff gives you the tools you need to survive difficult pulls.

The most important skills for playing Mesmer are learning about block timing for swords and mastering teleporting.

I use sword/torch and scepter/sword.

Scepter/Sword Medium range confusion stacking. Scepter gives a ton of confusion and generates clones. The scepter/sword gives two blocks which also doubles as a blindness causer. When you take the traits that cause confusion on clone death and also on blindness you have a very powerful sustained damage source as well as a strong defense.

Sword/Torch Here is where mastering teleporting comes in handy. (Make sure you have mischievous snowball sigil a on your weapons. When you weapon swap your enemy goes blind and gets a stack of confusion as well. The. Summon your sword clone and immediately teleport in and use the evasion skill. Auto attack a couple times then blast the torch invisibility and dodge roll away. This generates a clone. Then shatter while the enemy can’t see you. Switch weapons to scepter and the sigil will blind them again causing another stack of confusion. Summon more clones with your utility skill and you’ll have three clones to shatter. Shatter them again.

Dodge roll once and then use the offhand sword block canceling early to blind again or is it daze? Cause another stack of confusion. Once you have two clones, switch weapons again, adding a stack of confusion. Then summon your sword clone and teleport in. Shatter your clones.

Rinse rub repeat…

By dodging a lot and using your early block cancels you will keep your enemy from ever being able to hit you due to blindness and blocks, and simultaneously add dozens of stacks of confusion in a very short time.

An enemy dumb enough to chase you around will soon find that they have 20 stacks of confusion in less than ten seconds. In PVE use Mind wrack, in PvP use cry of frustration.

Once you learn the intricacies of blocking, teleporting, evasion, and shatters you’ll kill any opponent before they even realize what’s going on