Guild Wars 2

Ever since it’s become an AoE, MoConcentration has been looking rather promising (it hits in a 240 range, which is about the distance of a side capture node in PvP). I knew it had gotten a lot of praise in dungeons, but recently I’ve been bringing it to PvP and it works very well.

While providing AoE stab is usually a Guardian thing, this mantra is glorious in teamfights for securing stomps. Has anyone else been using it extensively and found other good uses for it?

Chaos Archangel.5071:

Ever since it’s become an AoE, MoConcentration has been looking rather promising (it hits in a 240 range, which is about the distance of a side capture node in PvP). I knew it had gotten a lot of praise in dungeons, but recently I’ve been bringing it to PvP and it works very well.

While providing AoE stab is usually a Guardian thing, this mantra is glorious in teamfights for securing stomps. Has anyone else been using it extensively and found other good uses for it?

There’s 2 main issues with having it commonly used.

First issue is that you’re sacrificing a utility for it, and mesmers are a little bit cramped on utility options.

The main problem though, is that you have to be in range to get it to work, and that’s not always viable. If you’re running any sort of glassy build, hopping down onto a point in the midst of a teamfight is a great way to get yourself condie-loaded and killed.

I think its the opposite actually.

Getting in range to make it work isn’t as much of an issue when you’re running a shatter-esque build (or atleast have a sword and Blink) because you HAVE to be in range to get the full effect of the shatters (Talking iPersona), but being an instant, all it takes is a swift dodge-roll or teleport or even just a bit of good positioning (or dat stealth) to really get in, pop stab and get out if necessary.

The thing is, in my experience group fights end up being very dynamic and you can’t really predict how the situation is gonna turn out. While getting focused is always a danger, only certain classes can really heavily load conditions in any kind of “burst” (condi necros and ‘nade engineers come to mind.) and even then it depends on what skills are on CD, if they’re under pressure, ect.

But the utility slot is the bigger issue IMO. Depending on the enemy teamcomp, I’ve been able to run without any condition removal save for Lyssa Rune’d Mass Invis (blame supcutie, he put me on to the idea!), which frees me up a slot for portal, decoy, Concentration, ect. I feel like as far as disengages go, Concentration is the third best option behind Decoy and Blink and when paired with Blink it can really get you out of sticky situations.

Portal is somewhat overrated. It’s excellent and can be game changing when used properly, but the keyword is “when used properly.” Usually this requires a coordinated team and often even then mics are involved to prepare people for the portal play. Without that its very easy to waste potential portal plays or even the entire utility slot for whole matches. I feel Concentration is a good bet. You’re not always gonna have a shoutguard or stab warrior around to do the stomping or provide the Stab, and Mesmer -atleast Mesmer with blink and a Staff- can put that mantra to really good use if they have the space.

I like this mantra for two reasons, 1) to the extent you can slot it no matter what type of build you are running yourself. Could be shatter, tanky support – what have you. It does provide a bit of versatility. 2) the stun breaker utility, very cool. But that’s kinda where it stops.

The stability duration is low first of all. Granted you do get two uses but I think it needs a buff in duration, ala Stand Your Ground. Second, in a team comp you’re talking about using this utility for an AoE stab, meaning you’re sharing the point with other teammates. I understand you may not have that gurd, war around all the time but wouldn’t it almost be just as efficient to plan strats in such a way to gain that longer lasting stability from these (and from your lyssa procs), and refresh durations with signet of inspiration? Even then, not a very strong utility choice for mesmer (depending of course on your build).

I think it can be useful, don’t get me wrong, but in higher end team play not sure it’s worth the slot. You’re not really speaking to that though it seems – for more uncoordinated groups I can see a larger benefit but would always wonder if I could take something else that would be stronger for myself or the team.

Outside of PvP, MoC has some nice niche uses, for various bosses with knockdown attacks, and other areas of PvE where stability is helpful (AC p1, etc).

Yeah, I’m not talking about organized teams where its easier to coordinate stomps, stab, portal plays, ect. For that there are plenty better utilities.

The times I’ve used it are when I’m team queuing with a friend or two (usually a DPS guard and PU mes… Ironically, most of the people on my friends list find meta builds boring. x_x ) and usually pick up pugs. In all the games I’ve played I’ve RARELY been paired with a competent shoutguard.

I never used to use it, and I think the reasons you highlighted are the reasons people don’t use it, but after trying it in Arganthium’s LSD build I have to say it is surprisingly effective. The actual application isn’t very difficult to use effectively, its just finding the space for it …

Between Decoy, Blink, Portal, iDisenchanter, Mantra of Resolve/Distraction, and even NullField/Arcane Thievery there are a lot of more popular choices that handle more immediate needs. Yet I’ve found that more and more often I’ll grab Concentration in my one free slot (I always take Blink and always take MoDistraction) and the more I use it the more it’s been impressing me.

I feel like its a bit underrated, similar to the lockdown traits before they were really explored.

This mantra rarely ever leaves my bar in PvE because it has a remarkably low cooldown for a stun breaker. It’s just too good.

It’s the only good choice if you plan to be a fearless frontline mesmer in WvW