Guild Wars 2

My mesmer is 39th level. After having way too many close calls and a crazy embarrassing death in “Glorious Dredge Excavation” in NE Lornar’s Pass just trying to work my way to the skill point and getting jumped by 2-3 NPCs, I’m just not getting it.

I played her a bit before, I think I was mostly using staff and the greatsword and had like 5 points in everything because I had no idea what to do. Somehow I managed to get up to about 35th level (though I really probably actually played in combat to about 24th level, the rest was crafting).

I decided to pick her up again, but thought I’d read and try to make a build that had a little more purpose than just running around with a GS and Staff and 5 points in everything.

That led me here. And it seemed like from there, the ‘easy’ newbie thing to do was this.

I’m trying that, using a long sword and then switching between pistol/focus in the offhand, and the whole thing seems crazy dangerous, and I can’t seem to get more than 2 phantasms up, and they don’t seem to last very long.

I’m trying his ‘alternate’ build of 0/20/0/25/25 (but mine looks like 0/9/0/10/10 at 39th level). Maybe I’m misunderstanding the phantasms, should I be trying to keep them rolling or just blow them up willy nilly? I assumed with this build I would ‘not’ be shattering much?

I don’t want to delete her, she seems like she could be fun. I seem to recall it ‘was’ fun up to 24th level and I wasn’t have too hard of a time with my terrible build.

Is there ‘any’ sort of easy-mode leveling up path that I can try?

As points of reference, my main and favorite character is my Elementalist with a Staff (and I’m good about rolling through elements as they come up and getting in a bit of everything, so the function keys don’t scare me much). My second favorite is probably my Ranger with Shortbow and Axe/Horn with lots of traps (though I rotate in a whole second set of 5 skills and switch the Axe/Horn to a Longbow when doing things like Shat). I also have a Guardian that’s GS and Staff, for the most part. I like to play around with other things like wand torch/focus and mace/shield and hammer from time to time as well.

Any help would be appreciated.

Kai’s PvE guide is probably more relevant than mine since he tackles leveling while mine is for level 80 + dungeons.

If you were set on using sword/X and sword/Y like in “my” build (I’m not really too keen on claiming builds … meh) I’d say while leveling the key would be to not try tackling too many mobs at one time, and to learn their animations. For example if they’re about to attack you can feedback (if it’s a projectile), use illusionary riposte on off-hand sword or magic bullet.

If you find it easier to kite on greatsword or staff, then just stick with either (or even both, I dunno) of them for the time being.

When it comes to shattering, if you’re running a phantasm build I’d only shatter if to do so would kill the mob(s) in the process, if it doesn’t then you lose a lot of damage output.

I’m sure other people can offer better advice than me, to be honest I hate the whole leveling process and partially crafted my mesmer.

Ok, thank you.

I’m getting better with yours, I think. I’m learning to let my duelist establish a for a few quick seconds before sending in my warden. Seems like the first duelist is always long dead before I can get a 2nd duelist (3rd phantasm) up, or the mob is dead, which is fine by me.

I think part of my problem was trying that stupid cave as one of the first things I did when I came back. I seem to recall having a problem with that cave on all of my characters, in hind sight. Thankfully someone came by that also needed the skill point and discovery and that was that.

It’s a good guide, I didn’t mean to sound like I was dismissing it. It was more that I was struggling to understand it, and if it was linked to from another page that said this was an easy way to learn, I started to feel a bit dumb.

Thanks again.

I would highly recommend getting 20 points in the precision tree and go dodge shatter when you level. Phantasms… Well that’s going to suck without gear. Of course you can still use them kittenter fodder – just let them pop at least one attack then shatter and start building illusions again. If they survive, sure let them live. But dont make a build on it yet. For skills you can use iDefender to get an extra phantasm – if quite awesome. I recomment blink/defender/some condition removal.

PS: Wait why did the forum not censor the first shatter but only the second shatter? Somehow I find it amusing that Anet forums censor their own game mechanic…

PS2: Oh wait now I get it. kittenter. Well played Anet, you kittens.

Because of the trait nerf in illusion ( cd reduction on phantasm ) u don’t go into this spec anymore.

Personnally i run 10/30/0/30/0 in pve using sword / focus or pistol and staff. Ranged phantasm are kinda mandatory in my opinion except when u need reflect.

It offers good combos / interrupts / condi remove and u can change traits depending on bosses. ( running especially in fractals )

Hey, wanted to drop a quick reply from my phone since maayybe linking Colesy’s dungeon spec wasnt the best example of a phantasm build for new readers. Will definitely amend that.

Anyways, Id say try going 10/10/0/10/0 with Sword/Focus-Greatsword or staff for now for a couple reasons..

Domination: Crippling Dissipation(Dom V- Clones cripple nearby enemies when killed) will give you better control over enemies by cutting their speed in half. Dom III is also a good alternative if you feel you’re not doing enough damage.

Dueling: The minor trait (Dueling 5-Vigor on crit) essentially doubles your dodge rate (one dodge usually takes 10 seconds to refill. Vigor makes it 5) and cooling down your sword skills (Dueling IV) will increase both damage AND mobility. Alternatively you can grab Phantasmal Fury (Dueling II) for more phantasm damage.

Inspiration: Will make your phantasms heal you since they’ll start pulsing regeneration. Climbing this line will improve your Focus, Phantasms, and team support.

I say Sword/Focus-Greatsword because its the best way to hit large groups. (Cluster them together with Focus 4, immobilize with sword 3, and let your phantasms go to work) It also allows you to safely disengage or fight at range.

If ya ever have any questions always feel free to shoot me a PM.

Thanks everybody!

I would highly suggest getting to level 40 so that you can buy your Master trait tree. This unlocks a whole set of new traits which you can use and specialize in.

For example, if you like using phantasm:
In domination first 20 points there is
-Phantasm inflict 15% more damage
-GS(Adds power) and Torch(becomes condition cleansing) CD reduction which means more uptime on Phantasms.
-Even shatter skills and vulnerability stacking traits

Dueling:
-Phantasms have fury
-Pistol(inscreases range) and Sword(Adds Precision(which also has Blurred Frenzy <3)) CD reductions
-Deceptive evasion which helps for shatter
-Illusion bleed (5s) on crit
-Constant Vigor(dodging)

Chaos:
-Minus 3% damage for each illusion
-Bountiful interruption(5 stacks of might on interrupt
- Staff(Adds toughness) CD reduction

Inspiration:
-Phantasms have retaliation
-Phantasm grant regeneration
-phantasms Have 20% more HP (could also combine with signet of illusions and iDefender for monster tankiness :P )
-Focus(becomes a reflectable surface for all projectiles(more damage) and Sceptre(adds condition damage) CD reductions
-A condition removal trait
-10% faster movement speed for each active illusion(usually only available in combat)

Illusions: Shatter tree mostly
-3% more damage for each active illusion(only affects the mesmer and not the phantasm damage)
-Bouncing attacks have 1 additional bounce(GS #4, Staff #1, Pistol #5, I think torch phantasm skill as well as iDisenchanter)
-20% faster attack cycles on phantasms

You can try my leveling guide (in my signature). Hope it helps.
Good luck. ^^