Guild Wars 2

Hello,

I would submit to you this build :

http://gw2buildcraft.com/calculator/mesmer/?4|b.1m.h1h.f.1m.h5|6.1m.h1h|1b.716.1b.716.1b.716.1b.716.1b.7i.1b.7i|2w.d1e.2w.d1e.3w.d1e.1h.62.1h.62.2w.d1e|u489.0.0.k27.k58|30.d|e

With ether feast, mirror images, feedback, null field, time wrap.

The confusion duration on scepter #3 is 12-seconds long (5 * 2.43) and with the talent that reduce the cooldown, we can keep a target perma confusion.

For “burst”, we can do iMage (wait until he attacks) and with mirror image, uses cry of frstration for 9 stacks on a group and uses the scepter #3 for 14 stacks of confusion on single target.

When we need to protect our group of projectile attack, we can switch on a focus (don"t forgot to adjust talent)

We can change Dazzling glamour by illusionnary elasticity to gain some dps on staff (burning duration is 2 sec, with 3 clones, it’s 5 sec at >600 / sec), then when we can do mirror image or any other talent that create clone, uses cry of frustration or diversion (usefull juste before time wrap for instant vulnerability stack)

Instead of your 30/0/0/20/20 build I’d go for 20/0/0/20/30.

Why?

Because with 30 points in Illusions line you get the “confusion when blind” trait, which is so much better than the Torch cooldown trait you took at 30 in the Domination line. You get multiple additional ways to apply confusion, even #4The Prestige from torch will apply confusion with this trait.

I assume you went for 30 points into Domination for the 30% condition duration increase. Oh well, with 30 points in Illusions you get +300 condition damage instead, which should be just as good.

Another problem I want to mention has to do with the scepter #3 attack. It sounds good in theory, but it’s actually very hard to apply the 5 stacks of confusion successfully. It’s a 3 second channel, does basically nothing in the first 2 seconds and in the last second it applies 5x confusion. A single dodge roll at the end is enough to dodge your entire 3-second channel. Also you have to keep your target in line of sight and in front of you, otherwise the channel will disrupt (and apply no confusion at all). Try this against a thief. Good luck.

Scepter #3 is extremely unreliable, but your build uses it as a fundamental cornerstone. Think about it. Perma-confusion thanks to scepter #3? Not really, because the skill will fail half the time.

Confusion builds are ….pretty meh in pvp :/ maybe in pve+
but even then why trade shatters for slightly better confusion application?..

You can 9stack confusion with a full Cry of frustration PLUS burst…
Also you don’t have to use inferior weapons like scepter.. and can stick with sword mainhand.

20/20/00/30 still much better, but we’ll see what the patch today will bring …

Darnis.4056:

Confusion builds are ….pretty meh in pvp :/ maybe in pve+
but even then why trade shatters for slightly better confusion application?..

You can 9stack confusion with a full Cry of frustration PLUS burst…
Also you don’t have to use inferior weapons like scepter.. and can stick with sword mainhand.

20/20/00/30 still much better, but we’ll see what the patch today will bring …

pvp confusion has a 50 percent damage reduction

loseridoit.2756:

pvp confusion has a 50 percent damage reduction

Actually, the PvP confusion damage is considered the “normal” damage. Confusion damage in PvE and WvW is doubled (otherwise it would be completely useless in PvE, but this makes it pretty powerful in WvW).

Snoxx.7943:

Scepter #3 is extremely unreliable, but your build uses it as a fundamental cornerstone. Think about it. Perma-confusion thanks to scepter #3? Not really, because the skill will fail half the time.

Sceptre 3 can be dodged, but to dodge the full 5 stacks a player has to burn both his dodges. You’ve got two choices here, either use it after your target has used one or both of his dodges, or use the sceptre 3 to sap him of his energy. A good player is smart enough to know to watch for, and dodge roll into a mesmers shatter. Sceptre 3 can ruin that for him.

I find thieves the easiest to take down with confusion. The great thing about Sceptre 3 is that, being channeled, it will continue to hit the thief after he goes into stealth. Typicaly when a thief comes out of stealth for me, he’s having a rest on the floor waiting to be put out of his misery.

Anyone with actual decent experience with sceptre would not be phased by what you seem to personally feel is unreliable. This is an experience issue, nothing more.