Guild Wars 2

I am currently running a Shatter spec for roaming, and while it’s strong, I just can’t seem to work around getting people down, and finishing them off, and thiefs are hard to kill and usually burst me down within seconds, so I am wondering if there is a different build, that would still allow me to roam wvw, but not be squishy, yet still have mobility and speed to catch runners.

Or maybe I just need a shatter build that has more survivability.

I would suggest a staff/s/p hybrid spec, here is a link to the build http://tinyurl.com/p8b3orz You can use runes of speed over runes of the traveler if you don’t have an abundance of gold, as well, you can swap out the rampager’s for zerker if you feel that you need more damage. This build is about shattering for your big numbers and keeping up condi pressure while you are waiting on your CDs

The staff is a very good counter to thiefs with # 1 and 5

My usual rotation is to cast staff 5 on them, dodge, use Mirror images, shatter, staff 2 and s/p 4-5 rinse and repeat. Its a very generic build but it does the job, I would also suggest looking into the blackwater mesmer build, its quite OP in a 1v1.

I haven’t used it in WvW per se, but it sounds like you might do well with Blackdevil’s hybrid build. It’s usually on page 1 or 2 of this forum’s topic list.

https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/mesmer/Maximised-Hybrid-Phantasm-Build-Roaming

Is the build qaelyn is talking about. Really powerful roamer.

Nomin’s suggestion is very solid, although Pistol is more of a dueling weapon (interesting touch with Illusions X though).

A spec that loses some duel potency while scaling well with engagements and being a bit more forgiving to play would be Staff + S/Torch. Swap out X for VI in this event too.

It can feel rough at first but I would recommend staying with shatter, as nothing else’ll teach you just as much about the class and what it can do.

https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/mesmer/Build-The-Holy-Hell-Build-s-solo-zerg/first#post3344899

Very fast, very aggressive, can chase or flee. Not a generic build, and doesn’t rely on staff. Plenty of things you could say about the build but it’s easier to just watch a vid (Advanced Scout).