Guild Wars 2

Hey guys,

I just came back from failing again at Lupi in Arah exp. As you cannot use illusions until phase 2, you have to switch to other weapons. So I decided to go with Great sword and Sword/Focus, in preparation to phase 2.

But in Phase too, I feel like I am actually a Problem for the group. I dont do much damage without illusions. And the Greatsword doesnt make more damage than about 400 per Hit. All my other skills, sword/focus and all utility skills are just equiped, for surviging.

There is The Blink, the signet of illusions, and the Mantra of Concentration, because you’ll die if you can’t get away from him. And because of some idiotic reason, I allways have the aggro, until I am completely dead. So all I do, is a few hits, until I have to shatter illusions to survive, or blink arround, and not to forget, dodge those 12k per second insane fields.

and all this, for 100-400 damage every 5 seconds? If Group members try to rez me, this is actually bad for them, because they risk their life, because it doesnt make any diference, if the mesmer is alive, or not. His damage is not worth mentioning anyway.

Id really like to make bifrost, but at this point, it seems absolutely impossible to kill Lupi. How do you play against him?

Run Staff. Your dps is terrible in Phase 1, but you can drop Chaos Storm on the party. This gives your party buffs, damages Locusts and Grubs, and also causes Confusion on Lupicus (although I’m not sure if it procs off his knockdown/grub spawn attack).

Also, you can spawn Illusionary Warlocks (Duelists as well, but spec into pistols if you’re doing this for the bonus range on the Duelists), but make sure they spawn close to your group or else you need to break them with F4.

In Phase 2, focus on staying alive, as everyone should. He only shadowsteps to one person. If that person is you, you had better have eaten soup (a consumable that revolves around rolling) if you wish to live. If it isn’t you, make sure you don’t get hit by ANY of his projectiles (either the throw everything panic attack or the actual “I’m aiming at you” attack).

Also, make sure you yourself don’t get close to Lupicus. Don’t even bother running Sword. If you want an Offhand weapon, run Scepter for mainhand. Clones are, in this fight, meant to be destroyed. Don’t bother shattering unless you’re doing F4 for a panic save (notably used in conjunction with iPersona).

NOTE: You can run sword if you’ve successfully taken down Lupicus, but even then it’s easier and, arguably, better to just run something like GS/Staff.

Phase 3 is a joke, if you die in this part, you deserve it.

EDIT:

Also, don’t worry about running Time Warp. It’s only useful in Phase 1/3 which are the easy parts, anyway. Run one of your racials for Phase 2.

In phase one, I sit in sword/ focus. As you said, my damage is abysmal in staff. With sword/ focus, I have an immobilize and a pull, perfect for grubs.

Why can’t you use illusions?
In phase 1 I get 3 warlocks up, with traits they heal the entire group really nicely as we all stack and kill adds and damage the boss. Quite easy.
Phase 2 is just a kitten because your entire team needs to know how to survive on their own, which is rarely the case in pugs.
I would actually suggest running time warp for fast resurections or panic mode, tho I am asura.
I run gs/staff, works great.

Glhf

Manditory.7934:

Why can’t you use illusions?
In phase 1 I get 3 warlocks up, with traits they heal the entire group really nicely as we all stack and kill adds and damage the boss. Quite easy.
Phase 2 is just a kitten because your entire team needs to know how to survive on their own, which is rarely the case in pugs.
I would actually suggest running time warp for fast resurections or panic mode, tho I am asura.
I run gs/staff, works great.

Glhf

Both warlocks and duelists have a tendency to run far closer than necessary to their target. This causes them to get uncomfortably close to lupicus.

I’ve yet to see grubs spawn on my clones in phase 1. But because I’m fairly new to Arah exp and because my party members get all jittery about me having clones up, I simply wait for grub to spawn, put 3 clones up, and shatter them after they get their first shot off. Lupi has 2 attack animations that rotates so you have more than enough time to make 3 clones and shatter them between each grub summon. My rotation is usually warlock – phase retreat – dodge roll forward (= 3 clones) – shatter.

And honestly I have no idea how much DPS I’m doing to Lupi and I really don’t care, because you’re doing more DPS than that other guy who stays dead because he can’t dodge or kite in phase 2. In an unorganized pug party that’s all that matters – staying alive. So your argument that Mesmer damage “isn’t worth mentioning” really only applies to one kind of Mesmers – the DEAD ones.

Also, a lot of the times Lupi seems intent on killing that one guy who isn’t necessarily the highest DPSer. If that guy can kite Lupi for the entire duration of phase 2, it’s a lot easier for the others to just pound down on him. You could be “that one guy”.

The part about doing low dps only really applies to staff autoattacks, and it is true. While I would love to get up 3 warlocks to just pound on lupi, they really do have a tendency to run close to him. He doesn’t spawn grubs on them every time, nor does he even spawn grubs on them most of the time, or half the time. The problem is that a single grub spawn is a risk you can’t take, ESPECIALLY in an unorganized pug. To that end, I stay in sword/focus so that I can shut down, immobilize, or pull any grubs that start running.

As far as phase 2 goes, blurred frenzy, phase retreat, and distortion are your friends. One more trick you can do is take the trait that pops up a feedback bubble when you revive, and go stand by the dead npc. Every time lupi does his ground aoe attacks, you just pop up feedback by reviving the npc a little, and you are completely safe from his attacks, every time.

Lupicus is not too bad and his grub attacks are so terribly telegraphed that really all you need to do is dodge out of the way when his hand is at the top of his head. The stacking is good for burning down the grubs. But if your whole team just coordinates and dodges then its fine. And yeah Lupi just loves to run up to the guy furthest from him.

Pyroatheist.9031:

Manditory.7934:

Why can’t you use illusions?
In phase 1 I get 3 warlocks up, with traits they heal the entire group really nicely as we all stack and kill adds and damage the boss. Quite easy.
Phase 2 is just a kitten because your entire team needs to know how to survive on their own, which is rarely the case in pugs.
I would actually suggest running time warp for fast resurections or panic mode, tho I am asura.
I run gs/staff, works great.

Glhf

Both warlocks and duelists have a tendency to run far closer than necessary to their target. This causes them to get uncomfortably close to lupicus.

Duelists won’t run forward [as much] if you spec into them and you can minimize the forward-rushes by actually moving forward yourself. Run to about 1000-1100 range from Lupicus (assuming you’re standing at 1200) and then spawn your Phantasms. There is a chance that they’ll spawn at around 800 or so range, but you can F4 them as soon as you see that. If they spawn anywhere else, they should be at a good range and will not rush forward (if you’re not specced in Duelists, they will run forward unless in 900 range or less).

I was under the impression that was fixed already for the most part. It can still happen but “Hey folks, I can’t seem to find the thread, but there was one that asked about necro reanimator trait, and lupicus using his grub skill on them. This behavior effected Necro minions, Mesmer clones, Ranger pets, and even the follower NPC.
I’ve now modified the skill so that it will only target players from now on as a priority before looking at minions/pets/turrets/NPCs.” copied right from the tread but leaving link so you can read the entire thing.

https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/game/dungeons/Lupicus-using-grub-skill-on-necro-minions/first

edit: he updated the last page with in saying it was in the last patch

I whiped like 6+ times on him and had 2-3 constant illusions (warlocks) shooting at him. Never had a grub spawn on one, I think its fixed. Though wasps usually kill my illusions after a while.

Esplen.3940:

Run Staff. Your dps is terrible in Phase 1, but you can drop Chaos Storm on the party. This gives your party buffs, damages Locusts and Grubs, and also causes Confusion on Lupicus (although I’m not sure if it procs off his knockdown/grub spawn attack).

Also, you can spawn Illusionary Warlocks (Duelists as well, but spec into pistols if you’re doing this for the bonus range on the Duelists), but make sure they spawn close to your group or else you need to break them with F4.

In Phase 2, focus on staying alive, as everyone should. He only shadowsteps to one person. If that person is you, you had better have eaten soup (a consumable that revolves around rolling) if you wish to live. If it isn’t you, make sure you don’t get hit by ANY of his projectiles (either the throw everything panic attack or the actual “I’m aiming at you” attack).

Also, make sure you yourself don’t get close to Lupicus. Don’t even bother running Sword. If you want an Offhand weapon, run Scepter for mainhand. Clones are, in this fight, meant to be destroyed. Don’t bother shattering unless you’re doing F4 for a panic save (notably used in conjunction with iPersona).

NOTE: You can run sword if you’ve successfully taken down Lupicus, but even then it’s easier and, arguably, better to just run something like GS/Staff.

Phase 3 is a joke, if you die in this part, you deserve it.

EDIT:

Also, don’t worry about running Time Warp. It’s only useful in Phase 1/3 which are the easy parts, anyway. Run one of your racials for Phase 2.

I’m quoting this because it’s basically what I do and with it the Mesmer absolutely shines against the Lupicus. In short at Phase 1. Staff on support role, avoid clones at all clones, Time warp & Chaos storm. Let others to deal with the grubs if it’s possible. Phase 2 & 3. Start swapping to scepter, create as much diversions as possible using clones/illusions, keep blink & mirror images handy. Develop dancing skills between circles…. trust me it’s fun once you get used to it!! ^^

I will leave this right here, this is really the best way to do Lupicus for any run regardless of class:

http://youtu.be/akoLjsITrk0?t=17m38s

Lol are you guys all seriously kittenting me? Have you guys ever considered using ranged phants and simply asking your party to move up to around the 900 range that they shoot from? I can normally keep up 3 Phants on Lupi npc at all phase 1, and it’s rarely ever an issue that they spawn outside of our little circle, so long as people are paying attention. Honestly I don’t think I’ve ever even had a party argue with me on this. – Phase 2 is really just about staying alive, I think most classes have some trouble here. 3 isn’t hard at all.

Usually the problem with phatasm is that lupicus spawn grubs on them. I wonder if Anet fixed it so it targets players only. I had it spawn a couple of times to the point where I didnt feel like continuing. Phastasms sometimes move too close to target

Why not switch weapons during phase 2 when you leave combat. It’s been a while since I’ve done Arah but I would usually focus more on staying alive/reviving during phase 2. I don’t know who does the damage but it certainly isn’t me! I tended to feel pretty kitten useless during that phase. Phase 1 is no problem, I got S/P, 3 duelists out and stick to sword killing grubs/locusts the whole time.

I would argue that a Mesmer is perhaps the most important addition to a party in that dungeon. When Lupicus does his “cover the floor in red rings” attack, use feedback on him and watch him explode.. same for his puke on the floor in front of him attack during phase 3.

kenzuro.1073:

I will leave this right here, this is really the best way to do Lupicus for any run regardless of class:

http://youtu.be/akoLjsITrk0?t=17m38s

thats the same guide i used to learn how the fights go, I run a condition mesmer with staff – sword/focus combo so very different from how the mesmer in that guide runs his but you can take the information and apply it to how you play.

that youtube user actually has a guide for every dungeon, but his arah guides focus on playing a mesmer http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzYy8FVzP3HZcddc7Zc8t8Q3PaztcOPiM

this guy does an unbelievable amount of damage compared to me.

o.o

So I’ll be honest I didn’t read every post here… but my 2 cents is you can use clones and shatter if you time it right. As in… soon as you see a grub die… spam 3 clones and shatter. You CANNOT leave phant’s up in phase 1 or you’ll shaft your team. But if you play right, you should be able to do fine. I’ve done Lupi half dozen times on my FULL glass cannon GS using mesmer and I was fine. And yea… feedback is own-face in almost every exp path in Arah. It’s great on Lupi, it wrecks the spider boss, it one shots those eye turrets … Mesmer is OP in Arah… don’t let your here to short comings get you down brah, just be pro =P

You CANNOT leave phant’s up in phase 1 or you’ll shaft your team..

I’m sorry.. can you PLEASE EXPLAIN THIS TO ME? I don’t understand..

So I guess you haven’t seen Lupi reflecting that phase 2 green-thingy raining attack to itself yet.

Btw, I use clones all the time in phase 1, not sure what’s wrong with that. If it’s Lupi spawning grubs on clones then I think I saw a dev mentioned that he changed Lupi to prioritize playrs before clones/and necro minions already.

Phase 1 of lupi is a pain if you are shatter based. I tend to run greatsword/Staff for lupi for a few reasons.
1. You can use the long range of GS to kill escaping grubs
2. Illu wave is great for pushing grubs backwards(away from lupi ofc) and giving people a few more seconds.

3. As far as clones are concerned i’ve used them deliberatly before to target a grub and then shatter them to kill. It’s the clones that run forward and engage lupi that are the risks. So just shatter asap and you’ll be fine.

When we do Arah, i mainly focus on DPS lupi in phase 1, while using clones for an OMG moment if a grub has’nt been picked up or the others need support.

A mesmer at lupi certainly is’nt a waste of a slot. Blink is invaluable for getting away from his shadow walk and bubble and also getting to a downed team mate fast without attracting the AoE on the way there.
Added to this timewarp is an amazing getting up from downed/defeated skill which, especially now often means the difference between a wipe and a win.

Get your GS or staff for phase one.

“you cannot use illusions until phase 2” is completely wrong. Watch lupi, he raises his hand, summoning a green smoke on one of you, this means that when he’ll scream, the grub will spawn on this person so spawn your illusions right after this arm raising animation and shatter them before the next.

Phase 2 is more about survival and keeping everyone up. Staff (for Phase Retreat) + Blink (Both for rezzing and for escaping) + Illusion of Life is a great combination in this fight. I actually like keeping time warp to help speed rez the unlucky as well.

Mesmer is great on Lupicus… I run shatter but I swap out some traits – clone on dodge to phantasmal furry, sword 50 prec to duelist boost, self shatter to bounce, put on staff instead of gs + sword/pistol, utilities: blink, null field, third slot whatever

p1 – summon duelist x3 and just let them go at it, leap+blurred frenzy grub spawns, also great for controlling the p1-p2 transition grubs since you will be invincible when blurred frenzying, time warp your stacked team to speed up p1, combo field your team with null/chaos fields, melee/staff locusts while your duelists focus on lupi. Since the fix a while back lupi no longer spawns grubs on clones or necro minions or ranger pets (i run with all these classes in arah), even if grubs do spawn on clones/phantasms – use ranged ones.

p2 – phase retreat and blink are invaluable here, especially if he’s on you. In fact it is easier when hes on you bc its so easy to dodge his charge and you can also melee him with blurred frenzy when he’s in range. If you are not being focused, duelists with increased range, phantasm fury is great. TIP – you can totally run out of combat to the end of the room and switch weapons/traits at this point. As long as your team is fighting and don’t let lupi reset. Chaos field, chaos shield very useful. Time warp rez your downed allies invaluable.

p3 – shatter a lot. Blurred frenzy if he puts you in bubble or blink out. Blurred frenzy when he puts someone else in bubble – great time to melee him. You can also swap out to GS at this point if you want to run out of range to do it. If you do melee him make sure blink or blurred frenzy is up. If he’s vaccuming you be careful and just play ranged bc you might not have enough dodges.

SemmlerTh.2685:

Hey guys,

I just came back from failing again at Lupi in Arah exp. As you cannot use illusions until phase 2, you have to switch to other weapons. So I decided to go with Great sword and Sword/Focus, in preparation to phase 2.

But in Phase too, I feel like I am actually a Problem for the group. I dont do much damage without illusions. And the Greatsword doesnt make more damage than about 400 per Hit. All my other skills, sword/focus and all utility skills are just equiped, for surviging.

There is The Blink, the signet of illusions, and the Mantra of Concentration, because you’ll die if you can’t get away from him. And because of some idiotic reason, I allways have the aggro, until I am completely dead. So all I do, is a few hits, until I have to shatter illusions to survive, or blink arround, and not to forget, dodge those 12k per second insane fields.

and all this, for 100-400 damage every 5 seconds? If Group members try to rez me, this is actually bad for them, because they risk their life, because it doesnt make any diference, if the mesmer is alive, or not. His damage is not worth mentioning anyway.

Id really like to make bifrost, but at this point, it seems absolutely impossible to kill Lupi. How do you play against him?

I run Greatsword Sword/Focus. Greatsword for p1 and Sword focus 100% for p2 and 3. I’ll run to his feet soon as he starts p2 and slash at his toe nails. You can use feedback bubble to hide in it while he does his aoe. And use distortion when you don’t have feedback and then theres Blur from sword 2. I’m full Glass.

I’ve never had a problem spawning illusions as long as I shatter them in relatively short time.

SemmlerTh.2685:

Hey guys,

I just came back from failing again at Lupi in Arah exp. As you cannot use illusions until phase 2, you have to switch to other weapons. So I decided to go with Great sword and Sword/Focus, in preparation to phase 2.

But in Phase too, I feel like I am actually a Problem for the group. I dont do much damage without illusions. And the Greatsword doesnt make more damage than about 400 per Hit. All my other skills, sword/focus and all utility skills are just equiped, for surviging.

There is The Blink, the signet of illusions, and the Mantra of Concentration, because you’ll die if you can’t get away from him. And because of some idiotic reason, I allways have the aggro, until I am completely dead. So all I do, is a few hits, until I have to shatter illusions to survive, or blink arround, and not to forget, dodge those 12k per second insane fields.

and all this, for 100-400 damage every 5 seconds? If Group members try to rez me, this is actually bad for them, because they risk their life, because it doesnt make any diference, if the mesmer is alive, or not. His damage is not worth mentioning anyway.

Id really like to make bifrost, but at this point, it seems absolutely impossible to kill Lupi. How do you play against him?

Mesmer is probably one of the best classes against GL.

Phase 1 there are two options:
1. If your party wants to do melee then use sword/pistol since iduelist stacks a lot of dmg (you can even do sword/sword). This is important that EVERYONE do this because if even one person goes ranged then he’ll send out locusts and grubs. Up close all he does is swing his arms around and kicks. I prefer this method

2. Do the ranged method by keeping up 3 iduelists at all times and switching to staff to stack some conditions and buffs. Alternatively if your dps is high enough leave iDuelists out to do your bidding while you run around on grub duty using your sword skills such as ileap to keep it locked in place while you blurred frenzy his kitten down.

Phase 2:
everyone melee! I cannot stress this enough. It’s incredibly more difficult especially with the new rez rush restrictions to range this guy. When you are all close and tight, anytime he does that bs aoe attack with those green bolts pop a feedback bubble and watch you do over 40k damage instantly! Also, tell the people you are running with to drop things like wall of reflection etc if by chance he does that move again before your feedback cools down. Also when he does that attack where he uses his hands and bombards you with bullets feedback will also reflect that right back! Just watch out for the ShadowWalk he does and count to 1 after he lands and then dodge to avoid his attack – everything else should be easy and you should be able to see it coming. Also being close together anytime you drop phantasms (depending on the build) you can buff your allies, and others can aoe heal – while using combo fields to stack up buffs and debuffs become a lot easier!

Phase 3 is soft tingz.

My guild members and I clear him in about 15 mins depending on the group’s build.

Good luck, lemme know if you have any questions.