Guild Wars 2

Maybe I’m crazy but I rarely find a good time to use this. Sometimes attempt to burn off a stability or something but the self root and the damage is just so lacking.

There are several buffs I’d be ok with. Either damage, or maybe more than 1 boon removal, or radius of effect. I would say get rid of the self root maybe but I like the concept of stabbing the ground and being able to do that while moving just seems silly.

I really like the idea of Mindstab having a wider radius and keeping the “remove one boon”, or keeping it’s current radius and removing 2-3 boons. I mean that would really just be awesome, and help quite a bit with the GS’s AoE/making Mindstab useful in WvW sieges.

However, I feel like I should point out that Mindstab was actually much worse a while back. You think the self root is bad now? Imagine having 2-3 straight seconds of it! It was so bad before Anet updated it to it’s current speed that many Mesmers actively avoided using it period.

Because they updated that, I don’t really feel like they’ll be altering it again anytime soon. Perhaps in the future if we keep talking and QQing over it – Maybe in the form of traits? – But while it’s an awesome idea I’d really love, as I main GS, I doubt it will happen.

I also forgot to mention a simple blast finisher addition would really be amazing enough for me to love it. I dunno, I just dont feel like I should ever use it and usually when I do, I’m not particularly glad I did. I hate abilities that feel useless. If it were a blast finisher I’d absolutely love the ability.

I liked it more when it was daze instead of remove a boon.

We really have giant potential to make use of our interrupt traits but everything is on a 25-30+ c/d or is unreliable, Like counter blade.

I also think it’s better as single target with a splash effect.

in few words it isnt a good skill.
you can use it in some situation yes, however it really hasnt a place in an awesome skillset as the gs one.
a minor buff would make it more usefull without being op. big radius (would be awesome if 3 swords would appear instead of one), blast finisher, a random condition (would love weakness), +25% dmg if target has cripple.
dunno there are a lot of things that would make this skill more useful… also something special for the twilight/sunrise/eternity owners would be appreciated.

Any 2 of the 4 in order of preference:

1) Ethereal Field (while a blast finisher would rock, GS already has 2; 3 is too many)
2) Bigger AOE
3) More damage
4) Targeted splash effect

I also agree with Daishi. It seems many of our “on daze” traits were meant to synergise with the beta version of this skill. When the daze went away, it left a rather obvious hole in the usefulness of those traits that is only filled with rather specific build options. Either the traits need to be beefed up, or a reliable, moderate CD daze needs to fill Stab’s hole.

I don’t like it either…
Self root is a pain in the kitten and the radius is pathetic….
I would rework it copletely….
Self root could be solved with a new animation. The mesmer slashes at it’s current position the GS just like the illusionary wave animation. At the same time the illusionary GS will appear at the position where your ground target is and slashes in the same manner.
In that case the self root would be solved and the radius would also be bigger….

The damage of Mind Stab is pretty low to use as a DPS source. However, it’s great for removing a boon from Bosses; you can take away a whole stack of Might in one move — it can help your party to a certain extent.
Other than that, well… I gotta admit it’s not the bests skill to have =\

I think just making it single target + splash (rather than ground targeted) would be enough. It still wouldn’t be a great skill, but at least it would be a guaranteed boon removal tool. In it’s current version, with the length of the animation, it basically only worth using on stationary targets.

(I suppose a larger radius would fix this as well)

I liked it way better back when it was auto-target rather than ground target.

Yozoh.8179:

The damage of Mind Stab is pretty low to use as a DPS source. However, it’s great for removing a boon from Bosses; you can take away a whole stack of Might in one move — it can help your party to a certain extent.
Other than that, well… I gotta admit it’s not the bests skill to have =\

If any boss has that much might you might as well run Arcane Thievery.

works with every boon, why you would remove one minute protection, regeneration and swiftness in the dredge fractal when you can steal it? also, if they improve the disenchante ai it can we have more and more options to remove boons and at the same time gain something. mind stab provides nothing but a weird damage.
no one is saying that you cant use it, but you really have at least one skill that works better in that situation..: this is what i feel at least.

If your tournament build and you have shattered concentration it makes GS mind stab worthless. (9boon strip /gg)

If your tournament build in PvE (taking empowered illusions), running phantasm, shatter cat, or tanki condi, not to mention ever niche hybrid build, is stripping one boon every 12 seconds worth it? Especially since your main hand sword can do it every 3rd hit?

Plus having multiple utility options that are over all better for the boon removal?

Now I don’t do high level fractals but this skill seems kind of lame if virtually all situations.

We should call it mind blast and just turn it into a giant kitten laser that hits like a narrow cone with a long range and I still say add a daze effect. (Lol this is soooo never going to happen)

I rarely use it. I hate that you have to stop to cast it.

I think they should make it on target instead of targeted and caste-able while moving. That or significantly buff the damage/utility.

Made multiple threads about it months ago and see what we got… and its not ‘could’ use a buff, but should use a buff. i don’t think there’s a single person who’ve played mes/gs enough that agrees with mind stab staying as is.

It should be a blast finisher.

Definitely agree with the main idea of a buff. Thought it was already changed, it’s still too much situational and is a lackluster compared to other possibilities of stripping boons as others said above me.

1) Ethereal Field (while a blast finisher would rock, GS already has 2; 3 is too many)

How could this be a field ? It’s just a hit, seriously, it’s impossible :o

2) Bigger AOE

Well, I think I still would not use it.

3) More damage

Same as 2, even if it’s better.

4) Targeted splash effect

Same as 2.

Concerning the root, I think it’s OK. The root used to suck, now it’s acceptable and it’s not only logical (you don’t hit the earth with a GS while running away) but also for balance reasons.
However, the advantage given by this root is not worth it, nor is the damage.
The daze was actually very good, but must agree was probable TOO good, especially with traits.
My first choice would definitely be :
1) Add a blast fnisher. Definitely makes sense for such a skill. For balancing reasons, raise CD to 15 sec and/or remove the boon stripping..
Or, maybe
2) Change the stripping of boons with conditions. Considering the movement, it would make sense to inflict vulnerability or weakness.

KratosAngel.7289:

How could this be a field ? It’s just a hit, seriously, it’s impossible :o

Lots of attacks that would otherwise just “hit” create fields. Poison Grenade, Combustive Shot, Symbols. I don’t see how it’s so hard to understand. The sword pops up, hits enemies, removes a boon, and a field appears over the AOE for a few seconds.

Gaiawolf.8261:

KratosAngel.7289:

How could this be a field ? It’s just a hit, seriously, it’s impossible :o

Lots of attacks that would otherwise just “hit” create fields. Poison Grenade, Combustive Shot, Symbols. I don’t see how it’s so hard to understand. The sword pops up, hits enemies, removes a boon, and a field appears over the AOE for a few seconds.

Because the flavor and mechanics of those skills are different. Each of those skills is spreading an effect or marking the area to provide an overtime effect in addition to their fields. There is no "it creates a field’ skill, there are skills which are also fields. Feedback, Null Field, and Time Warp are all Ethereal Fields, but those fields do something else. So neither the thematics or mechanics of mind stab support having a field appear.

That’s not to say it couldn’t be remade into a field. A field of blades stabbing out of the ground would work. Or maybe even rename it (we have two skills named Mind Stab after all) to ‘Spatial Rift’ and change the thematics slightly to have the Mesmer be slicing open a rift to stab his sword through, which leaves behind a field of darkness that removes a boon periodically. Ie.

“The Mesmer stabs his greatsword into the ground, piercing time and space to stab up through a dark rift beneath his enemy’s feet. When he draws his blade back a shadowy rift lingers, leeching away enemy’s boons”

Same basic effect, but thematics and mechanics suit adding a field. It could just as easily be a ‘chaotic rift’. And no, I’m not literally suggesting this change.. It’s just an example.

A larger AOE would be nice. I would like to see it remove both enemy boons and friendly conditions.

I recently got an idea from the immortal mesmer build where you take out three sword clones and let them auto attack. Within 10 seconds, your target is stripped of all boons even if they’re a guardian with a crapton of buffs on them.

Seems simple, but it works!

I agree with Kratos to the extent where just buffing damage or boon removal seems to be rather redundant so, IMO I think we need more utility to utilize within this. with that in mind just thinking of other possibilities can’t be horrible can it?

As much as I like blast finishers and mesmers are sorely in need of a viable one I think although it gives us a little bit more in team fights it’s not going to make the skill that much better.

What about 20 second cool down and 2 second stealth (the balance in the C/D is that most cloak skills seem to scale 1 second per 10 seconds plus an ok effect.) for up to 5 allies in the AoE? With a slightly bigger AoE of corse.

Or instead of boon removal, Poison this is a bit less mesmer like and I’m with the group who vote put it on staff in exchange for vulnerability xD, but hampering healing is a decent replacement for a daze plus giving more power to the GS.

I could see people cry OP at that so here are a few of other options to trade off boon removal. But I still feel a bigger AoE is almost paramount unless it were to change into a single target with splash.

Confuse: 5 stacks for 5 seconds (Well it is a mind stab)

Immobilize: 3 seconds (allowing it to be countered)

The root is annoying but i use Mind Stab in my PVE rotation, it crits for 2.5k. Id love to see the root removed or make it targetted, but its not useless

Coldviper.6794:

…. but the self root ….

Hi, Warrior class here. Lets talk about self roots with only damage behind them and no utility.

Vanthian.9267:

Coldviper.6794:

…. but the self root ….

Hi, Warrior class here. Lets talk about self roots with only damage behind them and no utility.

In this case, it actually roots you. Hb requires no movement to work, but mind stab actually prevents you from moving.

Strangely enough, the only NPC I know of who uses mindstab, his mindstab actually causes blowout in it’s AoE

I use it every other battle or whenever it’s off of cooldown. I find it very nicely compliments a 1 illusion or 4 illusion shatter combo. It’s great for tagging mobs in my opinion too, since it’s almost instant. The root is seriously minimal, compared to other skills I’ve used in this game. Boon Removing is a nice tough, especially for enemies who get that one annoying boon such as Protection. I honestly love Mind Stab.

If they change it, I hope they keep the animation the same. It looks super epic. I absolutely disagree with whoever said it should be like Illusionary Wave. No. Please no. Having 2 skills with the same animation on the same weapon would suck.

I second the idea that some people are floating around.

MAKE IT A BLAST FINISHER!

Easy fix, instantly useful.

I am talking about pve, don’t have any idea about pvp.
I like the way it is now. It is fast okay damage and removing a boon is good. The radius is also fine, sometimes I miss but that is my fault not the spells one. It is a utility spell nothing more and nothing less.
All in all seems like a fine and balanced spell to me.

I use fast ground casting and found that mind stab is easier to use and more flexible as aoe. I would like a damage buff or aoe circle increase.

Bit more damage + Bit wider radius + Blast finisher = Good to go.

I want it to be like the Eye of Zhaitan’s. I’m kind of jealous of it.