Hi, the mesmer is my main, and I have played in all the beta of PoF. The Mirage need some rework and buffs.
Its concept and artistic part, is very successful, but in practice there are still bad mechanics, I will suggest in bold the new or the added rework on traits and skill that I think need fix, and I also add a new skill F5 and some ideas for ambush skill on phantasmal.
Weapon skills
SKILL 1 AXE————————————————————
Lacerating Chop
Inflict bleeding on your target.
Damage: 183
Bleeding (4s) A increase 2s of Bleed. (Before was 2s)
Number of Targets: 3
Range: 130
Ethereal Chop
Inflict torment on your target.
Damage: 183
Torment (4s) A increase 2s of Torment. (Before was 2s)
Number of Targets: 3
Range: 130
Mirror Strikes
Inflict bleeding and torment on your target.
Damage: 183
Bleeding (6s)
Torment (6s)
Number of Targets: 3
Range: 130
SKILL 2 AXE————————————————————
Lingering Thoughts
Spin forward dodging and strike multiple times, inflicting conditions and leaving a mirage at your starting position that summon a clone.
Damage (3x): 441
x3 Crippled (1s)
x3 Torment (4s)
Number of Targets: 3
Maximum Count: 2
Count Recharge: 8s
Combo Finisher: Whirl
Range: 130
Evade: (¾s): Evade all attacks. Now can evade attacks
SKILL 3 AXE————————————————————
Axes of Symmetry
You and all your axe clones shadowstep to a random location around your target and strike, applying confusion. This attack breaks enemy targeting, and your illusions change focus to the targeted foe.
Damage: 550
x5 Player Confusion (4s)
x1 Clone Confusion (4s)
Evade: ¾s
Combo Finisher: Leap
Range: 600
Now it fixed to the enemy, even if the target is in motion, this attack always hits the foe.
Commentary
With these small changes, the ax would be more viable, Mirage is very exposed to the enemy, needs to move a lot, it is easy to detect him, so, an extra added when evading, a small increase in durations of damage conditions, will be better and understandable.
Slot skills
HEALING
False Oasis
Create a mirage at your current location and heal over time. When the mirage expires, it spawns a mirage mirror.
Healing: 1,620
Vigor (5s)
Conditions Removed: 1 (Now remove conditions)
Pulses: 5
Mirage Duration: 3s
Interval: 1s
UTILITY
Crystal Sands
Draw in shards of crystal sand that confuse foes they pass through on their way to your targeted location. The shards form a Mirage Mirror upon reaching their destination.
Damage (6x) 636
Confusion (5s)
Torment (5s) (Now also inflict Torment)
Pierces (Now pierces on the foes)
Range: 900
Sand Through Glass
Evade backward, removing conditions, and leave behind a Mirage Mirror.
Distance: 300
Conditions Removed: Immobile (Now remove conditions)
Conditions Removed: Crippled
Conditions Removed: Chilled
Evade: ½s
Breaks Stun
Commentary
Using Crystal Sands feels little useful, just get inflicted x1 or x3 of Confusion on the foes that if not were on the center of the skill area. Otherwise, if there is only one enemy, and this is on the center of the area, inflict x6 confusion, taking into account if it is not moving.
If Crystal Sands pierces, it would gain a lot of utility and effect, especially in large groups of enemies. And adding Torment, it would be one more reason, to be an area damage skill.
And Sand Through Glass, it lacks something, a cleaning of conditions that impairs the movement.
New skill F5 and new mechanic on phantasmal ambush skill.
The Mirage need a new F5 skill, feel like you’re missing that part. Here is a new idea:
Infinities Mirages – New F5
You and yours illusions gets a Mirage cloak, with a increase of duration of time, for each illusions that your controls. Can use Ambush skill more times on this way. After, your illusions will destroy, creating a Mirage Mirrors on theirs locations.
Mirage Cloak (¾s): Evade incoming attacks. (Can multiply up to x3, for each illusions)
Ambush Attack Window: 1¼s (Can multiply up to x3, for each illusions)
Mirage Mirrors:
Damage: 80
Weakness (6s)
Mirage Cloak (1s)
Number of Targets: 5
Radius: 180
For ambush skill on phantasmal. Now yours phantasmals, attack again when you use any ambush skills. Their attack is corresponding that phantasmal of weapon.