Guild Wars 2

Hello everyone!

I am Zedmus been asking general questions in the player help forum which everyone has been so helpful and I think I may be decided on a a class. That class being the Mesmer. I was looking at the build list and it looks as if most of them are outdated. I am wondering if anyone can point in the right direction with some links for some good builds. I would like to be able to do some pretty decent damage and I mainly only want to WvW and PVE. I am still currently only level 6 but I like to have my stuff in order as I am leveling. Any help would be much appreciated.

I am not sure of the weapons yet as I would like to use the strongest ones. Currently leveling all of them so they are unlocked for whatever information I receive.

The link list posted by Fay (stickied at the top section of the Mesmer Forum) is still a good resource, even if some of the individual builds are outdated.

Osicat’s Shattercat is still the go-to guide for Shatter techniques, from what I understand. Kylia and Pyroathiest post the Mesmerized Podcast, which focuses on a variety of different build types. If you look for [Build] or [Guide] tagged threads in the forum you’ll find a good mix of support, damage and tank-control builds. I’d recommend checking them all out and fine-tuning their recommendations to fit your playstyle.

Regarding the strongest weapon, it’s all up for debate really. Some people find that versatility is more powerful than direct damage. Others want a weapon that isn’t directly powerful, but makes good phantasms. Others want a defensive weapon, since you can’t do damage if you’re dead.

I’ll try to outline my take on some of tkittenential elements of each weapon for you:

Main Hand

Sword
1: Short-Range Auto Attack that can hit multiple targets at once, strips boons, applies vulnerability
2: Short-Range, multiple-hit AoE that makes you invulnerable for 2 seconds
3: Short-Mid Range Clone ability that provides Cripple and Immobilize – Leap Finisher
(Our only true melee weapon, good mix of offense and defense)

Scepter
1: Mid-Long Range (900m) Auto Attack that produces a Clone on every third hit. Can be fired early to prepare the Clone attack ahead of time.
2: Riposte ability that creates a Clone if you successfully Block, or can be discharged early to Blind enemies.
3: Multiple-hit Mid-Long Range Ray that can hit multiple targets in a line. Also applies Confusion
(Somewhat difficult to use and thus is sort of unpopular. Can work in both Condition damage or Power Builds)

Greatsword (Two Hands)
1: Long Range (1200m) attack that can hit multiple targets in a line with a small splash radius. More powerful at longer range with diminished damage at close range. Fast attack rate.
2: Long Range bouncing attack that can multiple targets and applies Might boons to allies – Physical Projectile Finisher.
3: Long Range targeted area attack (small radius) that deals low-moderate damage and strips one boon from enemies.
4: Long Range, Whirl attack Phantasm that deals AoE damage. (Potentially bugged) – Whirl Finisher
5: Conical knock-back / interrupt that hits multiple enemies in front of you.
(Powerful long-range weapon. Offensively-oriented. Melee-AoE Phantasm)

Staff (Two Hands)
1: Long Range, Low Power Bouncing Auto Attack that applies Conditions to enemies and grants Boons to allies. Slow attack rate. The closer you are to your target, the more likely you are to receive more boons and apply multiple hits per attack.
2: Clone production and short-range teleport away from your target – Leap Finisher
3: Long-Range Phantasm and our strongest single-hit Phantasm available, especially when your opponent has multiple conditions on them
4: Instant-cast Chaos Armor (Boons for your, Conditions for enemies when you get hit)
5: Ethereal Combo Field that you can place on the battlefield that repeatedly grants allies boons and puts conditions on opponents. Also pulses small damage.
(Versatile defensive, condition damage and support-based weapon. Ranged Phantasm)

Off-Hand

Sword
4: Riposte ability that creates a Clone on successful Block. May be discharged early to Daze foes in a line.
5: Hard-Hitting, evasive Melee Phantasm. – Leap Finisher
(Balanced Offense and Defense. Strong Melee Phantasm)

Pistol
4: Single-shot that hits 3 enemies and applies conditions. Mid-Long Range – Physical Projectile Finisher
5: Ranged Phantasm that rapidly attacks multiple times – Physical Projectile Finisher
(Good range, Combo options and Control Options)

Focus
4: Light Combo Wall that can Reflect projectiles if traited. Provides Swiftness and / or Cripples enemies when crossed. Can be discharged to pull enemies toward it, causing an interrupt and briefly knocking them down.
5: Immobile Phantasm that deflects or reflects (if traited) physical projectiles and hits multiple times.
(Our only weapon-based access to long-duration Swiftness. Good utility but the Phantasm is difficult to use in PvP.)

Torch
4: Phantasm that applies confusion to enemies and grants retaliation to allies at mid-long range.
5: Invisibility and AoE Blind + Blast Finisher that applies burning to enemies.
(Our only weapon-based Stealth option and our only Blast Finisher. Phantasm slightly underpowered)

Which weapon set is best for you? I recommend trying them all out! (I’m not going to cover water at this time, sorry!)