Guild Wars 2

While people tend to have a general opinion of each class, Mesmer tend to incite a wide range of emotions. Are we easy to defeat? An absolute nightmare to fight? It all seems to depend on the class in question. I know how we feel about fighting others, but how do the others feel about fighting us? I took some time out to interview some of the players of other classes, asking the following questions (links are for corresponding interview threads):

• What is the first thing that comes to mind when you’re about to face a Mesmer?
• How do you feel about your odds of winning?
• Strategies and tactics?
• Which type of build do you feel best fights Mesmer?
• What skills (weapon or utility) are most important to have in this fight?
• How do you feel about Mesmer in general?

And the results were… interesting.

ELEMENTALIST

The Elementalists I spoke to seemed to not be worried much about Mesmer, whether shatter or lockdown or even condition Mesmer does not seem to be any sort of problem for them. I find this funny, because in my opinion Elementalists are a pain to fight. You have to be very careful and very specific, paying close attention to their attunement and what skills they’ve already blown in order to properly set up shatters/phantasms. One of the best Ele responses here was:

“I personally don’t play against many good mesmers playing your build, however I will speak from my experience dueling many many shatter mesmers.(Im an S/F Fresh air ele)
As an S/F ele I really struggle against some of the better shatter mesmers that know how to fight me. I bold “know how to fight me” because of the way I play S/F ele, if they give me the chance I will one shot them but the good ones don’t allow me that option most of the time. This is basically how the match-up goes if the mesmer is running Sword properly, I have to dodge all GS damage, and dodge his sword burst. I as well have to wait out his double distort, decoy, sword invulns, mass invis, and possible torch invis before i can effectively do damage. So basically If i manage to live all that with decent HP I will probably win. Of course I can win with a lucky one-shot but a good Mesmer usually wouldn’t give me the opportunity. If the Mesmer is running staff, as long as he isn’t able to out-range/kite me the whole fight I probably have the advantage.
I don’t play D/D but I know match-ups and a shatter Mesmer is actually able to kill D/D eles but they have to play well. They are able to because of their excess amount of boon removal, but yea if the Mesmer gets hit by a few too many ticks from a drake breathe it could easily be GG. The Mesmer on top of that has to play aggressive with its shatters to keep regen off of the ele, you won’t win the sustain game against a D/D ele.” -Bitty.1409

ENGINEER

Engineer is another of my more despised matchups, and apparently it’s for good reason. The Engineers kittenponded to the questions all seem to have the same opinion: “Mesmers? Omnomnom!” Engineer feel very confident that they can eat us up in a fight, even novice-intermediate engis aren’t very afraid of us. Fear and panic are a strong tool for a Mesmer when it comes to overwhelming an opponent with Shatters, but for Engineer we have to be careful, patient, and creative. CeiMash (Dirame.8521) sums this up nicely:

“As a person who plays both classes, I find that a good Lockdown mesmer can beat an engie 80% of the time. It’s all about the right interrupts.
As a Burst Engie, I know this when coming up to fighting a mesmer with Mantra of Distraction because I know how the build works. My tactic is to put my worst foot forward first so they spam their interrupts on that and then try to hit them hard during MoD’s cooldown.
Sword/Sword is too obvious when it comes to interrupt speed. Sword/Pistol has a better chance of winning. That being said, the Offhand Sword Phant can really be a jerk, but then again, the Offhand Pistol Phanta has the advantage of not needing to in close to do a lot of damage. Which means it avoids grenades and bombs unless I purposefully target it, which smart engies will always do.
If the mesmer is using GS, the first thing I want to do is get out of Line of Sight so he has to come closer. If he doesn’t I’ll just stealth up and charge head on towards him/her. Hit them with a prybar which puts the mesmer in panic mode and they spam skills leading to damage ticks from confusion brought on by the prybar. If the mesmer doesn’t pop his invul in that second, I follow that up with an Overcharged Shot at which point the mesmer will either Blink or Decoy their way out of that to get better positioning on me.
After that it’s a matter of making sure I dodge into his/her clones during shatters and put on a brave face, not being afraid to risk taking damage when dealing with the mesmer. That posture usually leaves the mesmer feeling like their pressure isn’t enough and that they are the ones getting pressured. Then they’d try to get away from you, which also serves you because you didn’t want the mesmer close to you anyway.
As a mesmer the best way to handle all this is to wait for the moments when the Engie thinks it’s safe to get close and just make them regret trying it. Dodge through them and shatter (dodging through ranged characters really messes with the effectiveness of the ranged weapon, sometimes putting things on cooldown way before they’ve activated or finished activating). When you do the “dodge-through”, make sure it’s a daze shatter then follow it up with a burst shatter, some engies will decide this is the best time to pop that stun break, be ready with that interrupt because immediately they come out they are going to heal and you don’t want that. If they do manage to heal, don’t worry about it though, put some phants on them and interrupt the big skills and you’ll be fine, they are on the retreat now.

FOR CONDI MESMERS
Playing a condi mesmer myself. I found my chances of winning to be 50/50. Landing a burst of condis on the engie on the outset can put you on the lead against them. I find the slow “let my clones do the damage” thing doesn’t work against good engies. They’ll just out-sustain it and cleanse the big condis as soon as they land.
The best course of action is to burst them with condis and THEN use your close to try to cover them. This means, confusion shatter, then use staff to spawn more clones and make sure you land chaos storm.
As an Engie, I know all mesmers want to play the slow methodical game of PeeUuuu! So I just throw all I can at them and when I hit their Scepter 2, I dodge to avoid the torment or I immediately cleanse if I can’t dodge. It’s even worse if I use Elixir gun. The cleanse speed is real because the speed of application is slow."
- Which type of Engi build do you feel best fights Mesmer?
Condi builds for the most part but Burst builds can to.
- What Engi Skills are most important?
If it’s Pistol/Shield then it’s Static Shield. If it’s Rifle then it Overcharged Shot and the immob. Elixir S, Tool kit, Rocket Turret, Flame Turret, Slick Shoes, Grenades and to a certain extent Rocket boots.
- How do you feel about the Mesmer in general?
The good ones are fun to fight. They can beat Engies but you just have to know how to do it."

GUARDIAN

Now with Guardians it gets interesting, as the opinion varies from Guardian to Guard and from build to build. Its seems our bunkery condition builds -such as PU- will destroy many guardians and yet our power builds may or may not struggle. This is in large part because of the rise of the Meditation burst guardian, who, like FreshAir elementalists, can unload a sudden and devastating blast of conditions onto an opponent. One thing I noticed is that unlike most classes, many of the Guardians find Mesmer to be a cool and fun fight. Its hard to give any specific advice against a Guardian, as each situation varies depending on their weapons and build, but kitten.1685 sums up their experiences nicely:

Interupt mantra up?
Cast ZD (Zealots Defense) or WW (Whirling Wrath)and instantly cancel cast and laugh as no chaotic interuption procs.
Then immediately go ham on auto attacks
Repeat until mantra is completely depleted and just go ham some more.
Ok now Ill answer your questions on the 3 builds you mentioned
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you’re about to face a Mesmer?
Shatter – Hopefully not open field, I have the advantage when able to use LoS (Line of sight) (when running sword/focus gs).
CI: Do I know the mesmer? Do they spam mantras or wait for animations? Regardless I dont actually attack until you burn your power lock. I usually will bait WW+ cancel as if you think im going to JI into you and then after you use a mantra I’ll just burst with symbol autos or BB autos.
Condi: Is it super lame bunker condi or shatter condi? Bunker mantra condi I should probably not engage. Shatter condi is easy as I just dodge shatters as normal and blind sword 3s.
How do you feel about your odds of winning?
Shatter: 95%
CI: 80%
Condi Shatter: 95%
Condi Bunker: 10%
Strategies and tactics?
Opening with RoJ (Ray of judgement)+ JI (Judges Intervention.. that teleport we hate) + Sword autos is usually the best opener for all 3. Dodge mirror blades and shelter BF shatters or just shatters I dont have a dodge for. BB when they enter stealth cuz they usually dont have a dodge. Land every smite condition, train with sword autos, usually I win.
Which type of Guard build do you feel best fights Mesmer?
Sw/f GS is probably the best build vs mesmer.
What Guard skills (weapon or utility) are most important to have in this fight?
RoJ, smite condition, BB (Binding Blade). If you land these every time you will win almost every time.
How do you feel about Mesmer in general?
Countered by guardian.

MESMER
Us Mesmer are.. well kind of funny. Here on the forums we spend a lot of time helping eachother improve and giving eachother advice. There is rarely ever a thread that goes unanswered, we critique eachothers videos, and we all generally have a good idea of what to do against another Mesmer, but nonetheless what happens when we see another Mesmer on the enemy team? What is the first thing to come to mind?

“There can only be one . . .” -Leodon.1564

Whenever I see another Mesmer on the enemy team, some part of me wants to go and test them out, see if I can maybe help them step their game up a bit or even learn something from them… AFTER I COMPLETELY OBLITERATE THEM FIRST AND ESTABLISH UNDESPUTED DOMINANCE!!1!one!!

… Ahem, Swish.2463 offers an excellent way to analyze an opponent who shares our fabulous profession:

As a predominantly Shatter player.
“First thought these days.. Kind of the same across the board.
Step 1. Target it.
Targeting a fellow Mesmer quickly spells out what possible type of build its running.
Mantras on the bar – Depending on the mantra I’m either facing a CS or CI or potentially a Phantasm or just a new player.
No Mantras on the bar – Either another Shatter or a PU of some kind.
Signets on the bar – Lock down or Condi of some type or a phantasm.
No signets – Shatter or lock down or PU
I’ve already narrowed down potential actions to take at this point and have some idea of whats to come.
Step 2. Weapons – more specifically what weapons is it carrying?
GS – Shatter or Power PU, maybe a Strange Lock down (see step 1 to single out a build)
Staff – Shatter or Lock down or Condi – too many builds use a staff, its not very telling.
Sword – Most likely to be a lock down, could be a Shatter maybe phantasm
Scepter – Its a Condi or PU
Focus – Its a lock down
Pistol – Lock down
Torch – PU or Phantasm or rarely a Power PU.
Step 3 – Self negotiate odds of winning.
Are they facing the wrong way? are they engaged with someone else? How well have they been playing? Do i have a nearby ally that is incoming?
As a mostly Shatter player I rate my odds on when i encounter as well as what build they are playing and how well.
Other Shatter – 75% / 45% odds of winning
PU – 80% / 50% odds at winning
Phantasm – 90% / 30% odds at winning
Lock Down – 60% / 25% odds at winning
Odds are based high to low depending on their current situation and if i get a drop vs if they get a drop on me mid fight.
Stratagies
Depends but themost generic ones i have are Using Shatters to eliminate poorly bunched phantasms and or clones, Baiting dodges and Stealth usages, Shattering Slightly before stealth ends (this is a great way to blow up Phants as well as the mesmer and even thieves, clones will idle for a moment before deciding to shatter, if a foe appears in that time they will auto lock and run to it) , Shattering over an expanded area with full clone coverage, Blinking behind and out of LoS, using Decoy while out of LoS and using a Dodge and then Phase retreat to pop back into their blind spot while they turn around..
uhmm.. using F2 to cause false panic
What to bring
A staff will get me out of the majority of things if i use it properly, as will blink and portal.
Mesmer in general…
My feelings are fairly well noted on the forums in various places, as a Mesmer main here is the Gist of it..
While a fairly interesting class that carries a very unique style, it’s not nearly as robust as it should be. The intimidation factor is quickly lost as Players learn to identify the real Mesmer or discover that clones and Phantasms can be destroyed in only a few hits. It suffers in High AoE combat and the snails pace of its casting and skill usages can leave it extremely open to more highly skilled players to abuse. Bugs hinder as well as aid the class and need a lot of looking into. Traits and Utilities as well as AI of clones and Phants fall into a similar boat as the Bugs.. they need work.
While the Mesmer carries an Ohkitten Factor for Newer players it has lost much of its Fear inducing Mystery from the Gw1 CC master, and can rightfully be viewed as a liability by PvP and PvE Dungeon Veterans..”

NECROMANCER

Necromancer offer an interesting perspective. With Shatter Mesmer being predictable, many Necros often feel confident while facing them. Alternatively, it seems Necros often really do not expect lockdown builds and do not have much of a strategy against them. With Mesmers generally lacking adequate condition removal, condition Necros tend to be overconfident while facing us while power-based specs are a bit more cautious. SpellofIniquity.1780 offers a hilarious perspective that I couldn’t help but smile while reading:

“Now… I’m a very honest person.. And generally, I don’t have a lot of rude or ignorant things to say but, if I want to say it I will.. And Mesmers well… For me at least, I’m pretty much a Mesmer racist. I ignorantly and innately hate all of them, including allied. I just cannot stand fighting them and the majority of Mesmer players I’ve met, although this could absolutely be a result of hating them so deeply, seem to be more rude than people who main a different profession (although a lot of Thieves and Warrior mains are pretty rude in general as well). I don’t usually have a hard time against them, so the hate doesn’t come from that.. It’s just the way fighting a Mesmer feels that really annoys me.. I really, really dislike how aggressive they feel and when one is trying to hit me with their greatsword beam when they’re clearly out of range it makes me cringe a bit.
There have of course been many Mesmers in the past that have made for difficult fights and I appreciate skill. Although I absolutely hate Mesmers, I can recognize talent when I see it. Those people I will usually take a few swings at and if I lose more than a few times I’ll just avoid them all together. Because to be honest, losing to a Mesmer annoys me more than anything else… I really shouldn’t be making it public how unnecessary and strong my hate for them is but people do it about Thieves every day so.. Here’s something new for everyone: I would legitimately be happier with the game if they didn’t exist.
How fighting one for me feels: Annoying.
Fortunately I have played a Necromancer long enough that with most Mesmers I can obliterate them in to a fine mist before they have time to react – which is usually the best course of action since the longer they linger the larger the chance becomes that I’ll be killed. I treat Mesmers the same way I treat Thieves; begin defensively only using AA’s then, as soon as I see an opening, (which usually happens within the first 5seconds) begin the burst chain which if properly executed will either kill them or send them running with a fraction of their health bar left.”

RANGER

PewPew Pew! Pewpewpewpew! Rangers will take you down before you ever have a chance to get close if you’re not careful. Or maybe they WANT you to get close, so they can blanket you in condition damage via traps! Rangers can be difficult if they catch us offguard, but if not the fight tends to be rather interesting. We have to keep in mind that their pet will always hunt us down out of stealth, that they themselves can stealth off our clones similar to thieves, and of course watch out for that kitten Grasping Roots elite. Kreed.2768 shares some excellent insight on his perspective against Mesmer:

“-What is the first thing that comes to mind when you’re about to face a Mesmer?
“Is he shatter? He’s probably shatter…”
- How do you feel about your odds of winning?
Against shatter? I’d say about 80% chance of me winning when I’m on power longbow. I generally have come to dislike condi specs in general nowadays, purely because they’ve boring for me to play. Also, the odds can chance depending on several factors, such as where we encounter each other, if one of us catches the other by surprise, 1v1 or team fight, etc.
- Strategies and tactics?
I generally try and stay out of reach, but won’t shy away when it gets down to fisty cuffs. The longbow provides amazing pressure, even with just the auto attack. Since the longbow can provide so much pressure on a squishie target such as mesmer, they are generally an easy match up, especially in team fights or if they lack cover for LoS.
I’ve not met a lot of lockdown mesmers, so I can’t really say anything on that, but condi mesmers are bumped down my list. If I stay out of their range in team fights they’re no threat. Condi mesmers, in my experience, offer too little damage/burst compared to shatter. Yes, they can be annoying, since most run with PU and generally have a lot of toughness thanks to the rabid amulet, but that also makes them less dangerous.
Like mentioned, Hunter’s Shot can just be used on clones to grand stealth, so when I see a mesmer disappear into stealth, I just do the same and wait for them to pop up again. Even if they can manage to get into melee range for that GS#2 shatter combo, it’s not hard to dodge it. If I’m out of dodge Signet of Stone will save me from the burst. Since I run tripple signet on my build (right now, at least), with the signet cooldown reduction trait, I can have 6 seconds of damage immunity from shatter mesmers every 64 seconds, which is pretty sweat.
One thing I do try to watch out for is the use of my stability signet and elite, since shatter mesmers can easily strip a boon like that.
- Which type of Ranger build do you feel best fights Mesmer?
Power longbow, for me, at least. Condi ranger works well too, of course, since the meta shatter mesmer is very limited on condi removal option, but I feel more comfortable just exploiting that low armor rating and hp pool with power.
- What Ranger skills (weapon or utility) are most important to have in this fight?
Signet of Stone to counter the burst if I get caught without dodges or immobilized (by sword #3 or the likes). Hunter’s Shot is also an amazing tool, for reasons already mentioned. The GS skills in general are quite useful. Long block, a daze/stun, and Maul can easily spike up to 6k when done right.
- How do you feel about Mesmer in general?
Generally I don’t feel they are as much a threat to me as thieves, but they are a priority target in team fights (if they are shatter), due to their boon stripping abilities and damage spikes.”

THIEF

As you can probably imagine, the Thieves essentially gave a collective “Lol” when I went for my interviews. Thieves know that they hard counter us, have strategies ready for us, and are essentially our predator. I do feel that without them keeping us in check, we would be nigh unstoppable (and as a result overnerfed into uselessness) yet I still hate this matchup to my soul. What I did find interesting, though, is that lockdown Mesmer tend to make Thieves hesitate more and throw them off their game. Its still an uphill fight but Thieves do seem to respect the dangers of fighting lockdown more than shatter. Rome.3192 give some great insight into a Thief’s mindset:

Hi, I play a D/P thief in GW2 sPvP. I’ll try to answer these questions from the point of view of a D/P Executioner as well as an AcroTrickery S/D.
- What is the first thing that comes to mind when you’re about to face a Mesmer?
As D/P: 90% of the Mesmers are easy kill. Irrespective of Shatter or Phantasm. Against good mesmers, it’s about what kind of an opening you get, as a burst followed by Shortbow spam is really effective. However, if you get torch 5’d, GS 2 wrack, you have to disengage so I suppose it really depends on who gets the better opening and who can bait out better.
As S/D: 100% of the mesmers are easy kill.
- How do you feel about your odds of winning?
As D/P: It’s the one class I feel pretty confident about winning against.
As S/D: Lul.
- Strategies and tactics?
As D/P: Really depends on the weapon set they use and how they cycle through their CDs. As an opener against GS, the standard Blinding Powder + Infil Signet + Steal + Auto into HS is quite decent and will force a Decoy or Blink. Continue to chain stealth at this point and let the mesmer go through defensive CDs (like Blurred Frenzy, Riposte or dodges). Upon re-engage, mesmer will definitely Distort or Phase Retreat. If you’ve landed your burst, switch to Shortbow and make sure the poison sticks and gg. The fight comes down to if you can land your burst, so it’s important to know your opponent. The mind games in this match-up are extremely satisfying.
As S/D: Infil strike/return trolls.
- Which type of Thief build do you feel best fights Mesmer?
S/D AcroTrickery.
- What Thief skills (weapon or utility) are most important to have in this fight?
Withdraw is amazing here but I’ve only ever fought mesmers with Hide in Shadows, Shadowstep, Infiltrator’s Signet, Shadow Refuge, Basilisk Venom. I couldn’t imagine any other combination that would work better – maybe Devourer’s Venom over IfilSig or Refuge.
- How do you feel about Mesmer in general?
Mesmers are an annoying class for any class that’s not a thief. The burst damage, the kiting potential and the range damage they have is a combination no other class has. Thankfully, as a thief, I can stick on them like flies and have stealth myself to avoid getting stealth-bursted along with burst so I can pressure them enough. What do I feel about mesmers in general? Hunt them down, always. In terms of 1v1s, I’ll add that a fight between a good D/P and an excellent shatter can be extremely fun because of the mind games that ensue with baiting/counter-baiting CDs." -Rome.3192

WARRIOR

So yes, Warriors aren’t all brofists, 1000 easys, evicerate fails and chest bumps. Theres quite a bit of subtlty and depth in playing the class that one would only really appreciate after digging into the Warrior profession for a bit. Mesmers seem to be less of a problem for them and more of an afterthought. It isn’t that we’re an easy win, but we just aren’t on their priority list in a team fight, better left to thieves and eles. The warriors I spoke with knew more of the shatter and condi specs but didn’t really seem to know much on the lockdown Mesmer (save for a few). Still, their responses were interesting:

“Usually what build the Mesmer is. I mainly encounter PU Condi or shatter mesmers. If a PU mesmer, I usually let out a huge sigh but say to hell with it I will try my hand. If a shatter mesmer, I am usually like alright, he is playing shatter mesmer, most people who play shatter mesmer aren’t complete scrubs at the game so I will have to keep on my toes.
How do you feel about your odds of winning?
Against PU condi, I know my odds aren’t very high, maybe 50/50 against a bad PU condi mesmer. But against a half way decent player I will most likely lose. Against a GOOD shatter mesmer, my chances of losing are higher than winning, but fortunately not a lot of people are so I like my chances a bit better.
Strategies and tactics?
Against a PU Condi, I feel it is important to make him waste and blow cooldowns and keep the pressure high. Also to anticipate their positioning in stealth while being strategic when using condi clears. Against a shatter, the main thing is to anticipate their shatters, obviously keep the pressure high constantly and even cleave their clones to prevent shatters. Most importantly I think, instantly being able to recognize the real mesmer.
Which type of Warrior build do you feel best fights Mesmer?
Obviously condition builds would be naturally as most Mesmers do not pack condition removal. Certain hybrid builds that use sword/longbow as well. Even Mace/GS isn’t that bad because of all the blocks, being allowed to build more tanky, GS is a great cleaving weapon plus gives you an extra evade plus cripple and gap closer. Hammer I feel is a terrible weapon vs a Mesmer and most power builds are disadvantaged. This is across the board.
What Warrior skills (weapon or utility) are most important to have in this fight?
Against a PU Condi Mesmer, Berserker Stance is probably your best friend. Prevents condis from going on you pretty much making you immune to their damage output for 8 seconds while you put pressure on them, while being able to clear condis using the adrenaline you gain.
Against a shatter mesmer, Endure Pain is your best friend, allowing you to completely mitigate what could potentially be a fight changing shatter. Shield Stance would also fit in that category. Also any gap closers are your best friend to allow yourself to deal damage to them.
How do you feel about Mesmer in general?
I actually love fighting Shatter Mesmers because it really is a good fight whose outcome is based on how well you dodge and how well you can keep pressure, and balancing them both. Lockdown Mesmers and Phantasm I don’t mind too much either.
PU condi mesmers are pretty much a snoozefest. All they do is go invis, spam clones, torment or winds of chaos and teleport/kite you all day till you die. It is just a very anti-fun, slow and frustrating fight overall that usually doesn’t end up in your favour. That’s pretty much my only gripe.”
- killahmayne.9518

From what it sounds like, we should slot MoD and just never cast it. They all say they just wait for MoD to go on cooldown before bursting.
While I doubt it’d make a difference, it’s funny to think of them all secretly panicking while waiting for us to use MoD.

Naaa.. In the state the mesmer is atm, we are pretty much a joke! ..

Vieux P.1238:

Naaa.. In the state the mesmer is atm, we are pretty much a joke! ..

I’d say you have to be super invested and highly experienced to be taken seriously as a Mesmer. So yeah, Mesmer can certainly look like a joke when the masses encounter your everyday Mesmers.

(As a Mesmer I know I’ve seen my fair share of tragic comedies while out there fighting).

I love eating thieves with condi shatter. I have too many defenses and condi application for them to burst me and avoid damage.

On the note of other mesmers, that’s actually my first thought when I see another mesmer on the enemy team and my team: “I must prove I am the alpha mesmer. I must kill their mesmer and kill everything our mesmer fails to.” Don’t know where this deep sense of competition comes from, but maybe it’s the fact that being a mesmer doesn’t mean much unless you’re a good mesmer.

oh the typos, the shame..

the shame..

Nice read, as usual. Always impressed how much work you put into your threads.

Xaylin.1860:

Nice read, as usual. Always impressed how much work you put into your threads.

This. I always follow Chaos 3d because they are so well written and sooo informative it’s a pleasure reading them

So basically:

Ele: 50/50 matchup
Engi: Pretty easy kill for engi
Guard: Pretty easy kill for guard
Mesmer: Depends on what build and who youre fighting
Necro: Can be a good fight for both sides
Thief: Free kill for thief
Warrior: Can be a good fight for both sides.

Considering the terrible state the class is in atm, this seems pretty spot on. This survey pretty much told me that we need flat out buffs (Kinda obvious). I also think this would be a interesting read for the balance team, considering their history with Mesmer. Great post as always Chaos.

Yeah except when DPS guardians get instapoofed by a six clone shatter and then cry about it. You know mesmers aren’t getting any love.

jportell.2197:

Yeah except when DPS guardians get instapoofed by a six clone shatter and then cry about it. You know mesmers aren’t getting any love.

NERF OP SHATTER MES!!!!

Ross Biddle.2367:

jportell.2197:

Yeah except when DPS guardians get instapoofed by a six clone shatter and then cry about it. You know mesmers aren’t getting any love.

NERF OP SHATTER MES!!!!

Actually got told by an SD thief that shatter mesmer needed a nerf after I beat him on a point…. Sigh…

Rangers really think we’re easy? They’re my favorite class to fight because I just throw my reflect over them and they kill themselves.

MiniEquine.6014:

Rangers really think we’re easy? They’re my favorite class to fight because I just throw my reflect over them and they kill themselves.

The problem is, that you usually could kill bad Rangers even without Feedback (which is what I guess you’re talking about primarily, since you say “throw my reflect over them”). And the good (or even just halfway decent) Rangers will just step out of the bubble before shooting you. Not to mention that you give up an utility slot that you could use in better ways.

MiniEquine.6014:

Rangers really think we’re easy? They’re my favorite class to fight because I just throw my reflect over them and they kill themselves.

Rangers totally depend on the terrain – ranging from ludicrously easy to downright impossible, especially if they position themselves perfectly and get the jump on you.

That’s pew pew builds of course – condition or melee rangers are a kitten nightmare and very difficult to fight good ones.

Saturn.6591:

MiniEquine.6014:

Rangers really think we’re easy? They’re my favorite class to fight because I just throw my reflect over them and they kill themselves.

The problem is, that you usually could kill bad Rangers even without Feedback (which is what I guess you’re talking about primarily, since you say “throw my reflect over them”). And the good (or even just halfway decent) Rangers will just step out of the bubble before shooting you. Not to mention that you give up an utility slot that you could use in better ways.

Is Feedback really not a well-liked utility ability? I hardly ever find it on CD when I need it, and it’s saved me a ton of trouble from engineer turrets, rangers, and general point capturing in sPvP. I could see how it might be limited in WvW because of the lack of mobility, but still. And even if they do hop out of the bubble, I can just hop inside of it or behind it. Maybe I really have just encountered bad rangers with my Mesmer?

Edit: Adding something here. I do find melee rangers to be a pain, but not too bad since I can just confuse them more with my shatters

Nah Feedback rocks, it is just often hard to find room for it in a build over Portal/Null Field, Blink, Decoy, Mantra of Distraction/Resolve

Chaos Archangel.5071:

Nah Feedback rocks, it is just often hard to find room for it in a build over Portal/Null Field, Blink, Decoy, Mantra of Distraction/Resolve

If it helps, here’s the build that I’m playing around with. I threw it together on a whim last night with my wife (Mesmer is on her account, but she only does WvW, not PvP like I do).

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fhAQNArfWnsISra2oGGqB3aGB3YOZO1g6li6pSGwvA-TpBBwAVeAAAOBAb3fI0hAQcZgNHBAA

I do have decoy, and with the torch I have The Prestige, which makes for fun times on the battlefield. If you have any suggestions, it would help, but I won the last 5/6 games I played with it in SoloQ

I find especially one response quite odd. As Engineer and Mesmer are my mains, I have to say that the Mesmer is usually in favor in that matchup. I am also pretty sure that some of the toptier Engis share that feeling.

I can’t say much for lockdown but shatter Mes has a very favourable matchup against Engineers. Actually I think shatter is one of the hardest matchups for Engineers after Necros (of both sorts).