Guild Wars 2

Build 1: http://goo.gl/ztpc1 (20/15/0/25/10)

Build 2: http://goo.gl/uvscY (20/20/0/25/5)

As you can see, the builds aren’t very different. Build 1 eschews Deceptive Evasion (create clone on dodge) in favor of Compounding Power (gain 3% power per active illusion; 9% total). You also lose 50 Precision and 5% Crit Damage and gain 50 Condition Damage and 5% Shatter Recharge Rate. However, builds don’t really consider the stat-gains so let’s put that to the side.

So, keeping in mind that a Phantasm-build generally doesn’t shatter as frequently as a Shatter build, Compounding Power is quite a substantial boost. A lot of people think Deceptive Evasion (D.E.) is a “must have”, but there are a some problems. One, Phantasm builds want 3 Phantasms out to maximize the build’s potential. With 3 Phantasms out, dodging with D.E. overwrites a Phantasm. Bad. Also, contrary to popular belief, D.E. does NOT force a drop-target on the enemy. If it did, this skill would be unquestionably a must have. I’ve spent far too many hours in WvW targetting and killing enemy Mesmers to know that D.E. does not drop my target-lock on them. D.E. is essentially a Shatter-battery.

So, what are your thoughts? Losing D.E. worth it for Compounding Power in a Phantasm-build? Feel free to share your own Phantasm-builds herein as well, with justifications!

I do the 20-20-0-25-5 when playing phantasm. DE is not a must have if you are playing phantasm, since you can overwrite them after 2.

Keep in mind that, if you are in a heavy battle, you’ll have 2 phantasm and end up with a clone, because we always have clone spawning skill in each weapon.

That’s a good point that didn’t occur to me. It really is unavoidable to have a clone out unless you’re forgoing the use of skills like Mirror Blade (and why would you do something so silly)?

Blargh.

With Shatter Strength so powerful now the only reason i would EVER run a phantasm build is in glass cannon/mantra build. Phantasm builds have no point as of now and sig of illusion NEVER gets fixed even tho they know about it.

the one and only time a phantasm build excels, is killing a champion boss in dungeons. you have the highest sustained dps, but its overshadowed by the utility of a shatter build in any pvp situation.