Guild Wars 2

Can someone pick this build apart for me?
The basic premise is Chronophantasma, Persistance of Memory, Mental Defense and Shield Phantasm all synergise really well, allowing for huge phantasm generation.
I’d like for anyone to identify any problems with the build if there are any.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vhAQNAR8enknB1qhNqBmpBEgilnjqeQT0FFdxasH7sACgDD-TpBFABAcBAYf/hFOCAE8AAEvMQbHEAA

The main issue I see with this build is the lack of condi clear. You can get away with no condi clear if you’re running a bursty +1 build, but this build looks like youre going to be in longer, even fights instead. The issue is that you can’t have a long fight with no condi clear.

I’m also not entirely convinced by the choice of illusions over domination. You’re taking reduced cooldowns, some might and some relatively unimportant on-shatter effects over on demand stun (or +15% illusion dmg which might be good for a phantasm build), boonstrip (which is vital in this perma protection meta) and power block (synergising with shield/GS 5)

Coxy.5269:

The main issue I see with this build is the lack of condi clear. You can get away with no condi clear if you’re running a bursty +1 build, but this build looks like youre going to be in longer, even fights instead. The issue is that you can’t have a long fight with no condi clear.

I’m also not entirely convinced by the choice of illusions over domination. You’re taking reduced cooldowns, some might and some relatively unimportant on-shatter effects over on demand stun (or +15% illusion dmg which might be good for a phantasm build), boonstrip (which is vital in this perma protection meta) and power block (synergising with shield/GS 5)

Whilst it doesn’t have a ~lot~ of condi clear, Power Cleanse on heal and condi remove on shatter is imo enough to sustain in this meta (+ the Generosity but ofc this is less reliable)

The reason is that whilst you lose the burst potential of the domi line, the illusions line dramatically reduces phantasm cooldowns, increasing overall sustain damage. I agree that the GM traits are definitely awkward but the crip on cry of frustration and the reflect on distort are useful additional utility. It also reduces your shatter cds which works excellently with alacrity + the insp line, increasing overall heals and condi removal from shatters. Each trait alone doesn’t seem like much, but the synergies are massive.

Also, boon removal on shatter is an over-rated trait imo. Boons are gained so easily that 1 boon remove on shatter is probably not even enough. This makes opportunity costs more valuable.

Whilst I call it a Phantasm Build the focus is actually on shattering for dps and utility. Shattering resets your phantasms attack timers, heals you, removes condis, grants alacrity and does relatively high damage due to marauders; enough to be considered useful burst.

Sorry the condi removal comment was inaccurate, I replace the inspiration line with domination to compare it to illusions, completely missed it. You might just have enough, especially with low cd shatters, to fight a condi build.

In terms of domination vs illusions, Its definitely still a tricky choice in my mind. You’re right that boons will be reapplied, but you’ll be shattering so often the overall effect will be 33% damage increase (i know im exaggerating, but a lack of protection would cripple a lot of bunker builds. It’s also a potential 4 boons removed per shatter). Its your call obviously, but i’d try it out before writing it off completely.

Edit: Theres also a lack of stability. But a build can’t have everything