Guild Wars 2

I’m trying to re-build my mesmer coming from a berserker shatter build.
I feel as if i’m too squishy sometimes and getting bored of this build. Honestly I don’t really care about doing lower amounts of damage as long as I can survive a bit better and support or deal indirect damage.

I was wondering if Confusion mesmers are good in WvW even after the nerf.
I know that in solo PvE confusion doesn’t do that much because of the mobs slow attack speed but then again I don’t really care about killing fast, I just wanna survive more.

In groups I want to make some diffirence. I don’t wanna be “just another dps class” and i was wondering if Confusion mesmers have some kind of support for a party other than the obvious Time Warp and Null Field.

Before I look more into confusion I wanted to ask if it’s still viable nowadays.

On a side note: I never really liked condition damage on a mesmer but I love confusion and I kinda dislike how confusion damage depends on your condition damage. >_<

I continued using my Rabid 1400+ condition damage confusion/glamour build in WvW (and spvp) for well over a month after the confusion nerf. I can tell you with certainty that confusion is dead in wvw. I wasn’t even doing enough damage for bag tagging with Confusing Enchantments.

I’ve since switched to a phantasm build with Knight gear and am much happier. Regardless of what you go with though, always stick with the Staff. It’s by far our most powerful weapon in wvw/pvp. The amount of mobility I get with Staff and Decoy is amazing.

Building around confusion isn’t wise; confusion is bad in PvE simply because mobs don’t attack frequently enough – thats not to say confusion can’t be part of a delicious balanced breakfast

However recent experiments of mine seem to indicate a degree of parity between power based and condition based if you aim to stack bleeds.

iWarden, and iDuellist can stack a collosal amount of bleeding. While basic sword, greatsword and staff clones actual put out decent damage due to bleeds. All added together and taken in context the resulting DPS is comparable to a similar balanced power build*

*Cavalier/zerker balanced set mix compared to rabid.

I should stress though that it is only comparable not preferable – stacking for crit/power remains the clear winner, and is also less susceptible to the exceptions that snare up condition builds (Foes with condition stripping mechanics, immunities, inanimate objects like the the elemental focus in the blizzard fractal or WvW siege etc).

OK thanks for the replies guys. I’ve decided I want a Phantasm Pow/prec/crit dmg build (getting a set with toughness for more difficult situations.

Changed the topic tite.

I’m not entirely sure what trait build I should go for and if I should use GS or not since the phantasm is kinda kitten right now.

My trait build right now is:
20 domi: III, I (would go for X if I’d use a GS)
20 Dueling: II, IV
25 Inspiration: II, VIII (I like switching to Restorative Mantras and get Mantra of Pain + Mantra of Recovery for parties)
5 Illusions

For now I use Staff and Sword/Focus. But I’m not sure if I should switch the staff for GS.

Also not sure if it would be better to go 30 Domi and 30 Dueling for damage, or keep it the way it is right now.

Hope to get some opinions of fellow phantasm mesmers.

Personally I would sub the focus with either a sword or a pistol given that you aim for a “phantasm build”. The focus simply isn’t trustworthy damage, you use it for the utilities it gives you. Otherwise your main damage will only come from one of your weapon set. With a staff(GS) and sword/(sword or pistol) you can get two phantasms out much quicker.
The strength of the phantasm build is having as much of your phantasms out as possible while you yourself survive any attacks. That is your goal and that is what your enemies will focus on preventing you.

Ah yes true I have both a sword and a pistol ready and I really like using the sword myself. The phantasm attacks frequently, good damage and dat leap finisher.
I used a pistol in my old shatter build and for some reason i’m not too much of a fan of it anymore ><

I run an offensive phantasm build when I roam in WVW these days. It’s very glassy and sloooow, but packs a mean punch. It’s basically Pyro’s build, I just happen to use GS. I still have all my shatter gear for when I want to do that. I run GS-S/P (10/30/0/25/5), but that changes depending on what I’m doing. In a zerg, I’ll swap out my pistol for a focus, and take the reflect trait, and usually dump the phantasm signet for veil or feedback. I’ve run the numbers and I get much more effective power by going 10/30 rather than 20/20. I don’t feel like the cooldown for GS is worth it. My goal is to usually open with my iDuelist, swap to GS (3 stacks of might for swap), #2 for vuln, iZerker, then kite until I can swap back to s/p (3 more stacks of might), then cast another iDuelist. Depending on what iZerker feels like doing, the fight will be over or I’ll cry. I had my iZ hit for 10k 3 nights ago. But it’s so random, I’m debating just going s/s-s/p. Also, I have an extra GS and Sword with sigils of the night on them for 10% damage at night. The downside is I hate when it’s daytime in game, lol.

Link to the build

i mostly agree with Dasbola. but dont forget if u just roamer and search 1 vs 1(2) better go 100% like Pyro build. checked and examined, work best. but if u play with/against group 3-5 ppl. use GS better. traits still 10/30/0/25/5 work good
p.s. but if u wanna play ZvZ. better go engi or necro

Excuse me for the noob question. Why isn’t Phantasmal Haste worth in a Phantasmal build? Wouldn’t it be a straight dps increase?

trooper.2650:

Excuse me for the noob question. Why isn’t Phantasmal Haste worth in a Phantasmal build? Wouldn’t it be a straight dps increase?

Phantasmal haste doesn’t work with swordsmen, so that’s one reason. Also, in larger fights it’s rare to have a phantasm survive long enough to attack twice, so phantasmal haste becomes unimportant.

Pyroatheist.9031:

trooper.2650:

Excuse me for the noob question. Why isn’t Phantasmal Haste worth in a Phantasmal build? Wouldn’t it be a straight dps increase?

Phantasmal haste doesn’t work with swordsmen, so that’s one reason. Also, in larger fights it’s rare to have a phantasm survive long enough to attack twice, so phantasmal haste becomes unimportant.

Thank you

I know it doesn’t work with swordsman and that’s why I wouldn’t use off hand sword
if I’d pick that trait.

But do you agree you cannot have the “best” build for every single situation? If you come up with the “ideal” build for larger fights it will probably be not ideal for 1Vs1/2 and the other way round.

Yeah I like a bit of everything but i really prefer 1v1 fights.
I already have swords, focus, pistol, gs and sttaff as weapons. (kinda want a scepter too) But not really sure what combo i like the most. I guess i could use focus for wvw and gs for aoe & zerging even tho the phantasm is kinda kittened up right now.

However, as for traits i’m still confused, mainly because i’m not 100% sure about my weapon set.

20 domi and 20 dueling or 10 domi and 30 duelling.
I would go 20 domi for the GS trait or 30 duelling for the pistol trait. But i’m not about my weapons yet so what tree does a phantasm mesmer benifit the most of?

If I went GS, should i still go 10/30 and if i go pistol, would 20/20 still be better overall?