Guild Wars 2

I have specced for Toughness, in a Precision+Toughness+Condition Damage build, and I have a decent amount, 1.9k. So I was wondering, when I call out my Phantasmal Defender…. is the damage diverted to my Phantasm, half of my REDUCED received damage, which is further reduced by my Phantasm’s Toughness? If so, this could be an incredible pseudo-tank solution for us squishy ones (only have 15k HP).

yes and yes and yes. I’ve tested the phant def a lot.

Also, traited with +20 % hp and Signet of Illusions (even with the bug), it tanks really well. Add it with Dwayna or Water rune and Water sigil. It’s strange, I still don’t understand how it works, but I ended up with 2 defender sometimes and they are tank champion. I think it’s a 3 person chain. Party/Your damage → first Defender → second Defender.

Krispera.5087:

Also, traited with +20 % hp and Signet of Illusions (even with the bug), it tanks really well. Add it with Dwayna or Water rune and Water sigil. It’s strange, I still don’t understand how it works, but I ended up with 2 defender sometimes and they are tank champion. I think it’s a 3 person chain. Party/Your damage -> first Defender -> second Defender.

the wiki says the reduced damage only works if you have 1 defender out.

Problem with the defender is that it really takes up 2 slots (signet of illusions )to be of any use at all.
Plus the 20% trait is in the vitality tree ( clones don’t inherit any vitality from us )

Max.8563:

Problem with the defender is that it really takes up 2 slots (signet of illusions )to be of any use at all.
Plus the 20% trait is in the vitality tree ( clones don’t inherit any vitality from us )

Depends really. If I know I’m going into a battle with a nearby structure, I’ll just set it on the structure, and abuse it to high hell.

The trick to it is simply placing the phantasm in such a way that it will not take aggro. When you can do that, it’s great.

Can someone confirm that the defender deals retaliation damage (if traited) when receiving damage taken by you? I seem to recall that it did from my testing but I don’t remember.

From my experience the defender works best when fights contain mainly condition damage and single target damage since their health gets eaten up by not only the aoe attacks but from all the damage your party is taking.

Also, under water since damage is overall reduced and makes for some wicked tank builds.

-Sincore

Phantasmal defender would probably a lot more useful in PvE if it wasn’t bound to a particular target, and just hung around until the end of combat or it’s own death.