Predictions on top Mesmer weapons?
Focus has a niche in PvE as our only AOE off-hand phantasm + reflects. However, the problem of phantasm survivability and the positioning makes it unviable in PvP. From what we can see in raids, the problem will also occur there (enemy constantly moving). So I suspect focus will die completely. I hope for a small rework.
Torch is obviously very strong in WvW/PvP. I suspect it will remain in WvW, shield may outclass it in PvP.
Pistol is good in PvP, with a good interrupt and high damage phantasm for both power and condi.
Scepter is good in PvP, not meta but definitely viable. If they remove the phantasm overwrite, it may become meta in PvE when range is needed (probably the case in raids and high level fractals).
Shield, as I said, I suspect it will be strong in PvP and may outclass the torch. In PvE, it depends on how valuable is the extra quickness and how reliable is the phantasm for alacrity.
Focus has a niche in PvE as our only AOE off-hand phantasm + reflects. However, the problem of phantasm survivability and the positioning makes it unviable in PvP. From what we can see in raids, the problem will also occur there (enemy constantly moving). So I suspect focus will die completely. I hope for a small rework.
Torch is obviously very strong in WvW/PvP. I suspect it will remain in WvW, shield may outclass it in PvP.
Pistol is good in PvP, with a good interrupt and high damage phantasm for both power and condi.
Scepter is good in PvP, not meta but definitely viable. If they remove the phantasm overwrite, it may become meta in PvE when range is needed (probably the case in raids and high level fractals).
Shield, as I said, I suspect it will be strong in PvP and may outclass the torch. In PvE, it depends on how valuable is the extra quickness and how reliable is the phantasm for alacrity.
Torch is almost entirely used for the Prestige….but with the PU nerf may lose even more ground once HoT comes out.
Scepter is a bit underpowered….should get a buff.
We’ll see how well shield translates. Definitely seems to open up non-stealth/distortion survivability options.
Rifle.
Discussion over.
Rifle.
Discussion over.
I would love to see the concept skills they had for the rifle.
(edited by Mikkel.8427)
Focus also has good WvW utility for speeding out the whole zerg and pulling people off the walls and cliffs.
When I was playing after the 6/23 judgment day, I still liked occasionally using the focus. Temporal Curtain provides great mindgames and can be placed pretty creatively. Also, the pull is able to interrupt when someone tries to go out of LoS.
The warden isn’t the greatest phantasm, but it provides nice defense against ranged classes and the damage can add up if you’ve caught people in an immobilize.
I think we all agree the focus is the weaker weapon. I also think torch is weak, only saved by stealth. Mesmer is in otherwise pretty good spot for its weapon viability compared to other classes.
The improvement of swiftness stacking with temporal curtain was great and definitely a needed step forward. iWarden could be great if it was not for the positioning. It only works on static enemies (PvE or turrets). Being cast on the enemy means the enemy can easily step away from it. Weirdly enough, I think it’s a phantasm which would probably be more useful if it was ground targeted and didn’t move an inch from where we put it… This was you could cast in on yourself or allies and “hide behind”…
As a side note – on seeing the new legendary Astralaria I really want the next mesmer elite spec weapon to be mainhand axe. It’s stunningly beautiful.
Anyway for our weapons, I think most have fairly regular use apart from two – offhand Sword and offhand Focus are severely underepresented at the moment.
In terms of frequency of use in pvp/wvw and once Shield is added I’d rank them as:
1) GS
2) Staff
3) MH Sword
4) Shield
5) Scepter
6) Torch
7) Pistol
.
.
8) Focus
.
9) OH Sword
Focus needs some serious improvement because:
- Currently RI competes with Warden’s Feedback making it extremely unattractive to trait focus in pvp or wvw seeing as RI is a totally superior trait now.
- Projectile destruction is bugged when untraited – things can get through.
- Chrono will have 25% movement speed
- Shield will be superior defensive and interrupt weapon
- Only big benefit of Focus then is the pull.
It’s almost purely a mobility and pulling tool for wvw – it offers nothing else over Shield.
I strongly believe Warden’s Feedback must be moved to a different tier from Restorative Illusions to make it worth using. I also believe the iWarden should pulse some other form of defence other than projectile destruction/reflection to allies in its radius – perhaps blocking attacks or mitigating damage. Finally the Curtain must have its height increased.
Offhand sword also could do with some improvement for pvp/wvw – perhaps making skill 4 teleport you to your target on blocking an attack (like a defensive shadowshot), and the phantasm could be changed to cleave.
I have a hard time getting away from torch, the extra stealth is gold in pvp.
Rifle.
Discussion over.
I would love to see the concept skills they had for the rifle.
I am imagine Rip Van Winkle ability’s from Hellsing anime. (actually we already have magic bullet)
Sword/Shield will definitely have a place in PvP with Chrono. Also how come Torch isn’t there for WvW… 99% of mesmers run GS/S+T for roaming.
Sword/Shield will definitely have a place in PvP with Chrono. Also how come Torch isn’t there for WvW… 99% of mesmers run GS/S+T for roaming.
I believe it is more like “99% of mesmers run staff/sc+T for roaming”. But yes, torch is very needed in WvW. I personally don’t like this weapon much (I prefer a more active playstyle with pistol) but in WvW, it just helps immensely.
Rifle.
Discussion over.
I would love to see the concept skills they had for the rifle.
I am imagine Rip Van Winkle ability’s from Hellsing anime. (actually we already have magic bullet)
Devs stole my phantasm attack for their Berserker warrior elite spec.
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/mesmer/Game-Create-Your-Own-Specialization/first#post5082627
Weapon: The M-1 Rifle
- Autoattack: 1200 range, Piercing: targets 5, Combo Finisher: Physical Projectile (20% chance)
- Orbit Rounds: Fires a volley of shots that curve to their target (so you can fire them while running away, or around a degree of a corner- i.e. Effective while kiting https://youtu.be/U7wOX2WqbXE?t=22 )
- Barrel Roll: Barrel roll forward (evade), summoning a rifle clone at your starting location, and strike your foe in the butt with a kick. Applies vulnerability (no pun intended, but what the hell ;D ), grants swiftness 8s.
- Phantasm: Summons a phantasm that fires a cluster round. The first target hit springs 3 more shots to hit nearby targets, each of those creating three more shots that bounce to hit adjacent targets (including back to).
- Temporal Fake: 1/2 cast time, Mesmer fires an animated shot that doesn’t land, instead sending the bullet off into the universe. Skill changes to Temporal Shot which lasts for 10s. Temporal Shot re summons the bullet and upon impact blows back the target with incredible force (240 radius effect, max targets 5). Temporal Fake can be cast at any range. 1200 range on Temporal Shot. (So you can effectively prepare this attack, even firing it at one enemy to fake/bait out a defenses, then fire the skill again, even changing targets, to land it.