Guild Wars 2

Hello!

I am just returning from about a one year break, and am deciding what prof to pick up. I am torn between a Mesmer and Thief. I have read the extensive sticky post on the Mesmer and it was just great. It really has me leaning toward it as I feel I really know what I am getting myself into.

I am looking for a more macro quick view for those that can spare some insight.

I am interested in sPvP, world PvP, and PvE. I want to be able to feel useful and like a contributing team member without much intensive practice. That is not to say I want a roflomgfaceroll class, but I want something straightforward to pick up where I feel I am contributing right away. I am okay with switching into melee for the Mesmer, so not concern there. This is not my main MMO, so realistically, I want to be able to sign on a few hours here and there, enjoy my profession, and log out. I do not want to feel I have to put 100s hours into practicing just to be reasonable.

I have this concern because I do not like being dead weight in a group, that is no fun for anyone. I do not want to make others have a bad time because I picked a class’s that doesn’t fit into how I plan to play the game.

Thematically, both very much appeal to me. They both seem to have a variety of specs also which makes things interesting.

Any insights you might have would be very helpful, even if it is only from the Mesmer pov. (Also posted in the Thief forum).

Mesmer and the if both require investment and hours of learning and failing to function at a decent level in spvp. It’s not hundreds but it’s also based on the individuals ability to absorb retain and alter information to escalate your skill floor.

If you want to instantly roll up with little to no effort and still play competitively then I’d suggest guardian or warrior or ranger.

Specs are also very limited on the if and Mesmer we just happen to have one or two per game mode. No one spec really carries over into all three modes.

Mesmer is an amazing class and the potential with it is extreme at a high skill level.
It is however, possibly the least straightforward class in the game, is only optimal in ‘niche’ situations and requires extreme co-ordination and a team built around you to make it seriously effective at high lvl PvP.
It’s worth it, but if your looking for straightforward you may want to choose guard,war or ranger as swish said.

Neptune.2570:

Mesmer is an amazing class and the potential with it is extreme at a high skill level.
It is however, possibly the least straightforward class in the game, is only optimal in ‘niche’ situations and requires extreme co-ordination and a team built around you to make it seriously effective at high lvl PvP.
It’s worth it, but if your looking for straightforward you may want to choose guard,war or ranger as swish said.

I have a level 80 ranger, and here is my issue with her, and perhaps this is my own personal fault with how this game is designed. I love archer classes. I leveled her to be mostly at range. What I feel have to do is be constantly in melee, which I did not expect and honestly frustrates me. I want to play her at range and shoot things. Perhaps I can look into those other two as well.

Thanks for feedback.

I would suggest you joining the OMFG guild (the Official Mesmer Forum Guild). There are a lot of sweet, helpful people willing to help returning or new players to the Mesmer profession.

I’m going to be honest, you still need to put in too much effort for too little return, and frustratingly Mesmer unlike other classes has no true defined aspect that it brings to team play aside form portal and being a WvW veil bot.

kylwilson.9137:

I’m going to be honest, you still need to put in too much effort for too little return, and frustratingly Mesmer unlike other classes has no true defined aspect that it brings to team play aside form portal and being a WvW veil bot.

I’d disagree with that. Mesmer brings a huge amount to team play. The issue is the complexity and sacrifice of having to build around the Mesmer to make it work.

Thaisa.3089:

Neptune.2570:

Mesmer is an amazing class and the potential with it is extreme at a high skill level.
It is however, possibly the least straightforward class in the game, is only optimal in ‘niche’ situations and requires extreme co-ordination and a team built around you to make it seriously effective at high lvl PvP.
It’s worth it, but if your looking for straightforward you may want to choose guard,war or ranger as swish said.

I have a level 80 ranger, and here is my issue with her, and perhaps this is my own personal fault with how this game is designed. I love archer classes. I leveled her to be mostly at range. What I feel have to do is be constantly in melee, which I did not expect and honestly frustrates me. I want to play her at range and shoot things. Perhaps I can look into those other two as well.

Thanks for feedback.

Ranger is a very wonky class as well especially when coming off of other MMO’s with archery based professions. and to be fair shines brightest at range with a longbow. however for Melee encounters a Sword and axe or dagger, while very weird to use at first, are almost a thief level of evading and hitting and annoyance to other classes.

Gs is the other popular choice i see out there and while it hits hard its a weapon that you need to be very careful with.

a LB/GS or Sword/X ranger can really mess people up from range and in close.

and as suggested, and sorry if i seemed very short about it, i was at work earlier, you can join OMFG and ask for help in learning things or just to play along side Mesmer’s in game modes.

you can also just create a toon and go to the HoTM lobby and dink around on the NPC enemies to see what feels best to you too.

Neptune.2570:

kylwilson.9137:

I’m going to be honest, you still need to put in too much effort for too little return, and frustratingly Mesmer unlike other classes has no true defined aspect that it brings to team play aside form portal and being a WvW veil bot.

I’d disagree with that. Mesmer brings a huge amount to team play. The issue is the complexity and sacrifice of having to build around the Mesmer to make it work.

Name one thing besides portal that the Mesmer does better than anyone else. What are these ‘huge’ amount of things that Mesmer brings to teamplay? Besides one specific utility skill. Please go on.

What mesmer brings: Insane burst, AOE boon removal, AOE interrupts, extremely unique portal which gives you a billion times more options as far as tactics go ect. Let’s not forget Moa which can be really powerful if pulled off correctly (which isn’t always easy despite the popular belief). It depends on your knowledge of when to burst and coordination with your team.
My advise to you is to run from forums until you’re settled in. Don’t listen to forum whiners that say mesmer sucks. It’s really, really powerful be it PvP or WvW(and PvE) if you’re not an idiot that just tanks everything and stands on point the entire time. If you have a good team and just basic PvP knowledge (when to dodge, what to dodge, how to fight which class) as well as experience playing your class you will do great.
If you wish, add me in the game and I’ll help you out no matter which gamemode you want help with.

Can you guys stop it with the “utility bot” crying? Don’t like being an utility bot? Here’s a simple way to fix that -> Reroll to a warrior.
Plus (lol) I’d say Guardian is more of an utility/healing bot than Mesmer.

kylwilson.9137:

Neptune.2570:

kylwilson.9137:

I’m going to be honest, you still need to put in too much effort for too little return, and frustratingly Mesmer unlike other classes has no true defined aspect that it brings to team play aside form portal and being a WvW veil bot.

I’d disagree with that. Mesmer brings a huge amount to team play. The issue is the complexity and sacrifice of having to build around the Mesmer to make it work.

Name one thing besides portal that the Mesmer does better than anyone else. What are these ‘huge’ amount of things that Mesmer brings to teamplay? Besides one specific utility skill. Please go on.

I think Jurica has summed it up appropriately. We have a huge amount to offer to teams co-ordinated and willing enough to work around the Mesmer. The utility bot stigma needs to end, it truly is just a case of people not understanding how to Mesmer.