Guild Wars 2

Can someone recommend a build that’s good in dungeons and PvE in general?
I’ve been browsing some builds but i can’t decide which one would suit me best.

Maybe something with more survivability than i have now. I keep dying a lot in dungeons as my vitality is low.

I use Staff and Sword/Focus-Pistol. I’ts ok, but i’m not sure what traits i picked and it’s been a while since i played. I just know that Inspiration (that gives Vitality) is at 0 and it’s bugging me in dungeons. Someone bigger coughs my way and i’m down. :/

I want the CoF armor so i’m looking for a bit tougher build that can also get some damage done.

Also, what weapons should i use? Now i’m using T3 Charr cultural weapon and some bought sword and focus/pistol. Should i maybe invest in some Asura cultural weapons (they have vitality) or go full crit?

I’m confused… Is it better to pump up my vitality or just pump up my damage/crit/conditions? And what build and weapons should i use for that?

So i need a more permanent build since this will dictate what weapons i buy.

Please help.

Most people go full zerker since mesmers are pretty tanky from the get-go even without building for it. If you’re just starting off you may want to mix in some knights gear for the extra toughness (something like knights accessories with ruby jewels slotted usually works fine). Eventually you will end up replacing it with berserker gear anyway so it’s up to you whether you want to try to work up to it or just go all-in at the start.

The absolute minimum in terms of weapons is two swords, one focus, one pistol. In general, it’s best to keep a sword in both maiinhand slots (you can leave the mainhand slot empty on one set to use the same weapon for both) and switch for the offhands only. You may also want to carry a scepter for ranged fights and equip it before those specific fights only. Some people like to have a greatsword, too, but honestly it’s a bad weapon and I wouldn’t bother with it.

For traits and the like, you can always check my more detailed guide here:

www.guildwars2guru.com/topic/84947-mesmerizing-the-enemy-guide-to-mesmer-swordx-dps-builds/

I recommend Pyro’s supporting phantasm build
It uses half berserker/half soldier, so it will have more survivability than most other builds, while still keeping amazing damage and support!

Alissah.9281:

I recommend Pyro’s supporting phantasm build
It uses half berserker/half soldier, so it will have more survivability than most other builds, while still keeping amazing damage and support!

People throw “amazing” around too easily. If that is what you call “amazing damage” then pretty much everything is amazing and life is a rollercoaster of thrills and surprises. I wish I could be you.

Zerker gear with a phantasm build. Sword on both sets with a focus/sword/pistol depending on your preference and situation. Blurred frenzy , decoy, blink and F4 shatter make anything other than zerker gear redundant for Mesmers in PVE.

Alissah.9281:

I recommend Pyro’s supporting phantasm build
It uses half berserker/half soldier, so it will have more survivability than most other builds, while still keeping amazing damage and support!

I’d recommend not following this recommendation.

The OP is looking for a >pve dungeon build. Survivability as a mesmer isn’t needed since you have BF, f4 for falling asleep moments, and the lovely dodge ability.

Full zerker + ruby orbs or scholar sigils. Sword / Pistol + Sword/Sword/focus Sigil of bloodlust on MH to be swapped with Sigil of force/night/etc as you progress to higher levels of trying harder. Sigils of might on offhands.

Greatswords, staffs, soldier runes etc are all completely unnecessary in pve as you don’t take damage. So if the chance of taking damage increases the longer the fight goes on, obviously increasing your personal damage is the best type of survivability. I.E the above.

Trait 10/30/0/30/0 and avoid the GS trap while you still can.

—

Looked closer at that build…staff(condi) gs(kinda? power). What on earth.

guys stop stealing everything im going to say

So the dungeon build uses a sword mostly? Are there any builds that use the greatsword or something so i can stay in the back? :P

And thank you for the repliles, i’ll check the builds out.

Veprovina.4876:

So the dungeon build uses a sword mostly? Are there any builds that use the greatsword or something so i can stay in the back? :P

As for standard dungeons: standing back and using the greatsword is typically not the way to go in dungeons. As some people have said, you are out of range of any boons and you will do much less damage. While it may be difficult at first, stick with it, I personally find it more fun.

If you plan on doing fractals, and progressing up to 48, you will need a Greatsword for when you get to the 40s. Most pugs range the following bosses: mossman, archdiviner, ascalon boss phase 2, fire shaman elemental, and ice elemental/dredge powersuit. Skilled groups can melee these guys no problem, and if you are in such a guild/group, then whip out those melee weapons and more power to you. Otherwise, you will find that having the set; sword/(focus or pistol) and GS, to be invaluable. Sword/x on trash and the melee-able bosses (bloomhunger {though I see many pugs just prefer a range rotation, you should be able to melee him just yourself if you are confident}, uncategorized final boss, svanir shaman) and GS on the other bosses and if you need to escape.

Veprovina.4876:

So the dungeon build uses a sword mostly? Are there any builds that use the greatsword or something so i can stay in the back? :P

And thank you for the repliles, i’ll check the builds out.

If you really want to stay in the back (I’m not judging) just take everything everyone’s said re swords so far and replace the mainhand sword with mainhand scepter.

You can bring a Greatsword to help you learn the fights and for some fights where range is more practical. Keep in mind that melee is more DPS than ranged attacks.

Main hand scepter would not be a good choice if you are trying to keep 3 phantasms up.

If you do not know the dungeon, running in with only melee equip can fairly fast result in suicide as most bosses have instagib attacks. Dead meat is doing exactly zero damage though.
If you do not know the boss or mechanics, most PuGs will be ok for you to stay back with a GS. If you know the fight well enough, do damage by fighting in melee without dying.

And: Milk scepter was a bad choice.

Ok, i’m trying out this build as suggested:
www.guildwars2guru.com/topic/84947-mesmerizing-the-enemy-guide-to-mesmer-swordx-dps-builds/

2 swords and pistol/sword/focus.
I’m going to miss my staff and it’s phase retreat. But oh well…

Hopefully it’ll work better than whatever mess i made with the previous build. :P

Xavi.6591:

Main hand scepter would not be a good choice if you are trying to keep 3 phantasms up.

You try it? Since traited duelist/swordsmen are quite amazing together, you’re probably better off /dancing in between scepter 1’s 2nd chain reset while 3 duelists destroy that uh one fight where you need to be at range, for a fraction of the boss’ hp. Ashym, yeah that one guy.

You could even be fancy, since his agony cast is the small burst of flame followed by the larger and swap back to s/s in between during that really small part of that one fight. I’m genuinely curious about the exact numbers swapping to scepter for any time you feel like being at range in comparison to GS s/f.

In the phantasm department we have 3 duelists who are not only the most resilient, but with sharper images / duelist discipline, the most damaging over timed fields. In the other ring, we have izerker’s lovely recharge time coupled with the stationary warden! If you’re forced to go range, that might not be good news for mr warden.

That leave us with GS’ fantastic auto attack that pierces that one boss to the squire, if he happens to be near by, but he wont. You also get a #3 boon removal which hits almost as hard as a condition and your number #2 bounce off of, well nothing. While mr forced to range scepter has a pretty auto attack that you want to cancel before the 3rd, and a better looking purple beam on it’s 3 that stacks confusion!

But using scepter involves micromanagement.

That involves actually turning on my brain and paying attention.

It’s too hard, I’d rather camp greatsword and be useless instead.

You don’t even need to micro it, scepter + 2 duelists/swordsmen > gs + 3 zerkers.

Micromanagement in GW2? Seriously?
Sometimes I think people have absolutely no idea what they are talking about…

I know exactly how you feel.

Look, I understand that you want to promote your playstyle and stuff. And that is all cool, even though I think you have to work on transmitting your ideas.

But try to tell a korean starcraft player who is pressing 20 keys per second to micromanage his uncountable units that there is micromanagement in GW2.
He will look at the 19 skills on your bar -18 with a cooldown – and burst in tears…

mi·cro·man·age [ m?kr? mánnij ]

1.attend to small details in management: to control a person or a situation by paying extreme attention to small details

So yes, things like how far you are in your autoattack chain and then things like boons, their duration, intensity, cooldowns, environmental stat modifiers (e.g. banners), sequential skills and awareness of their duration (e.g. iLeap > swap) do count as micromanagement.

What is sad is that using those 19 skill with some brain looks extremely hard for a LOT of Gw2 players.

colesy.8490:

mi·cro·man·age [ m?kr? mánnij ]

1.attend to small details in management: to control a person or a situation by paying extreme attention to small details

So yes, things like how far you are in your autoattack chain and then things like boons, their duration, intensity, cooldowns, environmental stat modifiers (e.g. banners), sequential skills and awareness of their duration (e.g. iLeap > swap) do count as micromanagement.

Hey, I can perfectly fine play the piano with 5 keys from my baby nephew. I am a pianist now, as it is a piano.

Nope.

What.

Simple, with your definition, even playing a first person shooter would be micromanagement, as long as you are paying extreme attention to small details.

Pulling the definition card is worthless as long as you do not set things in context.

Well yes, playing an FPS does involve micromanagement.

The fact that you took things to the extreme by comparing an RTS game which involves heavy micro versus GW2 which involves less micro doesn’t change the fact that you still do it in GW2.

If you could stop trolling the forum now that would be great, your posts don’t actually contribute anything besides a poor attempt at deceiving newbies on what the right weapons to use in dungeons are when you know there are more knowledgeable players who will correct you within the next few hours after making your post.

My advice was:
Play (pure) melee when you know what you are doing.
I thought this was in your interest. And in the interest of the opener.

Using a scepter though is so different from your other statements, that I am surprised that you are defending it…

Kaiyanwan.8521:

My advice was:
Play (pure) melee when you know what you are doing.
I thought this was in your interest. And in the interest of the opener.

Using a scepter though is so different from your other statements, that I am surprised that you are defending it…

I’d assume that would be for the player mentality that melee = death while auto attacking from 1200 range is the best place to be.

More on the scepter, with the range, you’re guaranteed to benefit from party driven boons as well! For range scepter > gs.

For fights like http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBdWsz4N92Y&feature=youtu.be
and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7fWSETTFIg

you know, those 48+ fractal bosses that you just cannot melee.

Guanglai Kangyi.4318:

You don’t even need to micro it, scepter + 2 duelists/swordsmen > gs + 3 zerkers.

For the record, I’m fairly sure you’re wrong.

The scepter will do less damage than the gs at 900 range because of how the autoattack slows down the farther you are from your target. It actually only does more damage than the greatsword once you reach melee distance or so.

While the duelist/swordsmen are definitely stronger than the zerker, I’m also fairly sure that they aren’t 50% stronger.

Depends how many times the zerker hits. When I attacked dummies I got I think 2.1k off iSwordsman, 2.4k duelist, 2.7k iZerker. If it only hits three times then it drops to iSwordsman level, any less and its damage is atrocious. I have no idea how reliably the iZerker hits a target 2/3/4 times, though I’d assume for a normal size enemy it’ll frequently only hit 3 times.

Ezzyz.6045:

I’d assume that would be for the player mentality that melee = death while auto attacking from 1200 range is the best place to be.

More on the scepter, with the range, you’re guaranteed to benefit from party driven boons as well! For range scepter > gs.

For fights like http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBdWsz4N92Y&feature=youtu.be
and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7fWSETTFIg

you know, those 48+ fractal bosses that you just cannot melee.

The opener is asking for dungeon advice on a very basic level (at least I got the impression). Level 48+ fractals are obviously in no matter relevant at this point. If he had this much experience with the content, he would probably know a specc right now, that was working for him.

He wants more survivability as he dies a lot. Sending him in with pure melee and offensive specc might be the overkill as he stated that he is dying a lot with his current setup.

So the advice should be, learn the dungeon and the pulls/bosses. Nothing wrong with a GS in this case. He is not looking for super efficiency guys. He is not going to play with 100% efficiency anyway. Maybe he never will be the super dungeon raider, but not dropping on a ground every pull like a wet noodle will help him to enjoy getting through the instance.

If he gets addicted to running dungeons, he will be exprienced enough to roll mostly melee, but for now, he just wants to know what he can do to stay alive a bit longer.
Range will help to some extend.

colesy.8490:

Depends how many times the zerker hits. When I attacked dummies I got I think 2.1k off iSwordsman, 2.4k duelist, 2.7k iZerker. If it only hits three times then it drops to iSwordsman level, any less and its damage is atrocious. I have no idea how reliably the iZerker hits a target 2/3/4 times, though I’d assume for a normal size enemy it’ll frequently only hit 3 times.

The zerker will hit 3 times or 4 times, almost never 2 times. Prior to it being fixed, it was between 0 and 2 times, rarely more than that, but thankfully it now actually works.

Kaiyanwan.8521:

Ezzyz.6045:

I’d assume that would be for the player mentality that melee = death while auto attacking from 1200 range is the best place to be.

More on the scepter, with the range, you’re guaranteed to benefit from party driven boons as well! For range scepter > gs.

For fights like http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBdWsz4N92Y&feature=youtu.be
and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7fWSETTFIg

you know, those 48+ fractal bosses that you just cannot melee.

The opener is asking for dungeon advice on a very basic level (at least I got the impression). Level 48+ fractals are obviously in no matter relevant at this point. If he had this much experience with the content, he would probably know a specc right now, that was working for him.

He wants more survivability as he dies a lot. Sending him in with pure melee and offensive specc might be the overkill as he stated that he is dying a lot with his current setup.

So the advice should be, learn the dungeon and the pulls/bosses. Nothing wrong with a GS in this case. He is not looking for super efficiency guys. He is not going to play with 100% efficiency anyway. Maybe he never will be the super dungeon raider, but not dropping on a ground every pull like a wet noodle will help him to enjoy getting through the instance.

If he gets addicted to running dungeons, he will be exprienced enough to roll mostly melee, but for now, he just wants to know what he can do to stay alive a bit longer.
Range will help to some extend.

Playing in melee taught me the mechanics to each boss more than staying at range with GS (I did once upon a time) ever did. To each their own, but with an on call invuln + dodging / reflects, I think you underestimate a mesmers melee lasting potential.

OP, last bit of advice would be to go through strife’s walkthroughs prior to entering the dungeon. An example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akoLjsITrk0

I was a guard / warrior until around feb, and those vids helped me get a solid understanding for the mesmer’s role in speed clearing. Not all of the vids are mes perspective iirc, but they all handle the mechanics of the fights well.

Ezzyz.6045:

Playing in melee taught me the mechanics to each boss more than staying at range with GS (I did once upon a time) ever did. To each their own, but with an on call invuln + dodging / reflects, I think you underestimate a mesmers melee lasting potential.

OP, last bit of advice would be to go through strife’s walkthroughs prior to entering the dungeon. An example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akoLjsITrk0

I was a guard / warrior until around feb, and those vids helped me get a solid understanding for the mesmer’s role in speed clearing. Not all of the vids are mes perspective iirc, but they all handle the mechanics of the fights well.

He still has a melee weapon set he can switch to for Sword2. He can use focus and get all the reflects. Dodging is not limited to any weapon set. He can get at range or stay there with the GS.

Speed clearing a dungeon is not everyones cup of tea. Most of them are easy enough to understand most mechanics after the first time.
If he is dying a lot in those instances, the other players might not be the most experienced ones either (maybe he is pugging alot).

Another advice would be: Join a guild with a dungeon focus. Many guilds help new members get used to the stuff and take time to explain things.

Keep the GS in your inventory at least. When you have died enough in melee range as only person close to the boss in a PUG, you will understand why.

Pyroatheist.9031:

colesy.8490:

Depends how many times the zerker hits. When I attacked dummies I got I think 2.1k off iSwordsman, 2.4k duelist, 2.7k iZerker. If it only hits three times then it drops to iSwordsman level, any less and its damage is atrocious. I have no idea how reliably the iZerker hits a target 2/3/4 times, though I’d assume for a normal size enemy it’ll frequently only hit 3 times.

The zerker will hit 3 times or 4 times, almost never 2 times. Prior to it being fixed, it was between 0 and 2 times, rarely more than that, but thankfully it now actually works.

In my own experience, it usually hits twice on normal-sized mobs, three times on big ones like Oakhearts, and will only ever hit 4 times if the mob is really big or obstructs movement, like Lupicus or an object like the gate controller in COF1.

The only point I’ll make is that regardless of your build and play-style, if you run dungeons, then always have on hand a sword, a focus, and a ranged main hand weapon. Always be willing to swap out weapons and utilities as the occasion requires it. If you’re really good, you’ll hot-swap traits as well.

Pistols and torches are both actually optional. So are starves, scepters, and great swords provided you have one of the three. In theory the great sword can substitute the main-hand sword.

I think it goes without saying you should have your water weapons too, but I said it anyways.

@Veprovina
It’s sad that your thread got hijacked by the anti-GS-fraction.

As of my experience, I’d advice you to start with the GS or Staff. But you already did that. Learn the boss mechanics and play a bit around (probably even with traits).
The only necessity in dungeons (next to “unlock all skills”) is the focus and a ranged weapon.
If you feel like it, test out the sword (MH) on normal mobs and then on bosses. Mesmer is a pretty squishy class (mid HP, low def), but shines when you use all evades and vigor and simply learn where to move to not get hit. It’s something you cannot be taught; you’ll have to learn it yourself.

Once you’ve done that, ask for a specific build with specific weapons (default weaponset, as mesmer needs to switch often) instead of “give me a build with skills, weapons and traits I usually don’t like”.

Ezzyz.6045:

Alissah.9281:

I recommend Pyro’s supporting phantasm build
It uses half berserker/half soldier, so it will have more survivability than most other builds, while still keeping amazing damage and support!

I’d recommend not following this recommendation.

The OP is looking for a >pve dungeon build. Survivability as a mesmer isn’t needed since you have BF, f4 for falling asleep moments, and the lovely dodge ability.

Full zerker + ruby orbs or scholar sigils. Sword / Pistol + Sword/Sword/focus Sigil of bloodlust on MH to be swapped with Sigil of force/night/etc as you progress to higher levels of trying harder. Sigils of might on offhands.

Greatswords, staffs, soldier runes etc are all completely unnecessary in pve as you don’t take damage. So if the chance of taking damage increases the longer the fight goes on, obviously increasing your personal damage is the best type of survivability. I.E the above.

Trait 10/30/0/30/0 and avoid the GS trap while you still can.

—

Looked closer at that build…staff(condi) gs(kinda? power). What on earth.

If i remember correctly, the OP was looking for a build that has defense and is still a dos spec.

The one i linked is one of the very few builds that dont go full berserker.

As for damage, it takes empowering illusions, phantasmal strength and the fury one, thats enough damage for me to be viable (or not pitifull, atleast) :P.

Other builds with defense are cleric ones, but those are usually boon support and not what the OP was looking for.

Nretep.2564:

@Veprovina
It’s sad that your thread got hijacked by the anti-GS-fraction.

As of my experience, I’d advice you to start with the GS or Staff. But you already did that. Learn the boss mechanics and play a bit around (probably even with traits).
The only necessity in dungeons (next to “unlock all skills”) is the focus and a ranged weapon.
If you feel like it, test out the sword (MH) on normal mobs and then on bosses. Mesmer is a pretty squishy class (mid HP, low def), but shines when you use all evades and vigor and simply learn where to move to not get hit. It’s something you cannot be taught; you’ll have to learn it yourself.

Once you’ve done that, ask for a specific build with specific weapons (default weaponset, as mesmer needs to switch often) instead of “give me a build with skills, weapons and traits I usually don’t like”.

I know right, it’s such a shame that we’re trying to dissuade the OP from using a weak weapon. Funny how nobody cares about the anti-torch faction, but no, the fact that GS is a junk weapon that people still use for some reason makes it worth defending, not on any actual rational grounds.

Alissah.9281:

If i remember correctly, the OP was looking for a build that has defense and is still a dos spec.

The one i linked is one of the very few builds that dont go full berserker.

As for damage, it takes empowering illusions, phantasmal strength and the fury one, thats enough damage for me to be viable (or not pitifull, atleast) :P.

Other builds with defense are cleric ones, but those are usually boon support and not what the OP was looking for.

Mesmer always has defense. Perma vigor and low cooldown evade. Mesmer is one of the safest classes to go full dps melee on as a beginner.

spoj.9672:

Alissah.9281:

If i remember correctly, the OP was looking for a build that has defense and is still a dos spec.

The one i linked is one of the very few builds that dont go full berserker.

As for damage, it takes empowering illusions, phantasmal strength and the fury one, thats enough damage for me to be viable (or not pitifull, atleast) :P.

Other builds with defense are cleric ones, but those are usually boon support and not what the OP was looking for.

Mesmer always has defense. Perma vigor and low cooldown evade. Mesmer is not one of the safest classes to go full dps melee on as a beginner.

Fixed that for you. Beginners cant properly use their evades, so they will take alot of damage. As one becomes more experienced, they will get hit less, thus affording to go with low toughness.

I think its up to the OP to decide with how much toughness they can go to not end up on the ground every fight, and how well they can use evades.

Berserker armor and soldier trinkets seemed like a good idea to me, because its easier to switch soldier for berserker trinkets (armor may have expensive skins etc).

Beginners will spam evades, and having vigor will allow them to do so with ease until they learn when to evade properly.

Mesmers have a pretty fat HP pool especially when traited properly (10/30/0/30/0 has like 19k) so they can soak hits in berserker, plus they have a ton of CC, evade and block built in to their weapons.

Funnily enough, mesmer was the first class I went full DPS melee on, not my guardian and I can support the view that it was a safe class to do it on. Sometimes it actually feels like easy mode while all the heavies have less defenses and end up soaking more hits.

colesy.8490:

Beginners will spam evades, and having vigor will allow them to do so with ease until they learn when to evade properly.

Mesmers have a pretty fat HP pool especially when traited properly (10/30/0/30/0 has like 19k) so they can soak hits in berserker, plus they have a ton of CC, evade and block built in to their weapons.

Funnily enough, mesmer was the first class I went full DPS melee on, not my guardian and I can support the view that it was a safe class to do it on. Sometimes it actually feels like easy mode while all the heavies have less defenses and end up soaking more hits.

So what have you done in dungeons, before you went full DPS melee?

Kaiyanwan.8521:

So what have you done in dungeons, before you went full DPS melee?

I went first in DGs full zerk meeleing stuff half of the time as noob back in the day and as mesmer i can say: it’s so easy that guards seems squishy compared to mes.

There is really no reason to use anything else, there isn’te even the argument “It’s hard so you must be skilled to pull it off”.

Do 1 single run with a backup ranged weapon for learning, as soon as you can predict and dodge the important stuff you’re set.

AndrewSX.3794:

Kaiyanwan.8521:

So what have you done in dungeons, before you went full DPS melee?

I went first in DGs full zerk meeleing stuff half of the time as noob back in the day and as mesmer i can say: it’s so easy that guards seems squishy compared to mes.

There is really no reason to use anything else, there isn’te even the argument “It’s hard so you must be skilled to pull it off”.

Do 1 single run with a backup ranged weapon for learning, as soon as you can predict and dodge the important stuff you’re set.

I was promoting the same thing, many have done so. Learn it, go full melee.
Backup ranged weapon GS for as long as you have no clue, everyone is happy. Everyone but one certain person maybe…

Kaiyanwan.8521:

AndrewSX.3794:

Kaiyanwan.8521:

So what have you done in dungeons, before you went full DPS melee?

I went first in DGs full zerk meeleing stuff half of the time as noob back in the day and as mesmer i can say: it’s so easy that guards seems squishy compared to mes.

There is really no reason to use anything else, there isn’te even the argument “It’s hard so you must be skilled to pull it off”.

Do 1 single run with a backup ranged weapon for learning, as soon as you can predict and dodge the important stuff you’re set.

I was promoting the same thing, many have done so. Learn it, go full melee.
Backup ranged weapon GS for as long as you have no clue, everyone is happy. Everyone but one certain person maybe…

One thing is say “Use GS + S/x for first run, learn, then drop it cause is rubbish”. I’m fine with that. But only if oyu actually use the runs you’re underperforming due to GS to learn, so you can move to Sword all time.

Another is suggesting GS as good power weapon. Which math – and math is not a opinion – proved isn’t.

That is what some ppl is rightfully trying to get out of the head of way too many DG Mesmers.

Learning is a completely different story – it’s keep using it the argument.

What do players do if they just cannot succeed in melee? They should never join a dungeon group ever?

Alissah.9281:

Fixed that for you. Beginners cant properly use their evades, so they will take alot of damage. As one becomes more experienced, they will get hit less, thus affording to go with low toughness.

I think its up to the OP to decide with how much toughness they can go to not end up on the ground every fight, and how well they can use evades.

Berserker armor and soldier trinkets seemed like a good idea to me, because its easier to switch soldier for berserker trinkets (armor may have expensive skins etc).

When i got my mesmer to 80 (3rd level 80) i went straight for zerker gear. Honestly it was the most faceroll thing ive ever played to survive as a beginner. Yeah sure you are squishy and you go down very easily if you screw up, but you can waste dodges and invulns way more than you can on other classes. Its much easier to learn when you can spam dodges and blurred frenzy until you get the timing/tells right. Also deceptive evasion is very good for survivability.

Guardian is imo harder due to the very low hp pool and requiring good practise with virtue/utility use. Warrior is only safe due to the high hp pool, but it took me a while to get use to not dieing in some encounters. Mesmer I was fine pretty much right from the start and I wasnt even a very good player when i first got my mesmer to 80. As someone whos played most classes in dungeons with squishy builds and teammates, mesmer is definately the easiest to survive with.

Um.. Yall reaize OP stated that he was using sword-focus/staff and dying? And that hes looking to farm CoF? Unless he’s trying to speedrun Im not seeing the problem with GS here. He’ll be dying less (thus more DPS), using a stronger weapon than staff, and thus will be able to learn the runs quicker. Once eerything becomes a matter of memory and reflex then he can melee.

Before you went full glass melee were you dying with Sword/Focus-Staff without full zerkers? People learn at different rates.

Use a scepter for range. Its better.