Guild Wars 2

I have a suggestions for mantras. The way they work currently has problems in my opinion. First off they’re just not fun to use. They’re boring visually and the effects they have in combat are dull. Second, their cast time makes them an enormous handicap once you use up your charges.

I figured mantras could have no cast. Instead, they passively gain charges up to a max of 2 (or 3 when traited). The player could use the skill as normal and whenever the skill doesn’t have max charges it would automatically begin it’s cooldown to gain a charge and continuously do this until it reaches max charges again. There isn’t anything in the game that works like this currently so mantras functionality would remain unique while also becoming globally useful as well as fun.

As an example we could take Mantra of Resolve. As you equip the skill it begins gaining charges. Every 10 seconds Mantra of Resolve would passively gain 1 charge and do this until it reaches 2 charges (or 3 when traited). If the player uses a charge it would automatically begin the 10 second cooldown to regain max charges again.

and I apologize if this has been suggested and talked about before amongst the mesmer community already. I don’t keep track of that stuff.

Sounds like old Karma from League of Legends with her mantra charges. I like the idea.

Btw today mantras get AoE buff.

I’m aware of the buff mantras are going to receive on the 15th but I honestly don’t think that it’ll be enough. Their core design makes them unappealing no matter their effects.

It was already suggested something like this, but Anet completely ignored it at the time.

Why? The only “ugly” thing is the cast time. And for me (PvE) I’m gonna use the 3 charges in a fight and recharge them while walking to the next spot. Also even if I had to use them multiple times, the cast time is how much? 2 sec? For 3 activations? Really they are awesome if they’re gonna be AoE. 3 times AoE stability in harpy fractale huehue

sounds nice i like the idea even though it’s been here I didn’t know^^

I prefer changes where additional effects are added to the charging action so that charging up a mantra also become a useful ability, kind of like how ele’s attunements can be augmented to become full abilities in and of themselves.

There are small issues with mantras, but the casttime isn’t one. The long casttime (other classes have long casttimes/ channels, too) is acceptable but requires micromanagement. If you can’t micromanage your gameplay, don’t use mantras. Play a Ranger or Warrior. I had no problem when the casttimes were longer (they have been shortened twice by now).

I suppose the biggest issue is “what to do when you only have a single charge left”.
Another issue it a viability of some. MoP is useless without Restorative mantras. DazeMantra is useless in PvE. Stability mantra is weak. But I except some changes in that area today.
Other issues are, that protected mantras is uber weak, Harmonious Mantras is hidden in the domination tree and Empowering mantras doesn’t affect our illusions.

When Mantras would generate their charges passive they should change some things:
Traits:

• Protected Mantras
  This trait now applies Aegis for 5s whenever a charge was generated.
• Mantra Mastery
  Mantras charge 20% / 15% / 10% faster
  *Empowering Mantras
  Mantras now apply 2/3% damageboost per charge
• Restorative Mantras
  Whenever a Mantra reaches the maximum of charges you and your allies are healed.

Mantras themself:

• Mantra of Recovery:
  Chargetime: Reduces to 8s 20%(6,4) 15%(6,8) 10%(7,5)
• Mantra of Pain:
  Chargetime: 4s 20%(3,2) 15%(3,4)
• Mantra of Resolve:
  Chargetime: 8s 20%(6,4) 15%(6,8) 10%(7,2)
• Mantra of Concentration:
  Chargetime: 10s 20%(8) 15%(8,5) 10%(9)
• Mantra of Distraction
  Chargetime 12s 20%(9,6) 15%(10,2) 10%(10,8)

I didn’t want to discuss specific balance changes but your “Protected Mantras” sounds like the most broken trait ever, lol.

Also, I don’t think the trait changes needs for this mantras change would be all that difficult.

EDIT: But if we must…

Protected Mantras: 100 toughness for each mantra with 2 or more charges.
Empowering Mantras: 2% more damage for each charge with a limit of 10% more damage.

And the other mantra traits can remain the same.

Mantra of Distraction charge rate: 20 seconds
Mantra of Resolve charge rate: 15 seconds (taking the 15ths mantra buff into consideration)
Mantra of Recovery charge rate: 6 seconds
Mantra of Pain charge rate: 8 seconds
Mantra of Concentration charge rate: 20 seconds

I only use Mantras in my Arah build. The new AoE will be nice but that’s not the main reason you use Mantras in Arah.