Guild Wars 2

Will the 50% torment damage bonus to moving targets apply whether you use a Scepter or not?

I can’t seem to find that information, if it has been shared. If it is the case then surely it is a no-brainer over Sum of all Fears, which according to the specialisation calculator looks like it will have a built in ICD.

I’m planning to use sword/torch in a MtD build with the patch (because sword/torch is way more fun than scepter/torch), so would be interested to know if the torment damage boost will still work even if using sword instead of scepter.

Curunen.8729:

Will the 50% torment damage bonus to moving targets apply whether you use a Scepter or not?

I can’t seem to find that information, if it has been shared. If it is the case then surely it is a no-brainer over Sum of all Fears, which according to the specialisation calculator looks like it will have a built in ICD.

I’m planning to use sword/torch in a MtD build with the patch (because sword/torch is way more fun than scepter/torch), so would be interested to know if the torment damage boost will still work even if using sword instead of scepter.

Will apply. Scepter not necessary. No source. Just common sense.

Unless it specifically states “While holding a scepter”, in which case the trait wouldn’t be working while out of the weapon set. Which is inconsistent with other areas of the game trait-wise generally speaking.

If that is true then I find it kind of ridiculous – that one trait is clearly superior to the other with the current info (yes I know numbers will change).

SoaF would need to increase the torment application to compete, because I can’t see any build where the rate of those additional 1 torment stack per 5 confusion outdamaging 50% extra damage on moving targets.

Edit: I suppose if blinding beffudlement was made to compete with mtd then I can see the usefulness of SoaF with otherwise minimal torment application. But currently as the traits stand, surely anyone speccing into illusions as a condition build would take mtd over BB?

Yup BB and SoaF are quite weak in their states right now, clearly out-competed by other condition traits of the same slot. I was talking about it in the trait reveal thread but people are occupied with other things.

IMO SoaF needs a buff in torment stacks (like 3 stacks for 5s) so the ICD is justified, or just remove ICD so 1 torment is added when confusion is stacking higher. One stack of torment is probably weaker than scepter auto. People were so afraid of scepter auto before it was released, but it made very little difference to battle. If they fancy changing the trait, change it to inflict fear when on 6+ torment stack (with 20s ICD or something), matching its name while making it practical.

BB rework…idk how it can out-compete Maim really. It’ll require some sort of rework or buffing it to 4 stacks perhaps? ICD will prevent us from stacking it anyway. It can combine with blinding dissipation but in truth that 2 stacks can easily be made up with confounding combatant in Dueling. 33% extra duration is in adept for us right now but it clearly is not a build defining, grandmaster worthy trait, and that 2 stacks of confusion won’t make it so either.

Ross Biddle.2367:

Curunen.8729:

Will the 50% torment damage bonus to moving targets apply whether you use a Scepter or not?

I can’t seem to find that information, if it has been shared. If it is the case then surely it is a no-brainer over Sum of all Fears, which according to the specialisation calculator looks like it will have a built in ICD.

I’m planning to use sword/torch in a MtD build with the patch (because sword/torch is way more fun than scepter/torch), so would be interested to know if the torment damage boost will still work even if using sword instead of scepter.

Will apply. Scepter not necessary. No source. Just common sense.

Unless it specifically states “While holding a scepter”, in which case the trait wouldn’t be working while out of the weapon set. Which is inconsistent with other areas of the game trait-wise generally speaking.

Most weapon traits given to Mesmer require you to be holding the weapon in order to reap its benefits (Sword, GS, Scepter, Staff). The other traits simply give extra effects on how the weapon works (Focus, Torch, Pistol). It would actually be an outlier if it worked the way you two describe, since:
1) CD reduction aside, It doesn’t enhance the way scepter works.
2) It doesn’t give you a buff while wielding a scepter.

My assumption is that they gave weird wording and you will actually have to wield a scepter in order to get the 50%+ dmg on tormented movers. I’d love it if they didn’t, but it also wouldn’t be very consistent with Mesmer traits.

I like BB but it’s icd needs removed and sum of all fears is terrible needs a buff to even come close to torment buff.

The staff trait is also worded similarly, “Chaos armor grants protection.”

The other traits state something like “while wielding a greatsword” or “pistol attacks,” or “torch skills.”

I would give it a high chance to simply be, malicious sorcery buffs all torment damage, and also scepter cooldowns.

Based on the wording I’d say the Torment bonus applies without whielding a scepter. However, looking at comparable traits (e.g. Necro) I don’t think it will be the case. As others pointed out, it would otherwise mean that Malicious Sorcery is vastly superior to Sum of All Fears in basically every condition build.

Sum of All Fears has potential if they reduce the requirement of 5 stacks of Confusion to about 3 stacks or even to 2 stacks so it can synergize with Blinding Befuddlement and Mistrust. Otherwise it will only work with Sc#3 (where Malicious Sorcery is superior), GS AA + Duelling, F2 or a lucky bunch of overlapping interrupts with Mistrust. A different way to buff it would be changing it to “If you or your Illusions apply…”.

I was looking at the Torment bonus like that for the current Ranger trait that increases Poison effectiveness by 50% … though that trait doesn’t specify any particular weapon(s).

There were instances where the tool-tips were wrong: Fixes could go either way: change the skill to match the tool-tip or change the tool-tip to match the skill (and sometimes it stays in the “TODO” queue for few years)