Guild Wars 2

Any found a low stress build to level with seeing how mobs now completely ignore illusions? Something that can take a hit or two and not need to out level and gear area/personal story :/

https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/mesmer/Guide-The-Comprehensive-Mesmer-Guide-all-Parts/first#post138503

With the build presented in part 2 (or quite similar) I feeled quite safe most of the levelling time in up to +5 zones without making thoughts about the gear. And still do actualy.

Mobs always go for my phantasms, and occasionally a clone created by dodging (precision T2 trait).

But low stress would be a 0/0/25/25/20 staff build with carrion gear along with iDefender, iDisenchanter, Null-field on your utility bar. This is quite tanky with three options for chaos armor. Don’t expect to kill fast, but you’ll live thru quite a bit.

Clone issue might be positioning. If not I don’t know. This morning I soloed a champion 80% before someone came along. I took maybe 2-3 hits, clones were soaking up the damage.

I level in places 3-8 levels higher than me most of the time just bc Mesmer feels so capable and I’d be wasting its capabilities if I don’t challenge myself. I don’t have issues but I’ve decided that I need a lot of the offensive traits in the trait lines, so I load up all my armor with toughness and vit stats which I reckon would be quite nice as I get better and better gear. Im upgrading gear every 10 levels so it can stay valid for a while

I prefer a good offense as a good defense, if I down things fast enough I don’t have issues. But staff, chaos armor, chaos storm and combo fields, as well as swords invulnerability during blurred frenzy and distortion shatter if u need to survive for a few more seconds and just pumping out illusions keeps me alive, I usually take aggro but I just dodge and move around while my illusions are melting down targets like no tomorrow xD with bosses they do go for my illusions though idk why

I’m going to shatter every time I have 3 clones or once the phantasms are off c/d.

Once you’ve played an ele for a few level you really get a feel for the fact that nothing is going to tank for you. You’re always strafing and dodging because you may die in a single hit. Going back to mesmer and you’ll realize just how much survivability mesmers have.

In many pet classes, it’s better to hold threat yourself and think of the pet as a DoT rather than a tank. Mesmer is one of those classes.

i agree, even with ranger i never traited for pet, i dont expect npcs to tank for me, they dont have the skills a real player does, they are my extra damage/conditions/skills etc, meanwhile i myself do a lot of damage but i will tank by evading and playing smart.

I know alot of mesmers go with Defender though, i personally never used it bc i feel it will take up a slot that i need for something better to help my cause rather than get things that will be passive and slow down my output

Level 40 now:

GS / Staff

20 Cripple when killed / GS
0
0
5
5

Keeping Cripple up and GS Phanat is always at range I find mobs ignore me for the most part. whenever I got a group on me -say 3 or 4 Ettins- I go Staff and go to town on them!

10 in Domination to get Crippling Dissipation for Clones Crippling on Death.
20 in Dueling to get Deceptive Evasion for Dodge Clones.

Something swings at you, dodge backwards, watch as your clone dies, spread Cripple, and gives you a few seconds to breath as you kite.

I.Defender + Signet of Illusions works well in small scale fights, but nothing on Personal Story quests which throw too many creatures at the poor solo Mesmer.

20 in Inspiration for Mender’s Purity and Restorative Mantras also is beneficial, for me at least with Mantra of Recovery. Being able to cure conditions 2x in a mantra cycle (15.5 seconds) and heal as much as a 3x Illusion Ether Feast is very nice. Especially as the times I need the healing is when my Illusions are generally dieing too fast to pull off a 3x Illusion Ether Feast. Added bonus of healing any Clones/Phantasms in the area when you charge Mantra of Recovery can make them last another hit, or keep the I.Defender up just a bit longer. The fact that the Power Return (Mantra of Recovery) is instant, means escaping an Immobilize or Cripple a second faster to dodge. The hardest part is getting used to Charging the Mantra of Recovery during combat, especially in solo fights. 4.5s of casting is rough at first, especially on your heal skill, without experience and getting used to it.
-Still its great having it charged, and a monster unleashes a CC combo on you. Sorta like the Nightmare Wardens in TA with the Knockdown combo. You can’t use a Healing skill while knocked down, unless its instant like Power Return (Mantra of Recovery charged).
-Also its great for when going into dungeons. Swap Restorative Mantras for Warden’s Feedback for more Reflections, and Mender’s Purity for Glamour Mastery for 20% off CDs for Glamours. Especially when in projectile-happy-environment dungeons. Grabbing Mantra of Pain for trying to heal nearby allies is optional, though I only find it useful in situations like Claw of Jormag DE where to attack the Ice Wall you and everyone around you need constant healing.

Low-stress for a Mesmer, seems to be still much more stressful then heavier armor classes. Kiting with Cripple and with the G.Sword or Staff seems to be the least stressful of options available.