Guild Wars 2

Hello all. Let me say I’m still relatively new to the game, but I do have two 80s — a ranger and a necromancer, so those are the two I am familiar with.

I’ve been trying to level my Mesmer and it seems like it’s even harder post-patch with less traits than it had been before! I love the idea and aesthetics of mesmers so I would love to play one at 80, but getting there is really rough. So, I’m wondering if there’s something I’m doing wrong.

My issue is this: when I’m traited into power and precision, it feels like it takes forever for mobs to die! I am currently level 43, using a staff/greatsword combo, and now I have put my (only 3) trait points into my illusions to see if I would have more luck there. I’ve been playing around with my limited traits a lot to see what I can make happen. Things don’t die very fast at all, or I die very fast (the latter makes sense and I know why that happens.. I am pretty dang squishy).

Additionally, I’ve been watching my damage while doing hearts out in Harathi Hinterlands (trying to level in areas around my level) and my illusions.. do 1 damage, 2 damage, or 3 damage. When they crit, they do 2 or 3 damage. This is with me doing something around 500+ damage myself! Is this right, am I reading the wrong numbers that are popping up, are my illusions being weenie something normal and I’m just nuts?

If anyone has any ideas for weapon combinations and preferred traits, please let me know! I’m up for any and all suggestions with this character. So far I’ve just been swapping crafting professions left and right to level him up with crafting out of fear for the trauma of actually trying to level.

Sorry for the tl;dr omg and thank you for reading. >_>

unfortunately this patch really killed Mesmer ability to level with any level of ease. yes clones are supposed to do no damage, phantasm are the ones that hit like a truck.
this should help a little https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/mesmer/Lazy-Kai-s-Guide-to-PvE-Leveling-Guide-Update/first

Ooh, sweet, okay! Thank you so much! Yeah, I was hoping I wasn’t nuts with the sudden leveling difficulty. It’s a bummer but I might try to stick it out anyway. I will check out that guide!

Pfft easy! Either do train or craft to 35 then speed run AC P3 over and over again until you get to 80. Or do the dungeons on your 80s then switch at the end but then you have to join a team instead of making your own cuz if you make your own team then try to log everyone will get kicked outta the dungeon.

You can also do some wvw

nerubians.7598:

My issue is this: when I’m traited into power and precision, it feels like it takes forever for mobs to die! I am currently level 43, using a staff/greatsword combo, and now I have put my (only 3) trait points into my illusions to see if I would have more luck there. I’ve been playing around with my limited traits a lot to see what I can make happen. Things don’t die very fast at all, or I die very fast (the latter makes sense and I know why that happens.. I am pretty dang squishy).

Put your first two points into Chaos (V) and the next two into Inspiration (swap between IV and VI). During leveling without the proper gear a power build won’t increase your direct damage significantly. Better make yourself and your illusions less squishy. Chaos V lets your Illusions distribute conditions when they are killed, which they will be pretty often and fast. Use Inspiration IV to remove two Conditions every time you heal. Swap to VI when you expect to fight a champ, or a larger group of mobs.

You can still use GS and Staff. When you get better gear with higher stats, put 4 points into Domination for III and X and the last points in Chaos X and Illusions III and VII.

This would be a hybrid condition/direct damage build: 4/0/4/2/4

I’m currently leveling a Mesmer with this build, lvl 75 atm. Usually I open with iBerserker followed by a Mirror Blade clone, then I swap to Staff and summon a Phase Retreat clone or the iWarlock. Some fights are easier to survive with Staff only, and always try to keep circling around too, if possible. If you still have trouble in fights also eat some food that increases your stats like vitality, power or precision or condition damage.

For slotted skills I use: Signet of the Ether, Mirror Images, Signet of Domination, Signet of Inspiration and Warband Support (Charr Elite). Swap the skills for the one which suit you the most or are available to you.

Compaired to other professions the mobs will die slowly, regardless if you use GS direct damage or Staff condition damage – but you will survive most of the fights. The last time I died was in Dredgehaunt Cliffs on my way up to the vista in the mine, ignoring the dredges on the way, who all followed me. 8 dredges, one vet and a turret were too much^^

Mesmer is one of those classes whose power is really gained from their traits, since ANET pushed trait gain back a notch, mesmers have been really suffering on the solo leveling aspect.

Most people leveling a mesmer these days do their craft leveling early, and then mostly spam dungeons or edge of the mists.

I made very similar thread few weeks ago. This new patch really messed my messmer up! :@
Advices I’ve got:
1. gear up (not really an option if it’s your first toon)
2. go into Edge of the Mists and power level there (not an option if its your first toon, so you don’t want to miss on the story and timely rewards)
3. go into lowbie areas and level there. Quest rewards will be bad but you will get something out of the lore. This wasn’t an option for me cos I play for rewards!).

When I posted that thread I was level 46. Now I am level 51. Granted I didn’t play much, cos game is no longer as fun as pre patch. Anyway I am using the first option – gear up! I’m poor now, I’ve spend a lot on weapons/armor (crafting jewels myself), but now I can crawl forward! So it’s up to you which option you’ll decide to chose. GL!