The lack on mobility is your death in wvw.
Not to jump on the hate train of signets, I do play power signet build in pvp.
In WvW, signet mesmer with phantasms is actually very strong. I have a build writeup of the 4-signet phantasm WvW roaming build here: https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/mesmer/BUILD-WvW-4-Signet-Phantasm-Warrior (note: matching signets with a condi build doesn’t seem like it’d work out nearly as well as condi+PU, so the build linked be the previous poster seems like it’d be weak in that respect)
It has been tested, and performs very well! While the lack of blink is hard to adjust to (trust me!!), in the end the use of distortions, as well as signet of midnight gives the mesmer still lots of survivability. Anyone who is curious about it (or facing one of the servers TC is) feel free to let me know. I’ve faced my signet build against PU and shatter mesmers, and so far it seems like it doesn’t perform any worse. Both Shatter and PU/blackwater builds have their own distinct weaknesses, as do every build.
The benefit of using the signets for distortion is that you can CONTROL the distortion much much better. Popping 3 clones for a 4 second immune isn’t useful if you need that immune 10 seconds later. However with signet distortion you can pop them as you need, and their EACH on a shorter cooldown than the shatter (even traited). I can get all 4 seconds of my immune about ~36 seconds.
The signets also each provide great utility. I’ve currently tweaked my build a bit to run S. of Inspiration, S. of Domination, S. of Midnight, S. of the Ether. Inspiration gives me boons, even out of stealth (PU requires you to pop the stealth, burning the escape sometimes just for the buff). Domination gives you a CRUCIAL 3 second stun and Midnight gives you a very powerful blind, especially against melee opponents. All of these as well give you distortion. If traited for Mender’s Purity, than your signet heal on activation gives you:
1. 2 condi’s removed
2. Distortion
3. Repops all your phantasms
4. Heal (of course)
ALL 4 of these are on a 28 second timer.
Match that utility with the use and traits for phantasms, and it turns out you can do a lot! I’ve met many people who have underestimated the 4 signets, and quite a few times they regret doing so (whether they win or lose).
The reliance of MANY mesmers on using PU is really quite astounding, as it will eventually be nerfed. We all know it’s coming eventually. On top of that, while PU is a great trait, it requires you to use the stealth to pop the boons, which becomes fairly predictable. The other build I run though is a stealth/interupt build. However, I’ve found my 4-signet build, and variants, to be very flexible. Don’t knock it til you try it!
In the end, its all trade off. Osicat mentioned that you’re replacing your utilities for passives that other builds can do. But I feel like this is a bit misleading. While yes, your signets are where you have your survivability, your weapons are now the source for your damage, instead of proccing your traits (i.e. torch + PU). Signets also can have a fairly fast timer on them to repop, with only needed to invest 10 in your traits. So, for 30 traits you can get PU and be forced to use your illusions purely for survival and a weapon for proccing the trait, or use the signets and get the distortion, PLUS offensive capabilities. The stun and the blind are OFFENSIVE. A mesmer should not be rely on 1 or 2 skills just to survive. Shatter and PU builds are both great, but they also have inherit weaknesses that it seems people just don’t like to talk about and shove under the rug. The 4-signet build I made, and have been talking about, is made for a good alternative to doing those. It has been tested by several others who have sang good praise for it, and many of those I’ve faced are surprised in the end, even other mesmers! I’d urge all of you, even Osicat and your shattering awesomeness to try it out! Especially since signets most likely won’t get nerfed anytime soon.
(edited by Handin.4032)