Guild Wars 2

This is actually a build guide that is written in the form of a story. Throughout the story, there will be explanations of what traits to take, what stats are important, and what weapons to use. This build is highly effective and quite versatile in all aspects of the game. It is also gruesomely effective in dungeons. Anyway, I hope everyone enjoys both the build and the story!

-Lunacresia

WAY OF THE MESMER:

Ethereal lights danced upon the cavern walls, reflecting image of a young girl dressed in tattered rags. The girl was being escorted by two men in deep purple robes. They led the girl deeper in the crystalline cavern, one guiding her path with a calm hand that was adorned by a large golden ring. The ring bore the image of a curled dragon surrounded by several colored jewels.

The group halted at an altar where a man dressed in simple robes was kneeling. The smoky image of a large draconic form loomed over the kneeling man. The image spoke in a deep voice that echoed through the room and commanded authority from all those present.

“Train her well, Shar Ka Razaar.” The voice boomed.

“As you wish my Prophet.” The man lowered his head to the altar and the form of the dragon faded into a plume of multicolored smoke.

The two men approached, leading the mousy girl forward. The kneeling man rose from the foot of the altar and turned to face the girl. He drew back his hood, revealing the face of an old man whose features were worn by the ages.

“What is your name my child?” The man spoke, his voice resonating with authority and wisdom.

The girl took a few steps forward, her voice shaky with hesitation. “L-lunacresia s-sir.” She stuttered.

The man waved a hand dismissively to the two men in the back, who exited the chamber with silent footsteps.

“There is no need to be afraid my child. You are protected within the walls of the Prophet’s lair.”

The girl nodded. “T-thank you sir.” She managed to stammer.

“The voice of the Prophet tells me that you have some ability with the arcane. Can you show me?”

“I’ll t-try.” The girl nodded awkwardly and extended a hand. She closed her eyes in deep concentration, weaving a mesmeric spell in her mind. The image of a small pink butterfly emerged from her fingertips.”

Razaar’s aged by sharp eyes followed the image. The girl struggled with her concentration and lost her grip on the spell. The butterfly shattered into a cloud of tiny fragments. Razaar nodded to the girl and clapped his hands together “Excellent my child.”

As the two spoke, several shadows danced behind them. Echoing footsteps were heard and three armored shapes entered the alter room. The girl immediately recognized the designs of the armor as those worn by the slavers of Joko’s army and quickly hid behind the old man. The lead figure stepped into bluish light of the altar room, the sigil of the Mordant Crescent was etched upon his breastplate. The undead figure extended a bony finger towards the old man and spoke from a half-rotted jaw that barely moved.

“Lead us to your dragon leader, Scion worm. Lead us to her so that her vision shall be consumed by the infinite empire of Lord Joko.”
The man chuckled and glanced towards the girl. “I suppose it is time I showed you some of my tricks then?” He stepped forward and spoke to the crescent leader mocking tone.

“Minions of the Undead King, the only vision you will see today shall be your own demise. Don’t you think it was strange that you were allowed into this chamber with no resistance from the cavern defenders?” Razaar stroked his white bear and extended a hand. A swirling cloud of pink smoke extended from his grasp, taking the shape of an adorned greatstaff.

“The only reason the Crystal Spiders allowed you in here was because the Prophet allowed it to be so. Your only purpose in this sacred chamber is to show this young girl the true depths of your weakness.”

The old man grinned at the invaders and extended a free hand. “Come now, face your inevitable end.”

The girl squeaked and scrambled towards the altar. Razaar stepped forward, brandishing his staff. The crescent leader’s rotting features twisted into a visage of rage. He lurched forward, drawing a rusty blade that stabbed at Razaar’s form with surprising speed.

Razaar snapped his fingers, invoking a phase retreat to safely transport himself from of the path of the hungry blade. In less than a second, he divided himself into mirror images and the crescent leader became instantly surrounded by three clones. The leader slashed at the images with frenzied attacks. Razaar grinned from his safety behind the clones and close a hand to shatter them.

Frustration seeped into worn bones of the attacking leader. He began to tear at his own undead body with repeated attacks that strained him against images that were no longer there. The other two leaped into the fray to support their leader, coming at Razaar from two different angles. Despite his age, he effortlessly evaded the onslaught of the two aggressors, leaving two more clones behind.

The undead leader looked frantically across the altar room, his blackened eyes trying to find the real Razaar among all of the clones. His eyes focused upon an image of Razaar that stood safely at the back of the room. With a sinister grin, the leader launched himself into an inhuman leap that ended with his rusty blade plunging into Razaar’s image.

The leader looked down at the blade he embedded into Razaar and found that there was no blood. Instead, the image of tiny butterflies seeped from the open wound. The invader’s blackened eyes grew wide in terror.

Razaar emerged from the prismatic veil that stealthed him from the eyes of his would be attacked and left a decoy behind in his stead. He stood before the altar and the girl. He then snapped his figures and all three of his newly formed clones erupted into a wracking explosion that echoed throughout the entire room. All three undead attacks lurched then fell over, their minds thoroughly destroyed and no longer able to animate their cursed bodies.

Razaar extended his hand to the girl. “I am Shar Ka Razaar, Scion of the Prophet. From this day on the Scions shall be your family and the Prophet Glint your mother. From this day onward I will be your teacher and in time all of my secrets shall be yours.”

THE TENANTS:

Lunacresia stood before Razaar in attention. She wore the light purple robes of a novice. Razaar stroked his long white beard and pointed to the wooden staff that Lunacresia carried.

“Novice! What do you believe is the most effective range of that weapon that you carry?”

Lunacresia gave her master a befuddled look. After a moment of pondering she walked to the far end of the room and tapped her staff on the ground.

“Here master!”

Razaar sighed. “Wrong!” He snapped his fingers and blinked across the room, standing directly in front of her. She almost fell over in surprise.

“This is where the staff is best used my child. A wielder of the staff is one imbued with chaos and such forces make one resilient. The armor of chaos shall protect you and the storms of chaos shall envelop both yourself and your enemy. At this range your mind is closest to that of your foe and the winds of chaos more easily make your foe’s strength your own while making your weaknesses theirs.”

Lunacresia nodded, sighing with disappointment. “Yes master, I will remember.”

Razaar held up a finger. “It is common misconception among those who favor the staff. Just be sure that you do not fall into that misconception yourself, my student.”

“Do not worry, I will give you a chance to redeem yourself.” He grinned. “What are the three schools of illusionary arts most important to a Scion?”

Lunacresia furled her brow, trying to remember her students from the mountain of old tomes Razaar had been piling up on her throughout the last year.

“*Dueling, Chaos, and Illusion*, master.”

Razaar nodded and grinned. “Very good my child.” He asked another question, waving his arm out as he spoke.

“What percentage of one’s thoughts must be dedicated to these schools in order to gain the best balance of the three schools my child?”

“*20% Dueling, 20% Chaos, and 30% Illusion* master. The rest of one’s thoughts must be dedicated to one’s understanding of reality.” Lunacesia quickly answered, remember that she answered this question wrong last session.

“Correct, you learn quickly my child.” Razaar nodded in approval.

Razaar stroked his beard once again. “Now what traits are most important in order for one to be considered a true master of these schools?”

Lunacresia stormed her mind for the answers, remembering that this was a complex question.

“In Dueling one must be able to conjure a Desperate Decoy and master Deceptive Evasion.”

“In Chaos one must be able to mount and Illusionary Defense, and reinforce the staff with Chaotic Dampening.”

“In Illusionary Arts one must be able to be a Master of Misdirection, bounce thoughts between targets with Illusionary Elasticity, and understand the secrets of the Illusionary Persona.”

Razaar clapped his hands. “You are correct on all of these my child. It is now time for your first trial. On this day you will be forced to understand what three principles are most important to a Scion and ascend from the level of novice.”

Lunacresia came to a bow. “My thanks for this opportunity. Master Razaar.”

Razaar waved his hand dismissively. “You have earned it my child.”

FIRST TRIAL:

Razaar lead Lunacresia to a blue crystalline chasm. Cold winds whipped and howled through the chasm and long icicles of frost could be seen hanging from the ceiling.

“We call this place the chamber of howling cold. This will not be an easy test and not all novices survival the trial. You will have one chance to turn back it you fear a brush with death. If you desire to become a true Scion, you must advance.”

Razaar turned to Lunacresia and gave her a stern look. “Will you continue?”

“I will.” Lunacresia answered with no hesistation.

Razaar nodded. “This trial is simple. You are to take a torch from the beginning of the chamber and move it to end of the chasm. You must light a brazier at the end of this chasm and prevent the flame from dying out due to the cold winds. Should your flame be extinguished, you must return to the start and re-light your flame to continue. The chamber exit will be sealed so you will not be able to leave this place until you have completed the trial.”

Lunacresia nodded, a bit shakey. “I understand master. I will not fail the Prophet.”

Razaar nodded. “I have high hopes for you my child. When you return, tell me what you have learned of from this trial.”

With that, Razaar exited the chamber. As he did, a large crystal wall slowly came down over the exit, trapping Lunacresia in the cold hallway. As she took the first torch, she could see the first third of the hallway become illuminated. Several frosted bones decorated the midsection of the hallway, marking the graves of novices who failed the trial. Taking a deep breath, she took her first steps towards the brazier.

Almost a full day later, the wall guarding the entrance of chamber of howling cold gave way. Lunacresia emerged; the light of the brazier illuminated the depths of the chamber behind her. Her feet were cut and bruised from the jagged crystal floor, her hair was caked with frost, and her skin was chilling to the touch. She stepped out of her chamber and collapsed to her knees before Razaar, who stood in meditation before the chamber entrance.

“I see you have succeeded Lunacresia, I expected no less. Now I will ask you, what three tenants of one’s fortitude do you believe are most important to a Scion?”

Lunacresia spoke to answer; her words were coated in a misty veil. “A Scion requires Toughness to withstand the immense cold and uncertainty of chaos, Condition damage to control the state of the flame, and Precision to anticipate the howling gusts and guide the flame to safety.

Razaar nodded deeply. “You have learned all that I could teach you my child.” Razaar pulled a small bundle and held it out to the exhausted Lunacresia.

“Within this bundle you will find several objects.”

“First two books that contain my most secretive arts: Mirror Image and the ability to create a Decoy.”

“Second, a scepter of my own making and a torch to light your path. Where your staff fails you, these weapons will not.”

“And third, a signet ring that governs the power of inspiration. With this ring, you may share your knowledge and boons among your peers during a heated battle.”

Razaar bowed. “Soon you will undertake the Crystal trials and become a true Scion. May the Prophet guide you on this journey, Lunacresia Runeweld.”

With that, Razaar’s image shattered into a thousand glimmering butterflies, sweeping past Lunacresia in an awe-inspiring spectacle.

“Thank you, Razaar…” Lunacresia whispered in a fatigued breath as she collapsed over the gleaming crystal floor.

TRIALS OF THE FUTURE:

“There are too many of them! We are trapped!” Ebon Vanguard commander Irington shouted from behind the rusted steel barricaded that haphazardly protected his injured troops from the barrage of crystal shards that the branded were raining down on top of them.

“Dwayna’s mercy!” Irington gasped. “Reinforcements! Where are they!” A shout echoed as a crystal blade pierced through the barricade, plunging into the heart of a vanguard soldier crouched just a few feet from Irington’s position.

“Arg! To Grenth with them!” Irington grasped his sword, knowing that the next charge would be their last.

Irington stood poised, trying to mentally prepare himself for a last charge that meant almost certain doom. Suddenly there were howls and screams that echoed from other side of the barricade, then silence fell.

“Something is happening sir! The branded are falling back!” A soldier shouted.

“What?” Irington’s features lit up in an expression that was crossed between surprise and relief.
Irington emerged from the barricade. A single woman stood before a circle of fallen branded, each one with their hands clenched over their head and an agonizing expressions painted over their now still features.

The woman approached Irington’s unit, her white robes fluttering in the dusty wind of the Dragonbrand. A single amulet dangled from her neck that was carved in the image of a dragon surrounded by several mutli-colored crystals. Irington motioned to his men to hold.

“By Kormir, who are you?” Irington looked to the woman in awe.
Lunacresia drew back her veil, revealing skin lightened from years of training in the depths of the Crystal Lair and dark amber hair that was tinted with a blood red sheen by the glint of the sun.

“I am Lunacresia Runeweld, Scion of the Prophet. While the Prophet may have fallen, her words continue to guide us. By her will, we will see the end of these dragons and their foul creations.”

Lunacresia extended a hand out to the commander. “Come, let us share wisdom. I have many secrets to share.”

STORY END

Feel free to drop any comments and questions about the build here!

Condensed Build Description:

THE SCION

Link:
http://www.gw2db.com/skills/calc/mesmer#5|0|2647|4089|4090|4361|8987|0|0|0|0|20|1817|1815|0|20|2220|2214|0|0|0|0|0|30|2310|2223|2309|6|20|0|28033|28033|49988|49988|49988|49988|49988|21023|48791|48791|48791|48791|48791|

STRATEGY:

This is a condition damaged build designed to use the staff as an all purpose “master key” weapon for survival power, damage, and boons.

Contrary to some popular belief, the staff is actually most effective at melee and close ranged. You want to be within proximity of the enemy as this build grants high toughness and survival power.

You will be using Chaos storm and Phase Retreat in order to gain Chaos Armor. Also you will be spawning clones through dodges, decoy, and mirror image. Due to the very short CD on phase retreat from Chaotic Dampening and Deceptive Evasion, you can spawn clones extremely fast.

This allows the build to spread mass conditions and boons then spread boons among allies with Chaos Armor. In a melee heavy composition, this build will turn warriors into killing machines by easily allowing them to upkeep 25x stacks of might.

The signet is best used after Chaos Storm. You can also use the torch to escape bad situations or AoE blind to save allies with the prestige. The prestige also combo fields with Chaos Storm. The scepter is for fast clone generation and mass stacking confusion.

This build is capable of the octet spike, in which the mesmer summons 3 clones and detonates with frustration, then summons 3 more clones instantly and hits with Wrack.

You will want to shatter frequently with this build for high burst damage and condition spreading.

At melee range you gain 4 shatters instead of three, making your shatters extremely powerful. In a party comp, constantly getting regeneration will make you very survivable due to Illusionary Membrane as well.

Also it is sometimes more effective to swap out Illusionary Defense with Crippling Dissipation when you become better at self survival, this causes you mass cloning to deal conditions on death.

Once you get the hang of the build, Crippling Dissipation is the better trait.

Anyhow, have fun and enjoy the build. Walk with the wisdom of the Prophet.

Edit: Sorry the talent I meant to reference above in Chaos is not Crippling Dissipation, it is Deblitating Dissipation.

Awesome story! What an interesting way to share your build

The following link is the optimized spec, which drops illusionary defense for debilitating dissipation:

http://www.gw2db.com/skills/calc/mesmer#5|0|2647|4089|4090|4361|8987|0|0|0|0|20|1817|1815|0|20|1818|2214|0|0|0|0|0|30|2310|2223|2309|6|20|0|28033|28033|49988|49988|49988|49988|49988|21023|48791|48791|48791|48791|48791|

For gear I recommend running Honor of the Waves in order to get the Toughness, Precision, and Condition Damage set. The weapon comes from either there or Twilight Arbor.

In the meantime you should be fine starting with Carrion crafted gear then slowly retire it as you upgrade to the Svanir set from HotW.

Very interesting story. I love how you made it interesting to read your build.

Well written, and its very nice to see scepter/torch included in a build!

That was a good read. Good job!

Question about The Prestige, as I haven’t used a torch for a while. Is the combo finisher right when you enter stealth or it is after the 3s of channeling?

That was very interesting. Well done!

Question about The Prestige, as I haven’t used a torch for a while. Is the combo finisher right when you enter stealth or it is after the 3s of channeling?

To answer your question, the prestige instantly causes a leap combo finisher when activated then a blast combo finisher when it ends. The leap finisher is not noted in the description. I can’t test it in game at the moment but I will confirm this later.

While the combo field for the Prestige is only semi-useful. The skill as a whole is overlooked as an escape skill or party saver vs. enemies like Nightmare Wardens or various mobs that have knockdown attacks (such as wolves).

The leap finisher really won’t help due to it giving you chaos armor when you are already stealthed and the blast finisher is hard to time due to the 3 second channel.

I usually use the prestige when I either need to blind a group of deadly foes, or I am trying to rally someone.

In WvW I use it to ward off thieves, since it is one of our best defenses against an intitial thief spike and gives us time to control the field.

As when on low health the Prestige is good for forcing a target drop, as it is a stealth ability with a relatively low CD in comparison to veil and complements decoy. You can prop the prestige first then pop decoy on the last second.

In PvP this gives the illusion that you came out of stealth, tricking many players into spiking the clone. While this wont work against experienced players who might have you marked or chase you with a pet, a combination of the two skills can grant you stealth for a long time.

Leap heh? Nice to know. Chaos Armor under stealth can still be somewhat useful for whenever you get hit by a random attack or aoe, or you can just cancel it right away. I’ve always liked The Prestige, but I just can’t get used to iMage. I also like the torches for the light around the character.

Maybe I should give Torch another try as I’m using a shatter build atm. Not like my iSwordsman would stay alive for long as I usually just summon him, let him hit once then shatter. (I’m only PvEing, not PvPing yet)

I just tested the Prestige today. Chaos armor on stealth, but the duration doesn’t show on the buff bar and it only affects you (leap finisher). On end it does a blast finisher and spreads chaos armor in AoE.