Guild Wars 2

For PvE at least, I’m torn between these two options. The latter are more reliable and will ensure my survival but the Well will open up an utility slot for another well. Which should I go with? I’d like to hear some experienced mesmer opinions.

What kind of content are you doing? Have the options of open-world, dungeon, high-level fractal, or raids. All would have better or worse options.

For the most part though Signet of Ether is always the best heal either way, but well is pretty good in group content with the AWTEW trait.

http://en.gw2skills.net/editor/?vhAQNAR8encfKPjyPtqZ7nC0wMNjaQAqaNLnGFZAsBLXZG0chT9zmtfLA-TBCGABBcRFW4BB0nSwkU+Fo6Plp7BgjQA77PAA-e
This is my current build. I casually run < 50 fractals and explorable dungeons, raids are coming later so I don’t really know. But I wish to maximize quickness so I can’t drop Furious Interruption for Blurred Inscriptions, especially just a single heal. Thanks for helping me out.

Personally, I would use the signet even without Blurred Inscriptions due to the passive healing and the active really helps with your ramp up time.

With that said, Well will give group alacrity, group healing, and condition cleansing. If you run with people that will make the group share worth it (i.e. they stand in wells) then I would say both are equal.

If your group doesn’t stand in it I would stand by Signet for the dps increase alone. If you need more healing then I’d use Well.

Side note: I would venture to say Empowered Illusions beats Confounding Suggestions when it comes to PvE content. Your only daze is F3, and you already have Shield 5 and gravity well for CC.

Also, if your trying to maximize quickness its almost criminal not to share it.

For open world, I went through a cycle of Well of Eternity → Traited Mirror → Well of Eternity. But I switched back mainly because I took out the Chaos trait line. WoE is tricky to use correctly, because half of the self-heal is delayed for 3 seconds. It’s working for me now mainly because I swapped in Restorative Illusions, so I can pop Distortion for the extra heal plus invuln that lasts until WoE pops.

For Fractals I personally I run:

Signet of Ether
-Traited with Blurred Inscription unless I can make use of Furious Interruption (trash mobs mostly)
-Used primarily to start the fight with 3 Phantasms ( I run a ChronoPhant focused build)
-Additional source of Group Distortion if traited with Inspirations

If I need condi removal (which is rare) I’ll slot in Well of Eternity it it’s an encounter or will just use Mantra of Resolve (traited with Inspirations) if it’s a puzzle like Aether/Thaumanova consoles.

Since HoT release I haven’t made use of Null Field in PvE primarily because I don’t come across a situation where I need that many condi clears/boon strips at once. In other words, if I’m in a situation where I need more than the 3 condi clears I get from Well of Eternity it’s probably in a fight where condi’s are going to slaughter me anyway. In which case, I’ll look to a team mate to help with group condi clearing (E.G. Mai Trin boss fight).

Utility slots vary wildly based on the encounter

• Well of Recall: Almost always
• Mimic: try to slot so I can double cast (or quadrupple cast if CS is used) key utility skills for the fight.
• Well of Action: Quickness is always a good thing
• Well of Calamity: Great damage, though the pulsing weakness is the selling point for me.
• Well of Precog: Used in encounters where one shots are otherwise to quick to dodge (Well is casted in anticipation), or the team is under a barrage of attacks for a few seconds.
• Time Warp: Almost always. Quickness for the team, and Slow destroys Breakbars
• Mass Invis: Skipping

Traits

• Domination: Almost always used to better damage output and Interrupt shenanigans
• Dueling: Rarely used as Mantras are overshadowed
• Chaos: Stealth skips
• Inspirations: Team support/reflects
• Illusions: More damage output as well as faster Shatter Recharge
• Chrono: ….speaks for itself