Note: I main Mesmer in Fractals is where most of my perspective comes from.
If I had to pick just one weapon to Ascend it would be Shield. The block duration is great as well as the Alacrity provided from the Phantasm (decent damage too). Tides of Time can be used for additional quickness but also for multiple interrupts.
Beyond that, I would recommend Focus as Mesmers/Chrono’s are regularly on Reflect Duty, and the Phantasm from this weapon cleaves which is very helpful since we’re regularly running into blobs of mobs. Grouping things together with currently is great for taking care of mobs that are scattered.
Lastly, Off-Hand Sword provides amazing amounts of damage especially when traited. Though, we’re often needing to run other utility that prevents slotting OH Sword comfortably is why I would leave this item to acquire for last.
From a Open World PoV:
Shield’s Blocks helps tremendously, especially in HoT maps where things can sneak up on you and 1-shot you. OH Sword is needed in Events where DPS is critical to success. Pistol can be used when Phantasms need to stay a distance away, and GS is useful for fights that are devastating in Melee. Sadly, not a whole lot of uses for Focus.
The rest of the weapons don’t see much airtime. Torch has uses in min-max situations but isn’t worth ascending. Staff is great in Conditions builds and tagging. Scepter also is good for condition builds or for Open World where you want an additional block.
