Guild Wars 2

Edit: Updated build.

So I know the burst potential might not be as high as the typical power based shatter build… but has anyone ever tried/considered a fully Condition Shatter Mesmer playstyle, like this:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fhAQNAR7flknpTtlpxUNcrNSpBh6ycnmSyAkgSOiyB-TFDBABXoE8gjAwPq/ExDAQw9HOUngNaCA4CAQlSPGM9lxBBAMlBCAyB-w

With such low CD on your shatters, and them refreshing at 50% HP, you’ve got some serious potential of pressure with Torment/Confusion/Random bleeds from crit proc. You’ve got amazing clone spam, and pretty kitten good survivability stats along with Torch invis.

For a Mesmer looking to play something other than a Power-based build in WvW/sPvP… this seem like it’d bring some hurt?

Criticism/Comments appreciated.

Frankly, I question the burst potential of this build. To begin, it’s already difficult to call this a shatter build without critical infusion and deceptive evasion.

At best, I’d call this a condi bunker build that shatters for extra damage. Most of your damage will probably come from scepter 2, scepter 3, and torch 4. I also question why you take greatsword over staff here, especially since you trait into chaotic dampening but not into sharper images.

If you wanted to really increase this build’s burst potential (and its fidelity to shatter builds), I recommend traiting 20 into dueling to grab sharper images and deceptive evasion. I’d also swap to full rabid, trade torch for pistol, and add energy sigils.

i did, dmg is lower than on normal shatter but u got way more survivability

its nice etc but, condi shatter wont ever beat normal shatter in terms of dmg nor flexibility

although its a fun build, using 0/4/4/0/6, i been using sw/(torch or pistol depending if enemy is a runaway class) and staff

few of u might question my choice of sword, well i met quite few diamond skin eles when roaming, sword 2 helps breaking the dskin really good.

and easier shatter lands

traits were: manipulation range increase, DE
manipulation cd, staff cd
confusion duration increase,shatter cd reset at 50% hp, miamthe disillusioned

u might want to give it a shot

‘flys away’

I use exactly what Wyrden uses for spvp, super fun, prefect troll build imo. This is a Anti-boon version I have been messing with, very fun and perfect for trolling. I would say that none of the maim builds are very good for team play though.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fhAQNAW7flknpQttpxMNcrNCrBh6rkmfSyBEgSWhrB-TVCEABLoEcPNDHv/ASK9yU9HAM9RlygGeCAPcRAEAkD-w

The idea for using GS as main weapon is that the illusions appear AT the target, and don’t have to run super slowly and obviously towards them. This is vital in a Zerg vs Zerg, because your illusions will 99% of the time die before they reach their shatter target with staff/scepter. But with GS, if you’re quick enough, you can shatter immedatiely after you GS4/2, and get that instant torment/confusion to the group.

There’s no target limit on Shatters correct?

What if I tried to make it a condition pressure build with Clone spam + Condition Shatter, using say GS/Staff?

Remember that while it’s nice to be able to hold my own and kill someone 1v1 or 1v2~, this is mostly a “Large Scale” build, so doing AOE condition and explosions everywhere is the point. Trying to play a Mesmer in WvW, but still be able to actually get credit/tags on people, and feel sort of useful.

Trying to figure out how to accomplish that…

Whenever I want to play ranged shatter in standard pug zerg vs zerg I take my chillruption build (see build link in my signature). It’s not the strongest WvW build but it’s really fun and will get you tags with 3 solid AoE interrupts and halting strike. It makes use of the mirror blade clone bomb that works really well if opponents don’t have stability. Note that build is power based though.

Using maim the disillusioned instead of imbued diversion for AoE confusion and torment shatter on clone bomb, you don’t have to worry about stability preventing interrupts and potential damage (as with imbued diversion). On the other hand, you’re not going to apply much condition pressure with 2 stacks confusion and 1 stack torment on a one clone cry shatter. I suppose one could use perplexity runes to try to get the most out of a daze shatter (AoE 1 stack confusion/torment plus 5 stacks confusion single target if you interrupt). But really the gains are way too small to try to go for something like that.

Your original build idea is decent IMO, though not for zerging – much more roaming potential. I’ve been playing something similar myself with success in sPvP since the 4/15 patch, with minor but distinct differences. Using an x/x/6/x/6 trait spread by and large is generally deemed not viable, but I’ve been able to put a build together using that (bountiful disillusionment and maim) which is effective enough for me to play and be successful.

This is similar but a bit more focus on Clone Spamming to be able to shatter more to keep Torment/Confusion uptime?

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fhAQNAR7flknpTtlpxUNcrNSpBh6ycnmSyAkgSOiyB-TFDBABXoE8gjAwPq/ExDAQw9HOUngNaCA4CAQlSPGM9lxBBAMlBCAyB-w

Does Torment/Confusion bursting not provide the same pressure as straight power-damage bursting? Even if I only had 1000 Condi damage, and got more power to be more of a Hybrid, I feel like this would play very similar to a GS Shatter power build, but just with condition elements subbed in…

Should be just as effective. Just a playstyle variation.

Eucalyptus.9784:

Does Torment/Confusion bursting not provide the same pressure as straight power-damage bursting? Even if I only had 1000 Condi damage, and got more power to be more of a Hybrid, I feel like this would play very similar to a GS Shatter power build, but just with condition elements subbed in…

Should be just as effective. Just a playstyle variation.

No, condition bursting with torment/confusion doesn’t come even close to applying the same pressure as a power shatter. I’ve seen the comparison numbers in other threads. The problem is there is very little “burst” of damage in a torment/confusion shatter build. The hope you have is that your opponents don’t clear conditions but in a zerg that’s going to be pretty constant.

Condition damage payload can be 1) nullified entirely by cleansing or 2) deferred somewhat because of the nature of how torment and confusion work, or 3) at best realize the full damage potential. Even in that best case scenario, you’re likely not going to reach the potential of power shatter damage.

Meanwhile, power shatter damage is front loaded, immediate and difficult to dodge in a zerg, assuming you’re picking off from flank or rear.

Going hybrid isn’t going to do much either because if you happen to hit #2 or even #3, your condition damage isn’t going to do much to them, and your shatters aren’t going to hit hard enough for anyone to notice.

By using something “Hybrid” like this:

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fhEQNAsfRlknpItlpxVNcrNSqBh6u8miSyEEgSuhuB-TlCBABRcEA2R9HB3fYBTfNp0DgTBAFKBZ4BAAmyA90HIAIH-w

But still mostly focusing on Power shatter, all I really lose is IP. Which I know equals a significant amount of damage typically… but in WvW I often find myself at range, so can’t reap the benefits of having IP anyways. The GS Clones being right there, shattering for maybe 10-15% less than a Full Power Shatter, while still applying some decent Torment/Confusion would be a nice rounded build I think…

Has no one really seen at least moderate success with something like this? I find that so hard to believe. :/

All your going to hear is that its not as good, which it isn’t. However the maim shatter builds are very interesting and fun. I use maim during hotjoin almost exclusively atm just for the fun factor(never for team play). My experience in WvW is limited but I would say it looks fine, test the crap out of it and see if YOU like it. Everything skcamow has said is correct however ultimately we play to have fun, so play what you like.