Guild Wars 2

But I AM looking for a build. I currently have a level 80 ranger in all exotic/ascended gear, and wow is the mesmer different!

I am looking for both a viable PvE and PvP build. For PvE, damage output and the ability to run dungeons and Fractals is a must later on (For now my mesmer is level 38 though).

Let’s start with PvE, which is the most important part. I see generel love towards berserker gear, running greatsword + sword&focus. I also see a lot of 0/20/20/0/30, although im not sure what to make of it. Now I’d like to end up with something along the lines of my ranger. Hits like a truck, but still able to stay alive due to “protect me” and some evasion. I’m having a hard time reading how a decent mesmer glass cannon is set up tho. I can see the mesmer illusions being the substitute for a tanking pet, but how do I go about it?

PvP wise.. Well. The ranger i play is vulnerable to confusion, but nvm that. Other than confusion builds I rarely get taken down by mesmers in PvP. They are excellent bunkers though. But again, I like going aggressive, so bunkering isn’t me. What are the options for a good mesmer build for 1vs1? (And with agressive I don’t mean the standard thief heartseeker fagget build – I don’t want to be dead if the opponent dodges my first attack ) I figure that GS is still viable for pvp, but i have doubts about the sword and focus which works ok for PvE.

Sooo….
PvE:
- Which weapons are handy for difficult PvE, either alone or in groups?
- Which skills are handy for especially solo PvE?
- What are my traiting options and why?
- Which runes and sigils should I consider?

PvP:
- What is a good 1vs1 build focused on? Example?
- Which weapons?
- Which traits?
- Which sigils and runes?

Hope anyone will answer this massive pile of crap)

Hi Treeline, glad you joining the mesmer ranks.

I will give you a overall answer, if what I say apply to you I reccomend see deeper into my guide and some videos.

Before we go to the different options in terms of builds and what is a good survival build just want to mention a general difference form “tanks” in general adn mesmers survival skills. We do not build our defenses around tough,vitality passive gained boons etc. Nearly al our survival is around more or less acctive skills, movment, stealth/target drop, LOS use of terrain, immunitys, blocks etc

To do good dmg and survivie as a mesmer you will need some practice, the better you get the harder can you go vs several oponets or 1 vs 1.

There is two of my builds that I in general feel might suite the description of gameplay you prefere, Phantasm hybrid and Shatter Cat Heavy. As you say you used to be able to take some hits and survive plus you new to mesmer I reccomend the Shatter Cat Heavy over Hybrid for you.

The build Is a hig dmg frontline build, good for raidleadning, solo and duo gameplay, roaming etc. Its incombat mobility is the best we mesmers have to offer and the acctive survival keep you alive.

Runes Are air, gear I point you to my guide. Weps are dubble swords and staff. Its high dmg output make it good for dungeons and pve in general. I usualy carry a GS in my bag for special bosses etc thu.

Stats you go for is 100+ crit dmg, 50% (with food and oil) crit chance + preci sigil (land around 63%, with fury 83%). Toughness > Vitality.

This is no tank build, its a high burst build but a tought one who not die so easy.

I add a video for you aswell:

To have a deeper look at the 4 builds I offer go to teh Shatter Cat thread.

/Osicat

Adding the latest vid of the spec aswell, added today. I uppdated the Shatter Cat Heavy a few days ago. Higer dmg, same mobility and survival, just font a better setup fo a few details.

Enjoy:

Actually as ranger I’m more used to using everything available to avoid hits. That being of course dodge rolls, Shortbow #3 (dodge backwards), Shortbow #4 for cripple, Shortbow #5 for 1 sec daze, and in PvP utilizing wolf aoe fear & knockdown + dog’s immobilize and knockdown. You’d be amazed how buttery these heartspamming thieves or 100 blades warriors go down ^^ And then there’s Protect Me for emergencies for a 6 sec damage transfer to the pet. Even entangle helps me survive against melees. I feel like my utility is near endless and i always have another trick to stay alive, even if it is switching to sword using #3 for the evading poison attack, just to stay up that second longer. I’ll take a look at your video now, and see how I feel about it. Thanks for the elaborate answers.

Watched. Very fun build, the shatter one. Ridiculous amount of kiting, although it definitely takes practise to execute. And nice damage. But isn’t it suspecible to dodges and evasive maneuvers? Most the damage comes out in very short bursts, although not always easy to dodge. It’s the first time i see the sword/sword combination. While I like the combination, how do you get people with decent skill to ever eat your #2? It has such nice damage, but is also so easy to just run from. I might have to try it out.

Edit; Took a look at your other builds. You are right, i DO prefer build #1. Number 2 comes in as second, but I tend to run alone and focus on single targets. Definitely trying out the build. Only question (you are quite elaborate on the guide) is, does the build work for generel PvE as well? As in open world all-by-myself exploring?

@Treeline, How to land your dmg is to learn to use the cc,s Its easy for a unused player to notice but I try to use cripple dazes and other cc,s etc to land the bursts.

For PVE the S C Heavy is wonderfull when your crit dmg go up.

/Osicat

There is a stickied thread that contains every build in this forum. You should go there and have a look at them.