Guild Wars 2

So far all of the Mesmer’s phantasm conjuring skills do just that: conjure a phantasm. The iCapAmerica is the first to break the mold where the skill itself also does something. Personally, I think this should be done for all phantasm skills. So, for example:

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Phantasmal Berserker: Send an illusionary greatsword whirling towards your target, damaging and crippling all foes in a line. When the greatsword reaches its maximum range, a phantasm appears and grabs the greatsword to continue the attack (phantasm will not attack until its attack CD is finished).

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Phantasmal Warlock: Weave a malicious spell that extends the duration of conditions on your target, then conjure a phantasm next to you that deals bonus damage for each unique condition on your target.

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Phantasmal Swordsman: You leap in and stab your target with your sword while evading attacks. Conjure a phantasm that will leap out with you, then continue the attack (phantasm will not attack until its attack CD is finished).

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Phantasmal Duelist: Fire a bullet at your target that Confuses them, then conjure a phantasm next to you that will unload on your target.

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Phantasmal Warden: Create a shield bubble at the target location that destroys all projectiles for a short duration. Conjure a phantasm within the shield that will run to your target and whirl to destroy projectiles.

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Phantasmal Mage: Throw an illusionary torch at the target location that explodes, Burning enemies and giving Fury to allies within the area. Conjure a phantasm at the epicentre against your target that will Burn foes and grant Fury to allies (phantasm will not attack until its attack CD is finished).

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Phantasmal Defender: grant Protection to yourself and allies around you, then conjure a phantasm behind your target that redirects some damage suffered by nearby allies to itself.

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Phantasmal Disenchanter: blast the target location with dampening magic, cleansing conditions from allies and stripping boons from enemies. Conjure a phantasm at the epicentre against your target that will cleanse conditions from allies and strip boons from enemies (phantasm will not attack until its attack CD is finished).

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Phantasmal Mariner: You teleport behind your target and stab them repeatedly with your spear while evading attacks. Conjure a phantasm that will evade out with you, then continue the attack (phantasm will not attack until its attack CD is finished).

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Phantasmal Whaler: Mark a target for the hunt, making them Vulnerable; then conjure a phantasm next to you that will Bleed your target with a flurry of harpoons.

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Phantasmal Rogue: Immobilise your target, then conjure a phantasm that will stab them in the back; dealing double damage.

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I’m pretty conservative here, mostly mirroring the phantasm’s own attacks so as to not introduce too much new stuff. I’m sure others will have more interesting ideas.

Sounds like something for a phant spec.

Well we already have it in the Shield, which obviously cannot be part of any “Phant Spec”. Plus a spec that changes skills from all your existing weapons doesn’t seem like it would work. And besides, Chronomancer is basically the “Phant Spec” with Chronophantasma.

The idea is since we’re going to get it on the Shield, why not make it for everything. It’s more interesting that way and also makes them more reliable (specify a location for Warden, guaranteed cleanse with Disenchanter, predictable line of whirling with Berserker).

I like the Disenchanter one, makes it far more reliable.

I love these ideas. I hope a dev sees this for our next elite spec.

Sigh.. That swordsman phantasm idea is too good to even look at without salivating.

I’m kinda hoping they’d consider these now rather than saving them for the next Elite Spec. I don’t envision these being huge changes though, just minor stuff that makes them more reliable and interesting.

Well it would certainly make for more interesting and engaging mechanics instead of the boring “summon pet to attack your foe” nonsense which is basically what phantasms boil down to.