Guild Wars 2

So the other day I was trying out illusions on test dummies to see if Signet of Illusions is working better (before it was taking 5-10 sec for it be placed on illusions making it useless… seems to be working slightly better now). Anyway, I summoned the iDefender, the one that is supposed to absorb half of damage incoming to the mesmer. Well…. I’m not sure how I didn’t know this before, but there is a little icon that pops up showing that you are getting this effect.

I thought it was just a passive thing and it could be used at range, aka as a staff/GS mesmer. Well, it turns out you have to be REALLY close to the iDefender, which is basically sword/melee range of the monster and the iDefender. Is this phantasm ment for the sword/melee mesmer and not ranged mesmers? With such a short radius to give the 50% damage absord it seems kind of useless to ranged mesmers unless you are wanting a meh-ish tank for a few seconds.

Working as intended? Thanks for any clarification guys

The little icon is a buff called “Illusion of Defense”. Every time the defender attacks, it gives that little defensive buff to all allies within 600 range of it. And it will make an attack every time it comes off cooldown even if it’s not near an enemy—it doesn’t need to hit anything to grant the defense buff. Maybe you were not quite close enough to the defender when it attacked and you didn’t get the buff?

While in general the defender works best if you are up close, it also defends your other illusions. So if you have, say, a swordsman and a warden up close attacking, it can be worthwhile to throw out a defender so as to keep your dps phantasms alive a bit longer. Inspiration 15 is also helpful in that scenario, especially with high-life mobs.

Working as intended. The Defender grants the buff to nearby allies, as well, and benefits from things that increase the health of your illusions.

In a dungeon environment, it is invaluable.

Thanks for the post guys! While I LOVE the concept, I do think the radius should be increased….. maybe scepter range? (900 or something rather than 600 or less?). Even if it gives it to more people it just means it will “pop” faster while allowing for: 1. better solo mesmer play and 2. a half ageis to those in range.

or gals! sorry, meant to make that gender neutral

Just a cute little tidbit for those that want to use a tanky iDefender build.

Well, for one you should know illusions use your stats, including toughness/vitality.

Second, the Retaliation for Phantasms works beautifully with your iDefender, since your iDefender is taking half the dmg for everyone around him, he will reflect dmg for taking dmg for others, essentially spreading retaliation to everyone.

Best part is you get to see all the little numbers as opposed to just applying an aoe retaliation. Also if someone hits a phantasm your iDefender is defending they should get hit twice by retaliation. And keep in mind that the phantasm fury trait will remove your retaliation.