sPvP Phantasm Build ?
I haven’;t played for a while, just came back after like a 10 month or so break. Back when I was playing, the Phantasm build was quite popular, I really enjoyed it, but I’ve noticed it’s not even listed on the metabattle website.
Did something happen to the traits for this build ? I was trying it out earlier in ranked and it was working a treat.
The problem is and I have been trying builds in sPvP and wvw/roaming with Phantasm is that the class is yes, difficult to build ‘trait wise’, as well it is easy to counter while clone generation is low. Inspiration probably the most underused trait tree for mesmers has most of the stronger Phantasm lined traits and passives for phantams, so you will see a really strange looking build like 2/4/2/5/3 which I use while I think most of the phantasm builds are out of date, but also it is difficult as there are very few Grandmaster selectable traits which are buffing Phantasms (like adding a new skill for each Phantasm depending on the combination of weapons you have equipped.)
Mesmers are generally tricky to play against because there is so much of a “person” running around (saw someone actually calling their character Illusionary Berserker :P) So clone generation has almost become obsolete in the idea of Phantasm build while the idea is that you run around the person gets killed but Deceptive Evasion probably a very confusing and useful trait must be ignored as it contradicts you build. I stress that Phantasm build are very orientated to a 1v1 situation which mesmers do excel at with the amount of lockdown they have with just shattering. But clone generation just contradicts the idea of having a phantasms and the build so it doesn’t make sense, they are mainly seen in the sense of burst in mesmer builds like the recent META Double ranged shatter and not particularly a lengthy battle which is where mesmers tend to loose due to conditions etc.
Phantasms despite having good attacks like Duelist and Swordsman lack constant DPS which can be resolved by Trait X in the Illusion Trait line, but that is only “20%” Although it is very manageable with PU which just seems a bit to plain and simple I understand you are looking for a good Phantasm build, but frankly, stick to Shatter until they make fixes because even though you have the Compounding Power Trait or the Illusionary Defense Trait which is 9% extra damage and 9% damage reduction for three illusions they are also just to easy to kill and poof goes the buff. I am working on a build currently and will get back to you with feedback, but see it as only usable in one area of the field of “pvp combat”. This is really a shatter and condition season for mesmers so take it as it comes.
Thanks for the reply. Really good info.
I’ve been trying the Double Range shatter build, but have been struggling with it if I’m honest. It might be just the set ups and stuff, but it feels like it doesn’t do a great deal of damage (that’s probably just me sucking with it though)
Any tips ?: