Fighting Mesmers
What weapon set do you use? If it’s x/D, just CnD as much as you can, preferably off the mesmer to deal some dmg, and then I go for backstab. CnD is not as effective in pvp tho, the dmg is reduced there. Shortbow is quite good against them too.
Fighting mesmers is pretty much a hide and seek game, outstealth them untill you find a good opportunity for your burst. I think that’s why I don’t like fighting mesmers, going aggressive on them usually kills me.
Btw, you are not first mesmer gone thief that has problems fighting other mesmers.
Underworld Vabbi 1.5yr
Thief is a hardcounter to shatter mesmer, give us your build so people can give advice based on that.
S/D + Sbow is the unparalleled mesmer killer – evades/ports to get away from shatters + much cleave on both sets makes sure those pesky phatasms/clones die while mesmer takes damage too + cloak and dagger is OP against mesmers
D/P is not as easy a good mesmer wont let you bp+hs close to them as they have stuns and the push back from greatsword
P/D is pretty good at taking out mesmers without condi cleanse too – cnd off clones and pew pew from range
Always pressure the mesmer while he has the GS or sword not when he has staff
In conclusion cloak and dagger off of clones/phantasms until you are ready to unleash that burst you gotta be patient but aggressive at the same time if they get 3 phantasms and clones up its time to reset – always save shadow step for a long daze and save withdraw for the sword immob if they use it
The utility of having a Shortbow is really nice since it lets you safely clear Clones/Phantasms. Having a few Phantasms up and spread while trying to pressure the Mesmer through them with a melee set can put you in a rough spot. Also, short range Cluster Bombing can prevent any loss of pressure from a pressured Mesmer utilizing stealth.
I would also like to 2nd the suggestion of anything with x/D can be strong vs Mesmers. In WvW you can take your time but in a time-sensitive environment like SPvP you’ll need to be putting enough pressure to prevent a Mesmer from feeling safe enough to neutralize or contest a point (if you’re going to stealth a lot) from a 1v1 point of view.
S/D+Bow feels very strong against Mesmers to me but a well-placed shatter-burst can still put you out of the safe zone. (Maybe that just throws me off my game though)
Can someone explain how thieves are a hardcounter?
If I played D/D, I can only CnD so many times, often times, there is a IZerker flying around, when I get the millisecond of unstealth, he whirls into me. I only get to dodge a few times.
If I switch to DP/SB, I clear all the illusions w/ my bow first, they seem to have an unending supply of them, and by the time he runs out, I’m probably at half or less HP, then it seems like they can still make more after that, and my INI is low, or I have a ton of confusion on me.
What am I doing wrong? In both SPvP / WvW. It’s a bit easier in WvW cuz I get to take my time, but in SPvP, someone usually comes in by that time and I get wrecked, or as I’ve said, they just keep poppin out and I just lose due to attrition.
Thief are a Hard counter to Shatter Mesmers because they have lots of evades that let them avoid the Shatters (especially with Shortbow). Plus, they are unparalleled at keeping up the pressure with the enemy. A GS+Staff Shatter Mesmer is pretty much defenseless after he used his Mind wrack and Diversion. The Knock back can help but it’s easily avoided if you keep moving in/out from their body. Chaos Storm is easily countered by using the Stolen Ability.
Also, the Poison on Steal pretty much negates their healing ability. So, if you land a Steal, it means that you will be doing:
-2k dmg from Mug
-1.5k dmg from Poison
-from 2k to 3k dmg because of the reduced healing from Poison.
That’s a lot of pressure.
If you camp Shortbow, there is no way the mesmer can kill you.
Tip: when 1v1ing a mesmer, put a Target Marker on him. It will be way easier to track his movements. Also, use the Shortbow Auto on the clones near the mesmer (and NOT on the mesmer himself), since they can’t dodge the attacks and the bouncing arrow will still hit the real mesmer.
I actually use stealth against mesmers to figure out who the “real one” is as they move differently.
And, just for the record, CnD works endlessly.
so funny
i play thief its hard to win versus shatter mesmer
and i play mesmer and its hard to win against s/d thief
i notice that either way if i lay down the first burst then 80% of the time i win (depends if the enemy run away and refresh the fight)
Hm, I’m told by friends that I’m simply too aggressive in pvp – that would be why I struggle against shatter when I play thief.
Being aggressive as a shatter mesmer is always great, but being aggressive as a thief is not always good.
Curse these two different play styles.
I aggressively attack the mesmer.
Works for me