Showing Posts For Eleivo.2761:
I’ve noticed that the time it takes to overcharge the healing turret can differ quite drastically.
Sometimes I can mash 6 twice and have a water field under me in less than half a second. Then there are times when it takes like 4 seconds for it start spinning. Oftentimes I detonate the turret thinking there was a water field when there wasn’t one yet.
Does anyone else have this problem? Is there a way to control it?
Thanks everyone!
Thanks guys, I’ve been trying a lot of your suggestions and I’m having a bit more success. I’m having a blast, though the skill floor for Engi is quite high!
Staff is great for low levels and world events
Around 30ish, you will want to switch to d/d, and start getting used to the feel.
This guide covers most end-game pvp specs, but I wouldn’t worry about it until you get there.
Best of luck!
I was finally starting to pick up the basics of engineer when the balance patch dropped. Now LB rangers are everywhere in sPvP games, and I need some tips on how to fight them.
I’m using the rifle/kit build I found here:
http://metabattle.com/wiki/Build:Engineer_-_Rifle_Hybrid
Any tips? Do I need to change my build? Is this a L2P issue, or are rangers generally a good counter to engis?
Thanks all.
I’m glad that this change is occurring though, as I think it will make many glassy builds more viable for other classes, and hopefully move the meta of s/tPvP away from bunker-ier classes.
However I do agree thieves deserve some sort of compensation.
Before I always tried to let FS hit me, and save my dodge for the LS/AA. Now it seems like dodging FS would always be best, as it makes them lose the initiative and they can’t follow up with LS and you should be out of range for an AA.
I can definitely understand why that’s a nerf now.
Ah, I hadn’t realized that part of the change. So will the initial burst of a s/d thief be about half of what it is now?
Hi everyone! I main Mesmer, but was hoping a few helpful thieves could answer a question about their classes’ upcoming changes.
I know a lot of thieves are complaining about the upcoming s/d nerf, but I’m having trouble understanding why it’s considered much of a nerf.
As I understand it, they just shifted the initiative cost for flanking/larcenous strike so that the first costs 1 more, the 2nd costs 1 less. To me, that seems like it would just require you to have at least 4 initiative to start the combo, rather than 3, though the overall cost is the same.
I’m not saying this isn’t a nerf. I’m just trying to understand why many people think it will kill the s/d spec. Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks for the tip, I’ll have to try d/f and s/f!
Hey everyone, I’m hoping you can help me with something!
I’m having trouble managing my endurance when fighting Alpha. I can usually time the dodges right, but eventually run out of steam and take a massive hit. I’ve played mesmer/thief mostly, so I’m not used to classes without any evades/distortion. I’m currently most comfortable with d/d, though I’m trying to learn s/d.
How do you all manage to always have enough endurance for the next dodge? Is a sigil of energy the best solution?
Thanks everyone!
Somehow I had never encountered a good pistol-whip thief until recently. After getting beaten by one I spent the better part of tonight dueling another. I did not win once. Got close only a few times.
Right now I’m running s/s+gs shatter. Should I switch to something else?
I don’t understand how I’m supposed to survive the relentless burst! Any tips/help would be appreciated.
Thanks for the tips everyone!
@shadelang
So is it definitely worth trying to kill a few of the pets, then attack the Necro? Also, could you elaborate on the staff auto-attack part? Should I try to kite the minions off the point, GS Shatter the minions, then try to finish the rest off with staff?
Yeah, but I hate slotting an Elite just to take out a MM every 3 minutes. Invisibility seems much stronger in all other fights.
I’ve asked for help fighting thieves before, and you guys gave me some great tips! Now I’m struggling with Minion Master Necros.
I’m usually using a GS/x shatter build, and I’m really open to any 2nd weapon set.
I usually end up getting pretty overwhelmed by the minions. I can usually get 1-2 good shatters in, but then Death Shroud goes up and I have to back off. The only times I have really managed to take one down are when I use the environment to LoS and screw up the pet AI, and that still isn’t easy.
What tips do you have for fighting them?
@OP
Seriously just try leveling a Mesmer. Or even just grab one and jump into PvP. We can try to explain on paper why it’s certainly not overpowered, but you will realize very quickly if you play one yourself.
Jump in, grab a build, and just play 10 games. I can guarantee you will understand the mechanics better. You can even add me and I’ll show you some basic rotations for the class.
Mesmer is a class that is very confusing to fight when you haven’t played one, or are new to the game. They can easily seem overwhelming at the beginning. However once you understand what is going on they will not seem overpowered, and you will have a much easier time fighting them.
@Cntrl
It’s a hard choice. The extra range on blink makes it easier to port to places like the top of the clocktower, and the cliffs surrounding graveyard. It’s saved my life so many times I hesitate to drop it for the added damage. I’ll see whether I can live without it. Thanks for the recommendation!
@Fay
Thanks for all the feedback!
I like being in group combat more than 1v1s, so I tend to run null field. I find pDisenchanter often ends up getting shattered, and the activation time isn’t great. Would you recommend mantra of resolve over null field for team fights, or is it better to clear boons?
Thanks for pointing out battle sigils are definitely better than force. I never realized that before, but certainly won’t be running force again now that I know.
I was running Rune of Strength for a while, but really enjoyed the 25% movement speed bonus from Travelers to get around the map. I probably need to just improve my map awareness, and change to something that helps during combat. Would you recommend switching back to Strength, or choose something else?
I used to use sword, but thanks to the recent patch I’ve had too many leaping clones die before I could swap. If sword was changed back I would definitely use it again. Luckily I’m decent at landing shatters with just greatsword, so I don’t miss too much without any leap/swap.
Again, thanks for your critique. It looks like you already increased the damage of the build by 10%! I’ll likely keep playing around with this for a bit, at least until I’m willing to admit staff/greatsword is better :P
I’ll let you know how it goes!
@Coxy
Great point about the condi removal, I think I’ll run null field rather than portal to help with the conditions.
@Kai
Yeah, unless deceptive evasion and Illusionary persona become baseline, we don’t have a lot of wiggle room from traits. Any ideas to improve defense for this build?
@Lightsbane
I didn’t find sword/focus scepter/sword great for teamights. Any ideas on how to make it work better in group fights?
I’ve been toying around with s/tPvP shatter builds, and came up with this:
The Build
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fhAQNArcRlknpMtNqxWNcrNCrxg6s26MSOQAlsirB-TJRBABBu/gGPBAyKDAwpAAA
It’s a scepter/sword + Greatsword shatter/hybrid build. I looked at the stickied build page and didn’t see anything similar listed, but let me know if someone has already written a guide or anything.
Explanation
Basically, I was getting far too much pressure from thieves, warriors and guardians in most 1v1s to stay alive. This allows you to either initiate at far range, of run in using scepter 2 to block things like Basilisk venom, guardian’s blinks, and warrior’s leaps. You can actually play it a bit like a phantasm build for tanky opponents, and then start shattering once you have baited a few dodges/blocks out of them. For team fights you mainly stick to greatsword bursting, like staff/greatsword shatter builds.
Anti-Thief…ish
Against thieves that aren’t used to it you can block twice, dodge into them and do a full shatter, often downing them immediately.You also have two blocks to help against backstabs. Thieves are still our biggest threat, but you gain a bit more traction when fighting them.
Why not Staff/Greatsword?
I tried staff before scepter/sword, but I couldn’t keep enough pressure up with it and the enemies would end up healing. Phase retreat is awesome, but staff needs a damage boost. With scepter/sword I find the blocks provide good defense with nice damage, and have a really low CD between the two of them. Scepter will hopefully get even better if the auto is reworked in the next balance update. Sword 4 also has that nice daze, which works great with the minor Domination traits.
Recommend improvements!
I’ve only played it for a few days, but I’m really enjoying it. I would love if anyone would try it out and recommend any changes!
Thanks for all the feedback guys! It seems like the general consensus is:
WvW – Great in small groups/roaming, so-so in big ones
PvE – Performs well, but high learning curve and under-appreciated
PvP – Great, just avoid the Necros
By no means stop! I’d love to hear more!
I had one question: How similar are kit engis and d/d eles? They look kinda similar in play style, but I would love some people that play both to comment!
Hi everyone, I’ve seen a few of these posts in other Forums, and wanted to start one here!
I’ve been playing Mesmer for quite a while, but decided to shelf it for now. Now I’m trying to pick a new class. Hopefully you all won’t mind discussing how engi is currently doing, along with what you feel are its strengths and weaknesses.
Just some ideas, talk about whatever you feel like:
s/tPvP – easiest/hardest opponents
WvW – Roaming, Havoc, Zerg
PvE – Dungeons/Fractals
Skill Floor/Ceiling for the class
Is Engi the least played class, or are they all hiding from me?
Thanks everyone!
Sweet, thanks for the advice everyone! I’ll start tinkering around with that build and see how it goes.
Thanks! That is quite reassuring! Do you have a hybrid PU build you would recommend?
I know Mesmers aren’t doing well in s/tPvP currently, but how are we currently in WvW for roaming solo or with a small group? I’ve never really tried WvW before, but would like to find something to do with my Mesmer while waiting for us to become more viable in PvP.
I prefer shatter, though I know PU is commonly run. Are both viable? Can we clear camps easily? Are we still thief food? If my friend is running a thief, would a Mesmer pair well with it for roaming?
I wanted to get some opinions before I start gearing my Mesmer for WvW, thanks!
Check out this reddit. It has recent meta builds for all the classes.
Most mesmers end up using a shatter build, either sword/pistol + gs or staff/gs.
This is the perfect mesmer build. You can kill every other mesmer easily, great in team fights, hardly ever downed. Great at melee combat, able to engage and disengage at will, enough stealth to leave the enemy with nothing to hit. Trust me, if you run this build you will be the best mesmer around.
http://en.gw2skills.net/editor/?fZAQNAsYVl0Mp7pFOxyJ8PNBNhs9jOR0KQ3RL2E-TJhFwAAOFAy2fIxTAYaZAA
Make sure to change your clothes to purple. If you feel lonely, you can swap elites and even get some clones. Make sure to make shatter sounds with your mouth as you go along! Best of luck!
Mesmers have a use in some very specific dungeons (like CoF 1) and fractals, but otherwise they are only so-so. I would never take 2 mesmers in a group if I could avoid it. Time warp is pretty good with a group that knows how to use it. I enjoy playing mesmer in dungeons, but switching to thief or ele and seeing those big numbers feels really nice.
They have incredible burst in pvp, but most skilled players can dodge the majority of it rather easily. The problem is that shatter mesmers (those are the really bursty ones) all have mediocre sustained damage. They might be able to hit for 10k, but it will take them another 10 seconds before they can do that again. Meanwhile Thief can go about hitting for 3-4k every two seconds, and actually keep that up almost 100% of the time. Right now Thieves and Mesmers generally compete for the same spot in PvP groups, and Thieves can just do the job much better unfortunately. Most of us are hoping that changes.
For gear, I would go zerker for dungeons. You can grab some exotic gear from WvW pretty easily, which is probably the best way to gear up.
I agree that on paper there are plenty of skills to interrupt, but I think you need to weigh what skills are most commonly used. Warriors and eles usually go with their passive heal signet. Engis too if they have the turret out before you get there. Roughly half the classes can’t have their heals interrupted, and those classes are also really strong right now.
Elites do often have cast times, but it’s pretty hard to really interrupt an elite during the chaos of a team fight. During 1×1 it is easier, but most classes don’t need an elite to beat an interrupt mesmer in a 1×1.
I would love for the build to be more viable, more reward for so much risk, but I’m not sure it will change. It would require ArenaNet to make more changes to other classes, rather than changing the mesmer.
My biggest problem with interrupt skills is that too many heals and elites are instants.
I think this shows most clearly with thief, who we really need to be able to fight decently in a 1v1 to stay in the meta. Their roll heal has zero cast, and their elites can be cast from stealth quite safely. Given a choice, I would take a thief over a mesmer any day in PvP, and I hate that.
Other classes have similar issues. I would say the easiest class to use an interrupt build against is actually another mesmer, which seems crazy.
I’ll have to try a few more interrupt builds then. I wish there was something that played a bit more like the original mesmer.
I would love to see confusion be like 5x stronger (maybe less for shorter CD skills), but only last a second or two at most. That would reward carefully placed confusions, while opponents would have to watch their skills more carefully. Currently it does too little to really work well.
Do any mesmer builds have a similar feel to the gw1 mesmer? (Focusing on s/tPvP)
I’ve been playing sword/pistol + gs shatter. I’m decent at it but I picked up a thief last week and I’m pretty convinced they can fill the same roll just as easily, with far less effort. I still love mesmer, but would like to find builds that focus more on confusion/deception, which I feel shatter largely lacks.
I’ve tried interrupt, but the game doesn’t seem to really reward interrupts enough to make the builds worthwhile. Too many spells are instant cast, and it is hard to both interrupt and keep pressure on, which I find s/d thief can do easily.
Anyone have any recommendations?
I don’t think Mesmers are in a great spot. To focus on WvW, they have a few good roaming builds but have trouble catching opponents. When following the zerg they have a few cool utilities to bring, but you don’t have great AoE when you meet another zerg.
They’re fun to play in PvP, but you generally have to work a lot more for each kill than every other class would. In PvE there are a few dungeons/fractals where their utilities really shine, and I would say that is where they get the most appreciation.
The biggest problem is the lack of support the class gets from A-net. There seems to be a rather large disconnect between the mesmer playerbase and the developers, and we have had quite a few good mesmer players quit.
If you love the class itself, I would play it. If you just want to play the game and perform well, I might roll something like thief.
I’ve been dueling a s/d thief all day, and have managed to win 2 out of couple dozen games. I’m running a 4/4/0/0/6 gs-s/p build (willing to change), but no matter how much damage I mitigate he jumps around too much for me to land decent shatters. If I manage to get my bearings he goes into stealth.
I know it’s an uphill battle, but does anyone have any tips, or know of any videos I could watch?
Check out the comprehensive mesmer guide:
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/mesmer/Guide-Lyssa-s-Grimoire-The-Mesmer-Handbook
and the mesmer builds/guides:
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/mesmer/List-Find-your-Mesmer-Builds-Guides
They are both excellent places to start, and most of what we could offer in answers will be found in one of those two places.
Edit: Also, watching some pvp videos online can be a great for learning.
There is a thread stickied in each form where people post their characters. You could possibly look through there for ideas.
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/mesmer/Show-us-your-Mesmer
I’f your biggest criteria for choosing a character is aesthetics, there’s not much here we can tell you. Find what looks good and roll it. You can always come back to mesmer if you didn’t like it.
I will tell you leveling an engi is really, really painful at lower levels due to traits being gained at later levels now. I would recommend grabbing enough skill scrolls to unlock bomb kit at level 1. That makes leveling much easier.