Guild Wars 2

I tried a confusion heavy build in sPvP with scepter/torch and Staff and have to say, that it really lacks burst dmg. If you get someone down to 25% hp they mostly fall back und heal up and there is alomst nothing you can do about it without good burst. You just cant finish them of. But I do think that is has its place in a organized group or tournament since you are really tankie and can just spam your confusion from far away while your teammates do the burst dmg.
But against Thiefs a Condition build is just hilarious. They kill themselves soo fast and can only wonder what has happend. The challange is to apply the confusion at the right time since its duration is just way to short.
But a good sword/pistol and Greatsword build with “Illusionary Persona” is still the best choice for PvP imo.

So, I have to say, that i strongly disagree with the OP.
While have to admit that I dont really play the Mesmer in dungeons, I do think to be quit skilled and experienced in sPvP and WvWvW.
The Shattering mechanic works wounderfull for me in sPvP. With the “Illusionary Self” Trait and 3 Clones up, you can shatter for an insane amount of burst. Then after shattering your clones you summon your Phantasams and let them do the damag until mindwreck comes of cooldown. It really is just a matter a practise.
The importmant think to keep in mind is how to set up your Clones and Phatasmens. Let me give you an example of how I do it in sPvP with sword/pistol and Greatsword: First you blink right next to your enemy and get 3 clones out instantly (with mirror image and sword skill 3 or a traited dodge) and shatter them. After that you get your duellist and Berserker out and let them do Damage and kite around until shatter comes of cooldown again.
The way shatter works for PvP is quit awesome and really love the mechanic. You just have to practise and know when to summon Clones or Illusions. And since clones dont overwrite Phantasm anymore you dont even have to worry about that anymore which allows you to constantly have 3 Illusions on the field without having to worry to replace a Phantams with a clone. Thus you can fully gain from the Traits which give you 3% more damge an/or 3% less damage taken per each Illusion.
The only thing thats kind of wrong with the shatter is, that “illusionary Self” only creats the shatter effect in a small AoE around you and is thus only viable with the sword..