Guild Wars 2

I see a lot of people talking about Scepter “buffs,” are they worth it? Maybe, I see the cool down reduction as a very stable point of scepter, but like everyone says Scepter’s auto attack is very weak. As most people agree, it should be sped up. On the other hand, IF it was sped up, how powerful would/could that be? Lets say that instead of having to wait on projectiles to hit before the next part of the chain casts, what if it started instantly after the previous cast? That means it would take 2 seconds (not my calculations, but according to Fhaeris.9237) for an entire chain to finish. So with only crippling dissipation clone pop, we could keep 5 enemies constantly crippled. With confusing combatants we could easily keep 2-3 confusion up at all times. (There is also Debilitating Dissipation, but I don’t want to work out the RNG of it…) To be fair, that seems a little OP to me. . . Now, I know the scepter needs some work, and I really don’t have a clue on how to fix it without overpowering it.

On the other side of the “buffs” I think most people agree Mantras are clunky. They interfere with ALL other skills except themselves (and maybe a few exceptions like blink and phase retreat). To me a simple fix would be allowing us full use of all skills while we “chant” a mantra (of course besides channeling other mantras). Even something as simple as allowing auto attacks would at least increase the effectiveness of mantras. Personally I think Mantras need to be changed completely (including the associated traits), and I think I might have a fix for that. What if mantras did not use a “charge” based system, and instead were channeled skills. Seems like a really good fix for mantra of pain (a steady damage source with a spike at the end, instead of just spikes). Even Concentration could be a channeled stability (could be used to “bait” a daze/stun). Recovery is a little bit harder to work that way, but it could instead have the heals at intervals (something like every 1 second or 1 1/2 second). Distraction and Resolve could also be based off intervals. Actually, the more I think about that, they could all be based off intervals with a “bonus” at the end. Traits wouldn’t have to be changed much either to work with the new system. Harmonious mantras could provide a longer channel time (enough for 3 effects) with a larger bonus for finishing the mantra). Mantra Mastery, Protected Mantras, and Restorative Mantras wouldn’t need to be changed at all. Empowering Mantras would be harder to change, since we wouldn’t have “readied” mantras anymore. Something like damage while chanting would be decent enough.

Overall I think we are headed in the right direction. The buffs are appreciated and needed, but a few more things need to be worked on.

P.s. Whew, sorry for that wall of text just thought I would throw in my two cents (or in this case, more like 400 cents. . .)

P.s.s. IF you don’t feel like reading this huge wall of text, I’m sorry for that, but at least read the second paragraph. It has a somewhat decent idea for mantras.

I can personally say that the value of this skill is very dependent on the traits chosen. While good on its own, a stun-break and blind on a 30sec cooldown is worth it on its own (in a sense), a single trait allows for use/need in some builds. Let’s look at the worth of taking Blinding Befuddlement to add a little damage to breaking a stun. Now I know 1x confusion on blind isn’t much of an improvement, especially since it is on a 30/24sec cooldown, but what else applies blind that would be used in conjunction with it? In the current meta the “blackwater” condition build is widely popular using scepter/torch, staff. Torch also has a blind/stealth on a 30/24 second that can be used much like the signet. While staff doesn’t have a “direct” source of blind, it does have Chaos Armor that procs not only the blind, but also the confusion. So if your using the signet in a variant of the blackwater build, or at least a build that uses torch/staff to some extent, the signet fits perfectly, when traited with Blinding Befuddlement. Now remember that is just 1 application of the signet that relies on active use/defense, and only 1 trait. If you build for the signet further, you can get even more defense with condition cure and distortion.

So after that wall of text what do I expect you all take away from it? The signet, while not the best, has a potential spot in certain builds and it can be irreplaceable in its own right.

Ps. If enough are curious about the blackwater variant I was talking about I would be glad to share.

I’ll bite! First off I’d like to say im a hybrid build that takes into account that sword/sword (zerkers) and Staff (Rabid) are different damage types. Mainly Rabid armor with runes of undead, but I also have second set of gear that is a 4 piece (helm, shoulders, gloves, boots) zerkers with runes of air. So, a little less conditon dmg/toughness for more power/crit. Still missing a few pieces of accessories

I use a standard 0/20/20/0/30 Shattercat build (thanks osicat!)

P.s This picture is with my sword/sword equipped, and no buffs.

Edit: Thught I would also add that I am working on getting a Sentinal (Vit, tough, power) to go with my zerker set.

I like some of these ideas, but for the most part they involve complex coding of skill changes. So, I don’t see Anet changing it. What if the idea was simple? How about just changing the effect the iMage, or should I say how about the way the effect is cast.

How about changing the “ball” the iMage throws, to something similar. iMage gives confusion 3s and retaliation 3s. So does Pain Inverter, but it is a point blank AoE. I think the iMage should keep the damage component (maybe a sligth dmg increase, to be more balanced with pow builds) and cast just like Pain Inverter. In a group situtation the retaliation would benifit everyone, and fighting multiple mobs/players the confusion would hit more than one enemy.

It should be fairly easy to code, just transplace the code from pain inveter add the damage component and make the retaliation affect more than 1 person. Everything else would stay the same, such as health, spawn position, casting speed, and casting delay.

What does everyone think of that?

P.s. On a side note, pain inverter is 5sec confusion/retaliation. It could stay the same or be lowered to 3 seconds. Either way the pbAoE would be the most important/best change.

So, I have ran this idea past Osicat and a few other mesmers, and I was wanting to post it in the forums as well.

Lately, I have been messing around and looking at food and utilities to help me out with different parts of the Shatter Cat build. I’m sure most of us know about Master Tuning crystals and Superior Shapening Stones, so I won’t put any of my input on them. However, food has a wider range of possibilities that can either strengthen our strongest aspects or help us with some of our drawbacks.

To strengthen our “burst”

+100 precision +10% crit dmg
Bowl of Curry Butternut Squash Soup

To help our conditions

+40% Condition Duration +70 Condition dmg
Rare Veggi Pizza

Or what about increasing our general damage, clone production, and evasion? Surely they can’t have a food that does all of that for a mesmer can they?¿ I think so. . .

Bowl of Orrian Truffle and Meat Stew

With “Truffle and Meat,” we can gain Might on dodge (general damage increase), and (thats a big AND) 40% more endurance regain (clones and evasion).

Most mesmer like to dodge; I mean come on, its great! Avoiding damage, generating clones, and generally moving around the battlefield. So why not dodge more? Wouldn’t it be great if it stacked with our near “perma” vigor? Well, due to my testing, it most likely does!

*Now I haven’t tested extensivally (other than general use and not paying attention), but I did check on how fast/many ticks it took to regain 1 dodge use with food and then with food + vigor. Emptying out my endurance, by dodging as soon as I could and then counting how many ticks it took to be able to use another dodge. On average, with food alone, it took around 12-13 ticks to regain 1 dodge. And with food and vigor (tested with trident), it took 7-8 ticks to have another dodge. So, if you think about it and estimate, the numbers seem to be about right for the % of increase.

Generally speaking, I have noticied an extra dodge or 2 in my fights, but it may require some additional testing. Overall though I do think it stacks, and I do see a possibility of use for a mesmer (or any class with a way to keep vigor).

What if it was like iWarden, and its attack was a one hit pbAoE? Maybe even have a blast finisher? You could still have the iMage mobile, and you could either have the attack orginate from “him” or have his target be the center? I think the size would have to be larger than Mind Stab (greatsword #3) but no larger then necro’s greater marks.

Osicat.4139:

@LokiShi, It look wery interesting, if you want have a thought on what kind of movment and gamestyle you would be most effetcive in. kittenter Cat in general favours high incombat juking in and out but condition builds want to be “on target” most of the time. I would guess the build would be wery wey effective in team with a bleed stacking thief abusing stealth and you do same. when target get low you switch mode and burst.

Mabye can try it out and do a vid?

/Osicat

I don’t know if your asking if you could gear up and post a vid, or if your asking if I could. In the case of you asking about yourself, then by all means please do (I would like to know your experience). If your asking about me, then I doubt that I could. My laptop couldn’t handel a recording program and WvW. I can, however, explain some of my experiences and ideas.

As and update, I finally finished my ascended backpiece and bought both of my ascended cavalier rings. I also switched out my old condition sword/torch setup and replaced them with a berzerker’s sword/sword. I’m still missing the ascended necklace, currently its Beryl (pow/vit/crit dmg%), and I am still using Knight’s earings(pow/pres/tough) (they should be rampager’s pow/pres/cond. damage). I average about 2,500 damage on blurred frenzy and about 1,500 per clone off Mind Wrack. Its a fairly nice burst considering I also have 1k+ confusion off 4 stacks (I’ve seen 2,800 from staff off 8 stacks). Keep in mind this is without food buffs, as I haven’t decided on whats more important to me.

Just like you said, most “Shatter cats” are about dodging in and out of combat to deliver quick and powerful burst damage, and backing out. The idea behind my build is to not lose as much Dps when your playing defensively. So, I count on my fairly high condition damage from the staff to keep a constant pressure on my opponents. Then when the time is right, I can “pounce” and deliver some powerful burst.

I find myself using Cry of Frustration quickly and often, especially when I have the staff out. With clones on dodge my clones are always spread out in 1 vs X and CoF giving 2 stacks of confusion at least, I can keep a group of enemies to slow their attack and lessen the pressure on me. While they are concerned with my confusion my bleeds and burns work their health down. It also allows me single out the few that attack through the confusion or the ones that are really suffering from condition damage.

I will also say that “you are right” it is more effective to be up close and personal for the best condition damage from staff, but having clones attack multiple enemies the bounces “only” add condition damage instead of buffing me. On average I can keep 5 stacks of bleed and a burn on everyone. Then again, that also means that when I am fighting 1v1, I do not have a dps loss when switching to the staff to play defensely. So, all in all, I do less burst then a “real” shatter cat and less spike damage from a confusion build, but I am able to switch “seemlessly” in combat from a defensive condition build to a powerful burst and back. I’d have to say its an interesting experience, and I owe a lot to you and SevenMirror for insight on how mesmers move in and out of combat. I just wanted to combine the two builds and their playstyles and find a smooth balance between the two.

P.S. I would also like to say until recently I was having a lot of trouble with bunker boon builds (d/d ele and most guardians) until I picked up a sigil of nullification for my MH sword. With the 3rd attack in the sword chain and the sigil going off its almost as good as having 2 disenchaters following you around at all times. I 100% suggest the sigil if you are struggling with boons.

Ok, so I have been doing some browsing and number crunching (thanks to GW2 BuildCraft) on the possibilities of gear for a condition shatter cat. I ended up with making, what I call, a “balanced switch.” The idea is to have higher condition damage (around 1,240) and toughness (around 1,935) when I am equiped with a staff. To play defensive and slowly work down an opponents life to be in range of a burst. Then switching to a higher damaging sword/x (sword, most likely) to create the burst of a shatter cat. Its important to note that this build is MAINLY a condition/confusion build with 100+ damage bleeds and 500+ damage burns, but having an offhanded setup that allows for 3k damage blurred frenzys (not to mention Shatters, and the confusion that will happen). Here is a copy/paste of the GW2 BuildCraft stat distrubtion, based off the SWORD/SWORD stats (both “Burst” weapons will have berzerker stats, while the staff has rabid stats).

Power
1442

Precision
1715

Toughness
1757

Vitality
916

Critical Damage +
55%

Condition Damage
1052

Condition Duration
0%

Healing Power
0

Boon Duration
20%

Critical Chance
42.05%

Damage
0%

Armor
2677

Health
15082

Agony Resistance
15

Shredding Recharge Rate
30%

Damage & Survivability
Effective Power
2078.64

Effective Health (EHP)
21990

Damage Reduction
31.42%

Reference Armor
1836

Tell me what you think of these numbers, and how they compare to yours?

P.S. I can go further in the explaination and choices of armor and trinkets, to show how I achieved these stats.

Thanks for the reply. I would like to say another few things, to add onto your post. I have killed many “tank” builds before, mostly when they run, and survived many 1 vs. X. It just seems that there is always the one person i come across thats a stalemate. I understand that a lot of the times I should be with another person, preferably damage spec, but that’s not always possible. So, that leaves me with finding the right balance between a cond spec and having enough power to burst 30% of life. I have an idea where I want my numbers, I am just not convinced that I can get it right where I want it.

What I’m asking is, what is your opinion on having 1,300 – 1,500 power? Is it enough, or should I not even bother with that amount? I’m thinking that I can keep 1,300 cond damage for the 100/tick bleeds and achieve my goal of at least 1,300 power. Can you give me a guess on your average damage numbers, of a single attack like blurred frenzy or a mind wrack, and your power. I could use that as a base reference for comparison. If the stats work out, you could have another “shatter cat” type build, that is based on cond. damage, but has enough power to burst someone’s life.

Before I say anything, thank you! I started playing gw2 2 weeks after release and the first class I was interested in was the Mesmer, so I worked her to 80 first (thank kitten I didn’t know how bad it was to level at the time…) I played a custom tank/phantasm build, that at the time had 100% regain and protection, but it got reworked and is still viable (just not as well).
I took a break around Lost Shores, and came back during Halloween with a Necro. Then around this latest update I stumbled upon this thread. The videos alone sparked my interest for my Mesmer again( and pointed out some problems I was having).
That brings me to my current standpoint. I’m playing the condition damage confusion spike/shatter build ( 0/20/20/0/30) with Sw/torch, Staff. It has really nice bleeds at 100 damage a tick, 500+ burns and an average confusion hit for 2-6k depending on the stack size. The high mobility combined with the target breaks of the prestige and decoy, and the high natural toughness of a condition build make for a very hard to kill Mesmer. The only problem I am having, it seems, is the “killing blow.” I can keep enough pressure on my target for them to be defensive, but it’s hard to finish them. It might be due to me not having enough burst from the shatter combo, so I am working on switching my Ammy and two rings to the ascended pow/tough/crit damage ones and replacing my two trinkets/earrings to ravagers (pow/pres/cond damage). If I am right I should have 1,200+ – 1,500 power with 1,900 pres, 1,900 touhness and 1,300 cond damage. That brings me to my question, about what numbers should I be looking for to have enough to burst that last 20 or so % ? Do you think it’s worthwhile to push for power through accessories alone? Or am I missing something about the confusion shatter builds that I should know? For instance, how do they guarantee the “kill?”

P.s. I only ask you, because I know you use the “shatter cat” build and I’m sure you would at least have some opinions about the confusion shatter builds.
P.p.s. I typed this from a phone… Sorry in advance

I hope so, and I am sure many others hope for it as well.

The title says it all, I would gladly pay gold for diamond prices (at halloween) to be able to buy some cat ears and a tail for my female asura… Anyone with me?

Had some fun for Pink Day in LA. I wasn’t with Bri(eye, had to say it) and Lexy yet, but we caught up later and got them a hard vista.

@Noppy I moved, but I kept my guild from Crystal Desert. I can still talk to them (mostly what I did anyways) and I can group with them for Dungeons. Only problem is I cannot use the guild bank. Still, I know it not the end of the world to change servers.

Guess what I am trying to say is . . . You don’t have to drop your guild to change servers. In fact it would be better to keep your guild, when you are just testing the waters of a new server. Look forward to seeing yo in game.

Yup, I made a swicth. As of right now its free, so why not? And Glitch, I think it may be because Lexy and Bri are more beautiful than you… Lol Beauty has a better turnover rate :P

Nice Lexy and Bri, I just finished that myself. I have been thinking more and more about a server switch, and even though you both are on an EU server it kind of seems like a good idea. But, I don’t know I haven’t really made any decisions yet.

For those of you having trouble logging into the forums, that would like to join project UNION, I have found a thread with many different things you can do to get connected.

Check out this thread: https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/support/forum/Error-401-My-friend-can-t-enter-the-forums

Finally got into the forums. . . Hey, Glitch.

Name: Loki
Current Server: Crystal Desert (representing pink fluffy marshmallow bunnies)
Interest Activities: Everything really, I like to socialize and run around mindlessly, but I am always down for a Dungeon (twlight arbor, since the gear I want is from there)
Active: Random time, I go to school online so I usually have time to spend in Tryia
Additional Comments: I have been thinking of a server move, but my guild has picked up the pace quite a bit and is becoming more active. Still, I am down for a cross server guild (and maybe a move) if anything to make sure I have people to talk to/ask questions.

First off, WOOOT I finally got into the forums after much agrivation about logging in.
I have been following this thread for awhile now, and I’m sure a few of you know me already. . . Still, I would like to point out that when I compleate Jumping Puzzles I usually shout out to the map asking if anyone would like a free “portal” to the chest I’m a Mesmer). Most the times only a few people show up, but depending on the puzzle (like the tower in Dredgeknot cliffs?) I have had quite a few people show up.

As for me I am a (currently) 68 Mesmer on Crystal Desert and would like if a few others try and join me for Twlight Arbor.