Mesmer is still a good playable class, however, it has begun to feel a bit clunky. First distance was changed to only summon in the given parameters (meaning prior I could summon anywhere if I had a target, and the phantasm ran into range and then attacked). That was fine, but it did make some of the clone skills bug, like leap. They sometimes refused to leap at that point which meant no immobilize . But again, not a big issue, but required careful monitoring on certain skills to ensure they functioned properly.
Then came the LoS update. I used to be able to put my iZerker up on a wall and help AOE in WvW. No longer. But then again, being able to cast out of line of sight was a bit unfair, so I will give that one needed to be updated somehow. However, with that came the fact if we are blinded or the skill is dodged, no phantasm. And Aegis too. Well, that hurts the ole DPS and certainly hurts a shatter build.
Now, I was helping a friend level, and did not get to play my Mesmer when the 12/3 patch hit. Then when I got around to playing him again, I noticed the delay. And though still playable, they can now be AOE’d in WvW and PvP prior to doing any damage and insta-killed by mobs. Again, this really hurts a shatter or power build and makes one skill (the one deemed “powerful”) is virtually useless in a good bit of circumstances.
Now, I had the delay prior and traited Phantasmal Haste, and they insta-casted again. If that could just be put back in…that would clear up a lot of pain.
Mesmers were already considered one of the harder classes to be good at due to the micro-management and also timing/weapon-swapping. That is not the case with a lot of classes. And I bring this up for only one reason, it was stated that “The delay is there in order for these classes to dodge this POWERFUL attack.” Powerful? Are you even serious? Fully traited the iZerker can do 3.2-3.7 if he landed ALL crits. You see this as extremely powerful? I don’t. Hundred blades does how much (been hit for 14k when I had no stun breakers after bullrush)? How about backstab (highest on me was between 7-9k)? Rapid Fire (given you popped Zephyr it is a quick cast)? So these MUCH harder hitting skills hit pretty much instantly.
With that said, I also can’t shatter as quickly now because I do have to wait for the damage or waste the skill. So, when I am wanting to use it once and shatter I have a longer delay. I know it has been stated there was always a delay…and after playing almost solely Mesmer since September I can say that with Phantasmal Haste traited that is a lie. Now, even with it, I have to wait.
Now, there is already a cast time, which is pretty recognizable. Now I have a cast time and I have a delay for my spell to hit as well? This is on all Phantasms. I don’t think it made the class unplayable, but I do think that it made a class that already took some of the highest skill to be good at and made it less viable.
Anyways, just wanted to point out a few things. I know others have. I hope that this issue gets resolved before a very unique and interesting class that requires a lot of finesse and understanding to be good at goes into the Nerf bat pit. Mesmers have already been suffering without the ability to wear clan tags or titles unless they were willing to give themselves away versus the clones (since clones don’t carry the tag or title…pretty easy to spot). We have carried this burden that no other class had to carry…don’t make us carry the Nerf bat too!