Guild Wars 2

Funny idea, considering that pure Condition builds are currently considered -at best- lackluster in PvE content. I (as someone who runs mainly Condi or Hybrid builds) will take that 20% nerf, ONCE my build(s) of choice are AS wanted in PvE as an equivalent Berserker-heavy direct DPS.

(Note, I don’t think that nerfing Zerker or the Crit Dmg > Ferocity biz were the “right” way to go. Indeed, why create a new stat to balance, when you could work on the max cap of the preexisting stat?)

Big brain, bigger ego, funniest emotes and animations in game. Not to mention that any multi-strike Sword/Greatsword attack is an aerial death-ballet. And, the Infinity Ball storyline. Oh, the Infinity Ball storyline!

They did also grant AoE functionality to a couple of ’em. Small AoE, mind you, but still an “upgrade.”

Frankly, I wish we could convince the Devs to go with a hold-button-to-charge mindset. Especially if it came with selectable levels of effectiveness.

Hmmm … gonna try that next time I’m ingame.

Here I always thought Meatoberfest was using Separatists. Guess it’s Quaggan-flesh.
Along those lines, how would a Krait taste?

Well, there are certain pets you only -iirc- get as rewards for GW1 completion. But, overall, I do see your point, and it could be quite fun to have a subset of “exotic” pets to use as a long-term play goal.

I would never want to see this happen. Hell, (just to use one example) some of us happen to prefer sneaky Condition specs. Your “Assassin” archetype would leave that playstyle buried in an unmarked field. Indeed, I would go further and say that -in general- PvP needs to run off and become its own game mode, considering that historically, its issues bleed into the other two areas of the game.

So, yeah. As we all know, ANet’s been pushing “QOL Enhancements” onto Mantras, in an attempt to make them more usable. So my question is:

Out of all the modifications to Mantra mechanics in the past months, why have they NOT fixed the fact that Mantras are CANCELLED when you enter or exit a body of water?

I mean, seriously … you have a breather on, you can talk. What The Kitten?

EDIT: I’ve had charges vanish when I enter or exit water. But a test right after this topic has me retaining charges on Distraction. The others still crap out, though.

I have to say, the Ranger one’s probably your best. Curse you, Trollathiest!

For Lyssa’s sake. Do I actually need to be the Voice of Reason, as opposed to Devil’s Advocate? Here:

Stop. Feeding. The. Troll.

Thank you, have a nice Mesmer life.

I admit, this concept does make good sense. (Although, one can potentially argue the slippery slope of applying similar logic to other Stability-granting Elites. Which could be either troublesome (faster D-Storms) or merely interesting (lessened Plague or Lich C/D)).

The only “problem” I could see here, is that bumping down IP (let alone IP and DE) would then allow for some right nasty condishatter or shatter/interrupt specs. IP with BI/ID, or IP with the new Illusions GM Trait. It’d take all of one fight where a Mesmer wins with that kinda trick, and I’d put money on it getting nerfed-via-GW2-player-whinging. We all know, ANet listens to the loudest whinger … WvW Confusion, anyone?

Yea, Mesmer can definitely command. Zergmower’s an option, PVT’s an option. Don’t sweat stealth, tbh … you’re there to be seen.

I’d rather enjoy that one … it’d give my shaman/apothecary set some serious usage

You’re the opposite of me. I’ve always found my Mesmer to be the closest thing to a “hard counter” to the majority of 1v1 fights in WvW. It might be due to the fact I run a lot of interrupt Traits. (Although, there’re some Warrs floating around with this hellish combo of warp speed and crazy healing … they’re some kinda obnoxious.)

As for rezzing Phants, it rather runs counter to the idea of illusions being “in the target’s mind.” Note that Mesmers:

1. Don’t have nearly the “Pet AI” issues of Necro or Ranger.
2. Can send Phants out a heck of a lot faster.
   If we could resurrect ‘em, you’d better believe that IMage’s aeons-long CD would then become the new “fast-cast” Phantasm.

In general, I’d suggest not deleting your Mesmer. Especially since the 4/15 patch’s gonna shake up Traits something fierce. There’s a fair shot that’ll change up the “top dog” slot, somewhat.

/meanwhile, back in Mesmer-world …

Ironically enough, I hope you naysayers realise that a goodly chunk of “hardcore” Mesmer players are hoping for more “group” combat effectiveness? As for myself, I’m alright with the idea … gives my Interruptor build some more entertainment value.

HOWEVER, knowing the following aspects of this game:

1. The sheer whinge-osity of many players, about things that take ’em down being “OP.”
   (Funny and sad when one considers that very few things in this game are honestly
   overpowered … )
2. ANet’s known propensity to slap down anything “fun” or “lucrative” in GW2 (Karma, popular gold farming spots, et al.)

Terravos is most likely absolutely correct, RE: this ability eating a massive nerf, and swiftly. However, my main “complaint” here is as follows:

Anyway, folks … you can create new Traits, Mesmer’s supposed to be the “Master of Confusion/Mindkitten,” yet Warrior’s the one with an inbuilt Trait to Confuse-on-Interrupt? I’d love to know why this remains the case, after so long?

Pyroathiest.4168:

Advent.6193:

I’m rather a fan of 0/20/0/30/20, for pve work. High support via Inspiration (I remember when I frigging hated that Traitline), faster Phantasm attacks(or better bouncing attacks), and I can still slip in a S/F;S/P spec with all needed weapon Traits.

Phantasmal haste is still totally broken, so 20 in illusions is a total waste. Once the feature build hits, perhaps that can be revisited.

Fair point. And only Odin knows when said feature patch will hit. If it’s anything like Season 1 of WvW, give up on seeing the blasted thing before -say- May. >_<

Luckily for my own case, I started as a condi-mesmer. So I’ve already got the ascended Rabids in inventory. Might have to try out a 10/25/10/10/15 clonekill/condi once that change hits.

I’d call myself “reasonable.” I run a condi-bunker spec (modified Phantom Catmaster, if yer familiar with that one) with S/D, dual-Axes.

You want other classes to square off against, feel free to hit me up when I’m ingame. Gods know unless I’m in WvW or handling Missions, I’m certainly bored enough to give it a whirl.

That build (0/20/30/0/20) is my usual “go-to” for conditions. Or the classic 0/20/20/0/30 condi-shatter spec. Enemy conditions are assuredly the weakest point of either. I usually run Arc Thievery, although that can be swapped for the equivalent Mantra when needed.

EDIT: Although, I generally run (with 30 Chaos) CI instead of PU. Yeah, I lose the crazy amount of defensive buffs and stealth uptime, but CI helps keep punks locked in place so I can mangle their behinds. It works out for me, but mileage varies.

RE: WvW/PU condi
Actually, Jackums …. I think they’d be somewhat buffed and kinda nerfed. The extra Staff procs’ll help for condi, but that spec should also lose some of its potential condi hits from the nerf to clone-death Traits. I don’t keep a “hard count” on damage, but the logic seems right. /shrug

Mine already loads Superior Torment. I was thinking Doom or Hydromancy added to that, post-fix. About time 2-handers’ll finally get 2 Sigils. That shoulda been done a freaking year ago, tbh.

Nothing will fix condi-mes for PvE but a frigging complete overhaul of the condition stacking mechanic, and we all know how the ANet guys feel about that concept. >_<

OTOH, it’s about time we get an Elasticity fix for Staff clones. How long have our guys been asking for that one, again?

Ironic. I just ran into a rather troublesome Warrior a few nights back. Fast as all get-out, with a redonkulous amount of regen. (We’re talking enough to get hit by 5 of our guys, and still not drop below ~33% hp). I was thinking of using Moa on said Warrior the next time I encounter his behind.

As fast as you can pop even untraited Staff clones out, the weapon’s hella workable in a shatter/condishatter build. And yes, its utility is without parallel. Hell, Staff never leaves
my weapon rotation, and I hope ANet never “fixes” it like they did Warden. NEVER.

I’ve just skimmed the topic as a whole, so I don’t know if this has been mentioned yet …

Any change to the “revival” mechanic should be -IMHO- PvP/WvW-only, considering how much LS content seems to have become purely Zerg activity. With the amount of players rushing to complete time-limited content, plus the sheer beatdown players will eat from laggy-as-kitten boss AoE, death’s rather assured (and arguably expected) in those situations.

As for PvP/WvW, I can definitely see the argument versus Revivals. Fact is, it turns the larger-scale player-killing from a war of numeric attrition into a “do we have enough Zerglings to speed-raise?” setup. Problem there, is the game was balanced with that mechanic in mind, so besides plopping AoE/dedicating a person or two to shred revivers … well, there’s not so much to work with, now is there?

Go fig … and I’d already gave my Mes an Ascended backpiece. Out of the choices you have, I’d have went for Celestial. But, I’m usually either Hybrid or full Condition. Celestial’d let me swap between the two easily enough. /shrug

wolfpaq.7354:

Renny.6571:

All of this. Infact, looking at Elite skills shows that every class but Mesmer is able to trait to affect at least one of their elites. Fun times.

Guardians can’t. It’s absurd how much misinformation is in this thread.

So Elite Focus doesn’t extend the duration of at least one Guardian Elite Skill? Unless that Trait got changed, it darned well does. /shrug

Someone asked for a Norngineer?
(I’ve been debating whether or not to give her a Magitech set, but with the same shoulder I’m using…)

I’m surprised they didn’t go more “Mega-Man” style with Mantra charging. Instead of the current system, add charge for the time you hold down the key it’s linked to. I’d think that would at least be a bit more fluid in a fight.

Time Stop. Do I need to say more? I’d trade Moa for it, real fast.

Ah, tasty troll-bait. Right when I was getting bored. So, yea … Mesmer’s fashion sense is OP. Discuss.

She probably was, until Faolain went all Nightmare-mode. Remember that love and hate are sides of the same coin

Always Sylvari. Unless you want wacky animations, then Asura.

They’d better leave my Warlock alone, kittenit. /cry

Perplexity for Runes, Superior Sigil of Torment on Staff. You’re a Mesmer condi-build, the vast majority of our condi options (including PU and derivatives thereof) are high in Precision. Between Dueling traits and full Rabid armour/weapons/trinkets, you’ll trigger the Sigil’s AoE Torment quite often. You’ll also get in some extra Confusion hits via the Runes. As for other weapons, Superior Doom or Geomancy’d give you some extra condition pressure. Or, you can go Hydromancy for Chill procs.

I’m rather a fan of 0/20/0/30/20, for pve work. High support via Inspiration (I remember when I frigging hated that Traitline), faster Phantasm attacks(or better bouncing attacks), and I can still slip in a S/F;S/P spec with all needed weapon Traits.

Clownmug.8357:

I think most players suffer from a form of stockholm syndrome after being nerfed so many times. They see something nice about their class and think,“Anet is going to nerf this eventually.” Then after a few patches huddled in fear but left unscathed they start to think,“Anet should nerf this it’s too strong.”

I remember saying something almost exactly like this, RE: the Shattered Strength “buff”. Seriously, if 1/illusion wasn’t enough, and 3/per was “too much” (BS, tbh … Empower’s laughing at us), why did other Mesmers want it dropped from 3 → 1 again? Why not segue downward; try 2/per for a while, see how it panned out? Meh.

There are two methods to deal with the PU business.

1.) -My own personal preference- Scale other GM Traits to a similar level of effectiveness. You’re spending more than half of your points for something, it should be a potent ability. There are enough GM Traits in game that -honestly- need to be freaking buffed.

2.) -What’ll probably happen, with all the whinging RE: PU- Drop either the Boon uptime, or the kinda of Boons applied. What can I say there, but “meh?” The issue is that, as we all know by now, ANet doesn’t typically nerf a bit, they nerf like it’s freaking Nuclear Winter.

As for builds I use: I’m typically either Condition/Interrupt, or Hybrid/Interrupt. The BI/CI combo’s hella fun.

Guard makes sense as the last one listed. Fact is, I’ve considered them to be the most properly-balanced class in game for months. They have definitive strengths and weaknesses, and reasonable synergy for Traits and Skills.
As for Mesmer and Thief. The fact that either class excels in head-screw and sneaky murder effectively makes most non Mes/Thief players hate both classes, tbh. Although, at least they like Mes more than Thief …

I would honestly hope that “proposed” Elite is a bad joke/troll attempt. Because, quite honestly, it looks Over 9000% stupid. You want to muck about with Transforms on a Mesmer, transforming the Mesmer themselves is the wrong approach.
Now, conversely, something that allows the Mesmer to outright freaking mold an area surrounding them into a nightmarish alternate reality? Now, you’re cooking with Plutonium!

I had to put Mes and Thief 3rd. Fact is, both classes mainly need a looksee into class bugs and Trait interactions. Otherwise, my #1 and #2 had to be Ranger and Elementalist, respectively. Ranger, due to it’s Pet AI reliance utterly hobbling the class’ overall function. Ele, since – in their attempt to reign in D/D spec – ANet blasted them into the dirt for freaking months.

1. Ranger
2. Elementalist
3. Mesmer (Bug fixes, mainly) or Thief

Curunen.8729:

Heh, funny you should say that. My noob launch character in spvp was a quad pistol thief – ini gain on weapon swap, kind of like reloading for familiarity from shooters, using clerics amulet in pvp with full acrobatics.

Was… different… to say the least! :p

Heh. I know it, because I run it. My Thief’s spent the majority of her existence as a zero-stealth Gunslinger. It’s a tricky style to work with, but … sooooo FUN.
(You know you run Acro and Guns too much, when your guildies invite you to a dungeon, convince you to swap to a Stealth build … and you feel unclean.)

The way I always tell people:
Mesmer’s less OP, and more Pure Mind(insert “F” Bomb here).
Folk need to realise, that they’re fighting a class designed to control the enemy’s movement and tactics. Too many PKillers in this game seem to think that all they need to do for a win is stack big damage. Guess what, big damage needs to connect
to do its job, and Mesmers are built to deny your ability to connect hits.

It’s a similar mindset with Thief, as well. Control the enemy’s position, throw off his game, put him in the (virtual) dirt, then look for the next target. Funny how Mesmer and Thief both eat a lot of “You’re OP!” whinging.

As far as the original concept of this thread:
I took to Mesmer for two reasons.

1. They seemed darned interesting, and that was only reinforced once I got my hands on the game.
2. I’m also something of a “weird class” fan. Failing that, it’s usually Casters and Sneaks for me.

As for unforgiving, I’d say Mesmer is somewhat unforgiving. Levelling, especially the first time out, is a beast on Mesmers, since the class is heavily-dependant on Traits. The OOC speed is also an issue (go figure, and this is my map completer alt ). However, survivability’s not as troublesome in most pve situations, Mesmers have a lot of ways to avoid damage, and in certain cases redirect it.

I’d honestly say the title of “Unforgiving” is best handed off to one of the following:

• Current-era D/D Elementalists. They’ve been heavily punished in regards to overall damage, mobility, and survivability over the months. Although, it does seem ANet’s guys are finally looking to bring that spec back up a bit. Good on them, there’s
  a world of difference between tweaking something downward from OP, and gutting it.
• P/P stealthless Thief. You’re running the “worst” weaponset for the class, that lacks in-built mobility or stealth access. In addition, 900 range is problematic, when standard “range attacks” are 1200. You’ve also got crap for defensive Boons, one means of Stability, low condi-clearing … and the crappiest tier of Health in game.

Well, Godmoney, players have asked for a PTR for what feels like ages. We see how far that’s gotten us. And honestly, there are multiple other things done to/built into
Mesmers that can be complained about, and rightly so:

• Blinding Befuddlement ICD – Sure, blind’s OP coming from a Mesmer, but can be easily spammed by other classes? That made zero sense.
• Confusing Enchantments nerf – All that honestly needed to be done, to ‘balance’ it, was to fix the Trait to obey the 5-person target limit for (player) AOE. (This, incidentally, would have also brought down the power level of Glamourbombing as a whole, without needing to neuter WvW Confusion, or nerf BB Trait.)
• The continuing issues with certain weapon skills. For instance, Scepter AA or IMage.
• Nerfing (WvW) Confusion wholesale, but creating the Runes of Perplexity. Worst part is, they barely brought Mesmer Confusion specs back up to relative snuff … but made absolute monsters out of classes with better access to Interrupts.
• “Fixing” the Warden – which a lot of (forum) Mesmers didn’t consider a needed change – and by doing so, making a previously working Phant into a bugged wackiness.

With that said, I’m not trying to be a jerk here. I do see your argument about no MMO ever truly achieving balance, and it’s a fair point. However, there are honest mistakes, and (arguably) deliberate shafting. The problem for myself (as a person who’s mained Mesmer since Day -1) and others, lies in which of these two extremes holds the most sway in Dev-World. And a lot of times, it seems to be the side of shafting.

I’ll sign on for Toxin. Hell, we could consider it a psychic venom or something.

I’m still a fan of revisiting the idea that got (arguably) OP with Perplexity 6/6. Namely, fold some level of Confusion stacking into CI. Could replace the Cripple, for instance.
Also, Chaos … one could argue that you forgot to mention Pistol as an Interrupt source.
That Magic Bullet’s made my enemies’ day suck more than once.