Guild Wars 2

I main Mesmer for kitten near anything. Still manage good DE tags, with staff mainline.
What works for me is: clones on multiple targets/WoC procs/shatter.

That’s due to the fact that Current You sides with Zojja, realistically.
Also, the Ball shows possible timelines, thus slaying Current You !/= paradox, considering that Future You is not necessarily your Future You.

Considering my Asura’s class (Thief), I always figured she killed Future Her, then absconded with the magitech … too bad this kinda thing isn’t plot-doable.

Honestly, that build’s one I’ve used at times, and it’s a sick bastid in WvW. I’ve had mixed results for straight pve, due to the relatively slower attack speed on mobiles. (Although, it rips on fast/multi-attacker bosses). Also, this variant allows one to keep Illusionary Persona handy, which is aces. (Another set is easier to swap glamour-frag on to, but loses IP: 0/20/20(or 0)/0(or 20)/30, with all Confusion/Glamour traits applicable.)

Crossplay.2067:

Krag.6210:

Crossplay.2067:

The problem with throwing a shield is the action is copyrighted by Marvel. Seeing as Disney owns Marvel now and has been known to be a bit too… “zealous” in protecting their copyrights, going anywhere near this is just begging for a lawsuit. That’s why City of Heroes’ shield powerset didn’t have a shield throw.

They’d better remove the engineer class asap then.

I’ve barely played engineers (we’re talking an hour, tops) so I don’t know how their weapons work. They might be able to get away with it if it’s not a ricocheting attack.

It’s a ricochet. Straight forward, and then back to the Engi’s hand.
Funny part is, that’s the reason my Engi’s P/S – the frigging amusement value.

We have a forward swap (sword 3), a reverse swap (staff 2) … perhaps a teleport behind?
Or a 2-3 hit, zig-zag pattern?.

Prelude.3817:

P.S: You want to fix Shatter Mesmer? Put a 10sec ICD on Deceptive Evasion. Same as Evasive Arcana. Period.

There’s one arguable issue, here.
DE creates one (easily shredded) clone.
Old-style EA used to create (attunement specific) AoEs.

Is this not, then, a case of “apples and oranges?”

Frankly – I’m not giving up on Mesmer.
I simply want our favourite class’ numerous bugs finally fixed.
That is all.

What cracks me up, with the SS bit:

Now, a Mes was able to (by fragging 3 of their main class resource) quickly stack 9 Might. There’s this fun little Guardian Staff ability (Empower, iirc.) that stacks a good 12 Might – in one freaking move – and heals in a small AoE.

Shattered Strength was OP? Are you serious?

With that said:
Fine, ANet – why don’t you then …
1.) Fix the map completion star for Mesmers
2.) Revert this buggy Phantasm LoS stuff – fact is, if the enemy can “see” me, and attack … why. on. sodding. EARTH can I not consistently slap Phants on their behind?
3.) Kindly fix our stealth issues. I’m tired of failing to stealth in a fight, and eating unneeded c/d.
4.) Since folk on the pvp side cry like little girls about Portal: drop the c/d, and limit it to 5 people. There are still ways to work around it, even then.

Thank you, have a nice day.

My major issue, RE: #2, is as follows. The problem with chasing opponents is magnified when 1 of our lockdown/CC moves (I. Leap) is at best, imperfect. Now, M. Bullet’s frigginc ace, but not all Mesmers roll with OH Pistol. Same can be said with Temporal Curtain/Into the Void.

As for #3: I built for more Toughness for a reason. Helps me limp out of the occasional RRoD, even if my current build’s not Dueling-heavy.

Overall, I’ll say this: it’s one thing to argue that not all classes need speed upgrades, and entirely another to toss +25% movespeed to every Tom, Dick, and Harry – besides Mes/Guard. And Guard’s got massively better pulls/snares/gap-closers, one can argue.

As is, the current sitch is like rubbing salt in open wounds, especially with the bit about “more reliable swiftness.” If speed’s such a non-dilemma, then indeed only certain other classes should have packed a full +25% signet option (prolly Thief/Ele, since they’re both high-mobility/paper-skin professions.)

MikeT.9428:

NaturalPortman.9562:

I was playing on my mesmer and elementalist today and I fought so many engis today (seems like new FOTM) And they can apparently use a wrench (is this hacks?) I thought they can only use rifle and pistol and shield. And he used this skill on me and hit me for 16k dmg and I died instantly, faster than mesmer shatter burst (which is pretty UP atm)

I know you devs dont give many engi answers but please nerf this ridiculous class.

Also make slick shoes a 120 second CD, that skill is the most OP rez and stomp interupt.

My guess is that his prybar hit you in the face for about 4k, then he drank elixir B to gain retaliation, then you killed yourself trying to nuke him. All in the matter of a couple seconds so I’ll just say don’t let an engineer get in your face if you want to live. Also, don’t attack when that confusion swirlie is next to your health bubble.

QQ for you.

My main (and highest level) chars are Mes/Ele. I gotta tell ya – I do NOT let some silly Engineer get in to melee range. Especially not after the popularity of the Tankcat build. Hell, yer a MESMER – Illusions 15, all shatters add Confusion/Illusions 30, shatter without clone. Scepter/Torch, it’s on. Let the Engi die from brain-burn, kitten

I swap between D/D and Staff, tbh. There are times where both are useful to have. Also tempted to try S/? again, since Dragon’s Tooth got a fix.

Warden > Nightmare > Verdant.

or 20/0/0/20/30. Reduced Glamour cooldowns, and with Domination 20, glamour fields slap 5sec of Confusion to anyone what enters or leaves. Fun with portal/veil/null/feedback

Yeah, I was in the middle of my last fractal for that achievement. Imagine my rage …

Bercilak is a bit of a d-bag, fight-wise. I dealt with him on a Mesmer, personally.
However, I might be able to suggest a trick or two, since I have a Thief.

Start with both pistols, drop Black Powder – free blind field. Speed-swap to dagger then Heartseeker for auto-stealth. At this point, you can BS, if you choose, or just run for a sec. Or, you can BP, then headshot or unload for free blinds/dps. I’d argue against Cloak and Dagger, only because it’s a little finicky (I’ve been right in a mob’s face, and CnD has whiffed. Go fig, and a lot of folk hate fighting CnD Thief – maybe the skill works better vs. players?). You could also swap a set out to D/P, to make the BP > HS chain a bit easier. You’d also still have headshot, for interrupts. IIRC, D/P Dual Wield is a backwards shadowstep attack, that’d clear space.

Honestly, I recently went from a high Dueling shatter/confusion build, to a Chaos-heavy condition setup, and I don’t feel left out. Sure, the shatter bit had more direct damage, but there are some hellishly fun applications of 0/0/30/10/30 spread, with staff + sword/torch.

The part where it is more troublesome – I admit – is getting used to not packing Deceptive Evasion. Past that, it is very arguable that some of our less-used weaponry
(scepter/torch, mainly) does need a bit more parity. As is, it works … but it’s the road less travelled.

jportell.2197:

But you don’t have any huge complaints like OMG thieves are Op and need nerfed into oblivion right?

Hells, no. I dig Thief for the same reason I love my Mesmer – both are sneaky, tactical headscrew MASTERS. Both classes have the same problem, as well – a stereotyped build-spec that ends up gettin them bad press. For Mesmer, it’s shatter (which I don’t hate, I was heavy shatter for a while …). For Thief, it’s the instagib BS/mug/HS glassy build.

I’d say Thieves give me my best fights, tbh – we’re too busy trying to out-troll one another.

Also, we Mesmers get a FRACKLOAD of rage. Honestly, us/Thief/dual-dagger Ele are prolly at the top of most folks’ craplist.

Harpy chicks dig the ears, man.

Well, besides the extremely good advice of rooting the real Mesmer – Reggie’s mention is also reasonably workable. Barrage , aoe the entire spread of me+clones/phants. Unless I pull a fast condi removal/dodge-stealth, I’m the one limping away. We thrive on positioning/mindscrew, my friend – remove that, and we’re easier to deal with.

However, with the Barrage trick, be EXTREMELY cautious of Feedback/Confusion-Bomber Mesmers. Between that and Rapid Shot, it’s very possible to down yerself, with minimal effort.

It would be interesting to see the staff re-positioned for each maneuver. Thing is, how much work on ANet’s part would that take? If it’s a decent chunk of code, then – by all means – let’s get bugfixes in first.

Straight Swords, eh?
Besides definate 10 Dueling for sword c/d reduction …

I’d say that’s best off with heavy Chaos or Inspiration, the main choice being what weapon besides S/S yer using. Staff, definately Chaos – preferrably 25 and a condi/melee build. As for Inspiration, even with Illusionary Membrane issues and Phant LoS issues, Inspiration helps with condi removal/healing/health.

Other than that, I’d vote either high Dueling, for Deceptive Evasion – or high Illusions, for Illusionary Elasticity/Illusionary Persona. Never underestimate the ability of in-close Staff bouncing/self-shatter. Even without Staff use, it’s still a kitten useful skill-tree.

I myself run 30 Chaos/10 Inspiration/30 Illusions. As a past Dueling addict, it’s been hard to get into, but I’m starting to hit the point where my survivability is even with the older build. Especially with Prismatic Understanding and some stealth options.

Eredon. Hell, I’m a Ferg man, so I know that outnumbered feeling … but these gents and ladies are outright pitbulls. Our low-pop nights are prolly > their high-pop, and they get frigging sneaky – pullin biz like 2-to-4 point feints, before going to hit one spot. It’s been a helluva ride, tbh, and I love it.

Take it from a Mesmer-holic. I’d be fine with the role of burst being less of a ‘be-all/end-all,’ I specc’d for condi dmg for a reason. Unfortunately, there is an arguable bias towards burst specifications. Add to this, the current LoS wackiness on phantasms/downgrading of Illusionary Membrane, and it seems a lot like ANet’s wanting to shove burst play on everyone. Which, IMO, is counter to the idea of ‘playing a class your way.’

Ah, well – I still manage … frigging love confusion-bombing.

Just got my main through it yesterday, and yes – you just need to be in the story party to finish. Of course, said main’s been 80 for a good two months (got lazy on dealing with the endless Risen supply in Orr/buffed an alt/etc.). I agree wholeheartedly about the forced party bit, too. Hell, wouldn’t have minded something like “heroes,” in the first game – woulda been pretty kitten to roll in, just me and Destiny’s Edge.

Urthona.3198:

My dream list (that will probably never happen):
2. Skritt. I’m from Skri—Pittsburgh in real life, so I feel a strange connection, even though my neighborhood doesn’t actually get regularly invaded by destroyers. Unless gentrification counts.

Good to know someone else laughed at that reference. Livin in the ’burgh, myself.
Guess we could count crackheads/bath salts-junkies as “Destroyers?”

I swear …. just finished it myself. EVERYTHING up to Zhaitan was pretty hardcore.

That last fight … /cry … ANet, why’d we get done that dirty? I actually wanted to put my Mesmer boots into Dat Dragon Behind.

Pain Inverter and Technobabble have some interesting potential uses for an Asura Mesmer. Master of Misdirection (33% more Confusion Duration), and there’re traits in Domination line that effect Dazing. Hell, tempts me to get another slot and try the combo out …

ChillyChinaman.6057:

Oglaf.1074:

I doubt it. The Krait has this Lovecraftian vibe going for them, so it is probably something a bit more… horrible than a dragon.

Unless said dragons turns out to be some cthuhlu-esque monstrosity.

Ph’nglui mglw’nafh Bubbles R’lyeh wgah-nagl ftaghn?

Someone had to say it …

I’m D/D or S/D, with Staff on the side. Rock the well-targeting/improved marks/buffed vampiric traits/Fear biz. For utilities, I generally go 2 Wells/BiP or a Spectral. Elite’s Plague or Reaper of Grenth. What’s a Minion?

Sabyne.6329:

I dunno but I guess he can mate with his moa pet.

It’d be vastly funnier if he gets turned into a female Moa. Then the Ranger can join Loki as a man what can be called “MommyDaddy.”

@Kenneth Dale:

I dig the Draken concept, but how would most Tyrians deal with a reptile race, considering the ED biz?

Another issue: Dredge are physically blind. Considering their aptitude for sonics, I can see them using some form of echolocation/enhanced smell. However, this does a number on UI vs. immersion. Do we go full immersion, and change a player’s UI for them being Dredge, or do we keep the same UI and wreck immersion?

I can only say: lore-wise, I pity the poor kitten who asks this question of Rytlock Brimstone, Ember Doomforge, or Almora Soulkeeper. I believe that sentient would then “disappear,” and become an invited Guest of Honor at the next Meatoberfest. And those three are the nice Charr – imagine what Gaheron Baelfire’d say …

Someone in a recent Mesmer thread mentioned the concept of Mes players having a form of Stockholm Syndrome. Thank you for helping to prove that, Mrowqa. Fact is, SS itself is arguably a smaller part of the issue in Mes play. After all, what other class needs to blow all of their generation skills to stack might? (for example, compare Empower -12 stacks of might – to one SS burst (9 – but you’ve used 2-3 skills pre-shatter, and those + the shatter used are now on c/d)). The big problem with Mes burst is the current issue with (iirc) f3 shatter triggering as a second f1 in burst rotation. This should not happen, and I do remember a dev mentioning it’s being looked into.
Regarding the Stockholm comment: Mesmers have been habitually slammed on code-side for months, finally catch a patch which is mostly favorable, and most folk -
many of whom are Mes players – begin to cry for nerfs.

As for thief burst, there are two problems I can think of: the oft-mentioned culling issue, and the speed/range of steal/mug shadowstep. Both of these are issues that we – as players – cannot control. (With that said, ANet – we’re going to need a hand on those). Take it from someone who mains Mesmer and plays a Thief alt – if not for those two things, Thieves are actually easier to shred than most people think. Doubt me? Try one out, pve-wise.

Heh …

1.) Quaggans – customization via skin patterns/scarring could work … they also do seem to differ in size between Quaggans.

2.) Largos – love their style, just frigging love it. And who argues with encounter suits?
Also the bioluminescence on their wings could be a customizable factor, like with Sylvari.

3.) Tengu – There is that blank space near Lion’s Arch, and a gate guarded by birdmen (Dominion of Winds). You also figure their customizations could include plumage, beak shape/length, eye color.

Larger races look slower. All races have the same base speed, iirc.

That is a good point, (F)Lame Legion casters do have some serious mutation going on.
Considering their original ‘gods’ are dead, then who’s modifying those silly catboys?

Although Oglaf might have made a good tie-in point, by accident. Baelfire could be personally tainted, and passing the fun over to his subordinates.

Jungle Stalker named Mittens and a Hyena named Cuddles.
Even more amusing when their master’s an Ash Legion Charr.

If yer not in a rush to slap the beatdown on mobs, there’s always a Carrion or Rabid/6 Superior Runes of the Undead combo. Gives a person some dirty condition damage buffing. With yer trait-spread, it’d help whittle folk down more.

Past that, an arguably better dungeon spread would be 0/20/20/0/30, or 0/0/25/15/30.
The point with the first is to shatter fast/dump some condi/resummon clones fast.
The second is more of a condi/phant build, where one plops down some phants, enjoys the regen (while making sure to keep out of aoe strikes), and lets them + condi dmg drop suckers.

Also, with 30 Illusions, take Illusionary Persona. With that, shatters 3/4 can be used to help tank a large hit, even without clones/phants up.

Actually, with a more toughness/condition-based build (later on, for yerself) … staff’s best at close to medium range. GS is a straight-out sniper tool, the #5 is for those “Oh crap!” moments when yer neck deep in enemies.

With that said, for lower level: try GS for sniping/kiting, Scepter/Sword or Sword/Sword for in close work. Scepter’s not great, but it has decent clone-gen and a block on #2. OH sword has a block on #4. MH Sword has a clone/position swap & lockdown on #3, and 2 seconds on invuln on #2. Also, MH Sword’s #1/2 can hit close-in targets within an arc in front of the user.

Now, once a guy hits 40 – snag 20 Illusions for Illusionary Elasticity, then try the Staff/GS combo again. IE will make Staff #1 and GS #2 bounce once more. This helps out considerably for both weapons.

Thing is, Carighan – how many Mes players pull the ‘go to another class’ forum and twitch the frell out cause they killed me’ mess? Or do we, as a whole, figure out a new tactical spread/build set? That’s what gets me. I pack one of kitten near every class at some level (except Warrior, atm.) and don’t go about giving Class “X” poop due to losing a fight with ’em. I simply swap my stuff around and go back at the bastid.

Heh – worst part is … if the whingers get shatter kittened over, then what? They’re gonna cry ’bout condi builds next? Pussies.

I’d roll Caithe-style. Balance right on the frigging edge, and call it a necessary thing.
Full Nightmare is an extreme, just as is blindly trusting the Tree. Either option is an unneeded complexity. And the Soundless … they’re just indecisive wimps; not whacked enough to fall completely, not hardcore enough to deal with the Dream on their own terms.

For straight Phant damage, I’d suggest something like: 10 Dueling (Fury on Phants), 10 Domination (illusions do 15% more) High Inspiration (phants with 20% more health and more damage, think that’ll run ~20 Inspiration), and reasonable Illusions (faster attacking Phants). Not in game atm, or I could be far more exact.

In general illusions/phants inherit yer toughness/condi dmg/pow, but not health/vitality. Also run Signet of Illusions for another +50% health on phants.

As for skills – we lack Dagger – what ye saw was OH Sword, Illusionary Riposte (used for its second attack option, Counter Blade) and Phantasmal Duelist (OH Pistol’s one and only Phant).

As a FC resident, I can’t say I hate any of the Commanders I’ve worked with. Frankly, it’s like any title/job – some folk live up to it, others don’t. I’m willing to do biz with anyone who wants what I want (WvW-wise): namely, our guys getting out of the hole and staying out. Ramen is right, though, RE: most folks prioritising taking turf over holding it. I know I myself have told folk at times it’s better to keep our basic stuff under control during our lower-population times., then grab others when possible.

Fact remains, we’re currently fighting a defensive battle. That always has to start and end at one central, well-reinforced point.

Takes timing, but Illusionary Persona backing up Cry of Frustration can do the trick.
Especially when CoF is traited to pack Retal. CoF, dodge roll, pop clones/phants = shred stealth/confuse the frack outta a Thief.

I managed to get my Ele close, sans double eyelid/tat job. Although, with the colour scheme I used, she’s more an Anti- or Nega-Caithe. (dark skin/leaf-hair/glow options)

Besides the idea of a trash talking, hard-drinking Engineer-gal? Two words: Claudia Christian.

Sylvari, and she’s been decked out in light cultural since level 55 or so. Makes me wonder, why Sylvari cultural looks so horrid on males (my Mesmer, for instance) …

RE: Daecollo

This is why I mentioned bringing the lower specs of classes up to par.

Hell, I rather hate being considered “Mr. Walking Portal,” and I’d like to think a Thief would enjoy being more of a “Master of Utility.” Hell, I’d love to see both sides of that divide being able to shine in more than certain one-off situations.

That said, however, you gents definately win for all-around mobility and ease of stealth.
Which is fine by me.

Lordryux.9785:

Any new player can set up a glass cannon build for thief and go auto attack people to death in spvp everyone knows that its the easiest class to get kills on thats just as simple as it goes. But sorry thiefs my main is a mesmer and i say thats way more dangerous xD

As someone who mains Mesmer and has a Thief on the side, I honestly feel bad for Thieves, RE: all the cries for nerfs. Here’s my opinion on the issue: fact is, both classes (at current) have some ways to pull a quick ’n dirty faceroll (glass cannon shatter Mes/glass cannon Mug/BS/HS/CnD Thieves).

This, honestly cheapens both classes, and gives them a crappy rep; when in fact
those Mesmers who sideline Thieves (and one would assume Thieves who sideline Mesmers) like both classes cause they’re deceptive and tactically stylish.

Thus, I say: I’d rather see the lower-performing aspects of any class brought up to par before nerfs in general. Indeed, one should only nerf in the case of something being absolutely and unforgivably rigged. But that’s just my 2 copper.