Guild Wars 2

I’d like either knuckle duster/claw-type weapons, or straight-up ‘unarmed dirty tricks’ for melee. Blowgun or Crossbow would be a rather stylish ranged option.

As for tweaking current weapons, there’s always mace (with a sap or billy club) skin, reskinned sword/dagger (in a more Canthan or Elonan style) or staff (shorter length skin, more like a jo or reinforced cane).

Even with the synergy issues, my Thief’s been P/P D/P for most of her existence. And yes, I do dig the black powder/HS/BS chain. With that said, I do keep SB for those ‘Oh frack, I need AoE!’ days.

The same way they can be justified for any profession, my friend – curiosity.

Read Ghosts of Ascalon sometime, it gives a Very Fun example of a curious Sylvari Necromancer (More entertaining by far than Trahearne,I’d say.)

Hmmmph – I (and indeed MOST Mesmers) would be fine with a 5-person limit, and the original Portal CD. Especially since Portal’s one of the biggest causes of Mesmer-hate, and frankly – any intelligent player can make a 5-person limit work just fine.

Lore-wise, I’d have to argue Mesmer. What other profession has the ability to get inside of someone else’s thoughts? Explosions, guns, etc – nothing’s as scary as a person what can control what. you. think.

10 sec of stealth/switfness would be sicknasty by itself. Needless to say, if such a thing ever happened, bet yer behind MI would then have like a 300 sec cd, at the very least.

Mind, I don’t necessarily disagree with the OP’s argument – it does seem a bit screwball that an elite stealth option is crushed (for # of allies cloaked) by one of our utility stealths. The only issue with just increasing the # stealthed by MI is simple: it’d then become the next Portal for every Mesmer-hating lackwit to cry about. Although, I’m sure someone’s whinging as is, in regards to Temporal Curtain/Veil combos.

As for usage – I alternate MI or TW, depending on what I need to deal with.

Sabyne.6329:

quercus.9261:

Newb mesmers aren’t slotting Signet of Mesmer OP: AoE knockdown 8k crits 2 second cool down

You forgot the passive : +50% movement speed.

Guess the cat’s outta the bag. It also gives us +2000% health on clones/phants.

sinican.9250:

Still rolling a condition build… and still pwning… I am starting to think most players aren’t capable of building their own Viable Mesmers without a guide.

25K HP, 2.7k attack, 2k + con, 2.1k defense….

Those are some luscious specs. Let me guess, you’re heavy into Chaos/Inspiration/Illusions?

I may main Mesmer, but -yes- I do like Necro … of course, I like ‘Spellcasters,’ period. There’s a reason why my 3 highest level alts [80/80/51] are respectively: Mesmer/Elementalist/Necromancer.

I do agree on RashanDale’s issues, however. I’d frigging LOVE to go full out vampire-mode, but it does seem that lifesteal/healing power scale for crapola. As for the ‘Necro is not Necro’ bit – look between fantasy literature and older RPGs – not every Necromancer is a minion guy … although GW Necrominions could indeed use an AI tweak.

Ramiel.4931:

Blame Osicat for making the build available to everyone and their cat. It’s also ANet’s pet spec, the one that keeps getting buffed while condition dmg mesmers like myself struggle and get nerfed.

And there’s the rub. Hell, I’m currently running 0/15/25/0/30 … and I have to kittening FIGHT myself not to go back to 0/25/15/0/30. ANet has indeed typically buffed shatter/hybrid shatter builds at the expense of other options. Hell, I like condi builds … pretty much most of my alts are at least hybrid condi/direct dmg. But, c’mon ANet – could Mesmer get some love on non-shatter spec, please? Quaggans’ll love you for it – just think of the cute Quaggans!

That is a funny one … but not necessarily messed up. You see a goodly chunk of non-Sylvari in the Grove, so I looked at that one as: said hero is someone you ran into after coming out of the pod.

I do find it funny that 25 years is enough to rank Trahearne as “Leet Orrian Knowledge-Masteh,” though. Hello, Necromancer – who says precisely how long one of those guys can really live? For all we know, one of the Human Necros could have been alive since back when Grenth took over the kitten Underworld.

(I should say “Human PC Necros;” since one would think Palawa Joko’s Undead kitten is most assuredly a Necro …")

Depends on how you’d like to balance out. Typical shatter builds tend to go high power and precision, with solid backup on shatter recharge/condition dmg.
Statwise, yer generally looking at 20/20/0/0/30, for a full glass-cannon shatterer. Although, this is not necessarily an absolute. I believe Osicat’s build is more like 10/30/0/0/30. I myself have decent shatter on a 0/25/15/0/30 spread – which is a bit more tanky, on toughness – but I’m more of a shatter/condi mutt.

With either case, the 20+ Dueling’s for two major things: Critical Infusion and Deceptive Evasion. High Illusions allows for some necessary [and frigging FUN] abilities: Illusionist’s Celerity, Illusionary Invigoration, Illusionary Retribution, and that Godly Beast – Illusionary Persona.

Shatterers who take points in Domination generally use that Traitline to strengthen Mind Wrack, and [at higher levels] add more debuffing to shatters.

As for your question, I’d maybe suggest: 10/20/10/0/30. This setup’d give a guy most of the benefits of high Dueling, some addon from Domination, and some extra toughness from Chaos.
Gearwise, you could always go for a mix of Carrion and Rabid, I think most folk roll that kinda loadout. As for Runes, depends. I stick with 6 Superior Runes of the Undead, but I’m [as admitted] not full-shatter specced.

Hopefully that helps out.

/shrug Depends on the person, I’d say. I’ve dug that combo from Day 1. Now, if I could only get MH pistols … :P

CrazyAce.3842:

Interesting. What’s your trait build like?

0/25/15/0/30:
I slot fury on phants/clone on dodge [dueling]
random condi on clone-death[chaos]
Illusions depends:
PvE, it’s usually compounding power/distortion grants reflection/illusionary persona.
PvP, it’s master of confusion/blind on glamours/confusion on blind. I keep feedback/null field under utilities. Lock a sucker down between m. bullet/i. leap, and melt ’em with their own attempts to attack. Or, slap one of those 2 on a wall defending group.

I’m running around in a Talkhora set, atm … staff + sword/pistol. Likin the combo of extra condi/healing/vit/toughness. Rabid spec on trinkets. As for build, I tend to stay heavy dueling/illusions, but have tried about everything but high inspiration builds.

First, allow me to apologize for the impending text-wall …

Gryph.8237:

You are asking the Dev’s not only to educate us, but to care about the Necromancer class, and to care what the necro community thinks. However, let’s be honest, they don’t. The necro class is an afterthought class, and the classes the devs do play, have steadily been addressed and fine tuned. You can tell mesmers, thieves and warriors are their babies.

Take it from a guy who mains Mesmer [and is working on a Necro atm] ; Mesmer is – most assuredly – not ANet’s baby.

Fact is, many of your ‘successful’ Mesmer spreads (especially pvp-wise) are based around the same few tricks: massive clone generation/shatter/rinse and repeat. Failing that, then it’s generally high Toughness/condition dmg builds. As for downsides:

-Phantasms and the failure to summon them due to wacky ‘LoS’ issues. (Frankly, if the enemy can see me to attack, why can’t I consistently drop a Zerker or Duelist on his kitten )

-The slowest movespeed in game, especially after every other prof packs at least +25 movement, and Mesmer’s closest analogues are: Focus 4 [12 sec swiftness/20 sec c/d, untraited] or Signet of Inspiration [random % swiftness].

-Mesmer’s own version of ‘strange trait synergies.’ For instance, I’ve been experimenting with a glamour-reliant high-confusion build [mainly for pvp]. The traits modifying confusion are spread over 3 gods-kittening Trait lines, ya know [Domination – (confusion on glamours)/Dueling – (confusion on clone-death)/Illusions – (longer confusion duration)].

-The recent sneak-nerf to Illusionary Membrane trait [3 sec. protection when you gain regeneration, now with a 15 sec. in-built c/d]. This somewhat reduces the effectiveness of ‘tank’ Mesmers.

As for my Necro, I’m definately in agreement with the following issues:

-Minion AI/Reanimator problems. There’s a reason my current spread is slanted towards Fear dmg/BiP/Wells/Marks/Plague Form, and my weapon spread is s/d, staff for marks.

-CC would be much better if things like S. Grasp or Dark Pact were a bit more trustworthy for hit proccing.

-If ANet truly considers Necros to be poison-heavy, then – absolutely – I would like to see a few more methods to work that into the mix. As is, my main source of poison is currently Plague Form, since I can slap a few more conditions alongside the basics.

-Stability. Seems a lot harder to manage as a Necro.

Personally, all I want [for any class, tbh.] is the same degree of foresight and dedication applied across the board, so that no class needs to utilise a limited set of ‘cookie-cutter’ build options to succeed.

There is an alternate possibility.

Considering that multiple parts of lore (how humans came to Tyria, a ‘certain’ Asura storyline) allow for time/dimensional transit; is it impossible to be a temporally or dimensionally shifted person? A human [for instance] from a dimension closer to ours would not necessarily know of – or believe in – the Six.

@MrsAngelD: I did the exact opposite [80 Mesmer, then 80 Ele.] – I’d have to say both have a tricky learning curve. Both are hella fun, though, and can be outright brutal.

Well, Ramiah – that was the lower range of cute-n-deadly. Just imagine the addiction that will set in once you make a female Asura alt …

If anyone built the local equivalent of Skynet, it’d definately be the Asura. Screw it, how do we know Mr. Sparkles ISN’T already prepped for the takeover?

Heh, now Svanhild – there’s a classic ‘Nordic Tailkicker’ name.

Only one Norn here: Skuld Thunderhand, given the second name due to being an Engineer with an affinity for explosives/hand-cannons.

Sigil Fane, male commoner Necromancer. No lore interpretation, just a name I’ve used in other games [video games/MUDs/etc] over the years. Usually some form of “Undead,” thus his GW2 class.

This is an interesting idea. In fact – considering the traditional uses of Daggers – I’ve always been surprised there’s not at least an offhand option for Dagger. It could slot in as a defense/trickery weapon. Of course, considering we’re dealing with a class of ‘magical duelists,’ it’s arguable that some of our weapon choices don’t fit that theme much. [GS is a ‘dueling’ weapon? :P]

As for fractal’s idea – the main problem is that to do ‘proper’ Rapier [i.e. mainly a thrusting sword] is that we’d have to convince ANet to code in Rapier and its associated combo/specials. Although, it could be pretty friggin stylish.

Hell, I’d even be satisfied with some style options/skins for our current loadout. Why not Fan skins for Focus?

I’ve run sword/pistol and staff for swapout for a while, and s/p stays viable. Went 0/20/30/0/20 for Traits, although my Dueling Traits are usually slotted for: Blade Training and Duelist’s Discipline. My build’s heavy on prec/toughness/condi, and I run some decent c/d on both weapon sets.

I’ll agree that your spread has more evasive potential [I’ve run those 2slotted in Dueling before], but in my case, I use Debilitating Dissipation/Chaotic Interruption/Chaotic Dampening [on Chaos Trait slots] along with Confusing Cry/Masterful Reflection [Illusions Traits].

This way, I typically start rotation in staff, with the improved c/d from C. Dampening. This [along with Mirror Images or Clone in a util slot] allows for a fast 2-3 clone drop. Swap over to S/P, Magic Bullet into ILeap for stun/lockdown. Chain the ILeap for it’s second hit and close distance. At this point, once the enemy starts slapping down damage, there’re 2 methods to reflect some damage back at their face: 3-clone shatter on Cry of F., for confusion/retaliation – or – Blurred Frenzy for invuln/reflection. Then, swap to staff, ground zero C. Storm yourself and P. Retreat backwards. The combined Winds from staff auto and P. Retreat clone will buff you and slap conditions on the enemy. Then swap back to S/P, and either snipe a bit [P. Duelist] or ILeap/ILeap 2nd/Blurred. Truth told, the Blade Training is probably not needed … sword c/d on Mesmer’s not too horrid by default, and -iirc- B. Frenzy’s not even effected by it, c/d-wise. Also, any clones/phantasms the enemy kills off’ll slap a random condition on them, due to Debilitating Dissipation. The major issue here is watching how many enemies are nearby, since M. Bullet/WoC hit multiple targets.

Of course, this kinda biz is why I love Mesmer. Even post-nerf, we still have some intriguing combat options. Another possible spread I’ve semi-played with is S/P and S/F, specifically for staying in melee and controlling enemy movements. You’ll lose range, but with your Duelling Traits, it could be interesting.

Honestly, considering Sylvari adaptability, they’d make the perfect ‘Dark Horse’ in this kind of situation. It’s not as if they lack [trade] access to the technology of both Charr and Asura, let alone their own botanically-derived equipment and minions. They also seem to lack a lot of the other races’ inbuilt prejudices [excepting our good … friends … in the Nightmare Court].

The real issue would be: the number of potential combatants of any race involved in such a conflict. This is potentially another situation where other races would have a disadvantage. Any Sylvari is effectively ‘adult’ from the get-go, whereas Asura/Human/Charr/Norn all have “X” years of childhood to undergo.

Now, the Asura have a potential balance: namely Golems. This does depend on a few factors:

a.) Golem manufacturing speed.
b.) Golem reliability [which, to judge from in-game logic … seems to be troublesome]
c.) Golem power requirements.

As for Charr, I’d agree with the concept that – even accounting for their military precision and technology – they’d kitten well need a leader with the Claw of the Khan-Ur. Otherwise, it’s possibile to exploit inter-Legion squabbling to derail their war efforts. Let alone the meat needs for a race of nigh-pure carnivores of THEIR size.

Norns are insanely buff, but their general individualistic attitude would make any organized war effort a pain of absolutely monumental proportions. Getting them to form an actual army’d be like pulling teeth, sans Novocaine.

Humans have entirely too many problems to realistically get in the middle of this kind of feces-storm. If it’s not political issues vs. Jennah, it’s White Mantle. If not WM, Centaurs. And so on.

Ah, well – I think I’ve slapped down enough textwall for now. Do enjoy.

Honestly, I’d half kill for the following:

Ivy or bramble-style hair.
Body thorns [primarily on the limbs, but YMMV]
T1 and 2 weapons that are NOT shared with Asura. :P

Overall, I like the main ideas mentioned by previous posters … why not rock more options?

The ones I ended up are mostly cribbed from the Arthurian bit:

Malegryne [Mesmer, and general main char.]
Gorlois [Guardian, and the ‘new kid’]

My Ele [Maeve Windcaller] is more of a general ‘Celtic-style’ name, I had to add a secondary nameset due to the first being swiped. It works, considering she’s an Air/Water/Arcane user [mainly].

I’m surprised this idea hasn’t been mentioned yet. I main a Sylvari Mesmer: they rock rather trenchcoat-esque wardrobe, and can be equipped with dual swords. I’d say that combo’d work for ALO-era [especially considering his ‘racial specialties,’ then], or swap into human for SAO-style.