Guild Wars 2

Meh. This game really needs one “balance” dev per class. By “per class,” I mean actually plays; if not mains each class. Then, we might finally see some of this bug-cyclopedia bleeding dealt with.

Curunen.8729:

Eye Two.1538:

Beta and release a little different skill .. You can see the skill beta that changed before release. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V6Ckj6--Z0

Wouldn’t mind ditching ileap and replacing it with leap and swap back to your clone.

If they’re so worried about swap then being an easily accessible stunbreak, they could just do the same as phase retreat and remove the stun break – just keep it as a normal in combat blink.

They could … but that’d require a certain degree of common sense. And, in regards to Mesmers, it seems common sense left the building quite some time ago. /shrug

My Norn’s named Skuld Thunderhand

And this is why plant-dudes get all the ladies. (And occasionally dudes, too …)

They futz with Staff more than they already have … I don’t even have words for my reaction to that tomfoolery.

Honestly, I’m with the faction that mainly has an issue with the bugs ANet chooses to fix.
Hell, what do we have here:

• IMage frigging blows, wholesale.
• IWarden broken for no real reason
• Still no IE working with clones
• An interesting usage of Power Block hotfixed
• Glamour DOA for months
• Triumphant Distortion with a ninja’d-in ICD
• Pathing issues/LOS mechanics that should never have been greenlighted in their extant state

And, of all the things the Devs do, they muck about with iLeap? The thing that ticks folks off is right in front of us. No. Sense. Of. Proportion. The class as a whole is bugged to the bleeding hilt, and there is minimal sign of that status being changed for the better. Hells, yes – folk are perturbed. Why wouldn’t this be the case?

Can’t blame you, or Pyro. Hell, only reason I’ve been on for a good couple of months now is Plot or Guild Missions. As far as other games, TERA for me (until stuff like Archeage, Bless, and Black Desert hit over hereabouts, at least); would try DN, but Nexon leaves a bad taste in my mind, tbh.

PU Lockdown can be (kinda) done. The major issue is you’re losing CI, which is a hella fun trait for Lockdowns. Otherwise, you’re running a similar set to what I’ve been screwing around with lately. Although, I remove Veil in lieu of the signet o’ stun, and generally roll with GS/Staff.

Right. My opinions are about the same as they were once the new traits were unveiled.

• P. Block: IMHO should get at least part of the “bugged” version back. Namely because there were some interesting uses then
• Triumphant: I’m still waiting for what the class was freaking promised, re: this Trait. Kindly drop the ICD, already.
• Bountiful: I havent used it, but it feels to be in a weird place for a trait that’d help a boonshare/shatter combo.
• Disruptor’s: Needs to DIAF, yesterday.
• Maim: I use it myself on occasion, but tbh … it really needs the stacks/shatter upped. One idea would be to do it like its Confusion-causing cousin, although adding the “double stack” effect to another Shatter. I personally think putting it as Mind Wrack = extra Torment could work out.

New weapons are “acceptable.” At the same time, what about rearranging some of the current weaponry for different classes. For example:

• Mesmer and MH Pistol
• Ranger with Staff (I’m thinking a kinda plant control vibe here)

Those are just a couple of fast examples, but I’m sure folk see the point in general.

Hmmm. I’m not the most experienced Guardian player, but I could see one (potential) method of adding another damage condition.

• Considering that a lot of the class’ abilities relate to Fire and Light, perhaps a method of Light-based condi damage? Could put it in the Radiance line, for instance.

Regarding ranged combat, my own opinion is that it’d be interesting to add a Crossbow weapon.

Heh. This business is why I never went past Celestial Trinkets. Celestial can somewhat “work” on a Mesmer, but you’re honestly best not going full Celestial, if you’re set on trying it. You’ll lose entirely too much, and not make up said loss.

(OTOH, once I tossed those trinkets on my Engi … that’s some nastiness. She might just be keeping ’em for a bit.)

RE: Arantheal
With all due respect. That weapon design would allow Confusion with higher base timers than Mesmers generally get away with. So, how then would Mesmer still be an “Unchallenged Master” of Confusion?
Now, only part of the overall issue lies in your idea. Fact is, Perplexity Runes themselves indicate precisely how … “leery” ANet is regarding class-bound Confusion mechanics. Especially the base timers. Neither Mesmer or Engineer walks around with that kind of native duration (not easily, at least). And neither possess an ability that burns Confusion stacks present upon the enemy.
With that in mind, imagine the setup of:

• Full Perplexity
• P/S weapon combo
• Pry Bar (and/or) BoB

As is, that combo alone can whip out some hefty Confusion. Then add Overcharge > Charged Ground > Chaotic Discharge double-tap. Needless to say, the last time a class could easily plop (from its own skillset) that kind of Confusion … well, I call it the WvW Confusion Debacle for a reason.
Take it from a Mes main, you wouldn’t just eat Confusion nerfs on this: they (ANet) would most likely nerf things only related to the Confusion damage by proxy, as well. In an Engineer’s case, you might see a stack drop on every Confusion ability you possess in-class, and certain “tie-in” abilities (for example Forceful) dropped a notch simply because they can be used for Confusion purposes.

• Human’s logical due to lore aspects (prevalence of known NPC Mesmers, the existence of Lyssa as patron diety to both Thief/Mesmer)
• Sylvari’s also logical due to the race’s known curiosity.
• Asura’s logical due to their known facility with magic and magitech.
• Norn can work depending on which of the Spirits they’re most favored by.
• Honestly, Charr’d be the closest to an outlier in this situation. Although, Charr are known pragmatists, and would definitely use a Mesmer’s powers for the good of the Legions. Most likely Ash, since they <3 the sneaky folk.

Considering Phoenix generates an actual phoenix-shaped effect, I’ve always wondered why FG doesn’t manifest as a largish flame-hand that snags the enemy in it’s grip.
It’d still be a “telegraphed” move, for certain … and depending on how code would handle that specific visual effect, it might then hit more regularly.

Well, doubleomar. You’ve got at least some cross-profession support, I would guess.
I main Mesmer and Thief, but play my Engi regularly enough that I Do. Not. Want.
her swank-as-hell Nornwear ruined by hobosacks anymore.

Hell, if we can’t completely remove the blasted things, than at least grant multiple appearance options for them. Seriously.

Ironically, last time I ran my Engi (coupla nights back, roughly), this exact convo came up.
Why isn’t there a Mobile Turret option? Hell, they could put propellers on the buoys for underwater turrets, and little clockwork legs on the ground version. It’d look pretty cool, and fit the class’ overall aesthetic.

Af for PierPiero’s comment: Here’s the rub, honestly. It would be well and fine for Engi to lack a proper melee option … in an MMO where range/melee are equivalent in damage potential. GW2 is not that game, as we all know. And realistically, Mace or Hammer would the only current melee weapons arguable for Engi use. Wrench is decent, sure; but the desire for at least one standard, non-Kit melee weapon isn’t -imo- unreasonable.

That’s why I said condiguards need (mainly) another inbuilt condition. Hell, I have a Carrion/Dire’d-up Guard. And no, I wouldn’t get rid of Supreme Justice for EF (especially since I also run Permeating Wrath).
But let’s be realistic here. 300% C.Dmg increase (on any ability) is honestly a no-go. Hell, do you want to see condiguards walkin’ around with ~4500-6000 C.Dmg ToW? Add this to Burning, which IIRC is the highest-damaging condition in game?
As for EF, it’s a sacrifice play. Do you want guaranteed doublecasts of a Tome’s #5 skill? Or do you desire stronger Virtues? Folding EF into Tomes alone would be one mother of an upgrade, let alone with the C.Dmg boost you’re suggesting.

Hell, ToW is the last concern for making condiguards viable. Free Retal during its duration, which -if you’re Traiting for RR- is then scaled directly with C. Dmg stat.
If anything, condiguards need another Condition to mess with, so as to be able to keep the Burn solid on fools.
As for EF; be glad you have one Trait -and only at Master- that effects every single Elite the class packs.

As much as I hate to see one of my servermates getting taken to school … that’s a very good point. I know I, at least, would leave APT/IP right where they are. At least you can kill an Engi and his turrets become useless … eating regular crit-burn off ICD is a freaking animal to get smacked with.

Torment/Energy on pistols. Thinking Doom or Hydro on shield. Would mention Rifle but it’s set for power dmg.

S/F; S/P for dungeons.
Otherwise, I’m generally mainlining Staff. It’s just too bleeding useful in most content.

One can fairly argue that they’re too focused on making $$ over in China to handle pressing NA issues with class functionality and customization.

• Hobosacks
• Persistent clipping issues
• Mesmer’s obscenely long buglist
• Thief P/P set/Traps/amount of skills unusable underwater
• Ranger Pet names/AI/Longbow QOL
• <Insert other issue here>

The worst part is; fixing issues like this will only serve to increase the money ANet and their investors make. Happy players are more likely to toss some spare bucks here and there. Meh.

1. Arcane Thievery. It’s the ol’ “Bait ’n Switch,” just applied to status effects. Use from stealth so the other guy’s got no kitten clue he’s about to get some.
2. Decoy. Who complains about a Stealth/stunbreak/clone-dump, that sidesteps that annoying Revealed stuff?
3. The Prestige. The only Blast Finisher we pack, plus controllable Burning and Stealth.
   I swear, if IMage were only half so stylish … /cry

Sylvari. Who else can glow the same colors as their butterflies? Not to mention, you get the cool levitating GS autoattack.

Blink, like ILeap likes to be a wierdo with pathing. A stray blade of polygonal grass can wonk it out. And believe you me, it’s not just this game’s teleport pathing.
Now, yes … I’d love if it worked better on inclines. I don’t remember how many times I died from that, in the beginning.

Goodness. As if Mesmers didn’t have enough problems? Been holding off of trying the Gauntlet again, specifically due to the Liadri bug. As for the Anomaly, I can’t directly confirm this one (been running my Engi for Fractals), but I’m not one bit surprised.
You’re not a Mesmer unless you get (at least!) one weirdo bug per patch, it seems. >_<

Warden’s been kittened ever since the one patch where they “fixed” him to follow your enemy. Go figure, most Mesmers used him as a stationary reflector/Whirl Finisher.
With how long most Mesmer bugs take to get dealt with, expect 6-12 more months of this bullkitten.

Crossplay.2067:

If you want nerfs undone so you’ll be more useful in zergs, it should be the Glamour build ones. They allowed a coordinated handful of mesmers to take out an entire zerg.

I’m sure quite a few Mesmer players would jump for frigging joy if that happened.
Hell, I could work up some nasty business if ANet’d just revert the Blinding Befuddlement nerf, as ridiculous and unneeded as it was …

Meh. There is only one contention to be made about the idea that Mesmers somehow need to do “poorly” in raids, due to 1v1 prowess. (Mind you, this same contention also directly counters the -arguably outdated- class description from the game’s launch).

Namely that the game is not now -and never will be- balanced around 1v1 combat.

Honestly, the argument of needing a tad bit more to do in large-scale combat is
not nearly as unfair as some might think. Indeed, the same argument can be -and has been- made by Thieves, in that Venoms aren’t terribly effective in anything past a 5-man group.

So, let’s consider that -as we can probably all agree- that Mesmers now are a degree
less efficient in large-scale combat than they once were. Let’s also consider that the
“Zerg Ball” business got a lot more prevalent with the WvW Confusion damage being nerfed by 50%. Is it then unrealistic to want something other than Utility-Duty?

C/D = Cooldown.
Nothing wrong with Necro or Thief, honestly. Especially when both have garbage access to Stability, and can generally be bounced around/interrupted like noone’s business.

No, EPurple … that is not just a tooltip issue. You see, Distortion is a “pure” Invulnerability. As for Blurred Frenzy, it once provided “Blur” as a sort of “Not-Distortion-but-good-enough” Invulnerability. This was changed some months ago, where the “Blur” became an Evade.
(That would have been fine, but the move was then hit with a second nerf, in the form of a lengthened C/D. Meh )

Carighan.6758:

cheshader.5081:

Apparenlty, it was fixed at the cost of Pyro being banned.
Anet, I don’t even…
It’s getting beyond ridiculous, seriosly.

As far as I know, calling for Dev-spamming is a bannable forum thing. I mean, the moderators don’t exactly make the rules, they just enforce them.

Be realistic, Carighan. Calls for “Dev Spamming” would not be needed or done, if Mesmer had a better record, RE: bug fixes.
As for the Mods: There’s the letter of the law, and the spirit of same. Think you might swing Pyro a break, all things considered?

I’m surprised Engineers lack Mobile Turrets as a Trait. It’d be funny to see ’em lurching along on metallic legs.

Simonoly.4352:

It would probably be better for Anet to reverse the ICD of Blinding Befuddlement and up the Confusing Enchantment stacks from 1 to 2, to revive those heavy trait investment builds. Anet could even introduce a Grandmaster trait that increases confusion damage by 25% in a similar vein to Poison Master on Ranger. It could even replace Disruptor’s Sustainment which is as unnecessary and redundant as Grandmaster traits get.

This could work. Hell, BB should have never been nerfed in the first place. And I won’t argue against useful Traits.

I’ll interject one thing, here.
Namely that Engineers had to have picked up Alchemy from somewhere. And unlike “real-world” Alchemy, which can at least be argued to have been something of an early Chemistry (in certain regards), Tyrian Alchemy creates some decidedly non-technological effects. Elixir S, anyone?
With this in mind, the tech cross-over my earlier post mentions can be said to have happened for the class from the start. (Although Elixirs that don’t create changes which completely crap on Conservation of Mass can still be argued as Charr combat-drugs …)
As for the Snaff arguement; let’s be honest, here. If Mesmers weren’t effectively “Denial Magic” users by the GW lore, their abilities could easily be argued as ESP and holographic manipulation, rather than codified Sorcery. /shrug

Heh. This kind of post actually needs to go into the profession forum. I only say this, because the same issue with conditions versus direct DPS affects every class in GW2.
And you’re absolutely correct as far as the overall issue. Hell, I prefer condition builds, but we all know how relatively ineffective they are in PvE.
So, let me second this concept. Many of us, the players of GW2, would indeed like to
see condition (and heavy control) builds become more useful in PvE. There are two main barriers to this happening:

1. The way in which condition stacks are calculated and applied in PvE. Particularly the issue with stacks being overwritten.
   Could we get things to where each stack contributor is either; a.) separately applied in PvE. Or perhaps ; b.) the 25 stack cap remains, but is then an average between multiple condition users. This could at least help to make condi builds more viable
   versus bosses.

1. Defiant needs either reworked with an internal decay rate, or honestly removed.
   There is a world of difference between merely making control harder on bosses, and making it bleeding well impossible. I would honestly say that Unshakeable is a more “fair” method, seeing as it just weakens CCs, as opposed to outright negation.

I’ve got Emberglow, atm. Between that and Occultist’s Flame, it looks like I’m dualwielding torches.

For some time, I’ve wanted to see more “options” in how player-character technology appears. Considering how many Engineers are Asura (or in the case of Scarlet, and one would assume others) trained by Asura, how is it that most Engineer equipment has a more Charr-esque appearance? If nothing else, there should be skin options floating around to modify how each character’s Kits and Gadgets look.

As for the overall “tech-levels,” let’s be honest, here. The only thing the Charr are lacking, in comparison to “standard” Earth technology, would be be computers,
high-order physics equipment, and aerospace technology. Which is pretty frigging impressive, considering that they’ve gone effectively from pre-Columbian to roughly WW2-era in ~250 years. At this rate, it wouldn’t take them long to get to where our own sciences are at.

By comparison, the Asura have hit Clarke’s law, groped its naughty bits, and ran off snickering. Even though they definitely utilize Magick, one can also make a fair argument that they’ve got actual scientific principles alongside its use. The only problem, is that they’re also fractious and arrogant as a species. If this weren’t the case, I could see their experiments becoming a lot more codified, and thus more predictable in use.

One advantage I can see, for Engineers in general, is that the Pact unites these differing
technologies for its purpose. As such, it’s not terribly impossible to predict that we’ll eventually start seeing both “sides” of the tech divide beginning to cross-pollinate ideas between one another.

Bombs (IIRC) scale better from Condition Dmg. than from Power. Thus, it’d then be more workable to run Antitoxin > Melandru, in that case. Not to mention, Antitoxin is loads cheaper than Melandru, at least back when I bought my set.

Let’s plop that Ring on Kazmeer. It’d be kinda funny to see what happens to an insane Mesmer. Plus, I just want less unstylish, Plot-OP’d, NPC Mesmers.

As for the actual point of the thread, I’m torn between Lunaria or Khilbron’s … depends on which build I’m running, tbh.

The problem with a less RNGesus’d Staff is in the naming of multiple of its abilities. As we already know (from the Chaos Traitline’s general feel), anything “Chaos” named is going to be heavy on the RNG. As such, there’s probably always going to be a gambler’s feel on Staff.

Now, as for the abilities of the weapon:

• Winds of Chaos: I’m generally a fan of swapping Vuln for Chill, or another “Soft CC” Condition. But, that’s just me.
• Phase Retreat: Considering ANet’s record of “fixing” Mesmer weapon skills, I’m going to plant a ginormous glowing sign here that says *"Do NOT Touch!"
• P. Warlock: Pathing and/or speed. His damage and the conditions for maxing it are
  fine.
• Chaos Armor: Revert to pre-nerf behavior
• Chaos Storm: Also revert to pre-nerf behavior (IIRC, it used to be lower C/D)

And, the general Staffie QoL Fix:

• IE. Working with clones. Yesterday. >_<

Sylvari, with a (wooden) bullet. What other race can match their own glow with that of their illusions? Not to mention, there are enough humans crappin out butterflies, especially if you include plot characters.

Mesmer possesses all of your listed Control methods. It’s merely a matter of certain mechanics needing a slight push upward to where they “should” reside.

For example; Mesmer currently has reasonable abilities in both:
* Hard CC (ItV; IWave, other Interrupt abilities), as well as …
* Soft CC (Chill/Cripple/Blind and Daze, from multiple sources)
Mesmers are downright brutal at the “Projectile” subset of Denial, as any of us know.

• Feedback
• Traited Focus
• Untraited Warden
• Medic’s Feedback
• Mirror
• Masterful Reflection

As for Punishment, it depends on the “method” of punishing opponents.

• Confusion
• Torment
• Retaliation
• Reflection
  (Retaliation and Confusion would be the ones that need a nudge back into spec. Both were much more punishing, before what I refer to the WvW Confusion Debacle…)

As for what I consider the most “controlling” in WvW? I’d vote for Hard CC. Hammer-train’s considered a Zerg’s frontline for a reason. That crap hits you, you’re not packing enough stunbreak/invuln/et cetera to shake off more than a few repetitions.
Once the 4th Hammer smacks you in the face, you’re pretty much shagged. And then, you’ve got Static Fields plopped down on top of the H-Train. But that’s just my opinion, as far as WvW is considered.

Heh. Smells like my old Perplexity condirupt. 0/4/6/0/4, Staff/Sword/Focus, MoD on bar.
Needless to say, it can definitely break fools down. As can the 0/4/6/4/0 spec.

First, they’d need to UN-Nerf Blinding Befuddlement. That Trait used to have no ICD, at all. It was a casualty of the WvW Confusion Debacle.

I can agree with Confusing Enchantments. Hell, if you wanted to make it 3/per, simply make it a GM Trait.

Chaotic Interruption could work as follows: Always procs Immobilize, random chance of Chill/Blind/or Confusion. It would finally place a “Confusion on Interrupt” Trait in the (correct!) hands of Mesmers, without reliance on Perplexity 6/6.
Or: Hell, it’s a kittening GM Trait. A stack of Confusion and the Immobilize, with random chance of Chill/Blind … I would think is “workable.” (I say one stack Confusion, since I’d rather avoid Yet. Another. ICD. That bullkitten ruins otherwise good Traits, y’know.)

Wastrel’s could keep the 5%, but also apply Weakness?

As for the rest, I’m not the best Mantra-mes out there. I’ll leave those to someone a bit more <ahem> experienced.
I’d prefer to merely modify the stack number for Confusing Combatants, since it is pretty good in clone-death specs.

Nah. Karmic Infusion. MF is still heavy RNG, even at higher ranges. Gold drops aren’t generally enough to justify Gilded. Now, Karma … especially after that ~90% cutback ANet pulled out on folks … that’s justifiable.

I stopped using it on my Necro once I noticed that it’s as wonky as the other “pathed” grab/gap-closer skills. Unfortunate, really … especially since I could see it slotting in well with my Superior Grenth-specced condi build.
Honestly, I might slot the bastid more often, and simply use it from closer range.

Right. One thing that’s bugging me, comments-wise. P/D does not have Unload. It does have a Sneak Attack what slaps a nice chunk of Bleeds on the target . Besides that; don’t let them close in on you with that OH Dagger, that opens up Shadow Strike for a couple stacks worth of Torment, and/or Cloak and Dagger. If they try Hide in Shadows, Interrupt that silliness and burst ’em hard.

Necros: Stability or Invulns. (Especially now that Fear counts as an Interrupt.) CC the hell outta Necros, they have poor access to Stability, and will get bounced around left and right. Although, be wary of their ability to invert your Boons or manipulate Conditions against you. If anything, these guys (and Engis) are why I typically run Arcane Thievery. Steals some of their goodies, and tosses some of those nasty condis back in their face. (Especially funny against Plague/Lich … swipes their Stability)

Engis are just annoying to fight. They pack painful amounts of CC, AoE and Conditions, and typically can take enough hits to keep giving you issues. You’re generally going to have to out-smart these guys. Crap out a spare clone, go sneak mode, hit them from unexpected angles. Do not eat the Magnet/Prybar combo. Definitely don’t get a Supply Crate to the face. Do expect ’nades or Bombs to be used when you close in on ’em. (Especially since ’nades are a lot easier/faster to spam as PBAoE.)

Definitely Control, with side orders of Support and DPS. Hell, the lore “magic-type” is enough of a clue as to Mesmer’s (and Thief’s) “Role;” namely Denial Magic (IIRC).
Unfortunately, our role is impinged by two main issues:

• Control mechanics being mostly neutered in PvE, due to the Defiant bullkitten.
• The fact that class utility gets right in the way of our punishment mechanics being
  properly set up/fixed. We all know the usual “But, but … you have Timewarp and
  Portal! You don’t need bugs fixed!” whinging.