Guild Wars 2

Jeez. No one can get nice things without people crying and making it worse for everyone.

SlimChance.6593:

I watch the trait reveallast night, and Roger Gee specifically said that TW cooldown stays at 180 seconds. BUT it does get affected by the new Glamour trait “Temporal Enchanter”

Drat.

Did someone say… Boonstorm?!

With the updated traits, it’s never been a better time to play a support Mesmer and like with other build-types, we have options! From how the traits are looking, we’ll be able to create sustain/healer-type Mesmer and boon-sharing Mesmer. Tealots and I have been tossing around different ideas, but I wanted to share some of the research I’ve been doing to see if anyone else has any insights or could pick up something I missed. Here’s what I’m juggling:

http://intothemists.com/calc/?build=-RZ-FF;0kUk61S7kW-71;9;4UVS;0257247048;4d3X4U;1F-03F-035J

• Sword+Focus/Staff or Staff/Greatsword
• DOMINATION: Confounding Suggestions, Signet Mastery, Power Block
• CHAOS: Master of Manipulation, Chaotic Dampening, Chaotic Interruption/Bountiful Disillusionment
• INSPIRATION: Medic’s Feedback, Warden’s Feedback/Restorative Illusions, Illusionary Inspiration

CURRENT PROS

• Boonsharing over 9000! With Mimic-Signet, Signet, and trait, we’re tripling over on our boonsharing. Do a little /dance in Chaos Storm, interrupt one or two folks, and let the boons fly.

• AoE Distortion With all these signets, it won’t be hard to protect allies with some team-wide distortion. Don’t forget that F4 distortion should also count… Which does make me curious about Signet of Illusions.

• Decent damage With the addition of iPerosona and iElasticity, our damage output should definitely be respectable especially if speccing Chaotic Interruption

• Dat Lockdown Tho I really just wanted Signet Mastery.. But hey, why not guarantee a stun when Chaos Storm dazes? Why not inflict weakness on enemies along with Immobilize and Blind/Cripple/Chill? All the better for iWarlock, which would gain a 30% damage boost per interrupt.

CURRENT ISSUES

• Bountiful Disillusionment(BD) vs Chaotic Interruption(CI) – While BD seems like the obvious choice here, I can’t help but keep glancing over at Chaotic Interruption. BD now offers some fantastic boons, such as Vigor and Fury, to allies while granting a decent amount of shareable Stability. Chaotic Interruption is more of a gamble, but offers a bigger reward. Using Focus/Staff it isn’t uncommon to interrupt 2 or more people with a single Temporal Curtain or Chaos Storm, and since each interrupt grants 5x Might + a random boon, CI could offer a better payoff. (Yes, I realize I barely abbreviated CI. xD)

• Zerker Amulet While this build isn’t meant to burst people down, I have always struggled to find a reason not to use Zerker in a power build. Especially now with such frequent access to protection! The problem, though, is in the role of the build. Would Celestial be better? Perhaps Valkyrie to stay alive longer? Uncertain still.

• No Deceptive Evasion I don’t know if DE is necessary here, since this a team build and if I’m in a 1v1, I’m doing something wrong. But.. Its DE. That’s a loss to both offense AND defense.

• No Blink/Decoy Still torn here, but I’m hoping Signet of Midnight’s stunbreak/Distortion/Cleanse along with Bountiful Disillusionment’s Stability should provide enough defense.

test footage
Zerker
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=emDqmVPHkaw

bunker
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4FJHe3H3LAU

duels with Skcamow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYT303aRVRU

Ah.. Decisions. So far the build is shaping up to herald in a glorious return of boonsharing, but still has a few utility kinks to work out. I’d love to hear any and all opinions on how to optimize!

NEW CLIPS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6S3N7FrVS4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8qTaOC1G-o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjEtEu8nuBw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnIpTXefOSM

MATCH FOOTAGE (WITH NOTES)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEu8v0RD8Ps

Hype.. Intensifies!

Fay.2357:

Honestly not sure why you’re bothering to dignify this thread with responses at this point, chaos. This is the type of one that I just sorta point and laugh at.

Because Nelson was my least favorite Simpson’s character. =P

quBit.6437:

I think you misunderstand. I dont mean that f5 wouldn’t be enough of compensation. I mean that seeing f5 as being a compensation is wrong, because there is nothing that has to be compensated for.
I’m not complaining that mesmer gets less than other classes. It’s the other way around, i think mesmer got more than other classes which seems unfair.
Basicly, the chronomancer is a mesmer but it gets the f5 on top of the existing mesmer mechanics. Other classes only get skill mechanics (f-skills) replaced, not added. So chronomancer is a BUFF to mesmer, while let’s say reaper is an ALTERNATIVE to necromancer. Or dragonhunter, also is an ALTERNATIVE to guardian. Chronomancer is not an alternative like the others but just a flat out buff, and that’s a fact.

Not exactly.

Chronomancers aren’t just better versions of Mesmer. I agree that we don’t have as much of a tradeoff as other classes, but the tradeoff we do have (sacrificing a traitline for the Chronomancer tree) is still significant, and builds will differ. Yes, we didn’t get our F-skills replaced, but we also got less than other classes in terms of skills. What I’m saying is, if our shatters had been replaced and we only got the offhand, then both Necro and Guardian would’ve ended up getting more than us.

I think that Robert Gee actually did a really clever job with the class design. Speccing into chronomancer means every core Mesmer build is losing something:

• Lockdown Mesmer either lose Dueling or Chaos Line
• Shatter Mesmer either lose Illusions or Domination
• Phantasm Mesmer lose .. uh.. Titus, tag in here?
• Condition Mesmer have no good traits in Chronomancy except Chronophantasma

Every buildtype has a mandatory traitline, Domination for lockdown, Dueling for shatter, ect. Deceptive Evasion, contrary what many believe, is still going to be an extremely important trait to grab, but every single tree has amazing choices to choose from. Going Chronomancer -& investing in Alacrity- means changing how you play, but it doesn’t mean all Chronomancer builds will be outright superior to core Mesmer.

quBit.6437:

Guys…. F5 is NOT a compensation for only getting a offhand weapon.
This would imply that every new elite specialisation weapon skill is better than the old weapon skills and therefore you need compensation because only getting 2 new OP skills leaves you with 3 old bad weapon skills on your skillbar.

I, um.. What?

quBit.6437:

That’s not how it works. Getting less NEW things, does not justify getting more POWERFUL things. this only works in an equation where ‘new = more powerful’.

I’m not understanding what you’re saying. How exactly would it be “fair” if we lost a shatter for f5 and still got shafted out of 3 new skills?

Necro got a new weapon GS, a set of shouts, AND a new Deathshroud that goes with the new weapon. They got 15 new skills altogether. Guardians only got a new weapon, some traps and 3 new virtues. Should they also be complaining?

SlimChance.6593:

What gets me a little irritated is that our new “Continuim Shift” F5 is supposed to compensate us for only getting the OH shield. And here in the trait changes, Engineer gets what? That’s right a new F5 kit. And we still haven’t seen his specialization or new weapon..

I feel that its not the extra button that counts, its what it does. Continuum Shift has far more possibilities and is much stronger than Engi’s F5. That’s not even considering Alacrity.

Engineers got a new kit, but we got so many buffs and reworks to core mesmer that I don’t see how we really could be mad or feel shafted in any way. Just look at Mimic, Moa, TimeWarp, ect.

frifox.5283:

I like the part where he said “Phantasmal Haste didn’t apply to some phantasms, like the swordsman” (paraphrase, not quote).

1. PH didn’t apply to 1 phantasm, not “some”.
2. It’s warden, not swordsman

Other than that, I’m actually very satisfied with his work. He added like 3 dimensions of complexity to the class, especially in PvE! That is exactly what I wanted, a playstyle or playstyles that are much more involved that the current meta of summon phantasms and hit 11111.

Could you elaborate on that a bit? How will PvE Mesmer be changing?

All the elites are actually good now.. I’ve grown so used to mass invis that its going to be odd using this signet.

@tetrodox: All glamours got their cooldowns reduced in this patch, it will be 144 base.

Windwalker.7421:

I do wonder what that “special extra” is that Anet promised the classes that only get an OH rather than a 2h or MH. I’m guessing they feel it’s already been revealed, but personally I haven’t seen anything that I attributed to that statement. I expected there would be something special about Shield that would make up for the missing button-abilities the 2h get.

I’m fairly certain alacrity and f5 -which would allow us to do things like put chaos storm on a 15 second cool down and spam it twice- meant to be “just as good.” and in my opinion I prefer continuum shift to three extra skills. Lots more possibilities.

OP is right, unlike other classes which got their mechanics changed, we only got add-ons.

Edited OP, almost forgot to mention blinding dissipation ! Paranoia is definitely one of the top of the list for testing

And good point sadrien, I actually hadn’t really thought about the staff trait there.

It will likely have the same CD as Defender, and be affected by traits like celerity.

Its a great trait, and I think it will see use. The ability to spit out three defenders near instantly (mimic → defender → summon defender → dodge defender ) is pretty kitten awesome, and could see the rise of a new type of bunker Mesmer when combined with mantra heals and the like.

It will likely have the same CD as Defender, and be affected by traits like celerity.

Its a great trait, and I think it will see use. The ability to spit out three defenders near instantly (mimic → defender → summon defender → dodge defender ) is pretty kitten awesome, and could see the rise of a new type of bunker Mesmer when combined with mantra heals and the like.

Why not ask the folks over in [Teef]? Bunch of good guys over in the thief guild.

That makes me extremely curious about Chronophantasma. It essentially allows us to summon, shatter and have the phantasms attack again, shatter, use signet to summon them again..

And then with Continuum Shift in the mix? Possibilities, yo.

That makes me extremely curious about Chronophantasma. It essentially allows us to summon, shatter and have the phantasms attack again, shatter, use signet to summon them again..

And then with Continuum Shift in the mix? Possibilities, yo.

Wow, can see that a lot of work went in to this, good stuff man.

I really hope threads like this help to encourage and push more variety in PvP. I’m thinking of a sword/sword + Greatsword phantasm build dipping into Dom/Dueling/Illusions.

Domination is mostly for Confounding, which will work amazingly well with offhands swords daze/stun, but I’m betting Furious Interrupt and Imagined Burden will also be pretty useful.

Dueling is to trait swords, but also for a bit more defense in Desperate Decoy and hey.. Deceptive Evasion always helps.

Illusions is easy, compounding power, phant haste, and blind-on-dodge.

for utilities Im still not certain, blink for sure.. But other than that I’m pretty torn. I’m thinking of running Mesmer runes, and likely Signet of Domination + Mimic. Perhaps even Moa Signet. (Signet of GG) If so, I may have to grab the signet trait over Furious Rupt. We shall see.

Oo.. The Psionic Swordsman shall rise.

TIPS AND TRICKS

• When cloaked, try to get behind your opponent to make it more difficult for them to retarget you.
• GREATSWORD burst tends to be Mirror Blade → Mind Stab → Shatter. Practice that until it all happens near instantly.
• STAFF is great for mobility, practice learning to Phase Retreat up ledges. Also, the staff actually performs better the closer you are to your opponents, this is especially important with abilities like Chaos Storm and iWarlock. Save Chaos Storm for when you’re going to swap weapons and cast it right before you do (such as Chaos Storm → ileap →Blurred)
• SWORD is an offensive and defensive weapon, with both Blurred Frenzy and iLeap having applications for both. Sometimes it helps to send your iLeap clone to a pet or NPC of some sort to give you 5 seconds of a stunbreak/teleport to get out of danger. ileap-swap is also an AOE immobilize
• TORCH does decent power damage with The Prestige when you exit stealth. Use this as additional damage on your shatter bursts.
• PISTOL phantasm makes opponents panic and often waste dodges trying to avodi the rain of bullets.
• OFFHAND SWORD may be a bit lackluster, but does the most damage of any offhand. It’s the hardest to learn and offers the least defenses, but both abilities hit for equally heavy damage.
• FOCUS is great for mobility and pulling people off ledges, obviously, but it’s also good for setting up choke points. The cripple from temporal curtain lasts a pretty long time and often discourages people from crossing it. iWarden omnomnom’s all over any projectile, making it ideal against Engineers, Rangers, Warriors, and Thieves (and soon Dragon Hunters).
• SCEPTER actually does very decent power damage. Confusing Images deals more damage than swords Blurred Frenzy

SAMPLE BUILDS (coming soon after patch)

ANALYZING YOUR OPPONENT
OK, so you guys have decided to run a few duels in order to really assuage where your tutoree (that a word? I felt pretentious writing “student” or “pupil”) is at skill-wise. There are a few things to look out for while you fight, and giving constructive advice will help keep your opponent motivated rather than simply beating them to the ground over and over until they don’t feel like getting back up.

• Do they panic? When you’re fighting someone more skilled than yourself, it’s easy to lose your composure as you flail around struggling not to die. Sometimes old habits like looking at your skills rather than the screen, dodging all over the place, or accidentally cancelling your skills because you’re in such a rush to cast something else will pop up.
  Make sure to tell them NOT to panic, and if they’re particularly new to the class try not to overwhelm them with too much at once. You want them juuust whelmed enough to react properly, even if this means slowing down your bursts or not capitalizing on an opportunity to finish the fight. The more confident the player feels in their abilities, the better they’ll be able to react with a clearer head and learn quicker.

• Are they wasting defenses? Check to see if they’re blowing distortion too soon, or starting the fight with both blink AND decoy. In general, unless you’re a veteran Mesmer you don’t want to start fights using Decoy for a quick stealth burst. It’s far more predictable than you’d think, since the opponent merely has to wait 2 seconds before casting Blurred Frenzy or some other defense.
  Make sure they’re not spamming dodges, and when they do make sure to punish them for it and explain to them WHY they just got blown up. Most people don’t realize that a single bar of endurance takes 10 seconds to refill (5 seconds with Vigor).

• Are they shattering? Here’s a biggie. Most people tend to struggle with Mesmer because they do not know how to use their shatters properly. Make sure to check to see if they’re shattering MindWrack at close range, dodge-shattering either offensively or defensively, using Cry of Frustration either for a bit of extra damage or boonstrip, ect.
  It helps to explain that as a general rule F1/F2 are offensive shatters while F3/F4 are defensive. The latter two shatters are harder to learn to use properly, so force your opponent to practice using F4 just to get comfortable with it. F3 tends to take the longest to master, so advice them to practice Dodge-shattering into f3 either for interrupts or to protect their escape.

• Are they creative? Do they do the same thing over and over? If each time you duel they end up in the dirt exactly as soon or faster than they did before, then something’s wrong. Likely, they’re getting predictable. Mesmer is a class that thrives on creativity, and becoming “average” or “usual” is our enemy. Rangers can spam 2 all day, Medi guards can get away with the same rotation over and over, but for a Mesmer we have to adapt to each situation uniquely. Our abilities are too telegraphed to expect the same thing to work over and over.
  Encourage them to try different forms of attack. Attack from stealth now and then, Blink into a shatter, let phantasms do their job for a little while you spam autoattack, anything to keep your opponent guessing!

(So this is a project I’d like for all of us to get involved in. There are a number of blanks where if anyone with the proper knowledge could fill it, it’d be much appreciated! Not going to add specific builds yet until the patch Tuesday. Anything you feel should be added, please feel free to suggest!)

While it can be difficult to learn to play Mesmer, it can also be hard to teach another player beyond constantly beating them up in duels.

When you decide to take another player and help them out, you’re not just showing them a few things: You’re helping them learn tactics and techniques that would’ve taken quite some time to learn on their own. If you’re going to take the time out to help someone, hopefully these tips will help make the lesson more informative and less time consuming.

ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTION
Sometimes a player doesn’t know what they want from their Mesmer. They just pick the class and go from there. Sometimes you’ve got to do a little prodding not just to find out what kind of build they want, but to help them figure out they playstyle and gametype they’d be most interested in exploring.

• “Do you wanna do? PvE (dungeons, fractals, or open world), PvP (casual or tournament), WvW (Solo, small group, or Zerg)?” Seems like a simple question, but people tend to often just ask “PvP, PvE, or WvW?” this isn’t specific enough to help someone find a build that’s right for them since each of those main cartegories can be broken up into sub-categories. As a general rule…

PvE – Open World Build (Someone halp!) Sword/ Focus – Greatsword
PvE – Dungeons, Fractals (Halp! Haaalp!):
PvP – Tournaments: Shatter, make sure they’re running greatsword.
PvP – Casual: can vary, nearly any build works.
WvW – Roaming:
WvW – Zerg:

• How long have you been playing Mesmer? This’ll help you get a feel for what to expect from the opponent. If they’ve been playing Mesmer for 3 months, they should at least know what each weapon does and how shattering works. If less than that, assume they know nothing. If they’ve been playing for over a year then you shouldn’t need to explain any mechanics to them and should just be able to proceed to dueling.

StickerHappy.8052:

Chaos Archangel.5071:

The Condi build in the list.

Stickers! We must train! And you must teach me the new Art of the Ranger.

Anytime, as long as you go on. LOL.

ESO has my heart at the moment, but I’ll definitely be on this weekend.

Maybe they’re keeping quiet on that front? I hope not. Boon duration is already hard enough to come by, I don’t wanna be pigeon-holed into taking crappy gear stats.

Allarius.5670:

What is this? No Inspirational Interruptions (6/0/6/6/0)?

As much as I love the inspiration line (My favorite tree actually) I hadn’t come up with anything as potentially strong as those builds listed. Nothing in Inspiration really supports lockdown, except mayyybe the signet synergies. (mimic, signet of Dom, AoE distortion)

Inspiration offers a lot of interesting possibilities for a lot of playstyles, but is definitely going to need a bit of testing.

Wait.. Does the heal count as a utility? It should, shouldn’kitten

Phantasm, Phantasm, Mimic -> Ether Signet

/laugh /dance

Dude.. Glamours, signets, mantras.. I really can’t wait to dig into our new support options. I really love how all of the Inspiration grandmasters are so tempting and so good.

.. And we haven’t even gotten into how Alacrity will play into all this!

iDefender on block/dodge.. Holy hell.

I’m fairly certain my next support build will end up Chaos/Inspire/Chrono.. Shame we only get 3 utilities. =[

Strongest support trait at the moment seems to be the AoE distortion, which makes me lean towards Dom/Chaos/Inspire for Tuesday… May have to lean towards boonshare rather than healing.

… And as I type this my mind whirls with possibilities. I see two types of support possibilities here: Boons and healing/mitigation.

Ahahaha the options!

The Condi build in the list.

Stickers! We must train! And you must teach me the new Art of the Ranger.

Gotcha.

Ugh.. I’m kinda throwing up in my mouth at all the work Ima have to do on this guide this weekend. Will try to update before the patch drops, then will edit for bugs and such.

.. Lord, the bugs.

(This is coming from a PvPer who occasionally jaunts around in WvW)

1) Mesmer has a high skill ceiling, and is more difficult than most classes to learn. That being said, you shouldn’t let that discourage you (nor should engi or ele). You’re gonna play the game at your own pace regardless of what class you pick, and your build will be at least in part a reflection of your skill and personality.

To master Mesmer requires quick reflexes, foresight, positioning, situational awareness and quick thinking along with a little creativity. To be effective at Mesmer simply requires some practice and repetition. It can be enjoyable, especially in PvP and WvW, but it reaalllyy helps to have someone teach you a few things that would’ve taken you quite some time to learn on your own.

Try the class, teleport around and spawn some clones.. See if it makes you feel all warm and giggly inside. (giggly in that “teehee I’m so cool even though I’m doing nothing” kind of way) if so, then don’t worry about all the other stuff, you’ll enjoy it and find a way to make everything else work.

2) In WvW currently you can roam solo with a condition build, flipping camps and scouting and the like, or you can join a small group and play shatter(kill all the things) or lockdown (strategically nullify key targets and protect allies). In a giant zerg you can pat yourself on the back with portal plays and other Glamours.

3) Uh.. I doubt it. Again, it depends on the build you play.

• Also, if you do choose Mesmer, there are plenty of people here who will be more than willing to help you out in-game.

Just a bit curious to know what all the staff eles out there think of the trait changes?

How will they affect your build? What’re you planning to run in the future?

Which traits snake?

@Slim: Come Tuesday, once you try FI you shall see what I mean. =P

Haha well I mean I uh.. Theoretically highly recommend adding quickness with your mantras. From the testing I did with furious in its current state, I’m thinking any mantra-heavy build would gain a massive boost from FI and the Chronomancer quickness -shatter trait

SlimChance.6593:

First attempt at what my EchoRupt build “may” look like. Its no longer just a “Mantra Lockdown”, but a “Mantra-Phantasm-Lockdown” build.

http://intothemists.com/calc/?build=VSFRZ;1VPV11I7RWV71;9;4TUW;0236256147e

I would hiiighly recommend going into Domination, Slim. Furious Interruption would really do you good since you’re using two mantras.

Kelthien.8593:

Into the mists updated theirs with the new changes:
http://intothemists.com/calc/?build=VSn

Nice. Thanks man, working on the updates now

Stop guys. How am I ever supposed to get any actual work done at my job with all this potential spilling about!?

Really tempted to mimic signet of inspiration along with continuum shift and illusory inspiration

skcamow.3527:

Chaos Archangel.5071:

• Bountiful Disillusionment: Whenever you use a shatter skill you gain 1 stack of stability for 5s. Based on the shatter used allies around you can gain Might, Vigor, Fury or Regeneration.

Not sure if anyone noticed this, but bountiful disillusionment got the change it deserved here. I’m interpreting a bit but it seems logical since fury/regeneration are listed 3rd/4th.

Instead of retaliation on MW we get AoE 3 might (assuming of course the number is the same as before). Instead of the might on CoF we get AoE vigor. The remaining two are the same but those two changes are excellent, especially with the base recharge reductions we now have on all shatter skills.

I’m really excited about the additional reliable might generation we’re going to be seeing with various traits now.

Good catch. Its so hard to decide whether to go BD or CI for a boonshare build. While BD seems the obvious choice, CI grants 5x might and boon with EACH interrupt, one good focus pull and you’re gold… Ah, decisions.

Hm. I’ll type them in manually in a moment, then.

CONDITION – CHAOS/DUELING/ILLUSIONS: Paranoia
- Master of Manipulation, Chaotic Transference, Chaotic Interruption
- Duelists Discipline, Blinding Dissipation, Mistrust
- Persistence of Memory, Maim the Disillusioned, Master of Fragmentation

http://dulfy.net/gw2traits#build=AgMC2APkBbw~

Mistrust is the new condi-lockdown trait on the block, and boy is it exciting! It currently inflicts AoE 2x confusion on interrupt and if it doesn’t recieve an ICD then it should be a fantastic new addition. On it’s own, 2x confusion doesn’t seem so great, but keep in mind that you AND your illusions inflict 1x confusion on crit (which makes Scepter’s Confuse Ray look extra lucrative) Combine this with Perplexity Runes (5x Confusion on interrupt, 3x confusion when hit) and there is potential for Mesmers to be master of confusion yet again!
While we’re at the subject, in this build each interrupt will cause 3s Immob/2s Blind,Cripple,orChill/3-8x Confusion/25% Pistol reduction
(Nerfed! Hnng)

CHRONOMANCER – DOM/CHAOS/CHRONO: Intertial Exchange (Personal Fav)

- Confounding Suggestions, Furious Interruption, Power Block
- Master of Manipulation, Chaotic Dampening, Chaotic Interruption
- Delayed Reactions, Illusionary Reversion, Seize The Moment
http://dulfy.net/gw2traits#build=AgMD9AF8Brw~

Really looking forward to this one. Shattered Concentration is an excellent and almost-mandatory trait, but I could NOT pass up the chance to inflict Slow AND gain quickness on interrupt.. It’s as if we’re literally stealing their speed! The problem here is that this build lacks DE and could potentially fall into the pit of being too single target-focused, but landing even a single interrupt in this build yields fantastic bonuses. Despite marking Chaotic Dampening, I’m thinking Greatsword/Sword-Shield may actually be best here if not Staff/GS.

Whether interrupt or chain-stun focused, we’ve got some excellent options coming to us next week. What will you be working on playing?

• Mistrust (Inflict AoE 2x Confusion on interrupt) Oh, Mistrust, how I want to love you. WHY must you battle with Deceptive Evasion!? Mistrust is an excellent teamfight skill that really pushes the possibility of condition-interrupt being just as viable as power. Since there is no ICD, abilities like Temporal Curtain(Focus), Illusionary Wave(Greatsword), AoE Diversion(Master of Frag) and Mantra of Distraction that can proc multiple interrupts at once can potentially cause a sinister chain reaction of anguish.
  Now just toss perplexity runes on that, trait into illusions to make Cry of Frustration inflict 2x Torment + 2x Confusion + Cripple and we’ve got some real AoE condi pressure potential.

• Chaotic Interruption ( Gain 5x Might + Random Boon on Interrupt / Inflict Immobilize + Blind/Cripple/Chill on interrupt) it’s the old faithful. Chaotic Interruption used to be the best interrupt trait a Mesmer could take, but now that honor goes to Power Block. However, with CI being merged with Bountiful Interruption, this skill is still the second best option for any interrupt Mesmer.
  Not much to say here.. A great trait got even better.

• Master of Fragmentation (Lots of fanciful shatter stuff, but all we care about is AoE Diversion) Its the moment Lockdown Mesmer have been asking for for years.. We can FINALLY take Imbued Diversion along with iPersona, and as a bonus.. We also get Cripple on Cry of Frustration and more crit-possible Mind Wracks!
  This is a shatter trait first and foremost, but AoE Diversion is such a powerful tool that it deserves to be mentioned. The synergy this has with every interrupt trait (Power Block, Chaotic Interrupt, Furious Interrupt, Mistrust, Dazzling) shouldn’t be underestimated, especially since we don’t have many options to inflict AoE daze. Grab this trait if you’re a shatter Mesmer looking to add a spice of lockdown to your rotations and have already invested in Power Block or Furious/Chaotic Interruption or building a condition-interrupt build with Mistrust.

POTENTIAL BUILDS - Link to Chronomancer Traits -

DOM/DUELING/CHAOS: The “Meta” Lockdown
- Confounding Suggestions, Shattered Concentration, Power Block
- (Any), Blinding Dissipation, Deceptive Evasion
- Master of Manipulation, Mirror of Anguish/Chaotic Dampening, Chaotic Interruption

http://intothemists.com/calc/?build=VSFRg;1VP;9;9;3STU;0038238236G

While there are some GREAT options in the Chronomancer tree, including that ever-tempting Continuum Shift and the shield’s fantastic CC, I don’t think any of that is actually necessary to make a powerful lockdown build. In fact, unless Alacrity of one of these wells really shine, I’m assuming that one of the most tournament-viable builds we’re going to have is going to be this one.
The combination of Deceptive Evasion, Chaotic Interruption, Power Block, & Shattered Conditions makes for an extremely strong build already, but add in AoE Blinds on shatter, Illusionary Persona baseline, Protection-on-Chaos Armor, and even Evasive Mirror(reflect on dodge) and you’ve got a build that’s far more powerful than our current “standard” Shatter with all the benefits of both shatter and lockdown combined into one!

SHATTER – DOM/DUELING/ILLUSIONS: Shatterlock 2.0
- Confounding Suggestions, Shattered Concentration, Mental Anguish
- (Any), Blinding Dissipation, Deceptive Evasion
- Compounding Power, Shattered Strength, Master of Fragmentation

http://dulfy.net/gw2traits#build=AgMBWALcBag~

This build is still under scrutiny, but it offers something for players who still prefer a more shatter-focused style. What makes this build stand out from the others is the ability to grab Master of Fragmentation, which causes our Diversion shatter to become an AoE. Not only is having another AoE interrupt great, but the Illusions line also lowers the cooldown on our shatters, granting this build access to the most frequent bursts and highest power damage of the bunch.

PHANTASM – DOM/DUELING/CHRONO: Temporal Duelist
- Confounding Suggestions, Furious Interruption, Imagined Burden
- Duelists Discipline, Fencer’s Finesse, Deceptive Evasion
- Delayed Reactions, Illusory Reversion, ChronoPhantasma

http://dulfy.net/gw2traits#build=AgMBXALcBrg~

This is actually a Phanta-rupt build, relying mainly on iDuelest and GS Phantasm for damage. I’m hoping that the addition of wells and the reduced cooldown on pistol allows for more AoE-oriented phantasm build that allows you to still focus on locking down key targets.

(Editing in build specs manually since links are screwed. )

There are some big changes on the horizon, and odds are whatever build you’re running is going to see some tweaks. It’s a really exciting time to be playing lockdown Mesmer, as a whole new world of options are going to be presented to us! I figured now is as good a time as any to start looking to the future of lockdown and determining what the most promising traits and specs are at the moment.

THE LOCKDOWN OF TODAY
CLICK HERE FOR A DETAILED LOCKDOWN OVERVIEW
Right now there are two main ways to build a lockdown build: Speccing into either Confounding Suggestions (Dom XII) or Chaotic Interruption (XI). Both of these tend to favor power builds -though there are some condition-based variants- and both tend to run very similar traits/weapons.

4/4/6 Power-Chaotic Interruption is regarded as the strongest lockdown build presently, and the majority of lockdown Mesmer you’ll find will be running this with either Greatsword, Staff, Sword, Focus, or Pistol.

THE LOCKDOWN OF TOMORROW
With the addition of Chronomancer, I’ve been keeping an eye on five specific builds that I think will be just as powerful -if not stronger- than 4/4/6 CI. These include variants for core Mesmer (no chrono, no expansion needed) Chronomancer, and Condilock.

One of the most interesting changes, in my opinion, is the change to the Mimic utility. Mimic will now refresh the next utility used, allowing us to use skills like Signet of Domination twice in a row. This, along with AoE diversion from Master of Frag, changes to the traited Pistol, and Confounding Suggestions means that chain-stunning an opponent is now more viable than ever and further splits the lockdown playstyle between chain-dazing and Interrupt. We now have legit OPTIONS to the lockdown playstyle we want to play!

NEW & IMPROVED LOCKDOWN TRAITS

• Confounding Suggestions . ) This trait recieved a couple noticeable buffs. The first being that it will ALWAYS turn your daze into a stun every 5 seconds, and secondly that it now buffs stuns in addition to dazes. This is very good for Mesmers that prefer to chain-daze rather than interrupt and will synergize excellently with Signet of Domination, Mantra of Distraction, Sigil of Paralysis and Runes of the Mesmer.

It’s also worth noting that since the new Mimic utility will duplicate one of our skills, mimicing a 35% boosted Signet of Domination (turning a 3s stun into 4.25s with CS and Payalyze sigils) would allow us to lock down a single target for over 8.5 seconds! This may make it so that Mantra of Distraction isn’t entirely mandatory depending on your playstyle.

• Furious Interruption (Interrupts grant 3s Quickness ; 5s ICD) This is just fantastic. Furious Interruption was already almost good on a 15s ICD, reducing it to 5 seconds makes this skill an excellent rival to Shattered Concentration. It’ll be hard choosing one over the other, but in my opinion I still feel Shattered Concentration is still too valuable to pass up.
  Furious Interruption will go excellently with Sigils of Rage. And when Chronomancer hit, we’ll be able to maintain extremely high amounts of Quickness.
  An interesting note on Quickness is that since it is a boon now, it can be extended and shared. A good 35% boon duration would help make this a boon worth sharing with Signet of Inspiration, so its worth considering for boonstorm builds.

• Power Block (Whenever you interrupt, all glory to Mesmer) Power Block is now finally amazing! It is not only buffed to put skills on a 15s cooldown, but now it also applies 5s weakness on interrupt AND merged with Halting Strike. This is hands-down the best interrupt trait in the game at the moment, and should be a staple in almost any lockdown build.

• Blinding Dissipation (AoE 3s Blind on shatter) This is a great trait for shatter and lockdown, power and condition Mesmer alike, causing the player to radiate blinds with each shatter. Though blind is a soft CC, it should be used like an interrupts: right before the opponent casts a skill. Blinding Dissipation will help you avoid lunges, steals, signets of spite and many other dangerous single-hit abilities, putting them on full cooldown rather than 5/15 seconds. For the best dishes of lockdown, sprinkle in some blinds between your dazes, stuns, and immobilizes to ensure optimal saltiness.

Any word on what will happen to the boon duration and condition duration we were able to receive from traits? Will there be alternate ways to acquire them?

selan.8354:

wow. welcome back wvw mesmer and good bye veilbot! :-)
omg cant decide which build yet…i got many ideas and pretty much 5 armor and weaponsets for my mes…..im glad i kepts my condi gear and perplexity runes and torment runes… we shall see.

Selan! We actually agree!

This is momentus.. Hold me.

Condition builds got such a huge buff its actually making condi look really extremely tempting now. Having IP baseline has opened up so many potential doors, and Condi-shatter got some massive improvements.. and thats not even considering the general condition damage buff.

I’d expect nearly all condi Mesmer to go some mix of Dueling/Illusions.

Diru.4531:

I see your point. Does swapping “Warden’s Feedback” with the new minor trait “Inspiring Distortion” make more sense?

Anyway, I hope there’s something they can do. I don’t see many mesmers raid much anymore so a change like this is pretty disappointing.

Keep in mind you may not even be using Focus for much longer once Chronomancer drops, the Shield offers a lot of possibilities and kind of overlaps roles with the Focus.

Hehe yes.. Keep complaining about Engis.

We’ll just kindly overlook the rain of glory that showered Mesmers.

I think people are underestimating Master of Frag.

If you look at the Illusions line, we already gain Confusion on shatters. While the change to Mind Wrack is meh.. Master of frag grants

• 10% MindWrack Crit
• Cripple on Cry of Frustration
• AoE Diversion
• Reflective Distortion.

Combined with some other traits you can take (Domination/ Dueling / Illusions for example) on each shatter burst you can easily inflict..

• Boonstrip
• Cripple
• Vulnerability
• Blind
• Confusion

in an AoE! And thats not even looking at the beauty of Confounding Suggestions + Mental Anguish

Donari.5237:

I posted this in the main thread in General but I think it got buried. If anyone answered it there I missed it in the pages of posts that appeared overnight. Does anyone here have clarity to offer on this for me? Have I completely misunderstood how things work?

Mesmer question: Given that Feedback now requires a target, and that Feedback can be cast when reviving an ally, where will it appear during revival? I may just misunderstand, but I thought it was only useful when placed over a foe firing missiles. If it appears over your ally, is it any use at all if no mobs are standing there firing point blank?

Feedback works on anything in or out of the bubble. Placing it on yourself/ally on rez means that no projectiles can hit you while you’re reviving. Medics feedback has always placed it around the Mesmer, and its great in group fights.

I think it’s safe to say that there’s not a single Mesmer build that won’t be altered in this patch. So how will your build be altered?

My 4/4/6 CI Lockdown Build is keeping the same Runes (Pack) and Weapons (Sword+Focus/Staff) but…

• DOMINATION: Power Block / Confounding Suggestions (Maybe Furious Interruption over Shattered Concentration but I doubt it)
• DUELING: Phantasmal Fury / Blinding Dissipation (or Evasive Mirror) / Deceptive Evasion
• CHAOS: Master of Manipulation / Chaotic Dampening

The biggest change here is in the lockdown potential, with each interrupt now additionally applying 5s Weakness and 15s cooldown. Now that each daze is a guaranteed stun every few seconds, it’ll be much easier to land shatters (Which are stronger thanks to IP!) and to chain daze. Blinding Dissipation allows me to use Cry of Frustration as a soft CC, blinds can be very strong, especially as an AoE.

Speaking of which, all any lockdown Mesmer really needs to be effective now is Domination. Chaotic Interruption is fantastic and all, but the real good stuff is Power Block + Confounding Suggestions. I see the possibility of many lockdown variants, including Support-lock, Condi-lock, and Shatter-lock.

Besides necro & revenant how many other classes/skills convert boons?

Anomaly looks like you’re wielding just one sword and your other hand is glowing with power.

The chains in Spirit links actually flow and drape, so when your charging a mantra they sometimes flail around, its pretty cool.

I see Spirit Links far less often than Anomaly.

This is cool. You’re essentially trading a utility slot to duplicate one of your own skills every 90 seconds.

If you consider we’ll still likely need a stunbreak (blink/decoy) what other abilities would be worth taking twice?

Portal, Illusion of Life, Signet of Inspiration, Well of Whichever-the-hell-gives-alacrity

Imagine.. F5 Shatter, -mimic- signet of illusions shatter – signet- shatter. f5 & repeat.

Illusions:
Minor:

• Illusionary Retribution: All shatter skills inflict 1 stack of confusion for 3 seconds when they hit.
• Illusionist’s Celerity: Reduces recharge of illusion-summoning skills by 20%.
• Master of Misdirection: Confusion you inflict lasts 33% longer. Reduces recharge on shatter skills by 15%.

Adept:

• Compounding Power: Deal 3% increased damage and gain 50 condition damage for each illusion you control. Fixed a bug which caused this trait to be non-functional while downed.
• Persistence of Memory: When a phantasm shatters all phantasm skills have their recharge reduced by 2 seconds.
• The Pledge: Torch skills remove 1 condition from you when activated. While you are stealthed torch skills recharge 1.5% of their maximum recharge every second.

Master:

• Shattered Strength: Gain 1 stack of might for 10 seconds per illusion when you use a shatter skill.
• Phantasmal Haste: Phantasms attack skill recharge is reduced by 20%, causing them to attack more often. Fixed a bug which cause this trait to have no effect on some phantasms.
• Maim the Disillusioned. Shatter skills inflict 2 stacks of torment for 6 seconds on foes they hit.

Grandmaster:

• Ineptitude: Inflict 1 stack of confusion for 4 seconds whenever you blind a foe. Whenever you successfully block or evade an attack your attacker is blinded for 3 seconds (10s ICD per foe).
• Master of Fragmentation: Enhances the effect of shatter skills. Mind Wrack has a 10% increased critical hit chance. Cry of Frustration inflicts cripple for 3 seconds on struck foes. Diversion hits up to 5 targets. Distortion reflects projectiles.
• Malicious Sorcery: Reduces recharge of scepter skills by 20%. Increases attack speed by 15% while wielding a scepter.