Guild Wars 2

In a phantasm build, iWarlock can become one of our hardest hitting phantasms. I don’t typically run a staff in PvE, but since I just got my Bifrost, I thought, hell why not just play around for a bit, and my iWarlocks were hitting as high as 12.7k on the bosses in CoF. (A friend of mine that I run with is a necro, so there was an abundance of conditions).

I’m not brave enough to say that it’s optimal, but it’s definitely not terrible. The auto attacks are admittedly underwhelming though.

I say if you’re running with pugs (not optimized), just go for it.

Necrooooo but who cares.

Sometimes, when I see other Mesmers in dungeon runs, I silently judge them and mentally chastise them for every small thing they do wrong. (Portals in CoF p1, for example).

Sometimes when I start out shatter in sPvP and get frustrated by getting owned by hambows/turret engies/thieves I swap to PU and literally laugh out loud when they lose and call me cheese.

I have a personal stigma against warriors; whenever I see a warrior I always start out thinking that they are brain dead. (About 75% chance to be right, too!)

I secretly love the butterflies my huge max bulk/height male Norn Mesmer creates.

No, illusions can not proc on-hit or on-crit sigils. % damage bonus sigils also do not affect illusions.

Anything with a % damage bonus does not affect your illusions. E.g. Scholar Runes (10% bonus to damage).

However, your illusions gain stats based off of your Mesmer, so any stat increments (E.g. the actual power bonus from Scholar Runes) will be indirectly transferred over to your illusions.

In terms of sigils, your illusions can not trigger on crit/on hit effects from sigils, and just like runes, % damage bonuses do not transfer over to your illusions.

1) iWarden.
2) iLeap <— Apparently not a bug
2) iElasticity.
3) Temporal Curtain. (Reflects)

Maining a Mesmer is…

• Being called cheese by Hambows, minionmancers, DeathShroud necros, Turret Engies, Spirit Rangers, pistol whip Thieves, p/d Thieves and basically everyone else in the game.
• Having pugs think that we’re thieves and that feedback has zero cool down. “FEEDBACK?” “Just used it.” “OMG noob Mesmer” “For the sake of kitten I literally JUST used it.” “OMG noob Mesmer” Same thing with TimeWarp.
• “MESMAR POTAL PLZ”
• “MESMAR VEIL NAO”
• Being surprised when there isn’t a nerf in the patch notes.
• Being even more surprised when you find out that nothing was broken in the previous patch.

…Great. Yeah, absolutely great.

I main a Mesmer because I love the concept of the class. I love misdirection and illusions, but other than aesthetic/personal appeal, it doesn’t go a long way in terms of efficiency. But it’s still my favorite class and the one I’m most comfortable on.

If I didn’t love my Mesmer so much, I would probably have mained an ele.

AAeriaM.7045:

What about shatter builds in general open world PVE? I think most of my focus will be on getting 100% world completion, finishing my personal story, and starting on the living story stuff. Would a staff/(seconday weapon) Shatter Build be effective for clearing trash, the occassional dynamic event, and skill challenges?

Basically what everyone’s already said; shatter is great for open world PvE. Though generally anything goes in open world PvE.

Staff actually shines in large scale events such as world bosses, where every single condition will be applied to the boss. iWarlock will hit like a truck, even if you haven’t really traited for a phantasm build. (Obviously traiting for a phantasm build will make a significant difference.)

Yes, zerker for shatter. But typically, you don’t want to run shatter builds in PvE (dungeons).

The reason why staves are used on power Mesmers is because of the iWarlock. When several conditions stack up on bosses, it becomes one of our hardest hitting phantasms; and in a phantasm build, is rather significant.

Chaos Storm also deals damage based on power everytime it pulses, and the conditions it applies is actually very weak, and doesn’t have much to do with dps (chill, poison, daze, etc.). The conditions are more useful for PvP, but the pulsing power based hits are decent enough in PvE when you’re using zerker gear.

Having said that though, staves are seen as a dent in your DPS, and should only be used when you absolutely NEED a ranged option. Typically phantasm Mesmers run with sword/focus and sword/sword for reflects and optimal melee dps.

It’s always funny when someone’s unable to argue with Pyro’s logic and ends up just calling him a bitter troll and getting all hurt.

He’s right, and I’m sure you know that deep down.

zaxon.6819:

not sure why people talk in such blanket terms. It is not about outweighing anything. It is about being able to apply conditions no matter what spec your enemy plays.. if they are single target you need clones/phantasms to apply your conditions or you do no damage. if your enemy clears clones you need to upkeep them and force them into torment blocks to apply conditions. It is not one way or the other, it is either or both depending on the situation.

I like how you accuse someone else of showing up without any information and make silly statements and then do the exact same thing.

The issue was sharper images on clones with precision vs sharper images on iduelist without precision but with phantasmal fury.

My point was that majority of the bleed stacks come from clones with sharper images (therein explaining the need for precision, and not simply giving phantasms fury), and while phantasmal fury would give the iDuelist sufficient crit chance to proc sharper images fairly often, does not out-perform clones with Sharper Images in most scenarios. Mango said that he/she felt that phantasms benefited more from Sharper Images than clones, and I was rebutting that.

Your statement, whether or not one I agree with, is irrelevant.

mango.9267:

UrMom.4205:

DeathReign.7821:

UrMom.4205:

What if you take Phantasmal Fury?

Phantasmal Fury only affects phantasms. We only have 1 rapid hitting phantasm (iDuelist).

Majority of the bleed stacks from Sharper Images come from clones, not the phantasms.

oh makes sense, the more ya know. Thanks!

I find most of the bleeds come from phantasms and clone deaths, not clone autoattacks. Most condi builds don’t use greatsword, which is the only weapon set whose clones could reliably stack bleeds. All the other weapon sets attack too slowly or need to be in melee.

That said, gonna echo what everyone else said. If you play PU, stick with rabid. You have enough passive defense that you really don’t need the extra health.

Aim for ~40% crit chance. With phantasmal fury, your duelists will stack 5-6 bleeds every attack.

If you’re talking about a simple target test where you can put up 3 iDuelists, then yeah, sure iDuelist stacks a lot of bleeds rapidly. But it is the only phantasm that does so. Which will die in 1-2 hits from aoes. With a 20 second untraited cool down. With a long cool down between its own attack cycle even when alive. Which is hilariously avoidable.

Staff and Scepter clones are ranged, with a decent auto attack cycle. Happily expended (kill them please!) and easily re-attained.

I know we’re discussing Sharper Images here, but debilitating dissipation does not work with phantasms. Staff clones also cast Winds of Chaos. These provide cover conditions (pressure) for the limited condition clears that your opponents will carry (unless you’re fighting a lul clear all conditions class).

TL;DR: yes, I agree that iDuelist can stack up bleeds pretty well, but I simply can’t agree that it out-weighs the conditions that clones apply. Especially in team or outnumbered fights.

https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/mesmer/Tips-on-Fighting-a-Thief-in-sPvP

UrMom.4205:

What if you take Phantasmal Fury?

Phantasmal Fury only affects phantasms. We only have 1 rapid hitting phantasm (iDuelist).

Majority of the bleed stacks from Sharper Images come from clones, not the phantasms.

Silvire.6540:

DeathReign.7821:

Silvire.6540:

Anyone know if this build is still viable in PvP?

Also, I was wondering whether we should still be going for PVT – Power Vitality Toughness, or the new Power Precision Ferocity?

Berserker’s amulet is still the best option due to the awesome DPS. It’s supposed to be a glassy build relying on active defense, so having high offense compliments that. PVT, while increasing your passive defense by a lot creates a really large dent in your DPS.

I’m not the creator of this build (pyro), but I’ve played this build a fair amount in duels, and it really is very strong when played right (and still is).

Sorry, Berserker’s amulet… Ok got it, what about rings/back/trinkets?

I’m so sorry, I’ve been away from GW2 for a year and just came back, and everything is a blur right now. In other words… What stats should I be going for?

Oh, this build was made for sPvP, where you only have to worry about the amulet and runes, all of which you can change freely and for free in the Heart of the Mists. You don’t have to worry about back/rings/accessories there.

However, I suppose if you wanted to use this for roaming in WvW, you could just save some money and use your PvE full zerk set and try it out. I’ve never done so, so I’m not sure of how much defense you would want to give yourself, and how it would generally fare in that context. Theoretically, full zerk should still be relatively decent, but you also have to take into context how many people roam in groups, which this build does not excel at fighting. It also has literally zero out of combat mobility options (unless you count blink), so it will take you longer to get from place to place.

Peow peow.2189:

RIght now Mesmers are possibyl the strongest and most volatile class in the meta.

If of course, you close your eyes when you see a Thief or Warrior.

Peow peow.2189:

Mesmers can choose between condition damage or power builds

As can any class in the game… Maybe except Guardian.

Peow peow.2189:

and can even decieve enemies with the powerful shatter build.

Shatter is a burst build. Once you shatter, you don’t have any illusions to deceive anyone. Also, is anyone even deceived anymore? Isn’t deception by clone confusion -so- 2013?

Peow peow.2189:

It is almost never seen where a mesmer is killed in group fights as they spam a clone go invisible and run away.

I’m really not sure what kind of group fights you fight, but Mesmers are as visible downed as any class in the game. If you’re complaining about stealth, please let me direct you to the Thief sub-forum.

Peow peow.2189:

I am here to change the mesmer class to what it should have been since the start of GW2

By your all knowing, all silencing definition.

Peow peow.2189:

I have played mesmer through and through and have 2 accounts – the first one is called mesmerizeyuu and the second shatterclutz

the changes I propose are as follows:

1) REmove invisibility from the mesmer class

Why? let me explain to you how this does more harm then good.

Mesmers are there to decieve, therefore they need more access to fear and confusion – invisibility is not a deception tool, rather it is an escape mechanism.

How are fear and confusion, which are situational DPS conditions, considered deception? How is invisibility amongst clones not deception?

Peow peow.2189:

Quite frankly put, the mesmer class does not need the escape of invis – we need more damage through confusion, fears and illusions.

I thought you wanted more deception? Now you want more damage?

Peow peow.2189:

2) Why the mesmer class needs more damage output.

We haev long cooldowns and our clones are very easy to kill.

I suggest we keep the clone survivability the same, but we increase the damage they do to make them more viable.

Wait a second…. What’s this then:

RIght now Mesmers are possibyl the strongest and most volatile class in the meta.

?

Peow peow.2189:

3) Clones immune to condition damage

Make clones immune to conditions – A clone does not have blood to bleed, or should be hurt by poision. Logically it is just a hollow version of the mesmer.

I will update as more ideas come.

Support list

— will add as people support this—

If you followed logic in this game, burning should not be able to be applied underwater. Guardians should have their focus and shield skills swapped. Rangers should not have any melee weapons (it’s in the name, right? RANGEr). Elementalist should be aptly renamed “Avatar”. Elementalists should also take damage when casting Cone of Cold immediately after casting Drake’s Breath, because you’re immediately cooling their flaming tongues and lips. Hell, it should also deal extra combo damage on the targets it hits.

The list could go on. But I think you see my point.

I know I sound like a bit of a jerk, and while I agree that some changes may be good for the Mesmer (and for the game in general), I do not agree with most of your points.

Ross Biddle.2367:

This has to be PvE, because I have absolutely no idea what it is

Hahaha. Yes, it is indeed PvE.

There’s an achievement in the current Living World event (Queen’s Gauntlet) where you have to hit Liadri (the last boss of the Queen’s Gauntlet) with 8 orbs and kill her, while normally you only need to hit her with 3 to remove her damage immunity and move her into phase 2.

I know it’s not THAT big of an achievement, especially to those who have already done it, but I just couldn’t contain the ecstasy after having failed attempt after failed attempt.

maxinion.8396:

Congrats!

Hahaha thank you!

Silvire.6540:

Anyone know if this build is still viable in PvP?

Also, I was wondering whether we should still be going for PVT – Power Vitality Toughness, or the new Power Precision Ferocity?

It’s still pretty much unbeatable in a duel when played right.

However, whether or not you want to play a dueling spec in a normal match is up to you.

Berserker’s amulet is still the best option due to the awesome DPS. It’s supposed to be a glassy build relying on active defense, so having high offense compliments that. PVT, while increasing your passive defense by a lot creates a really large dent in your DPS.

I’m not the creator of this build (pyro), but I’ve played this build a fair amount in duels, and it really is very strong when played right (and still is).

HA. KITTEN YOU LIADRI.

If you’re already running PU with Debilitating Dissipation, wouldn’t a more condition focused build out-perform this? (Classic 4/4/6/0/0 build, for example.)

Hambow warriors ain’t got nothing on PU condi.

I have to say that I actually use every single weapon fairly frequently.

I have an exotic piece of each weapon, and swap them out all the time.

If I’m doing a normal dungeon, I’m usually using S/F + S/S.

If I’m doing something like fractals, S/F + GS.

If I’m fighting a single boss or mob that doesn’t need reflecting, S/P + S/S.

If I’m doing WvW, Staff + Scepter/T.

Not to mention PvP. Swapping between a ton of builds just to refresh my ability with them means I generally get a lot of use out of every single weapon.

maha.7902:

Honestly, as a PvE mesmer you shouldn’t even bother with 10/30/0/20/10, just switch between 30/20/0/20/0 and 30/20/0/0/20. I’ll only use 30/30/0/0/10 if it’s actually worth having that third mantra charge (triple daze on Lupicus for vuln on feedback, dazing abomination to shave defiant, maybe triple cleanse for first SE p3 boss)

Ah yes, I mixed up the Dom and Dueling trait lines (forgot about the ninja Empowered Mantra Swap).

6/4/0/4/0 or 6/4/0/0/4 is right.

Meluna.1764:

I checked the Osicat sticky since I used the shattercat before, but it hasn’t been updated. The shatter has changed quite a bit in the update so I thought someone might have looked at it. The Fay site I have bookmarked =) They also aren’t updated, but I’ll check if they still work =)

So yes, I checked the stickies, hence my question =p

Most (if not all) builds are on Fay’s thread – some are outdated, but the thread itself has been updated recently (additions of new builds etc).

That’s about the most comprehensive and updated list I can give you, unless you’re looking for the generic traitspread for each build.

In which case:

Shatter – 4/4/0/0/6
PU (Condi) – 4/4/6/0/0
Lockdown – 4/4/6/0/0 or 6/4/4/0/0
Mantra/phantasm (PvE) – 2/6/0/4/2 or 6/6/0/0/2 (a couple of variants)

Covers most popular builds out there.

These are just off the top of my head so there might be some mistakes/things left out.

Meluna.1764:

I have two Mesmers. Is there a list of current Mesmer builds? Especially Shatter. But if you have a nice example of a phantasm build or a Mantra Nuker? It’s the first time I’m playing since the update, so I lost all my builds and since the Mesmer has been reshuffled quite a bit, rebuilding proved a bit awquard.

Check the sticky. :p

But click here for the list that Fay has so diligently organized.

Waynesyaboy.5806:

@Deathreign Thanks a lot man! Do you happen to know the name of the weapon? I’ll prob go pic one up =D

edit: I actually found it never mind =D time to start saving lol

Got a night shot also but her color is off =/

Vision of the Mists, Whisperblade, Abyssal Scepter, Lyss and Ilya are the only ones that phantasms use, I think.

They are about 250g each on the TP iirc, so they’re pretty costly. Would complete your phantasm look, though!

No, shatter is not as good in PvE.

The reason is because shatter is a burst build. Burst builds by nature are underwhelming when compared to sustained damage (phantasms) the longer the battle goes on (dungeon bosses).

You will deal okay damage, but any phantasm build would out-dps you in the end. Not to mention phantasm builds typically run with a focus, so reflects are always at the ready with the iWarden (when he doesn’t bug out).

Eucalyptus.9784:

The way that I assume the game is programmed, this would mean that every single illusion you create has to recall a saved variable of every piece of armor you are wearing. If you swap weapons, it would have to resave that variable, and be specific to ONLY your character, for each and every Mesmer on any server.

There is almost certainly no way to just fix this. This would require substantial re-coding of the way that Illusions are even created.

Isn’t this what is happening now, though?

I am personally using 4-5 different armor looks (not a linked set) on my Mesmer, (not including the backpiece) and have different weapons every so often. My clones still look exactly like me, as does every other mesmers’.

Instead of taking reference from what the Mesmer’s currently equipped armor is, the way I understand coding (very little, so don’t kill me), can’t you code an override where if an outfit is equipped (and ticked for display), the clones take reference from that outfit instead of the armor?

Wow, that actually looks pretty awesome. O:

Perhaps if you’re using a sword and/or GS and/or pistol (etc), you could get one of those purply glowy weapons (pretty expensive though) and look completely like a phantasm!

It’s really easy with a Mesmer. The way I did it was I only used iSwordsmen for damage, and I used iDefender to help mitigate damage. I used dual swords for the invulnerability, but never actually attacked myself. Just keep summoning the iSwordsmen on cooldown, and it’ll be hunky dory. I used Mantra of Healing, Mantra of Pain and the signet that increases our illusion’s hp. I had Restorative Mantras so I just kept spamming Mantra of Pain and re-charging it for sustain. Just let the iSwordsmen do their jobs and you’ll be fine.

I just realized that I didn’t respond to thank you for fixing the link. Thank you, Fay!

Hey Fay, thanks for adding my build to the list. You have however added the wrong link. Hawk’s Phantastic Mantras had the same link to the build above it.

I was about to type up a really long post rebutting OP’s “logic”, but I realized that trying to debate with someone who is so convinced of their own argument that they disregard all logic proposed to them is about as futile as debating against mathematics.

Nothing to see here folks, move along.

It isn’t saying that it has a 1,200 range leap. It’s saying that the clone will be created on a target within 1,200 range when you use Phase Retreat.

“Illusions” is the skill group of both Phantasms and Clones. Phantasms are a subgroup of illusions, as are clones. Traits or skills that affect illusions affect both phantasms and clones, while traits or skills that affect clones do not affect phantasms, and vice versa.

Phantasms are the translucent figures that look like the caster but use purple, glowy weapons and skills of their own. They deal substantial damage and have significantly higher health than clones.

Clones are exact replicas of the caster, down to the weapon that the caster was holding when the clone was summoned.They so not have any skills of their own except the auto attack of the weapon that was equipped. They deal insignificant physical damage, but conditions applied by them deal full damage (as if applied from caster). They are much easier to kill than phantasms.

frifox.5283:

DeathReign.7821:

I drop blade training, as personally I don’t feel the urge to HAVE to have the reduced cool down and 50 precision. 50 precision is about 7% crit chance if I’m not wrong.

50 precision = 2.4% crit chance

Dropping 1 pt from dueling to lose Blade Training means losing 1pt worth of base stats as well, which comes out to a total of 100 precision / 4.8% crit chance.

Awesome, thanks frifox!

Makes me more assured of my decision to drop blade training for Phantasmal Haste.

Yes, maxinion is right. I drop blade training, as personally I don’t feel the urge to HAVE to have the reduced cool down and 50 precision. 50 precision is about 7% crit chance if I’m not wrong. Mesmers have terrible personal dps in comparison to other classes anyway, and since I’m not building for personal dps (empowering mantras), it makes even less sense to take it over Phantasmal haste, in my opinion. You also already have a reduced cool down on illusions through iCelerity, so that’s already mitigated. Faster warden cycle = more reflect uptime. I also only ever use Blurred Frenzy evasively, so it is usually always available when I need it, even un-traited.

My standard go to utility skills when I enter something I’m not sure of usually is: Null Field for AoE condition cleanse and boon stripping (dredge fractal or Coe), Feedback (reflects), Blink (stun break!) and Time Warp. I use Ether Feast as the heal.

The condition cleanse mantra is also a good choice in replacement of null field.

Now once you learn the sequence and/or mechanics of each dungeon, you can start mixing it up according to what you need.

If you like decoy, I would recommend switching off auto targeting and de-selecting your target before using it, as if you have 3 phantasms up, decoy would kill one of them. (One reason I prefer blink to decoy as a stun breaker.)

Signet of the Ether vs Ether Feast: if you’re learning the mechanics, ether feast ether feast, a thousand times ether feast. This is due to the fact that ether feast overall has more healing than the signet, and on a relatively low cool down. However, if you are confident in doing the dungeon, signet of the ether for instant triple phantasms up.

-When you watch Thor, and think the whole time how Loki’s a master Mesmer.

-When you see identical twins and wonder if they have fixed the clones not wearing outfits glitch.

https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/mesmer/PvE-Post-Patch-What-s-What/first#post3939281

Okay so I’ll give you the same advice I give my friends that are at your stage of leveling up.

In terms of gear, Masterwork or Rare pieces are easy to come by and are relatively cheap. Aim for those that are based around power, like Berserker, Cavalier, Valkyrie and so on if you can, but you’ll shed these pieces fast so it’s not that big of a deal.

In terms of build, the traits got jumbled around so the old 30 (6) in the dueling line doesn’t work anymore. You could still do the 6/4/0/4/0 build which (I think) is the meta now, taking empowered illusions and Warden’s Feedback (even though iWarden is bugged out as all hell). My personal build for dungeons is 2/3/0/5/4 with a sword/focus and sword/sword. It’s weird and unorthodox and I don’t feel like getting into a huge debate about it so I won’t explain it. Dungeon elitists (don’t worry about them until you’re 80 and full zerk) play a full melee full zerk meta, which is the most optimal way to clear dungeons damage-wise. Since you’re not 80 yet, and probably don’t have much knowledge on the mechanics of each dungeon, I would say just play whatever feels comfortable for now. Learn the dungeons, learn the mechanics, and then shift your attention to optimizing your damage. Oh, and in case you didn’t know, conditions are horrible in PvE, so stick with Power builds if you want effectiveness. For weapons, if you’re just chilling out and learning the mechanics, I would go with 1 melee weapon set and 1 ranged weapon set. Typically, swordsman or duelist deals the highest single target dps (swordsman out-dps’ing duelist a little I think), so dual swords or sword/pistol is a common weapon set for melee. iWarden protects you from projectiles (reflects them when traited in inspiration (VII)) so focus is a common dungeon weapon as well, as one of the Mesmer’s jobs is to reflect projectiles. For ranged (once you learn the mechanics of the dungeons you will hardly ever need to range anything), you could use a greatsword (people are going to gut me for saying this) if you really need to range. Elitists hate greatsword Mesmers as the damage from both the weapon itself and the phantasm is sub-optimal. Also, don’t knockback mobs that your teammates are meleeing as that just kittenes everyone off. Staff has one of the hardest hitting phantasms, but the weapon itself is overall rather weak in dungeons. Scepter’s in a bad place at the moment, but people do use it and a pistol as a ranged option, due to iDuelist having high single target dps. You will have to cancel your auto attacks though, as your third attack will kill a Duelist if you have 3 out.

Now for “grinding gear”. You don’t really “grind” for gear per se, but you can get exotic (practically end game) gear for dungeon tokens. Each dungeon has a selection of 3 different stat combinations so you can check them out in Lion’s Ar- uhm, Vigil Keep. Each dungeon gives tokens for their own merchant so you’ll have to figure out which gear you want before doing the dungeons to get them. Berserker gear can be bought with Citadel of Flame, Crucible of Eternity, or Arah tokens. Aside from that, cheap exotic gear sets can be bought from the trading post (they usually have a name associated with the stat combination – the berserker light armor ones being named after “Zhed”. They go for between 2-5g per piece I think.). Also, completing a dungeon run gives you 1g, 1.5g or 3g depending on the dungeon. 1g is the usual amount.

If you’ve got guildmates and/or friends, try to get them to take you on dungeon runs that you’re level appropriate for (most of them).

So I’ve had situations where the clones just stand around looking pretty without a target many times before, and always assumed that it was due to my target running out of range and my illusions being too slow to catch up. (Always happens in WvW when a thief stealths and runs or a nike warrior just Usains away. Also happens in skyhammer, when I’m actually using the cannon and the person trying to take it portals back down. The illusions just stand at the entrance like boydguards and attack anything that passes through.)

CobraPolo.1723:

When you shatter a clone/phantasm, that DOES NOT proc the “when they are killed” effect correct?

Correct.

TurtleDragon.3108:

DeathReign.7821:

I know the meta for dungeons is spotter/frost spirit, sword/warhorn, but what else? I came up with a build here, but I know I probably got a lot of it wrong (I honestly don’t know what utilities to take after Healing Spring and Frost Spirit, so I just took some signets that I thought worked well with Marksmanship XI.
I’ve heard that people like using “Guard”? I’m not entirely sure how it works/benefits dungeon runs – any explanations would be very much appreciated!

Frost Spirit is the only mandatory one, rest is situational. I take Quickening Zephyr and Signet of the Wild if I have nothing else to take. Sic’em is also a decent choice. I’d only use signet of stone on specific fights where you would benefit more from additional survivability.

I plan on using Birds and Felines primarily. Is that a good choice? I heard that they are the best pets for DPS.

Yep. I would recommend adding any drake into there on swap for trash since it can cleave. My personal favourite combo is Jungle Stalker/River Drake

I’ve heard that people like using “Guard”? I’m not entirely sure how it works/benefits dungeon runs – any explanations would be very much appreciated!

It doesn’t. I think the only time i’ve ever used it in PvE was AC p2, when I was doing the chains on the defend detha event. Even then it wasn’t super amazing, and was more of a just for fun thing.

Ah that’s great advice, thanks! Are the trait choices alright too?

ITheNormalPerson.9275:

I don’t know much about pve so i’m not going to comment on that, but I know a decent amount about wvw, so i will give some advice

do NOT use full zerker. It just won’t work as well as other combos (along with everyone else calling you a pve noob for using full zerker) personally i use knights armor, knights gs, assassin’s longbow, and zerker trinkets. I feel like i do semi-decent at roaming.

Wolf and Drakehound are my favorites for wvw, their CC is useful

Eagle Eye is probably a better choice than spotter (When I roam i solo, fyi)

If you really want spotter, get rid of Signet of the BeastMaster, and replace Signet of Stone with “Protect Me!”. When roaming no one ever goes after your pet, so it essentially has the same effect as the signet except no big glowing “I’M INVULNERABLE” symbol above your head so people won’t kite you until it goes away

Personally, I’d put at least 20 points into skirmishing for Quick Draw. I’d get rid of the 20 points in beastmastery for it.

Another IMO thing, but i don’t really like spirits. that’s just a personal thing though

I prefer greatsword over sword/horn, for its spike damage.

This is my build I think, if you’re curious (I main a ranger)

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vMAQJATRnMqQJLWwC2CCXLGIWP2TfCETB/ZkTBq6UBbqA-zECBoiAYMQEDQMDAJQFRjtcqIas6aYKXER1kCIUhRA-w

it does decent in both zergs and solo roaming. you could probably stick the 10 nature magic points in skirmishing, thieves just started really annoying me :P

This is just coming with someone with about 600 hours in wvw, so i wouldn’t consider myself and expert. just my thoughts

Thanks for your advice! Duly noted. Though I think you mixed up my PvE dungeon build for the WvW one I made! (Replaced Spotter for Piercing Arrows, no spirits, using GS over sword, etc.) How would that fare in comparison?

And thank you for your advice on mixing up gear stats! How noticeable is the dps/survivability difference between the knights/zerk mix and a full zerk?

Thank you guys again for your input, it’s greatly appreciated!

It’s not the best, but I had fun making and playing it.

Hawk’s Phantastic Mantras by DeathReign (10/20/0/25/15 – Greatsword & Sword/Pistol – sPvP)

It’s a mash up of a power phantasm build and a mantra build, so I’m not sure where it would fit in terms of category.

Hey there, Rangers!

So I made my Ranger and am coming close to making her my 7th level 80 character and was finally thinking about end game meta builds and the sort. I can’t stand bearbows so I really don’t want to play that.

I know the meta for dungeons is spotter/frost spirit, sword/warhorn, but what else? I came up with a build here, but I know I probably got a lot of it wrong (I honestly don’t know what utilities to take after Healing Spring and Frost Spirit, so I just took some signets that I thought worked well with Marksmanship XI. I plan on using Birds and Felines primarily. Is that a good choice? I heard that they are the best pets for DPS.

I’ve heard that people like using “Guard”? I’m not entirely sure how it works/benefits dungeon runs – any explanations would be very much appreciated!

And now to mine the mine:

I also plan on roaming on my Ranger, and was thinking of playing a zerker Ranger while roaming. I’ve read that it’s not ideal but I’d like to give it a try (while also being too stingy to buy another set of armor purely for roaming.)

I came up with this build for roaming, with probably a Wolf and a Drakehound as pets. I’m still just not sure.

How would this fare? I’m just theorycrafting right now and would really appreciate any pro tips from experienced Rangers!

I’m sorry if this topic has been discussed/answered a lot – I tried using the search tool but it just doesn’t work for me.

Cheers!

katniss.6735:

Wow. It’s total story time in this tread. GG!

People are responding to quotes that aren’t mine.
I had 5 people chasing me when I got moa’d, meaning dodge, 5, dodge, wasn’t an option. I got immob’d at the exact same time as the moa got on me.
I have everything in wvw wxp ranks maxed out, and no dungeon master/crap title here.

The problem lies with the duration of moa, combined with the complete lockout of all survivability skills. I did not “give up when moa’d”. You can stop trying to educate me on how to play, when there is no excuse for this skill to work the way it does. It’s cheesier than backstab, killshot, and perplexity runes.

The problem lies with your lack of skill and logic, hence the need for education. Statistically, you aren’t suppose to survive a 5v1, Moa or not.

You seem so hellbent on crying about Moa you seem to have lost all sense of logic.

Get off your high horse. Clearly, you’re not as good as you think you are. If you were, you wouldn’t even be here crying. Heed the abundance of advice provided by the people here rather than scoff at it with your “don’t tell me how to play, I’m the proest pro out there do you even know who I am?” attitude.

You came here to whine and cry and stamp your feet, not to find solutions to your skill issue. (Solutions that have been provided tenfold.)

Dusty Moon.4382:

It is not meant to be a 1 v 1 game. If it was balanced 1 v 1 then it wouldn’t be balanced for a group.

Warriors and thieves say hi.

I’m just going to quote one of the commanders I had while on course in the military:
“Your sad story touches my heart. Deeply.”

Am I the only one around here who swears he read that crit won’t be changed in sPvP?

S2g these builds were exactly what I was coming up with after reading about the new traits.

Will be fun to experiment and see how it all pans out!

Edit: Oh and I’m pretty sure I read that crit damage won’t be affected in PvP as they believe that it is “in a good place” at the moment.

This would make you even more unprepared during a fight. You’ll have to crit -and then- be able to use a mantra. What if you want to initiate with an interrupt? The only redeeming factor about this idea is not having to charge it up during a fight. But only 1 charge? With an ICD? Why don’t you just make them normal casting skills with a normal CD then? No. I don’t like this idea at all.

First off, thank you guys for your input! It’s much appreciated.

gesho.9468:

thx for posting, i can reply here instead.

only difference we have is phantasmal fury vs compounding celerity. i tried pf, but ended up in favor of cc. i believe wiki mentiones that pf doesn’t affect swordsman, so you only get duelist fury. duelist, with his channeled attack, is the rest reliable. on the other hand, perma in combat swiftness is big. for instance we both have crippling dissipation. that, combined with celerity, should help kiting a lot (although i’m not sure kiting is the way to go, but could be).

at this point my goal is to try my best against thieves. my first plan is to try and interrupt either their blinding powder (is this possible in informed way?), or subsequent heartstreak (which will also require removing blind).

what’s you play against thieves?

ps: not sure about lyssa. this has sooo much condi removal, it feels kinda waste.

Wait what? I’m a little confused. This is the build I got from your thread – you’ve got Phantasmal fury and not compounding celerity.

I don’t have crippling dissipation, either.

Don’t forget that iDuelist really shines with Sharper Images. I don’t use an offhand sword so PF not working with iSwordsman has no effect on me.

Well played thieves will always be a pita. They have the power to initiate and disengage as and when they want, and even when fighting they have unmatched mobility and 15 thousand evades. Add blind spam to that and you’re about ready to throw your computer out of the window. Only informed ways to handle blind spam (I feel) is either summon from stealth, or time your condition clears when you summon. It’s what I do. Most thieves use basilisk’s poison so mantra of concentration really shines.

Xaylin.1860:

I remember a similar build but I can’t recall the name…

Just one remark: Protective Mantras won’t serve you well. Phantasmal Fury, Blade Training or Duelists Discipline will most likely outperform it by quite a bit. You could also move 5 points into Illusions to get Illusionary Elasticity (Mirror Blade and Magic Bullet).

Yeah I realize that Protected Mantras was a really controversial choice, but to be completely honest, I’ve gotten good mileage out of it. Had a zerk guardian jump in and spin around with his Greatsword on me while I was charging a mantra the other day and he hit me for something like 2-2.5k total with crits.

But I do see where you’re coming from. The cool down reduction on iDuelist (and increased range of course) might be really beneficial. I’ll tinker and give it a try again. For IE, what do you reckon I should take away from to add to that?