Guild Wars 2

AntiGw.9367:

It’s possible to transfer order armor skins to another character, but you need at least one character in that order to purchase them first.

If you transmute an item on a white one, it is no longer soulbound, and you can use it on your entire account.

Thanks for your reply, Appreciate the information.

I know you have to make a decision during story mode to join a faction but is there a way that you can get all the armor for a certain profession from each faction without having to remake the profession ?

Example: If I have A Warrior or Guardian in the Vigil, is there A way I can get the heavy armor from the Order of Whispers for that Warrior or Guardian ? Or would I have to make another Warrior or Guardian and start all over and join the House of Whispers in order to get their heavy armor set ?

Godmoney.2048:

GuildWarsPlayer.5608:

Godmoney.2048:

Not to put too fine a point on it but if I had a pve group and I saw a mesmer using scepter or torch in a dungeon or fractal I’d just kick them.

Scepter and torch really have no place in any dungeon at all ever for a million years.

Sure you CAN use them but you’re not adding anything to the group to justify bringing you along.

By all means though play how you want. You CAN do a lot of things, that doesn’t mean you SHOULD though.

This is why I NEVER run Dungeons with people I don’t know. I’m always getting invited to run Dungeons or join a guild by unfamiliar people and do to the abuse of kicking ( Not just in GW2 but every mmo I have played ) I simply refuse to do any type of content that allows kicking with people I don’t know.

Well I can imagine you get kicked quite frequently if they’re not guildies. If you’re the kind of person who would use scepter in a dungeon then that only makes sense that you face frequent kicking in this game or any other.

The common denominator in your groups is you. Blaming others for wanting a enjoyable PVE experience seems out of place to me.

Anyone kicking you is not telling you how to play as much as saying “my time is valuable, please don’t waste it” What’s wrong with people wanting to have fun? If you’re bringing down others fun then they should kick you.

There’s just no way bringing scepter into a dungeon is doing anything other than making others work harder. That’s fine of course if you want to do that but don’t be offended when you get booted.

No, I’ve never been kicked from a group ( in GW2 ) because, once again, I don’t run with elitist and people I don’t know.

Also, since it is clear you haven’t been following the conversation from start, I’m leveling A Mesmer. I am a noob to the class. The point of this discussion is to try different ways of playing then discussing it with experienced players of the profession. I’ve learned a lot in a short time thanks to the suggestions of the HELPFUL players of the profession.

Thanks for your reply.

Embolism.8106:

GuildWarsPlayer.5608:

Thanks for this information. I’m gonna try out sword/sword and see what goes down.

If you are still running a condition build then you want either Pistol or Focus. Although I don’t know, if you haven’t unlocked Sharper Images yet and invested in Precision then iDuelist or iWarden won’t be that much better than iSwordsman.

Thanks for your reply.

Aberrant.6749:

O.o People do PvE event farming on their mesmers? o.O

I feel Mesmers are great solo classes because of their ability to create Clones and Phantasms. They are never alone.

Also, I can’t count how many times I have run across Mesmers by themselves. Always seeing Mesmers by themselves is what prompted me to make one.

Pyroatheist.9031:

GuildWarsPlayer.5608:

Pyroatheist.9031:

GuildWarsPlayer.5608:

Embolism.8106:

Even at medium range Spatial Surge is probably as effective as Ether Bolt, more so if you can hit multiple enemies with it. As Pyro said, at close range you really should be using the Sword, which does more significantly damage and can hit multiple targets.

I use Staff Sword and Torch. The use of the Scepter has been more of an experimental newbie form of play.

As of right now my mode of attack, when soloing in pve is, start with a long range attack via the Staff. I pop Clones, Phantasms, Chaos Storm, the Shield and use Mantra of Pain during this faze. When the combat gets close, I switch to Sword and Torch and use Blurred Frenzy, followed by Prestige ( the flame blast ) and Phantasmal Mage. With that combination I’m able to get quite a few kills.

This all is coming from a level 38 perspective.

Thanks for the reply.

The torch is a horrible weapon for pve. There’s literally no situation in pve where you should be using the torch.

Put on an offhand focus/sword/pistol. The torch is useless.

Torch seems to be a viable weapon in my opinion. You’ve got Prestige that gives an AOE blast that causes damage over time. I’m running a condition damage build so that’s a plus and Phantasmal Mage has high damage output.

Well, as a general rule of thumb, a condition damage build for a mesmer in pve is going to be drastically inferior to a power/crit build, simply because of how our weapon mechanics work.

Aside from that, the iMage provides 3 stacks of confusion for 3 seconds. Confusion is really really bad in pve. With very very very few exceptions (maybe 2 or 3 mobs in the game) a power phantasm will heavily outdamage the iMage. On top of that, the iMage is on an absolutely massive cooldown, has 0 utility, and the torch trait is in a really weird spot.

Thanks for this information. I’m gonna try out sword/sword and see what goes down.

Godmoney.2048:

Not to put too fine a point on it but if I had a pve group and I saw a mesmer using scepter or torch in a dungeon or fractal I’d just kick them.

Scepter and torch really have no place in any dungeon at all ever for a million years.

Sure you CAN use them but you’re not adding anything to the group to justify bringing you along.

By all means though play how you want. You CAN do a lot of things, that doesn’t mean you SHOULD though.

This is why I NEVER run Dungeons with people I don’t know. I’m always getting invited to run Dungeons or join a guild by unfamiliar people and do to the abuse of kicking ( Not just in GW2 but every mmo I have played ) I simply refuse to do any type of content that allows kicking with people I don’t know.

Pyroatheist.9031:

GuildWarsPlayer.5608:

Embolism.8106:

Even at medium range Spatial Surge is probably as effective as Ether Bolt, more so if you can hit multiple enemies with it. As Pyro said, at close range you really should be using the Sword, which does more significantly damage and can hit multiple targets.

I use Staff Sword and Torch. The use of the Scepter has been more of an experimental newbie form of play.

As of right now my mode of attack, when soloing in pve is, start with a long range attack via the Staff. I pop Clones, Phantasms, Chaos Storm, the Shield and use Mantra of Pain during this faze. When the combat gets close, I switch to Sword and Torch and use Blurred Frenzy, followed by Prestige ( the flame blast ) and Phantasmal Mage. With that combination I’m able to get quite a few kills.

This all is coming from a level 38 perspective.

Thanks for the reply.

The torch is a horrible weapon for pve. There’s literally no situation in pve where you should be using the torch.

Put on an offhand focus/sword/pistol. The torch is useless.

Torch seems to be a viable weapon in my opinion. You’ve got Prestige that gives an AOE blast that causes damage over time. I’m running a condition damage build so that’s a plus and Phantasmal Mage has high damage output.

Wow, simply wow.

Thanks for sharing.

Just wondering what is the most common way of playing Gw2. For me, I use the keyboard for attacks and what not and I the mouse to move, dodge and strafe left to right. Works well for me.

I prefer using the mouse to move than the keyboard. using the keyboard for movement wears my fingers down for some reason.

Anyone care to share their playing methods ?

Embolism.8106:

Even at medium range Spatial Surge is probably as effective as Ether Bolt, more so if you can hit multiple enemies with it. As Pyro said, at close range you really should be using the Sword, which does more significantly damage and can hit multiple targets.

I use Staff Sword and Torch. The use of the Scepter has been more of an experimental newbie form of play.

As of right now my mode of attack, when soloing in pve is, start with a long range attack via the Staff. I pop Clones, Phantasms, Chaos Storm, the Shield and use Mantra of Pain during this faze. When the combat gets close, I switch to Sword and Torch and use Blurred Frenzy, followed by Prestige ( the flame blast ) and Phantasmal Mage. With that combination I’m able to get quite a few kills.

This all is coming from a level 38 perspective.

Thanks for the reply.

This is something that happens with ALL mmo’s. I too like how they inform the players of what’s going on. Appreciated.

Update of Great Sword use.

Yes the Great Sword is a better weapon than the Scepter when it comes to long range, in my opinion. I still haven’t seen where Great Sword out performs the Scepter when the fight goes mid range to close combat. Once again I am speaking from a level 35 perspective lol.

tii.7192:

I have used scepter from beta 1 to the present day and can never fathom where all the hate comes from. 20/30/0/10/10 pistol traited, glamour cd traited, confusion 33% traited. sigil of fire aoe and force. Chain – duelist, feedback, pistol stun, confusing images for 10 or 11 confusion stacks. with a hybrid gear set and modest 450 condition damage i see mobs regularly taking between 5 and 7k total confusion damage during the short time they live (albeit not with that short chain alone) Condition duration food and multiple duelists + ethereal fields for bosses. The direct damage from scepter in a power crit or hybrid build is not as shabby as some ppl would have you believe either.

I don’t find the Scepter to be as bad of a weapon as people make it out to be. Also, I have been playing with other Mesmers that use the Scepter with an offhand Pistol and they have been doing great with that combination.

Thank you for your reply.

Dastion.3106:

If you enjoy scepter then more power to you, it’s a rather neglected weapon amongst us. The crux of the issue is where you claim it outdoes the Greatsword. There is simply no way the Scepter can outdo it in events even when you neglect the AoE Phantasm GS provides.

Having an offhand adds a nice bit of flexibility, but for PvE the Torch is certainly not an ideal weapon either. Stealth and a delayed burning won’t do much for you in an event and a slow casting Confusion won’t do much either. Any other offhand would serve you better, and pair better with a Sword than a Scepter.

Play as you like, as long as you enjoy it. But I would advise you to try diversifying your options. I neglected Focus for a long time before I came to appreciate it.

Thanks for your intelligent response sir. It’s good to see that there are people on these forums that still believe in constructive debate other than throwing out insults and trying to start arguments over the internet.

I’m still pretty much a rookie when it comes to Mesmerizers. The only two classes I’ve played in GW2 and made it to 80 is Warrior and Guardian. I am nothing more than a fish out of water right now, so my comments and questions are strictly from a rookies perspective.

For the forum members that have given useful information, thank you. For the forum members who throw insults and try to start arguments, well, all I can say is keep trying but don’t get upset if you don’t get the negative response you’re looking for. I simply can’t do the argument thing behind a computer screen in the safety of my own home where there are no consequence’s for what I say.

Now back to the original topic at hand. Because the majority of the Mesmerizer vets have stated that there is no way the scepter is a better weapon than the great sword, especially when reaching higher levels, I have been using the great sword. From what I’ve experienced, thus far, at level 30 lol, the great sword is a really good weapon for events, especially the large one’s. However, for me, when it comes to pve questing, I prefer the staff.

Thank you for your reply.

Hexxen.7216:

Ross Biddle.2367:

Phent.9350:

It is hilarious how bad is scepter now, it was almost useless with 100% confusion dmg, after nerf it’s just crap.

Nice one. Now let’s all remember that the nerf was in WvW, not PvE.

Except that a mobs slow use of skills had it pointless to start with at max damage. ^^ I thoroughly enjoyed scepter even without thinking about confusion damage because even though it took much longer to kill it was much safer with the constant clone spawn on the third swing.

I totally agree that it sucks though and am personally also baffled how you are doing better with it than the GS.

I think it’s the ability to use it with an offhand weapon that’s working for me.

Thanks for your reply.

Ryuujin.8236:

As you reach busier, more frantic environments such as Orr you’ll find it nearly impossible to tag mobs with a scepter. That’s not to say you shouldn’t use scepter if you find it fun and practical; PvE is pretty easy and gives a lot of freedom in how you engage with it.

Just your original post won’t ring true for you later on when you’re not only trying defeat monsters, but competing with other classes who are capable of killing an enemy in less than the time it takes for your scepter projectile to reach it.

Ahhhh Okay. Thanks for this information.

Ramiel.4931:

Scepter in PvE? Better than GS? I don’t know what you’re smoking but I sure as hell want some.

There is no possible way in ANY possible scenario of PvE that scepter is better. There simply is not.

Have you tried Orr farming with scepter? You tag 3 mobs with autoattacks and then they all die. I tag all mobs with IZerker. And don’t even get me started on confusion’s reliability in PvE.

You are entitled to an opinion but it is factually wrong.

Nope haven’t gotten that far with A Mesmer yet. Well now that you guys have corrected me, let me get on that Great Sword and try out your methods ! Thanks ! lol.

Thanks for your reply.

Pyroatheist.9031:

GuildWarsPlayer.5608:

The Scepter is better than the Great Sword in my opinion, when it comes to pve play and events. I’m currently using Scepter Torch with Staff, of course, and am able to get more kills than when using the Great Sword and Staff.

You’re entitled to your own opinion, but that won’t make your opinion any less wrong.

The scepter auto attack is 900 range, compared to gs 1200
The scepter auto attack hits 1 target, compared to gs 3
The scepter auto attack is slow, and has a slow travel time, compared to the gs instant beam.
The scepter has no effective aoe capability with any of its skills, compared to the at least 20% reliable zerker.

The scepter is inferior to the greatsword in every way, with regards to pve farming.

“You’re entitled to your own opinion, but that won’t make your opinion any less wrong.”

True.

Thanks for your reply.

Crossplay.2067:

I’ve read that thread and haven’t seen anything that would suggest why scepter is great. You’ll have to explain your reasoning to me.

For me, when using the Great Sword during pve, I don’t seem to stack up as many kills as the Scepter. I guess it’s more the way I’m playing than anything else.I seem to beable to control the Scepters attacks more so than the Great Sword. The key words here are me and I, not you or everyone else.

The same way I feel that the Staff is a better weapon than the Great Sword. Some people agreed others didn’t. Matter of opinion.

Last, as far as the link goes, the poster was pointing out how the Great Sword is " broken " for Mesmers right now. Maybe the Great Sword being broke for Mesmer is the reason the Scepter is working out for me in pve.

Thank you for your reply.

Dawdler.8521:

That doesnt make any sense, but ok.

https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/mesmer/A-PvE-build-until-the-GS-is-fixed

Eucalyptus.9784:

Cool story man.

Thanks.

The Scepter is better than the Great Sword in my opinion, when it comes to pve play and events. I’m currently using Scepter Torch with Staff, of course, and am able to get more kills than when using the Great Sword and Staff.

Staff is simply amazing for Mesmers in my opinion. I’m running a condition damage type build so I’m laying mobs down with the staff. Staff is the only way to go in pve as far as a ranged defensive weapon goes.

ProxyDamage.9826:

Are you using auto-target as your way of targetting? Turn it off. Learn to ‘lock in’ on targets manually.

If you mean this happens after you have someone targetted… No. Sorry. Never happened to me.

Yeah, I am using auto target.

Thanks for the advice.

Oh Yeah, when in melee range, does not having auto target on effect you in a negative way ?

When using the Great Sword, I’ve noticed when I go into circling enemies or an enemy, the laser often locks on something or someone else way off yonder. To correct this annoying occurrence, I set one of my keyboard keys to " Target Nearest Enemy ". I hit Target Nearest Enemy, before shooting the laser, to lock the target, then I start shooting. This method keeps the laser attached to an enemy and killing that enemy before switching to something else.

Of course I have to remember to repeat the process when switching to another target or that laser will probably end up attacking something way off yonder instead of the target I am going for.

If there are any other methods used for locking onto a target with the Great Sword laser, please do share.

Aberrant.6749:

GS is the offensive long range weapon (when izerker is working)

Staff is mid range and hard to catch (phase retreat)

They both have their uses. Swap them out at the appropriate times.

Agreed. I’ve been using torch sword and staff for solo pve and staff and great sword for events. I’m thinking staff and great sword would do well in dungeons and wvw, haven’t tried it yet though.

Crossplay.2067:

To those that want to know, I use a sub-optimal build with rampager gear, staff and sword/focus. I have 5 runes of the soldier and 1 rune of the Ice to give increased survivability. My traits are 20/30/20/0/0 with Crippling Dissipation, Empowered Illusions, Blade Training, Far Reaching Manipulations, Deceptive Evasion, Master of Manipulation and Chaotic Dampening. My utilities are Ether Feast, Blink, Feedback, Nullfield and Timewarp.

Basically my build is everywhere because I like to do a little of everything. A mixture of power, precision and condition damage means, no matter what, I am going to do damage. I’ve also traited my illusions to do good damage while they are alive and screw with anyone that decides to kill them. I have sigils of earth to add more bleeding and sigils of nullification for boon hate.

If I were to name this build I’d call it the “Swiss Army Knife” as it’s designed with a small tool to handle every situation except for support.

Sounds like a good pve solo build.

Daishi.6027:

Many people out perform with staff but have various reasons to run GS.

My personal reason is that I can get more ranged pressure early, and that means I can counter some builds that could give me problems if I lose to much momentum.

As for PvE I just like to kill t hings faster so pew pew pew!

But staff is definetly a stronger wep IMO. Even if I don’t use it often.

From what I am experiencing, as a beginner, the weapon of choice depends on the situation at hand.

With Mesmers, it seems wise to try different weapons with certain situations like, soloing enemies with tough armor. In instances like this, the great sword would seem to be the weapon of choice for it’s range capability. Wear the enemy down before they get to you, then switch to the melee weapon of choice and finish them off.

Well come to think of it, that could be done with the staff as well, especially if you’re running a condition build.

kylia.4813 Those vids are cool.

My Male Mesmer dresses flamboyant, like Prince.

kylia.4813:

GuildWarsPlayer.5608:

kylia.4813:

GuildWarsPlayer.5608:

Scepter wielding Mesmer’s …. ever.

That’s all.

Sound’s like you’ve never watched any of my videos…

Post em, and don’t attach any malware, hack my account, and leave my characters in their underwear.

…
Theres a link to my youtube channel with well over 30 videos in my Sig

p.s. running the most well known mesmer focused guild, we have way to many scepters

Thanks.

kylia.4813:

GuildWarsPlayer.5608:

Scepter wielding Mesmer’s …. ever.

That’s all.

Sound’s like you’ve never watched any of my videos…

Post em, and don’t attach any malware, hack my account, and leave my characters in their underwear.

Scepter wielding Mesmer’s …. ever.

That’s all.

bobross.5034:

Durzlla.6295:

I can not stand the Great Sword, I’ve tried it so many times and everytime I hate it. The Mesmer Staff in the other hand is probably my favorite weapon set in the game.

Same her…personal preference really, I know it has its place. Also I really like the concept of the GS, this huge melee weapon that is actually ranged…perfect for mesmer. The execution of it is just boring for me though. I know it still comes down to hit + kite, which isn’t much different from staff, but staff feels so much better. I feel in complete control of the fight, knowing I can easily move away, even if immobilized, and I can drop all sorts of protection as needed for myself and my group. I get a similar feeling with sword/focus, which is why I run that as well. GS is always a short term experiment for me, and I don’t see that changing.

Yeah, I also agree. If the great sword could be used in melee as well as ranged that would be cool. It is hard for me to wrap my mind around a great sword not being able to be used for up close combat.

I do keep one on me at all times however, because I have found the great sword to be reliable when running certain events and even during certain heart missions. The great sword really shines, for me, when doing single target skill challenges.

From what I’m experiencing thus far, it really depends on play style and the build you’re going for.

I’m thinking, if you’re going for a straight dps type build, great sword would be the way to go. If you’re going for a condition damage type build, then staff would be the obvious choice.

I find the staff gives me more mobility and defense while doing damage over time. For my play style a condition damage mixed with power, for up close fighting, build would be the way to go. And for up close fighting I’m leaning towards dual swords over sword and focus. Just a preference and I think dual swords looks cool.

Looks like its a matter of preference lol.

Zoser.7245:

I like the greatsword in long range, and I use it frequenly. When things come too much close and personal i prefer the staff with sword/X. But each one is a world and must find his own way.

But, if your build is flexible, carry both in your inventory. We should have our complete arsenal with us in Tyria ; )

Agreed.

GuildWarsPlayer.5608:

Crossplay.2067:

The greatsword is essentially a sniper rifle. You aim for the furthest target and you hit everything in-between. Staff players usually don’t stay at the full range to take advantage of the bounces. In my opinion, it’s best used right outside of melee range and clone to clones so you can soak up all the boons while applying a lot of conditions.

Are you using malign weapons for condition damage ? and what gear are you using ?

Edit: Also what are you trait settings ?

Crossplay.2067:

The greatsword is essentially a sniper rifle. You aim for the furthest target and you hit everything in-between. Staff players usually don’t stay at the full range to take advantage of the bounces. In my opinion, it’s best used right outside of melee range and clone to clones so you can soak up all the boons while applying a lot of conditions.

Are you using malign weapons for condition damage ? and what gear are you using ?

Prefers the staff over the great sword for ranged attacks. I pretty much stay with the staff when questing hearts and exploring. I’m able to stay alive longer when mobbed by enemies using the bouncing orb, chaos storm, clones and the shield. After softening them up with that mix, I switch to sword and focus and wipe out the remaining.

I can’t seem to do the same with the great sword. The great sword seems to be more of a single target weapon where as the staff can be used for single targets and groups of enemies. I usually pop out the great sword with certain skill challenges and events.

Edit: Or maybe I’m just doing something wrong with the great sword lol.

Wiser with Age.3714:

Correct. As long as both gear pieces are 79th or below, the Basic stones will work. It’s only when at least one of the gear pieces is 80th that you’ll need the Fine stones.

Thanks. Unknowingly I didn’t use any of the lower level transmutation stones because I was saving them for level 80 lol.I have like 56 of those darn things now with two level 80’s so they are useless for them lol.

I do have one more faction flag to get so I guess this will give me a good reason to make a new character. I originally planned to only play Warrior and Guardian until I learned about the faction flags, so with all these transmutation stones sitting idle
looks like I’ll be remaking the Mesmer I deleted lol.

I love mmo’s. Just when you think you’re gonna play one way you find out something new and end up playing a complete different way than you originally planned.

Thanks for your help.

mercury ranique.2170:

It doesn’t have to be of the same color. So you can transmutate a blue skin to yellow stats.

The end result will be coloured yellow, but will say in the description that it is transmutated.

To transmutate something that is of required level 80 you need a transmutation Crystal wich are a lot rarer.

Basicly what a transmuation stone does is take the skin of one item and the stats of another item (and the upgrade like the signet can be of either one) and get them combined on one new weapon.

With the basic transmutation stones are they good to level 79 ?

Jrunyon.3012:

GuildWarsPlayer.5608:

Now I’ve never played Elementalist so I’m simply going by observation and what other Elementalist players have spoken about.

So wait, you’re suggesting major class changes to a class you’ve never even tried playing?

I had to double check to make sure I wasn’t in the thief forum.

Well the answer to this question is obvious. Gotta love these guys who attempt to start arguments on internet forums.

Thanks for the reply, it made me chuckle.

When Trans mutating ( If I’m even spelling this right ) gear, does the gear have to be the same color type ? Example, If I wanted to trans mutate level 80 rare ( yellow ) gear to the look of level 60 rare ( yellow ) gear is that possible ?

Crossplay.2067:

I use to think that weapon-swapping would be too powerful for elementalist too but I’m starting to reconsider because of the nature of combat. I’m used to switching from short to long range attacks mid-battle as needed but I just can’t do that on an elementalist. Conjured weapons don’t fix the problem as they’re are too many variables involved in them. Sometimes I’ve been downed as soon as I make one and end up losing it. Other times someone else pics up my spare when I need it. There’s also the time and use limits. It’s just a convoluted mess.

I feel that weapon-swapping can be balanced for elementalist by making it a signet. The passive could allow weapon swapping while in one attunement but lock out all others while in battle. The active would allow one swap but then lock attunements again. This would encourage more diverse builds and make some sense of so many traits that require being in a specific attunement to work.

And this is what my concern is. It seems to me that when enemies get close, swapping to Double Daggers would be a better choice than engaging the enemy with, lets say, the staff.

Now I’ve never played Elementalist so I’m simply going by observation and what other Elementalist players have spoken about.

runeblade.7514:

So you want 40+ skills while the rest of us gets 10 skills?

Nope, I don’t have an Elementalist at the time, I’m currently only playing Warrior and Guardian.

I just thought it would be cool if switching between those weapons would be cool.

Thanks for the reply.

Gabby.3205:

Even though I would love to be able to swap between my Staff and Scepter/Dagger, I understand that people would flip out because “Elementalists already have 20 weapon skills while everybody else got only 10”. We would end up getting nerfed to the ground so it would be worse for us in the long run.

Yeah, I’ve heard that theory before.

Thanks for the reply.

It would be so cool if Elementalist could swap weapons. Just imagine if your Elementalist could swap from Staff to Double Daggers. Man would that be cool.

Why do I have the feeling this idea has been suggested before ?

I see threads like this on every mmo forum.