Guild Wars 2

I don’t play PvE often, but when I do, I focus on phantasm builds. I also run it in most of my condition/tanky specs in pvp. Overall, it has a lot of sustain, so I’d recommend it.

Skill points for other utilities can be easy to farm in all the low level areas if you really need them.

I’m not sure. This may be an unpopular opinion here, but I think Mesmer is one of the most balanced classes in the game next to Guardian/Engi. waits for my fellow Mesmer-users to flame me There are ALOT of issues with most classes, and I honestly feel like others are either severely OP or UP.

That being said, I played with some people recently that didn’t know how to stomp the right Mesmer. -____- I think that says enough.

Me Games Ma.8426:

I’m just a clone of my illusion. lol

This just blew my mind.

Dude, Krait is like the new posh rune for Mesmers to use!! :P It’s so legit. I’ve just been having so much fun fearing people with Nightmare runes. It’s nice to have yet another consistent interrupt on Mesmers.

I really like the concept of this. Surprisingly enough, there are still people out there that don’t know how to find the right clone. -_-

Thanks Leona!

Thanks for your POV skcamow! :-* I’ve won 90%+ of the tpvp matches I’ve been since this build. While I’m rank 60, the guildies I’ve been playing with are below 30, so I assume I haven’t really faced the appropriate competition. I think it has some potential to do really well though.

In reference to thieves, I haven’t come across one yet that can 1v1 me yet. The build is great 1v1 BUT you will eventually decap the point if you continue to use your distorts.

eta – I think Countless runs Menders Purity instead of Crippling Dissipation, so he gets 3 conditions removed from his heal. Also, he runs Carrion amulet with sword instead of Rabid & scepter. I guess my build is the tankier version of his. :P

The problem wasn’t the bug on Power Lock, it’s the thieve’s mechanics. I know we’re all hardcore Mesmer fanboys (me included) but it’s a bug that should have been eventualy fixed.

That being said, I find it disheartening how quick they are to hotfix this bug when there are certain skills that have been bugged for MONTHS. Decisions like this make me rethink their priorities when it comes to to Mesmer.

When you’re taking your exam too slow and imagine a time warp helping you to speed up.

Ahh ok I get you now brotha! I just like concrete examples, so that I can work with it. :P That would actually boost overall condition dmg on this spec by a lot I think.

I’m worried that leaving the chaos line would give me less sustainability though. If that’s the case, I might as well go Carrion. I’ll test this out though and let you know how it goes. Thanks a lot!

Nazer.7301:

I wouldn’t use it in a spvp/tpvp setting myself. Personally I dont like signet builds, some of the other mesmer utility’s are hard to get away from. Menders purity imo is a lot stronger than 1 condi per sigil. Both dissipations are weak imo you can find better damaging condis that are reliable. I’m sure this works but maybe lean more toward power or condi not both.

It’s a trade off. I get less condi removal when compared to Mender’s purity, but I’m also mitigating ALOT of dmg in a stereotypical mid-fight. Personally, I like that trade off. Additionally, I’ve been able to hold off 3v1s for a significant amount of time due to distortion+signets+scepter2+Staff2.

You say I can find better condis than the dissipations. What are they? The only heavy conditions Mesmer can put on are Torment/confusion/bleed/vuln, and this build does all of the above. Right now, the bleed on one of them is hitting for 2k if they don’t clear it.

Lastly, nothing about this build is power based. iDuelist is good in this build not for its power, but purely for its bleeds.

Bumping, because I’d like some feedback from my fellow Mesmer experts! XD

Niiiice photos. Scarlet needs a brother. I feel like she has a benefactor somewhere out there…

Sorry for not reading the entire thread, but I agree with the OP. I’ve always used 20/20/30 for my lockdown, with Boonstripping, Interrupt traits and MoD being the only things that always stay the same. I run sword/focus+Staff zerker.

Sometimes I use Arcane thievery and blink. Sometimes Portal. It’s always kinda different depending on my team, the other team and the map.

I see the appeal. Bleeds can come easy for Mesmers with a lot of precision. And most viable builds should have 40%+ critical chance so… The elite skill is nice.

I’m using Nightmare runes for my condition spec and I love it. Let me know how the Krait works out.

UPDATES:
2/8/2015 -
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fhAQNAraWnsISFa2gG2qB3aIx1YM5JzcqiIVAluiNmG-TZBCwAAOBAeLDc5IAU5RAYb/BA

Hey guys. This is my first build post on the official forums, as it’s the first time I’ve actually done my own theory crafting and testing. That being said, it’s only been a few days since the patch so who knows how it’ll do over time… Before I go on, I’d like to credit Lyssa’s little brother, Countless, for inspiring me to make this build. If you don’t know this demi god of a Mesmer, please go check out his stream. You’re welcome biznatch!

~[Malignant Inscriptions]~
Weapon Set: Scepter/Pistol + Staff
Sigils: Corruption/Energy + Agony
Rune: Nightmare
Amulet: Rabid

Traits
DOMINATION (4)
Crippling Dissipation, Signet Mastery
DUELING (6)
Phantasmal Fury, Blurred Inscriptions, Deceptive Evasion
CHAOS (4)
Debilitating Dissipation, Cleansing Inscriptions

Utilities
Healing Signet
S. Domination
S. Midnight
S. Inspiration/Portal (Portal + Treb = Balthazar; every elite Mesmer should always run Portal, but I’m also having fun with the “pure” signet build)

Strategy

CLONE DEATHS
When fighting on point, they will die often, and they will spam 3 AOE conditions for long periods of time thanks to nightmare runes. And if they don’t die, they will cause bleeds from critical hits. Either way, you will keep lots of conditions on opponents. If they don’t attack your clones, you can still make them explode by dodging, causing the AOE explosion of toxicity yourself. The bleeds from Debilitating Dissipation will cause 6s bleed for ~2k. Your iDuelist will cause bleeds often, leading your opponent to once again come to a difficult decision: kill the duelist and hurt my team or take the single-target dmg?

It goes without saying, you shouldn’t be shattering except Distortion for stomps, rezzing and escaping a tough situation.

SIGNETS
Why are Mesmers not running these builds? Countless is the first high profile guy I’ve seen really sticking with this build style for the Mesmer, and until I tried it myself, I was still unconvinced of how effective it was. Well let me tell you: the distortions on these are insanely underrated. If you need to activate the heal, you most likely won’t be interrupted, especially if you chain it with another signet. The only downside is that you can’t capture points while distorting, but if you’re in a large mid-fight, your focus should be on wiping the opponent, and leaving your bunker to keep the point captured. Caught in a Warrior’s 1000 blades? Distort. Caught in a blurred Frenzy? Distort. Caught in a Fire Storm? Distort, and then get the kitten out of there. Basically, ruin your enemy’s rotations altogether with distortions.

Additionally, the passive signets synergize perfectly together with the entire build, boosting condition dmg, boosting boons. Activating them allows for nice combos as well like sharing boons from a Chaos storm or chain stunning with S. Domination + Pistol.

OVERALL
I can ramble on forever… You pretty much can be effective at several parts of a typical pvp team: self-sustain, condition, AOE, support and roaming.

IGN: Cho Kurai
Constructive criticism highly encouraged. Shoot me a whisper sometime. :-*

It’s only been a bit over a day…

I don’t see how Mesmers were hit harder than any other class. If the movement of a gm trait is your biggest gripe then you’re a spoiled brat. It makes more SENSE for Empowering Mantras to be in the…wait for it…Power line. Additionally, not every Mantra is power based. Who would have guessed. They’ve been trying to make mantras more supporty/durable so it makes more sense for this gm trait to be in the same line as Mantra Mantra and the one that buffs toughness.

Outside of that, I’m happy? iWarden STILL needs work, but is better than before. Powerlock is probably one of the best new gm traits out of all the professions. Testing out new builds has been fun.

first thread I’m reading since patch. Not looking forward to the rest of the forum if we already have threads begging Mesmers to “not quit”

I love this forum!! Great theories OP.

Know how I can tell this is a fake? Anet would never put an OP sigil like that in the pvp format! The original poster is a charlatan!

I love everyone in this community. <333

This is super weird. Perfect way to syngergize with the even weirder signet of illusions. I like it!

Branden is already cool based on the way he spells his name. Such a rebel.

Countless is OP.

Ah ok that makes sense. Thanks for the insight! I guess I kind of get it, but it’s not often I see large groups of guildies in there together for that matter. I just think there’s way too many 8v8 servers.

I can never consistently get into a 5v5 server with full teams.

I’d rather us not derail Allie’s lovely goodbye thread with this argument. Let’s make a new one, because it’s actually REALLY interesting to discuss.

Helseth <3

What exactly is the point of having so many 8v8 servers?

I know that all types of players should be taken into consideration, but as a serious pvper, when I want to go test out a build, it’s often difficult to find a 5 person hot join server that has adequate amount of people on it.

Instead, everyone is zerging on the 8v8 servers… In my opinion, I think all servers provided by ANET should be 5-person teams as to promote better practice/preparation when newer players join tournaments. The 8v8 stuff should be left to custom arenas.

GASP noooo! Just when you were starting to be recognized as the goddess you’ve always been.

Good luck though and keep in touch!

You make a great case to why the signet is helpful in pvp. I use it in some of my builds. I love the way you articulated its effectiveness vs Ether Feast.

hahahah believe me, I’ve gotten owned HARRRD a couple times for not having MoR so use at your own risk broskie! :P

I honestly never thought to use MoD defensively. I usually burn the charges before I can even think that way. Woah, who would have thought. I’ll keep this in mind in the future. Thanks! <3

Raunchy, that’s what I’m talking about: running classic mantra builds. There’d be no point in running the signet if you were only running one mantra. lol

Maybe the times I suggested are off, but I’m asking about the general design of it.

I’m not saying there shouldn’t be drawbacks. And btw, I’m a pvp purist. I’m just saying that the drawbacks are so large that a majority of players, pvpers included, don’t run the build. It’s all about options. If you were to run the signet I suggested, that means you’re running one less mantra, which is of course another drawback. There should be more options to make the build more viable.

I totally see your point there Calavel. Using a heavy mantra build is like willingly imparting OCD onto yourself.

Still, I don’t think the answer is adding dps pressure to mantras. A successful MoD/MoP glass cannon is MORE than enough for me to handle. I’ve seen them in action. Scary stuff. lol I think the general idea of the signet I suggested is a step in the right direction though.

I like the idea of this.

eta This way I can stop wasting my service items. I always get thanks for popping a trader/bank.

Signet of Mantras
Passive – Every 30 seconds, add 1 charge to all Mantras
Active – Gain 4s of reflection whenever channeling mantras for the next 10 seconds
Cool down: 50 seconds

I’m not confident on the numbers there. Opinions on the OP/UPness of them? Or is that just a ridiculous idea? haha

The passive effect would make mantras a lot more viable, since the biggest drawback is channeling. It’d be somewhat of a blow to mantra tanks, because that’s one less mantra in your utility slot to help AOE healing.

The active effect has some synergy with the trait that adds toughness when channeling. Again, this trait would make channeling not as dangerous.

So I’m trying out all types of things. I run MoD on my main power interrupt build and I honestly can’t help but have it on this one instead of MoR. Mantra of Distraction for me is so clutch because I can lock them in an iWarden whirl or Chaos Storm. Depending on curtain/storm alone doesn’t feel like enough lockdown for me. Of course, you’re sacrificing a huge chunk of condi clear, but when using Mirror (a heal I NEVER use) it seems to work on this tankier build.

I’m also running Blink and portal just so that I feel extra helpful in terms of mobility for my team.

Thanks so much for the inspiration. I’m liking this build right now as we all anxiously await the feature patch! <33

Omg yeah, that Curtain/iWarden/CI is KILLER. Just imagine when iWarden is fixed! :P

I don’t run condition interrupt. That’s such a unique playstyle. Thanks for the inspiration. I’m going to try out my own version of your build and play around with it. What’s your experience with Ice versus Grenth? Obviously, you prefer the latter; why? Do you tend to shatter a lot? If not, I always find the signet to be more helpful overall even though the burst on Ether is a lot better. I may even try out the mantra heal for extra condi removal.

I currently run Staff/Sword/Focus. 20/20/30.

Hit me up in-game @ Chokawaii

looks nice! My interrupt build uses iwarden with CI. It’s oh so deliciois.

I fully plan on trying to make the shatter condition build work.

Oh Shriketalon, you didn’t know? 15% increase in Phantasmal Strength is our grandmaster trait!

^

Not to say this trait is trash, but it’s simply not good enough to be grandmaster. The investment to put that many points in the line AND to pass up other traits simply isn’t worth it.

I think DE is fine where it is. I think DE is a crutch that our community has used for far too long and was VERY happy to see it nerfed. We’re limiting ourselves. Traiting into illusions is great because it automatically gives a CD for illusion creation. You should also probs be running Double Illusions and or Decoy.

You can get as low as 6sec CDs for some (staff 2 sword 3 GS 2) illusions.

Come on Mesmers. We’re the best class with the most skilled players. Get rid of your crutches and run with the butterflies!

In total agreement with MS about the stacking of Daze. I have posted several times in the bug forums about it stacking with Runes of Mesmer/Paralyze/etc. When equipped in pvp, it does NOT show an increased duration whatsoever, which is why I’m skeptical of using them at all. What’s the point of using them if Diversion still only says “1 second”? Maybe they fixed it? It’s been awhile since I even checked myself.

That being said, CS is still a worth-while trait and imo on equal footing with the new trait. It depends on your playstyle. Both are different forms of “lockdown”. The former physically locking you down in place (due to stun) and the other locking down your opponents’ options.

eta- re the above post, also agree with the lack of synergy between CI and CS. Stunning stops them from attacking, but you already have the “physical lockdown” with CI. Really, CS only adds the supposed 25% extra daze. 30/10/30 is much more viable if you take PL over CS in this situation.

Yeah, I don’t claim to be a lockdown master. I only tend to know how to interrupt the really easy identifiable casts AND easily identifiable profession combos. I focus a bit less on disrupting certain skills and more on setting my own burst combos up using CI.

example: Pull→iWarden→leap→Blur

But hopefully with more practice, I’ll become a more skillful lockdown Mesmer.

skcamow.3527:

Unless you’re paying very close attention it might be difficult to determine which skill you interrupted (that went on cool down) so as to gain a tactical advantage. So I definitely agree playing power block will be a higher skill cap than other lockdown builds we’ve seen thus far.

True, but by the time your enemy’s 10CD is up, you should have already interrupted another skill. The magic of this trait is that you can have multiple skills on CD, severely handicapping him/her into essentially only being able to use their 1 skill.

btw, I’m Cho! I was watching Countless a bit ago. haha

Honestly, I’m one of those Mesmers who attempts to work without Deceptive Evasion every so often. I think our community uses it as a crutch… I’m immediately going to test out 30/20/20, but also 30/10/30/0/0 in order to take all the interrupt traits I can.

I’ve thought about Bountiful Dissipation for awhile now! It provides the best synergy for the Chaos trait line. It simply makes sense. Anyone going 30 into Chaos aren’t shattering their clones except for the distortion on stomp or diversion for clutch interrupts.

Love the concept behind this. Very ~inspirational~ in a Lyssa type of way. Wish Inspiration traits were more interesting like this…and useful.

BlackDevil.9268:

Raunchy.6891:

BlackDevil.9268:

Raunchy.6891:

BlackDevil.9268:

I like how they give the best grandmaster traits to the trait lines which already got the best current GM traits.

Mesmer in raid vs big blobs gonna be… ’’fun’’ lol. Just facetank everything with perm immunity.

Are…….are you trolling? I can’t tell…

No? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmJ1QZ_aPqc&list=PL8ED62A3D9F4A3742
Every time exp pops up I get 3 sec immunity. Add that with the dodges you get with perm vigor and the distortion from yourself + blurred frenzy. Perm immunity while in combat isnt that hard to obtain like that.

You say you aren’t trolling, but then you mention the dueling GM trait….lol. There are very few people with builds that use 30 in dueling besides pve phantasm builds, which are hard to pull off in pvp. I can sort of agree with you if you meant Domination, but definitely not Dueling.

You asked me if I was trolling about perm immunity, I said no. The problem you’re pointing out has nothing to do with if it’s possible or not. And actually, there are quite a bit roaming builds that got 30 in dueling or is viable with 30 in dueling such as PU builds.

pvp condition build here with 30 in dueling. NOT Pee Eww though. 0/30/20/20/0

I commend Justin for debating with the community. However, I think we need Bill O’Reilly to declare this a no-spin zone… No matter what you call it, horizontal/vertical progression, if a kitten person buys this game 2 months from now, they will NOT be on the same level playing field as a veteran in pvp.

This goes directly against the spirit of pvp, and it’s sad. We should have knew something was up when you had to unlock the heals as well………. SIGH. At least these traits are good though. haha

Tournament is open to all players, pvp, wvw, pve or otherwise. I say just bring it.

Me Games Ma.8426:

Now that they’ve been revealed on the livestream let’s discuss them.

• Domination: Interrupted skills will go on 10s cooldown instead of 5s NO ICD
• Dueling: Get 3s of distortion after killing a foe. NO ICD
• Chaos: Grant boons on shatter activation (F1: 3s Retaliation, F2: 15s Might(x3), F3: 5s Fury, F4: 8s regeneration)
• Inspiration: +1000 healing power after interrupt (4s)
• Illusions: Torment on Shatter hits (no values confirmed)

Domination: GREAT! Speaks for itself. Won’t make or break interrupt builds. If you’re a good lockdown mesmer, this is just the icing on the cake. Will likely drum up interest in interrupt builds over AI builds.

Dueling: This could be clutch in some pvp matches. I could see it being particularly useful in wvw zergs.

Chaos: Good synergy for interrupt shatter builds. x/x/30/x/30 with Diversion/Bountiful Interruptions/Cry Of Frustration. Pop a Signet of Inspiration to share the wealth. :P Outside of that, Mesmers can get most of those boons in other ways (outside of Fury).

Inspiration: sigh no comment. A better trait would have been if Distorted clones also hit allies, causing them to become invulnerable as well.

Illusions: Really cool! Shatters are inherently supposed to do a lot of condition dmg considering the trait line boost condition dmg soooo…about time?! I could see this wrecking faces in wvw.

Overall, very happy with the changes. I’m still kittened that they haven’t hot fixed bugs that cripple some skills such as iwarden & phantasmal haste, but at least they WILL finally be fixed.

Allie’s a goddess. That is all. <3