Guild Wars 2

hmsgodddess has made homeland defense into an art form. You should see her siege setup for Bay. It’s so effective, it’s been named the “Amber Vine Special”.

We’ll hit you up in game!

Loved the video, Snow Ghost! We have a resident DJ on CD as well, but instead of making videos, we all just take our clothes off and run the maps when she turns up the music.

Also loved the fights this week SoS and BP! Crystal Desert got pummeled PPT-wise, but the action on CDBL this week has been crazy fun. Every saved keep was hard-earned, which kept up the momentum when we lost a keep.

Thanks for coming out to play.

I thought about it, but then I found a build that allows me to have high boon duration and a traited focus. So, still stuck with the focus, but it’s a weapon I actually like.

Ah, my experience is that there’s always been many complaints on the Ele forums. We should really have someone on suicide watch over there.

End game is pretty awesome. Where Ele can get by on straight skill rotation, Mesmer is all about reacting to the circumstances we are engaged in. This allows for a broad array of builds to be viable. Just the fact that [OMFG] is able to host a build competition demonstrates the variety of builds available.

So far as weapons go, they all have their place. Given our swiftness issues (we can be slow if not geared for movement speed), many find the focus to be a “must have” weapon. Even when swiftness isn’t a concern, I still find myself using it often because of the aoe pull. And if traited, it reflects projectiles, which is awesome.

The utilities are really unique compared to other classes, so much that we’re often requested for them. Compared to other classes, I switch utilities on the fly on my Mesmer very frequently. This isn’t required of other classes. Also, if you’re big into WvW, you’ll find a lot of times you’ll need specific utilities to get the job done. There are times where I feel frustrated and wish I could be left to play my class as I see fit, but that’s what havoc play is for. For dungeons, one mesmer makes a big difference, but having more than one does not.

A few caveats: we are generally slow, but there are ways around that. Leveling is a pain, but endgame is rewarding. The learning curve is steep, but once you have a firm grasp on it, you’ll be something to be feared.

Finally, in the words of Crossplay.2067: “The versatility of our powers seems limitless as long as we are constantly thinking, ‘I wonder what would happen if I did this?’”

Yeah, given that there isn’t a huge difference, I went with Zerker for my PvE set. Much wider availability to get exotics (temples, dungeons, karma, etc) where you have to craft Assassin’s gear.

http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Equipment_acquisition_by_stats

Not sure who the HoD group was running havoc on CDBL tonight, but you guys are well rehearsed. We couldn’t take you down on even terms, and our best bet was to try to stay one step ahead of your movements.

I was the Norn Mesmer who was pinned up for a bit. Told the map to respect your work which resulted in a number of /salutes thrown your way. Thanks for the fights, and apologies for running like a little kitten a few times

Just to make sure I did this correctly, I check out the scoreboard and cast a vote, yeah?

Scoreboard post link: https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/mesmer/OMFG-Build-of-the-Month-Contest-September/first#post2766574

Certainly no downvotes for me to cast here.

+1 to Sensotix’s Bountiful Interruptions. The build rewards skilled game play, and it’s a team player. Can’t wait to get better with it!

Let’s not diminish Keenlam’s awesome competition here with the back and forth.

Let the builds speak for themselves. If you have a dispute, take it to the arena and duke it out. Last person standing wins

Yeah, generally environmental weapons are only going to replace your weapon skills. So, you should still be getting clones.

There are certain items/skills that will lock your entire skill bar (including utilities) and leave you with a new set of weapon skills. Things like the Norn racial elites or getting into a Siege Golem in WvW. In that case, you will not produce any clones.

Just to clarify that a little bit, when I transform into a Snow Leopard, Deceptive Evasion (the clone on dodge trait) doesn’t work. When I pick up a stick in the woods and swing it at some baddie, I’ll still make clones by dodging.

Ah, good to have confirmation. I swore I tested this before and didn’t think it worked, (I love my Snow Leopard). Definitely going to revisit it tonight

Three cheers for Mundo!

ArkAngel.7940:

Sorry DH and CD. We already took the lead. It’s game over for you guys.

Can we give HoD the win this week for this post alone?

Vertical range counts.

When the Bazaar was open, I left a portal on the boat in case I messed up jumping to the dive spot. I did fall into the water waaay below. Closed my portal, and the range was over extended.

Oh heavens. I just supported a ticket on this issue. Should’ve checked the forums first. I’m sure ANet is on top of it as it’s this widespread.

I second what Neomir said.

I’ve taken my glass build into WvW before just for fun. Turns out it wasn’t fun.

IGN: Jacked Jackal
Server: Crystal Desert
Playstyle: WvW focus and some PvE.
Role: Tester
Hours: NA Prime (3:00p – 8:00p server time on weekdays. Weekends are very open.)

If you synergize your builds, Thief + Mesmer combo is very effective.

Oh, healing others as a Mesmer is an exercise in futility. Nobody likes charging mantras that much :P

My dungeon build doesn’t fit either of your suggestions though. I run a mantra build. Still relies heavily on phantasms, but I skipped the Inspiration tree entirely. Also, I carry PVT armor for certain dungeon steps. It helps a lot in places similar to the end of CoF P2, Dredge Fractals, and Fire Shaman. Otherwise I’m too much of a liability in glass gear with that many spawns.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fgAQNAsaRl4zyoHSTiGa9IBqCYn0DVn6VX6BuztsB-jQyAYLBRKCAlBkKAl8KiGbhjIasNgqrxUuER1BBMK-e
(Note: Left the utility consumable blank for dungeon specific potions.)

Anyway, I keep prattling on because I agree with most of your points, but blanket statements can’t account for everything. There are no cookie cutter builds when it comes to Mesmer, and we limit our potential by thinking that way.

Glass cannon in a dungeon works for speed runs and rehearsed groups. It’s not a playstyle for everyone, however, as you need to know the dungeon mechanics very well and have a script of events to follow. One misstep and the whole house of cards comes crumbling down.

I love me some speed runs and I use glass cannon builds for them, but I also like to take a more casual pace too. I’m a WvWer at heart, but one day five of us WvWers decided we would go “exploring” in Arah P2. We were in there for four hours, and we had to request adult supervision at one point. But we we cleared it. I brought in a support build that day. To some, this approach to Arah sounds painful and a waste of time. But we had a great time, cheered each other on, took little breaks to grab more coffee and get back at it.

On the battlefield, I’m heartless and strive for surgical precision when I’ve got my commander pin up. But I’ve also got a carebear in me. Fortunately, Mesmer has builds viable for all walks of life.

We host a bi-weekly Mesmer Academy on Crystal Desert that goes over a lot of these things. The live combat training in WvW is always a great time

Those of us who lead training sessions learn from doing exactly what you’re doing here. Staying engaged on the boards, watching YouTube videos of others, recording our own dungeon runs and WvW encounters to see where there’s room for improvement. Things like that. Of course, being involved in this training pushes me to stay on top of things and keep finding new content to pass along to the servermates.

My shameless plug aside, a whole wealth of knowledge has come from Pyro and Osicat. I pay special attention to their posts.

Definitely crunch the numbers before you go all in on condition damage. I haven’t figured out the “sweet spot” but increasing condition duration will start to surpass additional condition damage at some point.

Given the criteria you put forth, this is the best I came up with in a hurry: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fgAQRArf8alwzKoHTTqGa9IBqHY37XnkCV/6SKwduB-jEyAItBRTBgpFAkoImDLiGb1sIasqbMdMRUtUAQsGA-w

No idea how it will fly on the field, but seemed to be the smartest use of the points to squeeze the most condition damage and condition application out of a build. Hope this helps get you started!

EDIT: Fixed build. You get more condition damage by putting the 20 pts into Domination and Illusions than you do by speccing for the scepter, which is really going to make a difference on those iDuelist bleeds that you can put up every 12 seconds.

Oh heavens. Even with the changes, we’re not a weak class at all. A bit situation specific, perhaps, but we always have been.

When I first got into the class, I would only run shatter specs and got pretty bored. (The confusion nerfs hit my build hard too.) So I branched out, got new gearsets and worked up new builds. I have four different builds that I make use of (zergball, roaming, dungeon, sPvP dueling) and they all handle very differently. It made things fun again, and a well-timed Mesmer is just as devastating as we’ve ever been.

Working as intended. If you don’t like a little randomness in your playstyle, then Mesmer is perhaps the wrong class for you. Try an Ele where you can better map out actions with exact results. Mesmer though, sometimes we surprise our enemies and sometimes we surprise ourselves.

So far as the thief comparison is concerned, they get to pick their target because they don’t get stealth and clone to go with it.

Ah, these are useful starting points! Thank you both I was considering a Fresh Air S/D, so good to know I’m on the right page here. I’ll put together a test build or two and test it tomorrow. If I have more questions, I’ll come back here.

The Mesmers I’m not too concerned about. They are wicked tough duelists, but I know the class well enough that I hope to counter easier than most. I wasn’t aware of the boon-stealing from Thieves though.

TGSlasher.1458:

Though I went down so quickly to a power ranger yesterday (the red one)

Hahaha, that’s so getting a +1.

My guild has taken on weekly 1v1 sPvP tournaments using a custom arena. I main a Mesmer (the only class I know inside and out) and there are a couple of strong dueling builds for that class. It seems like everyone is starting to bring Mesmers traited for Prismatic Understanding to the party though. So I wanted to switch it up and bring my Ele. I know far less about this class though.

Does anyone have any suggestions for builds for this kind of thing? It seems condition removal and AoE for those pesky Mesmers/Thieves are pretty high priorities for this. (Though we’ve got a few talented Warriors and Engineers that show up too.)

Thanks!

I use the Snow Leopard form in WvW pretty regularly (it’s the ultimate escape tool). Deceptive Evasion (clone on dodge) doesn’t proc in this form, and there are no other skills available to create a clone.

I keep meaning to try Prismatic Understanding with the Snow Leopard, but haven’t done it yet.

Congrats on 80! You’re now playing an entirely different class than before you reached max level.

Just to touch on the gear aspect of things, I have two sets that never leave my bag: soldiers (pow/vit/tough) and zerker (pow/prec/crit dmg). For dungeon running, most often you can go full glass. There are some instances where I swap out my zerker armor for soldier’s—Fire Shaman in Fractals for example—but it’s not often. I hate swapping trinkets, so they always stay zerker in dungeons.

Before the confusion nerfs, I had a rabid (condi dmg/tough/prec) gear set. Now I pull that only for dueling in WvW. Prismatic Understanding and stacks of torment make most people cry.

Large group play in WvW benefits from the soldier’s gear again, while havoc/roaming play can be a little glassier. I mix knight’s gear with my zerker for that.

It’s a lot to acquire, but make sure to check out the equipment acquisition page to see the least expensive ways of getting gear.
http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Equipment_acquisition_by_stats

Sounds like you’ve been talking to too many pick-ups.

That’s a solid dungeon build, but it’s not the only viable one. I run a zerker mantra build that works very well. Not nearly as many boons, but I’m still portaling for speed runs, using pulls to group up mobs, and a well-timed reflection does wonders for the group. Stuff like that.

So far as the ‘meta’ goes, that isn’t something I subscribe to. I have entirely too many gearsets and builds designed for specific situations. I also have a great guild so I never make use of pick-ups. If our party composition is missing something, we make adjustments to cover it. If we’re lopsided, someone will swap classes. We go as a group, not a party of individuals.

Don’t listen to the masses. Find a group that works together. It makes the game so much more enjoyable.

So far as I recall, macros aren’t allowed if one keystroke performs more than one action (which is pretty much the point of macros). Just be careful there.

Still, that rotation is ridiculous, and not even the most ideal way to go about it. Use phase retreat on ambient creatures to push yourself ahead without entering combat—no spinning around required. If you’re double backing for something, leave a portal behind so you don’t have to cover the same distance twice. Save Temporal Curtain for when someone else hasn’t given you swiftness. Add some boon duration to your build. If you’re a Norn, take the Snow Leopard elite.

Mesmers who take advantage of their environments are going to be the ones that excel. We’re not a skill rotation class or a button mashing class. We’re a ‘lemons into lemonade’ class.

I missed out on our flavor of the month for the dungeon builds here! I’ll have to give that one a whirl.

Right now I’m really enjoying a zerker mantra build. It’s similar to the Mantra Nuker, but full zerker gear, GS + S/P, and no shatters.

azamean.8017:

Nikked.7365:

GS and Staff have their phantasms in the #4 slot.

Greatsword phantasm is on #4, but Staff is on #3.

Oh, heavens. Haha I totally failed on that one :P

GS and Staff have their phantasms in the #4 spot. I’ve gotten used to it at this point (I constantly swap weapons around depending on the situation), but I can see that it’s irritating. Mesmer requires surgical precision to be devastating, and little hang-ups like this can pull a player’s focus at the wrong moment.

I could never keep track of the cooldown on Centaur Runes with Mantra of Recovery, so I use Mirror, which gives me about 13 seconds of swiftness every 15 seconds. (+20% swift duration on runes, +10% boon duration from 10 points in Chaos.)

Whoever I’m running with will often be able to fill the gaps for me so I’m not chained to a focus. (Though I still use a focus for large group fights. S/S for small group fights.)

Please let someone else have the portal! My mantra dungeon build takes a damage hit on some of these speed runs because of it.

Darlgon.9273:

Nikked.7365:

Yaks are a significant percentage of the score, and the popular opinion is that each Yak is worth 1 point per player who tags it up to 3 points max. Yaks also reward points for finishing their routes.

Really? So slapping yaks actually helps the score.. Cool beans.

I should’ve posted some Dev confirmation with this.

https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/wuv/wuv/Clarification-needed-please-Dolyak-points/first#post1742511

We were never given the exact amounts on Yak kills, and there are a lot of conflicting answers to that question. Still, 1 point per player up to 3 was reported often, and it makes sense.

EDIT: We have a confirmed answer! See below

Yaks are a significant percentage of the score; each Yak is worth three points. They also reward points for finishing their routes.

Yaks are on timers. There’s only so many of them to go around. Player populations, on the other hand, vary greatly. There’d be a lot of bizarre score activity if we started awarding points for player kills.

WvW is structured around securing and holding objectives. Those objectives require supplies from the Yaks, so it makes sense that the they give points. Players aren’t your objectives, though. They’re your obstacles.

EDIT: Fixed the yak points to match what Devon said below. Didn’t want to disseminate false information!

JakobGW.5730 :

If you’re so worried about 1st place, go play Mario Kart against five-year-olds.

My nephew kicks my kitten in Mario Kart.

He also dances and laughs a lot when he beats me. I told him he had to be from Maguuma. Then my sister yelled at me for using foul language in front of the children.

Oh, chest thumping! I got this.

I totally 1v5’ed an upleveled group last night, then I laughed over every single one of their corpses. Later I got steamrolled by a zergball. I called my mom and cried about it, but she didn’t understand when I kept saying that open field ACs are weak.

My mom is such a noob. No, wait. I mean UrMom.4205 is such a noob!

We need to get Castaliea a job at ANet.

I’m very confused about what “increased supply pickup speed” is.

At any rate, I wholly support this thread. We’ve got enough RNG elements in our skills. The chance of getting “bonus” supply seems to slap well-planned assaults/defenses in the face.

I’d be much happier with better commander tools (and some love to the /supplyinfo tool) so that we can coordinate more efficiently instead of praying to the RNGods that we have enough bonus supply to get that second or third ram up on an inner keep gate.

Amadan, I gave up my feathered chestpiece because of those sleeves. What a wreck.

Currently wearing the T1 Norn cultural light armor chestpiece. I dyed it emerald green and feel a bit like a giant Peter Pan. It’s OK for the moment, but we could definitely use some more options.

This is no small loss. Not only has Feramoan lost all those gems, but Crystal Desert has lost Fera for a week!

Please clean up the UI so others don’t encounter the same difficulties. It’s especially frustrating when this kind of thing happens.

I have a flashy top or two in Norn light armor, but I could really use a pair of pants that show off my assets.

JetLu.1874:

My suspicions have been affirmed. CD does not sleep, EVER.

Well, that’s just silly. Of course we sleep! We just happen to dream of your dead bodies and loot bags when we do.

Now that I think about it, perhaps I am sleep-gaming. O_o

A noble pursuit, but the wording and reminder note left a bad taste in my mouth.

At any rate, the suggestions aren’t very realistic to me. I don’t know where the confined areas are on every map. Finding detours is impossible in some zones if someone is nearby. And I’m certainly not going to announce everytime I have mobs chasing me in map chat either. I keep my head in the game, but this is all excessive for just travelling.

I do often help with kills whether it’s because of my train or someone who is struggling when I got there. I also keep Mass Invis on my bar, so I can give people a chance to escape. That’s about as much as I’m willing to do.

Nice work this week, BP! When I first saw this matchup, I was all, “Borlis who?” Now I get it. You all have hustle.

Thanks for the info, Hebee and Lambent! I started MF gearing an alt for farming, which included spending a bunch of laurels and guild commendations. Oof. Guess I’ll stop before I get the armor.

Sorry for the not-up-to-speed question, but did I miss an announcement? I didn’t know MF gear was going to be changed. I thought the achievements were just a supplement to MF.

Thanks for any insight!

Quartz Crystals also drop from heavy bags. Assuming that loot table stays in place, we won’t be restricted to just the home instance.

I’m hoping that because they put it in a loot table that is not specific to the Living Story, we’ll see more uses for it after the Bazaar is over.

Be wary of the Mesmer. The utilities are a boon and a condition.

I fancy myself to be a skilled fighter, and I’ve got no problem jumping into certain death if it means our goals will be preserved. Still, I’m most often called upon for Golem Herding in raids, nerfed Glamour builds for ZvZ, and Veil + Null Field for GvG.

The class is a ton of fun to play, and we do things other professions can’t. So groups want those utilities, but I don’t earn any loot/wxp when portalling and waiting with golems while the main force is out playing the field.