Hello all,
I got slight confused about the new megaserver setup. I suppose it is the division on the www side that confuses me.
So, are ALL players previously on different servers, for example, SoS, BG, JQ, etc., are playing ALTOGETHER in ONE server now?
When it comes to www, the old division of servers, again, SoS, JQ, BG, etc., are more or less like “teams”. When some one step into the www area, they are divided into teams according to their original home server.
Am I correct?
Many thanks
Hot female:
Norn, max height, most of the light armours look hot; some heavy armours are hot too (still miss that boobs grapping claw from the Arah breastplate).
Human cultural medium tier 3 looks hot too.
In terms of support, yes guardian and elementalist are a good choice. Also it is said that the best support is DPS because you are supporting others by eliminating the threat all together. Warrior or some glasscannon build could be what you are looking for. All others can do decent support too at various degree. So search around under different professions formums to get some basic idea.
One of my guildmates combined this with some confusion proc traits…..the results were disgustingly hilarious.
You have to give up PU to pull it off though. Devs did a decent job of forcing a choice there.
Sorry, which confusion proc traits you are talking about? Let me try it later when I get home.
I play a shatter mesmer too. When I read about the change to Critical Infusion, I almost had an heart attack. Personally I think the shatter build was at the right place. Not sure if the change is necessary,
To be fair, 5 points was way too easy for near perma vigor. But shatter needs perma vigor like Miley Cyrus needs attention. Its almost as if the Devs forgot shatter was still a build (lol @ forgetting the fundamental mesmer build) and neglected to add in a way for mesmers to get reasonable access to vigor.
In a build already constrained in traits, asking mesmers to put 10 points into a line totally unrelated to shatter just to get the vigor they need is absurd. Its not a question of a trade off between that and stripping boons. I need to strip stability and protection, it isn’t debatable. Frankly I’d be much happier if they put Vigor in as the adept trait in Illusions, it would at least makes sense there.
Assuming CI is not going to change, how best to maintain a good vigor uptime? Or a good level of clones production? And is a good shatter template still: 20/20/0/0/30 (having not come around to the new system yet, sorry).
In the nearly 2 years that i’ve been playing GW2 I’ve never posted on the forums. But this patch. My God, this patch.
I’m not one for hyperbole so i’ll say it straight. Shatter is no longer a viable build. I’ve been running shatter for the past few months in a group composition, typically 5-8 going up against 15-20, and doing very well. In fact, I’d say that Shatter was one of the most powerful builds to run in that environment. But not anymore.
To those unfamiliar with the role of a shatter mesmer in the group, its to be full-glass and down a cluster of 4-5 people as quickly as possible. That’s the job and shatter did it extraordinarily well. Not anymore.
Now, I’ll be lucky to do 75% of a cluster’s life (this is with ~25 stacks of might). This allows a competent zerg ball to regroup and heal. Additionally, I’m much harder pressed to live as I’m highly reliant on dodges/invluns to survive. This is due to the halved duration on critical infusion, hamstringing both my defenses and my clone production (which was already hard-pressed while fighting a zerg).
I would like to stress that I’m running full glass. Its supposed to be a trade off of durability for damage, which it certainly was. Now I’m doing mediocre damage with terrible durability.
Perhaps, once I’ve stopped fuming I’ll reassess the situation and see that all is not lost. Perhaps. But shatter was not a build that required nerfs and yet got its teeth knocked out by this patch.
I play a shatter mesmer too. When I read about the change to Critical Infusion, I almost had an heart attack. Personally I think the shatter build was at the right place. Not sure if the change is necessary,
Depend on what you want. But most likely it not a good move. People already did the math to find the good ratio between Power and Precision to get the best damage. You need a high amount of power and critical damage before you are better off with Precision over Power. With the incoming nerf to crit damage, this ratio will be a little more toward power and less toward precision, making Assassin gear probable never worth it except in some specific situation or build. The best for you would be to wait a couple weeks after the 15th April and then ask you question again, when people would have done the new math.
Is there a link for the calculations?
I read it somewhere that apart from balancing off power-crit-precision, one also has to factor in the cooldowns of proc effect from runes and etc.. I understand that there is little use of very high crit-rate if those procs cannot catch up.
I have tried a phantasm build as well. In PvE, I think it is a bit of an overkill and unefficient. Normal mobs die too quickly and because phantasms disappear upon the death of its initial target, it does not make the most of their damage potential in 1vX situations. Also because phantasms are hopeless in position themselves, which makes them an aggro magnet in some areas. They are however good at fighting difficult and hard targets but then they are not very good at avoiding AoE (positioning again). I do however use them to fight world bosses while I am making coffee.
So after a while, I feel that I have more control over the battle with a shatter build. I still use phantasms: as in I do let them do their job before popping them kittenter fodders. So I am sort of micro-managing and timing my damage output. Actually I was looking for a shatter-phantasm build not long before. But as it turns out not to be very good.
I use Diversion or Distortion mostly when I am disabled or needing to run away. I use Diversion when my dodge, block and pushback are still recharging. I understand that it may be justify to have Distortion on its current slightly longer cooldown; but Diversion can do with a shorter cooldown.
Hello all,
I have been playing with a shatter mesmer, which has been hectic and fast-pace; and I like it! It is very engaging and rewarding. On my necromancer, I play as a MM, which is much less hectic to say the least since my minions do all the work for me. It is not a complaint; not at all. At first, I do not mind. But after a while playing as a shatter mesmer (and occasionally an atunement dancing elementalist too), I feel that a more involved playstyle suits me best.
I know it is asking for a comparison between apple and orange, BUT indulge me if you would, what sort of necromancer build could offer similar level of rapid play-style?
It does not have to be dps-centric. I am happy to adept and learn; and eventually figure a personal way.
Many thanks!
I have Tailoring at 400+ and I have been crafting and using Berserker and Rampage gears so far. It terms of damage, it does the job. It is the survivability and I worry about…
So what runes, etc., can help me to balance that?
I have been trying to refine my skills in shattering lately. I use sword-sword/greatsword with Decoy and Mirror Images in the utility slots. I do not normally carry a condition cleansing skills too and I do not have a fixed skill on my third utility slot. I do not use traited torch either (also because I prefer distracting my targets with clones rather than relying on stealth. Not saying stealth is not useful though: it is in the right situation but can do without under normal circumstances).
It is indeed a riskier build without condition removal: I do not mind having a bit of bleed or buring or poison, but chill really gets me since shatter build really rely on recharge speed on skills.
I used Mantra of Resolve once. But having to activate it every time I zoned into a story area annoyed me a little. It is nonetheless a good condition removal power. Recently I having been experimenting on Phantasmal Disenchanter instead. It removes conditions and can double up as a shatter fodder. On a 16 second cooldown (with Illusionists Celerity), it is not half bad. Just have to remember to let it does it job first before popping it.
(edited by Oh My God.8423)
Dear mesmers,
I am only a 2 levels before hitting the 80 mark, which will make my mesmer (my very first creation since pre-launch) my first level 80 character! With a little bit of crafting and personal story arc, I should be able to get to 80 before the weekend.
Anyway, I have been playing with a standard shatter build since level 60 and I have been enjoying it. Mind you, since 60 onwards, I have been staying in PvE. I am hoping at 80, I will be doing both PvE (story, dungeons etc) and WvW regularly. I have seen most Osicat posts, guides and video but I am hoping to get a wider view this time.
So when I get to 80, how should I gear up myself? What stat should I focus on?
In terms of my tactics: my play style seems to be rather aggressive lately. But I am still playing level 50-60 contents so my margin of error is rather wide. I have tried all combos of weapons as I levelled up. I used to like the staff/greatsword combo when I first started playing as a shatter mesmer. But the recharge of Chaos Storm was too slow for my liking. I am still hoping to use staff again so if you have some good suggestions on how to make it work, I am all ears.
Now I am using sword-sword/greatsword. Starting with greatsword Phantasmal Berserker and then Mirror Blade, then dodge roll for a third clone, I will do my first burst. Since I am mostly playing in PvE lately, a simple cripple from Phantasmal Berserker and dodge roll myself to the right position – usually behind the target – and should be sufficient enough to ensure a 4-illusion hit burst (including Illusionary Persona). Normally I would do Cry of Frustration first trying to load the target(s) up with some confusion stacks before its first round of attack. But it is just some trash mob, I will stay as far as possible using greatsword 1 to chip away some of its HP first before shattering with Mind Wrack to finish it (or them) off.
Then switch to sword 3 Illusionary Leap then either 5 Phantasmal Swordsman or 4 Illusionary Riposte depending on the situtation, then dodge roll again if I do not have 3 illusions ready. And I will do my second burst with Mind Wrack. Then there is the wait for Mind Wrack or Cry of Frustration to recharge for a third burst. Normally I would still have one dodge roll left, if not two with the benefit of Critical Infusion. And of course Mirror Images and Decoy should I need them. Within that time, I would do my best to sustain some DPS with sword 2 and 1 or trigger a Diversion for some CC. Since I have Blade Training, my Illusionary Leap should be up again. Then back to greatsword for more CC from Illusionary Wave if necessary. Then start the rotation again.
With the above rotation, I feel that I am relying on Illusionary Invigoration a lot during 1vX situations or during a fight of some hard targets. I can do 4 bursts very rapidly but I will be half dead by the end (that is why I still like staff because it is safe). I suppose that is essentially a glass-cannon. So to keep my alive, I have been experiment Signet of the Ether. It does not seem to fit well with a shatter build but during shatter down time, I would normally have clones or phantasms to keep my company and to distract the targets. I can see my HP slowly filling up but I am still not sure if using Ether Feast, or any other healing power, would be a safer and more efficient option. So, any advice would be most welcome.
So that is my shatter mesmer. Please guide me to make a good one…
Many thanks!
Looks like you’re going for power build due to favor for fast pace, in that case scepter may not be a viable choice in WvW/PvP. Its ok in PvE because AI monster don’t dodge, but players will dodge when illusions running towards them. Hence lots of WvW shatter mesmers use sword and usually shatter burst after immobilize foe with ileap. Plus blurred frenzy is one of your main burst damage source. With the incoming patch though, scepter and staff will be useful in condition shatter (torment). It may not be as fast paced as you wish but can be a good sustain.
Mind wrack is our main power burst, so you need to think of a way to sustain damage during the 11.5s cd. Often that can be summoning a phantasm from your second weapon set and keep it there, or use scepter 3. Or just use auto-attack….though both scepter and staff auto does a horrible job in power builds.
I understand now.
So I should be building a power mesmer that alters between shatter and phantasm summoning. Some sort of hybrid build perhaps.
As to weapons, I suppose sword/x with GS?
I am indeed looking forward to a x/30/x/x/30 build with the new Dueling GM. BUT I am not sure where else to put the rest of the 10 points.
I am debating whether it is good to get Vigorous Revelation from the Inspiration line, which could give me more Endurance to dodge around. On the other hand, using Illusion of Vulnerability and Rending Shatter to cause vulnerability are too useful to overlook. Debilitating Dissipation from the Chaos line is also decent but somehow harder to make the most of.
In terms of balancing between burst and sustained damage, I suppose if I can burst frequent enough, it becomes sustained some how. So what sort of set up gives the most illusions constantly for shattering? I am using Septer/nothing specific and Staff for the time being, with Decoy and Mirror Image most of the time.
Any suggestion?
And what stat/gear should I equip myself with?
Many thanks once again.
It seems that a lot of mesmer are playing some form of PU or another these days. I however have only just started playing mesmer again after trying out some other classes (mainly ele, ranger and thief). My mesmer is at level 62 right now and I want to seriously try on different builds.
So far, for me, shatter seems quite fun. A kittenaotic and fast-pace sometimes but still I enjoy. I am thinking of carrying on with a shatter build. I am interested to know what is the general opinion of a shatter mesmer these days? I do mostly PvE and occassionally WWW.
Also, how many different types of shatter builds are available?
Many thanks!
On the point of cosmetics of the minions:
I just don’t feel they are “scary” enough in a sense of that they do not relate to anything afterlife or the decaying of a fresh. Honestly they look weird.
There are ghosts and undeads NPCs in the game. They look more like the minions a MM ought to proudly have. I think I said it else a long time ago where I suggested each race should have their own unique racial minions using the respective race ghosts and undeads.
How about an Elite skill that summon a second pet?
They could just put a limit on the number of minions that could be summoned with the skill (which they would do no matter what). It requires you to keep the minions alive consistently.
Also, all ideas for that were presented with significant drawbacks. In Lily’s case the need for corpses, in mine making a Necro weaker.
Again, only a few skills would require corpses. Another suggestion was on weapons. Personally, I would like a weapon that is dedicated to minions but can function on its own. A weapon we don’t yet have.
Using weapons to summon a minion would make it a bit like a mesmer using a weapon to summon a clone or a phantom – there is a bit of a overlapping machanic in there.
Jagged Horrors (with trait) in a sense do require corpses to summon.
I like Minionmancer too but I think we need to be a more creative here…
how many times is that now Carpboy, maybe i should start working on a Elixir tutorial to get stickyed
Aaah, I saw your post in another thread. Thanks!
Sooo… what is your opinion on elixir build comparing to other possible builds?
Thanks again!
Hello!
Just out of interest: is there any viable elixir build?
Thanks!
You seem to understand mesmer so I will take that as a base for comparison.
Mesmers have great synergy between traits in different trait lines, if youmake a mesmerbuild you usually fous on getting traits from different trait lines that support what you want to do, for example PU and reduced recharge on torch, or shatter skills with clones on dodge etc. You can create very distinct builds that way but you also have to do that so the number of builds is rather low.Thieves have only very weak synergy between trait lines and traits, the traitlines stand more on their own, so basically you can combine more stuff but the effect is less distinct and has less synergy than in the case of mesmers. This allows for a very high varietly of builds but the variation is often very subtle, it can make huge difference in the gameplay though.
Basically you have a huge number of different builds that work, especially in wvw.
I usually base my game against “fellow thieves” on guessing if they run a uitility heavy build (30 points trickery) a crit build (30 points crit strikes) or a condition build (which usually is P/D, though not confined to that) or maybe a “hybrid” which combines any of those.
Oh I see! Thanks!
Yes, I play Mesmer as my main so I sort use that as a template for my thinking.
In that case, I will keep experimenting my thief until I work something out that suit me. I suppose thief in some ways are a bit more flexible than mesmer. But without a strong synergy between traitlines and possible builds, thief do not seem to be able to enhance their skills via picking suitable traits (like mesmers do).
Thanks all again!
Nooooo, I am not trolling… or QQ…. I geniunely want to know.
Apart from Power-Condi diversity, what other ways to construct a build? I saw a roll-evade tank thief once on YouTube. It looked fun but other than trolling people in PvP, it does nothing else.
Recently I am using P/P again but don’t particular find anything unique about it – BUT I am still experimenting and keep my mind open still. In terms of ranged damage, is SB higher?
By the way, in terms of different builds, how traits point are generally spent? Just want to have a rough idea for different basic templates.
Any decent hybrid, support or control build for thief?
Many thanks again!
(edited by Oh My God.8423)
Hello all,
How many ways to build a thief? For example, as a mesmer, one can build it as a PU, a phantams, a shatter, or an Interrupt mesmer; as an engineer, a toolkit, grende/bomb engineer; a necro, a MM, Well, etc. necro.
As a thief, what kinds of builds that are available? I know some people play a Venom build. And what else?
I have been leveling a thief on and off for a while and will soon reaching level 60. I enjoy it and have tried various combination of weapons and traits. So far it has been a bit random, experimenting at best. I now want to use various thief builds as a guideline trying to find something that I can work into my prefer play style. I do mostly PvE and occassionally WWW.
Many thanks!
Charr
Just to be different
Game Mode: Mainly PvE and WWW
If I don’t want to play as a DPS or a Tank, which class(es) would suit my preference?
Thanks!
I thought those new elite skills are coming out with the latest patch. When will they be out anyway?
No one seems to like the head gear very much…
I would suggest some sort of race-specific minion skins.
I see. Thanks.
One follow up question: what is the highest possible +swiftness in the game?
Thanks again!
I just want to ask what is the maximum +% of swiftness one can have?
For example, if I am an Elementalist who runs Signet of Air, which give +25% swiftness, and on top of that invests some other +swiftness Traits, will the final running speed be the summation of all those +% or is there a cap (because I really do not feel I am running faster than +25%)?
Many thanks!
I am not sure if it has been suggested before. Let me nonetheless be bold and go ahead with it.
We can change our 5 utility skills during out-of-combat. It is however a bit of a hassle to change them individually because sometimes there are more than one that is needed to be change in order to alter the function of a build: from supportive to more offensive, for example. Going through them on the panel while zerging or moving from mob to mob can often be a bit distracting and annoying.
I am therefore suggesting to have (at least) two profiles of utilities whereby one can switch – that is similar to weapon switching – during the out-of-combat phase.
It could be a gem-store add on or a free one. But I think it would be a nice QoL improvement for most of us. Further it adds another layer of complexion and weapon-traits-utilities-combo dynamicity to the game.
(edited by Oh My God.8423)
I saw a boon stripping build not long ago but I cannot find the link now and using search yield nothing.
Can someone help me to find the link?
Many thanks!
So in which areas does a thief shine these days
Is Mesmer still a good platform to make a confusion build? If so, any suggestion?
Thanks!
I would love to see Thief and Ranger being able to use crossbow or have a crossbow skin for their shortbows.
Hello All,
If I want to create a good control / shut-down type character, which profession(s) and setup(s) is/are the best?
I am not the kind of DPS orientated player and prefer a more supportive play style. Generally speaking, I am hoping of going down the support / control / shut-down / interrupt / etc. route.
Please advise.
Many thanks!
How about depending on your race, you get ghosts (or zombies) of the same race as your minions?
4. You think that thieves make awful support classes
This tends to be something that people complain about when they define a “support class” as one that gives boons to all of its teammates, but could never survive a 1v1 on its own. Rather than going into detail about how this is misleading, I’ll just give you some reasons why thieves can make a good support class.
For one thing, thieves are irrefutably the class with the highest mobility in the game. We have teleports all over the place, tons of ways to boost our speed, and a great capacity to evade often. Thus, we are able to insert and extract ourselves from skirmishes in the blink of an eye. Use this to your advantage. If you see a teammate struggling to fight a bunker guardian, go help him or her out! Burst the guardian for a few seconds with (for example) the S/P Infiltrator’s Strike + Pistol Whip, add a few more bursts in there, then use Shadow Return and find somebody else to fight. I promise you that this will drive other professions completely insane.
Or maybe you and your party can work out a strategy where they will just damage as much stuff as possible, and then you can be the clean-up crew for them, wiping out enemies with moves like Heartseeker or Pistol Whip w/ the Executioner Grandmaster Trait.
Another idea: did your friend just get Downed? Maybe they were killed in an enemy-heavy zone. Use Hide In Shadows, Blinding Power, and then lay down Shadow Refuge with a 20 in Shadow Arts to get them up and fighting again.
One last thought: you know how annoying it is to fight entire mobs? Even if you have great AoE, it can be a real pain in the kitten, especially when you’re fighting higher-level hordes, like the Risen. Thieves specialize in 1v1, though, so make the most out of that. Find somebody who looks like maybe they’re causing a bit of trouble, and take them out. Reducing the size of the swarm one by one will make things surprisingly easier for your allies.If you define “support” as sharing boons with your allies and whatnot, you’ll be disappointed. However, this idea of “support” is a very narrow view that, I believe, doesn’t make much sense.
My idea of support is very similar to being a force multiplier: in other sense, being a buffer or a debuffer. So I am interested in builds that makes the team or any one around me better.
So based on that premise, is thief still a good class?
(edited by Oh My God.8423)
For condition removal you have:
Infiltrators strike+Shadow Return: 1 condition removed (5 initiative cost Sword weapon skill)
Signet of Agility: 1 condition removed on yourself and 1 from all allies in range (also refills endurance at the same time Utility skill) <Only one that effects allies>
Hide In Shadows: Removes any and all bleed, poison and burning (upto 3 conditions removed with all stacks of bleeds counting as 1 condition Heal skill)
Withdraw: Removes any and all chilled, immobilize and cripple (Upto 3 conditions removed Heal skill)
Roll for Initiative: Removes any and all chilled, immobilize and cripple (Upto 3 conditions removed, also evades backwards and restores some initiative Utility skill)
Shadowstep+Shadow return: Removes 3 conditions (Utility Skill)
Shadows Embrace: Removes 1 condition upon stealth and another condition every 3 seconds in stealth (Trait)
Just want to say a massive THANKS to all for the most constructive advice!
THANKS!!
If you use sword, you have spammable purge with Infiltrator’s Strike/Shadow return
15 ini for 3 conditions is certainly spammable. Best be careful with them words.
I don’t understand…
The first person stating that the sword skill was spammable was sort of incorrect, the second person was responding sarcastically, to clear conditions with infiltrators strike+shadow return costs a total of 5 initiative per condition, as a thief can have at most 15 initiative at any given time thats a total of 3 conditions you can remove with it before your out (coincidentally also meaning you cannot use any other initiative attacks either) which is hardly “spammable”.
Also for your other question I’d be reluctant to stack healing power, non of the thieves heals scale particularly well with it and we don’t get anywhere near enough group healing that utilizes it to make it worthwhile.
Ah, thanks!
So as a thief, there is really no effective way to remove conditions, for example, like Healing Spring.
If you use sword, you have spammable purge with Infiltrator’s Strike/Shadow return
15 ini for 3 conditions is certainly spammable. Best be careful with them words.
I don’t understand…
Venom Share and high bonuses to healing.
Share ur venoms and blast finish water fields….
Other than that I can think of no way a thief is a good support char
So should I equip some Healing Power stat? It sounds like Thief can offer some good heal too. How does it compare to those other supporting classes?
Conditions seem to be hitting me quite bad. What sort of conditions removal tools do I have?
So want weapons are best for a venom support build? Or a support build in general?
I enjoy using all of them in fact. But I know some powers are better for certain jobs.
Also what stats should I spec into?
Thank you all again!!
Subjectively speaking, without necessarily going into any specific details in great length, how useful would a supportive thief be comparing to other support builds?
A supportive thief is a rare bread; at least in my experience. So, just want to gauge the usefulness, again subjectively, knowing playstyle matters more, of a supportive thief.
I have searched around the forum for advice on a support oriented thief build. I could not find a lot; I suppose the basic setup of the class is not as supportive as others, say, like a shout warrior, heal-heavy elementalist or a guardian. My idea of ‘support’ is more along the concept a ‘force multiplier’; in that sort of way.
Still I want to see if I can do it.
So may I ask what sort of (primary) support can a thief offer in PvE, WvW and dungeons? What sort of build(s) should I try?
Thanks!