Guild Wars 2

This is a crazy good trait for small fights. And smart evades can have you controlling 2 or 3 versus one if you stagger your evades, your actual blinds (shatters, prestige, even sc2) your interrupts, and your bursts.

Mesmers taking damage? No good. Mesmers avoiding damage? Very good.

Ah. Bravo. I was almost going to guess that you meant you beat him on your ranger. Pre-patch, of course.

I posted a thread like this a while back. But before 6/23 I ran 20606 with CI and IP. Zero condition cleanses. GS/Sword-Focus and a Berserker Amulet.

Through smart kiting, dodges and blurrs, coupled with some clutch shatters and interrupts, I tied up three people at graveyard in Legacy, keeping the point contested, and even managing the Moa on the plague form when my control became too much. My team eventually showed up. (I know fighting on point isn’t always the best option for a Mesmer, but my team was actually pretty bad and I didn’t want to give the enemy any leeway.)

After that Skirmish was over, someone on the enemy team said “Your Mesmer is a beast” in map chat. A teammate of mine responded, “He is.”

It’s definitely nice when people acknowledge how hard you’re playing and trying.

StickerHappy.8052:

I beaten rylock one time.

Pics or it didn’t happen.

Some keep to the old ways…

The rezzes in those matches…

I use different sigils on my Greatsword. Strength/Rage. I keep an eye out for the quickness proc then I summon the Phantasm to spread the 3 seconds to anyone nearby. Chaos, I hope you caught that one moment where I spiked Icy down. It was a fluke, and yes, it was a 1v2, but I was proud.

@Trooper, Mantra heal is super powerful with the Inspiration line, yes. But, there’s one tactical advantage to running a traited mirror: Your character is “blurred” for a few seconds, which makes it difficult for the enemy to see what you’re doing. It’s like stealth, but you’re in plain sight.

Yeah, the class is strong now, and there are some professions that need some work to bring them in line.

Having said that though, I’m noticing that players are already adjusting to the “new” Mesmer already. The first few weeks, after being a somewhat experienced Mesmer, it was easy to just wade in, blow things up, and duck out. But I’m noticing that more and more since the patch I’m needing to play smarter because people have wised up to some of the gimmicks.

Hmmmm, while Aunt Ross and Uncle Sticker bicker, I have some words for Shadelang.

From a Mesmer perspective, you are definitely going to have a monstrously tough time fighting us as a Ranger. It’s an unfortunate part of the game right now for Rangers. And I’m saying this not having even touched mine post-patch.

However, I will say this. The majority of Mesmers are running Domination/Dueling/Chaos builds. At least, the mega-stealth spike damage stunlock ones are. The weakness of these builds? Condition clearing. Without going into the Inspiration line, a Mesmer will have a horrible time trying to clear a condition. May I ask what elite you are running? Because I find that when I run 0 cleanse, and a Ranger catches me in an entangle, it almost guarantees a lights-out for me.

What weapons are you using? A PU mesmer will always try to set up burst from up close. Try swapping to your melee weapon and if the auto attack’s weapon chain advances, go ahead an dodge, because you can anticipate the burst. (Furthermore, if the chain advances and you’re feeling ballsy, just go ahead and cast entangle. It surprises the Mesmer and you can go ham, you’ve gone from being pressured to totally turning the tables, that mesmer now has to blow their blink or distortion).

The “hardcore lineup of Mesmers” Aunt Ross was talking about includes him and myself. I’ve dueled Stickerhappy a lot and I can tell you that 95% of the times that he’s beaten me, it’s been because he caught me in a super nasty entangle.

Re-reading what I’ve written for you so far, it sounds like I’m saying that elite is the be-all end-all for fighting Mesmers as a ranger right now. (Traps get me too). But for that special brand of PU Mesmers (I like to call it the “backstab” mesmer), locating them in stealth goes a long way. Especially when you pay attention to how long stealths last. Torch – count down from 5 then dodge. Same thing for Decoy. Mass Invisibility is 10 seconds, but most Mesmers won’t wait that long.

@ Happicakes, what time did you head into the arena? We ended up moving to EU after a while.

I think Mr. Archangel took some videos of complete Mesmer 4v4 in there. As well as some of PU Icy handling 1v3s. Not fun, not fun…

RAMPAGER AMULET, ACTIVATE!

Warlord, you KNOW you’re an expert. Often, when you’re dueling in the arena, I just say nothing and spectate you…

edit: in a totally platonic, educational way…

I didn’t know they were condi specced walking into the match…

I normally run without cleanses and do just fine. But two condi-heavy players, coordinating proved to be a bit much. I promise that when I snagged those guys one on one, they landed no shatter condi burst and the fights were equal.

Thanks for calling me out (even though I mentioned the lack of cleanse to kick myself on purpose). In the meantime, this thread was about PU…

When will it sink in that trait “levels” are irrelevant. If you pick a trait line, you’re all in.

Chaotic Dampening needs that buff. The maim nerf was also not very needed, considering that damage from the torment/confusion conditions are… conditional.

Speaking of: I want the torch to apply two stacks of burning. Is that so much to ask? Or don’t make it one bounce per target.

Mimic > Torch > Decoy > Decoy > MI > Torch > Torch/Decoy (keep alternating)

You can easily hit like a minute of stealth. I guess Veil if you want to, but I’m doing this in SPvP and don’t run it.

Edit: Make sure you take “The Pledge” in the Illusions line.

Regarding Mass Invisibility: It actually feels like an “elite” skill when paired with PU. And it feels so even without Master of Manipulation to reduce to cooldown. The frequency it provides with MoM is nice, and maybe makes it easier to exploit.

However, without PU, Mass Invisibility just feels like a 5-second stealth that I need to cast.

The stealth “problem” comes from how frequently we can disappear, coupled with the duration. But I think it’s fine with MI. It’s a true elite reset when traited. Otherwise Time Warp or Signet Moa may be more beneficial (even the signet passive — anyone else excited to couple that with ‘Time Marches On’ come Chronomancers?).

Game. Hopefully I will be around Friday.

Ahhh got it. Very cool either way. I tried out IB for the cripple, and liked the cripple, but PB is just way better in Domination. Quickness would be cool to share. This was a fun video because you never expect the boonshare build from a GS user I feel.

Also, Chaos, I’ve never actually played with you while you were wielding one. This is something I need to see.

Nicely produced (and played!). I’m definitely going to give this boonshare build a try. Was there ever a time when the build considered foregoing the Dueling line and heading into Domination and Imagined Burden for even more might stacks?

I still find PU to be more of an issue with a condition-based Mesmer than a power one. This is, perhaps, coming from the fact that I came across a duo of two PU condition mesmers in SPvP yesterday and trying to survive was absolutely brutal and impossible. Especially with zero cleanse.

Then I teamed up with Dondagora to try a similar setup and we won every game. There IS something to PU. And the amount of stealth that comes from that trait and The Pledge allows a mesmers a lot of control and manipulation will being unseen.

The boons from PU aren’t the problem. It’s the duration. Don’t get me wrong: It’s a ton of fun chain-stealthing and getting swiftness procs all across the map and using decoy/mimic/blink to execute control over points and steal and cap and surprise and escape. But I think all of that stealth allows us to do more than we’re supposed to.

The next chapter should be about how you should never, EVER, try stomping or rezzing around a Chaotic Interruption Mesmer.

Weapons emphasized: Greatsword, Focus and Staff.

Level of carnage: Unreal.

I’ve been using this in PvP, it’s fun. You can adapt your style to do condition or direct damage bursts. And you can get the two-for-one with the scepter-pistol. You can trade Mimic for Arcane Thievery or Signet of Domination.

Feel free to play with the runes. I like adventure since they bolster both sources of power, and the heal serves as an energy sigil with a 12-second Mirror. The more clones the better. Also, dodging/evading means a ton of blinds. Once it’s fixed, I plan on swapping Phantasmal Fury for Duelist’s Discipline.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vhAQRAsf7alsnhG1YfawMNwtGLvGk5KW2IQDQObS5E6d0A-TpRFwAAOIAF3fYwRAQxJAAxDAwaZAA

Everyone mentioned in this thread has different strengths. Chaos and Skcamow test builds like crazy and they are both extraordinarily friendly, diplomatic and helpful. Hell, Chaos goes out of his way to invite people to the OMFG Arena to help them out.

I’ve never spoken with Helseth, but his videos demonstrate his PvP genius. The same goes for Vashury (personally, my favorites to learn from — some great strategies for survival in those).

Pyroatheist is another very smart, knowledgeable player. You just need to approach conversation with him intelligently.

@ Ross + Stickerhappy you guys are my pvp bros for life 1luv 143.

Ross Biddle.2367:

Tealot.

Because when he and I get together we speak on the only true forum that matters: Inside the PvP arena, one foot planted firmly on the disembodied corpses of our enemies.

Chaos always stops to lay a white rose and shed a tear everytime he defeats an enemy :/

You like me, you REALLY like me.

Though, to be fair, Chaos also does the /laugh when he beats people, too.

Oddly enough, the iWarlock’s attack is called “Mage Strike.” Post title is accurate, none for Glen Coco!

I don’t feel like digging it up, but even before the 6/23 patch, I posted pics of the iWarlock critting for more than 10,000 (with 4,000) halting strikes. It’s a tricky burst to set up, but it’s very rewarding to pull off. It also works better after chaining diversions (specifically on Necromancers and Rangers).

I definitely like the idea of a Domination/Dueling/Inspiration for a SS/GS set.

@Glenndevis: I think even phantasm builds are shatter builds nowadays. And a Mesmer’s utility in a team fight usually comes from their GS burst, not so much the sword-X set, (though a Focus provides some great AoE abilities). Don’t forget that the daze on the sword goes through targets in a line. It’s tough to land, but really worthwhile.

With Mental Defense, dual swords are probably a great way to assault a point, blurred frenzy can create an iDefender on evade, and you can use the block.

Man, has Staff/Sword-Focus changed so much. Nice vid. You’ve gotten really aggressive with the weaponset. I remember that you started playing that way after you practiced with the old shatterlock a bit, but now it’s even moreso — and with your beloved CI.

It’s funny how, playing lockdown before, it feels really effortless now.

The host of new shatter, reflect and evade traits coupled with Illusionary Persona becoming baseline have made Mesmers way more survivable. Since we’re able to stay in the battle longer, other professions (players really, it’s a whole new Mesmer on Mesmer game, too) are learning how to deal with us.

I will say that in group play, the burst of an interrupt Mesmer, especially one running Chaotic Interruption with Power Block, etc, is something that is far more dangerous than being Perma-stealthed in PU, which is more suited for duels and WvW roaming.

Either way, Mesmers have become much more slippery.

I’m going to echo Pyro here. The real times I felt in danger during our duels was when you were close to me. You had condis and auto attacks cleaving my clones, so any shatter I performed was, yes, blinding you, but ultimately ineffective because I was only landing 1 stack of torment and two of confusion.

It’d be worse for you if you kept your range. Any time I dodge or evade, you’d be blinded (granting me more avoidance) and my Mirror heal is 4 seconds of reflect (and with adventure runes, allows me to dodge again).

BD plus Ineptitude does make fighting Mesmers troublesome. But as you noticed, it was moreso when I was running PU.

I’m also still learning how to play condi (or Rampagers at least, which is still capable of direct damage burst).

That’s using full zerk. Do you notice an improvement in dueling/gameplay picking Imagined Burden over powerblock? Especially if you’re running MoD like a lockdown spec.

Is there anyone here who uses this trait in PvP? While zerker/marauder people may opt for Mental Anguish or Power Block, I’m wondering if the might stacking potential, as well as the nice, near permanent cripple it provides can augment some other amulets.

I’m mainly speaking of Celestial or Rampager amulets, but I have a tough time choosing the weaponset to go alongside the Greatsword. The obvious way to build is to go Dom/Dueling/Illusions. Along with the hard-hitting GS and the might stacking, using DE, Blinding Befuddlment, Ineptitude and Maim allow for some great condition pressure.

The problem is that it lacks a good bit of defense. I’d love to trait a pistol, but torch stealth is nice. And I know sword is more defensive, but the scepter does nice direct damage with confusing images now, and it offers more confusion and torment.

How are people using this (if at all)?

With IP baseline? I’m loving sword-torch. Stealth, a stun-break (though buggy), a phantasm that grants fury, a blur that can also be burst, and a decent autoattack for cleave/downed targets.

It’s a great, tricky kind of set that can find use in a lot of builds. And when you can actually get the swordswap to work, you can come up with some wicked combos. (And that aside, if you don’t feel like swapping, the clone summon is right on top of the enemy, so it’s perfect if you desperately need a diversion or a mindwrack for someone just out of range.)

This is for PvP of course. Whenever I see an enemy trying to set something up, I swap to this weapon and get ready to dance.

Careful with your cooldowns, Korusef. Veil and MI are both at 72 seconds. (That may be a traited MI.)

Pistol 5 is not instant. And recharging a mantra benefits as well. Quickness will allow for a rapid duelist summoning + confusing images burst, or a faster mirror blade → mindwrack → iZerker summon. It gives your opponent less time to react and use a stunbreak or condicleanse (or either, if you run CS and CI).

You can also use it to stomp people faster, which works nicely coupled with Blinding dissipation.

Can you explain what you mean when you say “Shattered Concentration is completely for another build”?

For ANY build focusing on interrupts, Shattered Concentration provides huge competition with Furious Interruption. Combining the two would be overkill because it would guarantee you can rip stability and gain quickness. Also, with a 5-second ICD, your uptime for quickness will be quite high with Furious Interruption.

When I run it, I abuse it.

Well, the whole point of stealth is to attack from it…

As far as counterplay, there are maneuvers one can perform. (With the exception of the PU stealth duration) You can time attacks. Thieves, if they run DP, have a very predictable stealth duration, dodging backstabs is not unheard of. And other defenses can be prepared if you miss that. Mesmer stealth is the real problem right now because you can cross an entire map stealthed with abilities that have short cooldowns.

The counterplay is simply knowing what to expect from the stealthed class. What’s more dangerous, actually, are the classes that become stealthed by Mass Invisibility or Shadow Refuge.

PU, as far as stealth duration, is quite strong and could use a bit of a nerf. I think Warlord of Chaos has said a 50% duration increase would be appropriate and I agree. Running Berserker or Rampager amulet with PU allows for an easy-mode reset of a 1v1 fight to cap or assault a point. I out-stealth thieves regularly waiting for them to use their cds and then just go ham.

+1 informative thread.

SlimChance.6593:

A hard CC every 5 seconds at an ADEPT level is too much. Combine that with Power Block and your simply adding “insult” to injury. Any decent Mesmer player can land a daze/stun to trigger an CS/interrupt for Power Block, so now you’ve hard CC’d AND lengthened the CD to 15 seconds. Don’t you think that’s just a little over the top.

If CS stays were it is, it will be nerfed and it will be nerfed to an adept level. Hey I love play lockdown. And I’d like to keep my options.

I’m trying to provide a reasonable option that can be considered WITHOUT neutering the trait.

I don’t think the “level” of the trait is relevant at all anymore since we’re fully invested in that traitline now (for example restorative illusions is probably stronger than temporal enchanter for the Mesmer his or herself). Sure, we expect the traits to get stronger, but it’s not like someone is making some kind of killer PU condition build and throwing two points into Domination for a stun.

The tiers used to be all about access to a trait with 14 points that we were allowed to spend anywhere. Now we just choose three traitlines and the tiers are called tiers. Notice people are saying “Dom/Duel/Chaos” and not 6/6/6. There aren’t points. And there are no tiers.

Mesmers now have access to a lot of soft control along with the hard dazes and stuns. Also keep in mind, Confounding Suggestions is not the be-all end-all. Plenty of Mesmers played CI without it before the patch and they did fine.

Daze will always be strong regardless if it stuns. And some of our weapons, the greatsword and focus, offer crowd another type of crowd control, which also allows you breathing room.

Blinding dissipation is an amazing trait that allows you to blind an enemy in a pinch. And mesmers, when traited, have access to a lot of personal reflects. Or if you’re running a focus, with that interrupt skill, it has two long-lasting reflect skills (which can also be combined for a condition cleanse.) You have lots of ways to ensure your survival and manipulate the opponent. I think every traitline we have focuses on punishing the enemy for acting, rather than directly rewarding the mesmer.

Oh, thank god. Aeoldyn got my proa-morph on tape. Definitely a fun time, and we should work to get more teams going, maybe splitting up and doing unranked to get a feel for things/strategy for people new to pvp and/or 5-mes (once we solidify what builds/utilities/elites are necessary).

Also, @Chaos, nice graphics! I can see a huge difference.

Nice thread @ Chaos and obviously to Mr. Gee.

Mesmer is pretty much the only class that I’ve really enjoyed playing in GW2. But at times, it sometimes did feel like a struggle as to why people would want to bring a mesmer onto a pvp team.

I feel like we are very much worthwhile for a number of roles now, and I never expected once class could feel so complete and diverse.

There are a few kinks to work out, but I think Mr. Gee knows what we’re after and he’s done a great job for us so far.

Cheers!

Seriously, I never knew that.

Oh, wow! You know, I considered running with the OH-Sword for the Temporal enchanter/CD build I run. Does the Chaos Armor from the iSwordsman apply to the Mesmer (as far as cooldowns go?)

I know that dampening was nerfed, but do you really gain enough condi damage from Chaotic Transference to make it worth it, or did you click that by mistake?

Bump. This is an OMFG event.

Neat take on a phantasm-style build for the first one. My main question is why take the pistol when you don’t take Duelist’s Discipline? If you want to stick with Fencer’s Fury, try going for dual swords. You can still summon the phantasm from 1,200 range (and also start the block-daze combo) from that range too.

Hey Mesmers. Misters Chaos Archangel and Ross Biddle, along with myself would like to get a 5-man group going on this Saturday. If enough veterans/new people show an interest we may even be able to run two teams.

Mr. Biddle will be waking up in the wee hours of his New Zealand morning to do this. We’d like to start around 10 a.m.

The whole point is to have fun while learning and brainstorming some new Mesmer strategies. The patch gave the profession some interesting trait spreads that allow us to be solid damage dealers, controllers, tanks, support and, more or less, condition dealers.

Furthermore this could be a litmus test as far as making this a regular thing. Ross Biddle and I spoke a while back about doing “PvP Training” — basically, teaching people the basics of map control/strategy without needing to be a master of your class.

It just so happens that a 5-man Mesmer team can feel more “complete” post patch.

So if you’re interested in joining us, leave a message here, or feel free to send me a message in game the morning of.

All the best,

Your humble Tealot

kitten you! I was going to post a glamour build quite like this. Although, I’m aiming for sword/pistol once the Duelist’s Discipline trait properly applies bleeding.

Some things worth noting: With 5 of stability each time you shatter, do you really need a stunbreak? Especially since you’ll be shattering often. Blinding Dissipation is also a great trait. It practically grants you invuln for an attack. DE is really key to this build, since a lot of survivability comes from shattering. I run with Adventure runes and Mirror heal/energy sigils, so my endurance is always plentiful. Bountiful Disillusionment and f2 shatters help with that too.

Damage mostly comes from conditions from staff clones and reflects. If you’re playing with a team, it might be worth it to swap out blink for portal.

Another option, if running blink, is to forego the chaos line and go into illusions for some torment/confusion damage. That probably works better for Solo-Q, but you’ll lose out on chaotic dampening, which, after this nerf, might be a worthy sacrifice.