Guild Wars 2

Hell ya. Was in awe. Him voicing it made it. Yup yup yup!!!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cQglrsPBeF0
Listen to what he says. It is an awesome play. Hands down very fluid.

I thought helseth beat him. That clip (best play caught Esl something like that) has helseth talking trash about warlord right before he spikes that thief.

Dueling only for de. No matter were it is it would be needed. De needs to b baseline!!

How does the chronolhantasm one work. On any shatter will recharge the phants lost?

The problem is that without de currently we are sitting ducks. Ip is the band aid fix imo. Clone generation is the problem. So while de is a trait in any tree it will be picked no matter what other gm traits it competes with.

tobascodagama.2961:

There’s a difference between a build that shatters as needed and a Shatter Build. In the latter, you need a ton of clone generation to spam your shatters. PU, Fractal Phantasms, even Lockdown would fall into the former category. At the moment, Lockdown/PU takes DE for emergency shatters, but will they still need to when they get IP for free?

And, even more importantly, dungeon builds already don’t take DE. Why would they start now?

At this point, I’m wondering what’s more true: Is DE a safety blanket that Mesmers refuse to give up, or is it a bandaid hiding festering wound that needs to be torn off so it can be treated properly?

This wrong. The only build would be pu conditions where u are not shattering except distortion or a well timed daze. The rest u need for some extra burst, or sadly not making use of our abilities. Honestly what does ip do? 1 second distortion, small burst. We need ammo for our gun(shatters) why the problem with de is so serious.

I’m in the camp that anything against de won’t be an option. De is such a core trait for mesmers that I feel it should be baseline in order to facilitate build choices far and above what we have. I suppose I can dream also.

Rending shatter might be really good tied with fragility. I suppose it comes down to player and timing of interrupts. I can see some people taking a flat 10 percent damage increase over the difficulty of landing rupts.

Again not to be mean but what is viable if we haven’t played. We know for a fact de is very important. I am disappointed I cannot choose ANY trait line and use my class mechanic.

Ok so in theory you have to tap dance with your fingers, and still stuck taking chrono as the trait line. The Mesmer is supposed to shatter the class mechanic. The more I think about what they made baseline excluding de doesn’t make sense. The rest of that stuff longer manipulate ie just flavors the Mesmer. We cannot use our mechanic without things to shatter.

They are selling us a new fast pitched Mesmer and they want us to use our class mechanic. Those other traits are great your right. But sadly the only way to shatter effectively use our class mechanic is use that trait line. Sadly move de anywhere and we forced to take it. It is our anchor.

Menaka.5092:

calivaty.8295:

I don’t have much pve exp with my mesmer, but i tried some pvp builds without DE and I really disliked it. Less close means less shatters and less confusion the enemy = less survivability and damage.

I tried making some HoT pvp builds with the new editor and I feel I have even less choice as a pvp mesmer then before. The dueling line is mandatory in my opinion because of DE. So i’m left with only 2 others trait lines to choose from. I wanna go for a shatter build? Well i have to pick Domination and Illusions.

We don’t know the chrono traits yet. Even if there is a trait that can replace DE that just results me being locked in chrono instead of dueling.

so… you have to spend 4 points for DE now and you’ll have to pick dueling traitline after the revamp: what changes? except now you have another major to pick in that same traitline “for free”

What changes. Nothing still stuck in a trait to use our core ability that they are pressing even more. Why I wonder why de was not baseline. I want to use our mechanic in any trait line.

Thinking of running Dom dueling and toss up between chaos and inspiration. Want to try pu shatter and tired of being kitten by conditions so menders purity plus shattering removing conditions sounds interesting.

denis.9487:

Mesmer rocks. Just start small. Ignore the people that say shatter or die. Ease into the class with forgiving specs such as condition pu move to power pu. Then gradually change over pieces to become a bursty spec in pvp/wvw. Mesmer is a boss class. Become feared on your wvw home world!!

I stand by this. Mesmer is wicked in wvw. What other class can 100 to 0? Learning the class and what you can do is the fun part. I started the same way in first post. Now running 44006 gs/sword torch. The joke I suppose is on your spiked corpse clicking a way point.

The problem is stated early offhand lets you choose options to pair with the mainhand but since we only have 2 mainhands we don’t have much of a choice.

Anyone have idea when will new trait system be released? Thank you.

EremiteAngel.9765:

watch this if u think mesmers are weak against thief

vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJpLPJYv_Iw

this mesmer here is superbly skilled
so its more learn to play

That’s a highlight video. Sure we can beat theives but honestly the thief had the upper hand. This is echoed by many high tier mesmers just not me.

That problem is bigger than clone death traits to be fair though.

MailMail.6534:

Give Phantasms or Illusions (leaning on the former) Xs of Resistence and Aegis every Xs when you go into Inspiration instead of retaliation. This solves the problem of clones dying too quickly and gets rid of our need to have clone death traits ever.

Attacking a clone instead of the mesmer is punishment in and of itself since you’re wasting a CD and time/energy on the wrong target. Anything more is just sprinkles on top.

The problem is we punish ourselves no shadder fodder. I suppose since we have ip baseline we will have 1 clone constantly the bright side.

Don’t flame me but I have tried and used a shatter build in wvw roaming that is 04226. I have found since wvw is unpredictable the shorter blink and condition removal on heal priceless. Using gs/staff. The results are still very powerful with guard stacks food and oil/stones. Again only in wvw where you can boost using consumables.

On sigil?!?!?!?!?

Why does it matter. Pve you stack and summon 3phantasm and aa. Why would they rage over a broken system anyways. Our attacks summon clones so by playing this skillful pve version you do nothing but summon watch for tells and dodge and aa. So what if you make a clone. The whole pve system is broken so make Mesmer de baseline so we can use our class mechanic in any trait line!!!

The only time is in pve when u try and maintain 3 phantasms while aa. I really hope they make de a core trait. I want to use our class mechanic in all trait lines. The weapons have clone summoning on them so the only place to stand and just press 1 is in pve. Maybe make de baseline in wvw pvp and let pve keep de as a trait.

We can all pull out niche builds. Sadly de is a very dependable trait. So much so as to why it should be baseline. The whole idea of build diversity hinges upon it. Would be nice to make clones and use our class mechanic without going into a trait line.

All that about dancing in combat is wonderful. Except condition shatter is a damage over time playstyle. The only question is what to shatter in large scale wvw and pve where clones get killed.

My only question is where is the punishment for killing our resources. Aoe and cleaving attacks are not skillful play. So the thought of brainless condition builds goes hand in hand with brainless aoe and cleave.

Shintei.9061:

I don’t find it too hard(it is a bit harder, though) to hit my shatter in larger scale fights since most wvw players don’t know how to fight. Many of them cannot even react when an attack is going to hit them. Clones positioning and shatter timing play a huge role in mesmer (shatter) mechanics. If you find it hard to hit your shatters, you might have to re-consider them

The first sentence states it’s harder then you digress into a learn to play. The fact is this shouldn’t be an issue. The means to avoid shatter damage is by dodging not random aoe cleaves that our illusions must wade through.

Looks like a variation of a pu Mesmer. Using staff sword/pistol. Sacrifices defense the torch with more pressure from the duelist.

Mesmer rocks. Just start small. Ignore the people that say shatter or die. Ease into the class with forgiving specs such as condition pu move to power pu. Then gradually change over pieces to become a bursty spec in pvp/wvw. Mesmer is a boss class. Become feared on your wvw home world!!

The clones apply the conditions. You are traiting to make your clones little bombs. Phantasms do not produce the effect.

Just want to add any build can be passive. The aggressiveness comes from the player using whatever tools at his/her disposal. The speed issue can be remedied with traveler runes. For wvw solo roaming pu is a very effective build that when played aggressively can win solo encounters and multiple threats at the same time.

As stated earlier centaur runes with a tonic works really well. The stats are good for a power based build. When I run a condition build in wvw I use traveler runes.

AnniMira.2506:

I played long time with greatsword in wvw. Staff improved my mobility greatly with phase retreat. I like staff 3 better than gs 2 and gs 4 because the illusions with staff stay near me. Staff 1 projectile bounces excellently – gs 1 does not bounce.

For example, when warrior leaps on me, I just hit staff 2 and staff 3. With gs, I was next to dead. Now I have more initial time in fight. Also, gs gave less damage in melee range and I always tried to make distance with dodges and decoys, wasting them.

Staff + greatsword is valid combo because gs 5 is much needed and because gs is better ranged weapon.

Just today I ran 17 dungeon paths with staff + sword/torch. Staff is valid weapon for dungeons too. At one point of Arah I had to solo a punch of ghostly champs(?) because others were dead – staff’s mobility was important, extra dodge.

Luckily this is for wvw. The last paragraph is scary. That weapon combination for dungeon running is far from efficient. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.

We need Ross. Please play the video during that short time when scepter spawned 2 clones. Was interesting. Might be enough plus with the speed of the scepter wouldn’t be op. Although it causes you to use a certain weapon.

AnniMira.2506:

You don’t need a special build in EotM! And, in EotM, no swiftness is better. I have not used focus 4 in EotM for the purpose – because shorter snake is better.

Two same weapons sets: I want the utility/options that both weapon sets can provide, but due the switching cooldown, I may not have access to utility I need. Happened too many times in zerg vs zerg fights. So, using the same weapon in both sets with these sigils is like a good idea.

The only utility on staff is 4 5 with such long cooldowns why not take another set to cycle through then come back. Seems better than spamming aa and using 2/3 over and over.

Something is going on. I did not down was fighting had 25, looked down 1. Fought some more up to 8. The reason I stated blink was after blinking 8 to 0. I did not swim, matching sigils. Fighting in wvw near redvale tower.

Was experiencing this in wvw also. Sorry for the missing part.

Very nice game play. I have a small question what build are you running. I have experimented using the same weapons in wvw with maim, would like another approach. Thanks in advance.

I suppose we should thank anet. By fixing blink maybe fury or some other adept will be more appealing in wvw. Thanks for promoting build diversity.

Awesome game play. Watching this videos always makes me try shatter in wvw but I suffer from slow fingers. Again nice game play.

Again since this is not name wars. Very hard to lay claim with anything in this game. I play all builds lately I have been running a staff/gs hybrid for wvw with maim slotted since going into get an extra shatter is not forgiving.

So if I take all the downed traits can I still win? I am just saying during this play time we have hit a wall. We need fixes not people saying l2p. Why I hope hot breathes fresh air into our class.

It shows that with the traits we have during this play time we have discovered the better builds.

StickerHappy.8052:

denis.9487:

StickerHappy.8052:

denis.9487:

Zmodd.5427:

Undoubtedly there are many builds being played out there that we don’t know of because they weren’t posted here. It’s really hard to say “no build diversity” without real, “exact”, numbers.

Ok let me take a stab at this. Top 3 builds shatter lockdown pu
Clone death has been nerfed
Phantasm build
Mantra build
These so called new builds fit into this category but have some minor traits or personal weapon/sigil/runs choices.
IMo the reason we say certain builds a viable is due to testing the other options. Not like in the past 2 years we didn’t explore

From What Basis? Lemme guess, forums and youtube.

How bout the people who dont post in the forums, dont stream, don’t record videos.

How about them?

Unless your playing a different version of the game then maybe you are correct. But since we all have the same options then strong builds will occur regardless of skill. De select all traits and fight someone of equal skill. Willing to beat the traited Mesmer wins.

Regardless of skill? I humbly disagree. Duel Me.

Oh my God read please. Take 2 mesmers of equal skill. 1 de selects all traits the other is traited.

StickerHappy.8052:

denis.9487:

Zmodd.5427:

Undoubtedly there are many builds being played out there that we don’t know of because they weren’t posted here. It’s really hard to say “no build diversity” without real, “exact”, numbers.

Ok let me take a stab at this. Top 3 builds shatter lockdown pu
Clone death has been nerfed
Phantasm build
Mantra build
These so called new builds fit into this category but have some minor traits or personal weapon/sigil/runs choices.
IMo the reason we say certain builds a viable is due to testing the other options. Not like in the past 2 years we didn’t explore

From What Basis? Lemme guess, forums and youtube.

How bout the people who dont post in the forums, dont stream, don’t record videos.

How about them?

Unless your playing a different version of the game then maybe you are correct. But since we all have the same options then strong builds will occur regardless of skill. De select all traits and fight someone of equal skill. Willing to beat the traited Mesmer wins.

Zmodd.5427:

Undoubtedly there are many builds being played out there that we don’t know of because they weren’t posted here. It’s really hard to say “no build diversity” without real, “exact”, numbers.

Ok let me take a stab at this. Top 3 builds shatter lockdown pu
Clone death has been nerfed
Phantasm build
Mantra build
These so called new builds fit into this category but have some minor traits or personal weapon/sigil/runs choices.
IMo the reason we say certain builds a viable is due to testing the other options. Not like in the past 2 years we didn’t explore

skcamow.3527:

Chaos Archangel.5071:

Without reworking anything, what minor adjustments would you make to any of our weapons/utilities/traits to make them more viable?

With everything equal as it is now, assuming no balance changes across any other classes, mesmers need better sustain options to remain competitive at the top tier in glassy comps. Of course that then trickles down to all skill/MMR levels. I think Anet tried to accomplish this with the ether signet. I think a tweak there or something similar could change things quite a bit. Now I’ll go on my own little rant.

We pigeon hole ourselves way too much on “the most viable build to play”. I’m a firm believer that we do not lack build diversity. Aside from the horrid GM traits introduced, most of our traits are useful and provide a bevy of good builds to run with solo or with teams. It just takes some creativity and willingness to experiment with not only a new build idea, but new comps to play around those ideas.

The time simply has not been spent exploring all the options, and the time spent has to occur all over again whenever major balance is shifted. In no way do I discount the time top teams have spent trying to find the best builds and comps, but it’s nearly impossible with the low tournament player base we have to fully explore all possible builds to the level that’s needed in order to find viability.

Playing a build for a few hours or even a few days doesn’t count when giving a build a viable or not viable judgement. Play a build for a few weeks, master it. If it has promise, try to put a team comp together around it or augment it with others. THEN you have another few weeks to determine if that single build meshes with four other players.

It’s daunting to think about this for every possible mesmer build and any other class for that matter. If we had triple the amount of players in this game I guarantee we’d see some very interesting, none traditional, seemingly odd builds played at higher levels.

This game has been out long enough to discover anything new. The builds have been discovered for each of the 3 game modes. Hopefully with the expansion something new and fresh will help mesmers enter a new level of playing in all game modes.
Just look at all the builds that have come out. Either shatter lockdown or pu. The same base skills with small personal favorite picks.

Yes hostile I have responded to your question but the burning has caused you to skip read. I have also stated your assumption over the state of this class is flawed. I will repeat it is not a l2p or at what level you play. We need some quality of life issues names above. Yet you focused on de.

StickerHappy.8052:

denis.9487:

StickerHappy.8052:

Chaos Archangel.5071:

This isn’t about being right, its about personal opinion on what would be best for the class. And its true, we DO need to stick together and respect that some people will disagree with us rather than attack each other.

There’s no l2p here, we all know how to play our class and we have different perspectives. The goal here is to combine those perspectives into one clear picture.

So, respectfully, could we please answer the questions before criticizing each other?

Edit: That being said, there is an interesting point here. Different specs are viable at different levels of play, but who do we consider? The average PUG? Min/maxers? Speed runners? Top tier WvW servers?

Yes lockdown is viable in lower levels but we can’t ignore the question of WHY it falls off at higher tiers. All points of view are worth considering.

Okay, If we can play our class at different levels, where is the whine coming from?

I do not see you saying Shatter is the only viable build in pvp. do you see anyone of us long time mesmers here saying that?

I for one would LOVE lockdown to be in higher tiers, But I for one also wouldn’t mind if it didn’t because I wouldn’t be playing there anyway.

We should limit our opinions on WHERE DO WE BELONG

How many people play higher tier here vs How many play casual?

Im guessing the majority is in casual. So this is where we start first. and worry about other stuff later.

So what is the problem of mesmers in Casuals then?

Well as a casual how about not having our main damage get sneezed on and die. How about more than golem rushing and veil. How about not having our clone generation tied to a master tier forcing us into a select build limiting our potential.
I want more traits skills that take us away from a dueling class. More aoe, let us step out from the roaming dps role.

Have you ever tried making a build without DE?

This is sad. I have given you examples and you ask if I have made a build without de?? Depending on game mode sure and yes. You are very hostile and seem to be under the impression it is a l2p along with level of play issue. Sadly it is not.