10 replies to this topic

[AetherMcLoud]

How is the Mesmer build diversity? Are the only 1-2 cookie cutter viable builds, or is it like other classes (Engineer for example, the other class that I plan to roll) that there are lots of viable builds?

From what I read in the forum here, pretty much all weapons and utility skills are viable, yes? And most traits, while maybe not too much synergetic, look viable too?

I ask because I still can't decide between rolling an Engineer or Mesmer first, and above all else I value diversity. Always having to play the same build / weapons / skills gets boring fast, so I want a class that's playstyle I can change up from time to time (which Engineer of course does with the weapon kits, and lots of viable trait builds).

I had an absolute blast playing hot join pvp with a mesmer on tuesday, but that was the first time I really played one so I don't know if that experience of fun will hold up.#

~Cheers

[auxili]

Not much really. You choose from 3 ways to deal with your class mechanic (on death effects, shatter strength, or neither), and then you choose where you're focusing your damage. Mesmer traits are so inconsequential when it comes to defining playstyles (aside from mantra traits), that it essentially comes down to 1) how you use your class mechanic, 2) your weapon choices, and 3) what utilities you take.
Those define build more than any of our traits, very similar to the thief (who has 75% of its traits pre-selected by default due to necessity).

A 'build' people enjoy is using the 1h sword along with either +power or +precision. But if that one weapon ever gets nerfed, then melee mesmers have no alternative. So it's not exactly a safe option, and if you don't like playing a ranged mesmer, then you're out of luck.

[AetherMcLoud]

auxili, on 24 August 2012 - 08:45 AM, said:

Not much really. You choose from 3 ways to deal with your class mechanic (on death effects, shatter strength, or neither), and then you choose where you're focusing your damage. Mesmer traits are so inconsequential when it comes to defining playstyles (aside from mantra traits), that it essentially comes down to 1) how you use your class mechanic, 2) your weapon choices, and 3) what utilities you take.
Those define build more than any of our traits, very similar to the thief (who has 75% of its traits pre-selected by default due to necessity).

A 'build' people enjoy is using the 1h sword along with either +power or +precision. But if that one weapon ever gets nerfed, then melee mesmers have no alternative. So it's not exactly a safe option, and if you don't like playing a ranged mesmer, then you're out of luck.

But there IS diversity?

I don't care too much if the diversity/variety comes from the traits, weapon choices and/or utility choices, as long as there IS veriety in the choices.

I actually like all the mesmer weapons, and pretty much all of the utility choices (dunno about their viability in sPVP though).

[Phys]

AetherMcLoud, on 24 August 2012 - 09:29 AM, said:

But there IS diversity?

I don't care too much if the diversity/variety comes from the traits, weapon choices and/or utility choices, as long as there IS veriety in the choices.

I actually like all the mesmer weapons, and pretty much all of the utility choices (dunno about their viability in sPVP though).

It does have diversity, mostly from traits, the question is... how effective the diversity is, hard to say at this stage though. I played a lot, but most of my variability tests came later, Some seemed lackluster, but you only get certain types of info by testing solo versus one npc at a time in the mists.

[Piellar]

Well, I could be wrong, but I believe diversity is an old, old wooden ship that was used during the Civil War era.

[Zorian51]

There is diversity but its all centered around a theme usually such as:

Conditions
Shatters
Phantasms
Mantras
etc.

Most people build for one of these but how they build for them is different. Each type of playstyle has many ways to be built are they all effectived? I don't think anyone can answer that yet about any class as no one has had the playtime yet to make these distinctions. Some of the themes are more pigeonholed then others such as Conditions as you'll probably always be using Staff for example and building clones to cause confusion on death... extra confusion damage/sharper images etc and going for the same stats.

Others like power builds are a bit more open if they want to build crit and how they want to be played. Shatter builds can go high power so can Phantasms. I'd say there is variety but cookie cutter builds will come eventually for all classes. Easy to use decent builds for different areas of the game or dungeons. When it does happen I'm sure ANet will change things up and tweak other things to make more skills that are not being used very much more digestable.

I wouldn't worry to much if that is your concern.

[grimmson]

Imo mesmers playstyle can vary very much. I love sword melee mesmer with powerfull shatters and not so powerfull phantasms. but a tank condition mesmer is fun too and plays 100% differently. offensive condition mesmer is another story and it is even a difference if focused on bleeds or confusion. a sneaky stealth mesmer is again different but not so fun (imo) and mantra mesmer offensive/support is another story. I could list some other builds but I guess you get it.

for the records I've played warrior a lot and ranger/guard/necro quite a bit and the variety the mesmer brings is at least comparable.

Edited by grimmson, 24 August 2012 - 01:23 PM.

[Flailers]

http://gw2skills.net...JbTumkNtCZEyGEA

I used this super tanky build a few times now and it's quite fun. One time I was sitting on point against 2 guadians and they bubbled me, but you just don't have to care.

Staff teleport is on a 5 second cooldown and basically you start a fight by doing that phase retreat and mirrior images. Than walk in their face to make sure they don't attack the clones and strafe about while spamming 1. Stay close to them so the bouncy balls of you and your clones bounce on you and than back to them. Swapping weapons or pulling out the other weapon will only be required when you feel the time for Cry of Frustration is right. It's very forgiving build, your clones can take quite the punch with that toughness and are back up fast / never down if you use phase retreat on cooldown.

But sometimes you have to wait for it. Some thief I was fitting managed to stack a lot of bleeds on me and as he saw my HP dropping so fast he stopped fighting to watch me die. Got to love arcane thievery, just use it wisely as it's pretty much your only cleanse.

Edited by Flailers, 24 August 2012 - 04:02 PM.

[CasualPvP]

I like diversity too and will be playing both Eng and Mes, starting with Mes mainly because I like the feel of the class a bit better. You've tried Elementalist too?

[Aizea]

Honestly so far mesmer is the class I've had the hardest time trying to make a build for, not because all the choices sound bad.......but everything sounds just so damn good.

This is the build I've settled on myself. It's a PVE and WvW power based build focused on mind wrack shattering, GS, staff and a bit of support, I plan to make up for my lack of precision by using the tier 3 sylvari cultural armor. My only fear is I am trying to do to much and sadly I have not been able to test this, as I only just finished this today.

http://www.gw2build....0.20.0.20.10.20

Probably gonna drop signet though, as I just realized I have no reason to keep my illusions alive that long with this build, and mind wrack doesn't have that long of a cool down in my opinion to justify a 90 second instant refresh. Maybe replace it with teleport, veil, decoy or arcane thievery. Not sure yet...................because all those skills also sound damn good.


Now if only time warp was considered a glamour.....a mesmer can dream, a mesmer can dream.

Edited by Aizea, 24 August 2012 - 07:25 PM.

[hanso]

Aizea, on 24 August 2012 - 07:08 PM, said:

Honestly so far mesmer is the class I've had the hardest time trying to make a build for, not because all the choices sound bad.......but everything sounds just so damn good.

That.

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Unrelated to the poster of the quote above, this is prolly a reason many ppl start looking at other professions and start moaning what the Mesmer lacks (e.g. see the mobility thread). There aren't a lot of skills or traits that are considered must-haves, there's not best or worst, there's just difference, diversity if you want.