I love my Mesmies, A Mesmar apreciation Thread.

[Sab]

- Not only can Mesmers interrupt, they can do one better - prevent the spell from casting in the first place. Backfire does this, with the help of a recent AI update, monsters don't cast through Backfire, resulting in 10 seconds of inactivity. Blackout does a similar thing - it disables an enemy unconditionally for 6-7 seconds. And with Diversion, a Mesmer can catch 1/4-1/2 second casts which only an extremely skilled/lucky Ranger can interrupt (Reversal of Fortune comes to mind), not only that, Diversion disables the skill for almost a minute and is spammable. So where's all this useful? Monks and Monk bosses mostly. Sure, you can power through them with pure damage, but I bet a good Mesmer can make the battle much, much easier.

- As for damage, a Mesmer's damage output can compare with that of a Warrior's/Ranger's. Let's clear something up first, W's/R's attack skills ignore armor (i.e. attack deals +x damage) but normal unaided attacks don't, while every Mesmer skill ignores armor. This becomes important in later parts of the game, against heavily-armored level 24+, where physical attacks do a laughable amount of damage. This is where the Mesmer shines.

Empathy, first of all, the staple of the Mesmer diet, deals around 30 damage (armor ignoring of course) at whatever speed the target attacks. This is probably the easiest to compare with a Warrior's damage output. Given that a warrior and a target enemy attacks at the same speed, the warrior will have to out-do 30 damage per hit (on average) to deal more than Empathy. For my experiences, that seems about right in the latter parts of the game, taking attack skills into account. Even if a warrior can do twice that (likely vs lower-armored foes), don't forget a Mesmer can maintain Empathy on two foes at once, while simultaneously doing the things listed below...

Shatter Hex is not only hex removal, but does a huge amount of damage when it's used. What about Smite Hex? Smite Hex is linked to Smiting Prayers, and unless the caster is playing a Smiter, don't expect SH to do much other than remove a hex (not to mention the inferior recharge).

Energy Surge is a wonderful skill. Though the energy it denies is unimportant in PvE, the damage it does isn't. Enemy casters tend to clump up together, so you can expect Surge to do many hundred points of damage whenever it's cast.

Wastrel's Worry tears through bosses like no other skill - 60 damage every ~2 seconds. With some energy management, this can be maintained indefinitely.

- Regarding Enchantment removal - Mark of Protection and Aura of Faith. These are the two main enchants which demands to be shattered immediately. And Mandy Memory, as you implied, there aren't that many enchantments that need removing in PvE (which I agree with), why bring Order of Apostasy? Surely that's overkill (with Apostasy being an elite, and uses 25e for a 5 sec cast)?

[Cymboric Treewalker]

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thanks.

[lg5000]

Originally Posted by Mandy Memory

Actually the mesmers only have 1 skill to stop either of these whereas the rangers have all but 1. The rangers are way more likely to shut them down. Mesmers are only decent at interupting spells, which are not a big enough problem in PVE to warrent bringing a mesmer and lowing your dps.

Hmm.. you were thinking of cry of frustration or leach sig?

I play both ranger and mesmer, and while I interupt better with my mesmer, the fact that the recharge time is lousy and I can't interupt rangers/warriors on a constant basis is rather annoying. At least the ranger skills recharge faster.

[Mandy Memory]

Originally Posted by LuxA

- Not only can Mesmers interrupt, they can do one better - prevent the spell from casting in the first place. Backfire does this, with the help of a recent AI update, monsters don't cast through Backfire, resulting in 10 seconds of inactivity.

Monsters shouldnt survive 10 seconds.

Shatter Hex is not only hex removal, but does a huge amount of damage when it's used. What about Smite Hex? Smite Hex is linked to Smiting Prayers, and unless the caster is playing a Smiter, don't expect SH to do much other than remove a hex (not to mention the inferior recharge).

Lol. What's wrong with smiting prayers? Most pve monks I know bring a smite skill or 2. Boon, rof, and guardian will breeze you through most places with no energy management. Bonding will get you through the really tuff ones. Either way thats a lot of slots open and no real need for energy management, might as well smite.

- Regarding Enchantment removal - Mark of Protection and Aura of Faith. These are the two main enchants which demands to be shattered immediately. And Mandy Memory, as you implied, there aren't that many enchantments that need removing in PvE (which I agree with), why bring Order of Apostasy? Surely that's overkill (with Apostasy being an elite, and uses 25e for a 5 sec cast)?

I would probably not bring the order in pve...but then again, factions could bring in new problems.

Originally Posted by lg5000

Hmm.. you were thinking of cry of frustration or leach sig?

I play both ranger and mesmer, and while I interupt better with my mesmer, the fact that the recharge time is lousy and I can't interupt rangers/warriors on a constant basis is rather annoying. At least the ranger skills recharge faster.

Lol...forgot about that sig...do people actually use that?

[Avarre]

Leech sig is very nice... fits better in PvP though.

[nugzta]

I farmed Queen (near Augury) with my guildies, grabbed my mesmer and killed Kepkhet Marrowfeast (the monk queen) in 10 - 15 sec. Arcane Conundrum + Power Block ftw!

[Fantus]

Originally Posted by Theos

/sarcasm
Woo! Yay finally a mesmer thread! I have yet to see one of these! Woo!
/sarcasm

Yeah, it's not really the first one, indeed. But I guess as a class that grew into the game accompanied by constant "You're useless" and "No, we really don't need you in our group" comments coming from the other classes, I guess we developed some "Mesmer Pride" in the process.

It doesn't hurt to show it every now and then.

[Evilsod]

Originally Posted by LuxA

- Not only can Mesmers interrupt, they can do one better - prevent the spell from casting in the first place. Backfire does this, with the help of a recent AI update, monsters don't cast through Backfire, resulting in 10 seconds of inactivity.

So they stop casting completely now? They always use to just totally spam attacks while suffering from it then stop the moment it would kill them, they even use to cancel the skill if it would cause them to die.
Works on Skeleton Ether Breakers like nothing else
*Backfire*
*Casts 1. SV 2. E-Surge 3. Interrupt or Shatter*
Ends up with 441 health less than it started with.

As or enchantment removal, if your playing interrupt surely you Mark of Protection shouldn't get cast in the first place?

I do love to see peoples reactions in FoW when my mesmer solos Wurms in about 30 seconds when it takes the entire team 5x that. Wastrels Worry ftw (can kill the monk boss with it too aslong as you bring Power Block).

I've never really seen a use for Leech Signet in PvE. I always pick Power Drain over it since its long cooldown is really wasted if you just interrupt Healing Signet or somet.

[Zakarr]

Originally Posted by Mandy Memory

A mesmer doesnt even have ressurect without being a Me/Mo thus saying that mesmers are more effective at being anything other than a mesmer. And spreading conditions does nothing in pve where the monsters die every 5 seconds.Utility is not needed in PvE...All you really need are heals and damage. N/W/Mo all do this nicely. If you are in an area that is overcrowded or you need interupts, bring a ranger.

Games should be fun too. If you think only the easiest and the most effective methods against PvE enemies, mesmers are not for you. Mesmers in PvE are like tutorial for PvP. When you want to be a good mesmer, you must understand how different skills work and what other differences each profession have. Also you must pay attention, be patience and see the situation as whole. I enjoy playing PvE mesmer because you actually have to think a bit before doing anything.

Mesmers should never focus to called target if there is other targets too. Pick your own targets and interrupt their strongest spells, then pick another target and repeat. Remember what skills they have and what recharge times are. That way you can prevent a lot of damage and weaken next targets.

Wastrel's Worry is a nice skill against bosses. Over 60 points armor ignoring damage per 1.5 seconds and it costs just 5 energy. It will work for against some other targets too like certain wurms and ether seals. WW will not end prematurely when target uses a skill if it gets interrupted.

When mesmer is operating in common party, others will not modify their builds or strategy to match a bit new situation where all enemy spells will never land. That will reduce mesmer's potential. So they are indeed a special profession which need awareness from others a lot more than any other character. I would say mesmers are for experienced players and need experienced party members to work at maximum power.

[Evilsod]

Mandy i seriously think you need to play Mesmer more, in general, PvP and high level areas. Just because none of there skills have fancy animation like SS or Meteor Shower doesn't mean they aren't killing things.

I just did Thunderkeep again for the hell of it on my mesmer and i'm pretty certain the entire team blamed the ele for that huge chunk of health that kept dissapearing from Jades/Mursaat the moment they attacked (Ineptitude+Clumsiness).

I hardly see saying Mesmers don't have a res a reason they suck. No profession but Monk (and soon Rit) have a res.

In FoW you see mesmers work more than you think. Did you ever wonder why that Shadow Monk decided to stop casting? Or Why that other Shadow keeps losing lots of health after each spell?
Probably not, you probably put it down to the ele and necro, or perhaps it was your own fearsome visage causing it to stop casting in terror

Power Block and Backfire > Monks (PvE)

[Mouse at Large]

I agree with most of what's been said here. I play a slightly odd mesmer i.e. an ele primary with an all mesmer skillbar apart from Aura of Restoration

It works well, and I've had no real problems with PUGs as long as I explain my setup up-front. The only time it was mentioned was in a FoW party where after about 1 hours play with perhaps 1 or 2 deaths (not mine) I got the comment "FFS - our ele is a mesmer!!!!"

[Edge Martinez]

Nevermind the versatility of the Mesmer. Casters, even bosses, go down fast, and four different mesmers will have used 4 different skillsets to do it. I don't blame Mandy for not liking Mesmers. Some people just need the order of a cookie cutter build. I'll admit that when it comes time to make a party, I try and take Mesmers, Necros and Rangers because back in the day when all people wanted were paladins, elmos and monks, it really pissed me off.

[Theos]

Can we stop using the crap that is Backfire as an argument for Mesmers? It is worthless against bosses and would be equally as worthless if the AI had actual AI.

Enchantment removal is not only a Mesmer field of play, Necros can, and usually do, remove any bothersome enchantment(s). Its not much of a solid argument to say that Mesmers rock because of this.

Where mesmers do shine, damage wise, which alot of people seem to really overlook as they focus on "omgzors its teh backfire!", is to make enemies either hopelessly "mana screwed" or punished for doing anything malicious to the mesmer's team. From this you get Empathy, Shatter Hex, Guilt, Ineptitude, and so on.

And then ofcourse we have the good old "In Interupt All Your Actions" line. Can't help but laugh when a monster curses

[Coolniceronguy]

Thanks, Pills.

Of all my characters, I would say my mesmer is the one I am most fond of.

[Jas D]

Do we really have to debate on this? Mesmers are great, that's all there is to it.

[MelechRic]

I think that a Mesmer played by a skilled player is one of the most formidable foes in PvP. They can do some serious damage to ALL classes. Depending on the build a mesmer can absolutely fry any other class.

One of the things I like to do for newbie/lowbie mesmers is give them any "unwanted" mesmer green items I happen to have. I find that this makes them really happy and encourages playing of the class. I've made some really good PvE mesmer friends this way.

[Da Cebuano]

I find if somewhat Ironic how a MesmEr appreaciation thread has the class' spelling wrong, makes you think the poster didn't care about mesmer so much as to spell it right

Anyway, I'm quite torn as to either make a ritualist or a mesmer as the final char I'm gonna make in factions. Necro and assassin I'm definitely gonna make(i dunno why I'm making an assassin, other than it'd be cool to have one) and Ritualist looks like it has quite the potential. Mesmers I though is very effective, and that it could be great to play one.

[guffey]

powerblock FTW!!!! just owns monks, as they cant heal for 13+ seconds.

[grikdog]

How can you say the female mesmer is the best looking character in the game. They look like they are running around in underwear they picked up at Victoria's Secret.

However that aside they have awesome skills.

[yesitsrob]

Hm, mesmers aren't the greatest of pve classes to be sure... why do you need to interrupt things, edrain them or whatever when you can kill them pretty easily anyway becauce the pve mobs are so brain dead.

Mesmers are really much more suited for pvp, where they do in fact rock a significant amount because some human monks will actually kite and heal unlike the ones in pve